Sheet sorter with stapler

摘要

A sheet sorter with a stapler includes a plurality of bins arranged in a vertical direction each of which receives a plurality of sheets discharged from an and forms thereon a stack of sheets. An indexer receives the sheets from the image recording apparatus and distributes the sheets to the respective bins through the sheet inlet ends thereof. A stapler is movable up and down along the array of the sheet inlet ends of the bins and in a direction of width of the sheets to staple the stack of sheets on each bin which has been ejected beyond the sheet inlet end of the bin by a predetermined length. A single reciprocal pusher member is actuated after completion of stapling by the stapler and pushes the stapled stack of sheets back to the bin. A centering mechanism moves the reciprocal pusher member to a position substantially opposed to the middle of the trailing edge of the stack of sheets before the reciprocal pusher member is actuated.