Bypass transport loop sheet insertion system

A dual path paper feeder system for selectively delivering sheets to a predetermined output location, comprising:

• at least one sheet feeding tray;
• a sheet feeding apparatus associated with each said at least one sheet feeding tray for dispensing sheets therefrom;
• a main supply transport path coupled to said at least one sheet feeding tray for transporting sheets along a primary path;
• a bypass transport loop coupled to said at least one sheet feeding tray for transporting sheets along a bypass transport path;
• a movable gate situated adjacent said bypass transport loop for selectively directing sheets along a predetermined path of travel, said movable gate being selectively positionable between a first position for directing the sheets through the main supply transport path and a second position for directing the sheets through the bypass transport loop;
• and
• means for providing a control signal to said movable gate such that sheets can be selectively dispensed from said at least one sheet feeding tray to either said main supply transport path or said bypass transport loop at various selected times during generation of a print set.

In a printing apparatus including a processing section for transferring a developed image to a copy sheet and a finishing section for receiving a stream of copy sheets, the improvement comprising:

• a dual path sheet feeder system, including
• a sheet feeding tray for selectively dispensing copy sheets to said processing section and insert sheets to said finishing section;
• a main supply transport path coupled between said sheet feeding tray and he processing section for delivering copy sheets thereto;
• a bypass transport loop coupled between said sheet feeding tray and the finishing section for delivering insert sheets thereto;
• a movable gate situated adjacent said bypass transport loop for selectively directing sheets along a predetermined path of travel, said movable gate being selectively positionable between a first position for directing copy sheets through the main supply transport path and a second position for directing insert sheets to the bypass transport loop;
• and
• means for providing a control signal to said movable gate such that sheets can be selectively dispensed from said sheet feeding tray to either said main supply transport path or said bypass transport loop at various selected times during generation of a print set.

A printing apparatus for producing a print set including a plurality of copy sheets and at least one insert sheet inserted therein in a predetermined sequence, comprising:

• a processing section for transferring a developed image onto a copy sheet;
• a finishing section for receiving and arranging plural sheets in a predetermined manner;
• at least one sheet feeding tray for selectively delivering copy sheets and insert sheets stored therein into a sheet transport system, said sheet transport system including
• a main supply transport path coupled between said sheet feeding tray and the processing section for delivering copy sheets thereto;
• a bypass transport loop coupled between said main supply transport path and the finishing section for delivering insert sheets thereto;
• a movable gate situated adjacent said bypass transport loop for selectively directing sheets along a predetermined path of travel, said movable gate being selectively positionable between a first position for directing the sheets through the main supply transport path and a second position for directing the sheets to the bypass transport loop;
• and
• means for providing a control signal to said movable gate such that sheets can be selectively dispensed from said sheet feeding tray to either said main supply transport path or said bypass transport loop at various selected times during generation of a print set.