Sorting apparatus and reproducing machine

Claim 2

In a sorting apparatus for collating the output of a reproducing machine, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of sheet receiving bins; a first frame for supporting said sheet receiving bins; sheet transport means for transporting said sheets to said bins; a second frame for supporting said sheet transport means; means for supporting said frames for relative movement between a first closed position wherein said transport means is operatively associated with said bins and a second open position to provide access to said transport means and said bins for sheet clearance therefrom; the improvement wherein, said apparatus further includes: means supported in said second frame for guiding a sheet along said transport means; means for supporting said guide means for movement between a first position wherein said guide means is spaced closely adjacent to said transport means and a second position wherein said guide means is more widely spaced apart from said transport means to allow sheets to be removed from between said guide means and said transport means; and means for moving said guide means between said first position and said second position in response to the relative movement of said frames from said first closed position to said second position; whereby clearance of said sheets from said sheet transport means is facilitated.

Claim 3

An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said guide means comprises a plate member extending across said sheet transport means, and further including means for pivotally supporting said plate member in said second frame for movement between said first and second positions.

Claim 4

An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said plate member in said first position is inclined to said sheet transport means such that an edge of said plate member downstream of said sheet transport means is spaced closely adjacent to said sheet transport means, whereas an edge of said plate member upstream of said sheet transport means is more widely spaced from said sheet transport means.

Claim 5

An apparatus as in claim 3, further including cam means supported by said first frame and follower means connected to said plate member, said follower means being arranged to engage said cam means upon the closing of said first and second frames, whereby the action of said cam means against said follower means causes said plate member to move from said second position to said first position.

Claim 6

An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said cam means and said follower means are provided with engaging surfaces which provide a progressive camming action as said first and second frames are closed.

Claim 7

An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said engaging surfaces are arranged to provide by said progressive camming action a generally sinusoidal motion to said guide plate.

Claim 8

An apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said engaging surface of said follower means comprises an inclined plane and wherein said engaging surface of said cam means is curved convexly.

Claim 9

In a sorting apparatus for collating the output of a reproducing machine, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of sheet receiving bins; a first frame for supporting said sheet receiving bins; sheet transport means, including at least one belt under a desired tension for transporting said sheets to said bins; a second frame for supporting said sheet transport means; means for supporting said frames for relative movement between a first closed position wherein said sheet transport means is operatively associated with said bins, and a second opened position wherein access is provided to said sheet transport means, and said bins for sheet clearance therefrom; and means for reducing said desired belt tension responsive to the relative movement of said frames from said first closed position to said second open position; the improvement wherein, said apparatus further includes: means supported in said second frame for guiding a sheet along said transport means; means for supporting said guide means for movement between a first position wherein said guide means is spaced closely adjacent to said transport means and a second position wherein said guide means is more widely spaced apart from said transport means to allow sheets to be removed from between said guide means and said transport means; and means for moving said guide means between said first position and said second position in response to the relative movement of said frames from said first closed position to said second open position; whereby clearance of said sheets from said sheet transport means is facilitated.

Claim 10

In a sorting apparatus for collating the output of a reproducing machine, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of sheet receiving bins; a first frame for supporting said sheet receiving bins; sheet transport means, including at least one belt under a desired tension for transporting said sheets to said bins; a second frame for supporting said sheet transport means; means for supporting said frames for relative movement between a first closed position wherein said sheet transport means is operatively associated with said bins, and a second opened position wherein access is provided to said sheet transport means, and said bins for sheet clearance therefrom; and means for reducing said desired belt tension responsive to the relative movement of said frames from said first closed position to said second open position; the improvement wherein, said apparatus further includes: means supported in said second frame for guiding a sheet along said transport means; means for supporting said guide means for movement between a first position wherein said guide means is spaced closely adjacent to said transport means and a second position wherein said guide means is more widely spaced apart from said transport means to allow sheets to be removed from between said guide means and said transport means; and means for moving said guide means between said first position and said second position in response to the relative movement of said frames from said first closed position to said second open position; whereby clearance of said sheets from said sheet transport means is facilitated.

Claim 11

In an apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said second frame is pivotally supported by said first frame for movement between said first and second positions, wherein said transport means comprises a roll and wherein said at least one belt comprises a plurality of spaced apart belts each arranged to form a nip with said roll for the transport of said sheets therebetween, wherein said tension reducing means comprises means for supporting said roll for movement in said second frame between a first position wherein said roll deflects said belts a given amount to provide said desired belt tension and a second position in a direction away from said belts to reduce said deflection of said belts and thereby reduce said belt tension below said desired belt tension, the further improvement wherein, said guide means is pivotally supported by said roll and is arranged to move with said roll between their respective positions.

Claim 12

An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said guide means comprises a plate member extending across said sheet transport means.

Claim 13

An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said plate member in said first position is inclined to said sheet transport means such that an edge of said plate member downstream of said sheet transport means is spaced closely adjacent to said sheet transport means, whereas an edge of said plate member upstream of said sheet transport means is more widely spaced from said sheet transport means.

Claim 14

An apparatus as in claim 11, further including cam means supported by said first frame and follower means connected to said plate member, said follower means being arranged to engage said cam means upon the closing of said first and second frames, whereby the action of said cam means against said follower means causes said plate member to move from said second position to said first position.

Claim 15

An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said cam means and said follower means are provided with engaging surfaces which provide a progressive camming action as said first and second frames are closed.

Claim 16

An apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said engaging surfaces are arranged to provide by said progressive camming action a generally sinusoidal motion to said guide plate.

Claim 17

An apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said engaging surface of said follower means comprises an inclined plane and wherein said engaging surface of said cam means is curved convexly.

Claim 18

An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said sorting apparatus further includes the reproducing apparatus for delivering said sheets to said sorting apparatus, said reproducing apparatus including an imaging surface, means for forming an electrostatic image on said imaging surface, means for developing said electrostatic image to render it visible, means for transferring said developed image to one of said sheets, and means for conveying said sheet with said transferred image to said sorting apparatus.

Claim 19

In a sorting apparatus for collating the output of a reproducing machine, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of sheet receiving bins; sheet transport means for transporting said sheets to said bins, said sheet transport means comprising at least one belt having a sheet supporting surface, said belt being supported about first and second belt pulleys and at least one transport member arranged in nipped engagement with said belt adjacent said first belt pulley for sheet transport therebetween; the improvement wherein: means are provided for reducing the drag on a sheet as it is pulled about said first pulley from said nip between said belt and said transport member.

Claim 20

In a sorting apparatus for collating the output of a reproducing machine, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of sheet receiving bins; sheet transport means for transporting said sheets to said bins, said sheet transport means comprising at least one belt having a sheet supporting surface, said belt being supported about first and second belt pulleys and at least one transport member arranged in nipped engagement with said belt adjacent said first belt pulley for sheet transport therebetween; the improvement wherein: means are provided for reducing the drag on a sheet as it is pulled about said first pulley from said nip between said belt and said transport member.

Claim 21

An apparatus as in claim 17, wherein said drag reducing means comprises flanges on said first pulley having a diameter selected such that said flanges extend above said sheet transporting surface of said belts, whereby when a sheet is withdrawn from said nip about said first pulley, said flanges reduce the contact between said sheet and said belt about said pulley thereby reducing said drag.

Claim 22

An apparatus as in claim 17, wherein said surface of said belts for supporting said sheets comprises a relatively high friction surface and wherein said transport member comprises at least one roll.