Stapler arrangement for a copier/finisher

#This invention relates to an automatic electrostatographic copying or duplicating system and particularly to an improvement in the finishing aspect of the system, that is, the adjunct of the system which binds collated sets of copies of a multidocument original.

#With the advent of the high speed electrostatographic reproduction machines having precollation recirculating document handlers, there is need to permit the production of copies which are in correspondingly precollated sets, either stapled or unstapled, or in stacks. To this end, the machines should comprise modular assemblies which are individually mountable relative to a host machine, and are arranged so that the path of copy sheet movement is entirely in a straight line above the processing stations. Each of the modular assemblies are devised so that an operator has complete viewing of a production run involving finishing, and may be easily reached and manipulated for clearing jam conditions.

#The general combination of an electrostatographic processor and a sheet attaching finishing station having a stitching or stapling device is not new, having been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,446,554 and 3,804,514, both being assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

#This and other objects of the invention will become more apparent upon considering the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a production system incorporating a recirculating document handling apparatus and a finishing station according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the copying system shown in FIG. 1 with the covers removed;

#For a general understanding of a reproduction machine with which the present invention may be incorporated, reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein components of a typical electrostatic printing system are illustrated. The printing system is preferably of the xerographic type as one including a xerographic processor 11, a document handling apparatus 12 and a finishing station 13. Preferably, the processor 11 is the same as the processor in the commercial embodiment of the Xerox machine model 9400 which utilizes flash, full frame exposure, for very high speed production. It will be understood that any other type of xerographic processor may be utilized.

#As in all xerographic systems, a light image of an original to be reproduced is projected onto the sensitized surface of a zerographic photosensitive surface to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. Thereafter, the latent image is developed with toner material to form a xerographic powder image corresponding to the latent image on the phototsensitive surface. The powder image is then electrostatically transferred to a record material such as a sheet of paper or the like to which it may be fused by a fusing device whereby the powder image to adhere permanently to the surface of the record material.

#The xerographic processor 11 is arranged as a self-contained unit having all of its processing stations located in a unitary enclosure or cabinet. The processor includes an exposure staion at which an original to be reproduced is positioned on a glass exposure platen 14 for projection onto a photosensitive surface in the form of a xerographic belt 15. The original or set of individual but document sheets are selectively transported by the document feed apparatus 12 one document sheet at a time to the platen 14 for exposure. For producing collated sets of copy sheets, the document sheets should be collated. After exposure of each document the same is returned to the top of the set until the entire set has been copied, at which time the document set handling cycle may be repeated indefinitely as described in British Pat. No. 1,492,466.