GB1262329A - Multiple copy arrangement for photocopy machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1,262,329. Photo-copy apparatus. PITNEYBOWES Inc. July 11, 1969 [Aug.7, 1968], No.35166/69. Heading G2A. A photo-copy machine has guide means defining a single copy original sheet feed path and two original recirculating sheet guide paths of different lengths, gating means operable to cause an original to move along a selected one of the recirculating sheet guide paths, control means for the gating means for causing an original partaking of its first recirculating cycle to always move along the longer one of the two recirculating sheet guide paths, and additional control means operable in response to a sensed condition of the original for operatively conditioning at least a portion of the gating means to repeatedly direct the original along the shorter one of the recirculating sheet feed paths. An original is fed from an inclined upper deck plate 26 by rolls 30, 31 along arcuate guide-plates 55, 56, 59 and thence by rolls 31, 32 to an illumination station 12. The original is then fed to a first gating member 71 disposed near rolls 65, 66, member 71 being mounted on a shaft 86 which is pivotted to direct the original to guidemembers 67, 72 or round roll 65 guided by surface 85 and guide-member 87 which form part of the shorter recirculating sheet guide path. A second gating member 76 directs the original either out of the machine to an output station (14), Fig.1 (not shown) or round a roll 73 guided by surface 77 and guide-members 81, 82 which form part of the longer recirculating sheet guide path. Switches A, B and C have operating arms which extend into the guide paths as shown. If the leading edge of an original operates switch C before the trailing edge has run off the arm of switch A, then the operation of switch B ensures that the gating member 71 selects the longer recirculating path. If the trailing edge has already run off the arm of switch A, then gating member 71 selects the shorter recirculating path. A manually set ratchet counting wheel is moved one step for every operating of switch A and for the last copy the solenoids operating gating members 71, 76 are de-energized so that the original is directed to the output station.