Abstract: Image-forming apparatus includes a finite length image member such as a seamed photoconductive loop. Images are formed on the image member in one of three different sized image frames, the first image frame being 1/2 the in-track length of the third image frame and the second image frame having an intermediate length. Relatively small size images, for example letter size images are formed in the first size frames while relatively large sized images, for example, ledger sized images are formed in the third size frames. Intermediate sized images, for example images for B-4 receiving sheets are formed in the second or intermediate size image frames. Receiving sheets in duplex are passed through a finite length duplex path which has a speed profile which is substantially the same for receiving sheets bearing images formed in the first and third frame lengths but is different, for example faster, for images formed in the second size image frame while use of the same duplex path for the three frame sizes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a finite length recirculating duplex path without a duplex tray and having an inverter. A receiving sheet is delayed in the inverter by a time which is variable in order to vary the recirculating path time. Preferably, the time is varied according to the length of receiving sheet used so that maximum usage can be made of the image forming apparatus. A preferred inverter includes entrance and exit nips and a stop at the end of a paper chute. The stop is positioned to receive the leading edge of a sheet fed into the chute and hold the sheet through a variable time delay. The stop is then moved toward the exit nip at the end of the time delay to begin to move the receiving sheet out of the inverter. The receiving position of the stop is variable to receive sheets of different intrack length.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus in which a stack of sheets is supported and stored in a biased base tray. Successive uppermost sheets contained within the biased base tray are caused to move into engagement with a segmented feed roller. A cone shaped roller in combination with edge guides provide cross-track, in-track and skew alignment for the uppermost sheet after is it separated and advanced from the stack by the segmented feed roller. A biased retard pad prevents multiple sheet feeds from the stack.

Abstract: A sheet transporting apparatus for transporting document sheets, wherein passive gripper gates, of simplified construction, selectively attach a sheet to the transport belt of the sheet transporting apparatus. The sheet transporting apparatus comprises a transport belt having a passive mechanism for selectively clamping a document sheet thereto. The transport belt is moved along a path, and a sheet is delivered into association with the passive clamping mechanism. The passive clamping mechanism is selectively actuated to clamp a sheet delivered into association therewith to the transport belt for movement with the transport belt. A mechanism, located downstream in direction of movement of the transport belt, selectively deactuates the passive clamping mechanism to release a sheet from the clamping mechanism of the transport belt. Thereafter, the sheet is separated from the transport belt.

Abstract: A receiving sheet having a loose toner image on a surface of the sheet is transported from an image member to a fuser by continuing movement of the image member. To prevent disruption of the loose toner image and to accommodate any difference in speeds of the image member and the fuser, air is directed on the image side of the receiving sheet to force the receiving sheet against a curved guide positioned behind the receiving sheet.

Abstract: Sheet feed apparatus including a scuff feeder for reliably transporting sheets from the bottom of a stack of sheets without marking of the sheets. The sheet transport apparatus comprises a retard device, located in contact with the lead edge, in the direction of sheet feed, of a sheet stack for preventing double feeding of sheets from the sheet stack. A scuff feed belt is located to have a run extending in the direction of sheet feed substantially above the surface of the tray and below the retard device to form a sheet separation nip with the retard device. The run of the scuff feed belt presents an area of contact with the sheet stack to carry about 50% of the weight of the sheet stack. Additionally, the scuff feed belt of the scuff feeder and the retard device respectively have a plurality of grooves oriented in the direction of sheet feed.

Abstract: Receiving sheet jams in a toner image fuser are cleared by raising an upper frame of an image-forming apparatus. A pressure roller in the fuser is fixed to the upper frame and separates from a fusing roller when the upper frame is raised. Inner and outer guides providing a slot for the receiving sheet leading away from the fuser to an output hopper are mounted to separate when the upper frame is raised, permitting clearance of paper stuck between the guides. The outer guide is prevented from following the inner guide as the upper frame is raised, but instead stops at a position covering the fusing roller to prevent touching of a hot fusing roller by the operator while the operator is clearing a jam.

Abstract: A stapling apparatus for stapling a set of copy sheets in a copier or printer includes a noise reducing clamp mechanism for clamping the set of copy sheets. The noise reducing clamp mechanism includes means for proportionally varying the speed and force of a movable clamping member, such that the thinner the set of copy sheets, the lesser the speed and impact force of the movable member when it contacts the set of sheets.

Abstract: An improved Z-folder for use with a reproduction apparatus having a modular finisher apparatus for forming completely finished reproduction sets of a series of reproductions produced on sheets respectively by the reproduction apparatus. The modular finisher includes a mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices including a Z-folder. The improved Z-folder comprises a support frame mating with the finisher mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices to enable the frame to be received therein. An assembly is mounted on the frame for moving a reproduction sheet directed to the Z-folder along a prescribed path to effect Z-folding of such reproduction sheet. A device for collecting reproduction sheets prior to having a finishing operation carried out thereon is also associated with the frame. A sheet feed path is defined for delivering reproduction sheets directly to the collecting device, such path intersecting the prescribed path of the Z-folding assembly, whereby a compact arrangement is provided.

Abstract: An improved saddle stitcher for use with a reproduction apparatus having a modular finisher apparatus for forming completely finished reproduction sets of a series of reproductions produced on sheets respectively by the reproduction apparatus. The modular finisher includes a mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices including a saddle stitcher. The improved saddle stitcher comprises a support frame mating with the finisher mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices to enable the frame to be received therein. A sheet feed path for receiving reproduction sheets is associated with the support frame, and an adjustable mechanism for registering reproduction sheets and thereafter stapled reproduction sets is mounted on the frame. Further, a mechanism associated with the frame is provided for stapling reproduction sheets at substantially the mid-line thereof, and for folding a stapled reproduction set substantially along the mid-line thereof.

Abstract: A stapling system for stapling a set of copy sheets in a copier or printer includes a precise, but non-metering continuous wire feed mechanism. The feed mechanism has a full-feed wire sensor, and a control circuit including the wire being fed, for sensing and controlling the feeding of precise lengths of continuous staple wire to the stapler head of the system.

Abstract: An improved modular finisher apparatus, for use with a reproduction apparatus producing reproduction sets, for forming completely finished reproduction sets. The improved finisher apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving sheets of reproduction sets from the reproduction apparatus. A first feed path extends from the receiver to a sheet collector where received sheets are directed. Collected sheets are stapled into finished reproduction sets. A second feed path extends from the sheet collector to a set collector where finished reproduction sets are collected. The finisher also includes at least one of the following devices: a Z-folder, a saddle stitcher, and an insert tray. Sheet transport paths are provided to any of the included devices.

Abstract: A stapling apparatus using continuous staple wire for stapling a set of sheets includes a stapler head having a cover thereto that partially and advantageously defines the stapel wire path therein so as to substantially reduce staple wire jams and misfeeds.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding and stacking sets of finished sheets in an electrostatographic copier or printer includes means for feeding a set of such sets one at a time onto the top of a stack of such sheets already in an output hopper, and an anti-dishevelment device for preventing the tearing, dishevelment and other damaging of the top sheet of the top set of the sets in the stack by contacting and holding down such top sheet during the feeding of a new set onto the top of the stack.

Abstract: A sheet collection mechanism includes three tray portions defining a slanted receiving surface. The surface extends from a lower stop against which sheets are stacked upward to a position below an egress for sheets and is long enough to stack long sheets without interference between the leading edge of an egressing sheet and the stack. To stack shorter sheets the downstream edges of two upper tray portions are selectively raiseable to cause the leading edge of a sheet to engage the stack downstream of the stacks' trailing edge. An auxiliary drive roller is positioned to cooperate with the downstream part of one of the upper trays when raised to assist in driving short sheets to the stop.

Abstract: A finishing apparatus capable of binding a plurality of stacked sheets together at any of a plurality of selected location along an edge of the sheet stack. This apparatus comprises a mechanism for moving sheets seriatem along a path, and compiling such sheets in a stack. A binding unit is mounted for movement relative to such sheet path in juxtaposition to an edge of a compiled stack of sheets. The drive for moving the binding unit is controlled so that the binding unit can effect binding of a compiled stack of sheets at any of a plurality of locations along the edge. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the drive for the binding unit is a stepper motor coupled to the binding unit. A microprocessor based logic and control unit activates the stepper motor through a predetermined number of steps to position the binding unit at a particular desired location relative to the edge of a compiled sheet stack.