Abstract: A container for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine is provided. The container is fittable to an adapter associated with the developer unit. The container includes a body and a cover. The body defines a chamber for storing particles therein. The body further defines an aperture in the periphery thereof. The cover is for use in covering the aperture. The container also includes a latching member having a latched position wherein said cover is fixedly positioned with respect to said body. The latching member also has an unlatched position wherein the cover is movable with respect to the body. The latching member is moved from the latched position to the unlatched position as the container is fitted into the adapter.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in filling a container from a hopper containing a supply of powder is provided. The hopper defines a longitudinal axis thereof. The apparatus includes a conduit rotatably connected to the hopper and extending downwardly therefrom. The conduit is adapted to permit a flow of powder therewithin. The conduit defines a longitudinal axis thereof. The conduit further defines an inlet thereof for receiving the supply of powder from the hopper and an outlet for dispelling the powder therefrom. The inlet has an inlet center thereof and the outlet has an outlet center thereof. At least one of the inlet center and the outlet center is spaced from the longitudinal axis of the hopper so that as the conduit is rotated with respect to the hopper, the position of the outlet center with respect to the hopper changes.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in filling a container from a hopper containing a supply of powder is provided. The apparatus includes a conduit flexibly connected to the hopper and extending downwardly therefrom. The conduit is adapted to permit a flow of powder therewithin. The conduit defines a longitudinal axis thereof and the hopper defines a longitudinal axis thereof. The conduit is flexibly connected to the hopper so that the hopper and the conduit may be arranged in a first position with the longitudinal axis of the hopper and the longitudinal axis of said conduit being coincident and may be arranged in a second position with the longitudinal axis of the hopper and the longitudinal axis of the conduit being skewed with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method for filling a powder container is provided. The method includes the steps of placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a discharge feature in the vessel, directing the powder in the vessel toward a member located at least partially within the vessel, the member defining a restriction therein such that the powder clogs within the restriction, mechanically exciting the powder at least adjacent the restriction to improve the flow properties of the powder so as to unclog the powder within the restriction, dispensing powder through the restriction, through the discharge feature and into the first container, stopping the mechanical excitation of the powder so as to clog the restriction with the powder, removing the first container from the vessel, and placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the vessel.

Abstract: A drive member for use in a printing machine is provided. The drive member cooperates with a drive shaft including a drive shaft feature. The drive shaft is adapted to transfer torque therebetween. The drive member cooperates with a torque transferring component to transfer torque therebetween. The drive member includes a body. The body defines an aperture therein. The body defines an axis of rotation thereof. The drive member further includes a torque transferring feature associated with the body for transferring torque between the body and the torque transferring component and a torque transmitting feature extending from the body in the direction of the axis, at least a portion of the torque transmitting feature having an arcuate periphery.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a printing machine including a member for storing a latent image thereon of a document is provided. The printing machine is adapted to produce a printed copy of the document on a substrate. The apparatus adjusts the printed copy output rate thereof. The apparatus includes a latent image generating device for generating the latent image of the document. The latent image generating device has a switch for initiating the generating the latent image of the document. The apparatus further includes an adjustable timer for setting an elapsed time between sequential generations of the latent image of the document and a controller for controlling the printed copy output rate of the printing machine. The controller is adapted to provide for a plurality of printed copy output rates based on the time elapsed between sequential generations of the latent image of the document.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating a latch for releaseably securing a movable member to a frame is disclosed. The actuator includes a body, a first member operably associated with said body for urging the latch toward engagement with the frame and a second member operably associated with the body for urging the latch toward disengagement with the frame wherein the body, the first member, and the second member are turned from a one-piece construction. A separating member is operably associated with the actuator for separating the actuator from the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in filling a container from a hopper containing a supply of powder is provided. The apparatus includes a conduit operably connected to the hopper and extending downwardly therefrom. The conduit is adapted to permit a flow of powder therewithin. The apparatus also includes a nozzle operably connected to the conduit and extending downwardly therefrom. The nozzle defines an inlet thereof for receiving powder from the conduit and defines an outlet thereof for dispensing powder from the nozzle to the container. The inlet defines an inlet cross sectional area perpendicular to the flow the powder and an outlet defining an outlet cross sectional area perpendicular to the flow the powder. The inlet cross sectional area is larger than the outlet cross sectional area. The apparatus further includes an conveyor located at least partially within the conduit. The conveyor assists in providing the flow of powder from the container.

Abstract: A media tray for storing a supply of media for use in a printing apparatus is provided. The media tray includes a body having a tray for storing the media, a cover and a handle. The cover includes a front face. The front face is opposed to the body. The cover has an opening. The cover is attached to a first end of the body. The handle is pivotably secured to the cover about a handle pivoting axis. The handle is positioned at least partially adjacent the opening of the cover. The handle is removably connectable with the printing apparatus. The handle pivoting axis is located outside the volume normal to the face whose cross sectional area is defined by the predetermined periphery of the cover at the front face.

Abstract: A modular control assembly for controlling a plurality of electromechanical components in a printing machine for producing prints on a substrate is provided. The assembly includes a body, a plurality of electrical components mounted onto the body. The assembly further includes a plurality of electrical conduits. Each of the conduits is electrically connected to at least one of the electrical components. The assembly further includes a plurality of electrical connectors. Each of the connectors is electrically connected to at least one of the electrical conduits. The electromechanical components are quickly electrically connectable and disconnectable to the assembly at the connectors.

Abstract: A blade for use in an apparatus for urging sheets against registration edges in a sheet compiler is provided. The blade includes a body having a contact surface for contact with the sheets and a locating feature. The locating feature is connected to the body for locating the blade to the apparatus. The locating feature includes a prevention feature for preventing the blade from being inserted into the apparatus in a first orientation and to permit the blade to be inserted into the apparatus in a second orientation, opposed to the first orientation, so that the blade is properly installed into the apparatus.

Abstract: A plastic molded article including a body is provided. The body includes a first surface thereof and a second surface thereof. The second surface is spaced from the first surface. The body defines a first cavity extending inwardly from the first surface and a second cavity extending inwardly from the second surface. The first cavity overlaps the second cavity so as to form an aperture extending at least partially through the plastic molded article. The body further defines a recess extending inwardly from at least one of the first cavity and the second cavity at a location where the first cavity overlaps the second cavity so as to accommodate flash which may be formed during the molding process of the plastic molded article.

Abstract: A method for filling a powder container is provided. The method includes the steps of placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a supply of powder in a vessel, mechanically exciting the powder in the vessel to improve its flow properties, dispensing powder from the vessel into the first container, removing the first container from the vessel, and placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the vessel.

Abstract: A charging apparatus for applying a uniform electrostatic charge to a charge retentive surface is provided. The charging apparatus is operably electrically connectable to a power supply for supplying an electrical bias to the charging apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing and an electrode mounted to the housing and positioned adjacent the surface in a non-contact relationship therewith. The apparatus also includes an electrical connector, electrically connected to the electrode and electrically connectable to the power supply. The electrical connector provides an electrical bias to said electrode. The electrical connector extends from the electrode and is integral therewith.

Abstract: A mold for use in a molding machine for manufacturing a magnetic roll for use in an electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is provided. The mold includes a body and an insert. The body defines a surface of the body. The insert is positioned at least partially against the surface of the body. The insert defines an inner surface of the insert. The inner surface is adapted to conform to at least a portion of the periphery of the roll. The insert may be replaced when worn and the body may be reused with a replacement insert.

Abstract: A charging module for applying a uniform electrostatic charge to a charge retentive surface is provided. The charging module is operably electrically connectable to a power supply for supplying an electrical bias to the charging apparatus. The charging module is mountable into a process cartridge. The process cartridge includes a cartridge mounting surface for cooperation with the charging apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing including a housing mounting feature and an electrode. The electrode is mounted to the housing and is positioned adjacent the surface in a non-contact relationship therewith. The housing mounting feature is adapted to be cooperable with the cartridge mounting surface to secure the placement of the charging module into the cartridge without the need for any installation tools.

Abstract: A device for transferring electrical charge between a first element and a second element is provided the elements have an electrical potential therebetween. The device has a body including a multiplicity of electrically conductive carbon fibers. A substantial portion of the fibers extend in a substantially parallel direction, parallel to a first axis. The body includes a first contact area for contact with the first element. The body further includes a second contact area on the periphery thereof spaced from the first contact area, the second contact area for contact with the second element.

Abstract: A coupling for mechanically interconnecting a rotating mechanism to a media advancing surface, for advancing media in a printing apparatus is disclosed. The coupling includes a first member having a first member feature and a second member rotatably cooperating with the first member. The second member has a second member feature. The first member feature and the second member feature cooperate to provide limited rotational motion of the first member relative to the second member.

Abstract: A spring for use in a process cartridge for use in a printing machine is provided. The spring for urging a development roll mounted to a development housing pivotably mounted to a process cartridge housing toward a latent image to form a developed image. The spring includes an arm fixedly secured to either the process cartridge housing or the development housing. The arm includes a distal end thereof. The distal end of the arm is contactable with the other of either the process cartridge housing or the development housing.

Abstract: A shaft assembly comprising an elongated member having at least a portion which is hollow, tubular, shell like having an inside surface defining a shaft core and an outside surface defining a shaft functional surface, the shaft core being filled with a hardened, moldable material, and the shaft functional surface having at least one functional feature thereon, which is of hardened, moldable material integrally molded with the hardened, moldable material in the shaft core. In a preferred embodiment the shaft assembly is rotatable and has at least one molding aperture gate extending through the shaft from the inside surface to the outside surface which is filled with hardened, moldable material which connects the hardened material in the shaft core and functional feature.