Sheet finisher

Claim 2

A sheet finisher apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus which forms images of originals on sheets, comprising: means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets from the image forming apparatus and for conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means by counting the number of originals of the image forming apparatus; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means thereafter.

Claim 3

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said stapling means includes a tray for stacking the sheets coming from said switching means.

Claim 4

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image forming apparatus is provided with an original feeding device including means for accommodating originals and means for feeding the originals from said accommodating means, and the images of the originals are formed on the sheets.

Claim 5

A sheet finisher apparatus, comprising: means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying the sheets selectively to said stacking means or to said stapling means; means for detecting a malfunction of said stapling means and producing a signal representing the malfunction; and control means for controlling said switching means in response to the signal from said detecting means to convey the sheets to said sheet stacking means.

Claim 6

A sheet finisher apparatus, comprising: means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying the sheets selectively to said stacking means or to said stapling means; means for detecting a malfunction of said stapling means and producing a signal representing the malfunction; and control means for controlling said switching means in response to the signal from said detecting means to convey the sheets to said sheet stacking means.

Claim 7

An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said stapling means includes a staple accommodating portion for accommodating staples for stapling the sheets.

Claim 8

An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said detecting means produces the malfunction signal in response to absence of the staple in the accommodating portion.

Claim 9

An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said stapling means includes a main stapling assembly movable between an operative position and an inoperative position, wherein said malfunction detecting means produces the malfunction signal when said stapling means does not return from the operative position to the inoperative position in a predetermined period of time after start of a stapling operation.

Claim 10

An image forming apparatus, comprising: means for forming images on sheets; stapling means for stapling the sheets on which images are formed by said image forming means; instruction means for giving said image forming means instructions including forming the same images on two or more sheets continuously and producing a signal representing the instruction; and means for prohibiting operation of said stapling means in response to the signal produced by said instruction means.

Claim 11

An image forming apparatus, comprising: means for forming images on sheets; stapling means for stapling the sheets on which images are formed by said image forming means; instruction means for giving said image forming means instructions including forming the same images on two or more sheets continuously and producing a signal representing the instruction; and means for prohibiting operation of said stapling means in response to the signal produced by said instruction means.

Claim 12

An apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for producing a warning signal when said prohibiting means prohibits operation of said stapling means.

Claim 13

A sheet finisher apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for aligning sheets received by said sheet finisher apparatus to form an aligned bundle of sheets; stapling means for stapling the bundle of sheets aligned by said aligning means; means for detecting an image formation mode to which the image forming apparatus is set and in which mode formation of the same images on two or more sheets of the bundle is included; and means for prohibiting operation of said stapling means in response to said detecting means detecting the mode.

Claim 14

A sheet finisher apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for aligning sheets received by said sheet finisher apparatus to form an aligned bundle of sheets; stapling means for stapling the bundle of sheets aligned by said aligning means; means for detecting an image formation mode to which the image forming apparatus is set and in which mode formation of the same images on two or more sheets of the bundle is included; and means for prohibiting operation of said stapling means in response to said detecting means detecting the mode.

Claim 15

A sheet aligning apparatus, comprising: a tray for receiving sheets; a sheet aligning member movable between a waiting position which is away from a lateral end of the sheets on said tray and an operative position wherein it abuts the later end of the sheet to position the sheet to a predetermined position; means for producing a signal representing a size of the sheet to be received by said tray; and control means for controlling the waiting position in response to the signal from said signal producing means.

Claim 16

A sheet aligning apparatus, comprising: a tray for receiving sheets; a sheet aligning member movable between a waiting position which is away from a lateral end of the sheets on said tray and an operative position wherein it abuts the later end of the sheet to position the sheet to a predetermined position; means for producing a signal representing a size of the sheet to be received by said tray; and control means for controlling the waiting position in response to the signal from said signal producing means.

Claim 17

An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said signal producing means includes means for selecting sizes of sheets.

Claim 18

An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said sheet aligning apparatus is used with an apparatus including means for forming images on the sheets and means for supplying sheets to said image forming means.

Claim 19

An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said sheet supplying means includes a sheet container for containing the sheets, and wherein said signal generating means detects the size of the sheet contained in the sheet container to produce the signal representing the size of the sheets.

Claim 20

A sheet finisher apparatus, comprising: sheet folding means for folding sheets; means for receiving sheets that are unfolded or sheets that are folded by said folding means; stacking means for stacking the sheets discharged from said receiving means; means for moving said stacking means substantially vertically; means for controlling said moving means to effect control of said moving means in one manner for the folded sheets and in another manner for unfolded sheets.

Claim 21

A sheet finisher apparatus, comprising: sheet folding means for folding sheets; means for receiving sheets that are unfolded or sheets that are folded by said folding means; stacking means for stacking the sheets discharged from said receiving means; means for moving said stacking means substantially vertically; means for controlling said moving means to effect control of said moving means in one manner for the folded sheets and in another manner for unfolded sheets.

Claim 22

An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said control means provides different amounts of movements of said stacking means for the folded sheets and unfolded sheets.

Claim 23

An image forming apparatus, comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for stacking the sheets on which images have been formed; means for stapling the sheets; switching means for receiving sheets from said image forming means and for conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means by counting the number of originals of the image forming apparatus; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means thereafter.

Claim 24

An image forming apparatus, comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for stacking the sheets on which images have been formed; means for stapling the sheets; switching means for receiving sheets from said image forming means and for conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means by counting the number of originals of the image forming apparatus; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means thereafter.

Claim 25

An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said image forming means forms images of originals on the sheets.

Claim 26

An image forming apparatus comprising: means for forming images of originals on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for stacking the sheets on which images have been formed; means for stapling the sheets; switching means for receiving sheets from said image forming means and for conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means by counting the number of originals of the image forming apparatus; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means thereafter; and a conveying passage for conveying the sheets from said switching means to said stapling means; and further comprising means for accommodating originals and means for feeding the originals from said accommodating means, wherein said counting means counts number of originals fed out of said original feeding means to count the number of sheets to said stapling means.

Claim 27

An image forming apparatus comprising: means for forming images of originals on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for stacking the sheets on which images have been formed; means for stapling the sheets; switching means for receiving sheets from said image forming means and for conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means by counting the number of originals of the image forming apparatus; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means thereafter; and a conveying passage for conveying the sheets from said switching means to said stapling means; and further comprising means for accommodating originals and means for feeding the originals from said accommodating means, wherein said counting means counts number of originals fed out of said original feeding means to count the number of sheets to said stapling means.

Claim 28

A sheet finisher apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus wherein a first set of copies is provided by circulating a set of originals and a second set of copies is provided by recirculating the set of originals, comprising: means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets from the image forming apparatus and for conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying all subsequent sheets, including sheets of the first set, if any and the subsequent set, to said stacking means thereafter.

Claim 29

A sheet finisher apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus wherein a first set of copies is provided by circulating a set of originals and a second set of copies is provided by recirculating the set of originals, comprising: means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets from the image forming apparatus and for conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying all subsequent sheets, including sheets of the first set, if any and the subsequent set, to said stacking means thereafter.

Claim 30

An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said stacking means is substantially horizontally movable to sort the sheets.

Claim 31

A sheet finisher apparatus; comprising: means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets from the image forming apparatus and for conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means by counting the number of originals of the image forming apparatus; control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means thereafter; and accommodating means for receiving and accommodating the sheets stapled by said stapling means; wherein said stapling means includes a tray for stacking the sheets coming from said switching means.

Claim 32

A sheet finisher apparatus; comprising: means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets from the image forming apparatus and for conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means by counting the number of originals of the image forming apparatus; control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means thereafter; and accommodating means for receiving and accommodating the sheets stapled by said stapling means; wherein said stapling means includes a tray for stacking the sheets coming from said switching means.

Claim 33

An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said stacking means is at a topmost level, and said accommodating means is at a bottommost level, and wherein said tray is therebetween.

Claim 34

A sheet finisher apparatus, comprising: means for circulating plural originals; means for detecting one full circulation of the originals; means for forming images of the original sheets; means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means, when the predetermined number is reached, and said detecting means does not detect the one full circulation.

Claim 35

A sheet finisher apparatus, comprising: means for circulating plural originals; means for detecting one full circulation of the originals; means for forming images of the original sheets; means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means, when the predetermined number is reached, and said detecting means does not detect the one full circulation.

Claim 36

A sheet finisher apparatus, comprising: means for circulating plural originals; means for forming images of the originals on sheets; means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of originals to count the number of sheets to be conveyed to said stapling means, by circulating prior to the start of the copying operation the originals without image formation; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stacking means when the number of the originals counted by said counting means prior to the start of the copying operation exceeds a staplable number by said stapling means.

Claim 37

A sheet finisher apparatus, comprising: means for circulating plural originals; means for forming images of the originals on sheets; means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of originals to count the number of sheets to be conveyed to said stapling means, by circulating prior to the start of the copying operation the originals without image formation; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stacking means when the number of the originals counted by said counting means prior to the start of the copying operation exceeds a staplable number by said stapling means.

Claim 38

An image forming apparatus wherein a first set of copies is provided by circulating a set of originals and a second set of copies is provided by recirculation the set of originals, comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying all subsequent sheets, including sheets of the first set, if any fed and the subsequent set, to said stacking means thereafter.

Claim 39

An image forming apparatus wherein a first set of copies is provided by circulating a set of originals and a second set of copies is provided by recirculation the set of originals, comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying all subsequent sheets, including sheets of the first set, if any fed and the subsequent set, to said stacking means thereafter.

Claim 40

An image forming apparatus comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for stacking sheets, said stacking means being substantially horizontally movable to sort the sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying all of said sheet and subsequent sheets to said stacking means thereafter.

Claim 41

An image forming apparatus comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for stacking sheets, said stacking means being substantially horizontally movable to sort the sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying all of said sheet and subsequent sheets to said stacking means thereafter.

Claim 42

An image forming apparatus which forms images of originals on sheets, comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means by counting the number of originals of the image forming apparatus; control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means thereafter; and accommodating means for receiving and accommodating the sheets stapled by said stapling means; wherein said stapling means includes a tray for stacking the sheets coming from said switching means.

Claim 43

An image forming apparatus which forms images of originals on sheets, comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means by counting the number of originals of the image forming apparatus; control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means thereafter; and accommodating means for receiving and accommodating the sheets stapled by said stapling means; wherein said stapling means includes a tray for stacking the sheets coming from said switching means.

Claim 44

An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said stacking means is at a topmost level, and said accommodating means is at a bottommost level, and wherein said tray is therebetween.

Claim 45

An image forming apparatus comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for circulating plural originals; means for forming images of the originals on sheets; means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of originals to count the number of sheets to be conveyed to said stapling means by circulating prior to the start of the copying operation the originals without image formation; and control means for prohibiting the copying operation when the number of the originals exceeds a staplable number by said stapling means.

Claim 46

An image forming apparatus comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for circulating plural originals; means for forming images of the originals on sheets; means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of originals to count the number of sheets to be conveyed to said stapling means by circulating prior to the start of the copying operation the originals without image formation; and control means for prohibiting the copying operation when the number of the originals exceeds a staplable number by said stapling means.

Claim 47

An image forming apparatus, comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for circulating plural originals; means for detecting one full circulation of the originals; means for forming images of the originals sheets; means stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; and means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means, when the predetermined number is reached, and said detecting means does not detect the one full circulation.

Claim 48

An image forming apparatus, comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for circulating plural originals; means for detecting one full circulation of the originals; means for forming images of the originals sheets; means stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; and means for counting the number of sheets to said stapling means; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stapling means until a count of said counting means reaches a predetermined number, and for conveying the sheets to said stacking means, when the predetermined number is reached, and said detecting means does not detect the one full circulation.

Claim 49

An image forming apparatus, comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for circulating plural originals; means for forming images of the originals on sheets; means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of originals to count the number of sheets to be conveyed to said stapling means by circulating prior to the start of the copying operation the originals without image formation; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stacking means when the number of the originals counted by said counting means prior to the start of the copying operation exceeds a staplable number by said stapling means.

Claim 50

An image forming apparatus, comprising: means for supplying sheets; means for forming images on the sheets supplied by said sheet supplying means; means for circulating plural originals; means for forming images of the originals on sheets; means for stacking sheets; means for stapling sheets; switching means for receiving sheets and conveying them selectively to said sheet stacking means or to said stapling means; means for counting the number of originals to count the number of sheets to be conveyed to said stapling means by circulating prior to the start of the copying operation the originals without image formation; and control means for controlling said switching means to convey the sheets to said stacking means when the number of the originals counted by said counting means prior to the start of the copying operation exceeds a staplable number by said stapling means.