Reconfigurable sheet transport module

A tightly integrated parallel printer includes a reconfigurable media path module that has a baffle that accepts sheets from above at a 12 o'clock position when in a first configuration and accepts sheets from a 6 o'clock position when in a second configuration. The two configurations of the baffle are established to permit one common media entry transport to be mounted in either of two positions, each satisfying one of the desired configurations.

This invention relates in general to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus employing a transport module that can be configured in two ways for use in two different places in a parallel printing system.

Modularity in reproduction machines has been used previously. For example, a plural mode modular reproduction apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,581 for selective different sheet printing modes with a common shared base frame unit having integral module mounting guides. Xerographic, as well as, ink jet printing engine modules are accommodated. Xerographic print engines with interchangeable developer units having different color toners, interchangeable into the same machine locations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,369. Also, modular paper drawers, fusers, document handlers, etc. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,554 wherein the copy sheet system is a removable module. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,093,831 plural or multiple stacked paper handling modules are shown with different input and output paths. The reuse of ‘common modules’ can reduce development, manufacturing and service costs. Sheet transport modules in tandem parallel printing engines often have a degree of similarity with the exception of sheet entry and/or exit paths from the sheet handling module to print engine module and minor variations in similar modules may frustrate commonality.

Hence, there is a need for a sheet transport module that will accommodate variations in sheet entry and/or exit paths across architectures that direct sheets to an image marking engine for imaging and thereby increase module production volume and lower manufacturing cost for modular commonality focused architectures.

Accordingly, an improved transport module is disclosed for use in a tightly integrated parallel printer which includes a single reconfigurable baffle that accepts sheets from above at a 12 o'clock position when in a first configuration and accepts sheets from a 6 o'clock position when the baffle is repositioned in a second configuration. The two orientations of the baffle are established to permit one common media entry transport to be mounted in either of two positions, each satisfying one of the desired configurations. Additionally, the improved transport module could be reconfigurable based on the exit path of sheets or both entry and exit sheet paths, if desired.

The disclosed architecture may be operated by and controlled by appropriate operation of conventional control systems. It is well known and preferable to program and execute imaging, printing, paper handling, and other control functions and logic with software instructions for conventional or general purpose microprocessors, as taught by numerous prior patents and commercial products. Such programming or software may, of course, vary depending on the particular functions, software type, and microprocessor or other computer system utilized, but will be available to, or readily programmable without undue experimentation from, functional descriptions, such as, those provided herein, and/or prior knowledge of functions which are conventional, together with general knowledge in the software of computer arts. Alternatively, any disclosed control system or method may be implemented partially or fully in hardware, using standard logic circuits or single chip VLSI designs.

The term ‘printer’ or ‘reproduction apparatus’ as used herein broadly encompasses various printers, copiers or multifunction machines or systems, xerographic or otherwise, unless otherwise defined in a claim. The term ‘sheet’ herein refers to any flimsy physical sheet or paper, plastic, or other useable physical substrate for printing images thereon, whether precut or initially web fed. A compiled collated set of printed output sheets may be alternatively referred to as a document, booklet, or the like. It is also known to use interposers or inserters to add covers or other inserts to the compiled sets.

As to specific components of the subject apparatus or methods, or alternatives therefor, it will be appreciated that, as normally is the case, some such components are known per se' in other apparatus or applications, which may be additionally or alternatively used herein, including those from art cited herein. For example, it will be appreciated by respective engineers and others that many of the particular components mountings, component actuations, or component drive systems illustrated herein are merely exemplary, and that the same novel motions and functions can be provided by many other known or readily available alternatives. All cited references, and their references, are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for teachings of additional or alternative details, features, and/or technical background. What is well known to those skilled in the art need not be described herein.

FIG. 1shows a schematic view of a printing system10comprising a sheet feed module11, first and second electronic printers12and14that include a conventional monochrome marking engine module13and a conventional color image marking engine module (IME)15, respectively, and a paper transport path leading into and out of each printer that includes media path modules20and30connecting these three modules and associated for tightly integrated parallel printing of documents with the system. Finished output from the printing system is sent to a conventional finisher F. For simplex monochrome copies, feeder module11includes a plurality of conventional sheet feeders that feed sheets into a media path highway57and into a conventional diverter gate system58that conveys the sheets into upper media path module20and on to transfer station17to have images from IME13transferred thereto. The sheets are then transported through fuser18and into inverter53where the sheet is inverter for proper face down output collation exiting to the vertical path19, through a diverter gate system53, decurler40and into finisher F. Alternatingly, virgin or unimaged sheets from sheet feed module11are fed downward through the diverter gate system58into vertical transport16and through lower media path module30to transfer station50to receive images from IME15. The sheets are then transported through fuser52, into inverter54for proper face down output collation, exiting into vertical transport56, through diverter gate system55and through decurler40en route to conventional finisher90accepts unstapled sheets in upper catch tray92or stapled sheet at93in intermediate catch tray95or sheets stapled at97in booklet maker96and folded into booklets at folder98and outputted onto lower catch tray99. Control station60allows an operator to selectively control the details of a desired job. Optionally, an insert or interposed sheet, such as, a cover, photo, tab sheet or other special sheet can be inserted into the first printer engine from an auxiliary sheet feed source (not shown) through sheet input65, if desired.

For color image duplexing, sheets can be fed from feeder module11through diverter system58, into color electronic printer14and downward along vertical transport16to lower media path module30and on to transfer station50to receive images on a first side thereof from IME15that includes cyan, magenta, yellow and black developer housings. Afterwards, the sheets are forwarded through fuser52and into inverter54. The sheets leave inverter54trail edge first and are fed upwards along media transport path56and into media path highway57, through diverter gate systems55and58and eventually downward along vertical transport16and back to lower media path module30and again through transfer station50to receive images onto a second side of the sheets. The sheets are then fused at fuser52and transported upward along media path56, through diverter gate system55and out through decurler40and into finisher F. For monochrome image duplexing, sheets can be fed from feeder module11through diverter gate system58, into monochrome electronic printer12and into the media path module20and on to transfer station17to receive monochrome images on a first side thereof from IME13that includes a black developer housing only. Afterwards, the sheets are forwarded through fuser18and into inverter53. The sheets leave inverter53trail edge first and are fed downwards along media transport path19, through diverter gate system55and into media path highway57, through diverter gate system58and back to upper media path module20and again through transfer station17to receive monochrome images onto a second side of the sheets. The sheets are then fused at fuser18and transported downward along media path19, through diverter gate system55and out through decurler40and into finisher F. Or alternatingly, combinations of one side monochrome and one side color imaged duplexed sheets can be produced by using these same media path elements in the appropriate sequences.

InFIG. 2, an enlarged side view of lower media path module30is shown in accordance with the present disclosure that includes a reconfigurable baffle32that has been rotated to a top sheet entry position about pivot point31in order to accept sheets from a 12 o'clock media entry position. InFIG. 3, an enlarged side view of upper media path module20is shown in accordance with the present disclosure that includes a reconfigurable baffle22that has been rotated to a bottom sheet entry position about pivot point21in order to accept sheets from a 6 o'clock media entry position. Rotation of baffle22or32can be accomplished at final integration by employing a screw, locking pin, detent or other similar commonly used mechanical fastening elements. Media path modules20and30of parallel, multi-engine reprographic printers12and14are identical except for media entry. The module proportions are established to permit one common media entry transport to be mounted in either of two positions, each satisfying one of the desired configurations of top or bottom sheet entry positions. Each media path module includes a media entry transport or curved baffle mechanism, registration transport, a transfer device and post transfer media transport.

Thus, a sheet transport module has been disclosed that can be configured in two ways for use in two places in a parallel printing system. In one configuration, sheets are accepted from above (12 o'clock) while the other accepts paper from below (6 o'clock). The sheet transport module can be mounted in either of two positions while allowing one common sheet entry point made possible by a curved media entry transport that is pivotally mounted and may be rotated and secured into either of two positions, discharging sheets into the same interface at a 3 o'clock position.

Alternatively or in addition, reconfigurable transports could be vertical modules with 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock sheet entry positions along baffles71and73that pivot about pivot point80as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, or any other desired angle in between to direct sheets into the modules. As shown inFIG. 6, a horizontally positioned sheet transport module75includes a reconfigurable sheet entry baffle74that pivots about pivot point80to guide sheets into the transport module. Alternatively, inFIG. 7transport module76includes reconfigurable sheet exit baffle77that is reconfigured about pivot point80to guide sheets out of transport module76. Other alternative reconfigurable transport modules of the present disclosure include sheet transport modules81and84ofFIGS. 8 and 9that comprise angled reconfigurable baffles78and79which pivot about pivot point80in order to direct sheets into or out of sheet transport modules81and84, respectively.

Another alternative embodiment comprises an additional print engine(s) located to the right of the color print engine. In this embodiment, all print engines can supply document sheets cooperatively to finisher F. Additionally, the first and second print engine can supply documents to each other for single pass duplex printing.