Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve an efficiency in using bins in a sorter of an image forming system, to which a plurality of personal computers are connected. If the number of the receptacles appointed in accordance with the receptacle appointment command or the number of sets of sheets to be sorted is larger than the number of empty receptacles, offset sorting is performed in which the position, at which the recording sheets are received, is shifted in the same receptacle. If the appointed number of the receptacles or the number of sets of sheets to be sorted is smaller than the number of empty receptacles, a normal sorting process is performed in such a manner that the bins are allotted in accordance with the position of the bins appointed with the command for appointing receptacles or the number of sets of sheets to be sorted.

Abstract: An image producing apparatus having a function to display information concerning documentation control, comprises display units in paper stack along with display units in a main body of the apparatus. The display unit placed nearby the paper stack displays information concerning documentation control of the paper discharged into the paper stack, and display unit in the main body displays information concerning documentation control of the image data stored in a memory. The apparatus has the capabilities of changing the displayed contents easily without replacing the labels and of confirming the situation of outputted images. Furthermore, the document data can be controlled based on operations in an operation unit of the main body of the apparatus.

Abstract: A paper sheet discharge apparatus comprises a transport roller for transporting paper sheets discharged from an image-forming apparatus, a plurality of switching flappers for guiding the paper sheets to desired bins, and a plurality of delivery rollers for discharging the paper sheets via the switching flappers to the bins. The paper sheets are reliably stored in the desired bins without decreasing their transport speed by the aid of the transport roller, the switching flappers, and the delivery rollers. The power from a motor is transmitted only to the delivery rollers which are used to discharge the paper sheets while being interlocked with the specified switching flapper. Therefore, it is possible to diminish the load on the motor.

Abstract: A sheet transporting apparatus and an image forming apparatus, both achieving the prevention of any jam owing to a sheet delivered by an aftertreatment apparatus, transport the sheet, which has straightly been transported or has been reversed and transported in a buffer unit, to a sorter as it is without performing any correcting operation by a correcting device when a group mode is selected, and the sheet transporting means and the image forming apparatus perform the curl correction of the sheet by executing correcting operation of the correcting device to remove the curl of the sheet when a mode other than the group mode is selected.

Abstract: When a fare is inserted, a receipt on which a password assigned to the user is printed is issued, and a sheets each bearing a printed image is housed in a storage bin or a storage box. When the password printed on the receipt is inputted, the corresponding storage bin (storage box) is shifted to a sheet outlet, thereby allowing the user to take this out. Thus, it is possible to provide a print system that is superior in the operability and allows the user to positively obtain his or her own job, and a sheet-processing device suitable for such a system.

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 printing apparatus provided with a deposition unit for printed sheets comprising a number of copy trays situated one above the other, which trays are adjustable in height independent of one another to a deposition position with respect to the sheet delivery rollers disposed at a fixed height, and to a parking position. Upon the activation of the printing apparatus by a start key provided on the printing apparatus, a control system sets the bottom copy tray into a deposition position and the other copy trays into a higher parking position. Upon the activation of the printing apparatus by a start key disposed at a distance from the printing apparatus at a workstation, the control system selectively sets one of the other copy trays into a deposition position and the bottom copy tray into a lower parking position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a plurality of discharge trays is provided, from which a user can readily obtain printed sheets he has requested. The user inputs a secret code at an operating and displaying section, which secret code the user specified at the terminal device at the time of print request (S301). When a coincidence between the inputted secret code and a secret code stored in secret code storage section is judged (S303), the target discharge tray information corresponding to the secret code is read out from a secret code storage section (memory) and displayed on the operating and displaying section (S304). Accordingly, the user can visually recognize information about a discharge tray on which the user's requested printed sheets are discharged.

Abstract: A recording medium discharging apparatus which can be mounted on top of the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of recording medium storers and a locking mechanism for locking the discharging apparatus to the image forming apparatus when the discharging apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus. The locking mechanism includes a release lever for unlocking the discharging apparatus by being manipulated to shift in the same direction as the discharging apparatus moves away from the image forming apparatus to be dismounted from it. The locking mechanism prevents the discharging apparatus from falling off the image forming apparatus even if external force is applied to the discharging apparatus mounted on the image forming apparatus. The release lever for unlocking the discharging apparatus makes it easy to dismount the discharging apparatus from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A paper sheet discharge apparatus comprises a transport roller that transports paper sheets discharged from an image-forming apparatus, a plurality of switching flappers that guide the paper sheets to desired bins, and a plurality of delivery rollers that discharge the paper sheets via the switching flappers to the bins. The paper sheets are reliably stored in the desired bins without decreasing their transport speed by the aid of the transport roller, the switching flappers, and the delivery rollers. The power from a motor is transmitted only to the delivery rollers which are used to discharge the paper sheets while being interlocked with the specified switching flapper.

Abstract: A stencil printer includes a document size sensing device for sensing the size of a document and a paper size sensing device for sensing the size of papers. A controller determines the orientation and size of the document and those of the paper on the basis of information output from the two sensing devices. If the document and paper are different in orientation, the controller controls a master making section on the basis of the orientation of the papers for forming a document image in a master in accordance with the orientation of the paper. At the same time, the controller controls a side fence moving device and an end fence moving device such that side fences and an end fence mounted on a paper discharge tray each are located at a particular position matching with the size of the papers. The side fences are movable in the widthwise direction of the paper while the end fence is movable forward and backward in the direction of paper discharge.

Abstract: A system for automatic disposal of an unwanted output includes a print engine for generating a print job having an output; a finishing device connected to said print engine for finishing said print job, wherein said finishing device includes: an intermediate bin for receiving said output from said print engine, and for holding said output until said print job is complete; a waste bin for selectively receiving a cancelled print job; and at least one output bin for receiving a completed print job.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a digital copy machine to form an image on a group of sheets from an image of a group of documents, and a staple sorter sorting and discharging copied sheets from the digital copy machine, According to the staple sorter, control is provided so that a sheet of a long left period of time is transported from the bin to a nonsort tray when all of a plurality of bins provided in the staple sorter are used during a print operation. The left time of a sheet is monitored even when a print operation is not carried out. When the left time exceeds a predetermined time, control is provided so that the sheet left in the bin is transferred to the nonsort tray. As a result, a sheet discharge device is provided improved in operability of sheet discharge.

Abstract: In a delivery destination control method of this invention, even when a cardboard mode is instructed first, and then a finishing mode is instructed, the cardboard mode instructed first is preferentially selected and set. Conversely, even when the cardboard mode is instructed first, and then the finishing mode is instructed, the finishing mode instructed first is preferentially selected and set. When the cardboard mode is set, the delivery destination is controlled to a first delivery section, and a change of the delivery destination is inhibited. When the finishing mode is set, the delivery destination is controlled to a second delivery section, and the change of the delivery destination is inhibited.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a main body and a sheet post-processing unit. The main body has a first discharge path, a second discharge path, a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion. The sheet post-processing unit has a first sheet receiving path and a second sheet receiving path each connecting to a common sheet transport path, a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion. The first discharge path is connected to the first sheet receiving path by coupling the first mounting portion of the main body to the first mounting portion of the sheet post-processing unit. The second discharge path is connected to the second sheet receiving path by coupling the second mounting portion of the main body to the second mounting portion of the sheet post-processing unit. By providing the plurality of mounting portions in the top and side portions of the main body, the sheet post-processing unit can easily be disposed on the top or side of the main body.

Abstract: A sheet handling unit including a processing station having a stapling mechanism for stapling a plurality of sheets; a plurality of mail trays for receiving sheets transported from the processing station; and a bulk tray for receiving sheets transported from the processing station. The processing station is fixedly provided in a sheet handling unit body. The sheets transported from the processing station are delivered switchably to any of the mail trays or to the bulk tray.

Abstract: A manually operated mail sorting station includes a case having numerous bins in which sorted mail will be placed. The mail sorting station also includes a scanner that reads an address printed on the pieces of unsorted mail. The scanner includes a communications interface over which the scanner sends signals during operation. A computer for the mail sorting station is connected to the communications interface of the scanner. The computer further includes a program responsive to the signals transmitted by the scanner on the communications interface. The program defines or stores a scheme representing an assignment of addresses to bins in the sorting case, a separate assignment of bins to locations in the sorting case, as well as instructions that match the internal address representation against the scheme to select one of the bins as the correct bin for the piece of unsorted mail. The bins include at least one region bin indicative of an airport or a city or state remote from the sorting station.

Abstract: A sheet sorting apparatus capable of changing the discharge priority bin in accordance with the number of sheets. The sheet sorting apparatus discharges sheets from a specified discharge port into a corresponding bin. The bins are constructed so as to be readily removable, and the discharge priority bin is determined based on the estimated number of discharge sheets and the capacity of the bin.

Abstract: A manually operated mail sorting station includes a case having numerous bins in which sorted mail will be placed. The mail sorting station includes a feeder belt system with a feeder belt a motor driving the feeder belt, and an interface port. A scanner reads an address printed on the pieces of unsorted mail. The scanner includes a communications interface connected to the interface port over which the scanner sends signals during operation. A computer for the mail sorting station is also provided and is connected to the interface port with the scanner. The computer further includes a program responsive to the signals transmitted by the scanner on the communications interface.

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: In a mailboxing system in which the different numbers and types of printed sheets being printed by the different users of a shared users printer are separately stored in different assigned mailbox bins in an array of mailbox bins, there is provided a system for automatically changing the spacing between selected adjacent bins to provide selectably different sheet stacking capacities for different bins for the different numbers of printed sheets being stored in the respective bins of different users. With this system the bin capacity can also be automatically reduced when the sheets are removed from that bin. Greatly increased overall and individual bin sheet stacking capacity is thus provided for the same overall system size as compared to conventional fixed spacing bins. Also, many more print jobs can be stored in the same user-assigned bin instead of having to split up large print jobs into other, overflow, bins.

Abstract: A photosensitive material discharging apparatus includes a discharge roller pair 41, 43 disposed in an outlet for discharging for a photosensitive material, and a plurality of transport roller pairs 70a, 70b arranged on a transport path upstream of the discharge roller pair. The discharge roller pair has a first roller 41 rotatable at a higher peripheral speed than the transport roller pairs, and a second roller 43 disposed to pinch the photosensitive material with the first roller. The second roller is freely rotatable to cause slippage between the first roller and the photosensitive material when the photosensitive material is pinched by both transport roller pairs and discharge roller pair, and to allow the photosensitive material to be transported reliably by drive of the first roller when the photosensitive material is pinched only by the discharge roller pair.

Abstract: A paper currency reception/delivery machine having a high degree of general-purpose utility and implemented in a simple structure of a small size at low cost and capable of handling foreign paper currencies of different sizes and other leaflets is imparted selectively with given ones of intelligent functions such as discrimination of denominations, recycling on a denomination-by-denomination basis, replenishment, collection and detailed check and the like. The paper currency reception/delivery machine includes a loop-like paper currency transport path extending in one direction by way of a paper currency checking means, a paper currency reception/delivery port, a temporary custody unit, a delivery-destined paper currency storing unit, a received paper currency storing unit, a recycling-destined paper currency storing unit, a replenishment/collection-destined paper currency storing unit and a rejection-destined paper currency storing unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sheet accumulation processing device in which sheets with images formed thereon are processed as a bunch before the sheet bunch is efficiently sorted and discharged to any one of plural discharge trays.

Abstract: A sheet ejecting mechanism is provided with a sheet ejecting sensor which detects a sheet to be ejected onto an offset tray and an upper-surface position-regulating section which regulates the position of the upper surface of the sheets in accordance with the position of an arm which is in contact with the upper surface of the sheets on the offset tray. When the sheet ejecting sensor detects a sheet to be ejected, a CPU of the upper-surface position-regulating section turns on a solenoid so as to remove a contact between an arm and the upper surface of the sheets. Meanwhile, when the sheet ejecting sensor detects no sheet to be ejected, the CPU turns off the solenoid. With this operation, the arm is allowed to come into contact with the upper surface of the sheets so as to regulate the position of the upper surface of the sheets.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding sheets from a sheet store to either one of a plurality of stations includes a movable carriage which receives sheets fed from the store and which has driving cogwheels for coaction with a fixed cog railway outside the carriage.The fixed cog railway includes a path selection slide that includes cog segments that can fit into the cog railway. The selector slide can be switched to either one of two possible positions by means of a processor-controlled, motor-driven arm.

Abstract: An item processing arrangement transporting items at ;a prescribed nominal speed along a given transport track, with one or severed sort-pockets and associated diverters disposed therealong, whereby, in each sort-pocket, there is provided inject-reaction-guide arm assembly adapted to drive a so-diverted item into its pocket and comprising: an inject roll to accelerate and drive the item faster than this nominal speed; an arm assembly coupled to rotate with this inject roll and including a guide arm adapted to guide a so-injected item toward its position in the stack in the pocket; this inject roll and guide-arm being arranged to rotate the arm away from its stack each time an item is entering under the action of the the speed differential, and also arranged to be spring-driven to return the arm toward its the stack.

Abstract: A method of producing hybrid plants involves inducing cross-pollination of self-pollinating species by selecting a female plant and a male plant having different genotypes, the female plant having a phenotype of sensitivity to a micronutrient deficiency, and the male plant having a phenotype of male fertility, growing the female plant to sexual maturity in a fertility-selective growth medium deficient for the micronutrient, to produce a plant having female fertility and male sterility, growing the male plant to sexual maturity to produce a plant having high male fertility, cross-pollinating the female plant with pollen from the male plant to produce cross-fertilization with essentially no self-fertilization, raising the female plant to produce hybrid seeds having genetic material from both parents, and harvesting the hybrid seeds.

Abstract: An input apparatus of the invention can selectively receive at least one sheet medium or an envelope containing a sheet medium therein. The apparatus includes a transfer path for transferring at least one medium and an envelope, a width guide disposed in the transfer path to restrict a width of the transfer path according to one selection among media input and envelope input, and a separation device situated adjacent to the transfer path. The width guide sets a media transfer width in the transfer path when the media input is selected, and the width guide leaves the transfer path when the envelope input is selected. The separation device transfers the at least one medium and the envelope, and moves in a direction to increase the thickness of the transfer path to allow the envelope to pass through the transfer path when the envelope input is selected.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for organizing files associated with a job ticket, including raster image process (RIP) files. The files and job ticket are in a storage device attached to a computer system. The job ticket includes information on print files included in a print job, print file location information indicating a location of the print files in the storage device, and RIP file location information indicating a location of the RIP version of a print file in the storage device. The print files include data representing graphical images and the RIP version is generated from the print file. When the job ticket is submitted for printing, a RIP version is submitted in lieu of the print file if the RIP version was modified after the print file was modified. Any generated RIP versions may be saved in the storage device with their location indicated in the RIP file location information.

Abstract: A printing device with a sorter is provided having a plurality of bins, capable of enhancing the practicality of a configuration where a plurality of bins are used for both a mail printing and a sort printing. According to the printing device, when, in a sort printing which is instructed by a certain user, it is required to use bins which are allocated to other users for the sake of a mail printing, an inquiry whether the bins are available or not is issued of the other users in advance to the sort printing. Only when the use of the bins is not refused, are the bins selected as discharge destinations.

Abstract: In the improved method of distributing sheets of light-sensitive material for use in an image recording apparatus, the sheets of light-sensitive material are distributed in a lateral direction perpendicular to their transport through a developing machine to form a plurality of rows. The method uses two distributing units that lift the sheets of light-sensitive material and transport the sheets in the lateral direction. The two distributing units are alternately put into action to distribute the sheets of light-sensitive material into a plurality of rows. The improved distributing device comprises two lift units, a substrate having guide members, two paddle plates, a spring and a motor. Employing a short pathlength, the method is capable of distributing individual sheets of light-sensitive material into two or three rows, practically keeping pace with rapid print production (imagewise exposure) such as processing one print every two seconds.

Abstract: Individual sheets of a sheet material to be treated which arrive in an arrival sequence, are distributed on two or more adjacently located conveying tracks. The sheets are conveyed along the conveying tracks through a processing station and are sorted thereafter in accordance with their arrival sequence. The distribution of the sheets is based on evaluating utilization of the conveying tracks to minimize the distance between sheets following each other on the same transport track. A throughput for sheets with varying length that is approximately equal to the throughput for sheets of same length is achieved.

Abstract: A staple sorter which distributes sheets ejected from a copying machine into a plurality of bins and staples stacks of sheets in the bins by use of a staple unit. The bins are vertically movable pitch by pitch, and a large-capacity tray is provided above the bins. A sheet conveyer gate which has rollers, is vertically movable between the bins and the tray. When the sheet conveyer gate is in a lowered position, the rollers take a stapled stack of sheets out of a bin. Then, the sheet conveyer gate is raised and takes the stack of sheets into the large-capacity tray.

Abstract: A sheet discharging apparatus has a plurality of trays for receiving sheets from an image forming apparatus and discharge rollers corresponding to the respective trays. The discharge rollers are rotatable in forward and reverse directions. The sheet discharging apparatus has a transport path for connecting the trays and a sheet discharge opening of the image forming apparatus. A gate for switching the destinations of sheets is disposed at each branched point in the transport path. A selected tray for finally receiving sheets is selected from the trays, and a temporary tray is selected from the trays other than the selected tray. A sheet is temporarily fed in a non-reversed state to the temporary tray from the image forming apparatus. Then, by rotating the discharge rollers in the reverse direction, the sheet is discharged in a reversed state to the selected tray from the temporary tray. A tray which can efficiently execute reverse discharge processing is appropriately specified according to the selected tray.

Abstract: A sorter includes a non-sorting paper exit, a sorting paper exit, a non-sorting bin and a bin assembly having a plurality of sorting bins. When a non-sorting mode is selected, papers is ejected from the non-sorting exit to the non-sorting bin which faces to the non-sorting exit. When a sorting mode is selected, papers are ejected from the sorting exit to the sorting bins each of which faces to the sorting exit by sequentially shifting the bin assembly. In this operation, the non-sorting bin is kept stationary while the papers are ejected to the upper sorting bins, and the non-sorting bin is shift together with the sorting bins while the paper are ejected to the lower sorting bins.

Abstract: In a sheet sorting device for distributing sheets consecutively fed from an image forming device such as a copying machine to sorting trays aligned in multiple stages at high speed, there are disposed sheet pressure members for pressing down preceding sheet or sheets previously introduced into the designated sorting tray so as to successfully introduce the following sheet into the designated sorting tray without being hindered by the preceding sheet or sheets on the designated sorting tray. Since the following sheet is in no way hindered by the preceding sheet on the sorting tray in entering into the designated tray by means of the sheet pressure members, the interval between the adjoining sorting trays can be reduced thus to diminish the sorting device in size.

Abstract: A sorter for sorting a printed sheet discharged from an image forming machine, comprises: a plurality of bins arranged in a vertical direction; a conveyer provided vertically along the plurality of bins to convey the printed sheet vertically downward; an indexer having a guide surface in its upper portion, being vertically movable along a sheet travel route of the conveyer, for peeling the printed sheet off the conveyer with the guide surface and sending the printed sheet in either one of the plurality of bins; a controller connecting to driving the conveyer and the indexer; and a operating panel connecting to the controller, wherein the operating panel receives a printing sheet information of the sheet to be printed and fed the information to the controller, and the controller determines a start position of a working bin out of the plurality of bins in response to the information from the control panel.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus and method for selectively inverting, staging and selectively advancing or diverting sheet material along a predetermined conveying path. The apparatus has a pair of support plates with space between the plates for passage of sheet material and a nip roller mechanism operatively connected to the support plates for advancing the sheet material. A rotation mechanism selectively simultaneously rotates the support plates as sheet material is positioned between the plates. The rotation mechanism selectively inverts the sheet material and positions the sheet material for advancement by the nip rollers from between the support plates along the predetermined conveying path.

Abstract: A method for a sheet handling system where a controller communicates with a mailbox bin subsystem having a plurality of print receiving bins is provided. The plurality of bins are grouped into a first print receiving bin set, a second print receiving bin set and a third print receiving bin set with the first print receiving bin set including one or more print receiving bins, the second print receiving bin set including one or more print receiving bins and the third print receiving bin set including one or more print receiving bins.

Abstract: The apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a plurality of delivery trays arranged in the manner of a circulating bucket lift, which on the basis of user inputs can be freely selected and transported to a loading plane in which an inlet opening for the copy or print jobs also is located. An outlet opening is provided opposite the inlet opening, the individual delivery trays can be moved around a passthrough region which joins the inlet opening to the outlet opening, and each of the delivery trays can, in order to receive copy or print jobs, be slid into a loading position in the passthrough region and receives the copy or print job intended for that selected delivery tray.

Abstract: A sorter for sorting a printed sheet discharged from an image forming machine includes a plurality of bins arranged in a vertical direction; a conveyer provided vertically along the plurality of bins to convey the printed sheet vertically downward; an indexer having a guide surface in its upper portion, being vertically movable along a sheet travel route of the conveyer, for peeling the printed sheet off the conveyer with the guide surface and sending the printed sheet in either one of the plurality of bins; a controller connecting for driving the conveyer and the indexer; and an operating panel-connecting to the controller.

Abstract: A processing apparatus is utilized for a copying machine capable of executing successively a first job and then a second job. An user inputs the number of originals, the number of copies to be made, or the like using a picture plane for setting the first job. Based on information about the input numbers of originals and copies, and information about a copying operation that can be carried out by the copying machine, the number of originals and the number of copies that can be set for the second job are determined. The determined numbers of originals and copies are displayed. Accordingly, the number of originals and the number of copies which exceed a limitation of processing by the copying machine would not be input, thereby improving handling of the apparatus.

Abstract: A device to stack and collect banknotes with the possibility of returning them. It comprises conveyors (18) to take every banknote at the level of the inlet (12) and to drag the buntnote and spread it on a support surface (14) over a central opening (14'), and a presser (19), set by the central opening of the support surface (14), that can be moved from a raised position over the support surface to a first work level causing the passage of every banknote under the support surface between, the presser and holders (17); and to a second work level to cause the banknotes to be discharged below the holders. The device moreover comprises a mechanism to return the banknotes after horizontal movements of the support surface (14).

Abstract: A base cabinet for an electronic printer has facilities for feeding sheets of paper from the base to a printer resting on the base and selectively for a) returning printed sheets to the base for stacking; b) inverting printed sheets exiting the printer and passing them to a receiver; c) passing sheets or envelopes exiting the printer straight through to a receiving tray; and d) feeding sheets exiting the printer upwardly to a sorter or mailbox.

Abstract: A sheet is discharged from an image forming apparatus either onto a first discharge tray through a first transport path by sheet entry rollers via first transport rollers without being reversed, or onto a second discharge tray by second discharge rollers as being guided to a branched transport path by a first switching member formed in a midpoint of the transport path and further guided to a second transport path by a second switching member. The first and second transport rollers are capable of rotating in a reverse direction, and the sheet being fed to the first discharge tray is transported by the second transport rollers after being reversed to be discharged onto the first discharge tray in a reversed state. Therefore, in response to an image forming mode, a discharge end of the sheet and a discharge state of the sheet can be set as desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating sheets from a secondary source and changing their conveyance direction 90.degree.. The accumulator is a group of vertically stacked bins that discharge batchwise and are loaded from the secondary source alternately by way of a diverter. Discharge is synchronous with a directionally constant primary sheet source.

Abstract: In a sheet stacking system with an array of plural sheet stacking bins with sheet entrances for stacking plural flimsy print substrate sheets from a printed sheets output path into selected bins, with a sheet feeding input path system for feeding selected sheets into a selected bin to be stacked therein, with a bin fullness indicator system for indicating that the estimated height of the stack has reached a preset allowable maximum, and a stacking control system controlled by the bin fullness indicator system to control the sheet feeding input path; there is a single stack height sensing system including a stack height sensor for respective measurements of the actual stack height of the stack of sheets in respective bins for the bin fullness indicator system, a movable carriage system for moving this single stack height sensing system from adjacent to one bin to adjacent another bin for respective measurements, the stack height sensor including a movable sensing element extendable by an intermittent actuator

Abstract: A printer accepting print requests from a plurality of users comprising bins storing printout and locks each locking a corresponding one of the bins, wherein the printer locks one of the bins and delivers the printouts to that one of the bins.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for regenerating a sheet-like recording medium comprising a means for feeding a printed sheet-like recording medium, a regenerating treatment means having a step for eliminating image formed on said recording medium, a means for discriminating and separating the recording medium whether the treated recording medium is reusable or not and a means for storing the separated reusable recording medium.