Abstract: A sheet discharge device includes a housing for housing sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus. A matching reference device includes a plurality of reference members different in matching reference positions for arranging one end of the sheet in the housing. A matching device moves the sheet to the matching reference device to arrange the one end of the sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet process device capable of performing a sheaf discharge operation to discharge sheaves of sheets stacked on a process tray to a stack tray, without discharging a next sheet to the process tray during the sheaf discharge operation and stopping an operation on a body side of an image formation apparatus. In the sheet process device, for example, in a case where an original consisting of six sheets of paper is carried, the first to third sheets are stacked on the process tray as they are without any designation, and the following fourth sheet is designated as a sheaf discharge sheet since it is the sheet two before the final sheet of the sheaf, whereby the sheaf discharge of the first to fourth sheets is performed. The fifth sheet after the sheaf discharge is designated as a wind sheet since a value of a wind counter has been set to be “2”.

Abstract: A sheet discharge apparatus includes a discharge device for discharging sheets, a storage device for receiving the sheets discharged by the discharge device, alignment reference members for aligning at least one side of the sheets discharged to the storage device, rotating bodies (belt unit) that contact the sheets at a predetermined position on the storage device to move the sheets to the alignment reference members, a support device for supporting the rotating bodies to move freely between an activating position that contacts the sheets at the predetermined position and a retracted position away from the sheets at the predetermined position, and a control device for controlling the support device to position the rotating bodies at the retracted position when the sheets reach the predetermined position before a trailing edge of the sheets in a discharge direction is discharged to the storage device by the discharge device.

Abstract: Substrates are received by a compiling mechanism and compiled into sets. Incoming sheets are tamped by a tamping system into position on the compiling platform to register the sheets. The compiler platform mechanism includes two narrow, low-friction panels that are driven in opposite directions. The compiled and registered sheets sets can be manipulated by a manipulation device, to be stapled, punched, stitched, etc. The compiled, manipulated and registered sheet sets can be dropped onto an output catch platform located below the compilation platform. The compiling platform includes two retractable panels that slide open to allow the compiled set to drop to the output catch platform below. Once the set is dropped, the compiling platform panels are driven back to their original position in order to receive another set. Alternatively, the compiled and registered sets can be ejected from the compiling platform to a subsequent, downstream device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for binding pages. The apparatus includes a tray having a support surface for supporting a stack of pages. The support surface is inclined towards a lower-most corner with two side walls being provided which define a corner situated at the lower-most corner of the support surface. A vibrator is coupled to the support surface to induce vibration therein to thereby urge sheets towards the lower-most corner. A binding press is also provided which is operable by moving through a stroke length to bear upon the stack of pages to thereby bind the pages. The support surface is adjustable vertically so as to present the top page of the stack at a preset level to limit the stroke length.

Abstract: A page stacking and binding system has a support tray for receiving pages to be stacked, including a support surface; a drive system arranged so as to direct pages into the support tray, a vibrator interacting with the tray and a press device adapted to apply a compressive force to the stack of pages.

Abstract: A page binding device for binding pages 11 from an inkjet printhead assembly 13. The device has an adhesive applicator 16 for applying adhesive to printed pages 11. The adhesive applicator 16 is adapted to apply adhesive onto the pages 11 as they are fed to the support tray. A page conveyor 12 for sequentially feeding pages 11 from the printhead assembly 13 to the support tray via the adhesive applicator 16. The adhesive applicator 16 is adapted to apply adhesive to a trailing edge of each page, the trailing edge extending transverse to the paper path. By applying the adhesive to the trailing edge of the page, it is not necessary to precisely synchronize the motion of the adhesive applicator with the velocity of the paper fed along the paper path.

Abstract: A page binding device for binding pages 11 from an inkjet printhead assembly 13. The device has an adhesive applicator 16 for applying adhesive to printed pages 11. The adhesive applicator 16 is adapted to eject adhesive onto the pages 11 as they are fed to the support tray. A page conveyor 12 for sequentially feeding pages 11 from the printhead assembly 13 to the support tray via the adhesive applicator 16. An air flow generator for generating an air flow 14 that prevents the pages 11 from contacting the adhesive applicator 16. Using an air cushion and a non-contact adhesive applicator avoids the paper buckling problems associated with contact adhesive applicators.

Abstract: A system for printing, stacking and binding pages that has a drive system arranged to direct pages along a page path, a print station positioned on the page path, an adhesive station positioned downstream of the drive system, a support tray for receiving pages to be stacked, a vibrator interacting with the way so as to induce vibration therein and a press device adapted to apply a compressive force to the stack of pages.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body having a sheet ejecting section, a placing tray formed on an upper portion of the main body to receive a sheet ejected from the main body, an image reading device for reading an image disposed above the sheet ejecting section, and a sheet post-processing unit disposed between the image reading device and the placing tray. The post-processing unit includes a supporting device capable of moving between a support position for supporting an upstream side of an ejected sheet in a transfer direction and a retreat position for allowing the sheet to drop onto the placing tray, a post-processing device disposed at a side adjacent to the supporting means for applying post-processing to the sheet supported on the supporting means, and a sheet shift device laterally moving the sheet into and from the post-processing device.

Abstract: A document binding apparatus is formed to be mounted on an upper surface of a laser beam printer or the like. A paper discharged from the printer is fed to a paper guide, and a paper detecting sensor is turned ON to start the document binding apparatus. The paper is fed to a binding table through a paper lead-in roller, and a paper arranging pusher and a paper arranging rotation brush arrange the paper put on the binding table and an electromotive stapler binds the paper. After the staple process, a paper discharge roller holds the paper and discharges it to a stack tray.

Abstract: In a booklet maker, as would be found in conjunction with a copier or printer, sheets to be folded and stapled into a booklet are accumulated in a slot. At the bottom of the slot, a selectably extendable contact member presses an accumulating set of sheets against a sidewall of the slot following the entry of each new sheet into the slot. The contact member decreases curling and fluffing of sheets within the slot, which can cause imprecisions in registering, stapling, or creasing of the sheets as they are formed into a booklet.

Abstract: In a booklet maker, as would be found in conjunction with a copier or printer, print sheets to be folded and stapled into a booklet are accumulated in a slot. At the bottom of the slot, a selectably extendable contact member presses an accumulating set of sheets against a sidewall of the slot following the entry of each new sheet into the slot. The contact member decreases curling and fluffing of sheets within the slot, which can cause imprecisions in registering, stapling, or creasing of the sheets as they are formed into a booklet.

Abstract: A stapler processing apparatus includes a paper jogging tray 6 for a collated sheet 3, a paper jogging unit 7 for jogging the collated sheet 3 by pressing it on the tray 6 by a presser jogging member 13, a stapler 8 for stapling the collated sheet 3 jogged by the paper jogging unit 7 and a paper discharging unit 9 for discharging the collated sheet 3 stapled by the stapler 6 from the tray 6. In operation, when the stapler 8 staples the collated sheet 3, it is forced to the tray 6 while making an upper driven roller 30b in close contact with a lower drive roller 30a. After stapling by the stapler 8, the paper jogging operation of the paper jogging unit 7 is stopped and the upper driven roller 30b is separated from the lower drive roller 30a to release the collated sheet 3 from it nipped state once. Subsequently, the upper driven roller 30b is brought into close contact with the lower drive roller 30a again and the discharge operation is started.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus comprising, sheet stacking means for stacking sheet, sheet binding means for binding a sheets and conveying means for conveying the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking means so as to change sheet binding positions. According to the present invention, the sheet binding means, the conveying means can be used commonly, so that the costs for parts can be reduced, and so that a compact sheet processing apparatus can he provided in terms of apparatus capacity.

Abstract: Flat articles are gathered on stack supports (2) being conveyed past feed points substantially continuously and one after the other. After the gathering operation, bottom edge zones (13) of the gathered articles are exposed for a further processing operation. The corresponding device includes continuously conveyed stack supports (2) each with an inclined supporting surface (3) and a foot element (4) located in the bottom area of the supporting surface (3). The foot elements are actively connected with the supporting surfaces such that they are capable of being pressed against the supporting surface and of being spaced from the supporting surface. In an exposure zone downstream of the gathering zone (1), stack support structure, which are conveyed in synchronism with the stack supports (2) and substantially in the same direction, and a control device are provided.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention are equipped with discharge rollers for discharging a sheet, a fixed stacking portion for supporting one corner of the sheet discharged by the discharge rollers, a storage tray disposed below the fixed stacking portion with an area larger than the fixed stacking portion, and a stapler for binding the sheet while the sheet straddles the fixed stacking portion and the storage tray. It is possible to configure a more compact size in the sheet transport direction. Further, it is possible to stabilize the sheet bundle when post-processing the sheet bundle straddling the sheet single corner portion support tray and the sheet storage tray, thereby enabling the accurate post-processing.

Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention includes jogger fences for jogging sheets sequentially stacked in a stapling section, and a stapler for stapling the sheets together. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) controls a jogger motor such that the jogger fences each move to a first position, a second position, and a third position in accordance with the width of sheets in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance. The first position is remote from the edge of a sheet stack in the direction of the width by a preselected amount. The second position is closer to the edge than the first position by a preselected amount and slightly overlaps the edge. At the third position, when the stapler staples the sheet stack, the jogger fence substantially contacts the edge in accordance with the width.

Abstract: A system for printing, stacking and binding pages that has a drive system arranged to direct pages along a page path, a print station positioned on the page path, an adhesive station positioned downstream of the drive system, a support tray for receiving pages to be stacked, a vibrator interacting with the way so as to induce vibration therein and a press device adapted to apply a compressive force to the stack of pages.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus is formed of a placing tray for placing a sheet thereon, a supporting device capable of moving between a support position for supporting one side of a sheet ejected above the placing tray and a retreat position for allowing the supported sheet to drop onto the placing tray, a post-processing device fixed at one side of the supporting device and applying post-processing to the sheet supported on the supporting device, a sheet shift device for moving the sheet to a position where the sheet is released from the post-processing device, and a control device for controlling the sheet shift device to move the sheet from the post-processing device after the post-processing. Also, the control device moves the supporting device to the retreat position.

Abstract: A hole-punching process for a sheet-wise booklet maker, including a hole punching device, a clamp, and a drive system. While a folded booklet sheet is being held stationary on its leading side, the drive system advances the trailing side of the folded sheet, thereby forcing the folded edge of the sheet into a hole punching device. The operation of the drive system is based on sheet information associated with the folded sheet, which includes information such as the order number of the folded sheet within the to-be-assembled booklet and the accumulated thickness of other sheets to be positioned within the folded sheet. Position information is also determined, indicating the instantaneous distance between the folded edge of the sheet with a hole punch in the hole punching device.

Abstract: In a sheet finisher having a stacker for sheets conveyed from an image forming apparatus and a stapler for stacked sheets, the sheet finisher further has a conveying timing adjustment section arranged upstream of the stacker including: a conveying-in section for a sheet from the image forming apparatus; a conveying-out section separately provided from the conveying-in section; and a reversal conveying section for reversing a conveying direction of the sheet conveyed in one direction from the conveying-in section and for conveying-out from the conveying-out section. A controller controls the reversal conveying section such that at least a second bundle or a bundle after the second bundle of sheet bundles to be stapled by the stapler, in which a plurality of sheets having at least a top sheet and a succeeding sheet to the top sheet are overlapped each other, is conveyed-out from the reversal conveying section.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus having an inclined tray for receiving sheets for stacking, and a sheet order gate for first guiding lead edges of each of the sheets that are being fed to the stack and for then guiding trail edges of each of the sheets positioned in the tray in their correct order is disclosed.

Abstract: A page binding support tray has vibratory page alignment. The tray has a floor having a lower-most corner at which two side walls of the tray converge. Previously edge-glued printed uniformly sized pages are received to form a stack upon the tray floor and vibration of the tray ensures that edges of the page bear against the side walls of the tray to align the pages prior to edge-pressing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image formation apparatus to which a postprocess unit requiring a discharge condition that a transfer member of which image formation face is being turned downward is discharged and a binding position at a time of binding the member at its trailing edge is being at the left of the image formation face can be installed. On a platen glass, an original is carried in such a state as its read face is opposite to an upper face of the glass, and an image on the read face of the original is read by a scanner supported at a running read position when the original passes the running read position. Then, through a mirror image process, it is formed on an image formation face (upper face) of a sheet the read image of whcih direction is the same as that of the set original. When the image-formed sheet is discharged externally by the reverse sheet discharge control, the sheet is discharged in such a state as its face is being turned downward.

Abstract: A stacking apparatus and method. A document set stacking apparatus and method is provided for use in a document creating apparatus. A set stacking area is provided that has been adapted to accept a stack of a plurality of document sets having fasteners. A set relief area is provided for the portion of the document sets containing the fasteners. At least one fastener attractor is provided adjacent the set relief area. The fastener attractor attracts the fasteners and the portions of the document sets containing the fasteners toward the set relief area.

Abstract: A sheet discharge apparatus includes a sheet storage tray for receiving a sheet; a discharge device for discharging the sheet transported from a processing apparatus to the sheet storage tray; a reference member for aligning an edge of the sheet on the sheet storage tray; a transport device for transporting the discharge device between a first position for the discharge device to discharge the sheet to the sheet storage tray and a second position for the discharge device to align the sheet discharged on the tray against the reference member; and a control device for controlling an operation of the discharge device.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus is connected to or assembled in an image forming device such as a copying machine to automatically bind recorded or copied sheets successively given from the image forming device with one or more staples upon collating, aligning and binding or punching the given sheets in the proper order of page. The finished sheets bound are finally discharged perpendicularly to a reference transferring direction in which the recorded sheet is first sent out from the image forming device so as to be discharged to a discharge unit near an operation place defined in front of the image forming device, thus to allow an operator to easily take out the bound sheets from the sheet discharge unit without moving too much.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing sheets is provided with a sheet conveyor to convey a sheet in a predetermined sheet conveyance direction on a sheet conveyance path; and a stapling device to conduct an edge stapling processing to put staple pins into an edge portion of sheets and a center stapling processing to put staple pins at a central portion of sheets, the stapling device having a plurality of staplers arranged in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction, each of the plurality of staplers constructed in a two-divided piece structure including a driving mechanism provided one side of the sheet conveyance passage so as to put the staple pins into the sheets and a receiving mechanism provided the other side of the sheet conveyance passage so as to clinch the staple pins, and at least one of the plurality of staplers movable in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a head unit and an anvil unit movably disposed in a direction traversing the sheet discharge direction to provide staples into a sheet bundle. A feed path is disposed between the head unit and the anvil unit for allowing the sheet bundle to pass therethrough. The sheet bundle is moved from a stacking device to the feed path, wherein the head unit and anvil unit stitch the sheet bundle fed for a specified distance into the feed path.

Abstract: A single aligning roller is disposed at angle to each of two reference barriers to which a printed sheet is to be advanced so as to be aligned at a specific location for stapling. The aligning roller exerts a greater force towards the reference barrier further from the adjacent edge of the printed sheet to be aligned. The aligning roller is preferably at 66° to the reference barrier further from the adjacent edge of the printed sheet to be aligned.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus including a stacking portion for stacking sheets, an alignment reference wall disposed in approximately parallel with a conveying direction of the sheet, an alignment moving wall for performing alignment by making an end portion of the sheet hit with the alignment reference wall, a processing mechanical section for carrying out binding with respect to the sheet bundle thus aligned, and a plurality of rotating pairs disposed in a widthwise direction approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet for conveying the sheet bundle in a pinching manner.

Abstract: A paper-stopping mechanism applied in an automatic document feeder (ADF). The paper-stopping mechanism includes a shaft, a stepping motor for carrying the shaft to rotate, a cam structure having a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion and carried by the shaft to rotate the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion thereof, a paper-stopping arm having a bearing point, wherein the bearing point is moved against by the first protruding portion to move the paper-stopping arm upward, and an elastic buckling device for buckling the paper-stopping arm when the paper-stopping arm is moving upward to stay at a paper-feeding position, and for shifting when the second protruding portion of the cam structure is rotated against the elastic buckling device for removing the paper-stopping arm from the elastic buckling device to return to a paper-stopping position.

Abstract: A sheet finisher for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a conveying device for conveying a sheet and a punch unit for punching the sheet being conveyed by the conveying device. A sheet edge sensor senses the edge of the sheet, which is being conveyed by the conveying device, parallel to the direction of sheet conveyance. A drive source moves the sheet edge sensor in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance. Another drive source moves the punch unit in the direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet conveyance in accordance with information output from the sheet edge sensor. A controller controls the two drive sources by a preselected pulse ratio, thereby causing the punch unit to accurately punch the sheet.

Abstract: Sheets (57) exit printer (1) into finisher (3) where they are moved against perpendicular reference walls (61, 69) by frictional fingers (21, 23). The fingers are rotated away while a sheet is moved downward. Since the fingers are near their reference surface, buckling of the sheets normally does not occur, so the sheet stays in place. In an embodiment, the fingers move with a resilient force selected to be low enough so that the fingers stop when the sheet contacts the reference wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for inverting and returning sheets from a printer (1) for large-sized paper comprises an inlet area (11) where the sheet is received from the printer (1), and an outlet area (12) where said sheet is returned to the printer (1). The apparatus comprises a frame (16) mountable on the support of the printer (1), and a guiding slit (18) in the inlet area, said guiding slit being defined by an upper wall (13) and a lower wall (17), where the lower wall (17) extends from the inlet (11) to a clamping slit (22) between a first pair of roller means (23, 24) for receiving and temporarily retaining the front edge of a sheet when seen in the advancing direction, said sheet being received through the inlet area. The lower guiding wall (17) is tiltable and adapted to be moved about a substantially horizontal axis from a sheet-supporting position to a downward sheet-releasing position.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus including a sheet tray, a pair of jogging fences, and a case. The sheet tray stacks a plurality of sheets that have been sent from an image forming apparatus. The pair of jogging fences hold the sheets stacked in the sheet tray and jog the sheets in a transverse direction relative to a sheet transferring direction. The jogging fences are moved toward and away from each other. The case encloses the apparatus and includes a plate covering the sheet tray from an operator accessible side. The plate has an opening. When the pair of jogging fences is expanded to outward limits, one of the pair of jogging fences at the operator accessible side is passed by the plate through the opening and located at an outside position relative to the plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet process device capable of performing a sheaf discharge operation to discharge sheaves of sheets stacked on a process tray to a stack tray, without discharging a next sheet to the process tray during the sheaf discharge operation and stopping an operation on a body side of an image formation apparatus. In the sheet process device, for example, in a case where an original consisting of six sheets of paper is carried, the first to third sheets are stacked on the process tray as they are without any designation, and the following fourth sheet is designated as a sheaf discharge sheet since it is the sheet two before the final sheet of the sheaf, whereby the sheaf discharge of the first to fourth sheets is performed. The fifth sheet after the sheaf discharge is designated as a wind sheet since a value of a wind counter has been set to be “2”.

Abstract: Sheet processing apparatus including a first tray for stacking sheets received from an image forming apparatus, a discharge unit for discharging the sheets from the first tray in a bundle, a second tray for stacking the sheets discharged from the first tray, a discriminating unit for discriminating an attribute of a sheet to be stacked on the first tray, and a controller for selectively controlling whether or not to discharge sheets by the discharge unit in accordance with a discrimination of the discriminating unit.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing device is provided which includes a post-processing tray on which sheets of paper supplied from an image forming device are stacked, and a post-processing section for applying a post-processing operation to edges of one side of the sheets of paper stacked on the post-processing tray. The device further includes a first feed-out opening for discharging, to outside, the sheets of paper having been subject to the post-processing operation, a first discharge transport path for transporting the sheets of paper from the post-processing tray to the first feed-out opening, and a feed-out section for discharging the post-processed sheets of paper from the post-processing tray to the first discharge transport path.

Abstract: A sheet post processing machine has a first shelf for assembling a number of sheets without causing any inhibition to the speed of sheet delivery from a host printer or copier, and the assembled sheets are dumped from the first shelf to a second shelf at which the sheets are collected in sets, jogged into edge alignment, stapled at the corners or along an edge, the sets are offset from one another, and finally, dumped from the second shelf onto a stacker tray.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus is provided with a sheet passage; a conveyor to covey a sheet along the sheet passage; an intermediate stacker on which the sheet conveyed along the sheet passage is placed so that a bundle of sheets is formed on the intermediate stacker; a finisher to conduct a finishing process for the bundle of sheets formed on the intermediate stacker; a sheet delivering section to which the bundle of sheets is delivered; and a sheet delivering device to true up edges of the bundle of sheets on the intermediate stacker before the finisher conducts the finishing process and to deliver the bundle of sheets from the intermediate stacker to the sheet delivering section after the finisher has conducted the finishing process.

Abstract: A sheet post-handling device made compact by incorporating a stapling unit within a first side frame and a sheet transferring system in a second side frame. A simple mechanism formed of only one driving motor and a transmission means with sheet transmission rollers and a timing gear wheel operated with exquisite timing enables the sheet transferring system to be rationally assembled within the second side frame. With the sheet transferring system, a sheet fed from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is transferred in the forward direction, and then, sent back onto a processing tray in the reverse direction. A plurality of sheets sent onto and stacked on the processing tray are stapled, and thereafter, sent out in the forward direction. The stapling unit is movably mounted on the first side frame to facilitate fitting and removal of the staple cartridge into and from the stapling unit and maintenance of the device.

Abstract: A sheet treating apparatus has a discharging device for discharging a sheet with an image formed thereon to a sheet stacking device, the stacking device having an abutment reference member disposed on the leading end side of the sheet stacking device and an urging member disposed on a sheet trailing end side of the sheet stacking device for urging the sheet discharged from the discharging device toward the abutment reference member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus comprising an intermediate staking portion for aligning a sheet sent, a reference wall for positioning the sheet, a stapler form performing a binding operation with respect to a sheet bundle aligned by the reference wall, delivery means for delivering the sheet bundle from the intermediate stacking portion, a sheet stacking portion for stacking the sheet bundle and guide means provided above the sheet stacking portion and at an end portion on the stapler side of the end portions in the width direction of the sheet. The guide means supports an end portion on the stapler side of the sheet bundle when the sheet bundle is delivered from the delivery means in a staple mode in which the binding operation is preformed with respect to the sheet bundled.

Abstract: A sheet accommodating device including a sheet-laid tray including a processing tray and a carrying tray for laying a discharged sheet thereon, a first transporting device for moving the sheet laid on the sheet-laid tray toward an alignment reference position and a space of an aligning portion, a staple unit for stapling the aligned sheet, a second transporting device for moving the sheet(s) aligned at the alignment reference position selectively to first and second positions for sorting the sheets, a pushing member for pushing the sheet toward the processing tray for alignment, a guide member guiding a leading end of the sheet to the space of the aligning portion, a guide member moving device for moving the guide member from a sheet guide position to a sheet pushing position when the pushing member is escaped from the sheet, as well as a sheet processing system including a combination of the sheet accommodating device and an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A finisher includes: a conveyor for conveying sheets; an intermediate stacker on which conveyed sheets are stacked; a stapler for stapling a stacked package of sheets; a sheet delivery device for delivering the stapled package of sheets; an up-and-down sheet exit tray on which the delivered package of sheets is stacked and which can move up and down; a driving device for driving the up-and-down sheet exit tray; an upper limit detector for detecting an upper limit position of a surface of the stapled package of sheets which is stacked on the up-and-down sheet exit tray; and a controller for controlling the driving device, wherein when a mode to staple a package of sheets which is not larger than a predetermined size and not larger than a predetermined number of sheets, is set, the controller temporarily withdraws the up-and-down sheet exit tray from the upper limit to a lower position before the stapled package of sheets has been delivered onto the up-and-down sheet exit tray; and when the sheet delivery devic

Abstract: A discharged sheet stacking apparatus includes a sheet feed-in device for pinching and feeding a sheet onto a sheet stacking portion on which a plurality of sheets are stacked and for causing a tip end of the sheet to abut against a sheet stopper. The sheet feed in device is disposed at a position spaced apart from the sheet stopper by a distance smaller than a length of the sheet. The sheet feed-in device continues the feeding operation while pinching a tail end of the sheet even after the tip end of the sheet abuts against the sheet stopper so that, after a loop is formed in the tail end of the sheet, the sheet is discharged onto the sheet stacking portion.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus having a sheet tray, a sheet transportation path for guiding a sheet into the sheet tray, a bypass path bypassing a part of the sheet transportation path for guiding a sheet into the sheet tray, a post-processing mechanism for performing a post-processing operation on one set of sheets retained in the sheet tray, and a sheet transportation mechanism for feeding the sheet into the sheet tray. During the post-processing operation performed on the one set of sheets previously fed into the sheet tray, the first sheet of the next sheet set is once stopped in one of the transportation path and the bypass path, and the second sheet of the next sheet set is introduced into the other of the bypass path and the transportation path. Upon completion of the post-processing operation performed on the one sheet set, the first and second sheets of the next sheet set are fed into the sheet tray.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet conveying path for receiving a sheet conveyed from the outside and conveying the sheet therethrough to be discharged, a stack tray for stacking a plurality of the conveyed sheets for stapling, a stapler for stapling the plurality of the sheets stacked on the stack tray, and an output tray for receiving the discharged sheets. The sheet conveying path includes a first conveying path for guiding the conveyed sheet to the stack tray for stapling, and a second conveying path for guiding the conveyed sheet to the output tray bypassing the stack tray.