Patent ID: 6010129
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: B42C

Abstract:
In a sheet sorter comprising a plurality of bins arranged in a vertical direction each of which receives a plurality of sheets discharged from an image recording apparatus and forms thereon a stack of sheets, a sheet transfer means which transfers the sheets discharged from the image recording apparatus, an indexer which is movable up and down along the array of sheet inlet ends of the bins to distribute the sheets from the sheet transfer means to the respective bins through the sheet inlet ends thereof, and a post handling means which is movable up and down along the array of the sheet inlet ends of the bins and carries out a predetermined post handling on the stack of sheets on each of the bins,a sheet stack ejector mechanism for ejecting the stack of sheets on each of the bins beyond the sheet inlet end of the bin by a predetermined length, thereby giving the post handling means access to the stack of sheets, comprising;a guide rail which extends in a vertical direction through the bins, anda sheet stack ejector member which is mounted on the guide rail to be movable up and down along the guide rail and is adapted to eject the stacks of sheets on the respective bins one by one toward the post handling means.