Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus that is capable of preventing input errors and eliminating the necessity of complicated input operations in making settings for a sheet mixing operation in which color image output sheets and black-and-white image output sheets are mixed into one group. A stacker tray stores sheets with color images formed thereon by a color MFP and is equipped with a storage device, into and from which information relating to the sheets can be written and read. A black-and-white MFP operates in response to attachment of the stacker tray to an inserter attached to the black-and-white MFP, to execute an image formation job by providing control such that the sheets with color images formed thereon stored in the stacker tray and sheets with black-and-white images formed thereon by the black-and-white MFP are mixed according to the information stored in the storage device of the stacker tray.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a first processing unit, a second processing unit, a roller, a guide member, and a conveying unit. The first processing unit applies first processing to a recording medium. The second processing unit applies second processing to the recording medium. The roller has a conveying path to convey the recording medium from the first processing unit to the second processing unit along the outer circumference. The guide member guides the recording medium to the conveying path to lead the recording medium to the second processing unit. The conveying unit applies a conveying force to a stack of recording media at an upstream of the guide member in a recording-medium conveying direction.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to the field of document material handling in high-speed in-line mailing systems. In particular, the present subject matter relates to a cross track divert device, system and method for diverting a suspect or invalid document from a paper pathway prior to the document entering a raceway conveyor. The cross track divert device is designed to divert and remove the suspect or invalid document without stoppage of the mailing system's operation cycle.

Abstract: The image copying apparatus of the present invention comprises a document drawing-in port for drawing an original document before reading operation in and a document discharging port for discharging the original document after reading operation, and copies images of the original document on a medium. The image copying apparatus further comprises trays more than two which are movable upward and downward within a range covering a document feeding position to the document drawing-in port, a receiving position from the document discharging port, and a bottom region located further lower than the lower of these positions. At least one of the trays moves to a position within the bottom region, a tray on which an original document is placed moves to a document feeding position, and another tray moves to a document receiving position.

Abstract: The invention provides a sheet distributor and a sheet distributing method. The sheet distributor with which supplied sheets of a specified length are distributed to a plurality of lines of sheets, has a transport unit which keeps transporting each supplied sheet in a transport direction while the sheet is being distributed, a moving unit which moves said transport unit laterally in a perpendicular direction to the transport direction, a position detecting sensor which detects a position of a advancing end of the sheet in the transport direction when the sheet is transported and a control section that controls the start of the movement of said moving unit in accordance with a timing of detecting the advancing end of the sheets. The sheet is moved in a direction oblique to the transport direction during transporting such that a position of the sheet in a widthwise direction is changed at each time of sheet supply, whereby supplied sheets are arranged in a plurality of lines.

Abstract: A printer having a plurality of printing engines that eject papers to a common chute box is provided, wherein papers are discharged in an aligned state, even in the case that papers of different sizes are ejected. Papers of different sizes are inserted through slots of the chute box. Movement on a guide member of the papers, having the largest width from among the inserted papers, is regulated by side walls of the chute box. Meanwhile, widthwise movement of papers of a smaller size than the largest papers is regulated by one of the side walls of the chute box and a guide rib.

Abstract: Sheet accumulator systems and methods are provided for forming a stack of under-accumulated sheets. The method can include advancing sheets in a predetermined sequence and under-accumulating a first portion of the advanced sheets in a first stack. The method can also include under-accumulating a second portion of the advanced sheets in a second stack and automatically stacking the first stack of sheets on the second stack of sheets to form a combined stack wherein the combined stack is in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A thickness measuring device for measuring the thickness dimension of an article being conveyed along a conveyor system comprises a rotary encoder, and a lever arm pivotally mounted upon the shaft of the rotary encoder. The lever arm has an end portion thereof disposed in contact with the article conveyor so as to be deflected by an article conveyed along the conveying path. Deflection of the lever arm causes the rotary shaft of the rotary encoder to undergo a predetermined amount of rotation which is indicative of the thickness dimension of the article being conveyed. The system is also operatively associated with a storage bin such that when a plurality of articles, having a predetermined cumulative thickness dimension, are detected, further conveyance of articles to the storage bin is terminated.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet conveying apparatus which is capable of easily distinguishing between a sheet bundle containing abnormal sheets, such as multi-fed sheets, and a normal sheet bundle. When it is determined that there is no abnormality in the conveyance of sheets to a processing tray 630, a finisher control section 501 causes a bundle of sheets stacked on the processing tray 630 to be discharged onto a stack tray 700, whereas when it is determined that there is abnormality in the conveyance of sheets to the processing tray 630, the finisher control section 501 causes the bundle of the sheets stacked on the processing tray 630 to be discharged onto a sample tray 701.

Abstract: A system and method for improved accessibility of media output from a media processing device. Media receivers are coupled to an actuator such that the media receivers can be moved under manual command by a user, or automatically by a controller. Movement selectors are provided for activation thereof by a user. The user selects a media receiver for movement, and then the desired direction of movement. The media receiver is moved to a position most convenient for the user so that the media in the media receiver is most accessible to that user. In an illustrative embodiment, a laser printer with a plurality of paper trays is adapted to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention can easily change an accommodatable number of discharge sheet. Further, the present invention provides a sheet processing device that can easily change the accommodatable number of discharge sheet while aiming to miniaturize the device itself. The present invention provides a sheet discharge device that is incorporated as a part of a processing device body and discharges a sheet processed at a processing section in the processing device body toward a sheet stacking section disposed at an upper section of the processing device body, the sheet discharge device having a unit receiving section formed at the processing device body, wherein plural sheet discharge units each having a different specification can be attached to the unit receiving section. Further, the present invention includes a sheet processing device using the same.

Abstract: A media qualification device configured to sort media sheets according to one or more detected media characteristics. The media qualification device comprises a media sensor, an unusable media path and at least one usable media path. Qualified media sheets may be passed to a sheet-fed device for image processing. Qualified media sheets may be sorted among a plurality of usable media paths according to media grade. The media qualification device may further comprise an input/output device configured to select media grade parameters.

Abstract: A folder operable to cut a printed web received from a printing press. The folder includes a cutting section having cutting cylinders that cut the web into individual printed products, and a cutting motor that is operable to drive the cutting cylinders. A delivery assembly of the folder includes delivery belts that are operable to guide the individual printed products through the folder, and at least one delivery motor is operable to drive the delivery belts. The folder also includes a diverting assembly that diverts individual printed products to one of a plurality of collation paths, and a diverting motor that is operable to drive the diverting assembly. The cutting motor, the delivery motor, and the diverting motor are operable independently of one another.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for outputting a page image corresponding to print data inputted from an external source has an analyzer for analyzing the print data at the time of outputting the first copy and generating a page image, an image spooler for holding the page image at the time of outputting the first copy, and a page image reading unit for reading out the spooled page image at the time of outputting the second and subsequent copies. Whether the image spooler and the page image reading unit are used or not is discriminated in accordance with the maximum number of sorting page images which can be processed at once by a mechanical sorter and the designated number of print copies.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet conveying apparatus which is capable of easily distinguishing between a sheet bundle containing abnormal sheets, such as multi-fed sheets, and a normal sheet bundle. When it is determined that there is no abnormality in the conveyance of sheets to a processing tray 630, a finisher control section 501 causes a bundle of sheets stacked on the processing tray 630 to be discharged onto a stack tray 700, whereas when it is determined that there is abnormality in the conveyance of sheets to the processing tray 630, the finisher control section 501 causes the bundle of the sheets stacked on the processing tray 630 to be discharged onto a sample tray 701.

Abstract: A sheet-fed printing apparatus includes a delivery section covered with a discharge section cover formed with an opening sized to allow a printed sheet to pass through. Successive printed sheets released from a chain delivery collide against a pair of first sheet-trapping elements in a closed position, and are stacked on a delivery table, with the leading edges of the printed sheets aligned with each other. If a printed sample is needed, an operator opens the first sheet-trapping elements to an open position. In synchronism with the first sheet-trapping elements, a pair of second sheet-trapping elements move to a closed position. A subsequent printed sheet passes through the opening, and stops on the second sheet-trapping elements. Thus, the printed sheet is stopped, with the leading edge thereof projecting outwardly of the sheet-fed printing apparatus. In this state, the operator can take out the printed sample without opening the delivery section cover.

Abstract: A sheet sorter including a plurality of trays on which sheets are to be placed, adapted to sort sheets by switching the trays on which the sheets are to be placed, and designed to enable users to easily find their own sheets even if no tray is designated. Trays are each provided with a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of sheets, and the tray bearing no sheet is preferentially selected as the tray on which a sheet is to be placed when no tray is designated. If there are a plurality of trays bearing no sheet, the uppermost one thereof is selected. If there is no tray bearing no sheet, the tray having a longest duration from the last time when the sheet is placed thereon is selected.

Abstract: A finisher for finishing papers sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of trays selectively movable to a single paper outlet. The finisher reduces a period of time necessary for designated one of the trays to reach the paper outlet, increases the number of papers which can be stacked on the trays, and determines the number of papers stacked with a simple configuration. Papers are prevented from returning from the tray to the paper outlet without complicating the configuration of the outlet. An outlet roller protrudes from the paper outlet, but does not interfere with the tray moving past the paper outlet. The trays protect the operator from injury and protect the structural elements of the finisher from damage despite their movement.

Abstract: A method for limiting the size of print jobs in a computer network by setting a predetermined quota for the number of pages a network user may print within a specified time period is provided. If a print job submitted by a network user exceeds the print quota, the job will automatically be prevented from printing. If the submitted print job does not exceed the print quota, the job will be allowed to proceed. In one embodiment of the present invention, a network user may request special permission to exceed the print quota, if necessary.

Abstract: A paper delivery device in a printer selectively changes a stacking direction of printed and ejected paper and stacks paper. The device includes a first tray, and a second tray to pivot to a first position where paper is guided to the first tray and to a second position where the paper is stacked so that a side of an image of the paper is opposite to a side of an image of the first tray. The device also includes a first guide and a second guide to provide a side and the other side, respectively, of an ejecting route so that the paper is ejected to the first tray. The device includes a first roller and a second roller, each of the first and second rollers being installed in the first guide and second guide of the ejecting route. The device includes an ascending unit installed in the second tray to ascend the second roller so that the second roller is engaged with the first roller in the first position, and the second roller is placed under the second guide in the second position.

Abstract: A print server connected to medical diagnostic imaging equipment via a network or dedicated channels, wherein the print server executes a process to identify the device that is the source of image data received via the network or dedicated channels and outputs the image data to a specific sorter bin in a printer based on this source. The image output processor can also selectively choose a sorter bin as an output destination for the image data, based on either attribute data or the device that transmitted the image data, depending on the communication protocol.

Abstract: A copying machine performs a panel operation necessary for copying at a step S601 and performs ACS determination for determining whether an original image is a color image, a monochrome image or an indefinite image at a step S603. Then, the copying machine performs copying at a step S605 according to a print mode responsive to a result of ACS determination. At this time, a printed paper for an indefinite image is discharged to a discharge position different from that for another printed paper. The copying machine displays the result of the ACS determination on an operation panel at a step S607. Therefore, an original determined as the indefinite image can be recognized at a glance so that a countermeasure can be immediately taken if reprinting is necessary.

Abstract: The banknote processing apparatus has a receiving portion into which banknotes are inserted, a take-out roller for taking out banknotes from the receiving portion, a detector for discriminating “regular and defective” and “front and back” of taken-out banknotes, and first to fourth stacking and banding devices for classifying and stacking banknotes on the basis of discrimination results and banding each 100 banknotes. When the first stacking and banding device fails in a mode that the first and second stacking and banding devices stack front bills and the third and fourth stacking and banding devices stack back bills, in expectation of 100 front bills being stacked in the second stacking and banding device, in the timing that the 97th front bill passes the detector, the take-out roller is stopped. When the number of front bills is less than 100, the take-out roller rotates and takes out one banknote.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet discharge apparatus including a plurality of stackers on which a sheet discharged from a conveyance passage is stacked, and a gate which changes a discharge direction of the sheet. The gate can move over a first changeover position to guide the sheet to one stacker, and a second changeover position to guide the sheet to the other stacker. When the gate is moved to the second changeover position, the sheet is guided to the other stacker through a bent guide passage. A pressing mechanism is disposed on an upstream side along a conveyance direction of the sheet from the gate. The pressing mechanism applies a pressure and gives a wavy shape to the sheet, and temporarily makes the sheet rigid as long as the gate is in the first position.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus including a first tray on which sheets discharged from an outlet are stacked, the first tray being movable between a stacking position at which sheets discharged from an outlet are stacked and a first retracted position above the staking position; a second tray on which sheets discharged from an outlet are stacked, the first tray being disposed below the first tray and being movable independently of the first tray, the second tray being movable between the stacking position and a second retracted position below the stacking position; and a controller that causes the second tray to descend when sheets are to be stacked on the first tray, the controller causing the second tray to stop descending when the second tray reaches a standby position where a distance between the outlet and a top surface of the sheets stacked on the second tray is a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A sheet sorter including a plurality of trays on which sheets are to be placed, adapted to sort sheets by switching the trays on which the sheets are to be placed, and designed to enable users to easily find their own sheets even if no tray is designated. Trays are each provided with a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of sheets, and the tray bearing no sheet is preferentially selected as the tray on which a sheet is to be placed when no tray is designated. If there are a plurality of trays bearing no sheet, the uppermost one thereof is selected. If there is no tray bearing no sheet, the tray having a longest duration from the last time when the sheet is placed thereon is selected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet processing apparatus comprising a sheet holding device capable of storing supplied sheets, a first sheet stacking tray on which sheets are stacked at a downstream side of the sheet holding device in a sheet conveying direction and on which the sheets are subjected to processing, a sheet discharging device for discharging the sheets stacked on the first sheet stacking tray, a second sheet stacking tray on which the sheets discharged by the sheet discharging device are stacked, and a controller for controlling the sheet discharging device and the sheet holding device if sheet jam occurs at an upstream side of the sheet holding device, in such a manner that, after the sheets on the first sheet stacking tray are discharged onto the second sheet stacking tray, the sheets stored in the sheet holding device are discharged onto the first sheet stacking tray.

Abstract: Record sheets on which an image is formed on the basis of image data supplied from a terminal apparatus, are efficiently discharged to a bin. A post-process section of a digital copier which is used in conjunction with at least first to third computers includes first to third bins, fourth and fifth bins, and a sixth bin, respectively, which are designated for the first, second, and third computers. To each of the bins, a priority of discharging to the bin a record sheet which is to be discharged to another bin is assigned. The section is configured so that, for each of the bins, the number of record sheets housed in the bin can be detected. For example, a record sheet on which an image due to the third computer is drawn is usually housed in the sixth bin. If the sixth bin is full, the record sheet is discharged to one of bins which are not the sixth bin and which are not the first and fourth bins respectively dedicated to the first and second computers, i.e., one of the second, third, and fifth bins.

Abstract: A system which enhances the process of specifying the settings of paper input and paper output by a printer driver. The system causes a Properties dialog box to be displayed on a display. The dialog box includes an image, which is an icon schematically illustrating the appearance of a printer, a paper input settings display box showing information relating to paper input to the printer, and a paper output settings display box showing information relating to paper output from the printer to be displayed in a mutually correlating manner with indication lines. Namely, the system does not require the user to switch over the card when the user carries out both the settings of paper input and the settings of paper output. The paper input settings display box has radio buttons corresponding paper output sources. The user clicks one of the radio buttons to select a desired input paper source. The paper output settings display box has checkboxes corresponding to paper outputs.

Abstract: A virtual media tray causes a print device to perform one or more operations in response to a request to print a document. The operations may include storing, emailing, or faxing a copy of the document to another location. The operations may also include adding text in the form of a header, footer, or watermark when the document is printed. An operation associated with a virtual print tray may also have an associated condition such that the operation is performed when the associated condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and a printing method capable of preventing stacks of printed sheets from falling apart which can occur when continuously printing stacks of sheets of different sheet sizes. A printing press is controlled to suspend printing for removal of printed sheets, to change the storage destination of the printed sheets or to change printing order, based on a result of sequential or simultaneous comparisons between print sizes of a plurality of print data and a previously determined permissible limit.

Abstract: A sheet detection system comprising: a first sheet transport for transporting a sheet along a first sheet transport path; at least second and third sheet transports for selectively transporting a sheet transported along the first sheet transport path along second and third spaced and substantially parallel sheet transport paths which branch from the first sheet transport path; a radiation source for emitting a beam of radiation which intersects the second and third sheet transport paths in the region where the second and third paths branch from the first path; a radiation detector for detecting the radiation beam; and a control for controlling the first, second and third sheet transports the radiation source and the radiation detector, such that when a sheet which is transported along the first sheet transport path by the first sheet transport is caused to be transported along one of the second or third transport paths, interruption or lack of interruption of the radiation beam by the sheet is detected by the

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus comprises a sheet conveying mechanism for conveying sheets along a first conveying path (22) and stacking up them in a sheet stack-feed station (S), a tray (24) for storing a stack of cover sheets (P), a second conveying path (28) communicating with the first conveying path (22), a blow outlet (38) for blowing a jet of air towards the tray (24) to lift up each cover sheet (P), a sucker (30) for sucking the cover sheet (P), a sheet feeding mechanism for conveying the cover sheet (P) received from the sucker (30) along the second conveying path (28) and feeding it to the first conveying path (22), and a pneumatic pump (34) for providing a blow of air and a suction of air. The sheet feeding mechanism is changed to its standby mode when the cover sheet is transferred from the sucker (30) to the sheet feeding mechanism. Upon the sheets having been stacked in the sheet stack-feed station (S), the sheet feeding mechanism transfers the cover sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for printing on at least one page of a print media is disclosed. The apparatus includes a removable media handling device that directs the printed media to a first location or a second location, the second location functions as a finishing stage to perform a finishing step on the print media. The removable media handling device includes a media diverter to direct the media to either the first or second location. The image forming apparatus also includes a housing, a print engine to fix an image representing data to the page of print media, a formatter to supply data to the print engine, the formatter being configured to supply a first set of data representing the side of the page to be printed and a second set of data to provide instructions on the output of the printed page, and print media supplier to supply pages of print media to the print engine from a stack of print media pages having leading edges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for distributing flexible sheet-shaped objects into multiple selectable target stations of a sheet material processing device, wherein the distributing device is mounted between a supply station and sheet conveyor units of the target stations. According to a preferred embodiment, the distributing device has several sheet deflecting elements that are connected together, and which are moveable together by a single drive unit.

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: Sheet accumulator systems and methods are provided for forming a stack of under-accumulated sheets. The method can include advancing sheets in a predetermined sequence and under-accumulating a first portion of the advanced sheets in a first stack. The method can also include under-accumulating a second portion of the advanced sheets in a second stack and automatically stacking the first stack of sheets on the second stack of sheets to form a combined stack wherein the combined stack is in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device having multiple directional outputs with multiple registration options having no fixed registration wall for sequencing single sheets or two approximately identical sheets arriving in a two-up configuration, includes a first, second, third, and fourth pairs of rolls. The first pair of rolls and the second pair of rolls rotate about a first shaft, which is rotated by a first servomotor. The third pair of rolls rotate about a second shaft, which is rotated by a second servomotor, wherein the shaft is oriented at an angle approximately 90° relative to the first shaft. The fourth pair of rolls rotate about a third shaft oriented at an angle approximately 90° relative to the first shaft and approximately parallel to the second shaft, and a third servomotor operably connected to the third shaft rotates the third shaft.

Abstract: In an automatic document feeder for use in an image forming device such as copy machine and facsimile machine: a document shunting path for temporarily shunting a document is provided at an upstream side of a document reading portion; in a different-size mixed mode where different sizes of documents are placed in a mixed manner, the leading edge and rear edge of the document are detected by a sensor during conveyance of the document in the direction toward the document reading portion, so that the length of the document is detected; thereafter the document is conveyed in the reverse direction so that the rear edge of the document is shunted into the document shunting path; and thereafter the document is again conveyed in the forward direction to conduct reading. Thus, it becomes unnecessary to provide a longer conveyance path for detecting the length of the documents, so that the size of the feeder itself can be reduced.

Abstract: A printer has its software controlling the selection of each of its output bins for receiving printed sheets in accordance with the type of media printed. Each type of media has its printed sheets directed to a specific output bin. An output bin may receive sheets of more than one type of media, but the printed sheets of each type of media will be directed to only one output bin or logically linked output bins.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device having multiple directional outputs with multiple registration options having no fixed registration wall for sequencing single sheets or two approximately identical sheets arriving in a two-up configuration, includes a first, second, third, and fourth pairs of rolls. The first pair of rolls and the second pair of rolls rotate about a first shaft, which is rotated by a first servomotor. The third pair of rolls rotate about a second shaft, which is rotated by a second servomotor, wherein the shaft is oriented at an angle approximately 90° relative to the first shaft. The fourth pair of rolls rotate about a third shaft oriented at an angle approximately 90° relative to the first shaft and approximately parallel to the second shaft, and a third servomotor operably connected to the third shaft rotates the third shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printer section for printing an image on a sheet and a finisher having a plurality of mail bins. The image forming apparatus discharges print, which is addressed to a specified user and outputted from the printer section, onto the mail bin assigned to the user among the plurality of mail bins, facilitating mail bin assignment to allow labor of network management to be saved. There is provided a card reading device for reading an ID card for identifying a user. There is also provided assigning means that identifies the user from information read by the card reading device when the ID card is inserted into the card reading device and that assigns a mail bin to the user when no mail bin has been assigned to the user.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus of the present invention comprises: an inserter tray to support insert sheets, an insert sheet supply roller to supply the insert sheets in the direction of a recording medium conveying path from the inserter tray; an insert sheet conveying device extending from the insert sheet supply roller to the recording medium conveying path to convey the insert sheets; a sheet reversing/conveying device provided from the insert sheet supply roller to the recording medium conveying path to reverse both the front and back sides of the insert sheets; and a gate to sort the insert sheets supplied from the insert sheet supply roller to the insert sheet conveying device or the insert sheet reversing/conveying device, and supplies insert sheets on the inserter tray by reversing the front and back sides in the direction of recording media according to a type of finish processing to be applied to recording media.

Abstract: A sheet finisher for executing preselected processing with a sheet conveyed thereto of the present invention includes a first processing tray configured to temporarily store the sheet and deliver it. A first and a second path are positioned downstream of the first processing tray in a direction of sheet conveyance and configured to convey a first and a second sheet stack, respectively. The first path conveys the first sheet stack upward over the downstream portion of the first processing tray while the second path conveys it downward over the same. A switching device selects either one of the first and second paths. The sheet finisher of the present invention is low cost and highly productive and space saving.

Abstract: An output mechanism for use with an inkjet printer for printing a multi-page document, including plural paper-receiving output trays; a controller for determining the total number of pages, the number of copies of each page to be printed, and the paper-receiving tray which will receive each printed page, wherein each page is provided with sufficient time to dry before a subsequently printed page is stacked on top thereof; and a paper directing mechanism for directing the paper to a specific paper-receiving tray.

Abstract: A complex-type image forming device operative for a first function (copy function) and a second function (printer function or facsimile function) is reduced in waiting time for a user to use it for the copy function. More specifically, the image forming device comprises: an image forming main body operative in at least two different functions including a first function and a second function, a first output (copy output) having an image formed by said first function and a second output having an image formed by said second function being discharged from a same paper outlet; and a finisher including a first bin for receiving the first output (copy output) and a printer bin for receiving the second output, which are selectively set in the position at the paper outlet such that, when the second bin is in the position at the paper outlet, if an original to be copied is set, or if an automatic original feeder or a platen is raised, the second bin is replaced by the first bin.

Abstract: A novel output sheet handling apparatus includes outlets, ejection trays, a tray switching mechanism, an outlet switching mechanism, and a controller. Each of outlets ejects a recording sheet. The outlets include at least one straight outlet configured to eject a recording sheet and to eject no stack of recording sheets processed in a complex finishing mode. The ejection trays, at least same plurality as the plurality of outlets, include at least one ejection tray configured to receive the recording sheet from at least two outlets among the outlets. The tray switching mechanism performs a tray switching operation for switching one of the ejection trays in operation to another. The outlet switching mechanism performs an outlet switching operation for switching one of the outlets in operation to another.

Abstract: A finisher for finishing papers sequentially driven out of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of trays selectively movable to a single paper outlet. The finisher reduces a period of time necessary for designated one of the trays to reach the paper outlet, increases the number of papers which can be stacked on the trays, and determines the number of papers stacked with a simple configuration. Papers are prevented from returning from the tray to the paper outlet without complicating the configuration of the outlet. An outlet roller protrudes from the paper outlet, but does not interfere with the tray moving past the paper outlet. The trays protect the operator from injury and protect the structural elements of the finisher from damage despite their movement.

Abstract: An output mechanism for use with an inkjet printer for printing a multi-page document, including plural paper-receiving output trays; a controller for determining the total number of pages, the number of copies of each page to be printed, and the paper-receiving tray which will receive each printed page, wherein each page is provided with sufficient time to dry before a subsequently printed page is stacked on top thereof; and a paper directing mechanism for directing the paper to a specific paper-receiving tray.

Abstract: A sheet handling transport apparatus. The apparatus comprises a sheet transport mechanism adapted to move a sheet in a first direction along a path in the apparatus, and a plurality of sheet receiving stations in the apparatus. The apparatus includes a gate associated with each station. The transport mechanism is adapted to deliver the sheet into a selected station by reversing the direction of the sheet in the path when the sheet is at a point adjacent the gate corresponding to the selected station.