System and method for in-line feeding from two cut sheet feeders

Abstract

A system for in-line feeding from two cut sheet feeders comprises a first feeder for feeding cut sheets seriatim along a lower paper path originating at the first feeder, and first transport structure adjacent the first feeder for transporting sheets fed from the first feeder along the lower paper path. There is a second feeder mounted above the first transport structure for feeding cut sheets seriatim along an upper paper path originating at the second feeder. Structure is provided for merging the upper and the lower paper paths into a main paper path whereby sheets fed from the first and second feeders are merged into the main paper path for further processing. Wherein the first and second feeders each include structure for reading control information printed on the sheets fed from the respective feeder. The control information is used to control the first and second feeders, the first transport structure and the merging structure. The first transport structure includes at least one staging area for stopping the advancement of sheets fed from the first feeder when the second feeder is feeding. The merging structure includes upper and lower transport sections.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.