JPS597617B2 - classification mechanism - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in sorting mechanisms for use in copying machines, such as electrophotographic copying machines.

Technological advances in copying machines have shortened the time required to make a copy from an original document to such an extent that the human factor dominates the copy production time of a copying machine. Accordingly, considerable efforts are being made to fully automate the document copying process. for example,
In the field of electrophotography, document feeders are capable of automatically advancing individual pages of a multi-page document past a copying position that impinges an image of the document on a photosensitive recording element of a copier. Such a device naturally eliminates the need for an operator to manually place each page into a copying position and then remove it from there after the copying operation. Similarly, at the exit end of the machine, sorting mechanisms have been developed that automatically perform the function of stacking and collating copy sheets when multiple copies are to be made of a multi-page document. Such sorting mechanisms typically include a plurality of bins and a device for directing one copy sheet(s) corresponding to a particular page of a multi-page document to each bin. Contains. To stack the copy sheets in the correct order within each box (i.e., the first page of the document is on top and the last page is on the bottom), copy sheets should be stacked with their printed side in the box. It is transported to the box so that it is in contact with the supporting surface of the box. To create such a stack, the copy sheets are typically transported with the printed side down. Therefore, if the original document is copied in the normal order (i.e., first page first and last page last), copies of the second and all subsequent pages will all be The pages are stacked in numerical order on top or behind the first page with the printed side facing down and towards the support surface. When the collated copy sheets are removed from each box, a stacked copy of the multi-page document is obtained in the correct order. Recently, electrophotographic copying machines have become available which are capable of both single-sided and double-sided copying, that is, copies of pages printed on one or both sides of a single copy sheet.

Although such copiers provide considerable convenience to the user (e.g., saving on copy sheets), some of these copiers pose stacking problems for common sorting mechanisms such as those described above. This is because some copiers are designed to convey copy sheets to a sorting mechanism in an orientation that corresponds to the selected operating mode of the copier (i.e., simplex or duplex copy mode). . When such a copier is operating in duplex copy mode, the copy sheet receives a copy of the first side of the original page;
Before leaving the copier, it is flipped over (top side down) so that its blank side receives the image of the second side of the original page. Thus, when the copy sheets are conveyed to the sorting mechanism, their orientation is the opposite of the orientation of the copy sheets received when the copier is operating in the simplex mode. As a result, the sorting mechanism stacks such contained copy sheets in reverse numerical order.
One way to overcome this problem is to have the operator copy the second side of each document first when operating the machine in duplex copy mode.

However, this is clearly a burden for the operator and also leads to general confusion. A second method is to provide a Q-returning device for double-sided copy sheets before they are conveyed to the sorting mechanism. This method, however, tends to be expensive and can cause reliability problems. The third method is the one that is the object of the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorting mechanism that can accommodate and stack individual sheets in the correct order regardless of the orientation of the sheets being fed.

To achieve this objective, the following classification mechanism is provided. i.e., at least 14 storage bins positioned to accommodate sheets moving through a predetermined path;
Each storage box has a pair of spaced apart flat surfaces, and the storage box has a first position where one of the flat surfaces is below the other and a first position where the other side is below the other side. is mounted for angular movement between a second position and a second position, thereby causing the sheet material to
separation mechanisms that can be stacked in any desired order. 1 and 2 illustrate a sorting mechanism 10 positioned relative to a typical office copier 12 to receive and stack and collate separated copy sheets from the machine.

The copying machine 12 is capable of performing either single-sided or double-sided copying using the method described below. The sorting mechanism 10 has a frame 14 in which is positioned a series of storage bin assemblies 16, 16a, 16b for receiving copy sheets. The frame 14 has an opening 18, 18a, 18b in one side wall for easy access to remove sheets stacked within each storage box assembly.
has. Needless to say, the number of bins is of no particular significance to the present invention; it depends on the maximum number of stacks of copy sheets desired. In the illustrated example, 3
Although zero storage bins are provided, this number may be increased by including a plurality of units substantially the same as mechanism 10, and storage box assemblies 16a and 16b.
It can also be reduced by removing and covering the corresponding openings 18a, 18b. The frame 14 is configured to receive separated copy sheets from the copier 12 and transport them to a storage box assembly for overlapping and collating them.
The sorting mechanism 10 has a throat 20 positioned so as to be immediately adjacent to the exit passageway of the copier 12 when the sorting mechanism 10 is positioned relative to the copier 12 as shown in FIG.

Throat 20 includes a set of feed rollers 22 which insure the delivery of the received separated copy totes to respective transport mechanisms for the various bin assemblies. Storage assembly 16 receives sheets directly from throat 20, and assemblies 16a, 16b receive sheets via transport mechanism 24. The conveyance mechanism 24 is a first deflector 26 of Machimo.
2, so that copy sheets received in throat 20 are routed directly to storage box assembly 16 in the position shown in solid lines in FIG. When the deflector 26 is moved to the dashed position, the copy sheet fed by the rollers 22 is deflected into the nip portion 28 of a pair of cooperating transport belts 30, 32 forming a sheet transport path. A second deflector 34 is located adjacent to storage box assembly 16a, and in the position shown in phantom (FIG. 2), belts 30, 32
The sheet being conveyed is deflected to the assembly 16a.

In addition, at the position indicated by the solid line, the deflector 34
The seat that passed between 0 and 32 is attached to belts 32 and 36 (
(similar to belt 30). Cooperating belts 32, 36
feeds the copy sheet to a third deflector 38. The deflector 38 is connected to the storage box assembly 16 in which all the sheets corresponding to the deflector 38 are
It is stationary so that it is directed towards b. For simplicity, the details of storage box assembly 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, although each storage box assembly is of the same construction.

Storage box assembly 16 includes a transport device 40 for transporting separated copy sheets to a location proximate the individual storage boxes of assembly 16. The conveying device 40 is 1
It has a pair of spaced apart vacuum chambers 42, 44 (FIG. 4).
Pairs of drive rollers 46 positioned adjacent the ends of each chamber support transport belts 48,50. Rollers 46 cause the belts to follow closed loop trajectories, each belt being positioned such that its path approaches and traverses each vacuum chamber. The belts 48 and 50 hold the received sheet and convey it along a predetermined path D.
It has a series of openings that cooperate with a series of openings in the lower surface of the vacuum chamber. A storage box 52 for receiving a series of sheets is connected to the conveying device 4.
It is positioned directly below 0.

Each box includes first and second planar surfaces or walls 54, 56 which cooperate with connecting end walls 58 to
forming the seat support wall. The end 60 of the box 52 opposite the end wall 58 is open so that separate copy sheets can be placed into the box. Each box 52 is drivably supported by a pin 62, with drive movement controlled by a storage box positioning mechanism 64. The storage box is located between adjacent walls 56,
54 are spaced in close contact at the extreme positions of the box. Positioning mechanism 64 includes a sliding member 66 having an integral rack 68 therein.

Gear 70 attached to the shaft of rotating solenoid 72
is engaged with Ratsuk68. Solenoid operation is gear 70
is rotated to control the position of the sliding member 66. Sliding member 6
6 has a set of pins 74, one at each end. The pins 74 cooperate with yoke-shaped members 76 extending from the first and last boxes 52 to direct the movement of the sliding members 66 into the boxes 5.
2. The slide member 66 has a pair of slots 78 through which pins 80 fixed to the frame extend to provide a pin and slot guide for limiting the movement of the slide member. The sliding member also has a pointer 82, which indicates when the storage box assembly 16 is in the first position (in the third position).
When the assembly is in the second position (the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3), it is aligned with the first position indicator 84 (the position indicated by the solid line in the figure), and with the second position indicator 86 when the assembly is in the second position (the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 3). Movement of the box positioning mechanism to move box 52 from a first position to a second position is accomplished by rotation of gear 70. Rotation of gear 70 imparts longitudinal movement to slide members 66, which causes each box 52 to be moved from the solid line position to the dashed line position in FIG. , rotate around the drive pin 62. A deflection vane 88 positioned between the vacuum chambers 48, 50 (FIG. 4) is provided to deflect the copy cartridges into each storage box 52.

The vanes are positioned such that each box has a corresponding vane directly above it and sheets deflected by that vane are directed into the corresponding box regardless of the position of the box. An independent rotary solenoid 90 associated with each of the vanes 88 separates each vane from a first position outside the path of the copy sheet established by the transport device 40, interrupting the path and moving the copy sheet. independent control of the position to a second position in which the copy sheet is reoriented to a predetermined box and dropped there by the action of gravity. To prevent jamming of the sorting mechanism 10, the last vane 92 assumes a permanent position that prevents copy sheets from passing beyond the last box in the series in any storage box assembly. In any variation (not shown), the sheets can be re-deflected by a single vane interrupting the transport path established by the transport device 40, with the single vane over each box in the desired order. It is said that it is movable so that it comes to rest. As previously mentioned, the sorting system 10 according to the present invention is particularly suited for collating copy sheets produced by office copiers capable of single-sided or double-sided copying in the illustrated embodiment.

In any mode of operation of the copier, the ultimate order of the stacked copy sheets depends on their initial orientation (when in the path established by the transport device) and the position of the storage bin. Classification is possible. That is, by knowing the original orientation of the copy sheets within the path established by the transport system, the position of the box 52 can be chosen so that the sheets stacked and collated in the box are in a predetermined order. A copying machine 12 (which does not form part of the invention) having two copying modes of operation is shown in simplified form in FIG. Provide only as much explanation as necessary.

The document D to be copied is placed on the platen 94 with its lateral edges against the positioning member R, and is now in position to be illuminated by the flash lamp 96.

The image of the illuminated document is captured by a lens 100 and mirrors 102, 10.
4 illuminates the photoconductive web 98. Photoconductive web 98 is movably mounted by support rollers 106 and moves steadily in the direction of arrow 108 during operation of copier 12. Web 98, which receives an electrostatic charge as it passes through charging station 110, changes its charge to create a replacement image by flashing an image of document D onto the photoconductive web at exposure station 112. The replacement image is developed by applying charged adhesive particles to the exposed areas of web 98 at development station 114. The developed image-forming particles are then transferred to the downward side of the appropriate copy sheet at transfer station 116. The copy sheet on which the image is to be copied is conveyed along a path through the transfer station by drive rollers 118,120. Seat is first
A feeder 126 associated with each hopper 122, 124, respectively, from a stack of copy sheets in either the supply hopper 122 or the second supply hopper 124.
or 128. Downstream of the transfer station 116 is a deflector 130 which is deflected by a solenoid 132 from a position away from the path P (solid line position in FIG. 5) to a position blocking the path P (dashed line position in FIG. 5). selectively positioned. An energized belt transport system 134 receives all of the copy sheets deflected by the deflector 130 and returns them to the second supply hopper 124. (This is to enable the copying machine to perform double-sided copying as will be described later.) Next, the operation of the sorting mechanism 10 combined with the copying machine 12 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

Before starting each copying step, the operator determines whether the documents to be copied will have a double-sided copy or a single-sided copy for each page. When only one-sided copies of each page are to be made, the first page, or first leaf, is placed on the platen 94 with the print side facing down and one horizontal line against the positioning member R. The mode selection switch 138 is set to "single-sided copy mode" and the number of copies selector 140 is set.
is set to the desired number of copies. Mode selection switch 1
38 is set to the "single-sided copy mode", the flip-flop 144 is set to the same state and the copying machine 1
2 provides a signal to lamp 146 which provides a visual indication that 2 is in simplex copy mode. Setting the copier selector 140 prepares the copying logic (shown at 148 in FIG. 6) and sorting logic 150 so that each required operation is performed in the correct order. The copy button 142 is then actuated and the copier 12 continues to operate to make the desired number of copies (each copy being made in the manner described above), with the copy sheet placed copy side down in the aisle. P and from there to the sorting mechanism 10.

Sorting logic 150 directs each successive copy sheet to storage assembly 16 by selective actuation of deflection vanes 88.
The sorting mechanism 10 is controlled so that the sorting mechanism 10 is sequentially stored in the storage boxes 52 of the following. If the number of copies to be made exceeds the number of boxes in the storage box assembly 16, the classification logic 15
At the appropriate time, the deflector 26, 34 (FIG. 2) is moved to the proper position to direct the sheet toward assembly 16a and then, if necessary, assembly 16b. The box 52 is in a first position, that is, a position where the wall 54 is lower than the wall 56 (solid line position in FIG. 5) so that the sheet inserted therein contacts the first wall 54 under the action of gravity. . Thus, the copy side of the copy sheet faces the wall 54 when the box is in its first position. After the desired number of copies of the first page have been made, the second page of the multi-page document is placed on platen 94 with its lateral edges against positioning member R and the process is repeated. . While page after page is being copied, the copy sheets are arranged such that when all copies of a multi-page document are made, each box contains a collated copy sheet with the pages stacked in the correct order. , with their faces facing in the same direction into the box 52. When multiple pages are printed on both sides of each page, this fact causes the copier to switch to "duplex copy mode."
must be communicated to the replication logic 148 to cause it to operate. To accomplish this purpose, mode selection switch 138 is moved to its ``duplex copy mode'' position. This operation provides the appropriate input signals to reproduction logic 148 and a signal that changes the state of flip-flop 144, which in turn provides a signal to lamp 152 to provide a visual indication that the copier is in duplex copy mode. The signal from flip-flop 144 also actuates rotary solenoid 72 to move storage box assembly 16 to its second position and also activates AND gate 15.
4 and 156 input signals are provided. and gate 156
AND gate 156 also receives an input signal from flip-flop 158 (which is in the set state).
becomes positive and provides a signal for lamp 160 and paper path deflector solenoid 132. lamp 1
60 provides a visual indication that the first side of the document is to be copied, and while the sheet path deflector solenoid 132 moves the deflector 130 to its dashed position (
FIG. 5) A passage for directing the sheet passing through the passage P via the conveying device 134 to the second sheet hopper 124 (this hopper must be empty of the copy sheet at the beginning of copying). Block P. The copy number selector 140 is set to the desired number of copies, the copying logic 148 and sorting logic 150 are properly primed, and the first leaf of the multi-page document is placed with the side with the lower number facing down. It is placed on the platen 94 with its lateral edge in contact with the positioning member R. Copy button 142 is then actuated and copier 12 continues to operate to make a predetermined number of copies, each copy being redirected by deflector 130 and conveyor 134 to hopper 124 as described above. The conveyance device 134 is configured so that the copy sheets are stacked in the hopper 124 with the copied side facing upward.
Fold the copy sheet downwards and turn it over.

Once the desired number of copies of one side of the document has been made, the copying logic sends an ``end of process for one side'' to AND gate 154.
This completes the two input signals necessary to make the gate assume the normal and prone state.

In the positive state, AND gate 154 provides a signal that sets flip-flop 158. In the SET state, flip-flop 158 provides a signal to lamp 162 to provide a visual indication that the copier is ready to copy the other side of the document. flip flop 15
Since the state of 8 has changed, the input signal is no longer provided to AND gate 156 from the flip-flop. The gate therefore returns to its negative state, extinguishing the signals to ramp 160 and seat path deflector solenoid 132. Therefore, the lamp 160 is turned off and the deflector 130 returns to the solid line position out of the path P. The other side of the first leaf of the document is then placed face down on the platen 94 with its lateral edge against the positioning member R and the button 142 is actuated. The copying machine 12 makes a copy of the other side of the document on the back side of the copy sheet on which the one side was made. This is placed in the second hopper 11 as a sheet for making a copy of the other side.
This is done using a copy sheet in 24. That is, the sheet with a copy on one side is transferred to the second hopper 11.
24 to the transfer station 116 at appropriate time intervals. The sheets are stacked in the hopper with the side that was originally copied facing up so that they are properly oriented at the transfer station for making copies of the other side of the document. After the image on the other side has been transferred to the copy sheet, the sheet (with the originally copied side facing up) is moved past the deflector 130, which is held in an off-path position. P and sent into the throat 20 of the sorting mechanism 10. The logic 150 of the sorting mechanism is such that each copy sheet is assembled into an assembly 16 (or assemblies 16 depending on the number desired).
The deflector 88 is selectively actuated to cause the boxes 52 to fall in order into the individual boxes 52 of a or 16b). With the boxes in their second position, wall 56 is below wall 54 so that the copy sheets are pushed under the influence of gravity to the second wall 5 of each box.
Directed to 6. Therefore, the copy sheets are stacked with the side on which the copies were made first facing down. After the desired number of copies have been made, a signal indicating the end of the process for the second side is sent to flip-flop 158I to reset it. Resetting flip-flop 158 deactivates the signal to lamp 162 and reestablishes the positive state of AND gate 156 which turns on lamp 160 and energizes sheet path deflector solenoid 132. The copier 12 is then ready to copy the lower numbered side of the second leaf of the multi-page document. The foregoing steps are repeated for each leaf until all of the document has been copied.

As mentioned above, depending on the position of the box, the sheets that have been copied for each leaf of the document sent to the sorting mechanism 10 with the first copied side facing upward are the ones that were first copied in the sorting mechanism 10. The boxes 52 are collated and stacked with their side faces facing down towards the second side wall 56 of each box 52. Thus, when copying of a document is complete, each box will contain a complete copy of the document with its pages stacked and collated in the correct order.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the relative positional relationship between a typical office copying machine and the classification mechanism according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the classification mechanism according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a classification according to the present invention. Figure 4 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of one box assembly of the mechanism; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the box assembly of the sorting mechanism shown in Figure 3;
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a typical office copying machine capable of duplex copying and one box assembly of a sorting mechanism according to the present invention in order to clarify the essential interrelationships thereof; FIG. is a diagram of a logic circuit relating the functions of a copying machine and that of a sorting mechanism;

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A device for collating and stacking sheet materials moving along a predetermined path, with at least one device for accommodating and supporting the sheet materials.
an apparatus for forming two storage boxes, each storage box having a pair of spaced apart flat surfaces, and each storage box having a pair of spaced apart flat surfaces, each of which has a separate storage box for collocating sheet material moving along said predetermined path; In a sorting mechanism having a device for selectively guiding the bins to a position between the flat sides of the bins, the storage bins are placed in a position in which one of the flat sides is lower than the other and in a position where the other side is lower than the other. characterized in that it is mounted for angular movement between a position below one surface, whereby the sheets can be stacked in any of two desired orders; classification mechanism.