Compact document handling system

Abstract

Abstract In a copier with a recirculating document handler pivotally mounted to be closable over an imaging station on the upper surface of the copier, and a document inverter, and the capability of automatically copying both sides of documents at the imaging station by utilizing the document inverter to invert documents being recirculated by the document handler, the improvement wherein the document inverter is only partially in the document handler and operatively but non-integrally incorporates a generally planar document chute which is independently integrally mounted to the copier and is not a physical part of or pivotal with the document handler, to provide a more compact document handler with automatic document inversion capability, wherein the document chute is defined by upper and lower baffles for containing and guiding a document for reversal therein by the document inverter, and wherein at least a major portion of these upper and lower baffles are integral to the copier, laterally adjacent to both the imaging station and the document handler, and only operatively connecting with the other portions of the document inverter in the document handler only when the document handler is closed over the imaging station. The document chute has an open end remote from the imaging station, and the document inverter is selectively alternatively operable to provide a document output ejection path through the document chute and out of this open end rather than document reversing therein. The major portion of the upper and lower baffles defining the document chute are preferably on the upper surface of a copy sheet output module (such as a sorter or stapler) mounted to one side of the copier and additionally providing a document receiving tray.

Inventors

• 👤 Timothy S. Pinckney
• 👤 Hector J. Sanchez

Bibliographic Details