JP2621937B2 - Copier - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is capable of producing a precollated copy set at the full copying speed of a high-speed copying machine, has a reduced number of document recirculations, and has a reduced document feeding speed. It relates to a pre-collation copier that is small and has excellent online finish compatibility. The copier disclosed herein, as will become apparent, provides, in certain cases, a three-bin collection device that alternates between loading and unloading bin pairs, in order to optimize copying efficiency, This is a dual flash multi-time document recirculation type copying machine that can select either triple flash or single flash.

Conventional technology An important background technology is “Duplex copying system”
serch Disclosure Publication No. 1 9015, Feb. 1980 p.
At 61, the concept of a dual flash / dual output tray is very briefly described (but used for manuscript handling). Pay particular attention to the last section. Xerox US Patent No. 3,997,263, issued December 14, 1976, discloses a dual output tray for use in pre-collation copiers and describes the potential for online finishing. Nothing is said about what to do. This is not a dual flash method,
In this method, one copy is created for each (1-N, N-1) original document that passes through the scroll scanning device while changing its direction alternately. A "dual flash" in the special case of precollated duplexing is described, for example, in U.S. Pat.
No. 772 (issued December 31, 1985). U.S. Pat. No. 4,639126 to IBM, issued Jan. 27, 1987, discloses a dual flash intermediate set to double-sided pre-collation copier.

Of particular interest is Xerox's U.S. Pat.
No. 6,782 (issued Jan. 28, 1986) and a somewhat similar US Pat. No. 4,558,942 issued to Xerox Corporation (issued Dec. 17, 1985) using an integrated two-bin online finishing device and RDH input device. It is equipped with a "Dual Flash" pre-collation copier. Of particular interest in the two U.S. patents is the copying of the two bins in and out of each side of each bin.

In a "dual flash" device, two copies of each original document are made in each cycle of the original set, and those copies are alternately split on the output side, usually one set from each original set cycle. However, two sets of pre-collated copies are made at the same time. The term "dual flash" generally refers to two consecutive exposures of the same original document to make two identical copies. Scanning exposure can be used instead of flash exposure.

However, if there are only two collection bins, as in the two U.S. patents, the RDH and all copying operations must be stopped and waited until each copy set pair is removed from its respective bin. . However, unless the second copy set has two finishing devices (which is highly undesirable), or a separate extraction device and stand-by station for the second copy set,
Only after the first copy set has been finished can the second copy set be removed from its collection bin.
This reduces copier productivity, especially when making large numbers of small copy sets (this is the job of a normal copier) or in low-speed online finishing processes such as edge band bonding. [U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,718 (197
Issued November 12, 4) and US Patent 3,928,118 (1975)
Published on December 23, 2008].

Another solution for high speed copying and online finishing is
Xerox 9900 multi-bin post-collation apparatus, or similar, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,393 (issued Nov. 30, 1982) and 4,411,515 (issued Oct. 25, 1983) Device. However, this device is a large and expensive device that requires a large number of bins to efficiently handle very large copies. If the number of copy sets created for each cycle of the original set is large and varies, copying, finishing, and resuming the job when a jam occurs become increasingly complicated. When using a post-collation multi-bin device as described above, copying that exceeds the total number of bins creates additional necessary copy sets,
Until a bin can be loaded, it must wait for removal and finishing of the copysets from a large number of already loaded bins, causing a long time delay.

Xerox US Patent No. 4,385,827 (April 1, 1981)
(Filed on May 5, published on May 31, 1983), the input sheet transport device on one side of the sheet bin bin array, the output set transport device on the other side of the bin bin array, and the collection bin array. Of particular relevance are means for moving the collection bin array relative to the output cassette transport means to simultaneously control the loading of copy sheets and the removal of copy sets from the collection bin array. Patent Specification No. 5
As noted in the column, in the disclosed embodiment, the sheet input transport is a vertical belt transport and sheets are fed into the bins from the sheet input transport by deflectors or gates attached to each bin. It is.
However, as noted in columns 1 and 5 below, and elsewhere, this does not apply to the aforementioned US Pat.
This is an embodiment of a post-collation device as in No. 1,393, not a pre-collation device. There are a large number of bins and the number of bins used should correspond to the number of sheets in the paper path if the copier was programmed in duplex mode.

The usual multi-bin collation sorter, in which the bins move up and down in one piece, has been known for several years. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,640, issued Jan. 29, 1974, describes a Xerox 4500
A copy machine sorter is described. Also, a post-collation mobile bin arrangement with independent copy sheet loading and unloading devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,185 (1986).
Issued on January 14, 2008). In addition, a wire binding finishing mode or an adhesive binding finishing mode can be selected. However, this is a large rotating bin arrangement. Other dual finishing mode finishing devices are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,640 to Xerox Corporation and PCT / US83 / 00800 to Godac Company (issued on Dec. 8, 1984, U.S. Pat. Application)).

The normal mode of operation here is dual flash pre-collation copying, but a pre-collation variable flash device with mode selection is also disclosed to optimize copier productivity. The device preferably uses an analytical program or known programmable controller programmed with an algorithm. The controller determines the number of copies in the selected copy set, the number of sheets in the original set, whether the original document is double-sided or single-sided, whether the number of original documents is odd or even, and whether the selected copy is double-sided or single-sided according to the algorithm. The input, such as, is analyzed for possible options in the structure and operation of a specific copying machine, the most efficient operation mode is selected to obtain the desired output, and the copying machine is operated in that operation mode. Choosing a non-collated output is optional, but results in a different order of operation.

Background art of interest in the above respects is U.S. Pat.
The copier described in U.S. Pat. No. 212,457 (issued Jul. 15, 1980) is programmed to select a pre-collation mode or a post-collation (multi-bin) mode depending on the desired number of copy sets. A method of using a variable multiple flash copying cycle when pre-collating a small number of manuscript documents with only one collection bin is disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,468,114 issued Aug. 28, 1984. Have been. U.S. Patent No. 4,285,591 to IBM, August 25, 1981
Copiers are programmed to automatically divide collator jobs when the desired number of copy sets exceeds the capabilities of the collator. U.S. Patent 4,
The copying machine of No. 156,133 (issued on May 27, 1979) is provided with a variable operation program for performing special copying.

Of particular interest is Xerox U.S. Pat.
No. 8,344 (issued on December 17, 1985) is a variable multiple-sided copy tray pre-collation intermediate set system.

The system consists of a collating and finishing device and method with a buffer structure to provide more time to finish the copy set without interrupting the copying operation. In precollated mode, two bins at a time are used as a buffer for collection, while one or two other bins are empty waiting for finishing, and these bins Then serve as a buffer for the next two copy sets.

The following documents are noted as background art relating to collating machines and finishing devices. US Patent 4,361,32
No. 0 discloses a sheet dispensing apparatus with a plurality of bins that are divided into two groups and used alternately when the number of collated copies exceeds the number of available bins. I have. This allows the operator to retrieve collated copies from one bin while collating copies into other groups of bins (see col. 2, lines 13-21). This is for a post-collation device without RDH. Xerox's U.S. Patent No. 3,944,207, entitled `` Limitless Sorter, '' is a collating unit that operates to open sheets when feeding sheets to a collating bin and binding, that is, collating operation without obstacles. A sorter with a bottle is disclosed. U.S. Pat.No. 4,145,037,
A vertical collating machine equipped with a conveyor for transporting sheets, a detachable deflector for deflecting the sheets from the conveyor to the bin, means for collating or sorting, and means for removing the sheets.
Discloses a sorter. Kodak U.S. Patent No. 4,24
No. 8,525 discloses a programmable copier for creating a copy set from a manuscript set. Some copies can be made in RDH pre-collation mode by the recirculating feeder, while others cannot be made in collation mode. Copies made in uncollated mode are temporarily stored. The program creates a copy in collate mode, and a collated copy set with a page order that corresponds to the page order of the manuscript set. Control delivery. The copy storage section 14 is provided with a plurality of deflectors 96 for deflecting the copy sheet into the temporary storage bin 82. The copy sheet is sent from bin 82 to finishing device 16. Xerox U.S. Pat.No. 3,848,868 has an inverter 13 provided in the copy sheet output path in a sorter module upstream of the vertical transport to deflect the copy sheets from the vertical transport into a sorter bin. A sheet sorting apparatus for collating single-sided and double-sided copies is disclosed.

In general, xerographic copiers, and other copiers, have become faster and more automatic, so that manuscript documents to be copied, i.e., input to the copier, are handled faster, more reliably, and more automatically. That is becoming more and more important. Although it is particularly necessary for document recirculation prior collation, even if the same original document is automatically fed and aligned repeatedly, minimal jamming, minimal wear and Damage, size, type,
It is desirable to feed manuscript sheets with different basis weights, materials, conditions, and susceptibility to damage, to accurately align and copy. This is a highly desired feature of copiers. Manuscript sheet handling technology in copiers has made significant progress in recent years.
Various devices have been provided for automatically or semi-automatically feeding a document sheet to be copied onto an image forming station of a copier. Typically, the original document is transported over the surface of a transparent platen that forms the image forming station, placed in a registered copy position on the platen, and fed back from the platen after copying.

In order to make full use of the high speed copier, i.e., to make full use of the production capacity, it is desirable that the document handling device be capable of automatically feeding the original document at the same speed as that copied by the copier. However, this is very difficult for high speed copiers. Although it is highly desirable to automatically feed each document and automatically align it to the correct position on the platen, it is difficult to do so at high speeds (high document recirculation speed).

One of the difficulties in manuscript handling is that the manuscript is skewed (rotated), especially when suddenly stopping high-speed manuscripts.
Or the green of the manuscript document may be damaged. Another problem relates to the fact that the size, basis weight, thickness, material, condition, humidity, aging, etc. of the original sheets can vary widely. In addition, the original document may have curls, wrinkles, tears, broken page edges, cutouts, overlays, tapes, glues, punch holes, staples, adhesive areas or slippery areas, and other anomalies.
Generally, everything is made from the same new complete batch,
Thus, unlike a copy sheet set that is approximately the same and has the same size, the manuscript documents are, for example, all of the same standard size (eg, letter size, A4, B
4, etc.) are often quite different.
In contrast to copysheets, manuscripts may come from completely different paper batches, even within the same copyset, may be different in age or wetness, etc. There are things. Moreover,
Sheet feeding characteristics may change depending on the images on the original document and their fixing. These images can be damaged during delivery if not handled properly. For example,
Sometimes rubbing with new ink can blur the image. It is desirable to quickly feed and copy original documents of various sizes, types, and conditions without jamming or damaging them, and to properly and accurately align them with desired alignment positions.

In the description, the term "document paper" or "sheet" means the ordinary individual image support, i.e. paper, plastic, other ordinary thin sheets, but is generally a microfilm or electronic material that is very easy to handle. Does not include images.
The images of the original can be read and stored electronically, they can be arbitrarily reordered and provided without delay, and the page images can be written and copied on a photoreceptor with a laser beam or similar device Xerox 9700, an electronic copier that can create (called a print)
Because printers do not have the problems associated with physical document sheets, they need to be distinguished from copiers that have a physical document sheet recirculation device.

However, many electronic copiers have an electronic prefix (Electr
Except for the onic front end), there are many places that are very similar to other copiers, so they also have utility in the above-mentioned devices, and unless otherwise specified, such as citing manuscripts Here, it is included in the term “copier”.

Here, the "document sheet" is a sheet (original or previous copy) to be copied on the "copy sheet", that is, the "copy" in the copying machine. A plurality of original sheets or copies are called a "set". A "single-sided" original sheet or copy sheet has images and pages on only one side of the sheet, whereas a "double-sided" original sheet or copy sheet has "pages" on both sides, usually an image.
A "copy" may not have an electronically modified image, such as a highlight color overlay or insert.

The present invention particularly relates to a recirculating document handling apparatus (RDH: recircul
It is suitable for pre-collating copying performed by the apparatus, ie, automatic document set multiple recirculation copying, but is also suitable for non-pre-collating copying, ie, post-collating copying. Precollated copying, although called differently, such as collated copying, recirculating copying, or RDH copying, is a desirable feature known to copiers and has many important advantages. In this pre-collated copy,
By recirculating the original set in the collated order for the desired number of copies and copying each original page as it passes through the imaging station (usually only once), the collated copy set or A desired number of books can be created. The copies automatically exit the copier processor in the correct order and are stacked as a pre-collated set, so that there is typically no need to subsequently page-sort with a sorter or collator. Thus, online finishing (wire or stitch binding, or (and) glue binding, other binding), or (and) while another collated copy set is being made in a subsequent cycle of the same original set ) It is possible to take out, stack, and offset stacks of finished copy sets.

Some examples of Xerox US patents relating to precollation copiers are U.S. Patent Nos. 4,459,013 (issued July 10, 1984), 4,278,344 (issued July 14, 1981), and 4,579,444. There is a number. Another example of a recirculating document handling device (RDH) is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,076,408.
No. 4,176,945, No. 4,428,667, No. 4,330,19
No. 7, No. 4,466,733 and No. 4,544,148. Preferred vacuum corrugated feeders, air knives and trays for RDH are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,418,905 and 4,462,586.
Issue. U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,527 discloses a semi-automatic computerized feeding device (SADH / CFF). This feeding device can be integrated with the RDH, as described in column 2, section 2 of the specification. U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,945 (issued Dec. 4, 1979) and other patent documents disclose multiple mode, for example, RDH / SADH document handling devices.

However, a disadvantage of the pre-collation copier described above is that all original sheets are repeatedly separated and separated in a predetermined order, usually a number of times equal to the desired number of copy sets, and sequentially recirculated. That is something that must be done. Therefore, in the case of the pre-collation copying machine, the number of times of handling the original sheets is inevitably much larger than that of the post-collation copying machine. Therefore, in precollating copying, it is particularly important to automate the handling of the original sheets as much as possible and to minimize wear or damage of the original sheets.

In contrast, in a post-collation copier with ADH or SADH, multiple copies are made at a time from each manuscript sheet and collated by inserting into multiple individual bins in a sorter ( Pages are aligned). Therefore,
If the number of copies to be made is less than the number of bins available in the sorter, the document set need only be fed once, manually or semi-automatically, to the imaging station. However, the drawback of collating after the fact is that
The number of copy sets that can be created in a cycle is limited by the number of bins available in the sorter. In addition, multi-bin sorters require a lot of space, add complexity, and are not well suited for online finishing. However, under certain special copying situations, it is necessary to be very careful to use high-value, thick or non-standard manuscript sheets, or very large copy sets. In the case of making, in order to minimize the handling of the manuscript sheet, it is desirable to perform collation after the fact, that is, to manually feed the manuscript sheet. For this reason, it is desirable that the original handling apparatus of the pre-collating copy machine can perform both post-collating copying and manual copying, and can selectively use post-collating copying and manual copying.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus which simultaneously makes two identical copies per page, while utilizing the advantage of reducing the number of circulating document sheets, without requiring a multi-bin sorter, and efficiently. An object of the present invention is to provide a copying apparatus that enables copying.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention relates to a copying apparatus for creating a plurality of collated copy sets, wherein a plurality of copy sets being created by repeatedly making copies in a copying machine in a continuous page order set. Irrespective of the number of copies, a copy means for simultaneously producing only two identical copies per page in normal time, and a copy sheet supply for separating the continuous page-wise copy pairs and feeding them to the two bins of the bin unit. Feeding means, wherein the copy sheet feeding means comprises feed bin loading means for selectively feeding copies to the bin to form a completed copy set in the bin; and And a removing means for removing the completed copy set. In the copying apparatus of the present invention, the bin unit has at least three and four
Or less bins are provided, and
Control means for sequentially changing the two bins used to accumulate two identical copy sheets and the unused bins, said sequential change being the accumulation of a collated copy sheet set Is completed in the two bins that are currently in use, the unloading means transferring the accumulated set of collated copy sheets from at least one bin to the bins. When the sheet is not fed, the sheet is taken out according to the feeding and guiding so as not to hinder the feeding and guiding of another copy sheet to another bin.

According to one aspect of the present invention, only three bins are provided, and the copy sheet feeding unit is configured such that the control unit causes the first copy to be accumulated in the first bin in one circulation of the document set. Then, the second copy is accumulated in the second bin and the third bin has no copy accumulation. For the subsequent document set circulation, the first copy is accumulated only in the second bin and the second copy is accumulated in the second bin. A complete collated set of copies is taken out of the first bin only from the three bins, and the copy is again accumulated only in the first bin and the second bin for further subsequent document set circulation, Activated such that this sequence is repeated until the total number of collated copy sets before copying reaches the selected number. Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in order to reduce the number of operations of the bin loading unit, the bin loading unit and the control unit normally execute one document in the immediately adjacent order. And the first copy of the next document are fed to the same bin. Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, when the number of originals in the original set is an odd number, the copying unit, the original circulating unit, the copy sheet feeding unit, and the control unit perform final copy of the original set. In circulation, the originals are operated to make three identical copies of each document and to feed each of the three identical copies separately to each of the collection bins.

Embodiments Specific embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a copying machine 10 provided with a document handling device 20. This manuscript handling device 20 is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 469,319, No. 4,589,651, No. 4,589,652, etc., are slightly similar to the apparatus disclosed in, etc., the original sheet is conveyed over the normal platen image forming station 23 of the copier 10, the copier, It is a recirculating document handling device (RDH) that sends it back to the document tray, stacks it, and circulates it again. The document handling device 20 shown here is typical and can be modified for different copiers. A detailed description of the illustrated recirculating document handling apparatus (RDH) is provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,731,637 and 4,794,429. This recirculating document handling device 20
The two separate document input ends, namely the recirculation (RDH) input stacking tray 21 provided on the top surface, and the insertion of the short green first, especially for semi-automatic document handling (SADH) There is a SADH side entrance 22 for certain large manuscript documents. The recirculation type document handling apparatus 20 automatically repeats and sends out a set of document sheets by recirculating repeatedly without disturbing the page order, so that a proper alignment (copying) position on the platen 23 is achieved. To match.

Except for the document handling device, output finishing device, and control unit described herein, the exemplary copier 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,344 and others with respect to paper path and function. It is basically similar to the well-known Xerox 1075 or 1090 copier capable of automatic double sided pre-collation described in the previously cited patent literature.

Next, the typical copying machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly described. The copier 10 usually includes a xerographic photosensitive belt 12
And a corona charging station 1 acting on the belt 12
3, an image exposure station 14, an image development station 15, a belt drive 16, a pre-cleaning discharge station 17, and a toner cleaning station 18. An original document on platen 23 can be imaged on photoreceptor belt 12 by a variable reduction ratio optical image forming apparatus that matches the image of the original document to a copy sheet of a selected size.

Control of all functions of the copier, including all sheet feeding, is performed by controller C in a conventional manner. Controller C
Is preferably a known programmable microprocessor, as demonstrated in the previously cited literature.
The controller C operates all copier steps and functions in a conventional manner, including the operation of the document handling device 20, document sheet deflector, copy sheet deflector, sheet feeder drive, finishing device F, etc. To control. Further, as described in detail in the cited documents, the controller C of the copier can count copy sheets, set originals via a console or other switch panel connected to the controller, or the like. The number of original documents, the desired number of copies, and other selections and controls by the operator are stored and compared in the usual manner. The controller is also programmed for time delay, jam correction control, and the like. By connecting a conventional path sensor or switch to the controller, the position of the original document or copy sheet and the position of the moving parts of the apparatus can be connected and tracked.
Further, the controller adjusts the position of the deflector or gate according to the selected mode of operation.

The copier 10 is configured to create a pre-collated duplex or simplex copy set from a duplex or simplex original document provided by the RDH 20. Two independent copy sheet trays 46, 47 supply new copy sheets from either selected tray. These trays are sometimes referred to as main tray 46 and auxiliary tray 47.

The copy sheet is sent from one of the selected trays 46 or 47 to the transfer station 48, where the photoreceptor belt 12
Is transferred to the first side of the copy sheet from the original. Next, the copy sheet is transported by the vacuum transport device to the roll fixing device 49, where the toner image is fixed to the copy sheet. The copy sheet that has left the fixing device is
It passes through the decurling device 50. Next, the copy sheet travels through the 90 ° corner path 54 in the sheet path. The 90 ° corner path 54 turns the copy sheet over before the copy sheet reaches the decision gate 56, with the last printed side up. At this point, the image of the sheet has the fixed side up. If this gate 56 is below, the sheet is not turned over and enters the output path 57 of the copier directly to the finishing device F. If the gate 56 is above, the gate
56 deflects the sheet to the double-sided reversing conveyance device 58. The reversing conveyance device (roller) 58 reverses the copy sheets to be duplex-copied and then stacks them in the duplex tray 60 for duplex copying.

Intermediate tray 60 for duplex copying provides an intermediate or buffer storage location for copy sheets that need to be printed on one side and subsequently have images printed on the opposite side, i.e., copy sheets that are undergoing duplex copying. provide. These copy sheets are inverted by the rollers 58 so that they are stacked face down in the buffer tray 60. At this time, the copy sheets are placed in the intermediate tray 60 in the copying order.
Are piled up sequentially.

To complete the duplex copy, the single-sided copy sheet in the intermediate tray 60 is continuously fed back to the transfer station 48 by the bottom feeder 62 and the page image is transferred to its second or opposite side. You. This refeeding is basically through the same copy sheet supply path (paper path) 64 that provides a new (blank) sheet from the tray 46 or 47. It can be seen that this copy sheet path 64 between the duplex tray 60 and the transfer station 48 inherently has the property of once turning over the copy sheet. However, since the intermediate sheet has already been stacked face down in tray 60 by reversing transport 58, it is provided to photoreceptor in transfer station 48 in the correct orientation, i.e., receives the image of the second side. Therefore, the paper is re-supplied to the photoconductor 12 with the blank surface, that is, the opposite surface facing the photoconductor 12. This refeed is referred to as a "second pass" for the intermediate sheet to be duplexed. Here, the double-sided copy sheet is passed through the fixing device 49 again, and then the output path 57.
Sent to

The output path 57 conveys the printed copy sheets one by one and sends them to an online modular finishing device F connected as shown in FIG. The complete pre-collated copy set can then be finished by wire binding, stitching, gluing, binding or / and offset stacking. For the structure of the finishing device,
Although disclosed in the patent documents cited above and other documents, it will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

Finishing equipment for conventional automatic online collating copiers (wire binding machines, stitching binding machines, adhesive binding machines, other binding machines,
Or (and) some examples of offset stackers and controllers are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
630,607 (issued on December 28, 1971), 3,793,016 (issued on February 19, 1974), and 4,134,672 (issued on January 19, 1974)
No. 4,328,919 (issued on May 11, 1982), No. 4,344,544 (issued on August 17, 1982), No. 4,3
Nos. 98,986 (issued on August 16, 1983) and 4,516,714 (1
Issued May 14, 985), No. 4,328,919 (May 11, 1982)
Published), Research Disclosure Journal Pulicatons No
s.22733 and 22732 pages 120−134 of March 1983 iss
ue (anonymoues). Xerox Disclosure
Journal Vol. 4, No. 4, p. 425, July 1979 discloses another on-line bonding machine for copiers. These finishing devices can be used in place of the disclosed finishing devices, for example, by varying the start-up time or speed of the bookbinding operation of their compiler or integrated device. No. 3,884,408 to Xerox Corporation (197
No. 4,087,087 (issued May 2, 1978) and No. 4,087,087 (issued May 2, 1978) describe another online wire binding machine for multi-bin collation.

If desired, the copyset can be sent from the disclosed finishing apparatus to a special finishing station, such as a hole puncher, ring binder, GBC binder, etc. for processing.

The general operation of a typical finishing station or finishing apparatus F will now be described with reference to FIG. Note that the seat path is similar in some respects to the operation described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,827. Finishing station F receives and collects the fused copies from the copier (FIG. 1), finishes the copy sets, and sends them to output sheet stacker 102. Finishing station F can alternatively send the copy sheet to upper output tray 100. The copy set sent to the output sheet stacker 102 is normally collated, but need not be collated. The finishing process may or may not be performed. Copy sets that are not finished can be offset stacked. The copy set can be stitched with one or two stitches. In addition, finishing station F
The copy sets can be glued and bound, and the bound copy sets can be sent to the output stacking device 102.

In the sheet path of the finishing station F, an inverter 104 driven by a reversible motor is provided. Inverter 104
Has a solenoid operated redirection gate to turn the sheet to the inverter and a three roll nip to move the sheet into and out of the inverter. In addition, the inverter 104 has a compression spring to help reverse the sheet orientation and help the sheet exit the inverter.

The alignment transfer device 106 is connected to the output transfer device 108
Used to convey sheets to Two lateral roll alignment nips have been used to laterally align the sheets. The lateral roll alignment nip is driven by a sheet path drive motor. The output conveying device 108 is also driven by the sheet path driving motor. The output transport 108 transports the sheet from the alignment transport to the upper tray gate, which redirects the sheet from the vacuum transport 110 to one of the upper trays 100.

The vacuum transfer device 110 is provided with three bins 112,
Used to feed sheets to the bin selected from among 114 and 116. Bins 112,114,116 collect the sheets,
Used to align and complete copy sets.
As shown, each bin is provided with a separating gate (a set of peeling fingers) for selectively deflecting each sheet on the transport device 10 to a selected bin 112, 114 or 116. Known scuffer wheel arrangements may be provided inside the bin to maintain stacking alignment. A set of collection bins
112,114,116 are driven up and down by a bi-directional bin drive motor as a unit (note the dashed position shown) and the correct bin is placed in the set removal position.
The set unloading and conveying device 118 can be provided with a pair of set clamps attached to, for example, two air cylinders controlled by four air valve solenoids. 2
One pneumatic valve is used to position set carrier 118, and the other two pneumatic valves are used to retract set carrier 118. This set transfer device 118
Is used to transport the set from the bin to the stitcher 120 or bookbinding machine 122 and to the sheet stacker 102. The stitched, bound, or unfinished set is transported to the stacking device 102 and stacked for removal by the operator.

Each bin is preferably provided with an alignment gate, or pair of vertical stops, on its take-out side. The alignment gate automatically pivots out of the way after the set clamp of the set unloading and transporting device 118 grasps the set so that the set can be removed from the bin by horizontal movement of the set unloading and transferring device 118. I do.

Includes various means of entering the bin and grasping and removing the complete collated copyset therein, and other detailed details of copyset transport and finishing equipment may be found in the cited literature, etc. It is described in.

It should be noted that removal of the set from the bin is preferably performed at some vertical position of the bin, or at some level, to simplify set removal and finishing. Thus, a set of bins is indexed up and down to place the bin containing the next copy set to be taken out adjacent to the take-out position that is in line with the set take-out transport 118. However, the loading of copy sheets can be performed on any bin at any position at the same time as the removal of the copy set. However, the controller prohibits the loading of copy sheets into the bin being removed, or the bin already containing the complete copy set.

It should be particularly noted that when the bin is moving up and down, even if the bin entry speed of the sheet is changed by the movement of the bin with respect to the transport device 110, the bin that is above or below the set removal level is Can enter.

In summary, a total of three collection bins are indexed up and down as a unit between three different removal positions for set removal. Retrieval of the collected copy sets is performed from an adjacent vertical position downstream of the bin. Each bin has its own independent gate for loading copy sheets that vary. The entering sheet is placed on the vertical sheet conveying device 110 and moves on the copying machine side of the attached gates of all the bins. The sheet entry position is not fixed in the vertical direction, and the sheet can be inserted into an arbitrary bin at an arbitrary position. Thus, individual sheets can be loaded into the bin above or below the set removal level (the removal position) from the side opposite to the side from which the set is removed when the bin is moving up and down. it can.

The copy set handling and input / output method described in this embodiment is closely related to the structure of the finishing apparatus.
Because of the large number of bins and the same bin loading and unloading copy sets, these two functions interfere with each other and prevent bi-directional movement of the bins relative to the set removal means. . Unlike similar constructions of the Xerox 9900 copier (see, for example, US Pat. No. 4,361,393), the disclosed finishing apparatus F has a "bin-through" construction and a few-bin construction.

The dual flash type copying machine can be fully manufactured without a pitch skip of the copying machine when a plurality of finishing single-sided copy sets are created from a document set of three or more pages. Three collection bins were found to be the minimum number needed to maintain full production of the copier in a dual flashed three pitch set. While finishing the first copyset of a pair, another copyset can be parked in the collection bin while the next pairset is created and then empty Two collection bins can be charged. Subsequently, another complete copy set can be removed and finished until the next pair of copy sets is completely collected. When the collection of the third pair of copy sets is started, one copy set of the next pair of copy sets can be taken out and finished. The same applies hereinafter.

The order in which copy sets are loaded into the collection bins, collected, and the collated copy sets are removed from the collection bins is preferably in the order described below. here,
“A”, “B”, and “C” are the first, second, and third collection bins, respectively, and “N” is the first of the N copy sheets in the collated copy set sent to the collection bin. Copy sheet, “1” is the copy sheet sent at the end of the copy set, Is the repetition and continuation of the sequence operation between the first and last copy sheet of the copy set, "{EJECT->}"
FIG. 9 illustrates the removal of a complete collated copy set from each collection bin by the removal means.

In the above description, bins are referred to as A, B, C, rather than 112, 114, 116, to emphasize that the order is not limited to their actual order. Each bin is provided with a built-in gate solenoid that operates in any order programmed by the controller. The gate moves with the bin, but keeps the connection with the belt of the conveyor 110,
At any bin location, sheets can be loaded into the bin while the bin is moving.

A typical bin loading sequence is A, B; B, A; A, B; B ..., etc. until the first two sets are complete, and C, B; B for the next two sets. , C; C, B; B ..., etc. A typical bin removal order is B, A; B, C; ..., etc., as described above,
A, B; C, B; A, B; C, B ..., etc. The first sheet of the next set is loaded into the bin at the second pitch of the unload cycle.

If the fetch order is B, A, the bin loading order is changed for the last page, if necessary, so that the last page of the two sets is in B and the next page is in A. If the fetch order is B, C, the last page of the two sets goes into B, then C. For example, if Bin B is an odd page, so that it is ready for retrieval first,
The last three pairs of sheets are loaded in the order of A, B; B, A; B, A. Thus, the first bin loading order for the first two sheets is not important, but can be chosen consistently. The key to this productivity is that the first bin scheduled for removal is loaded with the first sheet of the last two sheets of the two sets. This allows
Extraction can be started one pitch earlier.

As an alternative to three bins (though the concept of three bins is more compact, simpler, less expensive and preferred),
A bin structure was developed. The four-bin concept has some unique advantages, such as the ability to duplicate even-copy copies in four-flash operations, but the main advantages are:
If a hot melt adhesive / tape finishing cycle is used that has a very long finishing cycle (approximately 30 pitches) compared to a wire binding or stitching cycle (eg 3 pitches), the productivity of the bound set is high. That is.
In this four-bin configuration, two sets that have been collected but not yet removed flush the last pair of copies while waiting in two collection bins for bookbinding or other finishing. Can be sent to the other two bins. The 4-bin structure can also perform 3-flash copying of a job having an odd execution length (an odd-number copy set) by the same basic method as the 3-bin structure. In addition, the 4-bin finishing machine performs 4-flash (4-sheet, 4-bin) copying of an even-copy job (copy set with an even number of copies) in order to avoid another RDH cycle for the last document set cycle. It can also operate to do so.

In a four-bin [A, B, C, D] configuration, the normal loading and unloading order of copy pairs is A, B; B, B, as with three bins until the first two copy sets are completed. A; A, B; ... (or
A, B; A, B; A, B; ...) instead. Thereafter, while the first two copy sets are being removed and finished, the retrieval of the first completed copy set is started, the next two copy sets are created, and C, D; D, C; C, D; ...
Can be charged in order.

An important feature of the disclosed copier is the combination of a desirable dual flash and a three (or four) bin finishing machine to provide a high speed, high capacity copier, eg, 100 per minute.
A copier having a production capacity of more than copying can be operated at full production capacity even in the case of a three-sheet set,
At the same time, the wire stitcher or stitcher can be operated at the same cycle speed as a much slower device, for example a half speed pre-collation copier. According to the copier, the RDH handles the original document at a repetition rate of one document per minute, which is only half the full copying speed of the copier, so that the copier can play its role finely. Just circulate. Correspondingly, the available document acquisition and exchange times can be increased, which is highly desirable. Copy sets or books are collected (stacked, stacked, or assembled) in three bins, entering from one side of the bin and exiting from the other side (here, in the direction of paper movement). ). The finish repetition rate can be reduced once every three pitches for a three sheet set, or once every four pitches for more than four sheets.

The key feature that enables this productivity is that while the second copyset of a pair of copysets is removed from the bin and finished, the first two sheets of the next set are continuously binned. In conjunction with the finishing process, a pair of three collection bins is entered, one at a time, entering from one side and exiting from the other side, so as to enter the other two empty bins at this point. Are sequentially used.

Another important feature is the multiple dual side 1
(Two-sided copy intermediate set with one-sided copy) is used in the two-sided copy tray to use the two-sided copy tray. This method is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,981 and other documents utilize a device modified for multiple single flash intermediate sets. By using this multiple pair intermediate set method, (a) some reversal of the original document is avoided and (b) a small double-sided original set is flashed at the full copying speed of the copier. If not used, small duplex sets cannot be recirculated through the RDH at full copy speed of the copier without skipping pitch. In this plurality of dual side one systems, a duplex copy tray that meets the desired (eg, 100 sheets) or maximum total sheet capacity, as if a single sided copy was made (ie, without inversion). Then, the original document is recirculated around the RDH loop path until the desired number of sets of sides are collected. For example, a copy sheet having an odd number of pages on one side may be repeated several times up to the maximum number of intermediate sheets in the order of N, N; N-2; ... 3,3; 1,1 according to the desired output reversal. Repeatedly, the sheets are accumulated on the duplex tray. The number of consecutive intermediate sets is determined by the number of original documents in the original set, which determines the size of each intermediate set. It depends on the number of original documents. This is because the number of original documents determines the size of each intermediate set.

In the case of the three-flash copy described herein, if the total number of intermediate copies made in this manner does not exceed the desired maximum (in which case a single flash copy is automatically made), a two-sided copy is made. N, N, N; N on intermediate tray
... 3,3,3; 1,1,1 intermediate sets of -2, N-2, N-2; ... 3,3,3;

Thereafter, the double-sided original document is inverted, and in the subsequent circulation, side 2 of the original document is copied on the back side of the intermediate set sent from the double-sided copy tray by repeating the dual flash. In this way, the manuscript document is inverted only once by the RDH. Therefore, RDH
In the case of a small original set, only one reversal cycle needs to be executed to copy, for example, 100 sheets into the duplex copying tray. The set of sides 1 in the duplex tray is fed out and the dual side 2 image is repeatedly imaged on each of the other sides until the duplex tray is empty, then corresponding to the required number of copies of the jop. The process can be repeated the number of times. But,
For sets of about 50 sheets or more, placing multiple sets on the duplex tray is no longer applicable.

The above-described multiple-to-intermediate set method performs double-sided / double-sided copying of multiple copies of even-numbered original sets as small as three sheets, despite one RDH inversion cycle rate per recirculation with small original set inversion. , At the full copying speed of the copier. If the dual copy set was simply flushed to side 1 followed by side 2, that is, the duplex document was reversed each cycle and flashed in pairs, the copy speed would be 6/7 of the full copy speed of the copier. Would be limited to

Another important feature is that when copying jobs with an odd number of copies, the dual flash is
Replace it with a flash. This additional compatible scheme avoids the extra single flash operation that must be performed at half speed. The special case algorithm is started automatically only by the last copy cycle of the original set, when the operator selects an odd-numbered copy. This algorithm completely avoids one RDH cycle for odd copies and avoids limiting productivity to RDH speeds with RDH speeds less than copier speed. If it is an odd copy set, it would be if a single flash was requested.

Also noteworthy is an alternative scheme in which a four-bin finishing device is similarly operated by performing four flash copies of the even copy set to avoid another round of RDH.

Another feature relates to the loading and feeding of inserts or specialty sheets such as tabbed sheets, transparencies, chapter separators, covers, and the like. In order to use the normal dual flash operation here, these special sheets can typically be loaded in pairs into a different input tray than the input tray used for regular copy sheets. And
These special sheets are programmed to be fed instead of regular copy sheets to be copied at the appropriate location in the copy set. If the inserts for these special sheets are different, the selected input tray 46 or
Preferably, 47 is charged in a collated sequence. The controller C can know from the input of the operator that such a special sheet is used, and can prevent the special sheet from being executed as a triple flash copy.
This is because triple flash copying does not properly feed the special sheet pair. If an odd number of copies are selected, a single flash copy can be used if one of the two special sheets is not loaded into the collection bin but is sent to tray 100, for example.

If a jam occurs using a special sheet, it may be necessary to remove all modules or the entire set and restart the job to avoid sending the special sheet out of sequence to the next set. Absent.

There is another special case where single flash copying is used (except for odd set copying of large duplex sets). This is the case when a very large original set is duplicated for an odd or even number of copies, and the dual flash may run out of space on the duplex tray. In that case, all copies are made in a single flash, not just the last circular copy. The size of the copy set is
(A) an operator input whether the original document is single-sided or double-sided,
(B) Estimated from the height of the document stack. The document stack height is estimated by a stack height detector (eg, US Pat. No. 4,589,645, issued May 20, 1986, other references cited therein). The size of the copy set and the two-sided copy intermediate set directly correspond to the number of original pages (the number of sheets for a one-sided original, twice the number of sheets for a two-sided original). Thus, the controller can pre-estimate from the height of the original set whether the maximum capacity of the desired duplex copy tray will be insufficient by dual-flashing the original document, and if so, an automatic It can be switched to single flash copying.

For copy sets that are too large to fit into a bin one at a time, for example, 125 or more copy sets, another set recombination algorithm can be used. The bottle is charged to its capacity and the subset is removed but not finished. The extra sheets from the previous set of parts are loaded into another bin, removed, combined with the first part of the set to make a complete copyset (in this example, up to 250 sheets), then finished, Can be output.

For up to the number of available bins (3 or 4), i.e., if the operator keyed in to make no more than 3-4 copies, instead of providing manuscripts in N-1 order, the same mechanical basis was used. The structure allows for 1-N automatic collation. The manuscript document can be loaded into the SADH input terminal of the manuscript handling apparatus in a continuous normal order (N-1). In that case, the copier can make three or four copies and use the bins to match its output to a three or four copy set. In this case, not the pre-collating operation mode, but the ADF sorter, that is, the post-collating operation mode.

For copiers with RDH, duplex / duplex copying capability, and multiple bin collection devices, many flash sequential operations to execute a job are possible. However, for each case, there is only one sequential operation that optimizes productivity and minimizes the number of RDHs, or the shutdown and reversal of the copy handling module. The logic circuit of the copier selects the optimal sequential operation based on the selected operation mode, the number of original documents, and the number of copy sets. The copier functions in one-sided / one-sided, one-sided / two-sided, two-sided / two-sided, two-sided / one-sided modes.

In the following example, the capacity of the duplex tray 60 of the copy handling module is 100 sheets, the capacity of the RDH document tray 21 is also 100 sheets, the RDH set separator operates at the start of the job, and the RDH document is It is assumed that the approximate number of manuscript documents in the tray is detectable.

In this example, assume that the original set is a two-sided original, which is the most difficult case to make a two-sided copy. The operator selects this mode of operation and programs the number of copy sets. If the operator has 50
If you know that you have more than two-sided originals, you can select a single flash mode that will reduce the productivity by half but automatically execute the job, or manually reduce the original stack to less than 50 sheets. By splitting the stack, you have the freedom to run a few jobs using the more productive dual flash mode. However, when the operation in dual flash mode is completed, the stacked subsets need to be collated by hand. The reason for this is that if the duplex / duplex mode is executed in the dual flash mode, more than 50 double-sided documents will have more than 100 intermediate copies placed on the duplex tray. Therefore, a double-sided copy job of 50 or more original documents exceeds the assumed double-sided copy tray capacity of 100 sheets. The jingle flash mode makes one copy every two cycles, or two pitches, while the dual flash mode or triple flash mode does not skip pitches except in certain special cases.

If the operator does not know how many original documents the original set consists of, the operator loads it into the RDH original tray, presses the PRINT button, the set separator operates, and the stack height is measured. . If the set separator detects more than 100 single-sided documents or more than 50 double-sided documents, the copier
The operator is instructed to execute the job with a smaller group of sheets. If less than the original document is detected, the copier checks to see how many copies have been requested. If the requested copyset is one copy, the copier will simply execute the job in single flash mode. If three double-sided copy sets are requested, the copier first checks to see if there are fewer than 33 original documents. If so, the copier will execute the job in triple flash mode. This requires two RDH cycles (to copy one side of the document set three times, flip over, and then copy the other side three times each). Up to 99 sheets are placed on the duplex tray. If more than 33 and less than 50 original documents are detected, the copier will operate in dual flash mode to create 3 double-sided copy sets.
Re-circulate twice or more times in single flash mode to execute the job. Thus, the capacity of the double-sided copy tray of 100 sheets is not exceeded. Finally, if two or four copies were selected, the copier
Executes the job in dual flash mode, even for duplex documents of 50 sheets or less.

Even in one-sided / one-sided and one-sided / two-sided copy modes,
It is performed in a similar logic flow. However, if one-sided copy is selected instead of two-sided copy, the capacity of the two-sided copy tray is not a restriction on operation. In the case of one-sided / two-sided copying, since the number of pages of a single-sided document is half that of a single sheet and does not require reversal circulation, the number of documents to be determined is doubled.

In summary, a method and algorithm for paper flow in a copier having RDH and providing unrestricted collated output has been disclosed. This method makes it possible to make two copies at a time at the maximum copying speed of a high-speed copying machine from each document circulating in the RDH at a maximum document circulation speed of half the copying speed. That is, both the copier and the RDH are fully operated. In such a way that one bin or another bin is used for copy set removal and finishing and does not prevent loading of the other two bins with successive copy sheets, the copy is It is variably fed into the bins of the three-bin collection device of the finishing device. This algorithm is extended to handle duplex documents effectively and to handle odd numbers of copies. Features of this method include dual flash or copy versus loading of two alternate bins of three (or four) bins, and a special finishing cycle with triple flash duplication for odd numbered copy sheets (but duplex trays). Single flash copy (for large odd double-sided sets) where the capacity of the triple flash intermediate set may be insufficient.

Of particular note is that in the disclosed scheme, the three bins of the finishing device typically do not function as sorter, collator, or stacker bins.
The copy sheets leaving the copier are collated and entered into a finishing device in sequential page order, usually in alternating overlapping or adjacent pairs, for RDH copying. Two of the three bins serve the function of stacking two pre-collated copy pairs one at a time, while the other third bin contains the already integrated complete copy set. Serves as a holding station to hold. In the meantime, another copy set is removed and finished on one finishing device. Normally, these actions occur sequentially,
The copying is repeated at the maximum copying speed of the copier without delaying or interrupting the copying.

According to the copying apparatus of the present invention, two copies per page can be made simultaneously.
Since the same copy is made on one sheet, the advantage that the number of circulations of the original to be copied is half that of an ordinary copying machine is utilized, and since the number of bins is three or four, the multi-bin sorter is This is unnecessary, and the two bins used for stacking two identical copy sheets and the unused bins are sequentially changed, and the change is made by stacking the copy sheet set in the two bins in use. From at least one bin, the set of collated completed copy sheets is transferred to another bin when no copy sheets are fed to that bin. The bins are taken out without disturbing the feeding and guiding, so that the other bins can be emptied while the two bins are in use, and the stacking of the two bin copy sheet sets can be completed. The bottle is taken out the finished copy sheet set from the one of the bottles can be empty, it can be used for the integration of new copy sheet set with the empty bottles and empty bottles that did not use Te. Therefore,
By coordinating the timing of copy sheet feeding and removal of the completed copy sheet set, the other unused bins are constantly emptied while the copy sheets are fed to the two bins and the copy sheets are accumulated. Of the two bins, the bin with the earlier completion of stacking is emptied with the completion of stacking, and this bin and the unused bins can be used for stacking the next copy sheet, and the completed copy sheet Efficient copying can be performed without delay or interruption without stopping copying operation for taking out the set.
In addition, even if the collated completed copy sheet set is formed as a pair by adjusting the timing of feeding the copy sheet and taking out the completed copy sheet set, only one finishing device such as an adhesive device or a stapler is used. It is also possible to obtain copy work without delay or interruption.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of the present invention incorporated in a typical xerographic copier and a related typical document handling apparatus. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the copier of FIG. It is a schematic front view which shows a finishing station. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS C: controller, F: finishing device, 10: copying machine, 12: photoreceptor belt, 13: charging station, 14: exposure station, 15: developing station, 16: belt Drive device, 17 Pre-cleaning discharge device, 18 Cleaning station, 20 Document handling device, 21 RDH tray, 22 SADH side entrance, 23 Platen, 46 Output tray, 47 ... Auxiliary tray, 48 ... Transfer station, 49 ... Roll fixing device, 50 ... Curl removing device, 54 ... 90 ゜ corner passage, 56 ... Deflection gate, 57 ... Output passage, 58 ... Duplex copy Reverse conveying device (roller), 60: Intermediate tray for double-sided copying, 62: Bottom feeding device, 64: Sheet path, 100: Output tray, 102: Sheet stacking device, 104: Reversing device, 106 …… Alignment transfer device, 108 …… Output transfer device, 110 …… Vacuum transfer Device, 112, 114, 116 ...... bottles, 118 ...... set takeout conveyor device, 120 ...... suture stitching machine, 122 ...... binder.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Charles W. Spearly Jr. Vermont, USA 05001 White River Junction Hawthorne Hill R2 Box 433 (72) Inventor Brian Eff Walsh United States of America New Hampshire 03750 Etna Trescott Road (no address) (72) Inventor Robert G. Paifka, New Hampshire, United States 03777 Orford Archertown Road Box 242 (72) Inventor, Charles E. Smith, United States of America, New York 14534 Pittsford Hilltop Drive 25 (72) Inventor, Thomas Aquaviva, United States of America, New York 14526 Penfield Valley Green Circle 19 (72) Inventor Russell El Phelps United States of America New York 14625 Rochester Cardguns Squire 26 (72) Inventor Paul V. Sudwick United States Florida 32907 Palm Bay Penlock Avenue Northeast 1150 (72) Inventor Michael Kay Sabocheck United States of America New York 14505 Marion Ridge Chapel Road 4851 (56) References JP-A-61-160766 (JP, A) JP-A-60-142359 (JP, A) JP-A-60-179756 (JP, A) JP-A-62-10668 (JP, A) 5-41991 (JP, B2) US Patent 4,678,682 (US, A)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A copying apparatus for creating a plurality of collated copy sets, wherein copies are repeatedly created in a copying machine (10) in a continuous page order set. Copying means for simultaneously producing only two identical copies per page at the same time, regardless of the number of copies, and copy sheet feeding for separating the continuous page-wise copy pairs and feeding them to the two bins of the bin unit Means, the copy sheet feeding means comprising: bin loading means for selectively feeding copies to the bin to form a completed copy set in the bin; and the completed copy from the bin. A copy unit including a take-out means for taking out a set, wherein the bin unit is provided with at least three and not more than four bins (112, 114, 116); The loading means is controlled by the control means (C) to sequentially change the two bins used for stacking the two identical copy sheets and the unused bins. Is performed in such a way that the collection of the collated copy sheet sets is completed in the two bins currently used, and the unloading means removes the collected collated copy sheets from at least one bin. When a copy sheet is not fed to the bin, the set of copy sheets is taken out according to the feed and guide so as not to disturb the feeding and guide of another copy sheet to another bin. A copying apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only three bins are provided, and said copy sheet feeding means controls said first copy in one circulation of a document set by said control means. The first bin is accumulated in the first bin, the second copy is accumulated in the second bin, and the third bin has no copy accumulation, and for the subsequent document set circulation, the first copy is accumulated only in the second bin. A second copy is then taken from the first bin, which is accumulated only in the third bin, to obtain a completed collated set of copies, and for another subsequent document set circulation, the copy is again made to the first bin and the second bin. A copying apparatus characterized in that it is integrated with only two bins and is operated such that this sequence is repeated until the total number of collated copy sets before copying reaches a selected number. 3. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bin loading means and said control means are normally adjacent to each other in order to reduce the number of operations of said bin loading means at normal times. Wherein the second copy of one original and the first copy of the next original are fed to the same bin. 4. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the number of the originals in the original set is an odd number, the copying unit, the original circulating unit, the copy sheet feeding unit, and the control unit. Means are operated to make three identical copies of each original and feed each of said three identical copies separately to each of said collection bins in a final copy cycle of said original set. Copier.