CA1163229A - Very high speed duplicator with finishing function - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT
A very high speed, fully automated reproduction system is disclosed having a document handling apparatus, copy sheet processor, and a finishing station. For very high reproduction rates, post-collation of copy sheets into copy sets is utilized. In this arrangement the document apparatus is arranged to expose each document sheet of a document a predetermined number of times before a succeeding document sheet is brought into exposure position so that for each complete circulation of all the document sheets, the document would have been copied a number of times equal to said predetermined number. A sorter bin array having a number of bins equal to said predetermined number is arranged to collate the resultant copy sheets into corresponding copy sets. The copy sets are removed from the bin array for stapling and stacking or non-stapling and stacking.

Description

~ ~ ~327.,~

V51~Y ~ H SPEED Dl~PLICATOR WITH FINISHING FUNCTION

This invention relates to an improved reproduction system having an improved finishing station for use in such system.
With the advent of higher speed and more sophisticated copy producing machines, printing presses, and the like, considerations as to how the mass of copies generated can best and most effectively be handled has assumed increasing importance. One way has been to provide a reproduction system with an input device in the form of a recirculating document handling apparatus. In this system, a document sheet is removed from a collated set of document sheets, placed on an exposure platen for exposure at the rate of one exposure for each document sheet, and returned to the top of the set in the document handling apparatus until the set of document sheets has been completely circulated through the apparatus, and a copy set has been produced. The set of document sheets is then recycled for the reproduction of a second copy set, and so on. ~fter each copy set is produced and collected at a collection station, a finishing device such as a stitcher or stapler is activated to bind the set. These systems are of the pre-collation type wherein the document sheets are pre-collated in the document handling apparatus prior to commencement of a reproduction run. The output for the reproduction machine will likewise be pre-collated in sets corresponding to the sequenced numbered document set in the document handling apparatus. The copy sheets are collected in collated sets as they are sequentially produced so that bindingmay be effected without the interaction of additional devices. Such systems are described in the U.S. patent No. 4,134,672.
The disadvantage in these systems having continuous document recir-culation to produce each bound copy set is that the speed of production is limited to the mechanical lisnitations in the speed of handling document sheets in the document handling device. It necessitates that the input device, the document handler, be of extreme high reliability as it places the original document sheets under the severe stress of being constantly recirculated. In practice, for these systems, there appears to be a threshold in the production rate of finished copy sets. The failure rate in the document handling apparatus increases beyond acceptable limits when too high a speed of sheet movement in the apparatus is attempted.
In order to achieve still higher rates of production of finished copy sets, 32~9 the present invention contemplates the concept of utilizing post-collation rather than pre-collation. The inventive arrangement utilizes document handling wherein a predetermined number of light images are produced for each document sheet, say for example, of page one of a multi-page document, before a successive document sheet, perhaps page two of the document, is likewise imaged. This sequencing in turn may be repeated many more times if a very large number of copy sets are to be reproduced. In this manner, the mechanical movements involved in document handling are held to a minimum.
As the copy sheets are being produced in accordance with above imaging procedure, a single array of collecting bins or sorter is positioned and vertically moved in either direction to receive the copy sheet output for collating the copy sheets into collated sets, if the system has been programmed for the sets mode of operation or into stacks if in the stacks mode of operation. The bin array or sorter in effect serves as a buffer in the production of finished copy sets when in the sets mode of operation. As these sets are being produced, a finishing device such as a stitcher or stapler is positioned and activated to apply a staple to each set as they are completed.
With this arrangement, maximum throughput is available from the various apparatus utilized in the reproduction system ilaYing finishing capability. In addition, this maximum effort can be accomplished with minimum down time or maintenance for the apparatus utilized.
In the stacks mode of operation, the sorter is utilized to collect copy sheets in stacks, that is, each bin collects copy sheets of a single document sheet produced.
In the IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 18, No. 10, March 1976, pages 3160-3161, a collator-stapler mechanism is disclosed as having a single array of collating bins which are held in fixed position while a traveling clampmoves along to pick up acopy set from each bin and to convey the same to a jogger and then a stapler.
The Research Disclosure Bulletin of September 1979, pages 497-499, Paper No. 18541, illustrates and describes a copying system having a document handler 12, a copy processor, copy storage section 14, and a finisher 16. Or-dinarily, the section 14 functions in the manner of a stacking device wherein each bin collects all of the copies of a document sheet either manually or in combination with the handler 12 and is not utilized as a collator. However, the system can be programmed so that the section 14 functions as a conventional collator. There is no provision for coordinating or inte-grating this function with that of a finisher to arrive at high speed continuous collating and finishing.
Therefore, in the present invention, advantage is taken of post-collation by utilizing an output device, such as sorter bins in combination with a finishing device.
Present day machines on the market, such as the Xerox dupli-cation machine labeled the 9200~ Duplicator marketed by Xerox Corporation of Stamford, Connecticut, utilizes a document handler as an input device which exposes as many copies of a single document sheet at a time as is appro-priate before starting on the next document sheet. How-ever, in order to achieve binding, with these machines, the collected collated sheets must be manually removed from the array and transported to a finishing device whereat stitching or stapling is provided. This arrange-ment for producing finished copy sets seriously limits the throughput for the entire system.
It is therefore an object of an aspect of the present invention to produce bound sets or stacks of copies of a multi-page document at the highest speed possible for a reproduction machine.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to increase productivity in a reproduction/
finishing system by simultaneously collecting sequenced sheets and discharging sets of sheets for immediate bind-ing.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to reposition an array of collecting bins 3~ sequentially wherein successive bins in the array will receive a copy sheet at a fixed point thereby collecting sets of collated copy sheets, and wherein a set transport device removes the collected sets at another point.
The present invention in one aspect includes a finishing apparatus for binding copy sheets received in ~ ~ ~3229 -3a-succession at a sheet collecting device, comprising a single bin array, having a series of individual bins each with an inlet for receiving individual sheets at a fixed sheet receiving station; means supporting the bin array for vertical movement in either direction for disposition of a selected one of the bins at the sheet receiving station for loading of sheets there-within; drive means adapted when actuated to move the array vertically in either direction during sheets collected in collated fashion; set transport means for removing each set of collected sheets from the bins at another fixed station immediately below the sheet receiving station; stapling means for binding each set after removal from the sorter array; and controls for the above.
Other aspects of this invention are as follows:
In a reproduction system having a processor for reproducing information to-be-copied on copy sheets and means for producing the information in the form of an individual light image for each copy sheet, each light image being produced a predetermined number of times in succession before a different succeeding light image is produced the same predetermined number of times, the improvement including: An array of sheet collecting bins arranged adjacent a copy receiving position to receive copy sheets and to collate the same into sets of copies of different images, means for directing the copy sheet output of the processor to said collecting bins at the rate of one sheet per bin while said array is at said position, a finishing apparatus adapted to receive the collated sets of copy sheets fxom the collecting bins of said array while at said position in timed sequence relative the number of different light images being reproduced and to bind the sets.

~ 1 ~3~29 -3b-In a reproduction system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transport individual document sheets from a supply stack to an exposure platen of a reproduction processor and effecting multiple exposure of each of the document sheets before returning a sheet to the supply stack, wherein the processor produces copy sheets of the exposed document sheets, the combination of:
a sorter array having a plurality of bi.ns arranged to receive the copy sheet output from the processor at a fixed receiving station and to collate the same, a finishing apparatus adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets when activated and to bind the same, and lS means for producing indexing movement of said array of bins in a copy sheet receive mode simultaneously with the activation of said finishing apparatus.
In a reproduction system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transport indivLdual document sheets from a supply stack to an exposure station and effecting multiple exposures of the document sheets before returning the same to the supply stack, and a processor for reproducing copy sheets of the exposed document sheets, the combination of:
a finishing station adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets and to bind the same, and a sorter bin array at a fixed receiving station positioned to receive the copy sheet output from the processor and to colla.te the same, said array being arranged for presenting collated copy sheets to said finishing station and binding thereby while at said position.
In a reproduction system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transport individual document sheets from a supply stack to an exposure platen of a reproduction processor before returning the sheets to the supply stack, wherein the processor 3 2 ~ 9 -3c produces copy sheets of the exposed document sheets;
and contxol means associated with the document handling apparatus for effecting a predetermined number of multiple exposure of each of the document sheets before returning the same to the supply stack therefor, the improvement including:
a single sorter array having a plurality of bins equal in number to said predetermined number of exposures and arranged to receive the copy sheet output from the processor and to collate the same, and a finishing apparatus adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets from said sorter array and to blnd the same.
In a reproduction system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transport individual document sheets from a supply stack to an e~posure platen of a reproduction processor before returning the sheets to the supply stack, wherein the processor produces copv sheets of the e~posed docllment sheets;
and control means associated with the document handling apparatus for effecting a predetermined number of multiple exposure of each of the document sheets before returning the same to the supply stack therefor, the improvement including:
a sorter array having a plurality of bins equal in number to said predetermined number of exposures and arranged to receive the copy sheet output from the processor at a fixed receiving station and to collate the same, and a finishing apparatus adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets from said sorter array at a fixed discharge station and to bind the same, said discharge station being positioned in vertical alignment relative to said receiving station.
In a reproduction system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transport individual document sheets from a supply stac~ to an exposure platen of a reproduction processor and effecting .

~ 1 63229 -3d-multiple exposure of the document sheets before returning the sheets to the supply stack, wherein the processor produces copy sheets of the exposed document sheets, the combination of:
S a sorter array having a plurality of bins arranged to receive the copy sheet from the processor and to collate the same, a finishing apparatus adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets when 0 activated and to blnd the same, means for producing vertical indexing movement of said array of bins in a copy sheet receive mode simultaneously with the activatlon of said finishing apparatus, and control means for directing copy sheets into said bins at the rate of one sheet per bin in succession and for activating said finishing apparatus at the rate of every other bin during a finishing mode of operation.
In a reproductlon system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transpor-t individual document sheets from a supply stack to an exposure platen of a reproduction processor before returning the sheets to the supply stack, wherein the processor produces copy sheets of the exposed document sheets, the combination of:
control means associated with the document handling apparatus for effecting a predetermined number of multiple exposure of each of the document sheets before returning the same to the supply stack therefor, a sorter array having a plurality of bins equal in number to said predetermined number of exposures and arranged to receive the copy sheet output from the processor and to collate the same, and a finishing apparatus adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets from said sorter array in timed sequence relative to the multiple exposures of each of the document sheets and to bind the same.

~ 1 63229 -3e-The method of producing bound sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets comprising the steps of:
transporting each of said document sheets from a stack to an exposure position for an electrostatographic printing system and exposing the same a predetermined number of times while each is at said position, processing copy sheets containing the information on the document sheets through the printing system, collating the copy sheets into sets utilizing collecting bins of a number equal to said predetermined number, and transporting the collated sets of copy sheets to a blndlng apparatus to be bound thereby.
Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the ensuing des-~ ~ 83229 cription and drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a configuration of an electro-statographic printing/finishing system employing the present invention;
Figure 2 is an elevational view of the document handling apparatus 5 utilized in the printing system of Figure l;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of the finishing station utilized in the system of Figure l;
Figure 4 is an elevational, fragmentary view of a collating bin collecting mechanism showing a detail thereof;
Figure 5 is a partial isometric view of the set transport mechanism utilized in the finishing station;
Figure 6 is a partial isometric view of the set kicker;
Figure 7 is a partial isometric view of the stapling apparatus utilized in the finishing station;
Figure ~ is a timing diagram for the various timed events occurring during a reproduction/finishing run;
Figures 9(a) to 9(d) illustrate a sequence of events in the finishing of sets of copy sheets having an odd number of sheets;
Figures 10(a) to 10(d) illustrate a sequence of events in the finishing of 20 sets of copy sheets having an even number of sheets; and Figure 11 is a block diagram of the control scheme for the printing system of Figure 1 For a general understanding of a reproduction machine with which the present invention may be incorporated, reference is made to Figure 1 wherein 25 components of a typical electrostatic printing system are illustrated. The printing system is preferably of the xerographic type as one including a xerographic processor 11, and a document handling apparatus 12. Preferably, the processor 11 is the same as the processor in the commerical embodiment of the Xerox dupiicators, models 9200~) and 9400~), which utilizes flash, full 30 frame exposure, for very high speed production. Similarly, the document handling apparatus 12, is the same as those used in the same machines. It will be understood that most any other type of xerographic processor and multiple exposure document handling apparatus may be utilized. Operating in conjunction with the processor 11 and apparatus 12 is a finishing station 13 and35 thereby forms the reproduction system shown in Figure 1.
As in all xerographic systems, a light image of an original to be repro-~ 1 63229 duced is projected onto the sensitive surface of a xerographicphotosensitive surface to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. Thereaf-ter, the latent image is developed with toner material to form a xerographic powder image corresponding to the latent image on the photosensitive surface. The powder image is then electrostatically transferred to a record material such as a sheet of paper or the like to which it may be fused by a fusing device whereby the powder image is caused to adhere permanently to the surface of the record material.
The xerographic processor 11 is arranged as a self-contained unit having all of its processing stations located in a unitary enclosure or cabinet. The processor includes an exposure station at which an original to be reproduced is positioned on a glass exposure platen 14 for projection onto a photosensitive surface in the form of a xerographic bel t 15 .
The original or set of individual document sheets are selectively transported by the document feed apparatus 12 one document sheet at a time to the platen 14 for exposure. After a predetermined number of exposures of each document sheet is made, the same is returned to the top of the set until the entire set has been copied. A suitable document handling apparatus of this type is described in ~.S. Patent No.
3,944,794 commonly assigned.
Imaging light rays from each of the documen-t shee-ts, which is flash illuminated by an illumination system 18 having suitable lamps 19, are projected onto the xerographic belt 15. The lamps 19 are connected to a suitable flashing circuit (not shown) which is controlled by the programmer for the processor in timed sequence, and in accordance with -the program the operator has prese-t in the machine. Further details in this regard are not necessary since the Xerox 9400~ reproduction machine operates in this manner and is well known. The xerographic belt 15 is mounted for movement around three parallel arranged rollers 24, 25, 26 suitably mounted in the processor 11. The belt is continuously driven by a suitable motor (not shown) and at an appropriate speed.

- i I 53229 The exposure of the belt to the imaging light rays from a document discharges the photoconductive layer in the area struck by light whereby there remains on the belt an electro-static latent image corresponding to the light image projected from the document. As the belt continues its movement, the electrostatic latent image passes a developing station a-t which there is positioned a developer apparatus 27 for developing the electrostatic latent image.
After development, the powdered image is moved to an image transfer s-tation 28 where the developed image is transferred to a support surface, normally a sheet of copy paper, brought from a main or auxiliary paper tray 29, 30, respectively, as will appear.
Each sheet is conveyed to the transfer station by a conveyor 31 which coopera-tes with sheet registration fingers 32 (only one shown). These fingers rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown in Figure 2, and engage the leading edge of a sheet, being adapted to effect the accurate timing and positioning of a shee-t rela-tive to the movement of a developed image on the belt 15 and the other timed events in reproduction processing. Further details of the timing relationships and rela-ted structure and events are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,790,270; 3,796,486; and 3,917,396, commonly assigned.
The sheet is moved in synchronism with the movement of the belt 15, and passes between a transfer roller 33 and the belt 15 at the transfer sta-tion. After transfer, the sheet of paper is s~ipped off the belt 15 and transported by a vacuum conveyor 34 in an inverted condition to a fusing station where a fuser device 35 is positioned to receive the sheet of paper for fusing the powder thereon. Af-ter fusing, the sheet is eventually transported to a finisher station to be described hereinafter either to be stapled in copy sets or merely -to be separated into sets without binding.
The system comprising the processor 11 and the document handling apparatus 12 is under control of a pro-grammer P which permits an operator various op-tions: to ~ ~ 632~9 -6a-turn the entire system ON or OFF; to program the reproduction system for a desired number of reproductions to be made of each original documen-t sheet or set; to select whether simplex or duplex copies are to be made; to select a desired output arrangement, that is, sets mode or stacks mode, stapled or unstapled; to select one of a plurality of paper trays; to condition the machine for the type of document, that is, whether one sided or two sided, to select a copy size reduction mode, and other desirable functions. The programmer P also includes a controller which provides all operational timing and synchronization between -the processor 11 and all of its xerographic processing functions, and system control functions, the automatic events to be described hereinafter. The controller may include any suitable microprocessor having a CPU and the appropriate machine clock, but preferably the processor is one similar to the Intel 8080 microprocessor manufactured by the Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, Claifornia, and having sufficient , ~ ~3~9 ROM's and RAM's for all of the necessary functions in the reproduction system.
As previously stated, copy sheets are supplied from either the main paper tray 29 or the auxiliary paper tray 30. Main paper tray 29 includes a suitable elevator type base 36 on which a supply of sheets rest, base 36 being supported for automatic up and down movement by suitable means (not shown) designated to maintain paper feed belt 37 in operative contact with the topmost one of the sheets on the elevator 36. The belt 37 is operated intermittently in timed relationship to spacing of images on the photoreceptor belt 15 and serves to advance the topmost sheet from the supply stack 29 to the main paper supply transport 31.
The auxiliary tray 30, in the exemplary arrangement shown, is arranged above main tray 29 and includes a suitable elevator type base 38 on which a supply of sheets may be provided. As with the main supply tray 29 suitable means (not shown) are provided to raise base 38 of auxiliary tray 30 as the supply of sheets thereon are used up so as to maintain the paper feed belt 39 inoperative contact with the topmost sheet. The paper eed belt 39, which is intermittently driven in the same manner as main tray feed belt 37, advances one sheet at a time to an auxiliary paper supply transport 40. The transport 40 is suitably driven by a drive system not shown and is disposed to discharge sheets drawn from auxiliary tray 30 onto the operating run of main supply transport 31. The sheets from auxiliary tray 30 are thereafter fed to the transfer station. Guides 41 serve to maintain the sheets in driving contact withthe auxiliary paper supply transport 40 during movement therealong.
During use, copy sheets leaving the processor 11 after exiting the fuser apparatus 35 are conveyed to an exit slot 50 by way of transports 51, 52, if thereproduction system is set for the simplex or one sided copying. If the system has been programmed for duplex or two sided copying, copy sheets will be directed to the auxiliary tray 30. If the latter mode of operation is selected, copy sheets conveyed by the transport 51 are intercepted by a deflector 54 which is adapted for movement into the sheet path. When the deflector 54 is in the interrupt function, the eopy sheets are carried around a roller 55 and through the nip formed by this roller and a cooperating roller 56. The sheet is advanced by rollers 55, 56 between an upper sheet guide baffle 57 and a lower sheet guide baffle 58 to a second roller pair 59, 60 which further advances the sheet to a transport mechanism 61 which carried the sheet to the auxiliary ~ ~ 6~..'.'i~

paper tray 30. When the desired number of one sided copies have been produced and delivered to the tray 30, the paper hanclling mechanism for the main tray 29 rnay be inactivated and the paper handling mechanism for the auxiliary tray 30 activated. It should be understood that in following the paperpath around roller 55 and between roller 59, 60, the copy sheets are turned over, i.e., the printed material is on the top of the sheets in the tray 30.
Upon reenergization of the system, the sheets from the tray 30 are fed through the reproduction machine by means of the feed belt 39 and the transport 40 for copying on the blank side of the sheet in the same manner as 10 described heretofore. With the reproduction system being programmed for the duplex mode, and after completion of the correspondingly programmed number of one sided sheets, reenergization of the system also produces the raising of asheet stop 65 into the paper path between the upper guide baffle 57 and the lower guide baffle 58. The feed roller 59 is mounted on the upper baffle 57 to lS be raised therewith during the phase of duplex copying. In this manner, the feed roller 59 will be displaced away from lower feed roller 60 so that papers fed therebetween are not forwarded thereby.
The sheet stop 65 is formed of a ring-shaped resilient material being compliant enough to resume its circular shape and thereby effecting the 20 insertion of a sheet into the nip formed between roll 56 and a cooperating roll 65, the trailing edge of the sheet being carried by roll 56 into the nip. The rolls 56 and 66 are formed of a high friction material such as polyurethane foam to assure positive feeding of a sheet travelling toward stop 65 and positive feeding of the sheet travelling away from stop against the drag force 25 generated between two sheets which may be in the inverter area at the same time travelling in opposite directions. The purpose of the stop 65 and the cooperating action of the rollers 56, 66 is to invert each copy sheet, while production is in the duplex mode, so that the odd numbered page on a copy sheet reaching the exit slot 50 is on the bottom of the sheet.
As shown in Figure 2, the document handling apparatus 12 serves to feed one document sheet at a time from a supply of document sheets D into copying position on the platen 14 where a single exposure if only one copy set is programmed, or a plurality of exposures may be made. Following exposure one or more times, each document sheet is automatically returned to the document 35 supply and the next document sheet, if any, is brought into the exposure position on plate 14. As will appear, document sheets returned to the supply 3 2 ~ 9 g stack may be recycled by the apparatus 12 or simply removed by the user when the copying program is completed.
The document handling apparatus 12 includes base section 70, the lower end of which swingably supports by means of a shaft 71, matching left and right hand tray members 72. The trays 72 are substantially U-shaped when seen in cross section, each having a base 73, which are shown cut away at the upper ends thereof to accommodate a document separator/feed roll 74. The trays are adjustable along shaft 71 to accommodate various size documents.
The document separator roller 74 is rotatably supported on a drive shaft 75 under the base section 70 such that a portion of the periphery of the roller projects into the document tray area, the base 70 being suitably apertured to accommodate the separator roller. The shaft 75 is supported for rotation and driven by a continuously driven motor M through suitable pulleys and belts (not shown) in the direction shown by the solid line arrow of Figure 3. A solenoid clutch SOL-l drivingly connects the motor M to the separator 74 in response to a signal from the machine logic in timed sequence in accordance with the programming arrangement in the logic.
A pair of document limiting rollers 76, 77 are disposed on the down-stream side of separator roller 74 and function to prevent passage of more than one document sheet at a time. The upper limiting roller 76 is arranged to be driven by the lower limiting roller 77 so long as friction developed between rollers 76, 77 remains above a predetermined setting. In the event of a de-crease in roller friction, as occasioned by an attempt of two superimposed document sheets to pass therethrough, the upper roller 76 is turned in a document rejecting direction as shown by the dotted line arrow in Figure 3 by a suitable drive means (not shown). Document sheets emerging from limiting rollers 76, 77, are carried forward by intermediate rollers underneath a curved document guide 78 to a platen transport belt conveyor 79 which in turn carries the document onto the platen 14.
A register edge 80 is provided across the inlet side to platen 14, and serves to register or locate document sheets in pre-set position on platen 14 for exposure thereof. The movement of the platen transport belt 79 is reversed for this purpose after the document sheet has been carried past the register 80, reversal of transport 79 serving to move the document sheet baclnNards to bring the document sheet trailing edge into abutment with register edge 80.
When exposure is completed, the platen transport belt 79 is again operated in ~ 1 63~,9 reverse to move the document sheet backwards off the platen 14, the register edge 80 being retracted for this purpose by a suitable means (not shown). The document guide fingers 81 deflect or guide the returning document upwardly into the nip of a firs-t return transport roller pair 82, which carry the returning documen-t sheet between re-turn guides 83 and into -the nip of a second return transport roller pair 84 and back into tray members 72.
To maintian the returned document sheets which have been designated for convenience by the letter D', segregated from document shee-ts D awai-ting feeding and preven-t inadverten-t refeeding of returning document sheets D' by the primary feed roller 74 following feed of the last one of the original documen-t sheets, a displaceable bail or separator bar 85 is provided substantially opposite to and above the feed roller 74. The bar 85 is supported from a rockable cross shaft 86 which is suitably journaled in the supporting framework of document apparatus 12 with the base section 70 thereof being sui-tably apertured to permit disposition of the bail support arms 87 therethrough. Means (not shown) are provided to selectively turn the shaft 86 and raise the bar 85 out from under the document sheets D' res-ting -thereupon and -thereafter return the bar 85 back onto the topmost one of the document sheets in the supply. All of the rollers heretofore described are driven by the mo-tor M
by way of suitable pulleys and belts (no-t shown). Since -the particular document appara-tus 12 is a commercial device bein~ a part of Xerox Corporation's product, labelled the 9200~ Duplicator, and is adequately described in U.S.
Patent No. 3,944,794 further description thereof will not be included herein.
Further details of the processing devices and stations in the printer system or processor are not necessary to understand the principles of the present invention.
However, a detailed description of these processing stations and components along with the other structures of the machine printer are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,054,380 which is ~ J 632~9 -lOa-commonly assigned with the present invention.
As previously described, the document apparatus 12 includes a document tray adapted for supporting a stack comprising a plurality of document sheets in numbered sequence wi-th page one of the multi-page document on the bottom of the stack. Since the illustrated document handling apparatus is of the bottom feeder type, page one will be the first document sheet imaged, and so on.
For either the simplex or duplex modes of operation, copy sheets exiting ~ ~ 532~,9 the fuser device 35 are directly conveyed by the transports 51, 52 to and through the exit slot 50 positioned at one end of the housing for the xerogrpahic processor 11. As sheets exit the slot 50, they are directed to the finishing station 13 which comprises a sorting mechanism, a stapler apparatus, 5 and an output elevator/conveyor system. After leaving the processor 11, as shown in Figure 1, each sheet is positioned upon a transport 92 to be further conveyed generally along the same horizontal plane as its previous path to a fixed receiving point or station 93. The transport includes a movable en~ess transport belt 94 upon which each sheet is placed and a plurality of loosely 10 retained rotatable balls 95 which rest along the belt 94 by gravity and whichcoact with the belt to convey sheets therebetween. The belt 94 is driven by a motor and suitable gearing and pulleys (not shown) at a speed slightly greater than the processing speed of the processor 11 in order to add more working space between the sheets and to ensure that the final handling of copy sheets 15 does not impede the throughput of the entire system as determined by the process speed.
It will be noted that the axis of the belt 94 is at a slight angle to the direction of the movement of the copy sheets. This arrangement drives each sheet of copy slightly laterally against a side registration edge 97 which is 20 parallel to and offset from the centerline of the incoming path of sheet move-ment. As viewed in Figure 3, the sheet S as can be seen through a sheet clearance opening 98 formed in the top plate 99 of the transport 92. In this orientation, the sheets are positioned so that their toner image side is down, for the simplex mode, or an odd numbered page is down for the duplex copying

2.5 mode, and the top of each sheet is along the edge 97.
At the exit slot 50, a sheet contacting switch S-l is positioned to be actuated as each sheet enters the transport 92 of the finishing station 13. The circuit for this switch is connected to the logic in the programmer P and serves to re-set the machine clock for the finishing function so that zero time 30 for the sheet commences when the sheet is at the reference point 93.
At the receiving station 93, there is positioned a pair of contacting transport rollers 100 which receive each copy sheet within the nip for directinga sheet into a bin of an array of collecting bins, or sorter generally indicatedby the reference numeral 10~. In the illustrated embodiment, the array 102 35 includes twelve horizontally disposed bins 104 arranged in a vertical column,the number of which corresponds to the predetermined number of exposures i ~ 6322~

made of each document sheet while it is on the platen 14. The number of bins utilized should correspond to the total number of sheets in the paper path during the first pass duplex mode so that machine "pitches" are not skipped.
The number of exposures made for each document sheet positioning on the 5 platen also corresponds to this total number of sheets, which for the illustrated machine is twelve sheets.
The array 102 is mounted for bi-directional vertical movement within a supporting fixed frame 105. As shown in Figure 3, the array is positioned in itsnormal standby position with the lowermost bin opposite the nip of the rollers 10 100 at the fixed station 93.
For ease of understanding later description, the bins are numbered consecutively from 1 to 12 starting at the lowest bin with bin numbered 12 at the top of the array. The array is arranged to be indexed in both the up and down directions past the receiving point 93 which is the bin sheet receiving 15 position. Upon operating in the sets mode, the array indexes downwardly one bin at a time and as each bin becomes aligned at the station 93, movement of a copy sheet through the transport 99 and the rollers 100 is timed to enter the bins. A suitable sensor SR-l may be positioned at the front edge of the bin to indicate to the system logic that this action has occurred and to enable 20 another indexing operation.
When the array reaches its lowermost position and bin numbered 12 has received a copy sheet, the document handling apparatus 12 has already removed from the platen the document sheet which initiated the production of the copy sheets and add a successive document sheet of a set. Actually, since 25 there are a number of images being processed in the processor 11 and a few copy sheets in the paper path being conveyed by the various transports, document sheet changes would have occurred much earlier than the time that copy sheets indicative thereof are beginning to be received in the array 102.
The array will remain in the lowermost position until the first copy sheet of 30 the next succeeding document sheet has been received in the bin numbered 12 whereupon the array will index upwardly now to permit reception of the copy sheets as before. This up and down indexing action and sorting continues until each bin 104 carries a collated set of copy sheets for the set of document sheets in the document handling apparatus 12.
As will be described hereinafter, a set binding apparatus in the form of a dual stapler apparatus is arranged immediately below the bin receiving point ~ ~ 6~229 93. This apparatus includes means to remove completed sets of collated copy sheets from every other bin to effect single or dual stapling along an edge of the set if so programmed or no stapling at all, and to position the stapled or unstapled sets on an elevator mechanism. In order to permit complete removal of the sets from all of the bins 104 in the array 102, the array must move twicerelative to the point of set ur~oading. In the normal operating sets mode, the sorter/finishing arrangement handles twelve sets at a time (a block of 12 copy sets) in cooperation with the document handling apparatus 12 as the latter exposes each document sheet twelve consecutive times before advancing to the next document sheet until the complete set thereof has been exposed. If more than twelve copy sets have been programmed, the document apparatus/
sorter finisher system will complete the reproduction run in blocks of 12 copy sets. The systern will continue to sort and automaticall~r unload in blocks of 12 sets until the programmed number of sets is completed.
The bin array 102 includes a side wall 106 and a rear wall 107 to which the bins 104 are secured and which close off two adjacent sides of each bin.
The front side of the bins, or that side facing the transport 92 is open to receive copy sheets, while the side which faces the operator is also open to permit removal or manipulation of sheets or sets. The bottom wall of each bin is formed with a cut-out 109 to assist in operator sheet removal.
The bin array 102 is driven vertically in either direction by a ball screw 110 connected to the shaft of a servo motor M-l which is mounted to the base of the frame 105. These movements of the array are effected by a ball 111 secured to the rear wall 107 of the array and through which the screw 110 is 2 5 threadedly relQted. Rotation of the screw (which is f ixed against axial movement) in either direction will impart corresponding up or down movement of the ball 111, and consequently the array.
Each of the bins 104 is provided with a scuffer mechanism which is used to pull sheets into the bin and serves to register each sheet against both the interior sides of rear wall 107 and the left side 106 of the bin as sheets are sorted. Since all 12 of the scuffer assemblies are identical only one will be described in detail. As shown in Figure 4, each scuffer assembly is positioned adjacent the corner defined by the rear and left side walls and includes a scuffer roller 112 which has its axis of rotation positioned at a slight angle relative to the rear wall so as to effect the two sided or corner registration.
The scuffer is rotatably mounted on a pin 113 sec~ed to and between one end 1 11 632~9 of a pair of closely-spaced arms 114, the other ends of which are rotatably mounted on a pin llS secured by a bracket 116 to the rear wall 107 of the array 102. With this arrangement, the scuffer wheel rests by gravity upon the bottom wall 108 of the bin and will rise slightly as each sheet is conveyed into5 the bin. When a pile of copy sheets S have been collected as shown in Figure 4, the wheel 112 will have risen to approximately its highest position.
Each scuffer wheel 112 is provided with a pulley 120 concentric there-with and a similar pulley 121 is secured to a friction drive wheel 122. A timingbelt 123 is applied to the pulleys 120, 121 for imparting rotary motion to the 10 scuffer wheel 112 when rotation is applied to the drive wheel 122. A flat plate 125 is also pivotally mounted on the pin 113 by means of and as part of a bracket 126 and extends toward the interior side o~ the rear wall 107 as weli asthe interior side of the side wall 106. This plate assists in providing a normalforce to the scuffer wheel and serves to prevent inadvertent curling of sheets 15 and possible spindling as they move into a bin.
The scuffer drive wheels 122 are arranged vertically with their axes in a common plane so that each will be in a position to be contacted by a single drive wheel. As shown in Figure 3 each of the drive wheels contacts a knurled drive wheel 128 when the respective bin is in the fill or sheet collecting 20 position. The wheel 128 is driven by a motor M-2 secured on the frame 105 approximately at the midpoint of the total path of movement of the array.
This positioning of the wheel 128 is such that driving contact can be made with each of the friction wheels 122 as the array moves to either of its upper or lower positions. With this arrangement, wherein a scuffer roller is being 25 activated or~y when its respective bin is a fill position minimizes wear of the roller and to eliminate any possible copy quality problems. This arrangement is also much more economical and trouble-free than is the use of individual jogging mechanism while still providing more accurate set registration. The left side wall 106 against which each copy sheet is registered is very slightly 30 offset but parallel to the registration edge 97 in the transport 92. During movement through the transport 92, each sheet experiences a course registration along the edge 97 and the corner, two sided registrat;on provides the fine and accurate registration needed for high quality set binding. For very high speed reproduction and finishing coarse and fine, two stage regis-35 tration is highly desirable for best sheet compiling.
~fter copy sheets, simplex or duplex, have been produced in the pr~

1 1 fi3'~29 cessor 11, transported by the transport 92 and collected in the bin array 102while the system is in either the sets mode or the stacks mode, the collected sets are now in condition to be further processed by a finishing apparatus generally indicated by the reference number 130. Actually as will be discussed 5 below, during the last series of indexing movement of the bin array when it ismoving from its uppermost position to its lowermost position, if this direction is to be the last movement during collections, copy sheet removal for the finishing action may take place simultaneously with collection of copy sheets.
The finishing apparatus 130 comprises five subassemblies each of which 10 is programmed to operate in timed seguence with each other, with the system logic and programmer P, to be timed relative to the number of sets and copy sheets per set which were previously pre-programmed, and with the document sheet actuation of the apparatus 12. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the finishing apparatus comprises a set transport 132, individually-operable, dual stapler 15 apparatus 134, and a set kicker 136. In conjunction with the finishing apparatus 130, the finishing station 13 also includes an elevator 138 and sets/stacks con-veyor 140.
The set transport 132 is utilized to ur~oad automatically sets or stacks of copy sheets from the bins at an unload station two copy-cycle pitches or 20 bins below the sorter bin load station at 93. As shown in Figure 5, the set transport includes an elongated chsnnel member 141 secured to the frame of the finishing apparatus and a clamp carriage 142 reciprocably slidable on a rod 143 secured at its ends to the underside of the member 141. The clamp carriage supports upper and lower moving jaws 144, 144a, respectively, which are 25 adapted to grip an edge of a set or stack and convey the same from the bin array to the stapler apparatus 134 for a stapling operation, if that has been pre-programmed, or directly to the elevator 138 if programmed for the non-stapled mode. A cycle time period equal to the production of two copy sheets or the collection of a copy sheet in each of two successive bins is provided.
30 During the period, the clamp carriage 142 is actuated for every other bin during each pass of the bin array in that during full upper movement of the array, six of the twelve bins are ur~oaded and the remaining bins are unloaded in the full downward movement.
The set transport also includes a reversible servo motor M-3 secured to 35 one end of the member 141 and having a drive system connected by a timing belt 145 to a pulley 146 mounted for rotation at the other end of the member ~ ~ ~32.2~

141. The carriage 142 is fastened to the lower run of the belt 145 and energization of the servo motor M-3 effects reciprocable rnovement of the clamp carriage 142 to move the jaws 144, 144a to the sorter to a set gripping position, in the opposite direction to a set stapling position, and still further in that direction, to retract the jaws, all in cyclic actuation. In moving toward the sorter 102, the jaws 143, 144 are sensed by a sensor SR-2 mounted on the frame for the sorter to zero reference the positioning of the set transport as atiming monitor of subsequent timed events in the finishing function. The clamping and unclamping action of the jaws 144, 144a is provided by a solenoid valve in a pneumatic device 147 which is operatively connected to the jaws through a suitable travelling hose, not shown.
The kicker mechanism 136 is utilized to push or kick stapled sets from the stapler apparatus and permit dropping of the set onto the elevator 138. If astacks mode or unstapled sets mode has been programmed, the kicker mechanism is arranged to serve as a backstop for the clamping jaws 144, 144a to strip stacks against. The kicker mechanism is mounted below the clamp carriage 142 and includes two upwardly extending kicker elements 148, one on each side of the clamping jaws 144, 144a in order to balance the kicker forces on a stapled set. The elements 148 are mounted for sliding movement produced by a crank comprising a set of two interconnected links 149, 150 arranged for cranking action by the rotation of a driven pulley 152. Drive is imparted to this pulley by way of a timing belt 153 and drive pulley 154 driven by a motor M-4 which is the motor utilized to drive the stapler heads as will be described hereinafter. Preferably, this motor is continuously energized for driving other components of the finishing apparatus 130 and the p~ley 154 is selectively, drivingly connected to the motor as by a suitable electromagnetic clutch (not shown) in accordance with programmed arrangements~
The stapler apparatus 134 as shown in Figure 7 provides a stapling function either with a single staple or with two staples, both being adapted to be applied at various positions along a long edge of a set or stack of copy sheets. Stapling is achieved by way of two identical mechanisms, each of which provides the function of set clamping, staple driving, and staple clinching. Preferably, the apparatus utitizes two commercial type stapler heads 155, such as the Bostitch staple head indicated as the 64-E manufactured by the Bostitch Division of Textron Corporation of Providence, Rhode Island.
Since the stapler mechanisms, drives therefor, and related structure are i 1 53~9 identical, only one will be described in detail in reference to Figure 7.
Each of the heads 155 is mounted in an inverted position and is driven from a crank mechanism though the motor M-4. The mechanism includes an elongated, splined drive shaft 156 which is driven by the motor M-4 by means of a pulley 157 and timing belt, the drive shaft effecting clamping sets or stacks of sheets and actuation of the heads for driving staples thereinto. The driving connection between each of the heads 155, relative to the shaft 156, includes a gear 158 in continuous driving engagement with a splined section on the shaft so that each head may be moved toward and away from each other, or in the same direction, thereby permitting desired positioning of staples on the edges of sets or stacks. The gear 158 in turn actuates a crank mechanism 159 for imparting reciprocatory movement to the staple driver element of the respective head 155, thus ca~sing separation of a staple from a stack of staplesand driving of the staple legs through an edge of a set or stack. An electromagnetic clutch SOL-2 may be utilized with the crank mechanism in order to permit selective timed staple driving.
Clamping of the edges of sets or stacks prior to staple driving is also derived from the motor M-4 by a crank mechanism 160 driven in a manner similar to the head drive. The clamping mechanism includes an anvil 161 mounted on a long set of drive imparting arms 162 pivotally mounted at 163 on the frame structure for the stapling apparatus. The crank mechanism 160 drivingly connected to the shaft 156 by way of a suitable electromagnetic clutch SOL-3 compresses a relatively heavy clamp spring 164 during a drive connection. At the timed proper instant, the drive connection to the arms 162 is released and the spring 164 allowed to expand to bias the anvil 161 against the respective head 155, thereby effecting a clamping action relative to the edge of a set or stack to be stapled, as shown in Figure 7. Finally, clinching actionis provided by a solenoid SOL-4 mounted on the end of the set of arms 162.
When energized, the solenoid produces bending of the legs of a staple and final binding of a set of copy sheets. Mounted above each of the heads 155 is a - cartridge C containing a supply of sticks of staples for each of the heads. A
feed device ~not shown~ may be utilized to automatically feed sticks to the supply end of the heads when needed.
A sensor SR-3 is positioned adjacent and between the heads 155 (see Figure 1) and is util;zed in conjunction with the sensor SR-2 to monitor the time between the zero reference of the jaws 144,144a as they move toward a 32~

sorter bin and the time an edge of a set of copy sheets reaches the stapler heads to be stapled. This timing data is transmitted to the mieroprocessor in the programmer P.
These servo controllers provide complex motion control for relatively 5 heavy apparatus which are actuated from a stopped position, accelerated to high speed activation, and then brought to a stop position, all at a continuous high rate of cyclic action. Therefore, accurate velocity profile control is necessary for each servo and constant position monitoring utilizing the switch S-l and the sensors SR-l, SR-2 is provided.
The elevator 138 is utilized to collect into a pile the stapled or un-stapled sets or stacks of copy sheets for delivery to the operator by way of theconveyor 140. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the elevator comprises a tray assembly 165 mounted at the upper end of a vertically arranged, drive screw 166 threadedly received in a threaded member 167 vertically fixed to the base 15 frame for the finisher base frame element 167 so that upon rotation of the member 167, the tray 165 is moved vertically in the up or down direction. A
reversible motor M-5 is operatively connected to the member 167 for imparting rotation to the same in either direction. The tray has a plurality of conveyor belts 168 arranged for running on the surface thereof upon which stapled or 20 unstapled sets or stacks are dropped when acted upon by the kicker mechanism 136. A motor M-6 is secured on and below the tray 165 and serves to drive the belts. Energization of this motor is two-fold so as to effect two distinct typesof movement to the belts. In one type of movement, the belts are driven a short distance, say on the order of an inch (2.54 cm) or so in both directions, to 25 provide set or stack offset. In another type of movement, the belts are driven to convey collected sets or stacks to the conveyor 140 for removal by the operator.
Elevator height of piled sets or stacks is controlled by an optical sensor S~-4 which 'qooks" across the stack and effects the energization of the motor 30 M-5 and lowering of the tray 165 until the pile is below the sensor. A secondsensor SR-5 is positioned to sense the lowermost position of the elevator tray 165 whereat the tray is considered at full capacity. The sensor SR-5 is arranged to effeet the second type of movement of the belts l68 to convey a pile thereon to the conveyor 140 for removal. After this conveyance, the 35 elevator is again returned to its uppermost position to receive additional sets or stacks and to become under the control of the sensor SR-4.

J ~ ~3~

The conveyor 140 serves to receive a pile of stapled or unstapled sets or stacks from the elevator, to convey the pile out of the finishing station, and to hold it for operator removal. As shown in Figure 3, the conveyor includes a support frame structure 170 having a plurality of conveyor belts 171 mounted 5 thereon and a motor M-7 for driving the belts in a direction to pick up a pile of sets or stacks from the elevator 138 and to bring the same out of the space immediately between the stapler apparatus. A switch S-2 is mounted at the outer end of the structure 170 and includes an actuating element 172 arrJmged to protrude between the belts 171 so as to sense the presence of a pile on the 10 belts.
In the event a pile is conveyed to the end of the belt, it will engage the actuator 172 to open the circuit to the motor M-7 and inhibit its energization.
The switch S-2 is also electrically connected to the system logic and controllerP and arranged so that upon its actuation, the elevator/offset motor M-6 will 15 not be energized to convey another pile of sets or stacks onto the conveyor, and will assist in initiating the reverting of the machine to its standby position when the sensor SR-5 has sensed the lowermost position of the elevator tray 165. A suitable status indicator may be provided on the console for the machine to inform the operator of the machine status and why operation has 20 ceased.
The machine will continue to operate to produce copy sheets and to maintain the bin array 104 in operation to complete its collation of an already started third cycle of exposures of the set of document sheets in the document handling apparatus 12. At the completion of document sheet exposures for that 25 third set, the apparatus 12 will revert to its standby condition. When the processor 11 completes the production of the copy sheets for that set, it too will revert to its standby condition while the bin array 104 continues in operation to collate the remaining copy sheets. When completed, the collated copy sets remain in the bin array as no copy sets will be unloaded, and the 30 entire system will assume the standby condition.
Reverting to standby is initiated when the finishing station has produced two full piles of sets or stacks one on the conveyor and one still on the elevator and the bin array has collected all of the copy sheets produced for onecycle of operation of the apparatus 12. In this manner, during the occasions 35 when the storage capacity of the system has been attained and there are more copy sheets to be made, before the system achieves its standby condition, all 2~9 processing apparatus and transports have been cleared of document sheets and copy sheets. In the foregoing descriptions, it was assumed the conveyor was adapted to hold only a single pile of sets or stacks. If the conveyor is capableof holding more than one pile, the additional number of piles must be added to S the number of copy cycles considered above.
Reverting to standby may occur before a production is completed and in this event, the pre-set count and the running account of the run up to the pointof reverting to standby will remain. Upon removal of the finished piles, the machine will automatically become operative to complete the programmed run.
The timing chart in Figure 8 illustrates a typical sequence of timed events occurring in the finishing apparatus 102. For this illustration, it is assumed that the machine has been programmed for the sets mode of operation for the production and stapling of sets of post-collated copy sheets. For simplicity, only three copy sheets are acted upon as noted in the uppermost curve of the chart. The timing periods along the abscissa of the chart are in milliseconds and are in accordance with a copy sheet production rate in the processor 11 of 120 copies per minute or one copy sheet every .5 seconds.
In the illustrated chart, the first sheet in the top curve has its leading edge at the reference point 93 adjacent the entrance to a bin at a point in timeover 300 milli-seconds after zero time reference. Just prior to this time, the following events would have taken place: the scuffer motor M-2 would have been energized and stays in that condition throughout the sorting and finishing operation; the motor M-l would have energized to commence indexing a bin adjacent the reference 93 in a position to receive the first of the illustrated sheets; and the motor M-3 would have been activated to commence activation of the set transport to move the carriage 142 and jaws 144,144a toward the second bin below the bin awaiting the first sheet (assuming that stapling is to occur). Before the trailing edge of the first sheet passes the reference point 93, the motor M-l is deenergized, while the jaws 144,144a for the set transport continue to move within the bin affected thereby. The solenoid valve device 147 for the set transport is activated to effect clamping of the jaws on the near edge of a set just after the index motor M-3 is deenergized and before the motor M-3 is reenergized to return the carriage 142 to the stapler position.
While the device 147 is still activated to maintain clamping of the set, the carriage is moved to a position for the application of one or two staples along J ~ ~33~9 the clamped edge of the set.
While in the stapling position, the copy sheets set edge experiences the three operative steps of stapling: clamping, driving of a staple, and clinching.The three curves in Figure 8 relating to stapling are shown in their proper 5 timed relationship. While the relative timing shown in the curves of Figure 8 has been experienced in actual practice, it will be understood that timing parameters are merely illustrative and that other timing values may be utilized for matching optimum conditions to circumstances derived from actual structure. For example, it is noted that the energization of the clincher10 clutch SOL-4 occurs before the clamping clutch SOL-3 is energized when in fact, clamping action must precede clinching. This apparent disparity can be made understandable when it is considered that some active clinching devices require slow-reacting mechanical elements in fulfilling its function. There-fore, while clutch SOL-4 may be energized sooner than the clutch SOL-3, its 15 function will be attained later. After stapling is accomplished and the jaws 144, 144a are released, the kicker mechanism 136 is operated to remove the clamped edge out of the jaws and permit dropping of the stapled set onto the elevator 138. It will be noted that the events pertaining to stapling, that is, set transport motion, set transport clamping, the stapling steps and the kicker 20 mechanism actuation all occur once for every two sheet movements to the reference point 93.
In Figures 9 (a)-(d) and 10 (a)-(d), there is shown sequences of sorting and finishing events for a document having an odd number of document sheets and an even number of document sheets, respectively. In these illustrations, the 25 vertical column of numbers 1-12 at the left of each sequence indicate the binnumber and the right hand vertical column of numbers indicate the copy of the document sheet being collected. As previously stated, it is assumed that the document handling apparatus 12 is programmed to place a document sheet upon the platen 14 and to effect twelve exposures of the sheet before the removal of 30 the document sheet and placement of a succeeding document sheet, and so on.
This assumption also corresponds with the number of bins in the array 102 wherein each copy sheet produced during the exposure of a document sheet on twelve occurrences is received in a bin.
In Figure 9 (a), each of the bins 3-12 contain eight copy sheets while bins 35 1 and 2 contain all nine sheets. The bin array 102 is indexing from its upper to lower positions and in so doing, will receive the ninth copy sheet of a document ~ 1 6322g sheet in the bins numbered 3-12. In this example, it will be assumed that there are nine document sheets in the document being processed in the document handling apparatus 12. Since the ninth copy sheet is the last sheet in the sets being produced, as the array 102 indexes downwardly, as shown in Figure 9 (b) 5 to receive each last sheet, the sets, now complete, in the odd numbered bins will be acted upon by the finishing function comprising the set transport mechanism, the stapler apparatus and the set kicker mechanism, as aforesaid.
It will be noted that in the finishing function, every other bin is affected during the downward movement of the array, while every successive bin 10 receives the ninth copy sheet. Since the convention in the described example is such that a copy sheet is produced every one-half second, registered and clamped sets are delivered to the stapler at one second intervals.
In Figure 9 (c), on the upwardly return indexing movement of the array, the remaining sets in the even num~ered bins are removed and finished. In the 15 event more than twelve copies of the nine-sheet document has been pr~
grammed, the upwardly indexing array, in going from its position in Figure 9 (c) to the positioning in Figure 9 (d) will receive the first copy sheets for the first document sheet being processed in the apparatus 12 as the latter commences its recycling sequences. This process continues, with the 20 document being copied in multiples of twelve sets until the copying/finishing run has been completed or terminated.
In Figures 10 (a)-(d), the sequences are repeated for a document which consists of an even number of document sheets. In this example, (the tenth copy sheet is the last sheet in a set), the array 102 is indexing upwardly from 25 its down position to receive the last sheet in each set (see Figure 10 (a)). In Figure 10 (b), as the array indexes downwardly, every other bin (odd numbered bins) is unloaded and stapled and in Figure 10 (c), the even numbered bins are unloaded during the upward indexing of the array. Another series of copy sheets begin to be received in the array during the final upward indexing which 30 unloads the remaining sets in the previous document pass (see Figure 10 (d)). Figure 11 is a block diagram of a control arrangement for the reproduction system in Figure 1. The programmer P is operatively connected to four remotes: (1) the processor 11 for controlling the xerographic pPOCeSsing~
copy sheet movement, timing and monitoring and all other parameters in the 35 processor; (2) the input station comprising the flash illumination system andcircuitry and copy si~e reduction if this feature is available; (3) the automatic i ;~ 5322~

document handling apparatus 12; and (4) the finishing station 13.
The finishing station 13 includes two drivers, one of which is operatively connected by way of relays or reediac to the elevator motor M-5, the conveyor motor M-7, the scuffer motor M-2, and the offset producing motor M-6. The 5 other driver is operatively connected to fl servo controller which in turn is connected to two power amplifiers and associated circuitry. One of the power amplifiers serves to energize and operate the sorter array index motor M-l, while the olher amplifier serves to energize and operate the set transport motor M-3. As previously stated, these motors impress rather complex 10 movements on various structures and there is a need to maintain accurate velocity profile controls. One of the power amplifiers also is operatively connected to the stapler drive clutch SOL-2, the clamping clutches SOL-3, the clinching clutches SOL-4, and the solenoid valve device 147.
From the foregoing it wiU be apparent that an electrostatographic 15 system with fini~shing station has been described which will produce stapled collated sets and unstapled sets or stacks at a high production rate without loss of throughput in fact, at a rate in accordance with the full processing speed ofthe copy processing machine. Since copy machine/finishers employing document handling apparatus which recirculate document sheets on an 20 individual basis are limited in their reproduction rate due to the mechanicallimitations of the document apparatus, the present invention minimizes this limitation, so that still higher rates of reproduction are attainable in utilizing the principles of the invention.
While the invention has been disclosed with reference to the structure 25 disclosed, it is not confined to the details set forth but is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the scope of the following clairms.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS:

1. In a reproduction system having a processor for reproducing information to-be-copied on copy sheets and means for producing the information in the form of an individual light image for each copy sheet, each light image being produced a predetermined number of times in succession before a different succeeding light image is produced the same predetermined number of times, the improvement including:
an array of sheet collecting bins arranged adjacent a copy receiving position to receive copy sheets and to collate the same into sets of copies of different images, means for directing the copy sheet output of the processor to said collecting bins at the rate of one sheet per bin while said array is at said position, a finishing apparatus adapted to receive the collated sets of copy sheets from the collecting bins of said array while at said position in timed sequence relative the number of different light images being reproduced and to bind the sets.

2. In a reproduction system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transport individual document sheets from a supply stack to an exposure platen of a reproduction processor and effecting multiple exposure of each of the document sheets before returning a sheet to the supply stack, wherein the processor produces copy sheets of the exposed document sheets, the combination of:
a sorter array having a plurality of bins arranged to receive the copy sheet output from the processor at a fixed receiving station and to collate the same, a finishing apparatus adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets when activated and to bind the same, and means for producing indexing movement of said array of bins in a copy sheet receive mode simultaneously with the activation of said finishing apparatus.

3. In a reproduction system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transport individual document sheets from a supply stack to an exposure station and effecting multiple exposures of the document sheets before returning the same to the supply stack, and a processor for reproducing copy sheets of the exposed document sheets, the combination of:
a finishing station adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets and to bind the same, and a sorter bin array at a fixed receiving station positioned to receive the copy sheet output from the processor and to collate the same, said array being arranged for presenting collated copy sheets to said finishing station and binding thereby while at said position.

4. The system of claim 3 including means for imparting vertical indexing movement to said sorter array to present each bin thereof relative to a fixed position to receive a copy sheet thereat.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said means for imparting indexing movement is bi-directional while receiving the copy sheets.

6. In a reproduction system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transport individual document sheets from a supply stack to an exposure platen of a reproduction processor before returning the sheets to the supply stack, wherein the processor produces copy sheets of the exposed document sheets; and control means associated with the document handling apparatus for effecting a predetermined number of multiple exposure of each of the document sheets before returning the same to the supply stack therefor, the improvement including:
a single sorter array having a plurality of bins equal in number to said predetermined number of exposures and arranged to receive the copy sheet output from the processor and to collate the same, and a finishing apparatus adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets from said sorter array and to bind the same.

7. In a reproduction system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transport individual document sheets from a supply stack to an exposure platen of a reproduction processor before returning the sheets to the supply stack, wherein the processor produces copy sheets of the exposed document sheets; and control means associated with the document handling apparatus for effecting a predetermined number of multiple exposure of each of the document sheets before returning the same to the supply stack therefor, the improvement including:
a sorter array having a plurality of bins equal in number to said pre-determined number of exposures and arranged to receive the copy sheet output from the processor at a fixed receiving station and to collate the same, and a finishing apparatus adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets from said sorter array at a fixed discharge station and to bind the same, said discharge station being positioned in vertical align-ment relative to said receiving station.

8. In a reproduction system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transport individual document sheets from a supply stack to an exposure platen of a reproduction processor and effecting multiple exposure of the document sheets before returning the sheets to the supply stack, wherein the processor produces copy sheets of the exposed document sheets, the combination of:
a sorter array having a plurality of bins arranged to receive the copy sheet from the processor and to collate the same, a finishing apparatus adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets when activated and to bind the same, means for producing vertical indexing movement of said array of bins in a copy sheet receive mode simultaneously with the activation of said finishing apparatus, and control means for directing copy sheets into said bins at the rate of one sheet per bin in succession and for activating said finishing apparatus at the rate of every other bin during a finishing mode of operation.

9. In a reproduction system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transport individual document sheets from a supply stack to an exposure platen of a reproduction processor before returning the sheets to the supply stack, wherein the processor produces copy sheets of the exposed document sheets, the combination of:
control means associated with the document handling apparatus for effecting a predetermined number of multiple exposure of each of the document sheets before returning the same to the supply stack therefor, a sorter array having a plurality of bins equal in number to said pre-determined number of exposures and arranged to receive the copy sheet output from the processor and to collate the same, and a finishing apparatus adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets from said sorter array in timed sequence relative to the multiple exposures of each of the document sheets and to bind the same.

10. The method of producing bound sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets comprising the steps of:
transporting each of said document sheets from a stack to an exposure position for an electrostatographic printing system and exposing the same a predetermined number of times while each is at said position, processing copy sheets containing the information on the document sheets through the printing system, collating the copy sheets into sets utilizing collecting bins of a number equal to said predetermined number, and transporting the collated sets of copy sheets to a binding apparatus to be bound thereby.