DK144966B - REPRODUCTION AND SAMPLING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

(19) DENMARK (^)

ill (12) PRESENTATION DI di) 1 i + i + 966 B

DIRECTORATE OF

THE PATENT AND TRADEMARKET SYSTEM

(21) Application No. 5645/72 (51) IntCI. * B 65 H 39/06 (22) Filing date 14 Nov. 1972 (24) Race day 14 Nov. 1972 (41) Aim. available 1 May 6, 1973 (44) Presented 1 9 · Jul. 1982 (86) International application no.

(86) International filing day (85) Continuation day (62) Application number -

(30) Priority 15 Nov. 1971, 198725, US

(71) Applicant XEROX CORPORATION, Rochester, US.

(72) Inventor Halbert Marlon Harris, US: Bhogilal Manchand Modi, US.

(74) International Patent Bureau.

(54) Reproduction and assembly apparatus.

This invention relates to a reproduction and collection apparatus for automatically generating and orderly assembly of an unlimited number of sets of ordered copies of a set of documents, which apparatus is of the type having a processing unit for producing a plurality of copies of each publisher out of a set of documents. a set of publishers, a sorting apparatus with trays for recording copies in sorted sets, and a conveyor for supplying the copies from the processing unit to the sorting apparatus, said sorting apparatus containing at least two copy storage sections with a number of copy trays into which one copy of each of the publishers is inserted in the set of publisher, wherein there is also a program controller which can be selectively set to a) number of copies to be produced by the publisher set.

> Prior to the emergence of copiers of the type in which a publisher can be re-produced as needed without the use of masters or special processing by the publisher in contact with specially processed copy sheets, the production of stiff numbers of total document sets necessitated a disconnected process or separate collection equipment. Whether related documents should be produced automatically or manually, it was necessary to produce all copies of each page to be assembled prior to the collection of the first documents. If 25 booklets or sets of related documents were to be produced, and each booklet or set had 10 pages, 25 copies of 10 individual pages should first be made.

If the collection was manual, the 25 copies of page 1 were spread out in 25 single stacks. The 25 copies of page 2 were placed individually on top of each copy of page 1.

This process was repeated for all 10 pages, resulting in 25 total sets of a 10-page document. If a collection equipment was available, it could take one of two forms. All 25 copies of page 1 were placed in a sheet feeding apparatus which individually led each copy into a separate compartment of the saral device. The copies of page 2 were then placed in the sheet feeder, and each copy of page 2 was inserted into the same compartments as page 1. This process cycle was repeated for all 10 pages, resulting in 25 total sets of the document on 10 pages. An alternative method was to insert all 25 copies of page 1 into one room and all 25 copies of pages 2-10 into each room. Each compartment should have its own sheet feeding apparatus so that each compartment could be individually activated to deliver a copy from each compartment, so that a complete set of a 10-page document was produced. By repeating this process 25 times, 25 sets of related copies were produced.

Copiers, capable of producing an unlimited number of copies of a single publisher as needed, eliminated the need to make all copies prior to assembly. Page 1 could thus be placed in a copier which was set on fire to produce 25 copies. When used in connection with a sorting or collecting apparatus, the copies could be placed in individual rooms.

The sequential copying of pages 2-10 using the copier and the subsequent insertion of each copy into the collector's compartment would produce complete document sets. Alternatively, apparatus were developed in which individual aggregate sets of documents could be produced by a prior collection of the documents to be copied, and by sequentially inserting the publishers into the copier, which then sequentially produced a copy of each publisher, and by repeating the feed of imprint kits for the copier. Thus, each time a whole set of related publishers were introduced into the copier, a complete unified copy of the publisher was produced.

Both methods of making total copies have disadvantages. The production of large numbers of total sets using collectors with or without copiers necessitates many compartments as well as large complicated and costly means to move the compartments or to guide the copies into the individual compartments. Use of a pre-assembled publisher in an office photocopier necessitates automatic processing of the publisher for each complete starting document. Thus, if a large number of aggregate documents are required, the treatment of the overall publisher will be significant and increase the potential for damage or destruction or quality deterioration of the publishing documents.

According to the present invention, a reproduction and collection apparatus of the type initially provided is peculiar to a control device which responds to the programmed number of copies to be made and activates the processing unit for continuous production of set-like stacks of related copies until the programmed number of copy sets set by the program controller is reached even if the copy number exceeds the tray number in a storage section, the number of copy set stacks of the publisher set produced by the processing unit at a time being limited to not exceeding the tray number, and the processing unit when this number is reached, switches to another storage section.

The present invention utilizes a combination of the technical solutions used in the output assembly and in the prior assembly to produce a restriction-free sorting device which, with a given number of single compartments, together with a limited use of prior assembly, can produce any number of total document set. Using a logical control coupler for the operation of a copier capable of producing, as needed, an unlimited number of copies of a publisher, with an automatic document processing apparatus capable of sequentially feeding the copier under the control of the logical control circuit, and an output collector with at least two separate sections of compartments each capable of recording and collecting documents received from the copier, an unlimited number of total document sets can be produced without interrupting the production and collection of the documents.

By inserting the individual documents into the copier, which makes copies in a number corresponding to the number of spaces in one section of the collector, inserting the copy into the spaces of this section in the collector, and then adding the next publisher to the copier and repeating the process, a set can be generated. of related documents in the first section of the copier.When the publishers are returned from the copier to the document processor in the same order as they were originally inserted in the copier, and in such a position that they can be reintroduced to the copier, the entire sequence can be repeated except, that the output copies of the copier are directed to another section of the collector. While generating related documents in the second section of the collector, the entire copy sets in the first section of the collector can be removed manually or automatically so that this section is available when the complete sets in the second section are complete. By removing the sets of related documents 4 from the second section of the collector while generating total sets in the first section, the second section becomes available for use when the total sets in the first section are complete. By repeating this process between the sections of the collector, an unlimited number of total document sets in a collector of a given size can be produced while effectively maintaining the maximum copy speed of the copier.

The logical control coupler for the copier, document processor and collector sets the supply of imprints to the copier in an assembled manner, controlled number of copies produced by each imprint supplied to the copier, and controls the number of times the entire document set is supplied to the copier, as well as controls that section. in the collector, in which the copies from the copier are fed, and each row of publishers inserted by the document processor into the copier.

The invention will become more apparent from the following description in which the invention is explained with reference to the drawing, in which fig. 1 is a perspective view of a copier containing a non-limiting sorting apparatus according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the sorting apparatus; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the sorting apparatus control circuit; FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the motor circuit in the control circuit; and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control of the solenoids operable to deflect the sheets against trays.

For a general understanding of reproduction apparatus in connection with which the present invention may be used, reference is made to FIG. 1, showing various components of a typical electrostatic printing system. The printing plant is of the xerographic type and is generally designated by the reference 11. As in all xerographic plants, a slide of a publisher to be reproduced is projected onto the sensitized surface of a xerographic plate to form a latent electrostatic image. Then, the latent image with toner material is produced to form a xerographic powder image corresponding to the latent image on the plate surface. The powder image is then electrostatically transferred to a recording material such as a sheet or web of paper or the like, to which the powder image can be melted by means of a melting apparatus so that the powder image is permanently adhered to the surface of the recording material.

The xerographic processing unit shown by reference 11 is arranged as an independent unit and all of its processing stations are housed in a cabinet. The printing plant comprises an exposure station where a light beam pattern of a document to be reproduced is placed on a glass plate 12 for projection onto a photoconductive surface in the form of a xerographic band 13. The document is conveyed by means of a recirculating document feeder 15 from the bottom of a stack 17 of a storage tray 19 to the plate for exposure, and it is then returned to the top of the food board tray after completion of the exposure until the entire stack has become! copied at which time the cycle can be repeated as described in U.S. Patent No. 3,556,512.

Image light rays from the document will be when this flashlight «using! lamps 18, by means of a first mirror 20 and a projection lens 21 as well as a second mirror 23 projected on the xerographic band 13 located. in the focal plane of the lens 21 and at a location shown by the dotted line 25. ';

As an interface structure and to obtain uninhibited optical projections, the cabinet side is formed with a large rectangular aperture which allows the projection of image light beams from the lens 21 to the mirror 23. Similarly, the cabinet supporting the document plane is designed with a corresponding rectar yellow opening that fits with the opening in the printing cabinet when the two cabinets are operatively linked for copying purposes. Appropriate light-tight seals can be used at the perimeter of each opening in the cabinets to reduce unwanted foreign light. ,,

The xerographic belt 13 is mounted for movement about three parallel rollers 27 which are suitably mounted in the chassis of the processing unit 11. The belt is continuously driven by a motor not shown.

Upon exposure of the band with image light rays from the publisher, the photo conductive layer is discharged in the areas affected by the light, leaving a latent electrostatic image with a configuration similar to the image projected from the publisher. As the tape continues its movement, the latent electrostatic image passes a developing station where a single-developing apparatus 29 is provided for developing the electrostatic latent image.

After the development, the powder image is moved to a bliled transfer station where! a recording material such as a sheet of paper which has been previously removed from a sheet stack 30 is held against the surface of the tape to receive the induced powder image from the tape. The sheet is moved in 'synchronism with the movement of the tape during the transfer of the evoked image, Efte? transferring the paper sheet to a melting station where there is a melting apparatus 31 which receives paper; the sheet and melt the powder on this. After melting the powder image, the sheet is passed through an opening in the cabinet to a restriction-free sorting apparatus 32, to be described hereinafter. The sheet is removed from the stack and is guided from the top of the stack by means of a separator roll 33, in a time controlled sequence relative to the movement of the latent images evoked on the tape 13.

Further details of the processing apparatus and stations of the printing plant are not necessary for understanding the principle of the present invention. However, a detailed description of these processing stations and components as well as other constructive details of the printing machine is given in British Patent Nos. 1264406 and No. 1272807.

It will be appreciated that the printing plant can be operated in conjunction with a roll converter unit designated by 35. The roll converter unit 35 is adapted to convert a relatively large roll of paper 36 to various paper sheet sizes by means of a cutting means 37 and an appropriately not shown guide system. which is arranged to control the cutting and feeding of the individual sheets for operative cooperation with the separator roll 33. It will be seen that an operative interaction is ensured between the various units operating in the printing plant, by the physical interconnection of the units' cabinets with the matching apertures which allow for complete interaction between the image light rays and the sheet conveying path between the units. In this regard, retaining clips can be found on all the devices for preventing unintended movements of such devices during use, and mutual head means serving as escape means can be found on each device to ensure proper volatile interconnections and to stop or block the operation of the device. cases of failure to escape or separation of the units. For ease of operation, each of the units may be provided with impellers and retaining brakes, which support the movement of the units in and out of the interlocking engagement.

Restriction-free sorting apparatus

The restriction-free sorting apparatus 32 shown in Fig. 2 comprises a chassis 51 which supports upper and lower sorting units 53 and 55. The lower sorting unit 55 comprises a unit frame 57 which defines a number of compartments or trays 59 which receive copy sheets in a downward direction. Similarly, the upper sorting unit 53 has a unit frame 57 which defines a number of trays or compartments 59 for receiving copy sheets.

The sheets enter the sorting apparatus through an aperture formed in the frame of the lower sorting unit 55. The sheets pass through guide 63 to a pair of clamping rollers 65 and 67 which direct the movement of the sheets to a horizontal conveyor 69 formed by a plurality of horizontal strips 71 driven by a motor drive MOT-1, see FIG. 4. The strips 71 are located above the sheet web and free-running rollers 73 are located below the sheet web. Above the rollers 73 there are rollers 74 which are located in the belts 71 and are spring loaded downwards to ensure an appropriate friction between the belts and the conveyed sheets. The sheets which are moved on the horizontal bands are deflected downwardly into a suitable space by fingers or locking means 76 which are actuated into the sheet web by an associated solenoid in accordance with the logic solenoid control, see FIG. 5. The logic solenoid control is triggered by the passage of a sheet from the horizontal conveyor into a compartment causing interruption of the light path between a light source 78 and a phototransistor 80. The interruption and subsequent restoration of the light path results in closing the open latch, and opening the next blocking means, which continues until the last copy is received in that sorting unit.

The upper sorting unit 53 comprises a conveyor 115 formed by horizontal strips 117 driven by a motor M0T-2, see FIG. 4, which strips are moved over the sheet web while free-flowing rollers 119 are located below the sheet web. Above rollers 119 there are rollers 121 located in the straps 117 to ensure proper friction, as is the case with rollers 74. Fingers or latches 123 serve to deflect the copy sheets into the compartments or trays when activated by the logic solenoid control which comprises a light source 125 and a phototransistor 127.

For transporting the copy sheets into the upper sorting unit, there is a vertical conveyor 129 formed by vertical strips 131 moving against rollers 133. Vertical conveyor 129 receives the sheets when a solenoid-actuated sheet deflection device 135 is set to align the sheet upwards, as will be described below.

The horizontal bands 71 are received and supported in a swivel cover 137 which is connected to the frame by one or more hinges. Similarly, the horizontal straps 117 are received and supported in a swivel cover 141 which is connected to the frame by one or more hinges.

The aforementioned brief description is considered sufficient for a proper understanding of the sorting sections or modules. A more detailed description can be found in a parallel application with Serial No. 146 330, filed May 24, 1971.

According to the present invention, the sorting apparatus is capable of operating without restriction in the production of entire sets of copy sheets from pre-assembled documents. More specifically, the sorting process enables a continuous collection of copy sheets by alternating sorting between the upper and lower sorting units in such a way that while one of the sorting units is emptied, the other sorting unit is filled. Thus, the printing machine is capable of producing complete copy sets from pre-assembled publishing documents without intervention by the operator.

A better understanding of the invention can be obtained in connection with the control circuit shown in Figures 3-5. The machine operator selects the sort operation or the assembly operation by operating the coupler SI on the control panel, see fig. 1. When operating the coupler pushbutton S3, see fig. 1, the desired number of copies of each publisher is selected. When the coupler SI is closed, a logical sorting coupling 301 senses, see fig. 3, sensors 303 and 305, which are phototransistors similar to the aforementioned phototransistors 80 and 127, and which are also located on the lower and upper sorting units 55 and 53, respectively, see FIG. 2. It is noted that light sources or lamps 306 and 307 are located adjacent to sensors 303 and 305, respectively. The illumination from lamps 306 and 307 will be sensed by sensors 303 and 305 coupled with logical sorting coupling 301, if none exist. some sheet material in the rooms. If one or both sorting units are empty, the logical sorting coupling 301 is ready to begin operation. When operating a pressure switch S2, an exposure counter 309 counts the flashes from the twinkle lights 18 up to a number corresponding to the number of spaces in each of the sorting units or to the number of copies of a document selected by operation of the push button S3, the lowest number being used. . It will be appreciated that the exposure counter may equally well be used in conjunction with a scanning type exposure system. If this occurs, the logical sorting coupling 301 signals to the logical processing coupling 311 to wait, while a document coupling 313 associated with the document feeder 15 signals to the document feeder to supply another document to the plate for copying. After this document is in place, the logical document coupling 313 signals to the logical processing coupling 311 to activate the flashlight of the lamps 18. This exposure process continues until the document feeder 15 has removed the last document in the stack 17 from the plate, at which time the logical sorting coupling 301 again scans the sensors 303 and 305 to determine whether an available or empty sorting device is present. If a sorting device is available, the aforementioned process continues until the entire printing process is completed. If at some point during the printing process a sorting device is not available for sorting, ie. that the sets have not been removed from the trays, the logical sorting coupling 301 signals to the logical processing coupling 311 and the logical document coupling 313 to wait until a sorting unit is available. When a sorting unit is available, a signal is received from sensors 303 or 305 and the process continues automatically as before.

It will be seen that signals from the phototransistors 80 and 127 count the copies which are introduced into the trays, thus establishing a control of the motors M0T1 and M0T2 and of the deflection device 135 controlled by signals respectively 405, 409 and 413 provided. of the logical sorting coupling 9 144966 301. FIG. 4 shows the motor drive circuit in more detail. It is noted that the motor M0T1 has a triac Q1 and a power source 411 connected across its terminals, and that the motor M0T2 also has a triac Q2 and a power source 411 connected across its terminals. It will be appreciated that signal 409 serves to activate a relay K1 which leads Q1 to conduct, thus providing a conductive current path for power source 411 to motor M0T1. Similarly, a signal 405 serves to activate a relay K2 which makes Q2 conductive, so that power can be applied across the terminals of the motor M0T2. It is further noted that the logic coupling 301 generates a signal 413 to the sheet deflection device 135 at the input of the sorting apparatus so as to ensure a sheet path consistent with the motor driving circuit.

The sheets are transported along their selected path and inserted into a first compartment of the selected sorting unit. The phototransistors 80 and 127 detect each sheet deflected into its space by the fingers 76 and 123 of the lower and upper sorting units 55 and 53, respectively, and activate signal counters 415 and 417, respectively. Counters 415 and 417, see FIG. 5, provides an input signal for decoders 419 and 421, respectively, which in turn activate the correct solenoid in a solenoid matrix 427 and 429, respectively, over drive circuits 423 and 425.

At the same time, signals 350 and 351 are provided from logic sorting circuit 301 to comparator circuits 433 and 435. Comparator circuits 433 and 435 also receive signals from counters 415 and 417, respectively. If counts match, reset signals 437 and 439 are supplied to counters 415, respectively. The counts are consistent if the number of copies copied is equal to the number of copies produced by a particular publisher.

By the invention described above, a completely new concept for generating complete copy sets from pre-assembled documents is made possible without the operator contributing thereto other than emptying the trays or compartments in a special module. So far, the number of sheets in total copies has been limited to the number of module units and trays that could be placed near a printing machine processing unit. If the documents are automatically recycled in accordance with the present invention, only two sorting units are used to receive whole copy sets in an alternating manner, so that when one sorting unit receives copy sets, copy sets can be taken from the other sorting unit. It will be appreciated that with the advent of fast-working printing machines using automatic document processing equipment, the coordination of a recirculating imaging device with the ones described herein will

Claims (3)

1. Reproduction and collection apparatus for automatically generating and orderly assembly of an unlimited number of sets of ordered copies of a set of documents, which apparatus is of the type having a processing unit (11) for producing a plurality of copies of each publisher from a set of publishers, a sorting apparatus (32) with trays (59) for receiving copies in sorted sets, and a conveyor for supplying the copies from the processing unit (11) to the sorting apparatus (32), the sorting apparatus (32) containing at least two copy storage sections (53 , 55) having a plurality of (x) copy trays (59) into which a copy of each of the publishers is inserted in the set of publishers, further comprising a program controller (S3) which can be selectively set to a number (y) of copies to be made by the publisher set (17), characterized by a control device (301,311,313) which responds to the programmed number (y) of copies to be made and activates the processing unit for continuous production ng of set-like stack of related copies until the programmed number (y) of copy set set by the program controller is reached, even if the copy number (y) exceeds the tray number (x) in a storage section, the number of copy set stacks of the publisher set produced by the processing unit at a time is limited to not exceeding the tray number (x), and the processing unit, when this number is reached, switches to another storage section. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (301,311,313) comprises at least one sensor (303,305) which is sensitive to the presence of copies in the trays for influencing the control device to prevent the activation of the processing unit (11) until the copies are removed from all trays in at least one storage section (53, 55). Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is a document feeder (15) adapted to supply one publisher at a time from the publisher set (17) to the processing unit (11) for reproduction and to return the publisher to the publisher set, characterized by that the sensors (303, 305) which are sensed