Patent Publication Number: US-6708972-B2

Title: Sheet-like object sorter, and discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus employing the same

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a sheet-like object sorter and a discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus employing the same. Specifically, the present invention relates to a discharged paper processing device which performs sorting of plain paper, transparent films for OHP or the like discharged mainly from an image-forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, as well as to a sorter which sorts sheet-like objects fed thereto such as a sorter for sorting sheet-shaped pouches each containing medicine or food for example or a sorter for sorting postcards or sealed letters. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In an image-forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, there is optionally provided a discharged paper processing device which is removably attached to the image-forming apparatus and operates to sort a multiplicity of recording paper sheets on which recording has already been made. A typical discharged paper processing device does not have the function of conveying recording paper sheets from an image-forming apparatus or sorting such recording paper sheets and provides such functions on the image-forming apparatus side. 
     In “sorter” disclosed in Japanese Utility-Model Application Laid-Open No. 4-122557 (1992) for example, a conveying path for conveying recording paper and a plurality of branching guides for taking recording paper out of the conveying path are provided on the image-forming apparatus side, while a plurality of bins are removably attached to an image-forming apparatus, whereby any one of the branching guides leads recording paper to any one of the bins. 
     In the conventional “sorter” mentioned above having the branching guides provided on the image-forming apparatus side and the bins removably attached to the image-forming apparatus, however, the branching guides and the bins are separate members and, hence, a large clearance is formed between the branching guides and the bins and causes jamming of recording paper to take place during the conveyance from a bin to a branching guide. In addition, the conventional “sorter” adopts a structure which allows the bins to be easily removed for jammed recording paper to be removed, and this structure causes the clearance to be enlarged, making it difficult to prevent jamming of recording paper. Further, the conventional “sorter” mentioned above requires various sensors to be provided on the branch paths for detecting jamming of recording paper. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the foregoing problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus with which jamming of recording paper is difficult to take place. It is another object of the present invention to provide a sorter with which jamming of sheet-like objects is difficult to take place. 
     In order to solve the foregoing problems, the present invention provides a sheet-like object sorter for sorting sheet-like objects discharged from a main apparatus and taking in the sorted sheet-like objects into a plurality of bin units, characterized in that: a bin unit assembly comprising a stack of the plurality of bin units is configured to be removably attached to a sidewall of the main apparatus; when the bin unit assembly is attached to the sidewall of the main apparatus, a conveying path for sheet-like objects is formed between a wall surface of the sidewall of the main apparatus to which the bin unit assembly is attached and an end portion of each of the bin units; and each of the bin units comprises a gate capable of selectively positioning a first position and a second position for taking in the sheet-like objects being conveyed on the conveying path, wherein when the gate positions at the first position, the conveying path is blocked to guide sheet-like objects being conveyed on the conveying path into each the bin unit, and when the gate positions at the second position, the conveying path is opened to allow sheet-like objects being conveyed on the conveying path to pass by. 
     The sheet-like object sorter of the above construction according to the present invention is provided with the gates on the bin unit assembly side for guiding sheet-like objects being conveyed on the conveying path into respective bin units. For this reason, any clearance causing jamming of sheet-like objects is not formed between the gates and the bin unit assembly and, hence, it is possible to guide such sheet-like objects from the conveying path to respective bin units through the gates smoothly. Further, since the conveying path is formed between the sidewall of the main apparatus and the end portions of the bin units forming the bin unit assembly, it is possible to put out and retract the gate provided at each bin unit relative to the conveying path easily. Moreover, since each gate is provided on a respective one of the bin units forming the bin unit assembly, the main apparatus can be simplified in structure. 
     The sheet-like object sorter of the present invention may have a feature wherein the bin units each comprises a tray for receiving sheet-like objects, and a conveyor roller for conveying sheet-like objects guided by the gate provided at each bin unit to the tray. 
     The sheet-like object sorter with this feature according to the present invention is capable of guiding sheet-like objects into each bin unit from the gate and then to the tray. 
     Further, the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention may have a feature wherein the bin units each comprises a driving unit controlled from the main apparatus so as to cause the gate to position one of the first position and the second position selectively. 
     The sheet-like object sorter with this feature according to the present invention allows the main apparatus to control putting out and retraction of the gate. 
     Yet, the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention may have a feature wherein dent portions into which a front edge portion of the gate provided at each of the bin units is put are formed on a sidewall of the main apparatus so that a front edge portion of the gate is put into a sidewall of the conveying path on the main apparatus side when the gate positions at the first position. 
     In such a sheet-like object according to the present invention, when the front edge of the gate is put into the dent portion formed on the sidewall of the main apparatus, any clearance or protrusion causing jamming of sheet-like objects is not formed between the front edge of the gate and the sidewall of the main apparatus and, hence, it is possible to guide sheet-like objects from the conveying path into each bin unit by means of the gate smoothly. 
     Further, the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention may have a feature wherein: each of the bin units comprises a driven conveyor roller at an end portion thereof, the main apparatus has a driving conveyor roller on the sidewall thereof, the driving conveyor roller contact with the driven conveyor roller provided at each bin unit when the bin unit assembly is attached to the main apparatus; and sheet-like objects are conveyed while being caught between the driving conveyor roller and the driven conveyor roller. 
     In the sheet-like object sorter with this feature according to the present invention, the driven conveyor rollers for conveying sheet-like objects along the conveying path are provided on the bin unit side and, hence, the structure of the main apparatus can be simplified. 
     Yet, the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention may have a feature wherein: the driven conveyor roller and the driving conveyor roller comprises at least one pair, respectively; and space of the at least one pair of driven conveyor rollers and space of the one pair of driving conveyor rollers are set equal to or smaller than the width of a sheet-like object of a minimum size to be discharged from the main apparatus, respectively. 
     The sheet-like object sorter with this feature according to the present invention is capable of catching opposite side edges of a sheet-like object of a minimum size between the driven conveyor rollers and the driving conveyor rollers, whereby even sheet-like objects of a minimum size can be conveyed straight and sorted. 
     In order to solve the foregoing problems, the present invention also provides a discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus for sorting paper sheets discharged from the image-forming apparatus and taking in the sorted paper sheets into a plurality of bin units, characterized in that: a bin unit assembly comprising a stack of the plurality of bin units is configured to be removably attached to a sidewall of the image-forming apparatus; when the bin unit assembly is attached to the sidewall of the image-forming apparatus, a conveying path for discharged paper sheets is formed between a wall surface of the sidewall of the image-forming apparatus to which the bin unit assembly is attached and an end portion of each of the bin units; and each of the bin units comprises a gate capable of selectively positioning a first position and a second position for taking in the discharged paper sheets being conveyed on the conveying path, wherein when the gate positions at the first position, the conveying path is blocked to guide discharged paper sheets being conveyed on the conveying path into each bin unit, and when the gate positions at the second position, the conveying path is opened to allow discharged paper sheets being conveyed on the conveying path to pass by. 
     The discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus of the above construction according to the present invention is provided with the gates on the bin unit assembly side. For this reason, any clearance causing jamming of recording paper is not formed between the gates and the bin unit assembly and, hence, it is possible to guide recording paper sheets from the conveying path to respective bin units through the gates smoothly. Further, since the conveying path is formed between the sidewall of the image-forming apparatus and the end portions of the bin units forming the bin unit assembly, it is possible to put out and retract the gate provided at each bin unit relative to the conveying path easily. Moreover, since each gate is provided on a respective one of the bin units forming the bin unit assembly, the image-forming apparatus can be simplified in structure. 
     The discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus of the present invention may have a feature wherein the bin units each comprises a tray for receiving discharged paper sheets, and a conveyor roller for conveying discharged paper sheets guided by the gate provided at each bin unit to the tray. 
     The discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus with this feature according to the present invention is capable of guiding recording paper sheets into each bin unit by means of the gate and then to the tray. 
     Further, the discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus of the present invention may have a feature wherein the bin units each comprises a driving unit controlled from the image-forming apparatus so as to cause the gate to position one of the first position and the second position selectively. 
     The discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus with this feature according to the present invention allows the image-forming apparatus to control putting out and retraction of the gate. 
     Yet, the discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus of the present invention may have a feature wherein the bin units each comprises a tray for receiving discharged paper sheets, and a conveyor roller for conveying discharged paper sheets guided by the gate provided at each bin unit to the tray. 
     In such a discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the front edge of the gate is put into the dent portion formed on the sidewall of the image-forming apparatus, any clearance or protrusion causing jamming of recording paper is not formed between the front edge of the gate and the sidewall of the image-forming apparatus and, hence, it is possible to guide recording paper from the conveying path into each bin unit by means of the gate smoothly. 
     Further, the discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus of the present invention may have a feature wherein: each of the bin units comprises a driven conveyor roller at an end portion thereof, the image-forming apparatus has a driving conveyor roller on the sidewall thereof, the driving conveyor roller contacting with the driven conveyor roller provided at each bin unit when the bin unit assembly is attached to the image-forming apparatus; and discharged paper sheets are conveyed while being caught between the driving conveyor roller and the driven conveyor roller. 
     In the discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus with this feature according to the present invention, the driven conveyor rollers for conveying recording paper sheets along the conveying path are provided on the bin unit side and, hence, the structure of the main apparatus can be simplified. 
     Yet further, the discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus of the present invention may have a feature wherein: the driven conveyor roller and the driving conveyor roller comprises at least one pair, respectively; and space of the at least one pair of driven conveyor rollers and space of the one pair of driving conveyor rollers are set equal to or smaller than the width of a paper sheet of a minimum size to be discharged from the image-forming apparatus, respectively. 
     The discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus with this feature according to the present invention is capable of catching opposite side edges of a recording paper sheet of a minimum size between the driven conveyor rollers and the driving conveyor rollers, whereby even recording paper sheets of a minimum size can be conveyed straight and sorted. 
     The above and further objects and features of the invention will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description with accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing one embodiment of the present invention in which a sheet-like object sorter according to the invention is applied to a discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a bin unit of the discharged paper processing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the bin unit of the discharged paper processing device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear side; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a portion around a sidewall of the image-forming apparatus to which each bin unit of the discharged paper processing device showing in FIG. 1 is attached; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the maximum number of bin units of the discharged paper processing device are attached to the image-forming apparatus. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the following description is directed to the case where a sheet-like object sorter according to the present invention is applied mainly to a discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus such as a copying machine, printer and facsimile apparatus, paper discharged in this case includes not only typical plain paper but also transparent films for OHPs and the like. It is needless to say that the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention is also applicable to devices for conveying and sorting sheet-like objects such as a device for conveying and sorting sheet-shaped pouches each containing medicine or food for example or a conveyer for sorting postcards or sealed letters. 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing one embodiment of the present invention in which a sheet-like object sorter according to the invention is applied to a discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus. The image-forming apparatus  1  shown in FIG. 1 is of the type fulfilling multiple functions such as the functions of copying machine, printer, facsimile apparatus and the like. The image-forming apparatus  1  comprises a printer  2 , a scanner  3  and an automatic document feeder  4  and is provided with a discharged paper processing device  5  and a multi-stage paper feeder  6  as optional components. 
     When an original document is placed on a document set tray  40 , the automatic document feeder  4  feeds and positions the original document onto a platen glass  30 , and after the scanner  3  has read the image of the original document, the feeder  4  conveys the original document to an original document discharged tray  42 . The automatic document feeder  4  is pivotally supported at one side thereof so that the entire feeder  4  can open and close to allow an unfeedable original document to be placed on the platen glass  30 . 
     With respect to the scanner  3 , one of an automatic read mode and a manual operation read mode is selected to set the operational mode of the scanner  3 . When the automatic read mode is selected, the scanner  3  reads the image of an original document in cooperation with the document feeder  4  feeding the original document onto the platen glass  30 . On the other hand, when the manual operation read mode is selected, the scanner  3  reads the image of an original document placed on the platen glass  30  in response to a manual operation by the user. In either mode, first and second scanning units  31  and  32  move with a predetermined velocity relationship therebetween maintained; the image of the original document placed on the platen glass  30  is exposed by the first scanning unit  31 ; light reflected from the original document is guided to a lens  33  by the first and second scanning units  31  and  32 ; 
     and the image of the original document is image-formed on a photoelectric conversion device (CCD)  34  through the lens  33 . The CCD  34  reads the image of the original document by repeated scanning in the primary scanning direction and outputs image data representing the image of the original document. 
     The printer  2 , to which image data from the scanner  3  or from an external device (a personal computer for example) is inputted, records the image represented by the image data on recording paper. 
     A printer control unit  24  controls an electro-photographic process unit  20  and functions as an interface for receiving image data from the external device. An image control unit  25  performs predetermined image processing of image data fed from the external device and controls and drives the operation of a light scanning unit  22  according to the image data. 
     The electro-photographic process unit  20  comprises a photosensitive drum  200 , an electro static charging roller  201 , light scanning unit  22 , a developing unit  202 , a transfer unit  203 , a cleaning unit  204 , an electro static eliminator unit (not shown), and the like. The photosensitive drum  200  rotates in one direction. The electro static charging roller  201  causes the photosensitive drum  200  to be electrostatically charged uniformly. The light scanning unit  22  forms a light beam (light image) modulated according to image data and performs repeated scanning over the surface of the photosensitive drum  200  in the primary scanning direction using the light beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum  200 . The developing unit  202  supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum  200 . The toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum  200  to form a toner image. The transfer unit  203  superposes recording paper fed from below on the photosensitive drum  200  to cause the toner image to transfer from the photosensitive drum  200  to the recording paper. The cleaning unit  204  removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum  200 . The electro static eliminator unit eliminates the static charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum  200 . 
     A fixing device  23  is disposed above the electro-photographic process unit  20 . The fixing device  23  fixes the toner image to the recording paper by heating and pressurizing the recording paper. 
     The recording paper is further conveyed by discharge rollers  28  and passed to a relay path unit  8  of the discharged paper processing unit  5 . 
     When recording of an image is to be made also on the reverse side of the recording paper, the conveyance of the recording paper is temporarily stopped, and then the recording paper is conveyed in the opposite direction from the relay path unit  8  to the printer  2 . At the printer  2 , a branching pawl  251  is rotated to guide the recording paper to a reversing conveying path  250  through which the recording paper is conveyed to the electro-photographic process  20  again, whereby the recording paper is turned upside down to allow the image to be recorded on the reverse side thereof. The recording paper having thus recorded the images on the both sides thereof is conveyed by the discharge rollers  28  and passed to the relay path unit  8  of the discharged paper processing device  5 . 
     Below the printer  2  is disposed a paper feeding unit  21 . The paper feeding unit  21  includes a paper storage tray  210  storing therein recording paper sheets in a stacked fashion and a separating and feeding unit  211  which picks up recording paper sheets one by one from the paper storage tray  210  while separating one sheet from the rest and feeds them to the electro-photographic process unit  20 . The recording paper is conveyed to the transfer unit  203 , passed through the fixing device  23  and then conveyed to the discharge rollers  28 . Incidentally, it is possible to draw the paper storage tray  210  out of the body of the image-forming apparatus  1  and replenish the paper storage tray  210  in a drawn-out state with recording paper. 
     The multi-stage paper feeder  6  is an optional component which is removably attached to the image-forming apparatus  1 . The multi-stage paper feeder  6  stores plural kinds of recording paper in respective paper storage trays  610 . Separating and feeding units  611  each take recording paper sheets out of respective one of the paper storage trays  610  while separating one sheet from the rest and send them to the electro-photographic process unit  20  through a paper receiving port  27  of the printer  2 . Incidentally, it is possible to draw each of the paper storage trays  610  out of the body of the multi-stage paper feeder  6  and replenish each paper storage tray  610  in a drawn-out state with recording paper. The number and sizes of the paper storage trays may be changed appropriately. 
     The multi-stage paper feeder  6  carries thereon the printer  2  and the discharged paper processing device  5  as an optional component. On the other hand, the scanner  3  and the automatic document feeder  4  rest on a system rack  7 . At the bottom of the multi-stage paper feeder  6  are provided moving rollers  63  and fixing portions  64 . When the fixing portions  64  are spaced apart from the floor surface by being screwed into the bottom of the multi-stage paper feeder  6  thereby having the moving rollers  63  support the multi-stage paper feeder  6 , it is possible to move the multi-stage paper feeder  6 . In this state, the multi-stage paper feeder  6 , printer  2  and discharged paper processing device  5  are moved so as to be arranged inside the system rack  7 . Thereafter, the fixing portions  64  are rotated to project until they contact with the floor surface thereby fixing the multi-stage paper feeder  6  by means of the fixing portions  64 . At this time, a space is formed between the relay path unit  8  of the discharged paper processing device  5  and the scanner  3 . 
     The discharged paper processing device  5  is an optional component which is removably attached to the body of the image-forming apparatus  1  and comprises the relay path unit  8  and a post-processing unit  9 . 
     The relay path unit  8  has a relay path  84  for receiving recording paper from the printer  2  and conveying it to the post-processing unit  9 , a switch-back path  83  for temporarily receiving recording paper and returning it to the printer  2 , and a gate plate  81  for guiding recording paper fed from the printer  2  to the relay path  84  or the switch-back path  83 . The gate plate  81  can swing. When the front edge of the gate plate  81  is oriented downward, recording paper is guided to the relay path  84 , while when the same is oriented upward, recording paper is guided to the switch-back path  83 . 
     The relay path  84  is provided with conveyor rollers  85  which rotate in one direction for guiding recording paper to the post-processing unit  9 . The switch-back path  83  is provided with a carrier plate  86  on which recording paper is placed and conveyor rollers  87  which are rotatable forwardly and backwardly. Not only the conveyor rollers  87  but also the conveyor rollers  28  of the printer  2  are rotatable forwardly and backwardly. When a recording paper sheet is guided to the switchback path  83 , the trailing edge of the recording paper sheet is caught between the conveyor rollers  28  of the printer  2 , and the conveyor rollers  87  and conveyor rollers  28  are stopped with the recording paper in a state placed on the carrier plate  86  to stop the conveying of the recording paper temporarily. Thereafter, the recording paper is conveyed to the printer  2  in the opposite direction by rotating the conveyor rollers  87  and conveyor rollers  28  backwardly. At the printer  2 , the branching pawl  251 , as described earlier, guides the recording paper to the reversing conveying path  250 , through which the recording paper is conveyed to the electro-photographic process  20  where an image is recorded on the reverse side of the recording paper. 
     The post-processing unit  9  receives recording paper from the printer  2  through the relay path  84  and performs post-processing with respect to the recording paper. Such post-processing includes stapling, sorting and the like. 
     The post-processing unit  9  of the discharged paper processing device  5  according to this embodiment will be more specifically described below. The post-processing unit  9  in this embodiment is formed as an assembly of plural bin units  91 , each bin unit  91  capable of being removably attached to the image-forming apparatus  1 . A conveying path  93  is formed between an end portion  91   a  of each bin unit  91  and a sidewall  92  of the image-forming apparatus  1 . Each bin unit  91  is provided with driven conveyor rollers  94  at the end portion  91   a  thereof, while the image-forming apparatus  1  is provided with driving conveyor rollers  95  at the sidewall  92  thereof. The driven conveyor rollers  94  and the counterpart driving conveyor rollers  95  are pressed against each other and, hence, the driven conveyor rollers  94  are driven to rotate by the counterpart driving conveyor rollers  95  rotating. At the post-processing unit  9 , recording paper from the relay path unit  8  is guided to the conveying path  93  by means of the conveyor rollers  96  and then conveyed along the conveying path  93  by means of the driven conveyor rollers  94  and driving conveyor rollers  95 . 
     Each bin unit  91  is provided with a gate  97  and upper and lower paper discharge rollers  98 . The gate  97  and the upper and lower paper discharge rollers  98  are driven by the image-forming apparatus  1 . The gate  97  is pivotally supported so as to put out and retract relative to the conveying path  93 . When the gate  97  is put out to lie toward the conveying path  93 , it takes in recording paper from the conveying path  93 . The upper and lower paper discharge rollers  98  of each bin unit  91  are pressed against paper discharge rollers  98  of vertically adjacent bin units  91 , one roller driving the other roller to convey the recording paper taken in from the conveying path  93  by the gate  97  toward a discharged paper tray  99 . 
     When a copy mode for example is set, the image-forming apparatus  1  causes the gate  97  of only an upper row bin unit  91  to put out to lie toward the conveying path  93  in order to guide recording paper from the conveying path  93  toward the discharged paper tray  99  of the upper row bin unit  91  through the gate  97 . Alternatively, when a print mode is set, the image-forming apparatus  1  causes the gate  97  of only a middle row bin unit  91  to put out to lie toward the conveying path  93  in order to guide recording paper from the conveying path  93  toward the discharged paper tray  99  of the middle row bin unit  91  through the gate  97 . Likewise, when a facsimile mode is set, the image-forming apparatus  1  causes the gate  97  of only a lower row bin unit  91  to put out to lie toward the conveying path  93  in order to guide recording paper from the conveying path  93  toward the discharged paper tray  99  of the lower row bin unit  91  through the gate  97 . 
     Each gate  97  is provided on respective bin unit  91  side. For this reason, the clearance between the gate  97  and the body of the bin unit  91  can be set sufficiently narrow and, hence, any clearance causing jamming of recording paper is not formed in the branch path extending from each gate  97  to its associated discharged paper tray  99 . 
     When the gate  97  of each bin unit  91  is put out to lie toward the conveying path  93 , the front edge of the gate  97  is put into a dent portion  92   a  of the sidewall  92  of the image-forming apparatus  1 . For this reason, any clearance and/or any protrusion causing jamming of recording paper are not formed between the front edge of the gate  97  and the sidewall  92  and, hence, it is possible to guide recording paper into each bin unit  91  by means of the gate  97  and then to the associated discharged paper tray  99  smoothly. 
     It is to be noted that the number of bin units  91  to be attached, stated otherwise the number of bin units  91  forming the bin unit assembly, is optional and hence can be appropriately determined for the convenience of the user. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a bin unit  91  as viewed from the front side, while FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the bin unit  91  as viewed from the rear side. As apparent from FIG.  2  and FIG. 3, the gate  97  is pivotally supported at a rear portion of each bin unit  91  and connects a shaft  101  thereof to a plunger  103   a  of a solenoid  103  via a crank  102 . The solenoid  103  is driven and controlled by the image-forming apparatus  1  and acts to move the plunger  103   a . When the plunger  103   a  is in a protruded position, the gate  97  stands substantially vertically on the bin unit  91  side, while when the plunger  103   a  is retracted, the gate  97  is put out to lie toward the conveying path  93 , so that the front edge thereof is put into the dent portion  92   a  of the sidewall  92  of the image-forming apparatus  1 . 
     A portion adjacent the front edge of the gate  97  is formed in a comb-like shape. This comb-like shape front edge is accommodated in a space formed at a rear portion of another bin unit  91  disposed just above when the gate  97  stands substantially vertically on the bin unit  91  side. 
     A pair of driven conveyor rollers  94  are rotatably supported on a shaft at the end portion  91   a  of each bin unit  91 . Paper discharge rollers  98  are rotatably supported on respective shafts at upper and lower sides of each bin unit  91 . 
     The discharged paper tray  99  of each bin unit  91  is provided with a slide plate  105  which can be drawn out and pushed in. When recording paper size is larger than the discharged paper tray  99 , the slide plate  105  is drawn out. 
     FIG. 4 shows a portion around the sidewall  92  of the image-forming apparatus  1  to which each bin unit  91  is attached. As apparent from FIG. 4, plural pairs of driving conveyor rollers  95  are provided on the sidewall  92  of the image-forming apparatus  1 . One pair of driving conveyor rollers  95  are pressed against the pair of driven conveyor rollers  94  of one bin unit  91 . Respective spaces of one pair of driving conveyor rollers  95  and that of one pair of driven conveyor rollers  94  are set so that both side edges of a recording paper sheet of a minimum size that can be processed by the image-forming apparatus  1  can be caught between the driven conveyor rollers  94  and the driving conveyor rollers  95 . Thus, even recording paper sheets of a minimum size can be conveyed straight and sorted. 
     At the side wall  92  of the image-forming apparatus  1 , the dent portions  92   a  into each of which the gate  97  of each bin unit  91  becomes put into are formed. 
     Further, both side walls  106  on opposite sides of the sidewall  92  are provided with disc-shaped guide members  107  for positioning respective bin units  91 . 
     Here, the bin units  91  are stacked from the lower side for ease of showing the structure of the sidewall  92  of the image-forming apparatus  1 . Usually, however, bin units  91  in any desired number are stacked in a descending order. FIG. 5 shows a state where a maximum number of bin units  91  are attached to the image-forming apparatus  1 . 
     Since the discharged paper processing device  5  according to the embodiment has the gates  97  each provided on respective bin unit  91  side, it is possible to sufficiently narrow the clearance between the gates  97  and the bodies of the bin units  91 . When the gate  97  of each bin unit  91  is put out to lie toward the conveying path  93 , the front edge of the gate  97  puts into respective dent portion  92   a . For this reason, any clearance causing jamming of recording paper is not formed in the branch path extending from the conveying path  92  to the discharged paper tray  99  through the gate  97  and, hence, it is possible to guide recording paper into each bin unit  91  by means of the gate  97  and then to the discharged paper tray  99  smoothly. Further, it is possible to reduce the number of sensors for detecting jamming of recording paper. 
     As has been specifically described above, the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention has the gates provided on the bin unit assembly side. For this reason, any clearance causing jamming of sheet-like objects is not formed between the gates and the bin unit assembly and, hence, it is possible to guide such sheet-like objects from the conveying path to respective bin units through the gates smoothly. 
     Further, since the conveying path is formed between the sidewall of the main apparatus and the end portions of the bin units forming the bin unit assembly, it is possible to put out and retract the gate provided at each bin unit relative to the conveying path easily. Moreover, since each gate is provided at a respective one of the bin units forming the bin unit assembly, the main apparatus can be simplified in structure. 
     Further, the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention is capable of guiding sheet-like objects into each bin unit from the gate and then to the tray. 
     Yet, the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention allows the main apparatus side to control putting out and retracting the gate. 
     Further, according to the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention, when the front edge of the gate puts into the dent portion formed on the sidewall of the main apparatus, any clearance or protrusion causing jamming of sheet-like objects is not formed between the front edge of the gate and the sidewall of the main apparatus and, hence, it is possible to guide sheet-like objects from the conveying path into each bin unit by means of the gate smoothly. 
     Yet, in the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention, the driven conveyor rollers for conveying sheet-like objects along the conveying path are provided on the bin unit side and, hence, the structure of the main apparatus can be simplified. 
     Further, the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention is capable of catching opposite side edges of a sheet-like object of a minimum size between the driven conveyor rollers and the driving conveyor rollers, whereby even sheet-like objects of a minimum size can be conveyed straight and sorted. 
     As has been described above, the discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus of the present invention has the gates provided on the bin unit assembly side. For this reason, any clearance causing jamming of recording paper is not formed between the gates and the bin unit assembly and, hence, it is possible to guide recording paper sheets from the conveying path to respective bin units through the gates smoothly. Further, since the conveying path is formed between the sidewall of the image-forming apparatus and the each end portion of the bin unit forming the bin unit assembly, it is possible to put out and retract the gate provided at each bin unit relative to the conveying path. Moreover, since each gate is provided at a respective one of the bin units forming the bin unit assembly, the image-forming apparatus can be simplified in structure. 
     Further, the discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus of the present invention is capable of guiding recording paper sheets into each bin unit by means of the gate and then to the tray. 
     Yet, the discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus of the present invention allows the image-forming apparatus side to control putting out and retracting the gate. 
     According to the discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus of the present invention, when the front edge of the gate puts into the dent portion formed on the sidewall of the image-forming apparatus, any clearance or protrusion causing jamming of recording paper is not formed between the front edge of the gate and the sidewall of the image-forming apparatus and, hence, it is possible to guide recording paper from the conveying path into each bin unit by means of the gate smoothly. 
     Further, in the discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus of present invention, the driven conveyor rollers for conveying recording paper sheets along the conveying path are provided on the bin unit side and, hence, the structure of the main apparatus can be simplified. 
     Yet further, the discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus of the present invention is capable of catching opposite side edges of a recording paper sheet of a minimum size between the driven conveyor rollers and the driving conveyor rollers, whereby even recording paper sheets of a minimum size can be conveyed straight and sorted. 
     The foregoing description is directed to the case where the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention is applied mainly to the discharged paper processing device for image-forming apparatus such as a copying machine, printer and facsimile apparatus for conveying and sorting sheet-like objects, specifically plain paper, transparent films for OHPs, and the like, by means of plural guide members. However, it is needless to say that the sheet-like object sorter of the present invention is also applicable to a wide variety of sorters for devices adapted to convey sheet-like objects such as a device for conveying sheet-shaped pouches each containing medicine or food for example or an apparatus for conveying and sorting postcards or sealed letters. 
     As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiments are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.