JPH08133587A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve operability by copying designated documents to the fed tube papers, then feeding the tub papers in a paper feeding device, and storing them in a double-side tray after they are reversed, when the number of inputted tub papers are not coincident to that of designated documents. CONSTITUTION: A transfer paper is fed from any one of each paper feeding device 33-35 and a double-side tray 36 consisting of paper feeding trays, and this transfer paper is carried to a resist roller 38 along a carrying passage 37. In double-side mode, a double-side switching claw 43 is switched on the double-side tray 36 side, and the transfer paper from a fixing device 42 is sent to the double-side tray 36 from a double-side advancing passage 4. In single-side mode, on the other hand, the double-side switching claw 43 is switched to paper discharge side, the transfer paper is passed through a reversing part 45 as occasion demands, and discharged. When the number of the inputted tub papers is not coincident to that of the designated documents, the designated documents are copied on the fed tub papers, and the tub papers in the paper feeding device are then fed, and stored in the double-side tray 36 after they are reversed by the reversing part 45.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying apparatus having a tab copying function for copying an original on a tab sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when copying an original on a tab sheet in a paper feed tray, a copying apparatus has a number of circulation of the tab paper in the paper feed tray and a number of originals to be copied on the tab paper. If the tabs do not match, excess tab paper in the paper tray is ejected. Here, the tab means the place 2 from the paper 1 for adding a heading or the like as shown in FIG. 2, and the tab paper means the paper with the tab. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-14660 describes a method of forming an image on tab paper, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-181955 discloses double-sided printing for realizing tab copying using a circulating automatic document feeder. A document feeding method and a method for making a single-sided copy without inverting the tab document are described.

[0003]

In the above copying apparatus, when the circulation number of tab sheets in the paper feed tray does not match the number of originals to be copied on the tab paper, the extra tab paper in the paper feed tray is removed. Since the ejected tab paper is ejected, the tab paper must be set again in the paper feed tray when the ejected tab paper is used again, which is troublesome for the user and the operability is not good. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus that can improve the above problems and improve operability.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 has a sheet feeding device in which tab sheets are set, input means for inputting the circulation number of tab sheets, and a set of An original designating unit for designating how many sheets of the original stack are to be copied onto the tab sheet, and a reversing unit for reversing the recording paper, and the original designated by the original designating unit is fed from the paper feeding device. In a copying apparatus having a function of copying on a fed tab sheet, a tab sheet is stored and the tab sheet stored can be re-fed, and a circulation number of the tab sheet input by the input means. If the number of originals designated by the original designating unit does not match, the original designated by the original designating unit is copied to a tab sheet fed from the sheet feeding device, and then the tab in the sheet feeding unit is copied. After feeding the paper and inverting it at the inverting section, Is obtained and control means for causing accumulated in Lee.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first aspect, an image forming operation is performed when the tab sheet in the sheet feeding device is fed, inverted by the reversing unit, and then stored in the tray. It is provided with an image formation prohibiting means for prohibiting.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first aspect, there is provided a display means for displaying the circulation number of the tab sheet stored in the tray.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first aspect, when tab sheets are stored in the tray when copying an original onto a tab sheet, the sheet is fed as a tab sheet for copying the original. A tab sheet selection means for selecting either the tab sheet in the apparatus or the tab sheet in the tray is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first aspect, when an original is copied onto a tab sheet with tab sheets stored in the tray, the tab sheet input by the input means is used. Of the number of originals designated by the original designation means, and based on the result of the comparison, the tab sheet in the paper feeding device or the tab sheet in the tray is the tab to which the original is to be copied. A tab sheet selection unit for selecting a sheet is provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the tab sheet selection unit has a circulation number of tab sheets input by the input unit that is not greater than the number of tab sheets in the tray. In this case, the tab sheet in the tray is selected as the tab sheet to copy the original.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the fifth aspect, when the tab sheet selection unit has a circulation number of tab sheets input by the input unit is larger than the number of tab sheets in the tray. For selecting a tab sheet in the sheet feeding device as a tab sheet to copy a document.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the sixth aspect, there is provided means for discharging the tab sheet in the tray when the tab sheet remains in the tray after the copying operation. is there.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the tab sheet is set in the sheet feeding device, and the circulation number of the tab sheet is input by the input means. The document designating unit designates which sheet of the set of document bundles is to be copied on the tab sheet, and the reversing unit reverses the recording sheet. The document designated by the document designation means is copied onto the tab sheet fed from the sheet feeding device. The control means, when the circulation number of the tab sheet input by the input means does not match the number of originals designated by the original designating means, the tab designated by the original designating means is fed from the paper feeding device. After copying on paper, the tab paper in the paper feeding device is fed, reversed by the reversing unit, and then stored in a tray that can be re-fed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first aspect, when the tab sheet in the sheet feeding device is fed, inverted by the reversing unit, and then stored in the tray, the image formation inhibiting means causes the image to be displayed. Forming operation is prohibited.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first aspect, the circulation number of the tab sheet stored in the tray is displayed by the display means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first aspect, when the tab sheets are stored in the tray when the document is copied onto the tab sheet, the tab sheet for copying the document is used as a tab sheet in the sheet feeding device. Either the tab sheet or the tab sheet in the tray is selected by the tab sheet selecting means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first aspect, when an original is copied onto a tab sheet with tab sheets stored in the tray, the tab sheet selection means is an input means. The number of tab sheets circulated input by means of is compared with the number of originals designated by the original designation means, and the result of this comparison is used to copy one of the tabs in the paper feeder and the tabs in the tray. Select it as the tab sheet to be used.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the fifth aspect, when the tab sheet selection means does not exceed the circulation number of tab sheets input by the input means, the tab sheet selection means does not exceed the number of tab sheets in the tray. Select the tab sheet in the tray as the tab sheet to copy the original.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the tab sheet selection means feeds when the circulation number of tab sheets input by the input means is larger than the number of tab sheets in the tray. A tab sheet in the paper device is selected as a tab sheet to copy the original.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, in the copying apparatus according to the sixth aspect, when the tab sheet remains in the tray after the copying operation, the tab sheet in the tray is discharged.

[0020]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an embodiment of the invention described in claims 1 to 8 and is an example of a copying machine having a copying machine main body A and a circulating automatic document feeder B. In the copying machine main body A, a document is conveyed onto the document table 21 by the circulating automatic document feeder B, and the image carrier 22 made of a photoconductor exposes the document image by the exposing means.

This exposure means illuminates the original document on the original table 21 with an exposure light source 23 composed of an exposure lamp, for example, a fluorescent lamp, and reflects the reflected light through mirrors 24 to 26, through lens 27, and mirrors 28 to 30. The photosensitive member 22 is irradiated with the light and the original image is exposed on the photosensitive member 22 by scanning the original document by moving the scanner (the exposure light source 23 and the mirrors 24 to 26 are moved). The photoconductor 22 is, for example, a photoconductor drum, is rotated by a main motor during image formation, is uniformly charged by a charger 31 including a charger, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing the original image by the exposing unit. It is formed.

After the formation of the electrostatic latent image, the photosensitive drum 22 has its unnecessary portion charged by an eraser (not shown), and the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 32. Further, the transfer paper is fed from any one of the paper feed devices 33 to 35, which are paper feed trays, and the double-sided tray 36.
And is conveyed to the registration roller 38 along. The registration roller 38 sends the transfer paper between the photosensitive drum 22 and the transfer means 39 extending from the transfer charger in time with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 22. Photoconductor drum 22
Is discharged by the pre-transfer static eliminator after passing through the developing device 32, and the transfer paper sent from the registration roller 38 is transferred with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 22 by the transfer charger 39 and separated by the separating means 40 including a separating charger. Separated from the photoconductor drum 22. The transfer sheet is conveyed by the conveying belt 41, and the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 42.

In the double-sided mode in which the original is copied on both sides of the transfer paper, the double-sided switching claw 43 is switched to the double-sided tray 36 side, and the transfer paper from the fixing device 42 is sent to the double-sided tray 36 through the double-sided entrance path 44 and is sent to the double-sided tray. It is temporarily stored in 36. In the single-sided mode in which the original is copied only on one side of the transfer paper, the double-sided switching claw 43 is switched to the paper discharge side,
The transfer sheet from the fixing device 42 is not reversed, or is reversed by the reversing unit 45 as necessary and is discharged to a paper discharge tray or a sorter.

After the transfer paper is separated, the photosensitive drum 22 is discharged by the discharging means 46 composed of a discharging charger.
The cleaning device 47 removes the residual toner and prepares for the next copy. The sorter stacks the transfer sheets ejected from the copying machine main body A one by one in a bin, stacks the transfer sheets for the number of copies, and again transfers the transfer sheets from the first bin one by one.
By repeating stacking sheets one by one in each bin, the number of copies is completed.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the circulating automatic document feeder B. In the circulating automatic document feeder B, the original stack of the originals placed on the original placing table 51 is attracted to the vacuum belt 52 at the lowermost one, and the vacuum belt 52 moves to the original feeding port. Will be sent,
The document partitioning claw 53 is set on the document stack by being pulled in to the upper left side of the document and appearing again before the document is fed. The document fed by the vacuum belt 52 in this state is fed by the document feeding roller 54 to the intermediate conveyance path 5
It is sent to 5 and stopped once.

The stopped original is conveyed by the subsequent turn roller 56 and the original conveying belt 57 and set on the original table 21 of the copying machine main body A. The document set on the document table 21 is sent to the document discharge path 59 by the document transport belt 57 and the document discharge roller 58 after copying (after exposure), but the discharge method is different between the single-sided document and the double-sided document.

The operation for discharging a single-sided original is as follows. After copying (after exposure), the document set on the document table 21 is guided to the document discharge path 59 by the document transport belt 57 and the document discharge roller 58, and the rear end of the document once discharged to the document discharge path 59. When is detected by the reversing sensor before the switchback roller 60, the switchback roller 60 rotates in the reverse direction and the document runs in the reverse direction. At this time, the paper discharge switching claw 61 operates to guide the original document to the forward rotation discharge path 62, and the original document is discharged by the document discharge rollers 63 onto the original document stack on the original document table 51 in the same direction. Stacked again.

The operation of discharging the double-sided original document is as follows. After being copied (after exposure), the original set on the original table 21 is sent to the original discharge path 59 by the original conveying belt 57 and the original discharge roller 58, and the original is discharged without the switchback roller 60 being reversed. The rollers 63 discharge the document stack on the document stack 51 and stack it again.
Therefore, when the documents are discharged onto the document stack of the document table 51 and stacked again, the top and bottom are reversed. The manuscript is
When the paper is fed with the top and bottom reversed, the document table 21
On the upper side, the back surface is exposed to the photosensitive drum 22 by the exposing means, and again, as described above, the sheet is discharged onto the original stack of the original placing table 51 so that the top and bottom are reversed, so that the original Is returned to the state of. In this way, the document table 51
The upper bundle of originals is conveyed one by one and set on the original table 21, and these originals are copied one by one onto the transfer paper by the copying machine main body A to make one copy. The operation is repeated for the set number of sheets.

FIG. 4 shows an operation unit 7 provided in the main body A of the copying machine.
Indicates 0. In the operation unit 70, the mode clear key 71
Is for returning each mode to the standard mode.
By operating the mode clear key 71, the number of repeats is set to 1, the density setting mode is set to the automatic density setting mode, the paper feed selection mode is set to the automatic paper feed selection mode, and the scaling factor is set to the same size. Are all canceled. The interrupt key 72 is used to select an interrupt copy mode, and the program key 73 is operated when a user registers or calls a mode frequently used.

The guidance key 74 is operated when displaying the basic operation and the explanation of the function of the copying apparatus, and the print key (start key) 75 is operated when starting the copying operation. Here, the print key 75 also serves as a ready / weight display, and the green light emitting diode lights up when ready and the red light emitting diode lights up when waiting. The clear / stop key 76 has a function as a clear key during standby and a function as a stop key during copying.

The clear key is pressed when releasing the set number of copies, the stop key is pressed when interrupting the copying operation, and the machine stops when the copying operation at the time when the stop key is pressed is completed. The ten-key pad 77 is used for setting the number of copies, and for inputting numerical values for zoom magnification and binding margin. The display unit 78 is a CRT (LCD
C, etc.) type and displays functions, status, messages, etc. A touch panel key 79 (see FIG. 5) is provided on the surface of the display unit 78, and the display unit 78 serves as a selection key as well as a function display. On the display unit 78, the selected key is displayed in white characters on a black background, and the unselected key is displayed in black characters on a white background.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the touch panel detection circuit of the touch panel key 79. The controller 80 detects /
The measurement terminal and the X / Y terminal are set to 0 or 1 of the binary signal, and the terminals X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 of the touch panel key 79 are set as shown in FIG. 6 to detect the pressed position of the touch panel key 79. The terminal Y2 is pulled up by the resistor R. When the detection / measurement terminal and the X / Y terminal are 0, the output of the OR circuit 80 becomes low potential (L), the analog switch 81 is turned on, and the analog switch 82 is turned off.
The gates 83 and 84 are in the high impedance state (Z), the terminal X2 becomes Z, and the terminal X1 is connected to the input side Vin of the A / D converter 85. Further, the outputs of the inverters 86 and 87 become H, the gates 88 and 89 are turned on, the terminal Y2 becomes L, and the terminal Y1 becomes H.

When the detection / measurement terminal is 0 and the X / Y terminal is 1, the output of the OR circuit 80 and the inverter 87.
Becomes H, the analog switch 82 is turned on, the analog switch 81 is turned off, the gates 83 and 84 are turned on, and the terminal X2 becomes L. Then, the output of the inverter 86 becomes L, the gates 88 and 89 become Z, and the terminal Y
2 becomes Z. Further, the terminal X1 becomes H and the terminal Y1
Are connected to the input side Vin of the A / D converter 85.

When the detection / measurement terminal becomes 1, the output of the OR circuit 80 becomes H, the analog switch 82 is turned on, the analog switch 81 is turned off, and the gate 83,
84 is turned on and the terminal X2 becomes L. Then, the output of the inverter 86 becomes L, the gates 88 and 89 become Z, and the terminal Y2 becomes Z. Furthermore, the output of the inverter 87 becomes L, the terminal X1 becomes L, and the terminal Y1
Are connected to the input side Vin of the A / D converter 85. At this time, since the terminal Y2 is pulled up by the resistor R,
If the touch panel key 79 is off, the A / D converter 8
When the input side Vin of 5 becomes H and the touch panel key 79 is turned on, the input side Vin of the A / D converter 85 becomes 0V.

Therefore, the controller 80 has the A / D
From the output of the converter 85, the on / off state of the touch panel key 79 is confirmed. When the controller 80 detects the ON state of the touch panel key 79, the controller 80 sets the detection / measurement terminal to 0.
To switch the measurement mode, and set the X / Y terminal to 1 to input the X direction position. At this time, the terminal X1 becomes + 5V and the terminal X2 becomes 0V, and the potential at the pressed position of the touch panel key 79 is converted into a digital value by the A / D converter 85 through the terminal Y1 and input to the controller 80.

Further, the controller 80 inputs the position in the Y direction with the X / Y terminal set to 0. At this time, the terminal Y1 becomes + 5V and the terminal Y2 becomes 0V, and the touch panel key 79
The electric potential at the pressing position of the A / D converter 85 passes through the terminal X1.
Is converted into a digital value and input to the controller 80. In this way, the pressed position of the touch panel key 79 is detected.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the control system of the operation unit 70. C
The PU 91 performs serial communication for exchanging commands with the copying machine main body A via the optical transceiver 92.
When the CPU 91 receives a command from the copying machine main body A via the optical transceiver 92, the CRT 93 of the display unit 78 is displayed.
The contents to be displayed above are determined and the CGROM code, which is screen data stored in advance in the ROM 94, is set to V
Developed on RAM95, this CGROM code is CG
Converted into a large number of bit patterns by the ROM 96 and C
It is displayed on the CRT 93 via the RT controller 97.

The bit pattern development area of the image data in the VRAM 95 is divided into several areas.
The bit pattern of a screen different from the screen currently displayed in 3 can be expanded in the VRAM 95.
The screen can be instantly rewritten by operating the address in the display area of M95. The CRT controller 97 exchanges data with the CPU 91, the CGROM 96, the touch panel 98, the keyboard 100 driven by the LED driver 99, the address decoder 101, the address latch 102, and the like. The CPU 91 includes an address latch 102, a ROM 94, a non-volatile RAM 103,
Address decoder 1 via system reset unit 104
Exchange data with 01 etc.

In the display section 78, as shown in FIG. 8, the message display 111 is a place for displaying information about the machine, and displays a message such as "copy is possible" or "copying". The set display area 112 displays the number of sets, and the trial copy start key 113 is pressed when it is desired to confirm the finished copy. This key 113 is not displayed in the trial copy prohibited state, and key input is also invalid. Density adjustment key 114
Is pressed when the copy density is manually adjusted, and the automatic density key 115 is pressed when the copy density is automatically adjusted according to the background density of the original.

In the tray selection key, the paper size, the remaining amount display area, and the paper type display area 116, the paper feed stages are trays 33 to 33.
It is composed of a plurality of keys and a display area depending on which one of them is 36. Automatic paper selection key 117 is tray 3
This button is pressed to automatically select a tray in which paper (transfer paper) of the same size as the original is stored among the papers 3 to 36.
The paper designation scaling key 118 is pressed to automatically reduce and enlarge an original image in accordance with a designated paper size. The same size key 119 is pressed to perform the same size copy,
The magnification display area 120 displays the copy magnification.

The standard scaling key 121 is for reducing the standard size,
Pressed when specifying enlarged copy. Zoom key 12
Reference numerals 2 and 123 are pressed to specify an arbitrary magnification in 1% increments, and a size scaling key 124 is pressed to perform size scaling for performing reduction / enlargement copy so that the specified size is achieved. The display area 125 is an area for displaying a document size and a copy size when the size is changed. The single-sided → double-sided key 126 is pressed when copying a single-sided original on both sides of paper, the double-sided → double-sided key 127 is pressed when copying a double-sided original on both sides of paper, and the double-sided → single-sided key 128 is pressed for a double-sided original. Pressed when copying on one side of.

The display area 129 is an area for displaying the front surface binding margin size of the paper, and the front surface binding margin key 130 is 21 mm or less with respect to the surface of the original or the paper when the front surface binding margin of the paper is required. Pressed when setting.
The display area 131 is an area for displaying the size of the back side binding margin of the sheet, and the back side binding margin key 132 is 21 mm with respect to the original or the back side of the sheet when the binding side on the back side of the sheet is required.
In the following, it is pressed to set left and right. The delete key 133 outside the edit mode is pressed when a part of the original is designated and the outside thereof is erased and copying is performed.

The edit mode erase key 134 is pressed when a part of a document is designated and the inside thereof is erased to make a copy. The edit mode center erasing key 135 is pressed when the central portion of the document is erased and copying is performed. Display area 13
Reference numeral 6 is an area for displaying the erasure size, which is a front cover key 1
Reference numeral 37 is pressed when the first original is copied on the cover-only paper. Both cover keys 138 are pressed to copy the first and last sheets of a document with the cover-only paper, and the tab key 139 is pressed to copy a designated portion of the document with the tab-only paper. The slip sheet key 140 is pressed when inserting one sheet of slip sheet exclusive paper into a copy each time the original is changed.

FIG. 9 shows a circuit configuration of the copying machine main body A. C
The PU 141, the ROM 142, the RAM 143, the input port 144, the output port 145, and the timer unit 146 constitute a control unit, and the control of the copying machine main body A is performed mainly by the CPU 141. The ROM 142 stores programs and data representing the processing contents of the control. CPU
141 reads the code from the ROM 142 and executes it. The RAM 143 is used to store intermediate results and the like. The timer unit 146 indicates the time and is used for AC power on / off control in the weekly timer.

The CPU 141 controls the voltage of the exposure lamp 23,
The output value of the P sensor, the output value of the potential sensor, the output value of the ADS sensor, the output value of the lamp light amount sensor, the output value of the drum potential sensor, and the output value of the fixing thermistor are fetched via the A / D converter 147 and used for the memory. Input signals from DIP switch and human body detection sensor are taken in. Here, the P sensor is a sensor that optically detects the surface density of the photoconductor drum 22, and the potential sensor is the photoconductor drum 22.
It is a sensor that measures the surface potential of.

The ADS sensor is a sensor that receives the light from the exposure lamp 23 via the original document on the original table 21 and the reference density pattern, and the lamp light amount sensor directly receives the light from the exposure lamp 23. It is a sensor. The fixing thermistor is a thermistor that detects the surface temperature of the fixing roller that constitutes the fixing device 42, and the human body detection sensor is a sensor that detects a person approaching the copying machine main body A.

The CPU 141 also transmits / receives commands via the operation unit 70, the circulating automatic document feeder (ADF) B, the stapler connected to the copying machine main body A, and the serial communication unit 148 to control the optical system. Unit 1
49, high-voltage power supply unit 150, motor control unit 1
51, the heater control unit 152, and the sensor sensitivity control unit 153 are controlled.

The optical system control unit 149 is a CPU 141.
The exposure lamp 23, the lens optical axis motor and the thrust motor of the scanner are controlled in accordance with a command from the high voltage power supply unit 150, and the high voltage power supply unit 150 controls the charging charger 31 and the separation charger 4.
0, the transfer charger 39, and the pre-transfer static eliminator (PTC) are driven, and a developing bias voltage is applied to the developing device 32. The motor control unit 151 controls the main motor 154 according to a command from the CPU 141, and the fixing heater 155 that heats the fixing roller is controlled by the heater control unit 152. Sensor sensitivity control unit 15
Reference numeral 3 controls the light emitting diode light emitting voltage of the P sensor, the light receiving gain of the ADS sensor, and the light receiving gain of the lamp light amount sensor.

The CPU 141 sets the tab copy mode when the tab key 139 is turned on by an input signal from the tab key 139. In the tab copy mode, when a document is copied to obtain a copy, a part of the tab copy is changed (copied) to a tab sheet and the tab sheet is inserted into the copy. In the tab copy mode, the operation unit 70 designates which original of a set of originals is to be copied on the tab sheet, and the specified original is a tab sheet-only feed tray that stores only the tab sheet. From the other paper feed tray to obtain a copy with the tab paper inserted therein. When the tab copy mode is set by pressing the tab key 139, the operation unit 70 can specify which original in the set of originals is to be copied on the tab sheet. If the memory clear DIP switch is turned on when the power is turned on, the nonvolatile RAM 14
The content of 3 is set to a preset value. Further, the fixing device 42 can detect the fixing temperature by the voltage of the fixing thermistor, and when the fixing temperature is below a specific temperature, the copying operation is prohibited.

FIG. 10 shows the construction of a tab sheet dedicated paper feed tray. As shown in FIG. 2, the tab sheet has a tab 2 portion different from that of a normal sheet, so that the tab sheet dedicated paper feed tray 156 has a back fence 157 extending laterally as compared with a normal paper feed tray. There is. The paper is stored in the tab paper dedicated tray 156 and pressed by the back fence 157 and the side fence 158, and the tabs of all the paper are pressed by the back fence 157. In the tab copy mode, the tab sheet dedicated paper feed tray 156 is set in any of the paper feed trays 33 to 35.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the paper feed mechanism. The tab paper 159 accommodated in the tab paper dedicated paper feed tray 156 is fed to the paper detection position of the paper feed sensor by the calling roller 161 which is interlocked with the paper feed roller 160, like normal paper. In order to make the sheet feeding intervals uniform, when the sheet feeding sensor detects the leading edge of the tab sheet fed by the calling roller 161, the sheet feeding roller 160 is temporarily stopped, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the sheet feeding roller 160 is restarted. The tab sheet rotates, and the tab sheet is eaten by the grip roller and conveyed.

The tab sheets are fed one after another, the tab sheets in the tab sheet dedicated paper feed tray 156 are reduced, and the calling roller 1 pressed against the tab sheets in the tab sheet dedicated paper feed tray 156 is called.
When 61 is lowered, the upper limit detection shield plate 162 is lowered together with the calling roller 161. When the upper limit detection shield plate 16 is no longer detected by the upper limit detection sensor 163, the tray raising motor is driven to raise the tab sheet dedicated paper feed tray 156.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of the inverting section 45. When the sheet is not reversed, the reversing branching claw 164 is set at a position where the sheet is linearly conveyed, and the sheet is conveyed to the double-sided tray 36 side or the sheet discharging side by the sheet discharging branching claw 165. When reversing the sheet, first, the reversing branch claw 164 is set to a position that guides the sheet to the reversing path 166. When a predetermined time elapses after the sheet is guided to the reversing path 166 by the reversing branch claw 164 and the rear end of the sheet is detected by the reversing entrance sensor 167, the reversing branch claw 164 changes its position and the reversing punch roller 168 is a solenoid. Is pressed against the paper by the reverse direction of the paper and the discharge path 1
Sent to 69.

When the sheet is a tab sheet, the trailing edge of the sheet changes depending on the tab position of the sheet. Therefore, the tab sheet cannot be reversed by the reversing unit only by detecting the trailing edge of the tab sheet by the reversing entrance sensor 167. The following method is performed. When the reverse entrance sensor 167 detects the leading edge of the tab sheet, the timer operates and measures the time until the reverse entrance sensor 167 detects the rear edge of the tab sheet. If this measurement time is the same as the size of normal paper, the trailing edge of the paper is not the tab of the paper, so after the time measured by the timer, the conveyance time corresponding to the length of the tab of the paper has elapsed, The inversion operation described above is executed. In this way, if the conveyance time corresponding to the length of the sheet plus the length of the tab elapses after the timer starts the time measurement, the rear end of the tab is reversed.
Since the sheet detection position 67 is passed, the tab sheet reversing operation is executed.

Next, the tab copying operation for copying on a tab sheet will be described. FIG. 13 shows a document 1 to be copied on a tab sheet in the middle of a set of document bundles 170 made up of a plurality of documents to be copied.
The state when 71 is inserted is shown. The tab sheet on which the document 171 is copied is set in a preset sheet feeding tray (tab sheet dedicated sheet feeding tray) among the sheet feeding trays 33 to 35 so that the young tab of the page comes to the front side. Further, the normal transfer paper is set in a paper feed tray other than the tab paper dedicated paper feed tray among the paper feed trays 33 to 35. The tab sheet dedicated paper feed tray circulates (sequentially repeats) and feeds a set of tab sheets composed of a plurality of tab sheets having different tab positions.

The number of originals to be copied on the tab sheet in the original bundle 170 is designated on the tab sheet designation screen of the operation unit 70 as shown in FIG. In the tab sheet designation screen of the operation unit 70, when the tab key 139 is pressed, a window in which an original can be designated is opened, and the ten key 77 and the enter key 1 are pressed.
At 72, the original to be copied on the tab sheet can be designated. The tab sheet designation screen shown in FIG. 14 shows an example in which the fifth, tenth, and fifteenth originals of the original bundle 170 are specified. In this embodiment, the number of tab sheets that can be designated is 1.
It is 0, but it is easy to add more. Operation unit 70
When the manuscript to be copied on the tab sheet is designated on the tab sheet designation screen, the end key 173 is pressed to close the tab sheet designation screen and return to the mode setting screen to enable copying.

As described above, tab copying is possible up to 10 places in this embodiment. However, when 10 places of the original 171 to be copied on the tab sheet are designated, the number of tab sheets in one set (tab sheet This is a case where the number of circulations is 10 sheets. If this is not the case, when copying a plurality of copies of the document 171, the tab positions of the tab sheets will change depending on the number of copies. That is, in order for tab copying to be established correctly, it is necessary that the specified number of originals to be copied onto the tab sheet is equal to the number of tab sheets in one set (the circulation number of tab sheets). In the operation unit 70, in the data input screen as shown in FIG. 15, in the mode called the up mode, the ten keys 77 and the enter key 172 are pressed.
The number of tab sheets in a set (the number of circulation of tab sheets) is input.

Here, the number of sheets of the set of tab sheets is the original 171.
There is no problem if you remove excess tab paper and set it in the tab paper feed tray so that it matches the number specified in, but if you want to perform a large number of tab copies, it will be a lot of work. is there. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to automate this, an extra tab sheet is sent from the tab sheet dedicated feed tray to the re-feed tray (double-sided tray) 36 after one copy of the original 171 is completed. In addition, the operation unit 70
As shown in FIG. 19, the user selects with the keys 174 and 175 whether the tray for feeding tab sheets is the tab sheet dedicated tray or the re-feed tray 36, and the tab sheets are fed. The user specifies on the operation unit 70 whether to automatically select or manually select either the tab sheet dedicated tray or the sheet re-feed tray 36 as a tray for sheet feeding.

16 and 17 show a part of the control contents of the CPU 141. The CPU 141 determines whether or not the data input by the operation unit 70 is completed on the tab sheet designation screen as shown in FIG. 14 and the data input screen as shown in FIG. 15 by the input signal from the operation unit 70, and the data input When the processing is completed, the tab sheet insertion position indicating the number of the document of the document bundle 170 to be copied onto the tab sheet, which is designated on the tab sheet designation screen from the operation unit 70, and the number of the designated documents. (Number of tab sheets used per copy), the number of tab sheets of one set (circulation number of tab sheets) input by the operation unit 70 on the data input screen is read, and the number of original sheets specified in the original bundle 170 is read. It is determined whether (the number of tab sheets used per copy) is equal to the number of tab sheets in one set (the number of tab sheets circulated).

When the number of designated documents (number of tab sheets used per copy) of the document bundle 170 is equal to the number of tab sheets of one set (circulation number of tab sheets), the CPU 141 tabs. Tab copying is performed in which the tab sheet is fed from the dedicated paper feed tray and the copy operation is performed as described above to copy the designated originals of the original bundle 170 onto the tab paper from the dedicated tab paper feed tray. Let it be done.

Further, the CPU 141 sets the number of originals designated in the original bundle 170 (the number of tab sheets used per copy).
And the number of tab sheets of one set (the number of tab sheets circulated) are not equal to each other, the display is displayed on the operation unit 70, but tab copying is enabled without turning on the print key 75 in red.
It is determined whether or not there is a tab sheet in the refeed tray 36.
If there is no tab sheet in the re-feed tray 36, the CPU 141 feeds the tab sheet from the tab sheet dedicated feed tray and performs the copying operation as described above, thereby copying the designated document of the document stack 170. Tab copying is performed by copying on the tab paper from the tab paper dedicated tray.

When the tab copy of the original 171 is completed and one copy is completed, one set of tab paper is set to the number of originals specified in the original bundle 170 (the number of tab sheets used per copy) and one set. The number of tab sheets remaining in the tab sheet dedicated feed tray is the difference from the number of tab sheets (circulation number of tab sheets) of. Therefore, the CPU 14
When the tab copy of the original 171 is completed and one copy is completed, the tab sheet 1 is fed from the tab sheet dedicated feed tray until the set of tab sheets makes one cycle, and the registration roller 3 is used.
8. By reversing at the reversing unit 45 via the conveyor belt 41 and discharging to the re-feed tray 36, extra tab paper is discharged to the re-feed tray 36. And CPU
Reference numeral 141 prohibits a copying operation (image forming operation) when the extra tab sheet is being discharged to the re-feed tray 36, and the tab sheet 141 in the re-feed tray 36 is displayed on the operation unit 70 as shown in FIG. Display the number of sheets. The user can know the circulation number of tab sheets in the re-feed tray 36 from the number of tab sheets in the re-feed tray 36 displayed on the operation unit 70.

The CPU 141 also controls the refeed tray 36.
If there is a tab sheet in the tray, it is determined from the input signal from the operation unit 70 whether the tray for feeding the tab sheet is automatically selected or manually selected, and the tray for feeding the tab sheet is manually selected. In this case, it is determined whether the tray for feeding tab sheets or the sheet refeed tray 36 is selected as a tray for feeding tab sheets by input signals from the keys 174 and 175 of the operation unit 70.

When the tab sheet dedicated feed tray is selected as the tray for feeding tab sheets, the CPU 141 feeds the tab sheets from the tab sheet dedicated feed tray to perform tab copying. Then, when the tab copy of the original 171 is completed and one copy is completed, the CPU 141 feeds the tab paper from the tab paper dedicated paper feed tray until one set of tab paper circulates once, and the registration roller 38, By discharging the extra tab paper to the paper discharge tray via the conveyor belt 41, the extra tab paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray.

Further, when the re-feed tray 36 is selected as the tray for feeding the tab sheet, the CPU 141 feeds the tab sheet from the re-feed tray 36 for tab copying. Then, when the tab copy of the original 171 is completed and one copy is completed, the CPU 141 feeds the tab sheet from the re-feed tray 36 until one set of tab sheet circulates, the registration roller 38, and the conveyance. By discharging the extra tab paper to the paper discharge tray via the belt 41, the extra tab paper is discharged.

When the tray for feeding tab sheets is automatically selected, the CPU 141 sets the number of originals in the original bundle 170 (the number of tab sheets used per copy).
Is less than or equal to the number of tab sheets in the refeed tray 36. If the number of designated documents (the number of tab sheets used per copy) of the document stack 170 is less than or equal to the number of tab sheets in the re-feed tray 36, the CPU 141 reconfigures the tab sheets as a tray for feeding. By specifying the paper feed tray 36, tab paper is fed from the repaper feed tray 36 to perform tab copying. Then, when the tab copy of the original 171 is completed and one copy is completed, the CPU 141 makes one set of tab sheets 1
The tab sheet is fed from the re-feed tray 36 until it circulates, and is ejected to the ejection tray via the registration roller 38 and the conveyance belt 41, so that the extra tab sheet is ejected to the ejection tray.

Further, the CPU 141 sets the number of originals designated in the original bundle 170 (the number of tab sheets used per copy).
If the number of tab sheets in the re-feed tray 36 is larger than the number of tab sheets in the re-feed tray 36, the tab sheet dedicated tray is specified as the tray for feeding tab sheets, and the tab sheets are fed from the tab sheet dedicated tray to perform tab copying. To perform. Then, the CPU 141 causes the original 17
When 1 tab copy is completed and 1 copy is completed, 1
The tab sheets are fed from the tab sheet exclusive feed tray until the group of tab sheets circulates once, and the registration roller 38 and the conveyor belt 4 are fed.
The excess tab sheet is ejected to the sheet ejection tray by ejecting the tab sheet to the sheet ejection tray via 1. Such an operation is repeatedly executed a plurality of times when a plurality of copies are made from the original 171. The timing for feeding the tab sheet from the refeed tray 36 is the same as the timing for feeding the tab sheet from the tab sheet dedicated feed tray, and the refeed tray 36 feeds the tab sheet in the inverted state. To do.

FIG. 20 shows a timing chart of this embodiment.
This timing chart is for copying the last 5 sheets of N originals. The N sheets of documents are fed onto the document table 21 by the circulating automatic document feeder B, and are discharged from the document table 21 when the exposure scanning is completed. Paper feed tray 33-
35, the sheet fed from the re-feed tray 36 to the registration roller 38 is delivered by the registration roller 38 in synchronism with the toner image on the photoconductor drum 22, and the toner on the photoconductor drum 22 is transferred by the transfer charger 39. The image is transferred. For example, the tab sheet for the (N-3) th document is fed from the tab sheet dedicated feed tray, and this is the last tab sheet inserted during copying. Of the set of tab sheets, the tab sheet remaining in the tab sheet dedicated feed tray is fed after the feeding of the Nth document is completed and discharged to the refeed tray 36. In this case, the registration rollers 38 rotate to send out the tab sheet from the tab sheet dedicated tray. This tab sheet is guided to the inversion path 166 by the inversion branch claw 164,
After a predetermined time, the reversing branching claw 164 changes its position and is reversed in the traveling direction by the reversing tapping roller 168, is sent to the discharge path 169, and is discharged to the refeed tray 36 by the paper discharging branching claw 165. In this way, the excess of the set of tab sheets is automatically discharged to the refeed tray 36. FIG. 21 shows an outline of the flow of the tab sheet 176.

In this embodiment, a sheet feeding device including a tab sheet dedicated tray for setting tab sheets, an input means 70 for inputting the circulation number of tab sheets, and one of a set of original bundles 170 An original designating unit 170 for designating whether to copy the first sheet onto a tab sheet, and a reversing unit for reversing a recording sheet made of a transfer sheet are provided, and the original designated by the original designating unit 170 is fed from the paper feeding device. In a copying apparatus that makes a copy on a fed tab sheet, a tray 36 that stores tab sheets and can re-feed the stored tab sheets, the circulation number of tab sheets input by the input means 70, and the above-mentioned When the number of originals designated by the original designation unit 70 does not match, the original designated by the original designation unit 70 is copied onto the tab paper fed from the paper feeding device, and then the paper is stored in the paper feeding device. The tab sheet is fed and the reversing unit Since a control means for the by inverting made from the control unit to let accumulated on the tray 36,
If the number of tab sheets circulated does not match the number of originals designated by the original designation means 70, extra tab paper is placed in the tray 36.
By ejecting the sheet to the user, the tab sheet can be set by the user without much trouble and the operability can be improved.
Also, by reversing the tab sheet and discharging it to the tray 36,
When the tab sheet is next fed, the tab sheet can be fed from the first sheet.

Further, since the tab sheet in the sheet feeding device is fed, inverted by the reversing unit, and then stored in the tray 36, the image forming prohibiting means for inhibiting the image forming operation is provided. The time required for the copying can be cut without copying on the extra tab paper, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary images (dirt) from being attached to the tab paper. Further, since the display means 70 for displaying the circulation number of the tab sheets stored in the tray 36 is provided, when the user makes a copy on the number of tab sheets which is not larger than the circulation number of the tab sheets in the tray 36, the tabs in the tray 36 are You can see that it is better to use paper and improve operability.

When the tab sheets are stored in the tray 36 when the original is copied to the tab sheet, the tab sheet in the sheet feeding device and the tray 36 in the tray 36, which is the tab sheet exclusive tray, is used as the tab sheet for copying the original. Since the tab sheet selecting means including the control unit for selecting either the tab sheet or the tab sheet is provided, the user can select either the tab sheet for the tab sheet or the tray 36 so that there is no useless tab sheet. It is possible to determine whether or not it is possible to eliminate unnecessary copying.

Further, when copying an original onto a tab sheet with tab sheets stored in the tray 36, the circulation number of the tab sheet input by the input means 70 and the number of originals designated by the original designation means 70. And a tab sheet selection unit including the control unit that selects one of the tab sheet in the sheet feeding device and the tab sheet in the tray 36 as a tab sheet to be copied based on the comparison result. Therefore, it is possible to save the user the trouble of determining which of the tab sheet in the dedicated tab sheet feeding tray and the tab sheet in the tray 36 should be selected and saving the operability. Can be improved.

When the number of circulation of tab sheets input by the input unit 70 is not larger than the number of tab sheets in the tray 36, the tab sheet selection unit selects the tab sheet in the tray 36 to copy the original document. Since the paper is selected, it is possible to save the user the trouble of determining and executing the selection and improving the operability. Moreover, by selecting the tab sheet in the tray 36 instead of the tab sheet in the tab sheet exclusive feeding tray, it is possible to minimize the wasteful tab sheet.

When the circulation number of the tab sheet input by the input section 70 is larger than the number of tab sheets in the tray 36, the tab sheet selecting means copies the tab sheet in the tab sheet exclusive feed tray. Since it is selected as the tab sheet to be used, the user can save the trouble of judging and executing the selection.
Operability can be improved. Moreover, the tray 36
By selecting the tab sheet in the tab sheet dedicated paper feed tray instead of the tab sheet inside, mis-copy can be eliminated and the tab position of the tab sheet can be effectively used.

Further, when tab paper is fed from the tray 36 to perform tab copying, when the number of originals to be copied onto the tab paper is less than one circulation of the tab paper in the tray 36, the paper is placed in the tray 36. Some tab sheets do not have tabs (no tabs are present at predetermined tab positions), so that the tab sheet cannot sufficiently function. Therefore, when the tab paper remains in the tray 36 after the copying operation, the tab paper in the tray 36 is discharged, so that useless tab paper can be minimized.

[0076]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the sheet feeding device in which the tab sheet is set, the input means for inputting the circulation number of the tab sheet, and the set of originals are set. A tab having an original designating unit for designating how many sheets are to be copied on a tab sheet and an inverting unit for inverting the recording sheet, and the original designated by the original designating unit is fed from the paper feeding device. In a copying apparatus having a function of copying on paper, a tray in which tab sheets are stored and in which the stored tab sheets can be re-fed, a circulation number of the tab sheets input by the input unit, and the original designation unit If the number of specified originals does not match, the original specified by the original specifying means is copied onto the tab paper fed from the paper feeding device, and then the tab paper in the paper feeding device is fed. Control for reversing at the reversing unit and storing in the tray Since the tab sheet is provided, if the circulation number of tab sheets does not match the number of originals designated by the original designating means, extra tab sheets are discharged to the tray so that the user can save tab sheets without trouble. Can be set, and operability can be improved. Further, by reversing the tab sheet and discharging it to the tray, the tab sheet can be fed from the first sheet when the tab sheet is next fed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first aspect, when the tab sheet in the sheet feeding device is fed and reversed by the reversing unit, the image is stored in the tray. Since the image forming prohibiting means for prohibiting the forming operation is provided, it is possible to cut the time required for the copying without copying on the extra tab paper and prevent the tab paper from being attached with an unnecessary image (dirt). be able to.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first aspect, since the display means for displaying the circulation number of the tab sheets stored in the tray is provided, the user can print the tab sheets in the tray. It is understood that the tab paper in the tray should be used when copying to the number of tab papers which is not larger than the circulation number of, and the operability can be improved.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in the copying apparatus according to claim 1, when the tab sheet is stored in the tray when the document is copied onto the tab sheet, the tab sheet is copied as the tab sheet. Since the tab sheet selecting means for selecting either the tab sheet in the sheet feeding device or the tab sheet in the tray is provided, it is useless if the user selects the tab sheet of the sheet feeding device or the tray. It is possible to determine whether there is a proper tab sheet, and it is possible to omit useless copying.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first aspect, when the original is copied onto the tab sheet with the tab sheet stored in the tray, the input is made by the input means. The circulation number of tab sheets is compared with the number of originals designated by the original designating means, and the original is copied on either the tab sheet in the paper feeding device or the tab sheet in the tray according to the comparison result. Since the tab sheet selecting means for selecting the tab sheet to be selected is provided, it is possible for the user to save the trouble of determining and executing the selection and improving the operability.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the tab sheet selection means is such that the circulation number of tab sheets input by the input means is greater than the number of tab sheets in the tray. If there are not many tab sheets, the tab sheet in the tray is selected as the tab sheet to be copied, so that the user can save the trouble of determining and executing the selection and improving the operability. Moreover, by selecting the tab sheet in the tray instead of the tab sheet in the sheet feeding device, it is possible to minimize the wasteful tab sheet.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the tab sheet selection means determines that the circulation number of tab sheets input by the input means is greater than the number of tab sheets in the tray. When the number is large, the tab sheet in the paper feeding device is selected as the tab sheet to be copied, so that the user can save the trouble of determining and executing the selection.
Operability can be improved. Moreover, by selecting the tab sheet in the paper feeding device instead of the tab sheet in the tray, miscopy can be eliminated and the tab position of the tab sheet can be effectively used.

According to the invention described in claim 8, in the copying apparatus according to claim 6, there is provided means for discharging the tab sheet in the tray when the tab sheet remains in the tray after the copying operation. Therefore, useless tab sheets can be minimized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a document having tabs.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the circulating automatic document feeder of the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an operation unit of the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a touch panel detection circuit of the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a truth table of the touch panel detection circuit of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control system of an operation unit in the above embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing the operation unit of the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system of the above embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the tab sheet dedicated paper feed tray of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a tab sheet feeding mechanism of the above embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the above embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a document stack.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing an example of a display state of the operation unit.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing another example of the display state of the operation unit.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a part of the control contents of the above embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing another part of the control contents of the above embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing another display state example of the operation unit.

FIG. 19 is a front view showing another display state example of the operation unit.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a flow of tab sheets in the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Copier main body B Circulation type automatic document feeder 21 Document platen 22 Photoconductor drum 33 to 35 Paper feed tray 36 Double-sided tray 38 Registration roller 39 Transfer charger 45 Reversing unit 70 Operation unit 141 CPU

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yoko Fukui 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ryoichi Suzuki 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo・ Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A sheet feeding device for setting tab sheets, input means for inputting the circulation number of tab sheets, and an original for designating how many sheets of a set of originals are to be copied onto the tab sheets. In a copying apparatus having a designating unit and a reversing unit for reversing a recording sheet, and having a function of copying a document designated by the document designating unit onto a tab sheet fed from the sheet feeding device, the tab sheet is If the tray in which the stored tab sheets can be re-fed and the circulation number of the tab sheets input by the input means does not match the number of originals designated by the original designation means, the original After copying the document designated by the designating means onto the tab sheet fed from the sheet feeding device, the tab sheet in the sheet feeding device is fed and reversed by the reversing unit and then stored in the tray. A copying machine comprising a control means. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image forming operation is prohibited when a tab sheet in the sheet feeding device is fed, inverted by the reversing unit, and then stored in the tray. A copying machine comprising means. 3. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the circulation number of the tab sheets stored in the tray. 4. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a tab sheet is stored in the tray when a document is copied onto the tab sheet, the tab sheet in the sheet feeding device is used as the tab sheet for copying the document. A copying machine comprising tab sheet selection means for selecting one of the tab sheets in the tray. 5. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a document is copied onto a tab sheet in a state where tab sheets are stored in the tray, the circulation number of the tab sheet input by the input means and the document. A tab sheet that compares the number of originals designated by the designating unit and selects either the tab sheet in the sheet feeding device or the tab sheet in the tray as the tab sheet to be copied based on the comparison result. A copying machine comprising a selecting means. 6. The copying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the tab sheet selection means is provided in the tray when the circulation number of tab sheets input by the input means is not larger than the number of tab sheets in the tray. A copying machine, characterized in that the tab sheet is selected as a tab sheet to be copied. 7. The copying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the tab sheet selection means is the sheet feeding device when the circulation number of tab sheets input by the input means is larger than the number of tab sheets in the tray. A copying machine, characterized in that the tab sheet therein is selected as a tab sheet to be copied. 8. A copying apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for discharging the tab sheet in the tray when the tab sheet remains in the tray after the copying operation.