Abstract: A sheet sorter with includes a bin unit including a plurality of bins for accommodating sorted sheets, sheet stacker for accommodating non-sorted sheets, sheet switcher for selectively guiding the sheets to the plural bins or to the sheet stacker, stapler for stapling the sheets accommodated in the bins, for each of the bins, and controller for controlling the sheet switcher to direct the sheet to the bins in response to instructions for sorting and stapling the sheets, to direct the sheet to the sheet stacker in response to instructions for accommodating the sheets without sorting, and to direct the sheets to the bin unit in response to instructions for stapling the sheets without sorting. The apparatus further includes a reciprocating aligning member which is driven to an alignment position during movement of the bins and is again driven to the alignment position to complete the aligning operation after completion of the movement of the bins.

Abstract: A sheet sorter includes a plurality of bins for receiving sorted sheets, a sheet discharging unit for discharging the sheets to the bins, a shifting unit for raising and lowering the plurality of bins in order to selectively face a bin to the sheet discharging unit, an aligning reference wall for regulating one end portion of a sheet discharged to the bin, and an aligning member for bringing the one side portion of the sheet into contact with the aligning reference wall by pushing the other side portion of the sheet. The sheet sorter further includes a controller for controlling the aligning member so as to vary the timing of alignment start depending on whether operation is during normal sorting wherein the bin receiving the sheet at a position facing the sheet discharging unit rises after receiving the sheet or during reverse sorting wherein the bin receiving the sheet descends.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes trays for accommodating discharge sheets; an aligning device for aligning the sheets on said trays by urging edges of the sheets; a driver for driving the aligning device; supporting device for supporting said aligning device for rotation; and a controller for controlling the driver to change a degree of the urging of the aligning device in accordance with a size of the sheets accommodated in the tray.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a stapling unit including a detachable staple cartridge for holding staples attached in series, a staple driving device for sequentially driving the series of staples into sheets from a front-end portion, and a staple feeder for feeding the staples from the staple cartridge to the staple driving device. The sheet post-processing apparatus further includes a cartridge regulating device engageable with the staple cartridge for inhibiting detachment of the staple cartridge as a result of the engagement, a detector for detecting the presence or absence of the staples, and a releasing device for disengaging the regulating device when the absence of staples is detected by the detector to allow removal of the staple cartridge for replacement of the staples.

Abstract: This invention relates to the sheet transporting apparatus having a sheet storage device capable of storing sheets and provided in the middle of a sheet transport path; and a carriage unit with a sheet discharge mechanism for transporting a sheet to the sheet storage device and capable of reciprocating motion substantially above said sheet storage device.

Abstract: In a method of controlling copying-paper feed in an image forming apparatus having a recycling original feeder for feeding a sheet of an original mounted on a tray to an original reading portion, a paper supply unit for starting a paper supply operation of a sheet material, and a duplex unit with an intermediate tray, the steps of detecting a paper jam in the recycling original feeder, determining whether the paper supply unit has started its paper supply operation and then transmitting the sheet material to the sheet receiving member for temporarily storing the sheet material. After jam removal, the sheet material may then be routed to an image formation position.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes original stacker having plural stages spaced from each other, each of which is capable of accommodating sheet originals; a support for supporting the plural stages for movement substantially along the stages; a feeder for feeding sheet originals from a selected one of the stages of the original stacker; conveyer for conveying the sheet originals from the feeder to a predetermined position; reversing device for returning the sheet originals having been placed at the predetermined position to the same selected stage; and a driver for driving the original stacker so as to bring the plural stages selectively toward the feeder.