Patent US3871643A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3871643A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sorter control
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1972-12-04
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1992-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A reproduction system incorporating a processor for making copies, a document handler for automatically feeding in seriatim documents to be copied to the processor and thereafter returning the documents to the document supply tray for either removal or recycling, and a sorter for either stacking or collating the copies. The sorter includes a procession of copy receiving trays and gates to route the copies into selected ones of the sorter trays. The sorter is arranged to either collate or stack, and is pre-set so that when the sorter bins are empty, the copies are automatically routed to a predetermined one of the sorter bins.
Inventors
- 👤 William P Kukucka
- 👤 Thomas Acquaviva
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:41
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/65; G03G15/6538; B; B65; B65H; B65H39/00; B65H39/10; B65H39/115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
In a reproduction system for producing copies of documents and arranging said copies selectively in either stacked or collated relationship, the combination of: a processor for producing said copies from original documents; a sorter for arranging said copies in either of said stacked or collated relationships, said sorter having plural copy receiving trays arranged in at least two distinct sections; and, control means adapted to prevent the start of the reproduction system in the absence of an empty section in said sorter, said control means being adapted to allow the start of the Reproduction system when at least one of said sections is empty and direct the copies produced to said empty section, said control means being adapted when both of said sorter sections are empty to route copies to a predetermined one of said sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a reproduction system for producing copies of documents and arranging said copies selectively in either stacked or collated relationship, the combination of: a processor for producing said copies from original documents; a sorter for arranging said copies in either of said stacked or collated relationships, said sorter having plural copy receiving trays arranged in at least two distinct sections; and, control means adapted to prevent the start of the reproduction system in the absence of an empty section in said sorter, said control means being adapted to allow the start of the Reproduction system when at least one of said sections is empty and direct the copies produced to said empty section, said control means being adapted when both of said sorter sections are empty to route copies to a predetermined one of said sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a reproduction system the combination of: a processor for making copies of original documents; a sorter for sorting said copies into desired orientation, said sorter having at least two distinct sections, each section containing a series of copy receiving trays arranged in procession starting with a first tray; programming means for selectively programming said system so that said processor and sorter cooperate to provide a collated set of copies in each of the sorter trays used, with the first said copy sets in the first tray of one of said sections or copies of each document in individual ones of said sorter trays with copies of the first document page in the first tray of one of said sections; and, control means including copy sensing means adapted to sense the presence of copies in each section of said sorter, said control means being adapted to prevent initiation of a copy cycle when copies are present in each section, and allow initiation of a copy cycle when at least one section is empty, said control means causing the copies produced to be directed to said empty section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a reproduction system the combination of: a processor for making copies of original documents; a sorter for sorting said copies into desired orientation, said sorter having at least two distinct sections, each section containing a series of copy receiving trays arranged in procession starting with a first tray; programming means for selectively programming said system so that said processor and sorter cooperate to provide a collated set of copies in each of the sorter trays used, with the first said copy sets in the first tray of one of said sections or copies of each document in individual ones of said sorter trays with copies of the first document page in the first tray of one of said sections; and, control means including copy sensing means adapted to sense the presence of copies in each section of said sorter, said control means being adapted to prevent initiation of a copy cycle when copies are present in each section, and allow initiation of a copy cycle when at least one section is empty, said control means causing the copies produced to be directed to said empty section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A reproduction system according to claim 2 wherein said control means is adapted to direct copies into a predetermined secton of said sorter when all said sections are empty.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |