Ejected paper sorting device and its use in image recording apparatus

• Main Author: FUKUI; ISAO
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 04.04.2000
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CONVEYING; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS,CABLES; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION; STORING; TRANSPORTING

A paper sorting device is incorporated in a recording machine. The paper sorting device includes a first paper tray located near a recording paper exit of the recording machine and a second paper tray located below the first paper tray. A flap is provided as a part of the first paper tray such that it can move to form an opening for passing of the recording paper therethrough. A drive mechanism is also provided for maintaining the flap in position or moving the flap to form the opening. When the flap is maintained in position, the recording paper is ejected onto the first paper tray. When the flap is moved, the recording paper falls onto the second tray through the opening made by the moved flap. Therefore, two kinds of recording paper are separately collected in the two paper trays respectively. The flap may be hinge-linked to the first paper tray so that it can rotate about its hinge upwards and downwards. If the recording machine is an image recording machine having a facsimile function and a copy function, the recording paper as a result of facsimile data reception from a remote facsimile may be ejected onto the first paper tray and the recording paper as a result of copying may be ejected onto the second paper tray.