Abstract: In a system for detecting and signaling the approximate size of a set, stack or job of document sheets, especially for a recirculating type automatic document feeder with a document set stacking and feeding tray for a copier or other document imaging system, in which an electromechanical set separator system provides rough initial stack height and therefore set size or document number estimation signals from the position of the set separator arm on the stack, and in which there is also a counter for counting the number of document sheets fed out from the tray; the advance estimation of the number of documents to be fed to be imaged is significantly improved by dynamically comparing the count of the number of document sheets fed out from the tray at and with the transition in the set size estimation signal from the set separator system.

Abstract: A system for detecting and signaling the feeding of a complete set, stack or job of document sheets, especially for a recirculating type automatic document feeder for a copier or other document imaging system with a document restacking tray, in which normally an electromechanical sheet separator provides an end of set detection signal by mechanically operating each time the last sheet of the stack is fed. Here, the end of set detection and control signal is provided instead by a preset brief electrical signal from a non-mechanical optical no-sheet-present-in-tray detector for those documents sets having a sufficiently small number of document sheets such that all of the document sheets are temporarily in the document recirculation path after the last sheet of the set is fed out of the document tray on each circulation so that this optical sheet presence detector briefly signals that no document sheet is present in the tray, indicative that the last sheet of the small set was fed.

Abstract: Settling of document sheets returned to the document sheet stack support in such support is facilitated by a flow of positive pressure air directed at document sheets travelling in the document sheet feed path downstream, in the direction of sheet travel from the fourth feed mechanism, and a flexible member, extending into the sheet feed path, located between the fourth feed mechanism and the air flow.

Abstract: An improved recirculating document feeder for presenting sheets from a document sheet stack seriatim to a station of a reproduction apparatus for reproducing information contained on such document sheets. The improved recirculating document feeder comprises a support for a document sheet stack, with a selected side of each document sheet facing up and with the selected side of the topmost document sheet in said stack for ready viewing by an operator.

Abstract: An improved recirculating document feeder wherein the initial topmost document sheet of the document sheet stack is separated from document sheets in such stack returned to such stack as document sheets are fed along the feed path. Such separation is provided by an elongated member supported between its ends for pivotal motion about two mutually perpendicular axes. The elongated member is pivotable about a first of such axes such that a first end portion thereof engages the initial topmost document sheet to follow the level of such sheet and pivotable about the second of such axes for movement to a remote location for subsequent repositioning of said first end portion on the initial topmost document sheet of such stack after such sheet is fed. A plurality of sensors located at predetermined levels relative to the document supporting tray detect the elongated member at such predetermined levels.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding originals from a stack thereof provided in a cassette to an exposure platen within an exposure zone of a copying machine and returning the originals from the exposure zone to the stack, either via a discharge path extending from a feed side of the exposure platen to the stack for returning simplex originals without reversal, via discharge path extending from the discharge side of the exposure platen to the stack for directly returning duplex originals to the stack with reversal, or via a reversing path which combines both of these two discharge paths for returning duplex originals to the exposure platen with reversal and then to the stack. The reversing path includes a reversible conveyor member disposed at a common portion of the two discharge paths just before the stack of originals in the copy machine cassette.

Abstract: A duplex printing apparatus includes a first conveyance device for supplying recording paper from a first paper supply tray to a printing device; a second conveyance device for supplying the recording paper from a second paper supply tray to the printing device; a third conveyance device for conveying the recording paper printed by the printing device to a paper receiving tray; a fourth conveyance device for conveying the recording paper to the second paper supply tray; a paper switching device disposed at the third conveyance device and operable to selectively send the recording paper printed by the printing device to the second paper receiving tray or to the fourth conveyance device; and a driving mechanism for the second paper supply tray which is operable to move the second paper supply tray to one position for receiving the recording paper from the fourth conveyance device and to another position in which the second paper supply tray supplies the recording paper to the printing device.

Abstract: A recirculating document feeder for use with an electrostatographic apparatus for producing precollated or post-collated simplex or duplex copies from simplex or duplex original documents with a transport arrangement which simplifies operational control over the feeder and reduces the potential of damage to the original document sheets. The document feeder comprises a hopper for holding a stack of original document sheets. A transport mechanism is provided for respectively transporting an original document sheet along a path in which such sheet is removed in one direction from the stack hopper and delivered in such direction to an exposure station; or a path in which such sheet is removed in a direction opposite to the one direction from the stack hopper, turned over, and delivered to the exposure station. The transport mechanism is selectively controlled to carry out delivery of document sheets depending upon whether the original documents in the stack hopper are simplex or duplex.

Abstract: An automatic document conveying device is provided in an image-processing machine having a transparent plate on which a transparent plate on which to place a document to be processed, the transparent plate having been disposed on the upper surface of a housing. The automatic conveying device is provided with a document delivery re-introduction section which sends a document delivered through a document introduction section and a central main portion selectively to a first document receiving tray, a second document receiving tray and a transparent plate by use of multiple branched sheet passageways. The document delivery re-introduction section is provided with a first branched passage for sending a document into the first document receiving tray, a second branched passage for sending the document into the second document receiving tray, and a re-introduction passage for re-introducing the document into a transparent plate.

Abstract: A disconnectable, remountable, extension for a document track in a table-top, document processing machine. The extension has first and second fingers which fit into first and second openings in a coupling member which is resiliently biased towards the document track. The extension also has members which cooperate with the document track to keep the extension aligned in a vertical direction relative to the document track. When the extension contacts another member when the machine is moved on the table top, the extension "break away" or is uncoupled from the document track without damage to either of the members. The extension can then be remounted on the document track.

Abstract: A paper feeding device for a collator is provided wherein a drive mechanism for moving suction heads between the upper surface of a stack on a paper supply shelf and feed rollers disposed at a paper feeding station in front of the paper supply shelf includes a four-bag linkage mechanism pivotally carried at a horizontally extending pivot. The four-bar linkage machanism comprises four elemental links pivotally connected tail-to-head in a closed loop, one pair of the adjacent links being pivotally carried at the pivot, one of the other pair of the adjacent elementary links supporting the suction heads. The two elemental links pivotally carried at the pivot are synchronously oscillated about the pivot to produce a composite movement at the elemental link supporting the suction head whereby the suction heads moves the upper surface and the feed rollers.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes original stacker having plural stages spaced from each other, each of which is capable of accommodating sheet originals; a support for supporting the plural stages for movement substantially along the stages; a feeder for feeding sheet originals from a selected one of the stages of the original stacker; conveyer for conveying the sheet originals from the feeder to a predetermined position; reversing device for returning the sheet originals having been placed at the predetermined position to the same selected stage; and a driver for driving the original stacker so as to bring the plural stages selectively toward the feeder.

Abstract: A scan-mode changeable image duplicating apparatus having operational parameters and modes of operation and operative to duplicate a document in accordance with selected ones of the operational parameters and modes of operation, including a recirculating document feeder unit having a document storage tray and a passageway through which a document is to be withdrawn from the tray and returned to the tray by way of an exposure position in which the document is to be scanned, a scanning unit for scanning a document in the exposure position, the scanning unit being movable back and forth with respect to the exposure position, a control system for controlling the document feeder unit and the scanning unit to operate either in a scanner-moved scanning mode in which the scanning unit is driven to move with respect to the exposure position to scan a document fixedly held in the exposure position and a document-moved scanning mode in which the scanning unit is fixed with respect to the exposure position and scans a do

Abstract: A paper pressing device for an image forming apparatus including an intermediate tray for temporarily holding a sheet of copy paper in the course of conveying the sheet of copy paper from a discharging side of the image forming apparatus to a feeding side of the image forming apparatus, a conveying path changer pivotably provided above the intermediate tray for changeably providing a first position of permitting a sheet of copy paper smaller than a predetermined size to move over the conveying path changer, and a second position of permitting a sheet of copy paper larger than the predetermined size to move under the conveying path changer, a pressing device attached to the conveying path changer and made of resilient material, the pressing means being pressable on a surface of the intermediate tray when the conveying path changer is set in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus which includes a feeding device for feeding a document onto a document platen on which the document is irradiated by a light source to obtain a copy image and a discharging device for discharging the irradiated document from the document platen. The apparatus includes a housing unit shaped in the form of a plate for covering the document platen; a hinge for pivotally mounting the housing unit on the document platen, and first, second and third sub-housings made to protrude upwards from the top surface of the housing unit. The first sub-housing is disposed on one side of the housing unit and incorporates the feeding device. The second sub-housing is disposed on the opposite side to the one side and incorporates the discharging device. The third sub-housing is disposed on a side between the one side and the opposite side and incorporates both the hinge and driving mechanism for both the feeding device and the discharging device.

Abstract: A paper stacking control device for use in an electrophotographic copier, printer, facsimile apparatus or similar image forming apparatus having a paper transport path for temporarily stacking paper sheets each carrying an image on one surface thereof on an intermediate tray. A paper sheet being transported by belts which face the intermediate tray is retained by the pawls of coactive rotatable disks and then stacked on the intermediate tray while being turned over due to the rotation of the disks. The paper sheet stacked on the intermediate tray is restrained by paper pressers at a portion thereof adjacent to the leading edge or the trailing edge and is thereby prevented from being displaced in the stacked position.

Abstract: A copying machine with multiple transport functions which contains a main transport route running from a paper feed block through a copy process block to a paper discharge block, an auxiliary transport route running from the paper discharge block through reversed transport section selectively reversing copy paper being transported and an intermediate tray for storing copy paper sheets temporarily, to the paper feed block, and a multiple copy mode selector switch for making the reversed transport section effective or ineffective when copy paper is passed through the auxiliary transport route.

Abstract: Signature loader comprising a telescopically related main floor-mounted frame and a smaller auxiliary frame, first and second horizontal rotatable shafts between the frames spaced apart by a predetermined distance and so positioned that infeed belts thereon converge to define between them a signature infeed throat, one of said shafts being a pivot about which the auxiliary frame may be pivoted so the throat may be selectively positioned in one of two alternate attitudes.

Abstract: In a recirculating feeder of sheets, the sheets are supplied and restored by the top-pick bottom-return method from a storing device in which the sheets are stacked and stored. The sheets are restored in the lowermost position in the stacking direction of the stacked sheets and stored in the storing device through a driving member, a first restoring device and a second restoring device. The driving member is controlled so as to approach/depart from the first restoring device, and when the sheet is conveyed into the storing device, it approaches to intervene between the lowermost position in the stacking direction of the sheets and the first restoring device, thereby pinching the sheet together with the first restoring device. In this way, the conveying force of the first restoring device is securely transmitted to the sheet, and repelling and mixing are avoided. The driving member contains defining members, which are intended to match the sheet stacking.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a receiving unit for receiving a sheet on which a first image is formed. The receiving unit includes an inlet for receiving the sheet, a tray member for supporting the received sheet, an outlet through which the received sheet is re-fed, and an aligning device. The aligning device includes a pair of standing members positioned on the tray member in spaced relationship with each other a predetermined distance. The standing members extend upward to a level which is higher than the inlet. And at least one of the pair of standing members has a widened portion for guiding the sheet passing through the sheet inlet. The sheet is guided by the widened portion and aligned on the tray member by the pair of standing members and the sheet is re-fed out of the tray member to form a second image.

Abstract: A self-contained duplex/simplex feeder module adapted to be used for both top and bottom sheet feeding for simplex and duplex copying includes a pair of feed-in rolls with one of the rolls serving as a feed-out roll when top sheet feeding is required. A static eliminator is also included to enhance the feeding of sheets for duplexing as is a false bottom used for top sheet feeding and normal force device for bottom sheet feeding.

Abstract: A paper feeding device for sending out paper sheets P from an intermediate tray after a first image has been formed on the paper sheets in an image forming apparatus. The device includes a preliminary feed roller, a pressure plate opposed to the preliminary feed roller, a feed roller, a pressure roller opposed to the feed roller, a roller supporting shaft for relatively rotatably supporting the pressure roller, a supporting member pivotably attached to the roller supporting shaft for supporting the pressure plate for pivotably around the roller supporting shaft, and a motor for rotating the roller supporting shaft. As a result the pressure plate and the pressure roller can pivot to maintain the paper sheets against the preliminary feed roller and the feed roller regardless of how many paper sheets are on the intermediate tray.

Abstract: An original handling apparatus includes a sheet cassette for storing a bundle of originals, an RDF for feeding each bundle of originals stored in the sheet cassette to an exposure position, discharging the exposed original from the exposure position, and circulating the exposed original to the sheet cassette, an operation panel for setting a desired number of circulation cycles of the bundle of originals stored in the sheet cassette, and a microcomputer (including a CPU) for controlling the RDF to allow it to start a next circulation cycle prior to an end of a current circulation cycle in a plurality of circulation cycles.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic document feeder for the copying machine or the like, which is capable of adjusting the sheet transporting speed automatically according to the sheet quality or the status of sheet transportation. The feeder detects the status of transportation in the first, and accordingly adjust the transporting speed for the subsequent sheets. Additionally, a monitor monitors the operational state of the transport mechanism by monitoring detection output of a detection sensor when an original sheet is not present and corrects the transport timing on the basis of the information so obtained.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder having a recirculating conveying path with a first switchback means between the document hopper and a presentation area interfacing with the scanning exposure region of an optical reading apparatus and a second switchback means between the presentation area and the document hopper, each such switchback means being selectively operable to either invert the surfaces or reverse the leading and trailing edges of the document for presentation at the presentation area, so as to facilitate document handling in the event of jamming and to reduce the size of the feeder. Additionally, the feeder can be used in correspondence with a copying machine having a conveying path with a third switchback means located between a photosensitive drum and an intermediate tray for reversing the leading and trailing edges of the copying paper and a fourth switchback means located between the photosensitive drum and a discharge hopper for inverting the surfaces of the copying paper.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic copying apparatus, the document stack to be fed is curved when it rests on a fixed curved stack-holding tray. The document stack is lifted by a pair of lifting blades having the curvature of the stack which move horizontally relative to the ends of the stack to move in and out beneath the sides of the stack, and thereafter move vertically to lift the entire stack out of the path of the returning copy. A vacuum belt arrangement is provided for moving successive documents from the top of the stack into the electrophotographic copying machine. The document loops through the machine and returns at a lower level, aligned with an opening beneath the bottom of the stack. Moving belts running beneath the stack carry the returning document into alignment under the stack.

Abstract: A paper container has a finisher unit which comprises transporting rollers to transport copying papers ejected from a copying machine to a tray, a paddle wheel to transport a copying paper to a reference member for alignment immediately after a trailing edge of the copying paper leaves the transporting rollers, and a stapler to staple the copying papers aligned on the tray. The paper container also has a stack unit to stack the stapled papers. The stack unit is permanently secured onto the image forming device, or an distance between the stack unit and the finisher unit is arbitrarily adjusted, while the finisher unit is attached to the image forming device and detached if so required.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving slips and stacking the slips temporarily therein to process them or to exchange them for another kind of slips, and having a stop and guide which defines a transport path for receiving and transporting a slip, a stationary storing section which defines a space for holding the slip temporarily therein, and a feeder for feeding the slip into and out of the stationary storing section. A movable storing section is interposed between the stop and guide and the stationary storing section for defining compartments each of which accommodates a part of any of the slips therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying and discharging originals in a copying machine is provided having a first and a second cassette for originals, a first feed path for feeding originals from the first cassette to the exposure station in a reversed orientation, a second feed path for feeding originals from the second cassette to the exposure station, a turnover path for turning over originals coming from the exposure station and returning them to the exposure station in a reversed orientation, a first discharge path for discharging originals from the exposure station to the first cassette in a reversed orientation and control unit for controlling the transport of the originals and a second discharge path to feed originals from the exposure station to the second cassette. The second feed path as well as the second discharge path are so formed that an original is not reversed in respect of orientation.

Abstract: This specification discloses a sheet conveying apparatus having piling means for piling sheets with a predetermined amount of deviation in the direction of conveyance provided therebetween, first conveying means for imparting a conveying force to only that surface of the lead-off one of the sheets piled with the predetermined amount of deviation provided therebetween which is not in contact with the other sheets, and movement restricting means disposed upstream of the first conveying means by a distance shorter than the predetermined length of the conveyed predetermined sheet minus the predetermined amount of deviation for restricting the movement of the other sheets than the lead-off sheet.

Abstract: A material processing system comprising a plurality of material processing stations, a base material processing station, and means directing material to be processed serially through the plurality of stations in a given order to the base station; the improvement wherein each of the plurality of stations and the base station comprises a separate data and control processor, and further comprising a communication loop interconnecting the processors of the plurality of stations in the given order to the processor of the base station and interconnecting the processor of the base station to the processor of the first of the plurality of stations; the processors of the plurality of stations comprising means responsive to a determined signal from the processor of the base station to the processor of the next succeeding station of the identification data that the respective station has assigned to itself, whereby the processor of the base station receives data from the last of the plurality of stations corresponding t

Abstract: A set of copy sheets deposited on a surface is delivered positively to an output by engaging the trail edge of the set with at least two hook-ended projections intended to overlie the top sheet. When the projections are driven in unison, as by a common belt, the hooks prevent the beam strength of the set lifting the trail edge of the set out of contact with the projections.

Abstract: A regular-interval mail feeding apparatus is disposed between an automatic mail discriminating/postmarking apparatus and an automatic mail sorting apparatus, in an automatic mail handling system. When various kinds of mails are fed at irregularly intervals from the postmarking apparatus to the feeding apparatus, it temporaling stocks the mails at its stock and sends out the stocked mails one by one at a predetermined intervals to the sorting apparatus. When one kind of mails are fed at regular intervals, the feeding apparatus directly conveys the fed mails to the sorting apparatus without passing through the stock, by changing the mail conveying path in the feeding apparatus by using a gate member.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder for an image forming apparatus comprises first and second document trays each for stacking thereon one or more documents. A document feeding unit is provided for feeding the documents one by one from the first document tray in order from the uppermost one of the documents, while reversing the same upside down. A reversing convey unit is provided for receiving the document fed from the optical exposure portion and for feeding the same in a first direction toward the second document tray while reversing the same upside down, as well as a second direction opposite to the first direction. A first change-over member is provided for selectively connecting the optical exposure portion to the document feeding unit or the reversing convey unit.

Abstract: A sheet stacking mechanism for use in apparatuses wherein an image is recorded on both sides of a recording sheet, including a bumper roller which is capable of retractably shifting to a downward position to be in pressure contact with the recording sheets on an intermediate tray and transport the recording sheets to a stopper where the leading edges thereof are aligned and, a sensor and control device for controlling the position of the roller so that the roller is shifted downward onto the recording sheet to be aligned when the sheets reach the tray, and raised out of contact with the sheets when the leading edges reach the stopper.

Abstract: Labeling machine of the stack fed type in which the labels are precut and arranged vertically in a horizontal stack. Pressure is applied to the rear of the stack to move the stack forwardly as the labels are dispensed to a label transfer mechanism such as a vacuum drum. Air is blown into the stack from the bottom at the forward end of the stack to separate the foremost label, which is picked up from the stack by a rotating vacuum wheel.

Abstract: An improved post-collation duplex to duplex copying system, for a duplexing copier with a duplex buffer tray, and connected sorter bins, utilizing a recirculating duplex document handler (RDH) in which a set of duplex (two sided) original document sheets may be loaded, recirculated, copied, and inverted during circulations, for making plural duplex (two sided) copy sheets, by temporarily storing a calculated variable plural number of identical consecutive first side copies of each document in the duplex tray and feeding these copy sheets out from the duplex tray for copying their second sides in a subsequent document circulation, and outputting them to selected sorter bins, in which the plural identical copies are collated in a calculated variable number of sorter bins normally substantially less than the total number of bins.

Abstract: A material processing apparatus for collating and feeding documents, comprising a plurality of document feeding modules, each of the modules including a source of documents, a queuing station, means for feeding documents from the source to the queuing station control means, and sensing means for sensing the position of a document within the module, a data link interconnecting adjacent modules, means for appling a collation signal to the control means for defining a collation operation in the module, the control means responsive to a arrival of documents at the queuing station in accordance with the collation signal for providing a ready signal, first and second modules positioned adjacent one another, the second being in a downstream location from the first module, the second module control means providing to the first module control means its the ready signal indicating the second module is ready to receive the document collation, the first module control means responsive to its ready signal and to the secon

Abstract: A transport apparatus for transporting media in various size sheets processed at a first processing station to a second processing station. The apparatus comprises, as main components thereof, a plurality of trays disposed between the first and second processing stations, each for accommodating media sheets of one size stacked one upon another, a first transport device for receiving media from the first processing station and transporting the media to the trays, and a second transport device associated with the trays for successively transporting the media from the trays to the second processing station.

Abstract: A copying paper feeding device for an intermediate tray for use in a copying machine having functions of creating a copy on both sides of a paper or printing a compound copy. In the device while being pressed by a push-out roller, copying papers fed into the intermediate tray are delivered by the rotation of the push-out roller in the direction of a copying paper aligner located downstream and upper-positioned copying papers are pushed out a little further than lower-positioned copying papers in response to a counted number of copying papers fed into the intermediate tray.

Abstract: A device for slowing cut sheets in seriatum flow by nipping the trailing edge of the sheets as they leave a high-speed conveyor system is provided whereby the sheets pass to a stacking pile at a slow speed. The nipping device is provided in several embodiments including a brush carrying roll, an oscillating roll on a lever arm and an air jet. Ream removal apparatus are also provided to remove reams of paper from the bottom of the stacking pile.

Abstract: A bill handling apparatus which has a bill discharge outlet (13) for discharging instructed kinds of and instructed number of bills and which is to be shared between two tellers respectively located on the right and left sides thereof is provided with at least two receive members (42, 43) disposed in the left and right portions. The members are movable in the forward and backward directions and are used to receive discharge bills. If the teller who receives the discharged bills is on the left side, the receive member on the right side is proceeded; whereas, if the teller who receives the discharged bills is on the right side, the receive member on the left side is advanced. As a result, the bills discharged onto the receive members are inclined toward the left or right, which enables the teller on the left or right side to easily take out the bills.

Abstract: A vacuum corrugation feeder stack height detection calibration system and method includes placing a single document in the document tray. Coupled to the stack height arm at the pivot point is a high resolution rotary encoder and dual beam sensor. The stack height arm is flipped up and then back down onto the document and pulses are counted. This difference in up and down pulses represents the "one sheet case." Software then stores this number in non-volatile memory and uses it to create a table of values for various document stack heights by adding constant values to the originally obtained "one sheet case" value.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing the sheets discharged from a copying machine or the like vertically for subsequent refeeding of the sheets to the copying machine, comprises side regulating plates for regulating the side ends of the stored sheet, a lower regulating plate for regulating the lower end of the stored sheet, a guide member for guiding each of the sheets transported downward to the lower regulating plate and holding the sheet in a widthwise deflected condition, a paddle wheel for urging each of the sheets downward, a refeeding belt for refeeding the stored sheets, and a separation pad for preventing the sheets from being refed in plurality of a time by contacting the refeeding belt. The side regulating plates are moved back and forth, the lower regulating plate is moved donward and upward, the refeeding belt is rotated backward, and the separation pad is moved away from the refeeding belt in response to the detection signal from a sensor with respect to each of the sheets being refed.

Abstract: A document feeder for use in a copy machine includes a gate plate disposed between a document sheet stacker and a sheet separator for separating a sheet from the bottom of a stack of document sheets. The gate plate is adapted to be lifted to regulate the passage of the stack of document sheets so that when the gate plate is lowered, the leading edges of the document sheets in the stack come in contact with the gate plate, whereby the leading edges of the documents are aligned, and while the gate plate is lifted upwardly, the stack of document sheets passes under the gate plate. The document feeder further includes a sheet edge-regulator attached to the gate plate so that when the gate plate is lifted upwardly, the sheet edge-regulator is moved adjacent the upper surface of the stack of document sheets and regulates the leading edge of the stack of document sheets so as to pass under the gate plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a sheet conveyance apparatus for conveying an original document sheet onto a platen glass through which the sheet is irradiated by light. The sheet conveyance apparatus having a driving means capable of moving conveyor belt in both directions so that, by moving the conveyor belt to the first-moving direction, the sheet is fed onto through the first side and carried away from through the second side of the platen glass. A delivery tray is mounted above the platen glass so that the sheet is delivered through first turning passage from the second side of the platen glass to the delivery tray. Between the conveyor belt and the delivery tray is provided a second turning passage so that the sheet is returned through the second turning passage from the first turning passage to the second side of the platen glass.

Abstract: A separation arrangement removes printed products from an arriving imbricated stream of printed products and supplies such to a buffer branch arrangement. The non-removed printed products arrive at a feeder installation from an infeed device where there is first formed an imbricated buffer stack of printed products. The removed printed products are wound for temporary storage at the buffer branch arrangement in an imbricated or shingled formation with a buffer winding band upon a winding core or mandrel to form a buffer package. Upon interruption of the arriving imbricated stream of printed products these printed products stored in the buffer package are unwound and delivered to the infeed device, so that the supply of the imbricated stream of printed products is not interrupted. Since the buffer package possesses an appreciable storage capacity it is also possible to span longer interruptions of the infed imbricated stream of printed products without having to shutdown the feeder installation.

Abstract: A copying apparatus operable in a two-side copy mode has two exclusive switchback transport paths which are selectively usable for refeeding paper sheets each carrying an image on one side thereof from a refeed tray. One of the switchback transport paths is assigned to paper sheets of size A4 and smaller sizes which are fed sideways, while the other is assigned to paper sheets of sizes greater than A4.

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

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus comprises a machine body and a paper discharge unit removably attached to the machine body. The machine body defines a face-down discharge tray on top. The paper discharge unit includes a face-up discharge tray and a discharge roller pair. A switch lever is provided in the machine body for selecting between a state in which recording paper is turned over for discharge onto the face-down discharge tray, and a second state in which the recording paper is discharged face up onto the face-up discharge tray.