Abstract:
A media retraction and recycler system for use with image processing devices such as automatic document feeders and printers that concurrently supports two media sheets for duplex printing or scanning in a partial overlapping configuration in a variable nip pressure exit roll assembly allowing use of a media path that is shorter than the total media length of the two media sheets to facilitate an increased throughput during duplex scanning or printing operations.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    None. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENTIAL LISTING, ETC. 
       [0003]    None. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0005]    The present disclosure relates generally to a media retractor and recycler system for use with automatic document feeders and duplexers, and, in particular, to a media retractor and recycler that concurrently supports two media sheets for duplex printing or scanning. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    A typical media feed system for automatic document feeders to allow scanning of both sides of a document employed in an all-in-one device (AIO)/multifunctional device, has a pick unit (assembly) for picking media sheets and one or more pairs of feed rolls to drive the media sheets through a feed path/ loop extending to and from a scanning module of the AIO device. The pick unit and each pair of rolls from the one or more pairs of rolls around the loop are generally operated by a driving mechanism, such as a motor. The media feed system may further include a clutch mechanism adapted to engage/disengage the driving mechanism with the pick unit. Specifically, the clutch mechanism may disable picking of a media sheet by the pick unit when a previous media sheet is still in the feed path. The media feed system also includes a pair of exit rolls that may operate with the help of either the same clutch mechanism or a different clutch mechanism adapted for running/rotating each exit roll of the pair of exit rolls either in a clockwise direction or in an anti-clockwise direction. Specifically, each exit roll of the pair of exit rolls may be rotated either to drive a media sheet into an output stack or to retract the media sheet back into the feed path for duplex scanning A similar media retractor and recycler system may be employed with a duplexing printer wherein each side of the media to be printed is directed past a print engine, such as an electrophotographic print engine or an inkjet print engine. 
         [0008]    Typically, a media sheet is required to make three passes through a feed path in order to facilitate scanning of both sides (duplex scanning) of the media sheet and stacking of the media sheet in a collated order. The media sheet nearly completes the three passes before a next media sheet is picked-up, as the length of the media feed path is designed to hold only one media sheet a designed for length. For instance if A4 (210 mm×297 mm) and 8½×11 inch media types are to be scanned the length of the feed path would be at least 297 mm to accommodate the longer of the two media types.  FIG. 1  illustrates a typical media feed path for a duplex scanner designed to hold a single media sheet at a time for image processing. 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a media path of an imaging device  100 , such as automatic document feeder (ADF) and an image processor B, such as scanner  192  for an AIO device (imaging device). As shown in  FIG. 1 , imaging device  100  includes a pick assembly  110  having a pick roll  112 ; a drive roll  119 , two feed roll assemblies  120 ,  130  to drive a media sheet  114  positioned in input area  116  around a first media path  140  (feed path); a diverter structure, such as gate  150 ; and an exit roll assembly  160  that rotates bi-directionally or is reversible. Roll assemblies  120 ,  130 , and  160  each includes a pair of rolls forming a nip therebetween. One roll or both rolls in each roll assembly may be driven. The pair of rolls in each of feed roll assemblies  120 ,  130  and exit roll assembly  160  form respective nips  120 N,  130 N, and  160 N. Exit roll assembly  160  may be driven in an exit direction E and it may be reversibly driven in a retraction direction R and may employ a mechanism as is known in the art to vary the height of nip  160 N as one means of varying nip pressure. As is known through use of linkages and transmissions, a motor  170  drives or rotates drive roll  119  and feed roll assemblies  120 ,  130  to enable media sheet feeding along first media path  140 . Similarly, a second motor  172  and clutch  182  are shown for driving pick assembly  110  and pick roll  112  for picking a media sheet and feeding it into first media path  140 . A third motor  173  is shown for driving exit roll assembly  160 . While three motors  170 ,  172 ,  173  are illustrated, it will be recognized that a single motor may be used in place of motors  172  and  173  along with use of clutch  182  or use of an optional clutch  184  shown in dashed lines or use of both clutches  182 ,  184 . 
         [0010]    Media  114  exiting exit nip  160 N is retained in output area  118 . For duplexing, a second media path  142  (return path) is provided beginning at an intersection  144  with first media path  140  near exit roll assembly  160  and ending adjacent the start of media path  140  at an intersection  146  with first media path  140 . The diverter structure, gate  150 , is positioned at intersection  144  and is used to divert a media sheet being retracted by exit roll assembly  160  into second media path  142 . First media path  140  begins adjacent pick roll  112  and extends to exit assembly  160 , passing through feed roll assemblies  120 ,  130  and processing zone A and continues to intersection  144 . First and second media paths  140  and  142  may be viewed as overlapping in the region between the diverter structure, gate  150  and exit roll assembly  160 . Alternatively second media path  142  may be viewed as starting at intersection  144 . Controller  190  is illustrated as being communicatively coupled to motors  170 ,  172 ,  173 , gate  150 , and various media position sensors, such as sensors S 1 -S 3 , which coupling is not shown for clarity, to control movement of media  114  along first media path  140  from input area  116  through output area  118  and along media return path  142 . Sensors S 1 -S 3  typically sense the leading and trailing edges of each media sheet as it travels along first and second media paths  140 ,  142 . Diverter structure such as gate  150  and reversible exit roll assembly  160  comprise a media retractor and recycler assembly  200 . 
         [0011]    During a typical duplex scan, motor  170  rotates the drive roll  119 , feed roll assemblies  120 ,  130  and exit roll assembly  160 . Subsequently, motor  172  engages clutch  182  which engages pick assembly  110  causing pick roll  112  to pick a first media sheet  114 - 1  and driving it into first media path  140  to drive roll  119  from media stack  114  until first media sheet  114 - 1  reaches and is engaged by a first feed roll assembly, namely feed roll assembly  120 . Either motor  172  is stopped or clutch  182  disengages from pick assembly  110  to prevent picking a subsequent media sheet. Drive roll  119  allows short media such as A6 media to be driven through the system. Should sensor Si not detect the leading or trailing edge of first media sheet  114 - 1  and any subsequent media sheet, a fault may be declared by controller  190 . 
         [0012]    First media sheet  114 - 1  is then driven by feed roll assembly  120  to pass through a media processing zone A, where first media sheet may be printed or may be scanned by imaging processor B. As shown, a first side of first media sheet  114 - 1  is being scanned in media processing zone A by scanner  192 . First media sheet  114 - 1  is then driven into nip  130 N of feed roll assembly  130  which in turn drives it past a diverter structure, such as gate  150  that is positioned by controller  190  as shown to direct first media sheet  114 - 1  into nip  160 N of exit roll assembly  160  where it continues to be driven in exit direction E. Once a trailing edge of first media sheet  114 - 1  passes diverter gate  150  as sensed by sensor S 2 , motor  173  stops and reverses which in turn reverses exit roll assembly  160  rotation and feeds first media sheet  114 - 1  in retraction direction R. Again should sensor S 2  or S 3  not detect the leading and trailing edge of first media sheet  114 - 1  and any subsequent media sheet a fault may be declared by controller  190 . 
         [0013]    Subsequently, exit roll assembly  160  retracts first media sheet  114 - 1  into second media path  142  (return path) that, as illustrated, forms a loop with first media path  140 . Specifically, as shown controller  190  positions gate  150  so that as first media sheet  114 - 1  is retracted it is directed into second media path  142 . Alternatively gate  150  may be passive and operated by gravity to fall across first media path  140  after a trailing edge of first media sheet  114 - 1  passes allowing first media sheet  114 - 1  to be directed into second media path  142  when retracted. Once the leading edge of first media sheet  114 - 1  enters  120 N again, motor  172  stops, and first clutch, clutch  184 , disengages allowing exit roll assembly  160  to feed media again in exit direction E. Nip  160 N may be allowed to open to reduce friction on first media sheet  114 - 1  that is applied by exit roll assembly  160  before motor  173  stops. Subsequently, first media sheet  114 - 1  is driven through nip  120 N and into processing zone A and a second side of first media sheet  114 - 1  is then scanned in media processing zone A by an image processor B, such as illustrated scanner  192 . As first media sheet  114 - 1  is being scanned its leading edge is driven into nip  130 N before its trailing edge exits nip  120 N. Feed roll assembly  130  then continues driving media sheet  114 - 1  through processing zone A and past gate  150  which has been repositioned to its initial state and into exit roll assembly  160 . If gate  150  is a gravity actuated gate, feed roll assembly  130  has sufficient force to push first media sheet  114 - 1  beneath gate  150  and into nip  160 N. Once the trailing edge of first media sheet  114 - 1  passes gate  150  again motor  173  stops and changes rotation direction of exit roll assembly  160  from exit direction E to the retraction direction R. Nip  160 N may be allowed to close, if open, when the trailing edge of first media sheet  114 - 1  as sensed by sensor S 3  is between the processing zone A and feed roll assembly  130 . Should only two motors be in use with motor  173  being used to control both pick mechanism  110  and exit roll assembly  160 , then a clutch such as clutch  182  is used to ensure pick mechanism  110  will rotate only in a direction to feed media into first media path  140  while allowing exit roll assembly  160  to be able to rotate in both the retraction direction R or exit direction E as needed. 
         [0014]    Exit roll assembly  160  stops when the trailing edge of first media sheet  114 - 1  passes by gate  150  as may be sensed using sensor S 2 . Motor  173  reverses, reversing exit roll assembly  160  which feeds first media sheet  114 - 1  fed back into second media path  142  and the first media path  140  for another time (third time). Thereafter motor  172  drives pick assembly  110  through clutch  182  to pick a subsequent media sheet after the trailing edge of first media sheet  114 - 1  approaches intersection  146  during the third time. First media sheet  114 - 1  then exits exit roll assembly  160  and is placed in output location  118 , with the first side in a face-down orientation for proper collation. In this typical layout, motor  170  runs continuously, and the first and second clutches  184 ,  182  are disengaged from drive roll  160 D of exit roll assembly  160  and pick assembly  110 , respectively, while media sheets are being scanned, in order to achieve consistent media velocity during a scanning operation. 
         [0015]    For media processing, exemplified by ADF  100 , the drive and idler rolls  160 D,  160 N are typically designed to have a low nip force in order to allow the feed roll assembly  130  to overcome the nip force at drive and idler rolls  160 D,  160 N and provide a smooth motion of the media sheets at the image processing zone A, even when exit roll assembly  160  is driving a media sheets towards the output location  118 . Alternatively, the height of nip  160 N may be increased to avoid any interference during an image processing operation such as scanning or printing of the media sheets. 
         [0016]    As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a length L 1  of the gate-to-gate loop formed by following second media path  142  from gate  150  through first media path and back to gate  150  is about 11.8 inches (30 cm), i.e., approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm). Accordingly, it may be possible for a longer media sheet, such as legal (35.6 cm), to have a leading edge and a trailing edge thereof in the nip  160 N at the same time. Hence the need to be able to increase the height if nip  160 N. Further, a distance D 1  from pick roll  112  to the feed roll assembly  120  determines the shortest length of media that can be scanned, i.e., media sheets shorter than length D 1  may not be scanned in a simplex scanning mode, as a subsequent media sheet may be picked before pick assembly  110  is allowed to stop. As illustrated distance D 1  is about 11.7 cm which allows A6 media sheet to be fed by first providing a short edge of the media sheet. Depending on the design of the pick assembly  110 , a distance D 2  from the drive roll  119  to feed roll assembly  120  may be about 7.9 cm which may determine the length of media that may be used in the processing zone A for example for a simplex scanning or printing mode. Further, a distance D 3  from exit roll assembly  160  past gate  150  to feed roll assembly  120 , which as illustrated is about 14.2 cm is a dimension that is used to determine timing in a duplex scanning or printing mode, as distance D 3  determines the minimum length of a media sheet that may be handled in such modes. Furthermore, overall horizontal dimension and vertical dimension of the loop may be about 11.2 cm by 6.6 cm, respectively (exclusive of dimensions of pickup roll  112 , drive roll  119 ; feed roll assemblies  120 ,  130  and exit roll assembly  160 ). The above-mentioned distances between the roll assemblies of the  100  may be measured from respective nips thereof 
         [0017]    It has been observed that a scanning mechanism of an AIO device (such as the AIO device operatively coupled with the ADF  100 ) is typically designed to keep up pace with speed of a base engine (i.e., base printer engine of the AIO device). However, during a simplex scanning mode, speed of media sheets in feed path of ADF (such as the ADF  100 ) coupled to the AIO device, is faster than that of the base printer engine with longer inter-page gaps. Further, overall duplex throughput of the base printer engine (measured in terms of sides per minute (SPM)) is typically of the order of ⅕ of the simplex throughput for the ADF, whereas, the base printer engine is often much more efficient in the duplex scanning mode with a throughput ranging from about ½ to 9/10 of the throughput during a simplex scanning mode. Such a difference in the throughputs between the ADF and the base engine causes problems in addition to the loss of throughput. Specifically, the base engine may often need to transit between a ‘start’ mode and a ‘stop’ mode while waiting for subsequent scanned images that need to be processed, thereby resulting in mismatch in timing of the operation of the base printer and the operation of the scanning mechanism. Such a time-mismatch may cause additional wear and acoustic noises and may lead to thermal problems. 
         [0018]    An existing solution to the aforementioned problems is to use a single pass ADF that includes a second scan bar fixed within a feed path loop of the ADF, thereby allowing capturing of both sides of a media sheet in a single pass. However, employing a second scan bar increases cost. Further, such an ADF allows for generating images at a speed much faster than the processing speed of a base printer engine associated with the ADF. Accordingly, a scanner mechanism of such an ADF is often required to transit between a ‘start’ mode and a ‘stop’ mode as the base printer engine processes scanned images at a slower pace. 
         [0019]    Accordingly, there is a need for an efficient and a cost-effective media retractor and recycler that facilitates in achieving a sufficiently high throughput during a duplex scanning or a duplex printing and facilitates in reducing inter-page gap between consecutive media sheets. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0020]    In an imaging device having a first media path and a second media path, the first media path having an entrance and an exit, the entrance of the first media path adjacent media input area having a pick assembly, the exit of the first media path adjacent a media output area, the second media path intersecting the first media path at a first Y-shaped intersection adjacent the exit end of the first media path and intersecting the first media path at a second intersection adjacent the entrance of the first media path, the first and second media paths forming a recycle loop, the pick assembly operable to feed at least a first media sheet and a second media sheet into the first media path at a predetermined inter-page gap G for image processing, a media retractor and recycler system comprising: a first drive mechanism; a recycler roll assembly positioned adjacent the Y-shaped first intersection on a portion of the second media path that forms one arm of the Y-shaped first intersection and operatively connected with the first drive mechanism, the recycler roll assembly having a pair of opposed rolls forming a nip therebetween for receiving one of the first media sheet and then the second media sheets, the recycler roll assembly operable by the first drive mechanism to drive each of the first and then second media sheets along the second media path portion of the recycle loop toward the first media path portion of the recycle loop; a reversible drive mechanism; an exit roll assembly for concurrently supporting the first and second media sheets and positioned at the base of the Y-shaped first intersection and comprising an idler roll and a drive roll forming a nip therebetween, the drive roll operatively connected with the reversible drive mechanism and rotatable in an exit direction when the reversible drive is rotating in first direction and rotatable in a retraction direction when the reversible drive rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second media sheets when moving in the exit direction move toward the output area when moving in the retraction direction move into the second media path; a nip positioner for adjusting a height of the nip of the exit roll assembly within a range between a closed position and an open position to allow for the first media sheet and the second media sheet to be simultaneously received in and movable through the exit roll assembly nip in opposite directions; a diverter structure located immediately adjacent the first intersection, the diverter structure diverting one of the first media sheet and second media sheet into the second media path when one of the first and second media sheets are fed from the exit roll assembly in a retraction direction; the recycler roll assembly nip applying when one of the first and second media sheets are in the recycler roll assembly nip a retraction force that is equal or greater than 1.5 times the sheet to sheet frictional force between the first and second media sheets when the first and second media sheets are in an overlapping arrangement within the exit roll assembly allowing one of the first and second media sheets to be fed in the retraction direction and allowing the other of the first and second media sheets to be fed in the exit direction from the exit roll assembly; and the idler roll of the exit roll assembly positioned so that it contacts the one of the first and second media sheet that is being retracted by recycler roll mechanism in the retraction direction R while drive roll of the exit roll assembly is positioned to contact and feed the other of the first and second media sheets in the exit direction. 
         [0021]    In one configuration, the recycle loop has a length that is less than 2 Lmax and greater than Lmax where Lmax is the length of the longest media supported by the imaging device sum of a length of a longest media sheet supported within the imaging device plus two times the inter-page gap plus distance between the gate and the exit roll assembly. In a further configuration, the recycle loop has a length that is approximately equal to Lmax plus two times the inter-page gap G plus a distance between the diverter structure and the exit roll assembly. In another configuration the idler roll of the exit roll assembly is positioned substantially vertically above the drive roll of the exit roll assembly. 
         [0022]    Also provided is a method for image processing a pair of media sheets supported concurrently within a retractor and recycler system in an imaging device comprising: 
         [0023]    picking a first media sheet of the pair of media sheets for the duplex image processing; 
         [0024]    driving the first media sheet along a first path extending from a pick assembly to an exit roll assembly of the retractor and recycler system passing through a first feed roll assembly, a processing zone of the imaging device, a second feed roll assembly and a diverter structure device for scanning a first side of the first media sheet, 
         [0025]    image processing a first side of the first media sheet while in the processing zone; 
         [0026]    concurrently performing:
       picking a second media sheet of the pair of media sheets and driving the second media sheet into the first media path and the processing zone at a predetermined inter-page gap from the first media sheet;   image processing a first side of the second media sheet along the first path through the processing zone;   driving the first media sheet with the second feed roll assembly past the diverter structure to the exit roll assembly;   driving the first media sheet with the exit roll assembly in an exit direction with a portion of the first media sheet being held in a nip of the exit roll assembly;   using the diverter structure to divert first media sheet into a second media path extending from the exit assembly in a retraction direction and coupled to the first media path intermediate the pick mechanism and the first feed roll assembly forming a recycle loop; and   reversing the direction of the exit roll assembly and driving the first media sheet into the second media path and to a recycler roll assembly;       
 
         [0033]    retracting the first media sheet along the second media path in a retraction direction with the recycler roll assembly and feeding the first media sheet back into the first media path; 
         [0034]    decreasing a nip pressure in the exit roll nip and driving the second media sheet into exit roll assembly in an exit direction while the first media sheet is being retracted; 
         [0035]    increasing nip pressure in the exit roll assembly nip after the first media sheet exits the exit roll assembly nip and retaining the second media sheet within the exit roll assembly nip; 
         [0036]    driving the first media sheet into the processing zone and image processing a second side; 
         [0037]    reversing the exit roll assembly and driving the second media sheet along the second media path to the recycler roll assembly; 
         [0038]    driving the second media sheet along the first media path through the processing zone and image processing a second side of the second media sheet; 
         [0039]    driving the first sheet to the exit roll mechanism; and 
         [0040]    determining if collation is needed and if so driving the first media sheet then second media sheet into the second media path and first media path back to and through exit roll assembly to an output area, and if not driving the first media sheet and then the second media sheet through exit roll assembly into the output area. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0041]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0042]      FIG. 1  depicts a layout of a prior art media retractor and recycler illustrated in a imaging device; 
           [0043]      FIG. 2  illustrates various media feed paths of the prior art media retractor and recycler illustrated in  FIG. 1  with some of the components removed for clarity; 
           [0044]      FIG. 3  depicts a layout of a media retractor and recycler in an imaging device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0045]      FIG. 4  illustrates various media feed paths of the media retractor and recycler illustrated in  FIG. 3  with some of the components removed for clarity; 
           [0046]      FIG. 5  depicts the layout of the media retractor and recycler of  FIG. 3  when a first media sheet is fed into and driven through the device; 
           [0047]      FIGS. 6-9  depict the layout of the retractor and recycler system of  FIG. 3  when a second media sheet is fed into and driven through the retractor and recycler system, the second media sheet being separated at a predetermined inter-page gap from the first media sheet; and 
           [0048]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  depict a flow chart for a method for duplex image processing of a pair of media sheets supported concurrently within the retractor and recycler of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0049]    It is to be understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of components set forth in the following description. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. 
         [0050]    The present disclosure provides a retractor and recycler system to concurrently support a pair of media sheets for duplex scanning or duplex printing. The retractor and recycler of the present disclosure is operatively coupled with an imaging processor, such as a scanner as found in an All-in-One (AIO) device or a print engine as found in a printer or an AIO. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 3 to 9  depict a media retractor and recycler system  300  (hereinafter referred to as “retractor  300 ” and as indicated by the dashed ellipse in  FIG. 3 ) that is operatively coupled with an image processor B, such as a scanner  292  as illustrated or a print engine as part of a recycler loop. In one form retractor  300  comprises an exit roll assembly and a recycler roll assembly positioned on a media path within an imaging device, such as a printer or scanner. 
         [0052]    As used herein the term “image processor” is meant to include scanners that read information from a media sheet when a scanner is used in the recycle loop and to include print engines which apply information to a media sheet when a print engine is used in the recycler loop. Either a scanner or a printer may be used with the retractor and recycler system  300 . Further both a scanner and a print engine may be used within a single recycle loop. Similarly the term “image processing” is meant to include both the scanning of information from a media sheet and the printing of information on a media sheet when a scanner or print engine are present. Elements having the same or similar reference numerals have the same or similar function as those previously described and their description will not be repeated. 
         [0053]      FIG. 3  is schematically similar to  FIG. 1 . A first media path  240  and a second media path  242  form a recycle loop L 2  which is illustrated as beginning and ending at diverter structure  350  (see  FIG. 4 ). First media path  240  has an entrance adjacent a pick assembly  210  and an exit at an exit roll assembly  360  and has positioned therealong a first feed roll assembly  220 , a processing area A having an image processor B, and a second feed roll assembly  230 , all of which function in a substantially similar manner to their counterparts shown in  FIG. 1 . Second media path  242  intersects first media path  240  at a first intersection  244  adjacent exit roll assembly  360  and at a second intersection  246  adjacent the entrance of first media path  240 . First and second media paths  240 ,  242  intersect at  244  in a generally Y-shaped path configuration adjacent an exit roll assembly  360 . Exit roll assembly  360  is positioned at the base of the Y while first and second media paths  240 ,  242  form respective arms of the Y-shaped path with recycler roll assembly  310  positioned adjacent intersection  244  on one arm of the Y (the upper arm as viewed in  FIG. 3 ). Intersection  246  is also generally Y-shaped with the base of the Y extending toward first feed roll assembly  220  with first and second media paths  240 ,  242  forming respective arms of the Y. In retractor  300 , recycler roll assembly  310  has been positioned along second media path  242  downstream of but adjacent to a diverter structure, such as gate  350 . Recycler roll assembly  310  is positioned from exit roll assembly  360  at a distance that is less than the inter-page gap G. Sensors S 1 -S 3  function as previously described with respect to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0054]    First feed roll assembly  220  comprises a pair of rolls forming nip  220 N as is upstream of processing area A along first media path  240  and is functionally similar to first feed roll assembly  120 . Second feed roll assembly  230  comprises a pair of rolls forming nip  230 N and is downstream of processing area A along first media path  240 . The materials forming the pairs of rolls include rubber as well as those having lower coefficient of friction. Again either or both of the rolls in each feed roll assembly  220 ,  230  may be driven by a motor such as motor  270 . Feed roll assembly  230  is functionally similar to feed roll assembly  130  however its position has been moved further upstream in first media path  240  closer to processing area A to lengthen its distance to a diverter structure such as gate  350 . 
         [0055]    Recycler roll assembly  310  comprises a pair of rolls forming nip  310 N therebetween. Either or both of the rolls in recycler roll assembly  310  may be driven by a motor such as motor  270 . For reasons set forth herein, it has been empirically determined that the frictional force in nip  310 N applied by the pair of rolls in recycler roll assembly  310  should be at least 1.5 times the frictional forces occurring when two media sheets are in an overlapping arrangement within exit roll assembly  360 . The frictional force created by the overlapping of the media sheets is referred to as sheet to sheet friction, (such as when first and second media sheets  114 - 1 ,  114 - 2  are in overlapping arrangement within nip  360 N). Having nip force in nip  310 N be 1.5 times the sheet to sheet friction ensures reliable retraction of a media sheet by recycler roll assembly  310  into second media path  242 . Materials having suitable coefficients of friction for use in the pair of rolls in recycler  310  include rubber which has been found to perform well over a variety of media types and surfaces generally used in imaging device  100 . 
         [0056]    Exit roll assembly  360  is located downstream of feed roll assembly  230  and upstream of recycler roll assembly  310 . Exit roll assembly  360  comprises a drive roll  360 D and an idler roll  360 I that form nip  360 N therebetween. Exit roll assembly  360  is bi-directional or reversible so that media sheets may be driven in an exit direction E (toward output area  218 ) or be retracted and driven in a retraction direction R into second media path  242  for recycling. As illustrated, idler roll  360 I is positioned generally above drive roll  360 D so that drive roll  360 D will contact a bottom surface of a media sheet in nip  360 N while idler roll  360 I will contact an upper or top surface of a media sheet in nip  360 N as viewed in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively this arrangement may be described as one where when two media sheets overlap within nip  360 N, idler roll  360 I is to be positioned so that it contacts the media sheet that is being retracted by recycler roll mechanism  310  in the retraction direction R while drive roll  360  contacts the media that is being fed into exit roll assembly  360  in the exit direction E. This orientation of drive roll  360 D and idler roll  360 I provides innovative benefits during operation of retractor  300  as further described herein. 
         [0057]    Drive roll  360 D is operatively connected to motor  273  or as described below may be operatively connected to motor  273  via optional clutch  284 . With either configuration, drive roll  360 D may be operated independently of first and second feed roll assemblies  220 ,  230  and recycler roll assembly  310 . The frictional force applied to a media sheet by drive roll  360 D should be greater than the sheet to sheet friction occurring when two media sheets are simultaneously within nip  360 N. Materials for drive roll  360 D include rubber while materials for idler roll  360 I include any material having a lower coefficient of friction than drive roll  360 D, or a similar material may be used in combination with lowering the force of nip  360 N such as by adjusting the height of nip  360 N using a nip adjustment mechanism. 
         [0058]    A nip positioner  372  is operatively connected to exit roll assembly  360  and controller  290  and may be used to vary the height of nip  360 N to vary nip pressure applied to media sheets in exit roll assembly as explained herein. Retractor  300  may optionally further include a diverter structure such as gate  350  for diverting a media sheet into second media path  242  and a feed roll assembly  230  located downstream of processing zone A. Diverter structure  370  may also be created by the design and location of intersection  244  relative to exit roll assembly  360 . For example when a media sheet is initially being fed in the retraction direction R by exit roll assembly  360 , the retracted media sheet may be thought of as a cantilevered beam due that would allow the free end leading edge of the retracted media sheet to pass over the opening into first media path  240  at intersection  244 . Placing intersection  244  in the region where the retracted media sheet is cantilevered would allow the retracted media to be diverted into second media path  242  without the use of a gate. Eventually as more of the media sheet is feed from the exit roll assembly  360  toward second media path  242  the weight of the media sheet would cause the media sheet to droop but this would occur after intersection  244  has been passed. 
         [0059]    If gate  350  is provided as the diverter structure it may be operatively connected to controller  290  and is located upstream of recycler roll assembly  310  and downstream of feed roll assembly  230 . Gate  350  may also be gravity operated to fall across first media path  240  and not be operatively connected to controller  290 . With gravity operation of gate  350 , a media sheet being fed toward exit roll assembly  360  will be driven by second feed roll assembly  230  with sufficient force to lift gate  350  allowing the driven media sheet to reach nip  360 N of exit roll assembly  360 . 
         [0060]    For feed roll assemblies  220 ,  230  and recycler roll assembly  310  either or both rolls may be operatively connected to motor  270 . Motor  273  is illustrated as being operatively connected to exit roll assembly  360  while motor  272  is illustrated as being operatively connect to pick mechanism  210  via clutch  282 . Further motors  272  and  273  may be replaced by a single motor and optional clutch  284  may be operatively connected between exit roll assembly  360  and motor  273 . The coordination of media movement, motors, drive rolls in the various assemblies, clutches, etc. is accomplished by controller  290 . 
         [0061]    Pick assembly  210  picks a first media sheet  214 - 1  of a pair of media sheets (as depicted in  FIG. 5 ) from input area  216 . Pick assembly  210  then picks a second media sheet  214 - 2  of the pair of media sheets (as depicted in  FIG. 6 ) from input area  216 . Along first media path  140 , second media sheet  214 - 2  is separated at a predetermined inter-page gap, G, from first media sheet  214 - 1 . It will be evident that pick assembly  210  may be coupled with an input media stack  214  for picking first and second media sheets  214 - 1 ,  214 - 2  from input media stack  214 . 
         [0062]    Pick roll  212  picks second media sheet  214 - 2  after a predetermined time interval such that second media sheet  214 - 2  is separated from first media sheet  214 - 1  at the predetermined inter-page gap G along first media path  240 . Accordingly, the predetermined time interval corresponds to the predetermined inter-page gap G between first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2 . Again drive roll  219  positioned in proximity to pick roll  212  feeds first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  into first media path  240  toward a feed roll assembly  220 . 
         [0063]    Exit roll assembly  360  drives first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  out from retractor  300  in a predetermined order into output area  218 . First feed roll assembly  220  drives first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  along first media path  240  (a path for simplex scanning) extending from pick assembly  210  to exit assembly  360  through processing zone A past imaging processor B for scanning or printing a first side  12  and a second side  14  of first media sheet  214 - 1  and a first side  22  and a second side  24  of second media sheet  214 - 2  (as depicted in  FIGS. 5-7 ). Feed roll assembly  230  drives media sheets  214 - 1 ,  214 - 2  past the diverter structure, e.g., gate  350 , and into exit roll assembly  360 . It will be realized by one of skill in the art that if a print engine is image processor B, it would be typically located above the media sheets as they pass through processing zone A for face up output collation or located below the media sheets for face down output collation. Also should a scanner be used as image processor B it may be placed either above or below the media sheets depending upon how the media is loaded in input area  216 . As illustrated the preprinted media to be scanned would be loaded face up with the scanner being below the media. 
         [0064]    First media sheet  214 - 1  is shown to have a first edge  16  and a second edge  18 . Similarly, second media sheet  214 - 2  is shown to have a first edge  26  and a second edge  28 . As shown in  FIG. 5  media sheet  214 - 1 , first edge  16  is the leading edge and second edge  18  is the trailing edge given the forward feed direction of media sheet  214 - 1 . When a media sheet is retracted and recycled, the leading edge becomes the trailing edge and the trailing edge becomes the leading edge as the media sheet is fed through the recycling process along first and second media paths  240 ,  242 . 
         [0065]    During duplex scanning or printing, recycler roll assembly  310  of retractor  300  consecutively drives first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  along second media path  242  (return path) extending from exit roll assembly  360  towards to a junction point  246  intermediate the start of first media path  240  and feed roll assembly  220 . Specifically, in one form second media path  242  extends from exit roll assembly  360  in a direction R opposite to an exit direction E (as depicted in  FIGS. 7-9 ). Second feed path  242  is coupled with first media path  240  to form a loop, as termed a recycle loop which defines a feed path of retractor  300 . 
         [0066]    In addition, retractor  300  includes diverter structure, such as gate  350 , at a junction between first media path  240  and second media path  242  positioned between exit roll assembly  360 , feed roll assembly  230  and recycler roll assembly  310 . Diverter gate  350  diverts the retracted first media sheet  214 - 1  and retracted second media sheet  214 - 2  along the second path  242  into the recycler loop. Except as described hereinbelow, clutches  282 ,  284 , motors  270 ,  272  and  273  and controller  290  operate as previously described. 
         [0067]    The term “predetermined inter-page gap G”, is the gap two successive media sheets when traveling along first media paths  140 ,  240  or second media paths  142 ,  242  also may correspond to a distance between exit roll assembly  360  and diverter structure, such as gate  350 , and in some embodiments may be about 3 cm. Further, in some embodiments, the length of the recycle loop L 2  beginning at diverter structure  350  through second media path  242  and first media path  240  back to diverter structure  350  is about 38 cm (as depicted in  FIG. 4 ); the distance between the diverter structure, e.g. gate  350 , and exit roll assembly  360  is about 2 cm; and the distance from pick roll  212  to the feed roll assembly  220  has increased to about 18 cm (as depicted by D 4  in  FIG. 4 ), which is longer than an A6 media sheet. In order to support shorter media sheets, an additional feed roll assembly between drive roll  219  and first free roll assembly  220  may be provided. Such additional feed roll assembly may also be driven by motor  270 . Additionally, the distance between recycler roll assembly  310  and first feed roll assembly  220  is about 16.3 cm, which would correspond to the minimum media sheet length that is supported in the illustrated duplex path. Also, the distance between second feed roll assembly  230  and exit roll assembly  360  is about 9 cm, as depicted by X 2  in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0068]    The distance X 1  between the diverter structure, e.g., gate  350 , and nip  310 N should be less than the inter-page gap G. Such a distance should be minimized, as the inter-page gap G is an important factor for determining the throughput. The distance between the diverter structure, e.g. gate  350 , and exit roll assembly  360  should also be minimized as each media sheet of the first and the second media sheets  214 - 1 ,  214 - 2  has to pass the diverter structure, e.g., gate  350 , before each media sheet may change direction and follow second media path  242 . However as one of skill in the art would recognize, the distance between the diverter structure, e.g. gate  350 , and exit roll assembly  360  has to be adequate for exit roll assembly  360  to stop and maintain control of a media sheet. During recycling of media sheets, the leading edge (second edge  18 ) of first media sheet  214 - 1  in second media path  242  has to be engaged by recycler roll assembly  310  before the bi-directional exit rolls of exit roll assembly  360  may stop, change directions and accept second media sheet  214 - 2  from the first media path  240  and using drive roll  360 D feeds it forward toward output area  218 . The distance X 2  between second feed roll assembly  230  and exit roll assembly  360  may be kept as large as practicable without increasing or only slightly increasing the overall length L 2  of recycle path. This should be accomplished by moving second feed roll assembly  230  further upstream toward processing zone A rather than moving exit roll assembly further away from gate  350 . Moving exit roll assembly  360  away from gate  350  only increases size and cost of imaging device  100  without improving media throughput. The maximum value for X 2  would be the equal to a minimum media length, Lmin, that is supported by imaging device  100 , for example the length of A6 media. Increasing distance X 2  allows the trailing edge of the media sheet that has just been image processed to be to be released earlier from nip  230 N than if second feed roll assembly  230  were closer to exit roll assembly  360 . This in turns allows controller  290  to speed up drive roll  360 D which in turn speeds up second media sheet  214 - 2  reducing the inter-page gap G with the media sheet ahead of it. This is advantageous when, for example, a media sheet traversing processing zone A has been slowed and the subsequent speed up allows it to catch up with the media sheet ahead of it thus maintaining or even slightly increasing overall throughput. 
         [0069]    As previously described distance X 2  is the distance between feed roll assembly  230  and exit roll assembly  360  and X 2 &lt;Lmin, where Lmin is the length of the shortest media supported. Optimally, X 2  would be at least two times the inter-page gap G, i.e., X 2 &gt; 2 G, as this improves throughput for media having a length that is less than Lmax. The location of second feed roll assembly  230  downstream of first feed roll assembly  220  is less than the Lmin to ensure that each of media sheets  214 - 1  and  214 - 2  will have driving force to reach exit roll assembly  360 . 
         [0070]    The length L 2  of the recycle loop should be in the range of: Lmax&lt;L 2 &lt;2Lmax, where Lmax is the length of the longest supported media. An optimum length for L 2  would be approximately equal to the sum of: 
         [0000]        L   2   L  max+the inter-page gap  G +distance  X 4 between diverter structure, e.g. gate  350 , and exit roll assembly  360 ; 
         [0071]    where in some embodiments X 4  is approximately equal to inter-page gap G and assuming that trailing edge of the media sheet (such as second edges  18 ,  28  of media sheets  214 - 1 ,  214 - 2 ) stops about half way between gate  350  and exit roll assembly  360  prior to a change in direction. For retractor  300  to support A4 media for duplex scanning or duplex printing for example length L 2  would be 29.7 cm+(2×3 cm)+2 cm or 37.7 cm or approximately 38 cm. 
         [0072]    In the case where the speed of one of first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  (moving with the same speed) is increased in the first media path  240  this briefly increases inter-page gap G in first media path  240  but leads to a decreased inter-page gap G in the second media path  242  resulting in an overall reduction in the entire recycle loop length L 2 . Accordingly, the entire recycle loop dimensions may be reduced slightly to about 36 cm, a savings of about 2 cm. Further, horizontal and vertical dimensions of the recycle loop may be about 15 cm by about 7.8 cm, respectively. Accordingly, overall dimensions of the retractor  300  and recycle loop have increased only slightly in comparison to the prior art retractor and recycle loop shown in  FIG. 1  while allowing for concurrent support of two media sheets. Further, recycler roll assembly  310  may be independently driven apart from first and second feed roll assemblies or alternatively the speed of drive roll  360 D may be increased. Either would allow the retraction speed to be increased to reduce the inter-page gap that occurs when the recycle loop is not an optimum length. 
         [0073]    Based on the foregoing, a minimum value for inter-page gap G between first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  may be achieved. Further, feed roll assembly  230  is moved away from exit roll assembly  360  in order to decrease the inter-page gap requirement in second media path  242 . The minimum value for inter-page gap G around exit roll assembly  360  may also be determined by the time taken by drive roll  360 D of exit roll assembly  360  to stop, reverse direction, and drive first media sheet  214 - 1  towards recycler roll assembly  310 ; stop again, and change direction to receive second media sheet  214 - 2  and drive it in exit direction E. 
         [0074]    As directed by controller  290 , nip positioner  372 , such as a solenoid, coupled to exit roll assembly  360  may open nip  360 N as second media sheet  214 - 2  enters nip  360 N to avoid a paper jam at exit roll assembly  360 . Further when both media sheets  214 - 1 ,  214 - 2  are in nip  360 N, nip positioner  372  may be used to then slightly but not completely reduce the height of nip  360 N which would provide a lower nip force applied to both media sheets than if nip  360  were in a fully closed positioned that may be used when a single media sheet is present. As illustrated, nip positioner  370  when actuated by controller  290  lowers drive roll  360 D in direction W as shown in  FIG. 9  to increase nip height. Of course, nip positioner  370  can be used to move idler roll  360 I instead or move both idler roll  360 I and drive roll  360 D. 
         [0075]    For duplex printing or scanning, first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  are then moved along the recycle path comprised of first media path  240  and second media path  242  for a predetermined number of times, and more specifically, three times for duplex scanning to achieve proper collation and twice for duplex printing. First media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  are moved along first media path  240  for a first time for scanning or printing of first side  12  of first media sheet  214 - 1  and first side  22  of second media sheet  214 - 2 . First media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  are recycled by retractor  300  and are moved along the recycle path for a second time for scanning of second side  14  of first media sheet  214 - 1  and second side  24  of second media sheet  214 - 2 . First media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  are then moved along first media path  240  for a third time for driving first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  out from exit roll assembly  360  in the predetermined order. The predetermined order of first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  may correspond to collation of these two sheets to have first side  12  and first side  22  oriented in a face-down direction when collected in output area  218 . 
         [0076]    Controller  290  rotates drive roll  360 D in a first direction C (such as a clockwise direction) and idler roll  360 I rotates in a second direction D (such as an anticlockwise direction) opposite to the first direction C (as depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) which direct first media sheet  214 - 1  moving along the first path  240  toward output area  218  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Upon reversing drive and idler rolls  360 D,  360 I retract first media sheet  214 - 1  and gate  350  is positioned to direct first media sheet  214 - 1  along second media path  242  when drive roll  360 D is driven to rotate in the second direction D and idler roll  360 I follows drive roll  360 D and first media sheet  214  tin the first direction C (as depicted in  FIG. 8 ). As first media sheet  214 - 1  is passing through recycler roll assembly  310  along second media path  242  and being retracted from exit roll assembly  360  (as depicted in  FIG. 9 ), drive roll  360 D is again driven to rotate in the first direction C in order to receive second media sheet  214 - 2  while idler roll  360 I continues to rotate in first direction C and follow first media sheet  214 - 1  as it is being retracted. Both first and second media sheets  214 - 1 ,  214 - 2  are within exit roll assembly  360  but moving in opposite directions. Drive roll  360 D is moving second media sheet  214 - 2  toward exit area  218  while drive roll  310 D is pulling first media sheet  214 - 1  into and through second media path  242 . This is possible because the rotational force found in nip  310 N for recycler roll assembly  310  is greater than that of exit roll assembly  360  and overcomes the sheet-to-sheet friction between media sheets  214 - 1 ,  214 - 2 . Use of nip positioner  370  to increase nip  360 N height decreases the rotational force on the media within the nip  360 N. Nip  360 N would be adjustable within a range between a minimum nip height, referred to as a closed position that may be used for a single media sheet up to a maximum nip height, referred to as an open position, where little or no rotational force would be applied when two media sheets are in nip  360 N. This adjustably allows the amount of rotation force to be varied depending on the number of media sheets entering or within nip  360 N. Alternatively, idler roll  360 I may be made of a lower friction material allowing media sheet  214 - 1  to more easily slip as it is retracted by recycler roll assembly  310 . Idler roll  360 I and first media sheet  214 - 1  may be viewed as skidding over the surface of media sheet  214 - 2 . After first edge  26  (which is a leading edge) of second media sheet  214 - 2  passes into nip  360 N, nip positioner  370  is de-actuated to close or reduce the height of nip  360 N to its closed position so that second media sheet  214 - 2  can continue to be fed toward output area  118  until the second edge  28  which is the trailing edge is past the diverter structure, e.g., gate  350 . At this point exit roll assembly  360  is stopped and its direction reversed to retraction direction R feeding second edge  28  into second media path  242  making second edge  28  the leading edge of second media sheet  214 - 2 . Because of the timing of the movement of media sheets  214 - 1  and  214 - 2  with the recycle loop, if nip  360 N is not reduced in height until first edge  16  (which is now a trailing edge) of first media sheet  214 - 1  exits nip  360 N, no driving force would available to drive second media sheet  214 - 2  as it has exited feed roll assembly  230  and little or no driving force would be available from exit roll assembly  360  due to the increased height of the nip  360 N. This would cause second media sheet  214 - 2  to stall in first media path  240 . 
         [0077]    Because of the routing of the media sheets  214 - 1 ,  214 - 2  in exit roll mechanism  360  both first and second media sheets  214 - 1 ,  214 - 2  are in nip  360 N at the same time and moving in opposite directions with the top sheet (media sheet  214 - 1 ) being retracted out of exit roll assembly  360  while the bottom sheet (media sheet  214 - 2 ) moves in the opposite direction toward output area  218 . The amount of overlap between two media sheets overlap outside of nip  360  in the exit direction E is approximately V 2  of the length of the media sheets. As media sheet  214 - 1  is pulled in the retraction direction R, first edge  16  of media sheet  214 - 1  passes first edge  26  of media sheet  214 - 2  as it moves in exit direction E. Where this occurs is at a point where about V 2  of each of media sheets  214 - 1 ,  214 - 2  are extending on the exit side of nip  360 N. 
         [0078]    As illustrated, idler roll  360 I should be positioned above drive roll  360 D so as to contact the top media sheet (first media sheet  214 - 1  as illustrated) in that idler roll  360 I would not provide any significant opposite rotational force to the rotation force of recycler roll assembly  310  used to retract the top media sheet. If drive roll  360 D were the top roll of these two rolls, then when leading edge of the following or subsequent media sheet (leading edge  26  of second media sheet  214 - 2 ), idler roll  360 I would provide no driving force and the subsequent media sheet would stall between feed roll assembly  230  and exit roll assembly  360 . Further with drive roll  360 D on top would require that the pulling force needed by recycler roll assembly  310  to be greater that the drive force of drive roll  360 D which could cause stretching or breaking of the top media sheet (first media sheet  214 - 1 ) in that it is being simultaneously pulled in opposite directions. 
         [0079]    The directions of rotations of the drive roll  360 D and idler roll  360 I should not be construed as a limitation to the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0080]    In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for duplex processing of a pair of media sheets, such as first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2 , supported concurrently within a retractor and recycler system, such as retractor  300 . The method is explained in conjunction with  FIGS. 10A-10B  while referring to retractor  300  and components thereof as depicted in  FIGS. 3 to 9 . 
         [0081]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  depict a flow chart for a method  500  for duplex image processing such, as scanning or printing, first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2 , supported concurrently within the retractor  300  and first media path  240  and second media path  242 . At  502  the method  500  starts. Motor  270  may be activated to operate pick assembly  210 , first feed roll assembly  220 , second feed roll assembly  230  and recycler roll assembly  310  within retractor  300 . At  504 , first media sheet  214 - 1  of the pair of media sheets is picked for duplex image processing. Specifically, first media sheet  214 - 1  is picked by the pick assembly  210 . At  505 , first media sheet  214 - 1  is driven along first media path  240  through in turn first feed roll assembly  220  and into processing zone A for image processing at  506  a first side  12  of first media sheet  214 - 1  (as depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Actions at  508 A and  508 B occur concurrently or in parallel with actions at  510 A-D as indicated by the parallel path in  FIG. 10A . At  508 A, second media sheet  214 - 2  is being picked and driven into first media path  240  at a predetermined inter-page gap G. At  508 B, first side  22  of second media sheet is driven through processing zone A for image processing. At  510 A first media sheet  214 - 1  is being driven by second feed roll assembly  230  toward exit roll assembly  360  and past diverter structure, e.g., gate  350 . At  510 B first media sheet  214 - 1  is driven in an exit direction E by exit roll assembly  360  with a portion of first media sheet  214 - 1  being held in nip  360 N. At  510 C, if diverter structure is gate  350  then gate  350  is positioned, either by controller  290  or by gravity, to divert first media sheet  214 - 1  into second media path  242 . At  510 D exit roll assembly  360  reverses direction and drives first media sheet  214 - 1  in retraction direction R into second media path  242  and to recycler roll assembly  310 . 
         [0082]    At  512 , recycler roll assembly  310  continues retracting first media sheet  214 - 1  along second media path  242  in refraction direction R and feeds it back into first media path  240 ; nip pressure in nip  360 N is decreased and second media sheet  214 - 2  is driven past diverter structure, e.g., gate  350  and into nip  360  by second feed roll assembly  230  (at this point both media sheets  214 - 1 ,  214 - 2  are in nip  360 N moving in opposite directions); as first media sheet exits nip  360 N nip pressure is increased so that second media sheet  214 - 2  may be held in nip  306 N. At  514  first media sheet  214 - 1  is again driven through processing zone A to image process second side  14  while exit roll assembly  360  reverses and drives second media sheet  214 - 2  into second media path  242  and nip  310 N of recycler roll assembly  310 . At  516  second media sheet  214 - 2  is then driven around first media path  240  and second side  24  thereof is image processed while first media sheet  214 - 1  is driven in the exit direction E by exit roll assembly  360 . At  518  a decision is made if collation is needed. If NO, at  522  first media sheet  214 - 1  then second media sheet  214 - 2  are sequentially driven by exit roll assembly  360  into output area  218  and the method ends at  526 . If YES, then at  520  the recycling of first media sheet  214 - 1  and second media sheet  214 - 2  around a recycle path L 2  and out through exit roll assembly  360  into output area  218  occurs and then the method ends at  526 . For the collation loop, image processing does not take place. 
         [0083]    Several equivalent approaches can be used when recycler roll assembly is retracting a media sheet into second media path  242 . One approach is to open nip  360 N so that no nip pressure is applied to the media sheet being retracted. Another approach is to have nip  360 N apply a pressure that is consistently lower than the retraction force provided by recycler feed roll assembly  310 . 
         [0084]    Although, the slightly increased dimensions of the recycler loop may lead to a small delay in facilitating passage of media sheets from the exit assembly  360  to first feed roll assembly  220  as opposed to prior art ADFs, the speed of motor  270  may be increased slightly to compensate for the delay in order to match the scanning speed with the speed of a print engine in an AIO. 
         [0085]    Based on the foregoing, the present disclosure provides a retractor and recycler system, such as retractor  300 , that is capable of supporting two media sheets (concurrently) for duplex image processing. By providing recycler roll assembly  310 , throughput resulting from the use of such retractor and recycler system is nearly twice that of the previous existing designs. 
         [0086]    The foregoing description of several embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure be defined by the claims appended hereto.