Image forming apparatus for forming two images on one side of one sheet

Abstract

An automatic document feeder and a copying apparatus, for copying the respective images of two successive documents on one copying sheet. The automatic document feeder detects whether a document fed for copying is an odd-numbered document or an even-numbered document, conveys an odd-numbered document to a first position on the contact glass, conveys an even-numbered document to a second position on the contact glass. The copying apparatus copies the image of the odd-numbered document placed at the first position on the contact glass in one half of a copying sheet, and then stores the copying sheet carrying the image in one half thereof for the next copying operation. When an even-numbered document is placed at the second position on the contact glass by the automatic document feeder after the copying operation for copying the odd-numbered document has been completed, the copying apparatus copies the image of the even-numbered document in the other half of the same copying sheet carrying the image of the odd-numbered document in one half thereof, and discharges the copying sheet.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.