Abstract: In a sorter-finisher distributing sheets ejected from a copying machine among a plurality of bins and thereafter stapling the distributed sheets, the plurality of bins can move independently from each other within a first area where the sheets are distributed and a second area where the distributed sheets are stapled. Some of the bins among which the sheets are not distributed are continuously moved to said second area without actuating a stapler, and then the other bins among which the sheets are distributed are moved to the second area one by one actuating the stapler. Further, in the sorter-finisher, a finishing mode which allows an operation of the stapler after a distributing process can be selected in the middle of or even after as well as before the distributing process.

Abstract: In a sorter-finisher with a sorting and stapling functions, the sheets ejected from a copying machine are transported and stored one by one into bins which are movable in the vertical direction along a guiding member, after taking out from each of the bins, the sheets are stapled by a stapling device. The guiding member, for preventing sheets on the bins from sliding down, have a first opening through which sheets ejected from the copying machine are fed onto one of the bins located opposite to the first opening and a second opening through which sheets held on one of the bins located opposite to the second opening are taken out. A first gate member provided at the first opening is movable from a closing position where the first gate member closes the first opening to an opening position where the first gate member is out of the first opening.

Abstract: In a copying apparatus having a sorter with a sheet stapling function; the sorter has a plurality of bins capable of independently moving up or down, wherein sheets are sorted into the bins sequentially from the top bin to the bottom bin; the bins are moved down to a position where sheets are taken by take-out rollers for transporting them to a stapling unit after the sorting operation; and the bins other than those assigned for the number of copy sets are moved down to the take-out position during the sorting operation. Further, a copying apparatus has a controller which inhibits a copying machine from starting to operate when both a non-sorting mode and a stapling mode are selected at a time and when the input number of copy sets is more than 2, and may cancel the stapling mode during the sorting operation in the stapling mode and continue the sorting operation even after canceling the stapling mode.

Abstract: A copying apparatus includes a sorter which has a plurality of bins, a binding unit for binding the sheets taken-out from each of the bins, a first path for transporting the sheets ejected from a copying machine to the sorter, a second path for transporting the sheets to the binding unit. Sheets are conducted to the first path when a sorting mode is selected, but to the second path regardless of the selection of the sorting mode when the input number of copy sets is 1. Further, the copying apparatus includes a first roller and a second roller for taking-out the sheets from the bins, wherein, the second roller is moved down to pinch the sheets on the bin in cooperation with the first roller when the bin reaches the sheet take-out position, and then the sheets on the bin are taken-out to the binding unit by the rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: A sorter-finisher system having a sorting unit comprising plural number of inclined bins arranged vertically at specified intervals and a transport unit for transporting bunches of sheets distributed among the bins to a sheet binding unit. When the sheets have been distributed among the bins, the bins move to a sheet receiving opening of the transport unit one by one. The bunches of the sheets in the bins are transported to the binding unit through the sheet receiving opening for binding. The angle of inclination of each bin at the position opposite to said sheet receiving opening is set larger than that of the bin at the position for the distribution of the sheets. In order to shift each bin from the position for the distribution of the sheets to the position where the sheet receiving opening is located, for example, a cam with a spiral groove designed to engage with a trunnion provided to each of the bins is used.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus having a first sorter connectable to a second sorter. The first sorter has a plurality of sorting bins and non-sort discharge outlet. A non-sort tray or a bridge is selectively connected to the discharge outlet. The bridge has a first sheet path for transporting the discharged sheet to the second sorter and a second sheet path for transporting the discharged sheet to another non-sort tray provided to the bridge.

Abstract: A copying apparatus having an image forming unit, a sorting unit capable of distributing sheets carrying the images formed thereon and a binding unit for binding the distributed sheets are provided. The sorting unit is set to a sorting mode when a binding mode is selected. Further, a copying apparatus having controls for inhibiting the operation of the binding unit so that the operation of the binding unit can be inhibited in the cases where the size of the sheet is not in conformity to the allowable size and where the number of sorted sheets is beyond the number acceptable from the capacity of the binding unit or the number of sorted sheets is only "1". The operation of the binding unit is inhibited where there are any sheets left in the binding unit or staples are found to be absent before starting the operation of the binding unit.

Abstract: A copying apparatus having image forming means, an automatic document feeder, sorting means for distributing copying sheets having an image formed thereon among a plurality of bins and means for binding the sheets contained in each bin. When a binding mode is selected by using the automatic document feeder, the operation of the binding means is started when a specified time has passed since all the documents were fed from a document tray. Moreover, when an instruction to start operating the binding means is entered during the operation of the image forming means, the operation of the binding means is started after completing the operation of the image forming means.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus having a sorting unit to distribute the sheets among a plurality of bins, a binding unit to bind the sheets and a transporting unit to sequentially transport the sheets contained in each of the bins to the binding unit. The sheet processing apparatus allows the selection of either a first mode to control the binding unit in conjunction with the transporting unit or a second mode to independently control the binding unit regardless of the transporting unit. Further, the operation in the second mode is inhibited either when the first mode is selected, when the binding unit and the transporting unit are in operation in the first mode, or while the sorting operation of the sorting unit is in progress. In the second mode, the binding unit is actuated upon detecting that sheets have been inserted into the binding unit.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus of a spiral cam type for sorting or collating copy paper sheets discharged from a copying machine and the like, having a spiral groove of each spiral cam formed in an amount equivalent to the sum of the distance between bins in an expanded condition for receiving copy paper sheet and the distance between the bins in a non-expanded condition to eliminate vertical movements of the bins not directly related to the sorting or collating during expansion of the space between the bins.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus of a shiftable bin type for use in a copying apparatus or the like, which is arranged to be capable of readily and positively removing sorted copy paper sheets from respective bins.

Abstract: A sheet sorter including: a sheet feed passage having an outlet for feeding sheets one by one in a predetermined direction, and a plurality of bin trays situated adjacent to the outlet and stacked in a pile with gaps between the adjacent bin trays for receiving sheets fed from the passage. The gaps are widened, successively, at an inlet side of the bin trays. The passage is shifted up and down in synchronization with the widened gap so as to align the outlet of passage with the widened gap. A plurality of feed rollers are fixedly mounted on a shaft provided in the outlet for feeding the sheets into the widened gap. Swing plates are rotatably or swingably mounted on the shaft to direct the sheets onto the bin trays.

Abstract: A copying control arrangement for controlling functioning of a copying apparatus having a multi-copying mode to effect a continuous copying. The control arrangement includes a first switch for starting ordinary copying functioning, a second switch for causing the copying apparatus to function in a trial copy mode, a timer for starting subsequent copying function after lapse of a predetermined period of time subsequent to termination of copying functioning when the copying functioning is executed in the trial copy mode, and a control device for starting the ordinary copying functioning selectively by time-up signal of the timer or by start signal from the first switch during timer functioning of the timer.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an improved electrostatic latent image developing method in which uneven development arising from simultaneous employment of a magnetic roller rotational driving system and an AC developing bias impressing system is eliminated, without impairing the advantages available from such systems, so as to make it possible to provide developed images of good quality at high density in the application, for example, to an electrophotographic copying apparatus and the like.

Abstract: A sheet feeding system wherein, when a start signal for starting sheet feeding is given, a sheet tray is brought into contact with a first feed roller and at the same time the first feed roller is driven to rotate. When a first detection mechanism has detected the leading end of a sheet having reached between a second feed roller and a parting roller, the sheet tray is separated from the first feed roller and when the sheet is detected by the second detection mechanism, the second feed roller is stopped after a delay time that the leading end of the sheet contacts a stopper closing a sheet threading path for the sheet to be slightly looped, and the sheet threading path is opened upon the lapse of a predetermined time and the parting roller is then disengaged from the second feed roller.