Abstract: This is a mounting support that secures an electrostatic marking machine to the deck of a ship or other structure. This support provides vibration-isolating systems for shipboard mounting of these marking machines. The US Navy has imposed strict one-man, short-time requirements to mount and unmount electrostatic marking machines on a ship's deck. A key feature of the present embodiments is a double-threaded stud that lifts the machine off the floor onto the isolation mounts while securing it to the mount which is bolted to the ship's deck. The present configuration satisfies the new Navy mandate.

Abstract: This is a system which is adapted to make it easier for a wheelchair occupant to operate a marking system. There is a lowering device that lowers the module or modules to a location convenient to the wheelchair user. The modules ideally are on the same vertical plane or to a low plane selected by the user. Also, there is a horizontally positioning device that can move the modules to any preferable location.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic marking system a guard is provided to prevent fingerprint smears or markings on a platen glass. When fingerprint images are made, oil and other debris from the fingers mark the platen and cause subsequent images to reproduce these markings. This guard protects the platen from said marks via a convenient and economical expedient.

Abstract: A belt installation guide is disclosed which accommodates the loading of a new belt around drive rollers in a belt module assembly. The guide is placed opposite the end portions of the rollers, the belt is slipped over the guides and held by the guides until the belt is pushed over the rollers. Once in place over the rollers, a tension is exerted on the belt to make it taut over all of the rollers. The guide is removed from near the rolls after the belt is in place over the rollers. The guide when not in use is positioned in housings internal to the rollers, or in housings adjacent to the rollers. The guides are enabled to be removed or pulled out from these housings when ready for use in installing a belt in a belt module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a paper collecting tray that reduces or eliminates paper curling. The collecting tray has a wire structure using springs or movable bands to support various size papers. These springs are provided in one embodiment to support paper sheets having 8.5 inch widths, 24 inch widths and 36 inch widths. These are configured to provide substantial support for the sheets and configured to prevent paper curling when the paper is passed to the collecting tray.

Abstract: In a color marking assembly, a series of ROS units are aligned above a photoconductive surface. These units have side mounts and a side positioned outboard linear actuator connecting them to this assembly. The inboard mounts are attached to a first inboard side of the ROS, and the outboard mounted linear actuators are attached to a second outboard side of the ROS unit. The inboard mount is an elongated bar extending beyond the height of the ROS unit. This elongated bar has hinged portions on both its top and bottom connections to the ROS unit. The linear actuator that is positioned on the outboard side of the ROS unit has a rigid sphere resting in a V-housing in a V-block. This actuator configuration and the board mount enable the ROS unit to be easily deskewed when required to provide improved vibration-free images.

Abstract: A guide is used to protect a corona cartridge during shipping and during insertion into an electrostatic marking apparatus. The guide has dimensions that will permit the cartridge to fit therein and has a locking mechanism that securely holds the cartridge in place during shipment or movement. When the cartridge is to be removed from the guide and inserted into an electrostatic marking system, a handle attached to a latch is used to free the latch from a groove in the guide. The groove in the guide is located between two upwardly protruding ramps having a slidable side and a locking side that abuts the latch and holds it in place until activation when the latch handle frees it from the groove.

Abstract: This method to make an original photoconductor or replacement element uses a two-slot coating process to substantially simultaneously deposit a new SMTL coating layer and a thinner overcoating on an already existing SMTL layer or on a substrate. The total thickness of the existing SMTL layer plus the new SMTL layer plus the overcoating thickness should not exceed the thickness of a belt area of a marking machine or corresponding components in the to be replaced photoconductor element or the tolerances set for said SMTL and overcoating layer when making a new belt.

Abstract: When a TAB assembly is used in the transfer station of an electrostatic marking system, the blade used in the TABs becomes deformed or improperly aligned due to lateral movement of the clamp, held by rivets, which is used to maintain proper blade alignment. Provided herein is a simple, yet effective, way to secure this clamp with embedded burrs so that the useful life of the TAB is more than doubled over prior art TABs.

Abstract: This is a charging assembly that is useful in marking processes with an electrostatically charged surface. The assembly includes, besides the charger, a controller and an electric field probe. Charge and current flows can be detected by the probe and corrected immediately after detection of flaws by the probe and conveyed to the controller. If flaws in the charger are determined by the probe, corrections are made to the output by a controller; this is done before a final copy or print is made. The term flaws as used means any non-uniform appearing region in the printed image or any otherwise unacceptable defect. The probe is enabled to detect and indicate flaws and the controller which is in communication with the probe takes corrective action on the flaws. The probe used is a novel probe having two sensing elements surrounded by one or more reference electrodes.

Abstract: High torque causing machine failures and motor damage are corrected by the embodiments of this invention. Springs are put on both ends of the lead shaft and the windings around the lead shaft are reduced to substantially reduce the torque created during a power on-power off situation in addition to during normal operations.

Abstract: This is a probe that can be used to measure any curl on a stack of sheets in a sheet stacking tray. In printing systems including electrophotographic systems, sheets tend to curl on edge portions. This curl can adversely affect the final copy and copies fed to finishing stations. This probe lightly contacts the upper stack surface and detects sheet curl especially on the edge portions of the stack. The probe measures deviations of the surface as compared to a starting point defined on the terminal edge of the stack. The information provided by the probe is then fed to a user or controlled for transmission to a correcting apparatus.

Abstract: This is a process to restore compression set properties of a silicone rubber fuser structure that has been damaged during the coating of the silicone with Teflon; Teflon is a registered trademark of DuPont. This restoration is achieved by re-baking the coated fuser roll at temperatures of 175° C. to 275° C. This will improve the compression set and will give the fuser structure improved life and provide better image quality.

Abstract: This is a paper registration system that allows for a lateral reset while the paper is present in the nip space. By separating the nips, the carriage can move to reset position for the next sheet while the previous sheet is still present in the carriage. In addition, the configuration of the system of the invention is reduced or elimination of reaction forces on the carriage lead screw is provided. The registration embodiments of the present system are especially useful in a high speed marking system.

Abstract: This is a magnetic developer purification structure that is used along with other stations positioned in the path of an electrostatic moving belt or drum in an electrostatic marking system. This purification structure may be a separate station or may be part of the development station provided it supplies purified developer to the development station prior to developer contacting the latent image on the drum or belt. The purification structure will agitate the developer mix to form a homogenous mixture of toner and carrier. This mixture is magnetically treated to separate less magnetically attracted contaminants from the remainder of the mixture. The contaminants are removed from the mix and substantially pure developer is then available for contact with the latent image.

Abstract: This is a simple and effective multi-feed system for use in marking apparatus where the transport of paper or other media is vital. The system is independent of the weight or type of paper used as was not the case in the prior art. The present system employs the natural strength and thickness of the paper to separate one sheet from the other. This separation is used to trigger a detector alerting the system of a multi-feed of paper.

Abstract: This is a mechanical oil dispenser for use in applying an oil to the surface (or two surfaces in a duplex mode) of printed media to improve its sheet-handling characteristics. This dispenser system has an oil-containing housing or tank with oil ports at the bottom of the tank. The ports are abutting a wick, this wick then disperses oil to an applicator roll which in turn applies oil to one or both surfaces of a printed media. The oil ports and oil flow are controlled by the profile of a cam and shaft in operative connection to said ports. Opening and closing of these oil ports are controlled by a cam shaft movement actuated by the rotation and stopping of the applicator roll.

Abstract: This is a stacker/stitcher assembly having two disc stackers facing each other. In between the stackers is a common collection tray for receiving the stacked substrates. The assembly can handle printed output of up to 360 ppm. A bypass is provided to divert printed substrates to an exit tray or another finishing station including disc stackers.

Abstract: A flexible blade for use in a paddle wheel drive element is disclosed. This flexible blade, usually made from rubber or other flexible materials is horizontally split into two sections to provide reduced audible noise when the blade contacts and moves paper sheets.

Abstract: This is a cleaning blade useful in an electrophotographic marking system. Under certain conditions, cleaning blades will tuck when the blade continuously contacts a photoconductive surface of this marking system. This tucking causes abrading and damage to the moving photoconductive surface. To prevent or minimize tucking, a blade stiffener is used in this invention in either an add-on or as a part of the originally-manufactured elastomeric blade.