Modular sheet output system for imaging apparatus

Abstract

A modular sheet output system includes a first tray and a sorter assembly including a transporter and a plurality of trays. The transporter has a primary transport path and a plurality of secondary transport paths branching from the primary transport path, each secondary transport path having an exit. The plurality of trays is coupled to the transporter, one tray of the plurality corresponding to each of the secondary transport path exits, wherein in a first mode the first tray is configured to couple to and to receive one or more developed sheets of imaging media from a turnaround mechanism, and in a second mode the first tray is configured to couple to the transporter so as to become one of the plurality of trays and the transporter is configured to couple to and receive one or more sheets of developed imaging media from the turnaround device, wherein the transporter is configured to transport each sheet along the primary transport path and to direct each sheet to a selected one of the plurality of trays via the corresponding secondary transport path.

1 . A modular output system for use with an imaging apparatus, comprising:
 a first tray; and   a sorter assembly including:   a transporter having a primary transport path and a series of selectable secondary transport paths branching from the primary transport path, each secondary transport path having an output; and   a series of trays, with each tray configured to couple to the transporter at a corresponding one of the secondary transport path outputs; wherein in a first mode of the modular output system the first tray is configured to couple to and receive developed sheets from the imaging apparatus, and in a second mode of the modular output system the first tray is configured to couple to the transporter so as to be one of the series of trays and the transporter is configured to couple to and receive developed sheets from the imaging apparatus, and wherein the transporter is configured to transport each sheet along the primary transport path and to direct each sheet to a selected one of the secondary transport paths and corresponding tray.   
     
     
         2 . The modular output system of  claim 1 , wherein the primary transport path comprises a plurality of driven roller pairs and each secondary transport path comprises a driven roller pair, and wherein the transporter includes a belt which is configured to couple to a drive system of the imaging apparatus such that the plurality of driven roller pairs of the primary transport path and the driven roller pair of each secondary transport path is driven by the imaging apparatus via the belt. 
     
     
         3 . The modular output system of  claim 1 , wherein the sorter assembly includes a wiring harness configured to couple to the imaging apparatus via which the sorter assembly receives electrical power and control signals from the imaging apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The modular output system of  claim 1 , wherein the transporter is configured to couple to an upper surface of the imaging apparatus such that the primary transport path is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         5 . The modular output system of  claim 4 , wherein the first tray is positioned at a first angle relative to horizontal in the first mode of the modular output system and at a second angle, which is greater than the first angle, in the second mode of the modular output system. 
     
     
         6 . A sheet output system comprising:
 a transporter including:   an entrance;   a primary transport path extending in a planar fashion from the entrance;   a series of selectable secondary transport paths, each branching at an exit angle from the primary transport path and having an output, including a first secondary transport path nearest to the entrance and a last secondary transport path further from the entrance; and   a series of diverters, one positioned where each but the last secondary transport path branches from the primary transport path, including a first diverter corresponding to the first secondary transport path, wherein the transporter is configured to receive a sheet via the entrance at an input angle relative to the primary transport path which is less than the exit angle, and wherein the first diverter is configured to increase the input angle and direct the sheet to the first secondary transport path when the first secondary transport path is selected as an output destination and to decrease the input angle and direct the sheet to the primary transport path when a secondary transport path other than first secondary transport path is selected as an output destination; and   a series of trays coupled to the transporter with one tray being positioned at the output of each secondary transport path.   
     
     
         7 . The sheet output system of  claim 6 , wherein each diverter is moveable between a deflect position and a bypass position, where the diverter is configured to move to the deflect position and deflect a sheet to the corresponding secondary transport path when the corresponding secondary transport path is selected and is configured to move to the bypass position and block the corresponding secondary transport path when a secondary transport path other than the corresponding secondary transport path is selected. 
     
     
         8 . The sheet output system of  claim 6 , wherein each secondary transport path comprises a driven roller pair which forms the output and a media guide positioned between the driven roller pair and the primary transport path. 
     
     
         9 . The sheet output system of  claim 8 , wherein the input angle is approximately 20 degrees and wherein the exit angle is approximately 55-degrees, and wherein the first diverter and media guide of the first secondary transport path together deflect a sheet so as to increase the input angle by approximately 35-degrees relative to the primary transport path when the first secondary transport path is selected as an output destination so that the sheet travels at an angle substantially equal to the exit angle. 
     
     
         10 . The sheet output system of  claim 6 , wherein media guide of the last secondary transport path is curved so as to redirect a sheet from the primary transport path by an angle substantially equal to the exit angle and direct the sheet to the corresponding driven roller pair. 
     
     
         11 . The sheet output system of  claim 6 , wherein the input angle is approximately 20-degrees, and wherein the first diverter is configured to deflect a sheet so as to decrease the input angle by approximately 20-degrees relative to the primary transport path when a secondary transport path other than the first secondary transport path is selected as an output destination so that the sheet travels along and substantially parallel to the primary transport path. 
     
     
         12 . The sheet output system of  claim 6 , wherein the transporter includes at least one idler wheel assembly positioned where each but the last secondary transport path branches from the primary transport path, wherein each idler wheel assembly comprises a plurality of idler wheels which are spaced along and free to rotate about a shaft, and wherein the shaft is positioned laterally across and forms a portion of the primary transport path. 
     
     
         13 . The sheet output system of  claim 12 , wherein each diverter is coupled to the shaft of the idler wheel assembly positioned at the corresponding secondary transport path. 
     
     
         14 . The sheet output system of  claim 13 , wherein each diverter comprises a plurality of diverters positioned in a spaced fashion along the shaft, wherein diverter of the plurality of diverters is positioned between a pair of idler wheels such that a sheet rides, after being deflected by the diverter, is separated from the diverter by the idler wheels and transported and supported on the idler wheels. 
     
     
         15 . The sheet output system of  claim 8 , wherein each diverter, except for the first diverter, and media guide of the corresponding secondary transport path together deflect a sheet from the primary transport path at an angle substantially equal to the exit angle. 
     
     
         16 . The sheet output system of  claim 15 , wherein the exit angle is substantially equal to 55-degrees. 
     
     
         17 . An imaging apparatus comprising:
 a turnaround mechanism outputting developed sheets of imaging media; and   a modular output system including:   a first tray; and   a sorter assembly including:   a transporter having a primary transport path and a series of selectable secondary transport paths branching from the primary transport path, each secondary transport path having an output; and   a series of trays, with each tray configured to couple to the transporter at corresponding one of the secondary transport path outputs, one tray of the plurality positioned at each secondary transport path output; wherein in a first mode of the modular output system the first tray is configured to couple to and receive developed sheets of imaging media from the turnaround mechanism, and in a second mode of the modular output system the first tray is configured to couple to the transporter so as to be one of the series of trays and the transporter is configured to couple to and receive developed imaging sheets from the turnaround mechanism, and wherein the transporter is configured to transport each sheet along the primary transport path and to direct each sheet to a selected one of the secondary transport paths and corresponding tray.   
     
     
         18 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the series of selectable secondary transport paths includes a first secondary transport path closest to the turnaround mechanism and a last secondary transport path furthest from the turnaround mechanism and each secondary transport path branches at an exit angle from the primary transport path, and wherein the sorter assembly includes:
 a series of diverters, one positioned where each but the last secondary transport path branches from the primary transport path, including a first diverter corresponding to the first secondary transport path, wherein the transporter is configured to receive a sheet from the turnaround mechanism at an input angle relative to the primary transport path which is less than the exit angle, and wherein the first diverter is configured to increase the input angle and direct the sheet to the first secondary transport path when the first secondary transport path is selected as an output destination and to decrease the input angle and direct the sheet to the primary transport path when a secondary transport path other than first secondary transport path is selected as an output destination.   
     
     
         19 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the transporter couples to the turnaround and to an upper surface of the imaging apparatus in the second mode of the modular output system such that the primary transport path is substantially horizontal and parallels the upper surface. 
     
     
         20 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first tray is positioned substantially at the input angle relative to the upper surface in the first mode of the modular output system and each tray of the series of trays, including the first tray, is substantially at the exit angle relative to the upper surface in the second mode of the modular output system.