Sorting machine and image reproducing apparatus

摘要

In a sorting machine designed for use with a copying machine capable of handling paper of various sizes, a vertical array of sorting bins includes an uppermost sorting bin with an expandable surface area. This allows the sorting machine to handle extraordinarily large paper without increasing the footprint of the sorting machine. The uppermost position ensures that when expanded, the expandable sorting bin will stand over the copying machine, which does not normally need great overhead clearance. The expandable sorting bin may be expandable by virtue of a hinged, sliding or detachable extension plate, and may be expanded automatically when the copying machine detects and signals the use of larger paper. Multiple expandable sorting bins may be used for sorting the extra-large paper. In addition, the sorting machine may have one normal-sized sorting bin in alignment with a main receiving tray of the copying machine so as to allow the main tray to accommodate extra-large paper.