Modular sheet output system for imaging apparatus

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.

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.