Abstract:
A sheet sorting apparatus which easily sorts sheets into groups, and makes these groups readily distinguishable on a single output tray. According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a sheet sorting apparatus located at the sheet outlet location of an image processing device, the sheet sorting apparatus including a marker attaching mechanism for attaching markers at a certain position on the output sheets. The marker attaching mechanism includes a tape feeding device in which the tape has an adhesive surface along one side edge, a cutter for making a marker by cutting the tape at a preset length, guides for positioning the marker in the proper location on the output sheet, a marker attaching roller, and a feeder for feeding the sheet and marker together. The feeder presses the marker against the sheet to attach it. The advantages of the invention include the markers for separating the groups being attached to the sheets, so they will not fall out if the sheets are removed from the output tray. In addition, there is no pause in feeding the sheets to add markers between the groups, so there is no time loss in feeding the sheets to add markers between the groups.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a sheet feeding apparatus for an image processing device such as a printer, copier, or facsimile machine, and more particularly, to a sheet feeding apparatus that separates the sheets into groups. 
     RELATED ART 
     A conventional sheet sorting apparatus is located at the sheet output location of the sheet feeding apparatus. When the image processing device outputs sheets, the sheets are piled on a single tray, one by one. If the sheets in the tray make up a single group, and the group of sheets is removed before the next group is output, then there is no problem. However, if multiple groups of sheets are output to the tray, separate groups are not distinguishable. 
     Previous sheet sorting designs use several methods to distinguish the groups, such as adding an offset function or a ribbon inserting function. The offset function offsets the stack of sheets in each group in the tray. A disadvantage of this method is that the group divisions are easily lost when the sheets are removed from the tray. 
     The ribbon inserting function inserts a ribbon between each group of sheets. With this design, the sheet feeder must pause while the ribbon is placed on top of the last sheet in a group, and the sheets in the new group can only be output when the ribbon placement is finished. This adds to the total output time of the sheet feeder. Also, the ribbons can easily fall out of the stack of sheets when they are removed from the tray, and the separate groups are again lost. 
     Another previous design makes use of multiple trays, one for each group. This design leads to a large apparatus and high cost. Moreover, the use of multiple trays is not practical for a small device. 
     Despite the several developments in the art of separating the sheets into groups, there remains an opportunity to improve the sorting of sheets in an image processing device. In particular, there exists a need for a simple, small and inexpensive apparatus that easily sorts sheets into groups, and makes these groups readily distinguishable on a single output tray. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that easily sorts sheets into groups, and makes these groups readily distinguishable on a single output tray. The sheet sorting apparatus should be simple, small and inexpensive. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a sheet sorting apparatus located at the sheet outlet location of an image processing device, the sheet sorting apparatus having marker attaching means for attaching markers at a certain position on the output sheets. The marker attaching means is comprised of a tape feeding mechanism in which the tape has an adhesive surface along one side edge, a cutter for the end of the tape to make a marker, guides to position the marker in the proper location on the output sheet, a marker attaching roller, and a feeder for feeding the sheet and marker together as one unit. The feeder presses the marker against the sheet to attach it. A special adhesive is used on the markers, so that a certain minimum amount of pressure is needed when a marker is adhered to a sheet. This pressure is provided by the feeder. 
     The image processing apparatus includes input devices such as scanners, OCR systems, copiers, and facsimile machines, which have image reading function, in addition to the output devices already mentioned which have image printing function. 
     An advantage of this invention is the markers for separating groups are attached to the sheets so that they won&#39;t fall out if the sheets are removed from the output tray. Another advantage is there is no pause in the feeding of the sheets to add markers between the groups, so there is no time-loss. 
    
    
     The above features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken into conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 a  is the first embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention, and FIG. 1 b  is a part of the uncut marker tape. 
     FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating how a marker is positioned on a sheet. 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  show markers adhered at similar or different locations on a series of sheets. 
     FIG. 4 is a simplified view of the second embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the color marking unit controller in the second embodiment. 
     FIG. 6 is a simplified view of the third embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 7 a  shows the inner structure of a stamper unit, FIG. 7 b  shows a color pattern selecting cam and FIG. 7 c  shows a solenoid for controlling the rotation of the color pattern selecting cam. 
     FIG. 8 is the fourth embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 9 a  is a simplified view of the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 9 b  shows the tape detection sensor of the fourth embodiment. 
     FIG. 10 is a simplified top view of the fourth embodiment. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates how the sheets are sorted on the output tray by the fourth embodiment. 
     FIGS. 12 a  and  12   b  are simplified views of the fifth embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 13 is an external view of the sixth embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 14 is an internal view of the sixth embodiment. 
     FIG. 15 is a top view of the sixth embodiment. 
     FIG. 16 shows the positions of the internal parts after the first forward motor rotation of the sixth embodiment. 
     FIG. 17 shows the positions of the external parts after the first forward motor rotation of the sixth embodiment. 
     FIG. 18 shows the positions of the internal parts after the first reverse motor rotation of the sixth embodiment. 
     FIG. 19 shows the positions of the external parts after the first reverse motor rotation of the sixth embodiment. 
     FIG. 20 shows the positions of the internal parts after the second forward motor rotation of the sixth embodiment. 
     FIG. 21 shows the positions of the external parts after the second forward motor rotation of the sixth embodiment. 
     FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the seventh embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 23 is the inner structure of the seventh embodiment. 
     FIG. 24 shows the positions of the parts during the first forward motor rotation of the seventh embodiment. 
     FIG. 25 shows the positions of the parts during the reverse motor rotation of the seventh embodiment. 
     FIG. 26 shows the positions of the parts during the second forward motor rotation of the seventh embodiment. 
     FIG. 27 is the eighth embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. 
     FIGS. 28-32 are the inner structures of the eighth embodiment. 
     FIG. 33 shows the mechanism of the eighth embodiment. 
     FIG. 34 is the ninth embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 35 is the tenth embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 36 is the eleventh embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. 
     FIGS. 37-38 are the twelfth embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. 
     FIGS. 39-40 are the thirteenth embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. 
     FIG. 41 is the table of color patterns in the second embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is aside view of a first embodiment of the sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. A pair of exit rollers  11  are located near the outlet of an image processing apparatus  10  such as a printer. A sheet  12  is inserted in the rollers  11 , receives feeding force from the rollers, and is ejected out of the apparatus. A receiving tray (not shown) is located beneath the outlet and the ejected sheet  12  falls into the tray. After all sheets are ejected, the group of sheets piled in the tray is picked up. 
     A sorting machine  14  of the invention is located at the outlet of the image processing apparatus  10 . A marker is attached on sheets by the sorting apparatus. Groups of sheets are divided by the markers so that the groups can be distinguished from one another. An advantage of the invention is the markers are attached without pausing the output of the sheets. 
     In this embodiment, a tape roll  16  is mounted in a housing  15 . The tape roll is wound with paper tape  17 . The tape is pulled out continuously and fed along a feeding path  19 . The tape, as shown in FIG. 1 b , has adhesive  18  applied along an edge of one side of the tape. The adhesive is pressure sensitive and does not adhere to a surface until a certain minimum pressure is applied. The adhesive should be non-permanent and easily detachable, like the adhesive used on sticky memo pads. 
     At the lower end of the feeding path  19  are a pair of pull-out rollers  20 . The tape  17  is sandwiched by these rollers and pulled out. The surface of one of the rollers  20  has a smaller diameter at one end to avoid placing pressure on the adhesive. 
     A cutter apparatus  22  is located below the rollers  20 . A marker  24  is formed by cutting the tape at a preset length. As shown in FIG. 1 b , all markers have the same size, but the size can be adjusted. 
     The cutter apparatus  22  includes a lever  22   c  connected to a holder  22   b  of a cutter edge  22   a . The upper end of the lever  22   c  is connected to a rotation axis  22   d . The lever swings bidirectionally with a predetermined degree of rotation. The middle of the lever contacts an eccentric cam  22   e . When the eccentric cam  22   e  rotates, the lever  22   c  is moved along with the cutter holder  22   b  causing the cutter edge  22   a  to move back and forth. The tape  17  is cut by the cutter edge, forming the marker  24 . 
     After being cut, the marker  24  is guided to the attaching position by a guide  26 . The edge area of the sheet  12  is determined by pressure roller  27 . The sheet and marker are then sandwiched by the pressure roller  27  and roller  28 , and pressed by a predetermined pressure. This pressure causes the marker to adhere to the sheet. In this process, the rotation velocity of the pressure roller  27  and exit rollers  11  is the same. Another advantage of the invention is the marker  24  is attached to sheet  12  without pausing the ejection operation of the sheets. 
     In this embodiment the pull-out roller  20 , eccentric cam  22   e , and pressure roller  27  are all connected to the same drive motor (not shown). They are driven at a preset intermittent and timing rate. 
     A sheet detection sensor  29  is located near the exit rollers  11 . The sensor detects the front edge of a sheet  12  and gives a signal. On receiving the signal, the pull-out rollers  20  rotate and the tape  17  is pulled out to a preset length after a predetermined time. The cutter edge  22   a  then cuts the tape  17  to make a marker  24 . The marker may be attached at the same position on each sheet as shown in FIG. 3 a , or at different positions as in FIG. 3 b  by changing the time to start the cutting of the cutter apparatus  22 . The sensor  29  may be located near the inlet of the sorting apparatus  14  rather than at the exit rollers  11 . 
     In using the sorting apparatus, a marker may be attached on each sheet or attached once after every predetermined number of sheets (such as every fifth sheet) or every group of documents. When the attaching position varies as shown in FIG. 3 b , the same groups may have markers at the same position on each sheet. This way if many groups are stacked on a single tray, all the members of any one group can be easily distinguished. 
     FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and the same reference numbers are used to denote parts that are unchanged from the previous description. In this embodiment there is a marking unit  30  located below the cutter apparatus  22 . 
     The marking unit  30  applies color to the marker  24 . In this embodiment, for example, red, blue, yellow, and green colors can be applied to markers. An ink jet unit can be applied as the marking unit. The nozzles are controlled by a controller  37 , to give any required color. Any ink can be used as a replacement supply. The controller  37  causes the same color to be printed-on each marker  24  that is attached to the same group of sheets based on the control of the image processing apparatus  10 . Thus, different groups of sheets may be printed with different color patterns. 
     The operation of the controller  37  is shown in FIG.  5 . The print command for a new sheet is applied by the controller (ST 1 ). The controller determines if the sorting and printing operations should happen simultaneously, that is, whether or not to prepare a marker (ST 2 ). When it is unnecessary to adhere a marker to the next sheet, the inkjet does not operate (ST 3 ). If the controller determines it is necessary to adhere a marker to the coming sheet, it then decides on the color to be printed on the marker (ST 4 ). If the color will be the same as the previous color that was printed, then no action is necessary. Otherwise the color is changed to the color for the new group. 
     A color pattern table is shown in TABLE  1  of FIG.  41 . The controller  37  sets the color order from the table. The marking unit  30  prints the selected color pattern on the marker  24  during printing of the same group of sheets. The printed marker is attached to the sheet, and therefore all group members have the same color (ST 5 ). After all printing operations are carried out for the sheet, the apparatus prepares for the next operation (ST 6 ). 
     FIG. 6 shows the third embodiment of the sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. In this embodiment, a color pattern is printed by a stamper. In the second embodiment the inkjet printer was used, but in the third embodiment a stamper is used instead. A stamper unit  33  is connected to a solenoid  35  through a link mechanism  34 . The link mechanism rotates around a pivot  34   a , in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The solenoid  35  moves up and down, and the stamper moves back and forth accordingly. The inner structure of the stamper  33  is shown in. FIG. 7 a . There are four stamps  33   b  (red, blue, yellow, and green) in the casing  33   a  arranged in a row. The stamps  33   b  are changeable by cartridges. One or more of the four stamps  33   b  is selected to stamp a colored pattern on the marker. The color pattern changing mechanism has a color pattern selecting cam  33   c . This color pattern selecting cam  33   c  is shown in FIG. 7 b . The cam has projections  33   d  around the surface along the shaft  33   e . The projections  33   d  contact the stamps  33   b  and push downward. For example, in FIG. 7 b  red, yellow, and green patterns are printed. The projection number and patterns are different. By rotating the cam, the pattern of the projections is changed, and the printed color pattern is changed. Rotation of cam  33   c  is controlled by solenoid  33   g  as shown in FIG. 7 c . A one-way latch  33   f  is connected to the solenoid  33   g . When the solenoid moves a predetermined length, the latch rotates the axis, but if the latch moves in the opposite direction the latch does not rotate. 
     The solenoid  33   g  as well as the solenoid  35  are driven and controlled by the controller  36 . The controller  36  operates similarly to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG.  5 . For example, in FIG. 5 when the color pattern is decided in Step  4 , the chosen pattern is set to print by solenoid  33   g , and the color pattern is printed in Step  5 . The color pattern is decided at the same time as the operation of the tape  17  and cutting apparatus  22 . When the tape  17  is pulled out to a preset length, the end of the tape reaches the roller  21 , the solenoid works to stamp the tape, and the cutter moves forward to cut the tape. 
     In the second and third embodiments, multiple color patterns are prepared to print the different color patterns in order to distinguish the different groups of sheets. In this invention the plural patterns are not limited to color patterns. Characters may also be printed instead of color patterns; 
     Although a certain pattern is printed on the marker in the second and third embodiments, the pattern may also be printed directly on the sheet. 
     FIG. 8 shows the fourth embodiment of the sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. In this embodiment, the marker is attached to the underside of the sheet. In this way, the next sheet added to the output tray will not separate the marker from the sheet. The sheet sorting apparatus  40  is located on the outlet of the image processing apparatus. The sheet sorting apparatus is attached under the output roller  41 . Paper tape  44  is fed continuously from tape roll  43 . A roller  45  pulls the tape. Each side of the tape has adhesive material. A cutting apparatus  46  is located near the roller  45 , and the cutting apparatus creates marker  47  by cutting the end of the tape  44 . 
     In FIG. 8, a cutter holder  46   b  is connected to an eccentric cam  46   c . The cutter holder  46   b  has a cutter edge  46   a  on the top end. By the rotation of the eccentric cam, the cutter holder is moved back and forth. The cutter edge cuts the tape  44 . A marker attachment roller  48  and marker pinch rollers  49  guide the marker  47 . The attachment roller  48  contacts the sheet output roller  41 , and the marker is attached to the sheet  42  as both of them pass through the rollers. In this case the marker is affixed to the underside of the sheet. The marker  47  is supported by rollers  48  and  49 . This operation is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. 
     Preferably, the rotation velocity of the attachment roller  48  is equal to the feeding velocity of the sheet  42 . If the rotation velocity of the roller differs from the feeding speed of the sheet, then the sheet could jam or become skewed. For the synchronous operation of the rollers  48  and  49 , each roller has a gear and these gears are interlocking. The driving force for the rollers  49  is provide by the feeding roller  41 . 
     In this embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, the time delay from sheet detection to the start of rotation is adjustable. By changing the delay time, the position where the marker  47  is adhered to the sheet changes as shown in FIG.  11 . Of course, as in the second and third embodiments, a color or other printed pattern may be printed on the marker  47 . Referring to FIG. 8, a marker detecting apparatus  50  is positioned on the sheet feeding path after the attachment roller  48 . The detecting apparatus  50  detects if the marker is or is not in the correct position on the sheet. The detecting apparatus has an L-shaped lever  50   a  and a switch  50   b . The switch is turned on or off by the position of the lever  50   a . The lever rotates around the axis located at the center bent section. 
     Turning to FIG. 10, the lever  50   a  is located beside the sheet feeding path where it can contact the marker  47 . When there is no feeding sheet, the end of the lever  50   a  crosses the sheet feeding plane by a spring operation as shown by the dotted line in FIG.  8 . When a marker  47  contacts the lever  50   a , the lever is moved downward. By the movement of the lower end of the lever  50   a , the switch  50   b  is turned on. Various types of switches can be used. For example, a micro-contact switch or a non-contact switch such as a proximity sensor can be used. 
     Whether or not the marker  47  will adhere at a predetermined position correctly or not is detected by the signal of the switch  50   b . If the marker adhering operation is done and the switch  50   b  is off, then the controller judges that the adhering operation was done correctly. If a signal of incorrect attachment is received, then a predetermined alarm output is generated, such as a flashing lamp. 
     Referring to FIG. 9 a , a sensor  52  to detect an out-of-tape condition is located on the lower position of cutter apparatus  46 . The sensor  52  may be a photo-electric or other type of sensor. In this embodiment, the sensor  52  is a transparent type photo-electric sensor. When there is tape  44  in front of the sensor  52 , light to the sensor is blocked. When there is no tape, light is detected. When the end of the tape passes beyond the sensor, a tape empty signal is generated. Based on the signal, an out-of-tape message is sent. 
     FIG. 12 shows the fifth embodiment of the sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. This embodiment is based on the fourth embodiment. Additionally, the attachment roller  48  is movable up and down to separate the roller from the feed roller  41 . In this embodiment, when the attachment of the marker is not needed, the attachment roller is separated from the feeding roller, so the sheet  42  is not pressed with unnecessary force. 
     In this embodiment, the cutter apparatus  46  and attachment roller  48  operate synchronously. The attachment roller is held on the upper end of a link arm  55 , which rotates around the axis  55   b . On the lower end  55   c  of the lever, a torsion spring  56  provides force in the A direction, as indicated in FIG. 12 a . By the force of the torsion spring, the link arm moves in the B direction and separates the attachment roller  48  from the feeding roller  41 . The sheet  42  is then fed smoothly by roller  41  only. A pressure lever  58  is provided on the end of the cutter holder  46   b . When the cutter holder moves to cut the tape, the pressure lever  58  moves as well. The end of the pressure lever contacts the lower end of the link arm  55 , forcing the link arm to move in the C direction. By this force, the torsion spring  56  is deformed. The link arm rotates in the D direction as shown in FIG. 12 b , and the attachment roller  48  contacts the feeding roller  41 . In this position, the marker can be adhered to the sheet. When the rotation force of the attachment roller  48  is applied to the feed roller  41 , the operation is the same as explained in the fourth embodiment. 
     Gears are not shown, but roller  48  is only driven when the gears on the same axis contact gears on the axis of feed roller  41 . In the fifth embodiment, unnecessary force by the feed rollers is eliminated. When the cutter apparatus  46  cuts the tape, eccentric cam  46   c  is positioned as shown in FIG. 12 b . After a set amount of time, the marker is adhered to the sheet. Then the eccentric cam  46   c  returns to its normal position as shown in FIG. 12 a.    
     The mechanism for movement of the attachment roller  48  is not limited to this embodiment. The movement mechanism and driving mechanism may also be provided independently. The independent mechanism can be operated by a control signal to adhere the marker. 
     The sixth embodiment of the sheet sorting apparatus of the invention will now be described. The standard position for feeding the sheet in the sixth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 13-15. FIG. 13 is the view from the B direction in FIG. 15, and FIG. 15 is the top view. FIG. 14 shows the inner structure of the apparatus. This embodiment is based on the fifth embodiment. In this sixth embodiment, in order to simplify the structure, movement of the cutter apparatus  46 , pulling of the tape  44 , and feeding and attaching the marker  47  are driven by a single motor. 
     In this embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, a cutter apparatus  46  is moved by an eccentric cam  46   c . The cutter edge  46   a  cuts the tape. In FIG. 15, the cutter edge is angled. By this configuration, the cutter cuts the tape sharply and surely. As described in the previous embodiment, the attachment roller  48  only contacts the sheet when the marker is to be adhered. 
     In the drive system, a driving motor capable of alternating rotation, such as a servo motor, is used. First gear  61  is located on the output shaft  60  of the driving motor. Second gear  62  contacts first gear  61 . The first gear  61  rotates counterclockwise. In this embodiment, forward rotation is defined as counterclockwise rotation of the first gear  61 , and reverse rotation is clockwise rotation of it. Third gear  63  contacts second gear  62 . A stopper  64  is attached to gear  63 . The stopper  64  has a hollow wedge shape. When the driving motor alternates rotation, the stopper  64  moves back and forth around the axis of the third gear  63 . A fixed rod  66  passes through the interior of the stopper  64  to limit the stopper&#39;s movement. A torque limiter  82  is provided on the shaft of the third gear  63 . When torque greater than a set value is applied to the shaft, the shaft is blocked by the limiter. In this way, if the driving motor rotates beyond the movement limit of the stopper, then the stopper will not rotate further. By this mechanism, rotation control of the driving motor can be rough, but the stopper is positioned precisely. 
     A fourth gear  65  is provided on the end of the shaft  46   d  of the eccentric cam  46   c . A stopper  67  is also provided. The fourth gear  65  rotates by rotation force from the third gear  63 . The stopper  67  contacts the stopper  64 . The shaft  46   d  has a one-way clutch  83 . The one-way clutch  83  transfers rotation force only when the driving motor rotates in the reverse direction. When the driving motor rotates in the forward direction, the driving force is not transmitted to the shaft  46   d  and the fourth gear  65  runs idle. The fourth gear  65  rotates alternatively and synchronously with the driving motor, and the rotation force is transmitted to the fifth gear  74 . 
     On the shaft  69  of the second gear  62 , a first link element  70  is provided as shown in FIG.  14 . The first link element  70  has a fork  70   a , and the fork contacts cutter contact pin  71 . The movement of the contact pin  71  controls cutter holder  46   b &#39;s movement. According to the alternating movement of the cutter contact pin  71 , the first link element  70  rotates in alternating directions. The other fork element  70   b  contacts the pin  71   a  of the second link element  73 . By the alternating rotation of the first link element  70 , the second link element  73  rotates alternatively around the axis P. A fifth gear  74  is also provided on axis P. At the end of the second link element  73  is a sixth gear  75 . The fifth gear  74  contacts the sixth gear. On shaft P of the fifth gear is a one-way clutch  85 . A seventh gear  86  is also provided on shaft P. In this way the sixth and seventh gears are connected. The one-way clutch  85  transmits force when the driving motor rotates forward, which rotates the seventh gear  86 . By this configuration, the force of the fourth gear  65  is transmitted to the sixth gear  75  through the fifth gear  74 . Near the end of the second link element  73 , the eighth gear  76  and ninth gear  77  are located. By the alternating movement of the second link element, the sixth gear contacts either the eighth gear  76  or the ninth gear  77 . Thus the link gear is changeable when the motor rotates forward. 
     The eighth gear transmits rotation force through a tenth gear  78  and an eleventh gear  79  to a gear (not shown) that links the eleventh gear and the attachment roller  48 . In this way the attachment roller is rotated. The tenth gear is located on the shaft of the tape-pulling roller  45 . The ninth gear  77  is located on the shaft of rollers  49 . A twelfth gear  88  is located at the opposite side of the shaft of the roller  49 . The gears  77  and  88  rotate equally. The twelfth gear contacts a thirteenth gear  90  via an idle gear  89 . The rotating force of the thirteenth gear is transmitted to the attachment roller  48  through the feed roller  41 . By this structure, when the sixth gear  75  contacts either the eighth gear  76  or the ninth gear  77 , the attachment roller  48  is rotated. 
     First, the forward rotation of the motor will be explained. This pulls the tape out from the roll. FIGS. 13-15 show the standard position. When the motor drives in the forward direction, as shown in FIGS. 16-17, the first, second, and third gears are rotated in the direction of the arrows. The stopper  64  rotates counterclockwise, and the inside edge portion  64   b  contacts the pin  66 , which stops further movement. When the motor rotates in the forward direction, the rotation shaft  46   d  does not receive rotation force due to a one-way clutch  83 . The eccentric cam  46   c  does not rotate, and the cutter edge  46   a  stays in the standard position. In that way, the seventh gear  75  is kept in the standard position and engages with the eighth gear  76 . The one-way clutch  85  located on rotation shaft P transmits the driving force of the fifth gear  74  to the tenth gear  78 . Pull-out roller  45  is rotated, and tape  44  is pulled out to a set length according to the amount of rotation of the pull-out roller. The pulled-out tape projects from the cutter apparatus  46 . 
     Next is the reverse rotation operation, which involves the cutting of the tape to make the marker. As shown in FIGS. 17-18, the driving motor rotates in the reverse direction. This causes the first, second, and third gears to rotate in the opposite direction from before, as shown in FIGS. 18-19. The stopper  64  stops at a position shown in FIG. 19 when the inside edge  74   a  contacts pin  66 . As the reverse rotation of the driving motor starts, the stopper  64  and the cutter shaft stopper  67  are not touching, and the shaft  46   d  can rotate, as shown in FIG.  17 . When the driving motor begins reverse rotation, the one-way clutch  83  transmits driving force. Then by the rotation of the fourth gear  65 , the eccentric cam  46  rotates. The eccentric cam moves the cutter holder and cutter edge forward. When the eccentric cam rotates 180 degrees, the cutter stopper  64  is in the position shown in FIG.  19 . The cutter shaft stopper  67  contacts the stopper  64 , and further rotation is prevented. The cutter edge  46   a  is stopped exactly at the most forward position, where it stays. As the cutter edge moves forward, it cuts the tape  44 . A marker is formed from the extended part of the tape. According to the forward movement of the cutter holder  46   b , the attachment roller  48  moves forward and contacts the feed roller  41  as in the fifth embodiment. Additionally in this embodiment, the cutter contact pin  71  moves forward with the cutter holder  46   b , as shown in FIG.  18 . The first link element  70  rotates counterclockwise, and the second link element rotates clockwise. The sixth gear  75  on the end of the second link element  73  engages the ninth gear  77 . During the reverse rotation of the driving motor, the fifth gear  74  rotates, but the sixth gear  75  and ninth gear  77  do not rotate because of the one-way clutch  85 . 
     After that process, the driving motor changes direction again to start a second forward rotation period. In this period the marker is fed and adhered to the sheet. From the position of FIGS. 18 and 19, the driving motor rotates forward. Then in FIGS. 20 and 21, the first gear  61 , second gear  62 , and third gear  63  rotate in the direction of the arrows. Finally the cutter stopper  64  stops at the position shown in FIG.  21 . The fourth gear  65  rotates when the driving motor rotates forward. The driving force of the motor is blocked by the one-way clutch  83 , and the rotation shaft  46   d  and eccentric cam  46   c  do not turn. Accordingly the cutter holder  46   b  remains in the forward position, and the cutter contact pin  71  does not move. The first link element  70  and the second link element  73  remain in the position from the previous process. The forward rotation of the driving motor and the one-way clutch  85  cause the ninth gear  77  to rotate. Accordingly, the roller  49  is rotated, and the marker  47  is fed. On the opposite side of the apparatus, the twelfth gear  88 , idle gear  89 , and thirteenth gear  90  rotate as well. Thus the attachment roller  48  rotates. Then, the cut marker  47  is adhered to the lower side portion of the sheet  42 . 
     This marks the start of the second reverse rotation of the driving motor, which returns the apparatus components to their standard positions. From the position in shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the driving motor rotates in the reverse direction. The first gear  61 , second gear  62 , arid third gear  63  rotate as shown in FIG.  19 . The cutter stopper  64  stops as shown. At the start of reverse rotation, as shown in FIG. 21, the cutter stopper  64  and cutter shaft stopper  67  have not contacted each other, and the shaft  46   d  is free to rotate. By the rotation of the fourth gear  65 , the eccentric cam  46   c  also rotates. The cutter holder  46   b  and edge  46   a  move backwards. When the eccentric cam  46   c  rotates 180 degrees, the mechanisms become as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. They then are prepared for the next adhering process. Continuous operation, from making the marker to adhering it to the sheet, is operated by a single driving motor. The improvements in the fourth, fifth, and sixth embodiments of course apply to the first embodiment. Similarly, the second and third embodiments can be applied to the fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments. 
     Each embodiment discussed so far is applied to the marker attaching mechanism of a sorting apparatus for an image forming apparatus. The marker adhering mechanism is located at the exit of the image forming apparatus and operates the ejected sheets which are printed. However, this invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, it can apply to an image reading apparatus. An example is shown in FIG.  22 . The sheet sorting apparatus  14  is located at the exit of facsimile  10 ′. A marker is adhered to a sheet when the sheet moves through the sorting mechanism  14 , and the sheet is piled on the output tray  10 ′ a . If some documents are sent to different persons, they can be marked by group. This also applies to receiving documents. 
     In this invention, the side edge part  10 ′ b  of tray  10 ′ a  is open. By this structure, the marker adhered to the sheet is located in the open area. Then, the marker is not bent and the position of the marker is easily recognized. There is a guide plate  10 ′ c  on the front part of the tray. This keeps the sheets in alignment and prevents them from falling off the tray. 
     For the complete structure of the sheet sorting apparatus  14 , each embodiment can be applied. For other embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 23-26, a different structure is described. This is the seventh embodiment of the sheet sorting apparatus of the invention. Of course, the seventh embodiment can be applied to the exit part of an image processing apparatus. 
     In the seventh embodiment, the structure is the same as in the sixth embodiment. The main difference is the replacement of the marker adhering roller  48  with an adhering belt unit  48 ′. Some of the parts that transfer the driving force are also different. As shown in FIG. 23, driving pulley  48 ′ a , responding pulley  48 ′ b , endless belt  48 ′ c , and tension roller  48 ′ d  are located with some resistance. The tension roller is provided to give a set amount of tension. It feeds the marker along with the belt  48 ′ c.    
     When the driving pulley  48 ′ a  rotates in the clockwise direction, the endless belt  48 ′ c  feeds a marker. The marker adhering belt unit  48 ′ can swing in a predetermined range, and when it is in the up position the belt and feeding roller contact and a marker is pressed to a sheet as it is fed. 
     The marker adhering belt unit  48 ′ has the same functions as the adhering roller  48 : move, stop, and swing up and down. Synchronized with the movement of the belt, the cutter edge  46   b  of the cutter apparatus moves back and forth it cuts the tape spooled out from the roller  43  at a preset time, and then the newly-made marker is attached to the sheet. In this embodiment the driving motor  60 ′ alternately rotates. The driving force is transmitted by a system of gears. The sheets are moved from the making to the adhering of the marker by a single driving motor. 
     Next the mechanism of the driving force is described. As shown in FIG. 24, gears A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , and A 4  transmit the driving force from the driving motor  60 ′ to the rotation shaft  46   d  of the eccentric cam  46   c . The gears A 1  through A 4  correspond to the gears  61 ,  62 ,  63 , and  65  in the sixth embodiment. Gear A 4  contacts gear B 1 , and the driving force of gear B 1  is transmitted to gear B 2 . A one-way clutch is provided on gear B 1 , so that any time it rotates counterclockwise, gear B 2  also rotates. Gear B 2  contacts either gear C 1  or gear D 1  and transmits the driving force alternately. Gear B 1  corresponds to fifth gear  74  in the previous embodiment, gear B 2  corresponds to sixth gear  75 , gear C 1  corresponds to eighth gear  76 , and gear D 1  corresponds to ninth gear  77 . Gear C 1  provides the driving force to gear C 4 . The pull-out rollers  45   c  and  45   b  connected to C 3  are rotated. The pull-out roller  45   b  is a dependent roller, and its rotation depends on the roller  45   a . Gear D 1  provides the driving force to gears D 2 -D 5 , causing the feeding roller  41  connected to the gear D 5  to rotate. 
     As shown in FIG. 24, the driving motor  60 ′ rotates counterclockwise. Accordingly, the A gears rotate in the direction of the arrows and transmit the driving force to the B gears. Gear B 1  rotates counterclockwise, and gear B 2  rotates clockwise. Gear B 2  engages gear C 1 , and the C gears rotate as indicated. Then the pull-out rollers  45   a  and  45   b  pull out the tape  44  to a set length. This is the pull-out step, and next is the tape cutting step. 
     As shown in FIG. 25, the driving motor rotates clockwise. The A gears rotate as indicated, and gear B 1  rotates clockwise. Due to the one-way clutch, gear B 2  does not rotate, and the C gears are not turned. The pull-out rollers and adhering belt do not move. By the counterclockwise rotation of gear A 4 , the eccentric cam  46   c  rotates and the cutter edge  46   a  moves forward. The tape  44  is cut, and a marker is manufactured. By a similar structure to the fifth and sixth embodiments, the marker adhering belt  48 ′ b  moves upward, corresponding to the movement of the cutter edge. The marker and sheet are pressed together by the belt  48 ′ c  and the feeding roller  41 . 
     As shown in FIG. 26, the driving motor  60 ′ again rotates counterclockwise. Accordingly, as in the tape cutting step, the A-named gears rotate as indicated by the arrows and transmit the driving force. Gear A 4  is connected to the shaft  46   d  through a one-way clutch. Accordingly the eccentric cam  46   c  does not rotate, and the cutter edge remains in the forward position. The adhering belt  48 ′ and the feeding roller  41  hold the sheet and marker. Gear B 1  rotates counterclockwise and drives gear B 2 . Gear B 2  engages gear D 1 , and the D gears rotate as indicated. By the D gears, the feeding roller  41  rotates. Accordingly, the sheet and marker are fed, and by the adhesive material on the marker, the marker is adhered to a predetermined position on the sheet. 
     After the adhering process finishes, the driving motor  60 ′ rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise). As in the tape cutting process, gear B 2  is not driven, and gear A 4  rotates counterclockwise. Then the eccentric cam  46   c  rotates and the cutter backs up to its original position. By their movement, the next cutting process is prepared and the dependent roller  48 ′ b  of the adhering belt  48 ′ moves downward and the endless belt  48 ′ c  and feed roller  41  are separated. Then there is no feeding pressure from the attachment belt. 
     This process is repeated each time a marker is adhered. In the sixth and seventh embodiments, a driving motor is provided. However, in this invention, a driving motor is not required. Power could be provided externally, either from the image processing apparatus or another source. 
     In FIG. 23, RS is a limit switch to detect the passage of sheets. When a sheet is detected, the driving motor  60 ′ starts to rotate. The time from detection to start of rotation can be varied. When the time is the same, the adhering position of the marker is the same. If the time is varied, the position is changed. 
     In the seventh embodiment, this sorting apparatus is applied to a facsimile device as an image reading apparatus, but the invention is not limited to only the applications in the embodiments. For example, by the results of OCR recognition of characters, a marker may be adhered to a sheet which has a bad recognition rate to show where the recognition error occurred. 
     FIG. 27 shows the eighth embodiment of the,sheet sorting apparatus of this invention. In this embodiment, a marker  116  is adhered to a sheet  112 , and the sheet is then piled on the tray  113 . The sheet sorting apparatus body  150  contains the marker adhering unit. The inner mechanism is shown in FIG.  28 . In FIG. 28, a movable unit  152  is provided inside casing  151 . The unit  152  is forced upwards by a plate spring  153 . In the normal state shown in FIG. 28, the top end portion of the unit  152  is lifted up. 
     In the unit  152 , a marker roll  154  is provided. The roll  154  is made of backing paper  155  to which a row of evenly spaced adhesive markers  116  is attached. The unwound end of the backing paper  155  is introduced into an outlet  152   a  of the unit  152 . The backing paper  155  turns at the outlet  152   a , and the marker attached to the paper is removed. Then the removed marker is attached to the sheet below the outlet. The pressure roller  158  presses the marker against the sheet. 
     The unit  152  has a movable link mechanism. A bar  162  is linked to a round wheel  160 . The wheel is turned by a motor (not shown). The bar  162  has a guide pin  163 , which is inserted in a guide hole  165  in the casing  151 . Driven by the turning of the wheel, the guide pin moves back and forth in the hole, and the unit  152  moves accordingly. There is a guide rail  167  in the unit  152 , and the guide rail contacts a roller  169 . The guide rail is bent so that the end portion  167   a  is lower than the base portion  167   b . In the normal state shown in FIG. 28, the roller  169  contacts the lower portion of the guide rail  167   a . When the unit  152  moves backwards according to the turning of the wheel  160 , the roller  169  contacts the base portion of the guide rail  167   b . As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the unit  152  is forced downwards by the action of the roller  169 . Both the roller  169  and the wheel  160  are mounted on the casing. 
     When a sheet is exiting beneath the apparatus, the motor is driven and the wheel  160  turns. Then as shown in FIG. 29, the outlet  152   a  moves downwards, and the top of the marker  116  contacts the sheet under the unit. Due to the turning, of the wheel  160 , the unit  152  moves to the right, and the roll  154  and rollers  156  and  157  turn as shown in FIG.  29 . Then the backing paper  155  is pulled out and the marker is pulled out with it. The backing paper turns sharply at the outlet  152   a , causing the marker  116  to be removed and placed by the roller  158 . 
     As the wheel  160  continues to turn, the unit  152  moves completely to the right side of the casing, as shown in FIG.  30 . The marker adhering process is finished, and the next marker is waiting in the outlet  152   a . By the turning of the wheel, the unit  152  moves back to the left, as shown in FIG.  31 . When the unit moves backwards, the backing paper is not pulled out due to a one-way clutch mechanism which cuts the driving force. 
     After the wheel  160  has rotated a complete 360 degrees, as shown in FIG. 32, the roller  169  is again in contact with the end portion  167   a  of the guide rail. The outlet side of the unit is lifted up by the recovery force of the plate spring  153 . To attach the next marker the cycle is repeated. 
     As shown in FIG. 27, the sheet sorting apparatus body  150  is movable along a guide rod  170 . By this mechanism, the marker adhering position is changeable. The mechanism is shown in detail in FIG.  33 . The sheet sorting apparatus body  150  is mounted under a mount  171 . A pair of guide rods  170  and a screw bolt  172  is provided through the mount  171 . By the turning of a screw bolt  172 , the sheet sorting apparatus body&#39;s position is changeable to adjust the attaching position. 
     In the embodiment mentioned above, the sheet sorting apparatus body&#39;s position is changed in line with the sheet feed direction. Of course, the sheet sorting apparatus body may also be moved across the path of the sheet, as shown in FIG.  34 . 
     In particular, FIG. 34 shows the ninth embodiment of the sheet sorting apparatus, and FIG. 35 shows the tenth embodiment of the sheet sorting apparatus of this invention. In these embodiments, the sheet sorting apparatus body  150  and  115 , respectively, are movable perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction. This movement may be carried out either manually or automatically by the screw bolt as shown in FIG.  33 . Due to these structures, the size of the sheets may be different. Referring to the structure shown in FIG. 34, this structure allows the markers to be attached to the front edge of the sheets. 
     Referring now to the structure as shown in FIG. 35, if one edge of the sheets  112  are in line on one side of the feeder, then the marker adhering position differs by the sheet size. In this case, by moving the position of the sheet sorting apparatus body  115 , a marker can be adhered to the appropriate position on each sheet  112   a  and  112   b.    
     The eleventh embodiment of the sheet sorting apparatus of the invention is shown in FIG.  36 . This embodiment illustrates some possible variations of the sheet receiving tray  175 . This type of tray  175  is designed to hold sheets  112  with markers  116  affixed to the side edge relative to the sheet feeding direction. As shown in FIG.  36 ( a ), both side edges of the tray have walls  175   a  for guiding the sheets  112 . An expanded area  175   b  is provided to prevent the markers  116  from contacting the side edge. FIG.  36 ( b ) shows an embodiment with tray sides  175 ′ c  and  175 ′ d  that ramp downward from the center of the tray  175 ′. The downward ramps  175 ′ c  and  175 ′ d  cause the sheets to be held more securely and prevent the top-piled sheet from sliding off of the tray. Because the sides of the sheets in the tray slope downward, the side edges of a sheet being output will not contact the sheets in the tray  175 ′. This prevents markers attached to the sheet edges from being accidentally removed by an exiting sheet. 
     FIG. 37 shows the twelfth embodiment of the sheet sorting apparatus of this invention. In this embodiment, the expanded portion of the tray is divided into several sections a, b, c. A label  177  may be attached to each section. The position of a marker on a sheet corresponds to one of the sections on the tray. The marker  116  does not cover the label  177 , so the label is visible and may be easily verified by the operator of the apparatus. This structure allows the label  177  to be used as an index, so that exited and piled sheets can be easily distinguished. Many styles for grouping the sheets may be employed according to necessity. For example, sheets can be sorted by each group of documents that are output, by the type of document such as printer or facsimile documents, or by a user-specified method. 
     In the embodiment above, the tray can also be flat. The sectioned portion a, b, c may alternately be applied to the forward end of the tray, as shown in FIG.  38 . In this case, markers  116  are attached to the front edge of the sheets. 
     FIGS. 39 and 40 show the thirteenth embodiment of the sheet sorting apparatus of this invention, a function of automatically loading a tape roll  124  for the sheet sorting apparatus based on the embodiments. After exchanging the roll  124  and closing the cover  121 , the tape  117  is automatically pulled out from the roll  124  and stops at a certain position ready for the adhering operation. A gear E 1  is provided on the shaft of the pull-out roller  125   a . A feed roller  180  is provided on the shaft of a gear E 2  engaging gear E 1 . Gears E 1  and E 2  do not interfere with the operation of the other gears A, B, C, or D. The feed roller  180  contacts the tape roll  124 . The feed roller  180  and the pull-out roller  125   a  are interconnected so that by the rotation of the feed roller, the tape roll  124  is rotated and the tape  117  is pulled out at the same rate. A switch  181  is provided on the cover  121  to detect when the cover is opened. The switch  181  detects when the cover  121  is closed after exchanging the tape roll  124 . The detection signal is sent to a controller (not shown). The controller drives the motor  132  based on the detection signal. The motor  132  drives gear C via gears A and B. When C 3  is rotated, it causes the pull-out roller  125   a  to rotate. Accordingly, the driving force is transmitted to gears E 1  and E 2 . The feed roller  180  and the tape roll  124  are then rotated, and the tape  117  is pulled out. 
     The length of the time the drive motor  132  is active may be set to a predetermined time after receiving the detection signal from the cover switch  181 . Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 40, a reflective sensor  183  can be provided above the tape roll  124 . A reflection plate  183   a  is provided on the cover  121 . When the cover  121 , is closed after inserting a new tape toll, the reflection sensor  183  detects comparably strong light reflected from the reflection plate  183  because there is no tape between the sensor  183  and the plate  183   a . When the tape  117  is pulled out, it covers plate  183   a  causing the amount of reflected light to be decreased. This allows the reflection sensor  183  to detect when the top of the tape  117  passes. After a predetermined time, the driving motor  132  is stopped. This structure allows the tape  117  to be loaded automatically by simply closing the cover  121 . 
     FIGS. 36 to  38  show other embodiments of the sheet receiving trays. They are designed to hold sheets with markers affixed to the edges. 
     FIGS. 39 and 40 show a function of automatically loading a marker roll  124 . After exchanging the roll  124  and closing the cover  121 , the tape  117  is automatically pulled out from the roll  124  and stops at a certain position ready for the adhering operation. 
     The primary advantages of this invention are as follows. By adhering markers to predetermined sheets, a group of sheets can be easily distinguished when multiple groups of sheets are piled on a single tray. The groups of sheets are sorted quickly and accurately. Markers are adhered to sheets by pressure-sensitive adhesive, so that the probability of them falling off is reduced. The marker adhering process is operated by a pair of feeding means with the sheet. The sheet being fed is not stopped while the marker is adhered, allowing non-stop operation. Sorting is operated by the marker. The invention is still effective when different-sized sheets are used. 
     While the invention has been described in detail with reference to a number of embodiments, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations are possible without departure from the scope and spirit of this invention as defined in the appended claims.