Print interface system for a sheet handling device

摘要

A print interface system (50) including a printer (52) integrated in combination with a sheet handling system such as a mailpiece inserter (10). The print interface system (50) facilitates the handling of sheet material (12) in various operating modes, including conventional printing, duplex printing, and mailpiece creation modes. The system includes a printer (52) having multiple feed paths (FFP,SFP) for printing on opposing face surfaces of a sheet material (12). One of the feed paths directs sheet material (12) to a staging tray (54) and another feed path directs sheet material (12) to a downstream module of the sheet handling system. The system further includes a positionable diverter for directing sheet material (12) to one of the feed paths and a sheet sensor for determining when a sheet of material (12) has been directed along the feed path leading to the output tray (54). A controller is operative to alternately reposition the diverter from one of two positions. A first position directs sheet material (12) to the staging tray (54) following a first print operation, and a second position directs sheet material (12) to the downstream module of the sheet handling system. The controller, furthermore, repositions the diverter following a threshold period of time from receipt of the staging signal issued by the sheet sensor.