Very high speed duplicator with finishing function

• US 4,361,393 A
• Filed: 04/15/1981
• Issued: 11/30/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Noto, Fedele A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moses, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US06/254,354
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 355/3 SH, 355/14 SH, 355/14 C, 270/58, 271/287, 271/290, 271/288, 271/294, 271/296, 271/297, 414/52, 414/43
• US Class Current: 399/403
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/6541 Binding sets of sheets, e.g. by stapling, glueing
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00827 Stapler
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00831 Stitcher

Abstract

A collation/finishing system is disclosed for use with a very high speed, fully automated reproduction machine having a document handling apparatus, copy sheet processor, and a finishing station. In this arrangement, a sorter bin array is arranged to receive copy sheets on one side and to collate the copy sheets into copy sets corresponding to a multiple page document. A pivotal set transport is arranged to unload completed copy sets on the same side whereat loading takes place. The bin array is indexed in either direction to receive copy sheets during loading or to permit unloading.

Claims

1. In a reproduction system having a document handling apparatus adapted to transport individual document sheets from a supply stack to an exposure platen of a reproduction processor and effecting multiple exposure of each of the document sheets before returning a sheet to the supply stack, wherein the processor produces copy sheets of the exposed document sheets, the combination of:

a sorter array having a plurality of bins arranged to receive the copy sheet output from the processor at a fixed receiving station and to collate the same,

a finishing apparatus adapted to receive collated sets of copy sheets of a set of document sheets when activated and to bind the same,

means for producing indexing movement of said array of bins in a copy sheet receive mode in timed relation with the activation of said finishing apparatus, and

a set transport mechanism having a member pivotally mounted at one end and a gripping device at the other end, said gripping device being arranged to remove each completed set of copy sheets from each bin and to transport the same to said finishing station, said set transport and said fixed receiving station being positioned on the same side of said sorter array.

2. In a reproduction system having a processor for reproducing information to be copied on copy sheets and means for producing the information in the form of an individual light image for each copy sheet, each light image being produced a predetermined number of times in succession before a different succeeding light image is produced the same predetermined number of times, the improvement including:

an array of sheet collecting bins arranged for vertical movement relative to a copy loading position to receive copy sheets and to collate the same into sets of copies of different images,

a finishing apparatus arranged to receive the collated sets of copy sheets from the collecting bins of said array,

a set transport mechanism arranged to receive sequentially the collated sets from each of the bins in said array at a fixed unloading position and to transport the same to said finishing apparatus for a binding operation, said set transport means including a pivotal member having means for gripping each set at said unloading position while at one pivoted condition of said member and to transport the copy set to said finishing apparatus at another pivoted condition.