The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 28, 1985
Filed:
Oct. 14, 1981
Takashi Kitamura, Yokohama, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A collator has a common light-emitting element for emitting light to a photosensitive element for detecting an empty bin and to a photosensitive element for detecting a full bin; or a common photosensitive element for receiving light emitted from a light-emitting element for detection of an empty bin and from a light-emitting element for detection of a full bin. The collator allows correct detection of an empty bin and a full bin with fewer members and with simple construction. After detection of a full bin, some sheets already printed by a high-speed printer or the like can still be stacked in a space above the full bin level. Each bin also incorporates a bin inlet sensor to prevent erratic detection of a full bin or an empty bin when a sheet is in the process of being inserted in the bin through the inlet.