Compact sorter

In an improved sorting apparatus of the shiftable bin type including a frame structure having means for mounting the sorting apparatus on a copying machine at the sheet outlet fron the copying machine, sorting bins shiftable relative to one another to provide a wide sheet entry between bins at said outlet, and means for shifting the bins, said bins having ends remote from said outlet pivotally and longitudinally shiftably mounted one on the other and ends adjacent said outlet mounted for shifting movement past said outlet, said means for shifting said bins engaging successive bins at said ends adjacent to said outlet to move the latter successively pivotally from one side of said outlet to the other and causing relative longitudinal sliding movement of the bins, and including control means to intermittently effect operation of said shifting means following passage into successive bins from the copying machine of a selected number of sheets;

• the improvement wherein bearing means are provided on said ends remote from said outlet for increasing the space between said latter ends responsive to longitudinal movement of said bins in one direction and allowing movement of said latter ends towards one another responsive to longitudinal movement of said bins in the other direction.