Abstract: A transport path is branched into a main pass and a bypass. A deflector is provided at a branch point, for switching the path either to the bypass or to the main pass. Sheet detection switches are respectively provided along the bypass and the main pass, and also on a stapler plate, for controlling the rotation of a transfer roller. In this way, a first sheet being transported through the main pass and a second sheet being transported through the bypass can be discharged onto the stapler plate at the same time. As a result, the problem of the device being made larger or reducing the quality of the sheets can be prevented, and a faster process after copying can be achieved.

Abstract: A transport path is branched into a main pass and a bypass. A deflector is provided at a branch point, for switching the path either to the bypass or to the main pass. Sheet detection switches are respectively provided along the bypass and the main pass, and also on a stapler plate, for controlling the rotation of a transfer roller. In this way, a first sheet being transported through the main pass and a second sheet being transported through the bypass can be discharged onto the stapler plate at the same time. As a result, the problem of the device being made larger or reducing the quality of the sheets can be prevented, and a faster process after copying can be achieved.

Abstract: A sheet finishing and stacking apparatus includes a sheet transport path which stacks sheets onto a stapler tray, the stack is finished by a stapler, and a discharge roller and a pushed out member transport the stack onto a discharge tray. The discharge tray is driven in a vertical direction as stacks of sheets are deposited thereon. While the push-out member is delivering the stack to the discharge tray, an auxiliary lower discharge plate extends along a direction of the push-out member to prevent the stack from buckling. In another embodiment, the discharge tray is temporarily lowered and then raised back to an upper limit as the push-out member delivers the stack to the discharge tray.

Abstract: A transport path is branched into a main pass and a bypass. A deflector is provided at a branch point, for switching the path either to the bypass or to the main pass. Sheet detection switches are respectively provided along the bypass and the main pass, and also on a stapler plate, for controlling the rotation of a transfer roller. In this way, a first sheet being transported through the main pass and a second sheet being transported through the bypass can be discharged onto the stapler plate at the same time. As a result, the problem of the device being made larger or reducing the quality of the sheets can be prevented, and a faster process after copying can be achieved. If a second sheet of a next set is not detected on the bypass within a predetermined time period, the sheet in the main pass is discharged.

Abstract: A transport path is branched into a main pass and a bypass. A deflector is provided at a branch point, for switching the path either to the bypass or to the main pass. Sheet detection switches are respectively provided along the bypass and the main pass, and also on a stapler plate, for controlling the rotation of a transfer roller. In this way, a first sheet being transported through the main pass and a second sheet being transported through the bypass can be discharged onto the stapler plate at the same time. As a result, the problem of the device being made larger or reducing the quality of the sheets can be prevented, and a faster process after copying can be achieved.

Abstract: In a document feeder, documents are contained on a document rest in a stacked state. These documents are sequentially transported to a specified exposure region on a table glass member of a copying machine by a feeder and transporter and are then exposed. The documents are then discharged again onto the document rest. The documents are thereby circulated for copying. When the documents are small in number, the documents are not discharged until a copying operation of a necessary number of sheets is completed, and the documents are moved back and forth for exposure between a transport path of the feeder and the transporter. This design enables the time required for copying a small number of documents to be shortened.

Abstract: When a plurality of document sheets are sequentially transported by a belt to a document scanning area facing an optical scanning means, a clearance is formed between the belt and the document scanning area on the upstream side with respect to the document transporting direction. When a document is positioned in the document scanning area, a succeeding document is preliminarily transported until the leading edge thereof enters the clearance and contacts the belt. As a result, when the belt is driven to discharge the scanned document from the document scanning area, the succeeding document is quickly transported to the document scanning area. The time required for document transportation can thus be reduced.