Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a stapling apparatus which binds sheets like a book by stapling the sheets at two points in a both sides copying mode or in a mode in which a cover is added to the sheets. This stapling apparatus includes a stapling unit for selectively performing stapling at one or a plurality of points of a plurality of sheets ejected from an image forming apparatus, and a control unit for controlling the stapling unit to perform stapling at a plurality of points of sheets ejected when the image forming apparatus is in a specific mode.

Abstract: A copying apparatus comprises an original support unit for supporting original sheets, an original transport unit for feeding the originals one by one from the original support unit to an exposure unit, and, after the exposure, discharging the originals to the original support unit, a circulation detecting unit for detecting one circulation of the originals by the original transport unit, a counter for counting the number of originals transported by the original transport unit, a copying unit for effecting exposure in the exposure unit, and copying the image of the exposed original onto a sheet, and a storage unit provided with plural storage devices for storing sheets subjected to the copying by the copying unit.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus includes a plurality of bin trays arranged in a direction with clearances between adjacent ones to accommodate sheet materials; at least one sheet holder, movable in the direction, for holding and and discharging the sheet materials to the bin trays; a sheet introducing device for introducing the sheet materials to the sheet holder; a non-sort bin for accommodating the sheet materials in a non-sorting mode operation; wherein the sheet introducing device is disposed opposed to the non-sort bin, and the sheet holding device has its home position opposed to the non-sort bin.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a tray for accommodating discharged sheets; binding device for binding the sheets discharged to the tray; a stacker, juxtaposed with the tray, for accommodating a set of sheets on the tray; and a controller for discriminating whether binding mode or non-binding mode is selected, and for changing stacking way of the set of sheets on the stacker.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic original feeding apparatus comprising first rotary supply means for supplying a sheet original, second rotary supply means disposed at a downstream side of the first supply means to supply the sheet original, control means for rotating the second rotary supply means reversely to return the sheet original toward an upstream side by a small amount, retract means for directing a trailing end of the returned sheet original out of a sheet path connecting between the first and second rotary supply means, controlling means for controlling the first rotary supply means to cause the first rotary supply means to feed a next sheet original until a leading end of the next sheet original is overlapped with the trailing end of the first sheet original, information means for the kind of sheet originals, and means for changing a return amount of the sheet original effected by the controlling means, in accordance with the kind of the sheet original from the information means.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus includes a plurality of bin trays arranged in a direction with clearances between adjacent ones to accommodate sheet materials; a plurality of sheet introducing devices disposed at a plurality of positions along the direction; a first sheet holder, movable in the direction, for receiving the sheet materials from the sheet introducing device and holding the sheet materials; second sheet holder, movable in the direction, for receiving sheet from the first sheet holder and for discharging the sheet material to the bin trays; a deflector for deflecting the sheet material to one of the sheet holder; wherein the first sheet holder selects one of the sheet introducing device from which the first sheet holder receive the sheet material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method includes a sheet accommodating device, a feeder, an image former, a sheet conveying path, and a controller. The sheet accommodating device accommodates a stack of sheets. The sheet accommodating device is movable in a direction crossing with the feeding direction for the sheets. The feeder feeds one-by-one the sheets from the sheet accommodating device. The image former forms an image on a sheet sent from the sheet accommodating device by the feeder. The sheet conveying path has a sufficient length to retain the sheet from the sheet accommodating device between the feeder and the image former so that a trailing edge of the sheet is downstream of the feeder. The controller pre-feeds the sheet to the sheet conveying path from the sheet accommodating device prior to the generation of a sheet feeding signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laminating apparatus comprising a sheet feeder for feeding a sheet on which an image is formed, a laminate film feeder for feeding laminate films, a heater for heating the laminate films being fed, a device for pressurizing the sheet and the laminate films being fed by the sheet feeder and the laminate film feeder, by overlapping the sheet and the laminate films, a temperature for detecting a temperature of the heater, and a controller means for prohibiting a laminate mode when the temperature detected by the temperature detector is lower than a predetermined set temperature.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus having a sheet deck for stacking a plurality of sheets and accommodating the sheets, a separation unit for separating the sheets stacked on the sheet deck one sheet after another, a sheet detecting unit mounted at the downstream of the separation unit for detecting the sheet separated by the separation unit, and a controller for activating again, if the sheet detecting unit does not detect the sheet after the start of the operation of the separation unit, the separation unit at a lower operation speed, and if the sheet detecting unit detects the sheet thereafter, setting the operation speed of the separation unit to an original speed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an original feeder for feeding an original to an exposure position, a first detector provided in an original feed path of the original feeder for detecting a density of the original being fed, an exposure unit for exposing the original at the exposure position, a second detector provided at the exposure unit for detecting a density of the original at the exposure position, and a control unit for controlling processing conditions for an image on the original exposed by the exposure unit according to at least one output from the first detector and the second detector.

Abstract: A binding apparatus for binding sheet materials with a covering material having a heat-adhesive agent at its bottom portion by bonding the bottom portion of the covering member and edges of the sheet materials includes a holder for holding the covering material and the sheet materials sandwiched by the covering material; a heater for heating the adhesive agent; a switch for switching power supply to the heater; a detector for detecting setting of the covering material in the holder; and a temperature controller. The temperature controller supplies power to provide a first temperature when the covering material is not set in the holder, supplies power to the heater to provide a second temperature higher than the first temperature when the covering material is set in the supporting member, and supplies the power to the heater to provide the first temperature after the covering member is taken out from the holding member.

Abstract: An original handling apparatus is provided with a conveyor, a setting circuit and a control system. The conveyor conveys an original in plural modes in which an original is scanned. The conveyor is operated in a first convey mode in which an original is fed to and stopped at a first position on a platen. After the scan is completed, the scanned original is fed to and stopped at a second position on the platen, and a next original is fed to and stopped at the first position on the platen. In the second convey mode, the original is fed to and stopped at the first position on the platen, and after scan is completed, the original is discharged from the first position. A next original is then fed to and stopped at the first position on the platen. The setting circuit sets either the first or second convey modes.

Abstract: A control method for a sheet sorter including a plurality of sorting bins, a sheet discharger for discharging sheets to the sort bins and a driver for moving the sort bins to present the sort bins to the discharger includes moving the sorting bins at a first speed in association with receipt of the sheet by one of the sorting bins and moving the sorting bins at a second speed in association with a discharge interval between the sheets discharged by the sheet discharger, by controlling the driver.