Multipath printers

An electrophotographic printer having a plurality of print media paths therethrough, said electrophotographic printer further comprising:

• (1) an electrophotographic printer device;
• (2) a first print media path that carries a sheet of print media from a sheet dispenser tray to the electrophotographic printer device;
• (3) a second print media path that carries the sheet of print media from the electrophotographic printer device to a sheet exit opening;
• (4) a third print media path that carries the sheet from the sheet exit opening back to the electrophotographic printer device;
• (5) a housing having:
• (a) a first sheet entry opening through which a sheet of print media can be delivered from a sheet dispensing tray to the electrophotographic printer device,
• (b) the sheet exit opening for (1) dispensing the sheet of print media from the housing after said sheet travels past a pivotally mounted sheet diverter in a first flow direction, and (2) permitting the sheet to pass back through the sheet exit opening in a second flow direction in order to collide with, and be diverted by said pivotally mounted sheet diverter toward the electrophotographic printer device,
• (c) a second sheet entry opening through which a sheet can be delivered to the printer device and exit opening at a level such that the sheet does not undergo a bending angle of more than about 30° and
• (d) a third sheet entry opening through which a sheet can be delivered to the sheet dispensing tray;
• (6) the pivotally mounted sheet diverter having (1) a first operating position that allows the sheet to pass through the sheet exit opening when said sheet is traveling in the first flow direction and (2) a second operating position for causing the pivotally mounted sheet diverter to direct the sheet toward the electrophotographic printer device as it travels in the second flow direction;
• and
• (7) a belt and roller sheet pickup mechanism having a belt that passes over two rollers and having a first operating position wherein said belt drives the sheet toward the printer device and a second operating position wherein said belt carries the sheet over a portion of a sheet transport path used in a duplex printing operation.

A method for increasing the versatility of a printer, said method comprising:

• (1) locating a printer device in a printer housing;
• (2) providing a plurality of media paths that pass through the printer housing and printer device;
• (3) providing at least one sheet entry opening through which a sheet can be delivered to the printer device;
• (4) providing the housing with at least one sheet exit opening for (1) dispensing a sheet from the housing when said sheet travels past a sheet diverter in a first flow direction, and (2) permitting a sheet to travel past the sheet diverter in a second flow direction leading back toward the printer device;
• (5) positioning the sheet diverter in the housing such that, while in a first operating position, the sheet diverter can facilitate passage of the sheet out of the at least one sheet exit opening and such that, while in a second operating position, the sheet diverter can direct the sheet in a second flow direction toward the printer device;
• and
• (6) positioning a sheet pickup mechanism in the housing such that, in a first operating position, said sheet pickup mechanism drives a sheet toward the printer device and such that, in a second operating position, said sheet pickup mechanism serves as a part of a duplex printing path through the printer, wherein a sheet receives printing on a first side and then is driven in a second flow direction in order to collide with, and be directed by the sheet diverter to the sheet pickup mechanism, which is a belt and roller sheet pickup mechanism in a manner such that said sheet can receive printing on its second side.