Patent ID: 6107589
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: B07C,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for sorting sheets comprising the steps of:performing an initial sorting operation which includes the following sorting steps:reading a destination code of a plurality of destination codes from said sheet;storing said destination code in a first memory unit;storing, in a second memory unit, a sorting setting showing a correspondence between said plurality of destination codes and a plurality of sorting compartments in accumulating means;classifying said sheet by referencing the sorting setting in said second memory unit to identify one of said plurality of sorting compartments corresponding to said destination code stored in said first memory unit; andthrowing said sheet into one of said plurality of sorting compartments of said accumulating means in upright position;performing all of the above series of said sorting steps to sequentially sort and accumulate remaining ones of said plurality of sheets into said plurality of sorting compartments of said accumulating means, in upright position, according to said sorting setting, said plurality of sorting compartments now holding a plurality of sorted and accumulated sheets;moving the plurality of sorted and accumulated sheets from said accumulating means to said feed means; andsubsequently, rearranging said plurality of sorted and accumulated sheets in a specified order by performing another sorting operation, which includes the following sorting steps: storing, in a third memory unit, a number of sheets to be sorted and thrown into each of said sorting compartments by:obtaining the number of said sheets to be sorted and thrown into each of said sorting compartments in said another sorting operation from said destination codes stored in said first memory unit during the initial sorting operation, and storing the obtained number of said sheets in said third memory unit;arranging said sorting setting so as to allocate a plurality of consecutive sorting compartments to accumulate said number of sheets as applicable sorting compartments when said number of sheets exceeds a specified value in any of the sorting compartments, and storing said arranged sorting setting in said second memory unit; andperforming said initial sorting operation for at least another time according to said arranged sorting setting.