DE2659906C3 - Sheet depositing and sorting device - Google Patents

Description

40

The invention relates to a sheet depositing and sorting device according to the preamble of claim 1.

From US-PS 37 74 906 is a sheet deposit and Sorting device known in which the sheets are conveyed vertically downwards by conveyor belts, which are supported by the end wall of a hollow housing. A negative pressure is created in the housing generated, which acts on the sheets through slots that are located between the conveyor belts, the thereby being pulled against the conveyor belts. The arches are deflected by nose-like deflectors, those in the activated state compared to the respective '5 The storage compartment protrudes from the front wall of the housing and is directed into the relevant compartment. Downside to this The device is that sheets of paper, the leading edge of which due to a tendency of the paper to curl or the like is raised should not be transported properly, as air will penetrate under the upturned leading edge can, so that the sheet in question is no longer properly sucked. Furthermore, maintenance is difficult and tight tolerances are required between the deflectors and the opposing compartments, because the deflection devices are on the side of the conveyor belts in the housing that supports them are stored.

From US-PS 37 09480 is a paper deposit and Sorting device known in which the sheets by vertically past the sheet storage compartments Conveyor belts in cooperation with horizontal guide rollers and controllable guide elements downwards can be transported and steered into the various compartments by pivoting the guide elements. Here too Relatively tight tolerances are required between the guidance of the conveyor belts on the one hand and the guide rollers on the other in order to ensure proper transport, but in practice is difficult to achieve and maintain, especially if the part containing the guide rollers of which the Part of the device containing conveyor belts can be pivoted in order to clear paper jams can.

From US-PS 36 82 328 a sheet sorting device is known, in each of which only one unziger Stack is formed. The different sheets forming the stack must one after the other are delivered and the associated copier is accordingly provided with a device for recirculating the individual sheets of the original.

From US-PS 38 53 314 a sheet depositing and sorting device is known, which is perpendicular to the bottom contains running conveyor belts which run over slightly offset guide rollers so that the path of the conveyor belts has a slightly sinusoidal course. This is supposed to put a certain pressure on the transported arches are exercised. With this device, too, the sheet can be transported safely not guaranteed, especially if they have a certain tendency to curl.

The invention is based on the object of providing a sheet depositing and sorting device of the initially mentioned mentioned type to the effect that a safe transport of the bow even without tight mechanical tolerances are guaranteed, even if the sheets vif exhibit a certain tendency to curl, as they do when using roll goods or by processing the sheets in the associated copier can occur.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the paper filing and Sorting device solved

Developments and advantageous configurations of the sheet depositing and sorting device according to FIG Invention are the subject of the subclaims.

In the case of the sheet depositing and sorting device according to the invention, there is also a certain tendency to roll the sheet ensures safe transport, as the sheet is supported by the elastic conveyor belts be pressed firmly against the guide rollers. Due to the elastic support of the conveyor belts, there are no tight tolerances between the Storage of the conveyor belts and that of the guide rollers required, so that the storage of the conveyor belts can be separated from that of the guide rollers, the associated deflection devices and the storage compartments. This makes it easy to open the device for maintenance. The device according to the invention requires also a lower manufacturing cost than the known comparable devices.

The flexible conveyor belts run vertically past the surface of a ribbed paper guide, whose horizontal grooves are aligned with the deflectors so that they extend into a groove can that the front edge of the deflector

from the path of the arch is not visible from the arch This offers a continuous deflection surface, which ensures a reliable deflection of the sheet in the associated storage compartments and larger tolerances between the paper guide and the deflection or guiding elements

In the following, an embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing explained it shows

F i g. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet depositing and sorting device (hereinafter briefly "Sorting apparatus") according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and an associated xerographic copier shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of essential parts of the sorting apparatus according to FIG. 1;

F i g. 3A is a front view of four sheet storage compartments ("paper bins") of the sorting apparatus according to FIG Fig. 1;

FIG. 3B shows a perspective illustration of the FIG. 3A paper tray shown:

F i g. 4 is a perspective rear view of part of the support frame of the sorting apparatus according to FIG. 1;

F i g. 5 shows a part of the sorting apparatus according to FIG. 1 with the sorter pivoted backwards on its retaining hinges;

F i g. 6A and 6B show the mechanism for moving the selector lock of the sorting apparatus of FIG. 1;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the paper guide links and the cam combination of the Sortierap- parates according to FIG. 1;

8 shows a functional diagram of the stacked cam combination of the sorting apparatus according to FIG. 1;

F i g. 9 shows a perspective illustration of two adjacent paper link members and guide rollers of the sorting apparatus according to FIG. 1 with the neighboring parts of the Cam combination and the steering link latch mechanism;

Fig. 10 in a perspective detailed representation of a * o the latching mechanisms, as they are for each of the paper links of the sorting apparatus according to Fig.) are provided;

F i g. 11 shows a functional illustration of the return motor for the steering link latching mechanism and * 5 the shock star gene resetting arrangement of the sorting apparatus according to FIG. 1;

Figures 12A and 12B are plan and elevation views, respectively, of the Combination cam switching mechanism of the sorting apparatus of FIG. 1;

13 is a functional block diagram of the electrical control part of the sorting apparatus after F i g. 1; and

14 shows a detailed functional circuit diagram of the electrical control part of the sorting apparatus according to FIG Fig.l.

F i g. 1 shows a sorting apparatus 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, which as Additional device for a xerographic copier and duplicator 11, dashed lines in Fig.l go shown, is arranged.

The copier and duplicator 11 can be either sheet-fed or roll-fed and provides copies of a "length," i.e., "length". H. Dimension in the direction of paper movement, from 14 to 43.2 cm (5Vj to 17 inches). The "width" of the copies supplied by the copier and duplicator 11, d. H. their dimension transverse to the direction of paper travel, can from 20J to 35.6 cm (8 to 14 inches). The throughput speed of the paper through the copying and reproduction apparatus is typically on the order of 30.5 cm (12 inches) per second, and at this speed copies can having a length of 21.6 cm (8 '/ ₂ inch) with a Rate of about 4000 per hour.

The copier and duplicator 11 has front access doors 12 and 13, which for the purpose of Elimination of paper jams or the replacement of toner cartridges can be opened by an operator using a key. Of the Apparatus has a top or "work" surface 14 on which originals and copies can be placed. on the left side of the work surface 14 is a document cover 15, which is on its back by means of Hinges is articulated and can be raised and lowered with the help of a handle 16. For the Exchange or replenishment of the paper supply is on the right .Side of the copier and duplicating machine 11 an access door (not visible in Fife. ') intended. Above the work surface 14, a control panel 18 ends on a base 17, which is shown below based on an embodiment of the copier and duplicator 11 using Paper rolls is described.

On the left side of the control panel 18 is located a relatively large PRINT button 19 which is pressed briefly when making copies should be. During the heating of the copier and duplicating machine 11 lights up within the PRINT push button 19 on a NOT READY signal. After the end of the heating-up phase, it goes out NOT READY signal and a steady READY signal appears when the PRINT button is pressed is printed. A PRINT signal lights up within the key, which is displayed during the time when the Copier makes copies, stays lit. If for whatever reason the production of Copies are interrupted during a :, run this can be done by pressing the STOP PRINT button 20.

The electrical power supply of the copier is switched on by pressing the key 21 COPIER ON switched on.

By means of a key 22 ORIGINAL ILLUMINATE can be used to intensify copying of pencil or other documents with relatively poorly reproducible print can be achieved.

The number of copies from 1 to 999 desired in a certain run can be set using the Numeric dialing keys 23 are selected, and the number of copies selected in this way is digitally displayed on the numeric display SELECTED COPIES 24. In F i g. I the display shows that 20 copies are selected

The numeric display 25 shows the number of copies made in a given pass (COPIES DONE). When the PRINT button 19 has been pressed, the numerical display 25 shows the copies made one after the other by the copier and duplicator 11, the display increasing continuously until it reaches a value which corresponds to the display of the SELECTED COPIES on the numerical display 24 is. If the number of copies made is the same as the number of copies selected, the machine switches down and then the display 25 COPIES MADE is automatically reset to zero.

The numeric display COPY WIDTH 26 provides a visual indication of the width of the roll of paper loaded into the apparatus. A control button 27 COPY LENGTH enables the desired length of the copies to be made to be selected and is typically adjustable over a range of 14 to 43.2 cm (5V ₂ to 17 inch). The numeric display COPY LENGTH 28 provides a visual indication of the selected length.

If a paper jam occurs in the copier, an internally generated signal causes the Signal field 29 of the front panel of the control panel 18 a lamp CALL OPERATOR lights up. When the roll of paper in the copier and duplicator 11 has come to an end, the signal field 29 lights up PAPER INPUT signal. When the toner supply | -, of the copier needs to be replenished, the lights up Signal field 29 a signal INPUT TONER.

The sorter 10 has a top or work surface 30 at approximately the same height as the work surface 14 of the copy and duplication ap- _> n parates 11, so that additional space is available for placing originals and copies stands.

On the left side of the sorting apparatus 10 there is an adjustable paper collecting container 31, which has an> ϊ external position for copies with lengths of up to 21.6 cm (8V ₂ inches), but not an intermediate position for copies with lengths of more than 21.6 cm longer than 35.6 cm (14 inches), and has an outboard position for copies longer than 35.6 cm. A switch arrangement belonging to the paper collecting container 31 prevents the copier and duplicating apparatus 11 from working as long as the selected copy length, indicated by the display 28, does not correspond to the setting of the paper collecting container 31.

On the front of the sorter 10 are twenty open bins 32, each of which has 100 sheets Bond paper can hold 20 pounds. The sorting apparatus 10 can thus make up to twenty copies provide a multi-page document with a maximum of 100 pages. Each of the trays 32 can carry copies

Record 21.6 cm (8 to 8V ₂ inches) and a "width" in the direction across the paper travel of 20.3 to 35.6 cm (8 to 14 inches).

A single operating key 33 is in the upper left area of the front panel of the sorting apparatus 10 intended. By alternately pressing this mode selection key 33, the sorting apparatus 10 folded between the SORT and NON-SORT modes. When the sorter 10 is switched to SORT, so in the selection key 33 the word SORTEN lights up. If in Sorting apparatus 10 a paper jam occurs, a lamp in the selection key 33 lights up repeatedly.

Since the bins 32 are limited in their storage capacity to copies with lengths of 203 to 21.6 cm (8 to 8V ₂ inches), the sorter 10 is equipped with a logic circuit that prevents it from switching to the SORT mode, if the selected copy length, indicated by the display 28, deviates from 203 or 21.6 cm. This of course assumes that the paper catcher 31 for the SORT mode is also in its inner position

When the sorter 10 is switched to SORT it can have up to twenty copies of one sort any given original. A logic circuit is therefore provided which shows the number the number of copies made by the copier and duplicator 11 per pass is limited to twenty, when the sorting apparatus 10 is switched to SORT. In the SORT operating mode, thus the highest number of copies 20 that can be made, and regardless of the positions of the selection keys 23 and the 24 COPIES SELECTED display, no more than 20 copies will be made per run.

When sorter 10 is set to NON-SORT is switched, it only works as a pass-through device for forwarding the from the copier and Copying apparatus 11 makes copies to paper receiver 31.

If copies are to be made that cannot be sorted, the operator first sees according to the state in which the mode selection key 33 is, and when the selection key lights up, so the operator presses it so that the Signa! SORTING goes out and the sorting apparatus is switched to NON-SORTING. Then lays the operator inserts a roll of paper of the desired width into the copier and duplicator 11 by opening the right access door (not in Fig. 1 shown) a.

After inserting the paper roll and closing the right access door, the operator lifts the Writing? ..- jckdeckel 15 by lifting the handle 16 , places the original to be copied on the platen (not shown) under the document cover and closes the Document cover. Thereafter, the operator selects by setting the selection keys 23 accordingly desired number of copies (up to 999). Then she selects the desired one by means of the selection button 27 Copy length and sets the paper catcher 31 to the selected copy length. Then press the Operator press the key 19 PRINT, and the copier and duplicator 11 automatically makes the selected number of copies, which are automatically passed through the top of the sorter

10 can be transported to the paper catcher 31.

If at work, DO NOT SORT while making copies in the copier and duplicator 11 a paper jam is perceived, the copier and duplicator switches automatically from, and the sorting apparatus 10 continues to work until it has all in it has delivered the paper sheets to the paper catcher 31, whereupon the sorting apparatus starts to work stops.

If NOT SORT in operation in the animal apparatus If a paper jam is perceived, the sorting apparatus switches off immediately and sends to the copier and duplicator

11 a signal that also causes it to be switched off
If a paper jam is detected either in the copier and duplicator 11 or in the sorter 10, the signal CALL OPERATOR in the display panel 29 of the control panel 18 of the copier and duplicator 11 lights up.

If you want to work in sorting mode, select the Operator after they have inserted a roll of paper of the desired width and the original on the Plate under the document cover 15 has been placed as described above, the number of per passage copies to be made, d. H. the number of sets of Copies of the multi-page text to be reproduced

Piece. However, since there are only 20 storage containers 32, the logic circuit of the sorting apparatus signals the copier that it does not have to make more than 20 copies per pass in the sorting operation, such as explained above.

Having selected the desired number of copies to be made, the operator sets the length of the copy Wrihlknopf 27 to either only 203 or 21.6 cm (8 or 8V zoii _2). If a different copy length is selected, the sorting apparatus 10 only works in the NON-SORTING MODE.

The operator then sets the paper catcher 31 to the inner position and presses the mode selection button 33. As a result, the Dial button 33 will illuminate (if it is not already illuminated), indicating that the sorter is now switched to SORT and is ready to make copies from the copier and duplicator 11 to accept. By switching the sorting apparatus iö with the aid of the selection key 33 to the sorting mode As will be explained below, certain internal operating processes can take place in the sorting apparatus 10, among others. the Movement of a sort selector out of the diverting position (in the copies from the copier and duplicator 11 are delivered directly to the paper catcher 31) in a dial position in which copies of the The copier and duplicator 11 are supplied to the paper bins 32.

The operator then presses the PRINT button 19 and the copier makes the desired one Number of copies of the original placed on its plate under document cover 15 is. The last page of the multi-page document to be reproduced should be copied as the first original are then made successively through the successive pages and the first page of the multi-page document to be reproduced is copied last. The from Kopierund Copying apparatus 11 copies of the reproduced original are supplied by the sorting apparatus 10 recorded and front side, d. H. with the

VwiriwMrtAn area njoh r> b? ™, 2 "d"? Paniprh container 32

are supplied, one sheet at a time to each bin, starting with the top one. With the others successive passes, the copies of the individual originals are also in the same container so that after all the originals are copied, each paper tray used is a full one Contains a copy of the original multi-page document.

If the production of copies is to be interrupted during a run, this can be done through Pressing the button 20 STOP PRINT happened, which has the consequence that the copier and duplicator 11 downshifts In this case, the sorting apparatus 10 sorts the remainder of the Copier and duplicator 11 delivered copies and resets itself automatically, so that at Resumption of operation of the copier the first copy received by the sorter in its supreme. Paper tray is entered.

If, with the sorting apparatus 10 switched to the sorting mode, a paper jam or a If any other malfunction occurs in the copier and duplicator 11, the sorting apparatus will run continued to sort the copies delivered to him, and he Then "remembers" that he does not have to reset himself until the interrupted run has ended When using the selection keys 23, for example

20 copies per pass are selected and due to a paper jam in the copier and duplicator 11 only the first six paper bins of the sorting apparatus 10 have been loaded with copies, so the control circuit of the sorting apparatus ensures that after eliminating the functional error in the copier and resuming operation of the next copy delivered to the sorter in the seventh Paper tray is placed. Of course, after eliminating the functional error in the copier, the Operator reset the dial keys 23 so that only the desired number of copies remaining is delivered.

If a paper jam occurs in the part of the paper transport device of the sorting apparatus 10 adjoining the paper container 32, the sorting selector in the sorting apparatus is automatically switched to its diverting position, so that the sorting apparatus /.WdI wciiei'üfuciici, but in the Nic! Ii-SoriiCrbcir; cb with all subsequent copies being passed directly to the paper catcher 31. At the same time, the logic circuit in the sorting apparatus causes the mode selection key 33 to start flashing, whereby the jammed paper is visually indicated, and a signal STOP PRINTING is fed to the copier, whereupon the copier is fed downshifts. The control circuit in the sorting apparatus prevents the sorting apparatus from resetting itself, so that after the paper jam has been cleared and operation is resumed, the sorting apparatus terminates the sorting process which was interrupted by the jamming. As before, the operator should manually reset the dial keys 23 so that only the remaining number of copies needed to complete the interrupted sorting operation are supplied.

If a malfunction is detected in that part of the sorter transport mechanism, the copies from the copier and duplicator 11 and to the to the paper tray 32 adjacent vertical part of the transport mechanism, the logic circuit ensures that all Print and paper transfers there instantly in both the copier and the sorter stop that in the signal field 29 of the front panel of the control panel 18 of the copier and duplicator 11 the signal light CALL OPERATOR starts to flash and that a self-reset the sorting apparatus is prevented, so that, as in the case explained above, when resuming the normal operation of the interrupted sorting process can be carried out to the end.

If after resuming normal operations after eliminating one of the aforementioned types of Paper jams the operator forgets to reset the selection keys 23 so that only the desired remaining number of copies is delivered, the excess copies are in the previously unused paper containers and the copier and duplicating apparatus 11 can continue to make copies deliver after the bottom paper container of the sorting apparatus is full. In this case, the Logic circuit of the sorting apparatus true that the capacity of the sorting apparatus has been exceeded, whereupon automatically the sorting selector is switched to its diversion position, so that the from Kopierund Duplicating machine 11 received excess copies directly to paper receiver 31 to be delivered.

To avoid an additional internal deadlock or malfunction when performing one of the aforementioned To prevent types of paper jams, circuitry is provided which ensures that the sorting selector can only move into its diverting position when none Tray through this selector.

Another possibility, the required remaining number of copies after interruption of a pass simply by watching the COPIES MADE display 25 and presses STOP PRINT key 20 when the number of copies made is the required Number of additional copies.

A deadlock or malfunction which _{t5 causes copies to remain in the copier} and duplicator 11 can be eliminated by opening the access doors 12 and 13 of the copier when removing copies found in the copier.

Paper jams, which have the consequence that copies are arranged incorrectly in their position in the sorting apparatus 10, are eliminated by opening the front panel of the sorting apparatus and removing noticeable incorrectly arranged copies and then sliding the upper cover of the sorting apparatus to the left this pulls the release button that becomes accessible and tilts the entire sorting apparatus backwards on its rear retaining hinges. This _we have access to essentially the entire paper path wins the sorting system, so that all of vorgefundene is inaccurate arranged paper can be removed.

The manner in which copy sheets are transferred from the copier and duplicator 11 to the sorter 10 delivered and then either in the non-sorting operation to the paper collector or in the sorting operation are directed into successive of the paper containers 32 is best illustrated with reference to FIG. 2 understandable, which illustrates the overall operation of the sorting apparatus in a functional diagram

In Figure 2, the dashed line 34 corresponds to Dividing line between the sorting apparatus 10 and the copier and duplicator 11, so that the Device part to the right of the line 34 is located within the housing of the copier, during the The device part to the left of this line is located in the housing of the sorting apparatus

According to generally known and therefore not described xerographic processes, the copier and Duplicator 11 on blank sheets of paper 35, which in the copier to the desired length get cut. Pattern of electroscopically adhering toner particles in the reproduced Print corresponding arrangement. These toner-coated paper sheets with on top of them arranged toner particles are by means of a 'vacuum transport mechanism 38 to a melting device 36 transported

The transport mechanism 37 includes a drive roller 38, a driven or driven roller 39 and a non-conductive flexible conveyor belt 40 which is guided around and through said rollers is driven. The conveyor belt 40 is perforated, see above that air can pass through, and inside the conveyor belt is by means of a suitable, via a Line 41 closed vacuum source to maintain a partial vacuum. Through the resulting The undersides of the paper sheets 35 are attracted by suction force to the conveyor belt 40 and from there its upper part transported.

The melting device 36 serves to the thermoplastic toner particles by application permanently fused onto the sheets of paper 35 by heat and pressure. The melting device 36 includes a relatively rigid heated pressure roller 42 and a relatively resilient fusing roller 43. One by one A suitable reciprocating mechanism (not shown) driven press rod pushes the fuser roller 43 only against the pressure roller 42 when copies are made, so that the training a notch or "deposition" in the pressure roller 43 and prevents excessive accumulation of the oil, with which the rollers 42 and 43 are coated, is avoided.

The pressure roller 42 is hollow and is internally heated by radiation from an axially arranged heating lamp 45. The pressure roller 42 and the melting roller 43 are shown in FIG. 2 drive means, not shown in FIG rotated in the directions indicated by arrows 46 and 47, respectively. The speed of rotation of the Rolling is dimensioned so that the peripheral speeds of the rolls in the area of their contact with each other and the linear velocity of the transport mechanism 37 are the same, i. H. 30.5 cm (12 inches) per second in the particular embodiment chosen here.

The contact pressure between rollers 42 and 43 causes a slight nick or contact flexure in the melting roller 43, which is necessary to create a sufficient contact surface between the roller 42 and to ensure the paper sheets 35 for good fusing. Because of the warmth and pressure that are transferred from the rollers 42 and 43 to the paper sheets 35, the toner particles on the Surface of the paper sheets softened and for firm and permanent adherence to the underlying Brought sheets of paper. With the help of a suitable wick (not shown) the Pressure roller 42 an oil film or coating provided by the tendency of toner particles to ucr n'a! " stapling is minimized.

The operation of the fuser 36 is such that the paper sheets 35 passing through the Get a tendency to curl, d. H. assume a concave shape. This tendency arises in part from the nip that the sheets leave in the contact area between the pressure and the melting roller pass through, and in part from the evaporation of moisture from the surface of each leaf with the The result is that the upper surface is slightly sloping compared to the lower surface of the leaf

After exiting the fuser 36, the finished copies, i.e. sheets 35, enter a Transport device with a relatively small transport mechanism 48 and a relatively large transport mechanism 49 a.

The relatively large or long transport mechanism 49 is electrically connected to the Sorter connected motor 50 driven. The transport mechanism 48 is powered by an electric and the motor 188 spatially belonging to the copying and reproducing apparatus 11 via an overrunning clutch 189 independently driven. This coupling enables manual actuation of the transport mechanism 48 to avoid paper jams, as described below

will eliminate z «i without having to overcome the inertia and frictional forces caused by the motor 188 and the other coupled mechanisms of the copier and duplicator 11.

The transport mechanism 49 has a vertically downward part 51 (with two conveyor belts 66), which is located entirely within the housing of the sorting apparatus 10, and one at an angle upwards running part 52, from the housing of the copier and duplicating machine 11 over the dividing line 34 in the housing of the sorting apparatus 10 extends into it.

The transport mechanism 48 includes a drive roller 53, a driven or driven roller 54, a number of belts 55 of electrically conductive elastic material which are guided around the rollers 53 and 54 and are driven thereby, and an upper idle section with tensioning rollers 56 and 57 which a number of non-conductive elastic bands 58 are guided. The drive roller 53 is rotated by a chain 59 which is connected to the motor 188 via a chain gear arrangement 60 and the overrunning clutch 189 58 the conveyor belt 58 is moved accordingly and the tensioning rollers 56 and 57 are rotated. The running speed of the conveyor belt 55 and, due to the frictional coupling, of the belt 58 is essentially equal to the peripheral speed of the rollers 42 and 43, i.e. 30.5 cm (12 inches) per second.

After leaving the melting device 36, the paper sheets 35 hit the upper part of the Conveyor belt 55 where it is caused by friction between that part of the belt 55 and the lower part of the Conveyor belt 58 are detected, whereupon the sheets through the transport mechanism 48 upwards to get promoted.

At the upper part of the conveyor belts 55, a switch 5104 is in a sensing or Betätigungshe- projecting between adjacent strips in the path of travel of the paper sheets 35, so that the sensing lever of the

Schauer »5J04 when grasping the Vciiücfrantics eiiicS

Sheet and when releasing the trailing edge of the sheet is released. When the sorting apparatus 10 is operating in the sorting mode, the switch 5104 controls the beginning and the end of the sorting pass, as will be described below.

The transport mechanism 49 has two conductive elastic bands 66 that run over rollers 62, 64, 67 and 68 run and are driven by a motor 50 via a chain drive 65 by means of the roller 64. The upper Part 52 of the transport mechanism 49 contains an additional series of elastic bands 69 that extend over rollers 62 and 68 run. Another series of belts 70 runs over rollers 71 and 72 and is passed through Frictional engagement with the surface of the belts 69 is driven.

The linear speed of travel of belts 66, 69 and 70 of transport mechanism 49 is significantly greater than that of transport mechanism 48 and can typically be on the order of 96.5 cm (38 inches) per second when the linear speed of travel of transport mechanism 48 is on the order of 30.5 cm (12 inches) per second

On the surfaces of the belts 69 switches 5105 and 5106 are arranged, the operating levers of which protrude between adjacent belts so that they are detected and operated by the sheets of paper 35 passing by. Switch 5 105 is used to detect static paper jams by actuating a logic circuit that detects when this switch is held down for an excessive period of time. The switch 5 106 plays a role in the perception of paper jams and in the completion of a sorting pass, as will be described below.

The sheets of paper entering the upper part 52 of the transport mechanism 49 become frictionally engaged gripped by the upper part of the belts 69 and from the lower part of the belts 70 and after they are by the transport mechanism 48 are released, with the aforementioned speed of 96.5 cm per second upwards transported.

The frictional force with which the belts 69 and 70 grip the paper sheets 35 is considerably smaller than that Frictional force with which the belts 55 and 58 of the transport mechanism 48 grip the sheets. At the Entry of the front part of one of the sheets of paper 35 into the area between the belts 69 and 70 of the The upper part 52 of the transport mechanism 49 therefore becomes the rear part of the sheet by frictional engagement held between the belts 55 and 58 of the transport mechanism 48, so that the sheet with a through the speed determined by the transport mechanism 48; H. 30.5 cm per second, continues to run, with the front part with respect to the belts 69 and 70 grinds or slips. When the back of the sheet of the Belts 55 and 58 of the transport mechanism 48 is released, the upper part 52 of the accelerates Transport mechanism 49 very quickly reduces the sheet to its running speed, d. H. 96.5 cm per second. This arrangement enables the sorter to run at a constant paper speed of z. B. 96.5 cm per second essentially independent of the paper speed in the copier and Duplicating machine 11 operates so that the sorting machine can be changed or rebuilt without being changed to have to be used for copiers with different or changing paper speeds.

WClUCIl I \ .ailtl.

The roller 62 is by means of a button 73 να- hand rotatable, thereby facilitating the manual movement of the various belts of the transport mechanism 49 so that sheets of paper can be removed from the upper part 52 in the event of a paper jam. In order for the transport mechanism 48 (as well as the transport mechanism 49) to be activated by means of the button 73 in FIG Rotation can be displaced, the roller 62 is via an overrunning clutch (not shown in FIG. 2) with a Chain 61 connected, which in turn is coupled to the sprocket 60. The couplings for the chain 61 are designed so that the one-way clutch will not be engaged when the transport mechanism 49 is in Operation is. If, on the other hand, the sorting apparatus 10 and the copying and reproducing apparatus 11 for Jam clearance are disabled and the knob 73 is turned by hand, so will the one-way clutch coupled to roller 62 and chain 61 is engaged while that to the engine

188 and sprocket 60 belonging overrunning clutch

189 is disengaged, so that both the transport mechanism 48 and the transport mechanism 49 are moved by means of the button 73 and in this way on the former transport mechanism or the upper part of the latter transport device.

paper sheets located in the mechanism can be accessed and easily removed.

When the from the upper part 52 of the transport mechanism 49 transported paper sheets 35 reach the upper end, so they are depending on the Position of the animal selection member 74 either in relation to the paper catcher 31 or in relation to the paper containers 32 headed in Fig. 2 is the Sortierwählgüed 74 in his Diversion position shown while the dashed representation 74A indicates the sorting position. The sorting selection value 74 is in the diverting position below the path of the paper sheets 35. so that the sheets are not deflected, but continue to run, until they get into the diverting transport mechanism 75, from which it is to the paper catcher 31 to get promoted.

The path of the paper sheets 35 over this diversion is indicated by the dash-dotted line 76 indicated

A Shah <■ S'llOerfa! mn his operating lever! esnen Te :, des sorting "ahigüedes 74." o that this switch SI10 supplies a signal which indicates whether the sorting selector is in the diverting position or in the sorting position. Another switch S 109/4 engages with its actuating lever in the paper diversion path and is used to detect paper jams and to control the operation of the sorting selector 74, as will be described below.

The diverting transport mechanism 75 includes a drive roller 77 driven by a motor 78, a Output roller 79. a flexible belt 80 running over rollers 77 and 79 and driven thereby, lower Tension rollers 81 and 82 as well as a flexible belt 83 running over these tension rollers. The in the diverting transport mechanism 75 incoming paper sheets 35 are frictionally engaged between the lower part of the band "80 and the upper part of the band 83 detected and thereby at a speed of 96.5 cm per Second transported to the paper catcher 31

A high voltage AC corona discharge device 84 is arranged below the paper diversion path at paper catcher 31 * o and serves to substantially reduce or eliminate electrostatic charge built up on paper sheets 35 so that the sheets are easier to handle and their inclination. «S sticking together is minimized.

Feeler switch 5190 belonging to paper catcher 31 and 5191 provide a signal to control the logic circuitry of the copier and duplicator 11 and the sorting apparatus 10 in such a way Way that the copier and duplicator can only start operating when the Paper catcher 31 is in the correct position, corresponding to that selected on the control panel of the copier Copy length.

The following is the operation of the sorter 10 briefly explained in the non-sorting mode.

In non-sorting mode, the maximum length of the paper sheets 35 corresponds to the longest copy length that can be selected with the copy length selection button 27 on the control panel 18 of the copier and duplicator 11, ie 43.2 cm (17 inches) in the special embodiment described here. This means that at a speed of the transport mechanisms 49 and 75 of 96.5 cm per second, the longest ⁶ ^ copy needs a little less than ½ of a second to pass a given point in the paper path. Accordingly, a logic circuit is provided which detects paper jams by monitoring switches 5106 and 5109Λ by indicating that a paper jam has occurred if one of these switches is held down for longer than 1 second, and causes both the paper and duplicating apparatus 11 and the sorting apparatus 10 are switched off immediately.

The distance between switches S109 / 4 and 5106, measured along the paper path in non-sorting mode, is smaller than the shortest copy length that can be selected with the selection button 27 on the control panel 18 of the copier and duplicator 11 , i.e. smaller than 14cm (5V2Z0U) In the special exemplary embodiment selected here, to ensure that the paper runs in the correct path in non-sorting mode, a logic circuit is provided which monitors the relative actuation time of switches 5109/4 and 5106. Since the distance along the paper path between the switches is smaller than 14 cm. if the paper is on the correct path, the switch S109 / 4 must be actuated, ie switched on, by one of the sheets of paper 35 at the time when the switch 5 106 is released, ie switched off, by the trailing edge of this sheet passing over it is not fulfilled, the logic circuit of the sorting apparatus indicates that a paper jam has occurred. whereupon the copier and the sorter are switched off immediately.

Of course, when the sorting apparatus 10 is set to the non-sorting operation, the sorting selector 74 becomes in its diversion position, d. H. brought to the lower position

If the mode selection button 33 is pressed and released to switch the sorting apparatus 10 to sorting mode, the sorting selection quality is raised, whereby the paper sheets are deflected to the paper containers 32 when the switch 5 104 of the transport mechanism 48 by pressing its operating lever when detected operated by the leading edge of the first sheet of the copy passage. By actuating the switch 5104 , the sorting selector 74 is pushed into its upper or sorting position 74/4, whereby the switch 5110 is actuated. The sorting apparatus contains a stack of cams (not shown in FIG. 2) which is constantly looking for its "home position" until switch 5 104 is actuated from the leading edge of the first copy sheet of a sorting pass. When the cam stack reaches its initial sorting position, ie the position corresponding to the top paper container, a pulse is sent to a reset solenoid (not shown in FIG , ie are pivoted in the clockwise position, are pivoted into the open, ie pivoted counterclockwise or paper deflection position.

The steering link and pulley assembly 86 includes a vertical array of twenty idler pulleys 87, each has a conductive outer surface. Each of the paper steering members 85 consists of a baffle member, which is arranged coaxially with the corresponding guide roller 87. In detail this is Arrangement later based on FIG. 9 described.

The in F i g. The specific arrangement of the steering members 85 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to a situation as shown in FIG an intermediate point in a sorting process

In the case of the in Fi g. 2 is in each of the first eight paper trays 32 Copy sheet has been deposited while a sheet 35 is just entering the ninth paper tray the first eight steering links that have been actuated after the corresponding copies have passed through therefore in Fig. 2 shown in their closed position, while the ninth to twentieth steering members are shown in the paper deflection or open position

As previously mentioned, actuation of switch S104 by the leading edge of the first sheet of a passage has the effect that all steering members 85 are returned to their paper deflection or open position. As the first sheet of paper 35 travels along the transport mechanism 48 at a speed of 304 cm per second, its leading edge is gripped by the upper portion 52 of the transport mechanism 49, which is traveling at a speed of 36.5 cm per second. However, since the paper is held more firmly by the transport mechanism 48 than by the upper part 52 of the transport mechanism 49, the leading part of the sheet slips with respect to the upper part 52 of the transport mechanism 49 until the trailing edge is released from the transport mechanism 48, whereupon the sheet becomes very large accelerated rapidly to 96.5 cm per second unier successive actuation of the switches S105 and S 106. The leading edge then hits the sorting selector 74, which is in its upper or sorting position 744 continues downward between the vertical arrangement of the guide rollers 87 and the vertical part 51 of the two belts 66.

While for the sake of clarity of the representation between the link and roller assembly 86 and the vertical belts 51 (i.e., the vertically extending one Part of the straps 66) is shown a gap in reality the straps 51 are in contact with the Rollers 87 and are pressed against these rollers by foam washers 88.

These foam strips 88 are through recesses in a vertical paper support 89 of The vertical front belts 51 of the transport mechanism 49 are supported by a corrugated or ribbed shape relatively narrow and due to the above-mentioned " Foams, which are arranged in vertical slots or grooves of the paper support 89, rip against the guide rollers pressed.

The structural configuration of the steering link and roller assembly 86 and the paper support 89 is as follows from Fig. 5 can be seen. There the sorting apparatus 10 is ge on its rear hinges to the rear pivots or shown folded so that the area between the steering member and roller assembly 86 and the paper support 89 is exposed.

When the first sheet of paper of the copy pass from the sort dial down into the sort area is deflected, so actuates the leading edge of the sheet switch 5109. The leading edge then runs into the Area between the steering link and roller assembly 86 and the paper support 89 and is through Frictional engagement between the running belts 51 and the guide rollers 87 is detected, which rotate as a result of this Reibungsschlusscs.

In the paper deflection or open position, the edge of each of the paper supports 89 is located Steering members 85 in a corresponding groove of the ribbed paper support 89 before. Each of these edges the steering members 85 has two cutouts 85a or notches for the interference-free reception of the vertical BandsSl.

When the leading edge of the first sheet of the copy pass meets the first steering link, so will the sheet is deflected by the steering member into the uppermost of the paper trays 32

As it enters the uppermost paper tray, the leading edge of the copy sheet is deflected upward by an infeed guide lip 90. The leading edge of the The sheet then runs along the top of the paper container, making frictional contact with the Top of the paper container through two cross ribs protruding from the underside of the container lid pen (not shown in Fig. 2) is minimized

In order to more effectively utilize the available height of the array of paper trays 32, the individual paper containers each have a generally concave shape. And every paper container has one horizontal middle part 91, an upwardly inclined side part 92 in the steering link and roller arrangement 86 and a deflectable upwardly sloping side portion 93 on the one of the steering link and Roller assembly 86 remote side. This container design effectively results in an arrangement of effectively concave containers seated one inside the other, so that the The tendency of the sheets of paper 35 to curl, i. E. a generally concave shape in arrangement F i g. 2, is used. The concave shape of the paper container 32 is obtained thus a considerably larger paper storage capacity for a given total height of the container arrangement Scroll with a tendency to curl up into a concave shape than in the conventional formation of the Paper container with a rectangular cross-section

As shown more clearly in Figures 3A and 3B, each has the paper container 32 has two transverse ribs 94 projecting from the underside of the upper part of the container, so that which minimizes frictional resistance counteracting the entry of the paper sheets into the container will. The paper containers 32 have vertically aligned notches or cutouts 95, one unobstructed Provide beam path for the photoelectric system with the light source% and the photo element 97 (FIG. 2).

The deflectable upwardly sloping side portion 93 of each paper bin is formed by a V-shaped member 98 formed with two relatively rigid walls 93 and 99 connected to one another at the base 100 of the V, which are made of a suitable spring material such as rigid vinyl plastic and are positioned along the base line 100 are pivotable or foldable against each other. A stripe 101 of elastic material such as foam rubber is arranged between the walls 93 and 99 in order to to give the wall 93 the desired resilient or deflectable characteristic.

Each of the container parts 91 is provided at its front edge with a cutout 102 for easy Remove the collated copies from the trays to enable.

The lower wall 99 of each of the V-shaped members 98 is attached to the surface of the support plate 103, the middle part 91 of which forms the lower part of the individual containers.

The deflectable or resilient wall 93 of the individual paper containers 32 serves as a "bumper" to slow down the copy sheets quickly entering the container without creasing or otherwise Damage to the sheets as well as to the neat

Stack the sheets in the bins.

When the leading edge of the first copy sheet is on the corresponding, d. H. the topmost of the steering members 85 passes he gets into the vertical Sensing beam path from the light source 96 to the photo element 97, whereby in the logic circuit of the Sorting apparatus 10 a corresponding signal is generated. After the first copy sheet in the first Container has entered, with its rear edge the optical path of the photoelectric sensing arrangement has passed through so that the light from the light source 96 reaches the photo element 97 again can, a second signal is generated in the logic circuit of the sorting apparatus 10 This second signal causes the first deflector to close so that the sorter then routes the next copy of the pass to the second bin

In a corresponding manner, the second sheet is directed downwards by the sorting selector 74, through Frictional engagement of the belts 51 with the guide rollers 87 vorantransportie.t and by the second steering member in steered the second Behaher After the trailing edge of the sheet clears the optical path between the Light source% and the photo element 97 has passed through the second steering element in the clockwise or Closed position swiveled The individual successive copies are pivoted in a corresponding manner each directed into the appropriate paper tray until there are no more copies, d. H. from copy and Duplication apparatus 11 are delivered and all previously delivered copies have been processed.

The successive closure of the individual paper links 85 takes place by switching or adjusting a vertical set of cams ΐ 12 (not shown in Fig. 2), which runs parallel to the steering member and roller arrangement 86 and 19 cams, one each for actuation each of the first 19 paper containers has the 20th steering member is fixed in the open position and needs not to be moved to a closed position, since paper sheets never go further than the 20th bin have to run.

Each time the photoelectric arrangement with the light source 96 and the sensor 97 detects the passage of the rear edge of the copy, the cam package 112 (shown schematically in FIG. 8 and partially visible in FIG °, rotated so that the corresponding steering member is detected and thereby pivoted into its closed position.

If during the sorting process and provided that at least 19 copies have been selected, the 19th copy enters the 19th paper tray, so will an overfill switch 5103 coupled to the cam package or thumb cam column 112 (Fig. 8) operated, whereby the sorting selector 74 is pushed down into the circulation position, so that all still not (Air the sorting selection 74 passed through Copies are directed to the paper receiver 31 via the diverting transport mechanism 75. The 20th copy, if present, would be at the Sortierwählgüed at this point in time and therefore the last one Steering member, d. H. the fixed or 20th steering link, continue to run and be directed into the 20th container.

At the end of a copy run, ie when the copier and duplicating machine 11 has stopped delivering copy sheets 35 to the sorting machine 10, the logic circuit of the sorting machine determines that the run has ended by continuously checking the times during which the switches S 104 and Keep S 106 pressed, monitored If switch S 104 has not been pressed for a period of 2 seconds and switch 5 106 has not remained pressed for a period of 1 second, the sorter's logic circuit detects the end of the run and switches the sorting selector 74 back to its lower or diverting position, also returning the thumb cam post 112 to its original position so that

ίο all steering members 85 returned to the open position will.

The reset process discussed above at the end of each copy run takes approximately 3 seconds. if therefore, the copier and duplicator 11 finishes printing, so the sorting app sends . '. advice to the copier and duplicator 11 a signal that the copier will switch to the next print job before 3 seconds have elapsed prevented

If the sorting machine senses a paper jam or the copier and duplicator ! 1 a signal is generated indicating that a malfunction in the copier (or the If the copier is running out of paper), the thumb cam pillar 112 in their initial position prevents the malfunction when normal operation is resumed interrupted sorting process can be ended.

Paper jams in sorting operations are perceived in different ways. As with the non-sorting operation jams on the upper part 52 of the transport mechanism 49 are monitored of switch S106 perceived and a deadlock is signaled if this switch is for Hold down for more than 1 second To make sure that the copy sheets are on the correct path, the switches S109 and 5106 are monitored in relation to each other, with the distance between these switches along the paper path are smaller than the shortest copy length to be sorted, d. H. 203 cm (8 inches) is The switch 5109 must be activated when the switch 5106 is triggered, and if this condition is not met, the logic circuit signals of the sorting apparatus a paper jam. If one of these cases occurs, so that the Logic circuit of the sorting apparatus signals a deadlock, so the entire printing process immediately canceled, and the signal light CALL OPERATING PERSON lights up in display panel 29 of the control panel 18 of the copier and duplicator. Each of the in Fig. 2 switch shown 5104 and 5105. which remains covered by paper after the transport processes have stopped, becomes identified by corresponding signal lamps in the display panel 29 of the control panel 18.

The photoelectric sensing circuit (hereinafter also referred to as the "eye") with the light source 96 and the photo element 97 also assists in the detection of paper jams. if the photoelectric beam path is interrupted for more than 1/2 second, the signaled Logic circuit of the sorter a so-called "non-critical" paper jam and sends to the Copier and duplicator 11 PRINT a STOP signal, whereupon the machine switches off. At the same time causes the logic circuit of the sorter that the sorting selector 74 down into the

ίΒ

Diverting position swivels so that all remaining copies Be diverted to the paper catcher 31 via the diverting transport mechanism 75. The logic circuit of the sorter also prevents the thumb cam post 112 from being rotated so that the steering members 85 not be postponed and in this way the interrupted sorting process after elimination of the Deadlock and resumption of normal operation can be terminated.

The sorter's logic circuit monitors the timing relationship between switch 5109 and the Eye to make sure that the leading edge of the first copy sheet in each sort sequence is within 1 Seconds after pressing switch 5109. The logic circuit also monitors the Duration of the passages of the leading edges of successive leaves through the eye and shows a Jamming occurs when this duration exceeds 1 second. Any of the aforementioned types of Paper jam is treated as a non-critical jam and solves the one described above Mode of action.

If such a malfunction occurs in the copier and duplicating machine 11 during a sorting process that the machine sends a signal »Betnebsun- capable «, the sorter works normally, except that it does not reset itself until after Elimination of the "inoperability" state, the cycle is over

Fig. 4. a rear perspective view of a Part of the sorter frame, with the adjacent part of the frame of the copying and reproducing apparatus 11 in dashed lines, shows how the sorting apparatus 10 is supported on its supporting structure Hinges can be pivoted outwardly to expose the area between the link and roller assembly 86 and the paper support 89.

As in Fig. 4, a rear casting 113 is shown its one end by means of bolts 114 on the adjacent part of the main casting of the copier and Multiplication apparatus 11 attached. The other end of the casting 113 has two hinged joints 115, to which the rear support casting 116 of the sorting apparatus 10 is articulated. This arrangement ensures a precise spacing and alignment of the sorting apparatus 10 in relation to the copier and Duplicator 11.

The sorter 10 is on the floor on which it rests, by means of a single, at the bottom of the Sorter bottom plate 118 attached caster 117 supported. In its operating position, the sorting apparatus 10 takes the steps shown in FIG. 4 position shown, wherein it is pivotable in this position by the engagement of a locking rod 119 (shown in FIG. 5) in a hole in FIG the locking plate 120 is attached, which in turn on the front side part of the fastening arrangement for the Transport mechanisms is attached.

When the sorter 10 is on the hinges 115 to remove paper jams or to carry out other operating measures men is to be swiveled out, then by pulling up the locking button 121 (Figure 5) the Lock rod 119 from lock plate 120 released and the sorting apparatus 10 rolled backwards on the roller 117, d. H. pivoted about the hinge joints 115, releasing the desired area.

For safety purposes, various blocking switches are provided which prevent the Prevent sorting apparatus 10 or the copier and duplicating apparatus U when the sorter front panels are open.

The mode of operation of the sorting device or the sorting gate 74 is illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B clear. F i g. 6A and 6B show a side view and a perspective view of the sorting switch 74, respectively their operating mechanism.

Like F i g. 6A shows a bracket and pin arrangement 122 is attached to the sorting switch 74. A cam- or cam member 124, in cooperation with the pin or bracket assembly 122, defines the upper one (Sorting position) and the lower (non-sorting or diversion position) operating position of the sorting gate 74 In FIG. 6A, the sorting gate 74 is shown by an extended line Lines in the diversion position and shown by dashed lines in the sorting position

The cam 124 is connected to the rotary solenoid 125 so that it is rotated upon actuation thereof in a counterclockwise direction and thereby lifts the Sortierweiclve in the sorting position If the sorting gate to be returned to the Umleitstellun _e, the solenoid 125 is de-energized voraufhin the sorting gate 74 by their Weight drops to the bypass position, rotating solenoid 1? 5 clockwise

At German; Sorting gate 74 is a high-voltage alternating ^ .rom corona discharge device 126 is arranged, which serves to the electrostatic charge on the to substantially reduce or eliminate blue paper 35 conducted to the paper containers 32 during the individual sorting processes. The sorting gate 74 is formed with a wire mesh or with openings, so that the discharge device 126 the Removal of the electrostatic charges from the paper sheets 35 through the openings in the sorting switch 74 can cause.

It has been found that an air gap between the sorting switch 74 and the paper sheets passing through them in the vicinity of the unloading device 126 is required and this air gap has been determined by appropriate dimensioning of the sorting switch 74 and Alignment thereof with the adjacent part of the top 52 of the transport mechanism 49 is obtained.

7 to 12 illustrate in detail the type and manner of advancing and resetting thumb cam post 112 for desired actuation the steering links 85.

As in Fig. 7 shown, the cam column 19 consists of switching cams 127, which for simultaneous rotation a splined shaft 128 passed through all 19 switching cams 127. The splined shaft 128 is with 20 longitudinal, at 18 ° from each other marked keyways, the individual Grooves 127 each by 18 °. i.e. offset by I keyway in the direction of rotation.

The rotational force for switching the shaft 128 with the cams 127 is supplied by a cam motor 129 via a toothed belt drive 130 and indexing mechanism 131. Coaxially with the shaft 123 at its lower end, but independent of the rotation of the shaft, a reset cam 132 is arranged, which is driven by a reset motor 133 via a clutch arrangement 134 controlled by a reset solenoid 135 and a chain lifter 136.

During the reset process, both the shaft 128 with the cams 127 and the

Reset cam 132 rotated to its original position. However, the shaft 128 rotates at a higher angular speed than the reset cam 132, see above that all cams 127 have returned to their original position and have come to a stop there. when the raised portion 137 of the reset cam 132 engages the cam follower 138 with the push rod reset being raised 139, whereby the steering members 85 are returned to their open position, detected.

19 return projections or lugs 140 are arranged along the bumper return device 139, one each for a corresponding one of the cams 127.

A ratchet mechanism 141 is provided for each of the steering members 85, as shown in Figs. As can be seen most clearly in FIG. Each of the ratchet mechanisms 141 sees 10, includes a mounted on the respective steering member shaft 143 latch 142, a Peder 144 which 43 presses the P.astkünke! 42 and ^w e !! e! Against the closed position of the Lenkglicdcs, and a pawl 145 with a lip 146 for engaging a corresponding shoulder 147 of the latch 142. The latch 145 is urged by a latch spring 148 in such a direction that there is engagement between the lip 146 of the latch 145 and the shoulder 147 of the latch 142 and thus the latch 142, when latched by engagement between lip 146 and shoulder 147, is held in the latched position by pawl spring 148.

In Figure 10, the latch mechanism 141 is shown in the disengaged or closed position; H. at in Clockwise pivoted steering member 85, as in F i g. 2 shown. F i g. 9 shows two adjacent ones Steering links with associated ratchet mechanisms 141, the upper ratchet mechanism with the associated Steering link in the disengaged or closed position and the lower ratchet mechanism with the associated steering member are shown in the latched or Offenstellupg.

Each of the latching pawls 145 is pivotably mounted by means of a hinge pin 149 and with a Cam follower 150 is provided, which is raised by a cam thumb 151 on relevant adjacent cams 127 the shaft 128 is detected.

The movement of the individual steering members from the open position into the closed position is carried out by Advancing the shaft 128 so that the corresponding cam 127 with its thumb 151 the cam follower 150 of the associated pawl 145 detected so that this is rotated about the hinge pin 149 and thereby their Lip 146 is unlatched from the shoulder 147 of the corresponding latch 142. Thereupon be by the spring 144, the latch 142, the steering member shaft 143 and the associated steering member 85 in the Closed position rotated

When the steering links are to be returned to their open position, the solenoid 135 is energized, whereby the coil spring clutch 134 engages, so that the reset motor 133 rotates the reset cam 132 via the chain drive 136 so that its elevation 137 engages the cam follower 138 and thereby the bumper assembly 139 is lifted upwards, so that the cam elements 140 grip the shoulders 152 of the individual latches 142 and thereby the latches with the individual steering link rods 143 and ^κ Lenkgiiedem 85 are rotated until the shoulder 147 of the latch 42 meets the lip 146 of the associated latch 145 detected again, whereby the steering member is latched again in its open position.

It can therefore be seen that when the shaft 128 is advanced in the manner described above, the cam column 112 is rotated in steps of 18 ° so that the individual steering members 85 are disengaged one after the other will. At the end of each sorting operation, the indexing mechanism 131 rotates the shaft 128 of the cam post 112 in its starting position. At the same time, the reset cam 132 is rotated a single turn rotated (at a lower angular velocity than the shaft 128), so that after stopping the cam 127 in its starting position, the elevation 137 of the reset cam 132, the pushrod assembly 139 pushes upwards, whereby all the steering members 85th during the previous sorting process have been disengaged, reset or latched at the same time.

This reset process is initiated when the end of a passage through switches S 104 and S106 is perceived, as described above. Upon perception of the end of the passage, the reset solenoid 135 is momentarily energized, whereby the spring clutch is engaged for the duration of a single revolution of the clutch shaft and the reset cam 132.

The manner in which the indexing mechanism 131 indexes and resets the cam column 112 controls, is best with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B can be seen.

As shown in Fig. 12B, the indexing mechanism 131 has an adjusting pulley on its top 153, to which the belt drive 130 (Figs. 7 and 8) is connected, and an angle spring coupling 154 for coupling the pulley 153 to the cam column shaft 128. The actuating sleeve of the Coil spring clutch 154 is attached to the upper part of the cam column shaft 128. This actuating sleeve has an upper switching part or switching ring 155 with 20 sawtooth ribs arranged on the circumference at intervals of 18 ° and a lower part 156 in the form a spiral cam having a notch or shoulder portion 157 which is the home position of the cam post shaft 128 defines

On the support plate 159 of the indexing mechanism is a starting position pawl by means of a pin 160 158 pivotally attached, which rests with its free end against the shoulder 157 of the spiral cam 156. A home solenoid 161 engages the pawl with a pin 162 protruding from its armature 163 158

Further, at the support plate 159 by means of a ⁷ apfens 165 an indexing pawl 164 to pivot the free end with their fixed to the switching ring 155 captures an Foitschalt solenoid 166 detects with a protruding from its anchor pin 168, the pawl 167 164th

The direction of rotation of the pulley 153 and, at engaged clutch 154, the switching ring 155 and the initial position ring 164 and the cam column shaft 128 is counterclockwise viewed from top to bottom, i.e. H. in the view of FIG. 12A.

When the cam post 112 is in its home position is located, the shoulder 157 of the spiral cam 156 rests against the free end of the pawl 158 and is located the free end of the pawl 164 in the middle between adjacent notches of the switching ring 155, as in Fig. 52A This arrangement ensures that the pawl 164 has sufficient time has to go into the first notch or notch of the

Switching ring 155 to engage when the starting position pawl 158 is lifted off the spiral cam 156.

The control sleeve of the winding spring clutch 154 operates such that the clutch always engaged '>, when both the starting position, pawl 158 as the pawl are also ogen abgv-164 from the corresponding Spiralnocken- and switching ring parts of the control sleeve, and that it is always disengaged, when one of these pawls detects a shoulder part of the spiral cam or switching ring.

If the sorting pass is initiated by actuating the switch 5104 (FIG. 2) through the front edge of the first sheet of a sorting pass, the logic circuit of the sorter ensures that the initial position solenoid 161 is actuated, which then for the entire duration of the sorting passage remains actuated or energized, so that the initial position pawl 158 is withdrawn from the spiral cam part 156 in the form of the safety sleeve of the coupling 154. As a result, the clutch 154 is engaged, so that the cam column 112 and the switching ring 155 (as well as the .Spiralnocken 156) are rotated by approximately 9 °, i.e. half the angular distance between adjacent locking notches, whereupon the shoulder part of the R; iM notch 169 of the sound ring 155 the free end of the pawl 164 engages so that the clutch 154 disengages.

When the trailing edge of the first copy sheet passes through the eye 97 (FIG. 2), the logic sounding of the sorter supplies a pulse which briefly excites the switching solenoid 166 so that the free end of the switching pawl 164 briefly moves off Switching ring 155 is pulled off and the clutch 154 engages, whereupon the cam column and the control sleeve are rotated through an angle of 18 ° in a clockwise direction, during which time the switching pawl 164, which, when the impulse is applied to the switching solenoid 166 from the spring 170 again has been withdrawn against the switching ring 155, causes the clutch 154 to disengage again.

In a corresponding manner, when the individual successive copy sheets arrive, a sorting aid is given; In RIPN, the paper holder 32 supplies the switching solenoid 166 with an impulse which causes the clutch 145 to engage, so that the cam column shaft 128 and the cam column 112 are rotated through an angle of 18 °, ie V ₂₀ one revolution, each such rotational movement causing a corresponding thumb 151 (FIG. 9) to disengage one of the cams 127 of the adjacent ratchet mechanism 141 of the relevant steering member so that the relevant steering member is pivoted from the open position to the closed position.

If via the switches 5104 and 5106 (Figure 2) is performed in the manner described above, the end of a sorting passage (ie no other copies being processed), then the home position solenoid is de-energized 161 by the logic circuit of the sorter, and also the Shift solenoid 166 energized. Spring 171 then pulls pawl 158 against the surface of spiral cam portion 156 of the control sleeve of clutch 154. However, since the free end of the home pawl does not engage shoulder portion 157 of spiral cam 156, clutch 154 remains after being energized of shift solenoid 166 is engaged. Engaged until the cam post 112 and the control sleeve of the clutch 154 are rotated to a position where the shoulder 157 of the spiral cam 156 engages the free end of the pawl 158, at which point the cam post 112 has reached its home position and the clutch 154 is disengaged . The sorter remains in the home position as long as no copies from switches 5104 and 5106 are detected.

At the same time, upon perception of the end of a sorting pass (ie no further copies in progress), the reset solenoid 135 (Figs. 8 and 10) is energized by the logic circuit of the sorter, as described above, so that the reset cam 132 makes a single revolution carried out, whereby the bumper assembly 139 is raised vertically, so that those of the latching mechanisms 141 which have been disengaged during the sorting process, relatched and thereby the corresponding steering members are returned to their open position.

Fig. 13 shows a functional representation of a block diagram that the various of the Logic-Schaiiuiig des Suruerer üuii-i'igciui'ii'icii Lugik operations reproduces. All of these logic operations have been described above, so an in-depth Description of the FIG. 13 is no longer necessary

The circular circuit symbols 172 to 177 represent inhibition or blocking elements.

The INOPERATIVE signal 180 is generated by the copier and duplicator 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2) whenever, for some reason, the copier and duplicator U is not operational, e.g. B. because the toner has run out, the paper has run out, etc. The signal COPIER JAM 81 is generated whenever a paper jam is detected in the copier.

The Signa! SORT GUTTER NOT FREE 182 is generated when a copy is pressed of switch 5106 only detects in the absence of this Signal can move the sorting gate or the sorting selector 74 into the sorting position.

Home switch 185 takes the leading edge of the first copy of a new copy run true and causes the link relinking process explained above. When the paper perceiving circuits 186 based on information from switches 5104 and 5106 the signal COPIES IN Generate WORK, then another steering link relinking process initiated

In order to minimize the possibility of initiating a sorting pass when the cam column 112 is in the wrong position, the cam column is always made to go to its home position when no copies are being sorted (ie during "copies not in progress"). An exception to this is made if the sorting process is interrupted by an »inoperative state or by a cycle, which creates a state of» copies not in progress «. In this FaD the cam column is prevented from going to the starting position. As a result, the cam column is held in the position which it must assume in order to complete the sorting process after the "inoperative" state or the jamming has been eliminated. The jamming memory circuit 178 prevents switching back into the starting position.

In case an error is perceived while "Copies are in progress", then the Veridem-

sense-sensing circuits 187 the deadlock memory circuit 178, which in the "set" state the Cam pillar movement and steering link relinking are prevented. Because of the use With a magnetic latch relay, the deadlock memory circuit can change its "set" state retained even if the entire operating energy is retained while a deadlock is being resolved switched off κ, ι. After the deadlock has been eliminated, the power is switched on again. Thereupon the deadlock sensing circuits 187 attempt to clear the deadlock memory circuit 178 (reset), since the deadlock no longer exists. However, the COPIES signal is disabled

NOT IN WORKING this "reset" command until when the sorting process is resumed, the "Copies not in progress" status is terminated. It therefore the switching back of the cam column to the starting position and the relinking of the Steering links prevented until further sorting processes to complete the interrupted Begin the sorting pass.

14 shows in detail the functional logic circuit diagram of the logic control circuit of the sorter specifying the various decisions made by the logic circuit during the operation of the Sorter has to meet.

In addition 21 sheets of drawings

Claims (5)

Patent claims: 1. Sheet depositing and sorting device with stacked sheet deposit compartments, which sheets in cooperation with horizontal guide rollers and controllable guide elements of one that moves vertically past the sheet storage compartments with supported conveyor belts and a substantially vertical paper guide provided transport device ι ο be fed the, characterized in that the conveyor belts (51) via the paper guide (89) protrude and each by an elongated, fixed elastic element (88) against the Guide rollers (87) are printed that the paper guide (89) has horizontal ribs, and that the guide elements (85) in the engaged position in which they direct the sheets into the associated sheet storage compartment, with an edge in a horizontal groove the ribbed paper guide (89). 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide elements (85) on which the Paper guide (89) facing edge recesses (85a ^ for the conveyor belts (51). 3. Devices according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one conveyor belt (51) and the guide rollers (87) to remove any electrostatic charge on the sheet are electrically conductive. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized characterized in that the elastic elements (88) are display fabric strips 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2. 3 or 4, characterized in that the guide rollers (87) carrying part of the device for clearing a paper jam from a paper guide (89) containing part of the device is pivoted away.