Abstract: A secondary pivotal drive stacker roller assembly for a document sorting and conveying apparatus adapted for sorting documents of various lengths, preferably from a primary document path to at least one secondary document path leading to a document stacking station, the roller assembly including a roller oriented for rotation about a vertical axis and for engaging shorter length documents advanced along the secondary document path, a pivot arm for reciprocally pivoting the roller into and out of engagement with documents advanced along the secondary document path, and a control system for controlling the pivot arm to selectively position the roller for engaging the shorter length documents, and to disengage the roller from the secondary document path when longer length documents are to be sorted.

Abstract: A document sorter/stacker apparatus includes a plurality of slotted disk assemblies respectively associated with bins or pockets in which high-speed transported documents are to be sorted and stacked. Each of the disk assemblies is selectively rotated to position its document capture slot either into or out of the transport path documents, thereby to enable either the routing of the document through that particular pocket or its passage to another pocket. When the leading end of a document is captured within the slot, the slotted disk assembly is rotated to feed the document into the corresponding pocket. The rim of the slotted disk assembly is in contact with a document transport belt and with an endless belt driven by the slotted disk assembly to urge the document into the pocket. After the document has been fed into the pocket, the endless belt urges the tail end of the document away from the slotted disk assembly and toward a backing plate where the documents are accumulated in a stacked configuration.

Abstract: A document transfer system for receiving a cluster of stacked documents within the first end of an output holder and, by using movable partitions, advancing the clusters to the second end of the output holder, thereby permitting a next document cluster to be received within the output holder at the first end. A document cluster at the second end of the output holder is then, using extendable and retractable gates, transferred from the output holder to a separate holder for further processing.

Abstract: A apparatus for recurling, transporting, sorting and stacking individually fed sheets of paper received from devices such as printing or duplicating machinery. A recurler, comprising a plurality of recurleer belts, trained about a drive roller, a feed roller, and a forward roller, against which a recurler roller is urged, is provided for recurling all sheets entering the enclosure of the sorting apparatus. A conveyor belt assembly urges the sheets against the upper surfaces of a plurality of deflectors to convey the sheets through the enclosure. A lower surface of each deflector selectively deflects the sheets into designated receiving trays, or optionally allows the sheets to be expelled from the enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting recording mediums, the apparatus adapted for use in combination with an image forming device having a transport section for carrying recording mediums discharged from the image forming device, includes a plurality of bins for accommodating the recording mediums, gate members provided one for each bin for opening and closing a transport passage for the recording mediums, and drive devices provided for driving the gate members. The drive devices each consist of a cam mounted on a rotary shaft which may be rotated reversibly for actuating the gate member, and a detection and control section for detecting the position of the cam.

Abstract: A module for transporting, aligning, diverting and stacking a plurality of envelopes. The module includes: a housing frame; a registration wall secured to the housing frame; a fixed transport panel secured to the housing frame; a pivotable, envelope diverting transport panel situated upstream and adjacent the fixed transparent panel; a device for pivoting the pivotable panel between a horizontal plane and an acute angle with the horizontal plane; a stacking chamber secured to the housing frame situated beneath the fixed transport panel; and a roller assembly secured to the housing frame for transporting the envelopes in a downstream direction and for aligning the envelopes against the registration wall.

Abstract: A device for changing a passageway for paper includes flaps pivotably provided at branching points of the passageway and operable to change the paper feeding direction. Solenoids mounted with shafts are extended by first springs during non-energizing and retract during energizing, and second springs are provided for imparting biasing forces to follow the displacement of the shafts and to pivotably bias the flaps so that the flaps receive rotational moments of force acting in opposite directions in the energizing and non-energizing states, the rotational moment of force being set so as not to hinder the feed of the paper.

Abstract: A sorter includes a plurality of sheet receiving units, a conveyor for converying a sheet to one of a plurality of sheet receiving units which are able to come into contact with one surface of the sheet, a guide facing the other surface of the sheet for guiding the sheet to one sheet receiving unit, and a restriction device provided at substantially the same level as the conveyor for keeping the sheet from moving to the conveying means.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus for sheets of documents or the like, in which the sheets are conveyed on a conveyor belt, and are deflected by controllable deflectors into stacker bins. Roller transporters convey the sheets of documents from the deflector into each stacker bin. The drive of the roller transporters is effected by a driven belt common to the roller transporters of all stacker bins; this belt is activated only for the specifically chosen stacker bin with the roller transporter (26) corresponding to this bin. This actuation is accomplished by a clutch wheel which is tilted by a lever activating the deflector.

Abstract: A folding machine in a rotary press of the type in which a printed a paper web is twice-folded and then cut into folded sheets by means of cutter drums, and the folded sheets are conveyed through a distributor section on the downstream side of the machine to a pair of ejectd paper sheet runners while being pinched by belts, is improved.

Abstract: A device for sorting documents exiting a document processor such as a document reader or document printer includes at least one document guide which defines an undeflected document travel path and a document bin which includes a series of compartments for receiving sorted documents. Each document guide will alternately permit the documents to travel along the undeflected document travel path to a first document bin or to deflect such documents in first or second deflected document travel paths to compartments of second document bins. By selectively deflecting documents entering the document guide, previously processed documents may be sorted according to document type. Each document guide is comprised of first and second concave guide parts mounted side by side to define an undeflected document travel path therebetween and first and second convex guide parts mounted outside the concave guide parts. The concave guide parts each have a concavely curved outer side.

Abstract: A system for distributing flexible sheet material by class into separate containers includes a large endless belt and a number of individual distribution roller assemblies each of which includes a smaller endless belt which opposes the larger endless belt at successive locations. The sheet material is transported vertically between the larger endless belt and the smaller endless belts of the individual roller assemblies. Distribution of the sheet material into one of the containers results when the roller assembly associated with that container is repositioned mechanically so that the smaller endless belt and the opposing portion of the larger endless belt are positioned horizontally at the entrance to the container.

Abstract: A stacking device for sheets emerging from an ejection opening (for example, a photocopying machine), whereby the sheets are alternately distributed and stacked in several positions relatively displaced to each other. The relatively displaced stacks are formed by a one-sided engagement of the sheets to be stacked by a switchable turning mechanism controlled by a steering device.

Abstract: A stacker for letters and similar flat, flexible conveyed material includes a number of stack compartments to which the letters are fed past shunts assigned separately to the individual compartments and in which the letters are stacked on top of one another, the stack compartments are sloped by a specific angle in the direction of the incoming letters. Each stack compartment has an inlet strap mounted at one end to rotate above the letter inlet opening and to guide the letter into the stack compartment during its energy. The inlet strap has an angle iron shaped cross section, with the ends of the legs pointing in the direction of the stacking space.

Abstract: A compact sorting machine inverts recorded sheets into a face-down attitude and discharges them into individual trays. When a recorded sheet is sent from a feed opening, this sheet is transported on a transport path located below entrances of a plurality of trays. Guide members disposed in the vicinity of each tray entrance are driven according to a control signal so that the recorded sheet is discharged into individual trays. At this time, a guide member having an arc-shape simultaneously inverts the recorded sheet into a face-down attitude.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stacking predetermined sheets of various intermixed sizes in a stacking location by advancement of stacking devices into that location, selectively guide further sheets past the stacking location. That guiding of further sheets past the stacking location is mechanically slaved to the advancement of the stacking devices into the stacking location. Where the stacking devices are withdrawn from the stacking location preparatory to each stacking of a predetermined sheet, the guiding of that predetermined sheet into the stacking location is mechanically slaved to such withdrawal of the stacking devices. Where the sheets are stacked against a movable wall, an unobstructed space for receiving each sheet guided to the stacking location is permanently preserved between the movable wall and the withdrawn stacking devices.

Abstract: A sheet sorting apparatus for collating and distributing sheets received from a reproducing apparatus and adapted to reduce static charge from the sheets includes an array of sheet receiving bins defined by tray members. A transport means conveys sheets past each of the bins. Each bin has at its opening an electrically insulting diverter member that can be pivoted from an inoperative to an operative position to deflect and guide a sheet into the associated bin. Attached to the diverter member is an electrically conductive brush arranged to contact a sheet entering the bin and an electrically conductive track connecting the brush via conductive bearings to the grounded conductive frame of the sorter.

Abstract: A scroll strip conveyor system comprises a conveyor belt for carrying a series of relatively flat scroll strips thereon in a flat, edge-to-edge spaced apart condition. An inspection station is located along the conveyor for inspecting the scroll strips to identify rejects. An ejector is provided for ejecting the rejects from the conveyor belt. A hopper feed apparatus is located at a terminal end of the conveyor belt for receiving the scroll strips therefrom one by one in an edge-to-edge condition and for redirecting the scroll strips into a parallel surface-to-surface spaced apart condition to be stacked in flat, surface-to-surface abutting condition in a hopper.

Abstract: An anti-jamming diverter comprising a kicker gate at each pocket of a mail sort machine for "kicking" the tail of a letter away from the point of entry into the pocket so that the next letter can enter the pocket without jamming. The kicker gate, when actuated, aligns with the actuated gate of the pocket to allow smooth entry of a letter from the transport into the pocket. Upon deactuation, the kicker returns to its original position thereby "kicking" the tail of the letter inwardly into the pocket.

Abstract: A sheet receiver has a plurality of trays to receive paper sheets in a sequential or selected order as sheets are successively fed to the receiver from a source, such as a printer or copier, and transported to the inlet ends of the trays between opposing transport rolls which define a continuous straight paper path past the trays. Selected pressure or nip rolls are actuated from positions relative to feed rolls forming the straight path past the trays to positions relative to an adjacent feed roll to interrupt the straight paper path and form a nip at which the rolls are positioned to change the direction of sheet travel to direct a sheet into a tray.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling sheets into a stack, the apparatus comprising a stacking station having two laterally spaced guide elements (25A,25B) defining first and second guide surfaces fixed relatively to one another. First and second transport systems. (2,3; 9,11,12) define respective first and second paths, the first transport system being adapted to transport sheets along the first path to the stacking station (24) and the second transport system being adapted to transport sheets in both directions along the second path between positions upstream and downstream of the stacking station (24). The guide elements (25A,25B) are movable between first and second positions (25',25). In the first position sheets fed along the first and second paths from positions upstream of the stacking station (24) are guided along respective ones of the first and second guide surfaces to a position downstream of the stacking station in the second path.

Abstract: A paper document pocket for receiving and stacking sorted documents from a high-speed reader sorter used in the banking industry and similar applications. The pocket is designed to stack in columns paper documents of various sizes and paper weights in sequential order without producing paper jams.

Abstract: A device for use in conjunction with a compartmented distribution line for flat articles, such as letters, which arrive in succession over a conveying path. The device comprises a succession of stacking compartments arranged one behind the other to which the flat articles are supplied by switches separately associated with the individual compartments. On the conveying path, closely before each individual stacking compartment, there is provided a rubber elastic roller-type attachment which faces the upper edge of each flat article against a guide sheet disposed opposite the attachment.

Abstract: A storage compartment can be used selectively as an individual compartment attached to a document processing device or as one of several compartments joined together in a sorting device. The compartment is functionally autonomous so that its component parts, which are drive and pressure rollers (23, 24, 25, and 27) for conveying documents supported on a base plate (1) and a motor (40) and electrical coupling for actuating the rollers, are all connected to the base plate (1). The only mechanical connection between the compartment and a document processing device or other compartments in a sorting device is by a plug (28) for electrical connection. Special shaping of the base plate (1) facilitates space-saving packaging of several compartments.

Abstract: A sorting module is provided, having as its principal operative element a pivotable carrier for a plurality of guide rails, having at their front end funnel shaped entrance openings, cooperating with a narrower opening trough which records pass, for placement in between two guide rails the selection of which depends on step motor driven adjustment of the carrier. The guide rails together, with stationary walls lead to sorting compartments.

Abstract: A document stacker assembly including a plurality of document stackers each having a bin wherein documents are selectably stacked against a bin wall member. A belt moves documents along a document track and an idler wheel is pressed against the belt in each stacker assembly. A flicker wheel is driven to rotate by pressure thereagainst by the rotating idler wheel. A solenoid is operable selectably to move a document deflector pivoted about the flicker wheel axle to deflect a document along the track into the pinch between a central waisted portion of the flicker wheel and the idler wheel. The document is urged into the bin and the trailing edge of the document, having disengaged from the pinch between the idler wheel and a waisted portion of the flicker wheel is engaged by projections on the unwaisted top and bottom serrated portions of the flicker wheel, to urge the document further into the bin and to disengage the trailing edge at a predetermined location therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for pocketing documents in vertically-aligned pockets. The apparatus includes a frame and slides for mounting the frame for reciprocal movement between a home position and an extended position relative to the apparatus. A plurality of vertically-aligned, pocket members is mounted on the frame for selectively receiving documents to be pocketed. A transfer station, having first and second track members, receives a document therebetween, with the first track member being mounted on the frame for movement therewith. A first transport apparatus is used to move a document in a first direction to said transfer station, and a second transport apparatus is used to move a document in a second direction from the transfer station to the plurality of pocket members. A transfer apparatus is used to transfer a document at the transfer station from the first transport apparatus to said second transport apparatus.

Abstract: A sorting machine for sorting generally flat items, for example letters, comprises a plurality of sorting destinations arranged in levels, and a conveying system for conveying the items each to an assigned destination. The conveying system includes a plurality of endless flexible tensile elements (8) extending along the machine, the elements each being arranged to cooperate with an adjacent element such as to be capable of transferring the items from one element to another thereby to convey the items from one level to another.There is conveniently provided a climb section at one end of the machine where an element passes over an inclined pulley (9) to take the element to the next higher level.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for deflecting and stacking letters and the like.Such an apparatus comprises a support plate which, with the horizontal, forms an angle of 23.degree. and has at least one belt driven by motor means, at least one second belt driven by friction by the first belt and which in turn drives at least one further belt. A deflecting means placed in a deflection position by a control means deflects the letters towards a stacker, constituted by a pallet sliding under the action of the stack of letters during formation along a shaft.

Abstract: A photographic print sorter has a series of print slides along which the photographic prints are driven by drive rollers. Deflectors which are movable into the flow path are positioned between the print slides selectively deflect the prints into good, reject and remake print trays. Each print slide has a recess below each drive roller. The radius of each drive roller is betwen about 0.005 inches and about 0.045 inches greater than the distance from the axis of the drive shaft to the transport plane defined by the top surface of the print slide. This creates an interference fit between the drive rollers and the photographic print as the print is driven over the print slide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording apparatus including a plurality of printers each for reproducing an image on a recording sheet upon receiving the same signal, and a single sheet delivering device for delivering recording sheets to the printers. The present invention also provides a recording apparatus including a plurality of printers each for reproducing an image on a recording sheet upon receiving the same signal, and a sheet discharge device for feeding the recording sheets from the printers to a collector or sorter.

Abstract: In a newspaper stacking plant a sensor is placed at a point along the newspaper path. After counting a predetermined number of newspapers, the sensor control electronics actuate a first intercepter means to provide a gap in the newspaper flow. The subsequent newspapers are led to a first collection station such as a stacking blade. The sensor control electronics also control a second intercepter such as a deflecting tongue entering the newspaper flow on actuation, at a point between the first intercepter and the first collection station, a predetermined number of newspapers being diverted and led to a second collection station. The inventive device enables machine diversion of small portions from the newspaper flow to the second collection station, while the major portion is led to the first collection station.

Abstract: Sheets of paper coming from an office machine such as a copier, are collated in a collator having a vertically extending sheet feeding channel. Collating compartments forming a stack extend up from the channel at a slant. Each collating compartment cooperates with its lower end with one or two sheet feeding rollers and a tiltable guide flap. If a flap is in a passive position the respective transport roller, in cooperation with a counter-pressure roller, will move a sheet past the flap. If the flap is tilted into an active position its curved shape will guide a sheet out of the feeding channel into the respective collating compartment. The tiltable guide flaps are so arranged that they extend on both sides of a horizontal plane and of a vertical plane extending through a rotational axis of the respective sheet feeding roller or rollers. These features assure a sheet feeding free of troubles even if sheets of different lengths and of different thicknesses are to be collated.

Abstract: Selectors which can be worked alternately are placed along the advancement path of articles having different sizes. Each selector is constituted by a rake structure with L-shaped prongs which can be moved from an upper rest position, where the prongs do not interfere with the advancement of the articles along said path, to a lower pick up position where the prongs stop the advancement of the articles and then again to an upper discharge position, where the prongs, after having lifted the engaged articles, allow their conveyance towards collection places, such as piling hoppers.

Abstract: A bank note processing device comprising a money access opening in the upper part of the bank note processing device for accepting incoming bank notes and releasing outgoing bank notes, a bank note stacking unit below the money access opening for stacking up the incoming bank notes supplied from the money access opening, and supplying the outgoing bank notes to the money access opening, a conveying attitude aligning unit, a bank note identifying unit therebelow, an unidentified bank note temporary storage unit, a face aligning unit, a conveying passage, to the rear of the conveying attitude aligning unit and the face aligning unit, and, along this conveying passage, an incoming bank note temporary pooling unit, a plurality of bank note storage units each of which takes in and stores the incoming bank notes of a corresponding denomination from the conveying passage, and a bank note recovery unit for taking in the bank notes to be recovered from the conveying passage, in that order from above to below.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically and mutually sharing the currency dispensers in adjacent automatic teller machines when one dispenser is either out of service because of a malfunction or out of currency. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the system is comprised of first and second article dispensers, first and second output stations, a transport mechanism operationally coupled to both dispensers and to both stations, first and second diverters respectively positioned in first and second paths through the transport mechanism and a control circuit for selectively controlling the operations of the dispensers and diverters during a dispensing operation.

Abstract: The invention contemplates mechanism for ejecting incomplete fascicles (H) which are astride a transport rail (1) and are carried along by driver means (3, 4) moving in the lengthwise direction of this transport rail. The ejector mechanism has a guide rail (9) which starts at an offset from the transport rail (1) that is greater than the thickness of complete fascicles (H) and which extends from this starting end upward and to the side at an acute angle to the direction of movement of the fascicles moving along the transport rail (1); the upward slope peaks at a highest point, the location of which (with respect to the transport rail) is selected such that incomplete fascicles (H) leave the active region of the driver means (3) only after the center of gravity of the fascicle has passed the highest point of the guide rail (9).

Abstract: In a collator for use in combination with an electrophotographic copying machine which discharges copies of originals in succession at the same time interval, deflection claws for delivering successive copies of a manuscript into successive bins are provided at inlets of respective bins and two endless belts each having an actuator for driving the deflection claws are provided movably along the successive bins. The two endless belts are driven by two different controlling circuits, respectively in an independent manner. During the copy delivering operation by the first endless belt for a plurality of copies of a certain document, it is possible to initiate the copy delivering operation by the second endless belt for a plurality of copies of the next document.

Abstract: A sheet diverting device in a copying apparatus or the like for diverting sheets from a first transportation path has at least second, third and fourth transportation paths diverging from the first transportation path, first deflector displaceable to a first position for guiding a sheet from the first transportation path to the second transportation path and a second position for blocking the passage of the sheet from the first transportation path to the second transportation path and constituting a part of a path for guiding the sheet to the third transportation path, and second deflector displaceable to a first position for guiding the sheet from the first transportation path to the fourth transportation path and a second position for blocking the passage of the sheet from the first transportation path to the fourth transportation path and constituting another part of the path for guiding the sheet to the third transportation path.

Abstract: An automatic bank note transaction apparatus comprises a discriminator for discriminating fit notes from unfit notes among the bank notes conveyed by a conveyance path, and identifying the denomination of the fit notes, sorting gates for sorting the bank notes according to the result of discrimination by a discriminator, and distributing the fit notes by denomination, temporary collecting sections for temporarily collecting the bank notes sorted by the sorting gates, storage chambers for storing bank notes of each denomination judged to be fit, a return path for returning the bank notes collected in the temporary collecting sections to a return outlet of a housing, and shutters located between the temporary collecting sections and the storage chambers for guiding the temporarily collected bank notes into the storage chambers when a user approves depositing or into the return path when the user disapproves depositing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stacking sheets of various intermixed lengths in a stacking location employ distinct first and second sheet drive rollers at a sheet feed path adjacent said stacking location. The first sheet drive rollers are rotated in a first sense of rotation for driving each sheet along the sheet feed path in a first direction. The second sheet drive rollers are for each of the sheets maintained out of the sheet feed path while the particular sheet is driven with the first sheet drive roller means in the first direction past a stacking position at the stacking location. The second sheet drive rollers are rotated in a second sense of rotation for driving each sheet in a second direction opposed to said first direction. The second sheet drive rollers are for each sheet driven past the stacking location introduced into the sheet feed path for driving the particular sheet in said second direction into the stacking location.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling mailpieces is provided, including a feed deck, having an upright wall, and including instrumentalities for successively feeding mailpieces downstream on said feed deck. The feeding instrumentalities include a device for engaging the lower major surface of respective mailpieces and a directional feed roller assembly; the latter including a roller and a flexible shaft. The roller extends from the flexible shaft for disposition in engagement with the upper major surfaces of respective mailpieces and cooperates with the mailpiece engaging device for urging the mailpieces against the upright wall for edge registration. The apparatus also includes instrumentalities for selectively gating mailpieces from the feed deck and for stacking the gated mailpieces on edge at a receiving station.

Abstract: A combined sheet iverter and sorter comprises a plurality of bins B, a gate D associated with each bin which permits a sheet S to travel direction into the bin B, and a reversible conveyor 102 for advancing sheets past the bin openings and reversing the sheets into the bins B. The conveyor 102 is controlled so that each sheet is reversed when its trail edge is located between a pair of adjacent gates whereby the sheets S may be guided into selected bins B in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A multicolor recording apparatus includes a number of recording sections for applying different colors of inks. A main transport path travels through all recording sections, while bypass paths are provided for recording sheets which are to be recorded monochromatically, for example, so that any one or more of the recording sections may be bypassed. To eliminate wastage of ink donor sheet, the web containing the solid ink is not conveyed in recording sections bypassed by the sheet.

Abstract: Continuous paper sorter mechanism in which a receiver section is comprised of at least two columns of inclined side-by-side stacks of paper storage bins or shelves with entrances for receiving paper sheets from the feeder. The receiver is mounted for lateral movement relative to a feeder mechanism, such that the bin entrances move past the feeder in a generally vertical plane. The feeder has an in-feed conveyor which takes paper from a copy making device such as a press or duplicating machine and feeds the sheets of paper either to an intermediate downwardly inclined conveyor or onto an intermediate upwardly inclined conveyor, depending on whether the feeder is distributing paper sheets from the top or from the bottom. Sheets from the intermediate conveyors in turn are transported to a generally vertically disposed, reversible feeder conveyor.

Abstract: A system for successively distributing one sheet after another to sheet receiving bins having a sheet guide device including conveyor belts and having sheet separating claws and a guiding device. The guiding device includes a contacting member successively brought into engagement with the sheet separating claws of a plurality of layers as the guiding device moves downwardly, to move the claws to an operative position in which the claws separates a sheet from the conveyor belts. The contacting member is moved to a position in which it is prevented from engaging the claws when the guiding device is moved upwardly during operation of the system. The sheet separated by the claws from the conveyor belts is moved to each bin along lower and upper guide plates while having its curl taken care of by a rod-shaped guide. The sheet guide device can be pivotally moved relative to a main body of the system, and the guiding device can be pivotally moved relative to the sheet guide device.

Abstract: A modular assembly for selectably changing or diverting sheet items from an input pathway into a selected one of a number of output pathways. Three irregularly shaped one-way gate members, actuated by the passage of the item, act to prevent return movement of the item into the input pathway. Two sets of three diverter members coupled together by means of a novel linkage to a single actuating solenoid act to cause the two sets of diverters to move in unison in one or the other of two opposite directions to divert the items into selected output pathways as desired.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for processing sheets. The apparatus comprises a feeding zone, a discriminating zone, a sorting zone and a stacking zone. The feeding zone includes rollers and guides for taking out sheets one at a time from a group of sheets in the stacked state and feeding them into a conveyor path. The discriminating zone includes a plurality of sensors for detecting positions, a magnetic pattern and a photo-pattern to discriminate the sheets. The sorting zone includes angularly rotatable forks for sorting the sheets according to their kinds in response to the signals from the discriminating zone. The stacking zone includes containers for stacking the sheets sorted by the sorting zone.

Abstract: Improvement to a check sorter. The sorter comprises a sorting track and a number of diverters. Each diverter is pivotable about a vertical axis. Each diverter is caused to pivot by the magnetic effect created between a magnet attached to the diverter and a coil 21 arranged close to the magnet.

Abstract: A sorter mechanism for receiving and stacking discrete sheets in a preselected order. A plurality of bins are provided for receiving discrete sheets delivered to the bins with a given side facing in a particular orientation. The bins, each of which have oppositely disposed first and second sheet supporting members, are positionable so as to support the sheets with the given side facing the first sheet supporting members when the bins are in a first position and with the given side facing the second sheet supporting members when the bins are in the second position. Sheets fed along a predetermined path to the sorter mechanism are directed into selective bins, the bins being selectively positioned in either of the mentioned positions dependent upon the original orientation of the given sheet side in the predetermined path and the desired final order of the sheets being stacked.