Abstract: An apparatus in which background density of a sheet having visible indicia is monitored. A region of the sheet is scanned and a signal is generated corresponding to the scanned region. The signal corresponding to the scanned region is processed and a signal corresponding to the background density of the sheet is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus which adhesively binds a set of sheets by applying a strip having an adhesive to one surface thereof to the spine of the set. The apparatus includes a compiling station which holds at least one set of sheets. A transport advances the set of copy sheets from the compiling station to the bind and to a receiving station. The transport is movable from a non-operative position, coupling the compiling station to the receiving station, to an operative position coupling the compiling station to the binder. In addition, there is a manual insertion station located at the operative position enabling a set of sheets to be inserted into the transport when the transport is positioned in the operative position. The transport is then adapted to advance the manually inserted set of sheets to the binder which then binds the manually inserted set of sheets to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a stack of sheets is detected at a preselected location. An air jet is directed towards an edge of the stack of sheets at a preselected location. A pressure transducer is located at the prescribed location and positioned to have the air jet at impact thereon. The pressure transducer is enabled to transmit a signal indicative of the absence of the stack of sheets at the preselected location in response to the air jet impacting thereon. The pressure transducer is inhibited from transmitting the signal in response to the stack of sheets blocking the air jet. When the stack of sheets blocks the air jet, the signal from the pressure transducer indicates the presence of the stack of sheets at the preselected location. A pneumatic stack height detector of this type may be used to regulate the movement of a stack of sheets used in electrophotographic printing machines.

Abstract: A printing machine in which two electrostatic latent images are recorded on a photoconductive member. One of the latent images is a charged area latent image with the other image being a discharged area latent image. A magnetic developer unit develops the charged area latent image with black toner particles. A non-magnetic developer unit develops the discharged area latent image with toner particles of a color other than black. The toner particles from both latent images are transferred substantially simultaneously to a sheet and fused thereto forming a color high lighted document.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus that develops a latent image recorded on a surface with toner. An electrically biased electrode member in the development zone between the photoconductive member and the donor roll detaches toners from the donor roll so as to form a toner powder cloud in the development zone. The electrical bias applied on the electrode member is an asymmetrical wave. Toner from the toner powder cloud develops the latent image.

Abstract: An apparatus in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed with toner. A donor roll, spaced from the photoconductive member, transports toner to a development zone adjacent the photoconductive member, an electrode member is positioned in the development zone between the photoconductive member and the donor roll. The electrode member is electrically biased to detach toner from the donor roll so as to form a toner powder cloud in the space between the electrode member and the photoconductive member. In this way, the toner from the donor powder cloud develops the latent image recorded on the photoconductive member. A DC current is transmitted through the electrode member. A magnetic member interacts with the DC current flowing through the electrode member to substantially dampen vibrations of the electrode member.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops a latent image recorded on an image receiving member with developer material. A donor roll is positioned in a chamber of a housing having a supply of developer material therein. The donor roll transports a metered layer of developer material into contact with the latent image to develop the latent image. A rotating and translating brush gently disturbs the metered layer of developer material on the donor roll. This substantially prevent the accumulation of developer material agglomerates on the donor roll so as to create a more stable, uniform developer material layer for development of the latent image therewith.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a duplex tray for collecting sheets having an image formed on one side thereof. Successive sheets collected in the duplex tray are advanced therefrom to the processing stations of the printing machine to have an image formed on the other side thereof. The duplex tray has at least one backstop member positioned thereon and adapted to engage an edge of the sheets being collected. The backstop member stops movement of the sheets and is adapted to deflect upon being contacted by the sheet edge. When the leading edge of the sheet engages the backstop member, the backstop member deflects and absorbs energy. This also increases the sheets contact area and minimizes denting and deletions of the image edge of the sheet edge contacting the backstop member.

Abstract: An apparatus in which sheet material is decurled. The apparatus includes a rod deflecting a belt to define a nip therebetween. The belt is entrained about a part of spaced rollers. A pair of baffle plates are located at the entrance to the nip and at the exit to the nip. The rod is adapted to translate in a vertical direction. As the rod translates, the degree of deflection is varied and the bend of the sheet adjusted. The baffle plates at both the exit and entrance regions to the nip pivot in unison with the translation of the pivot rod so as to adjust the orientation of the sheet entering and leaving the nip.

Abstract: A binding tape cartridge in which a reel of binding tape is packaged in a moisture impervious bag. The bag has an exit port through which the tape is advanced. A seal, mounted in the exit port, permits the passage of tape therethrough while maintaining the interior substantially dry. This projects the binding tape from moisture, reducing the possibility of tape delamination.

Abstract: An adaptive setup for a printing machine that stores time and date data for each usage. A pattern of the stored information is determined and processed in conjunction with operator entered restrictions in order to specify machine operating conditions for successive days and times.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a donor roll advances toner to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member. A plurality of electrical conductors are located in grooves in the donor roll. The electrical conductors are spaced from one another and adapted to be electrically biased in the development zone to detach toner from the donor roll so as to form a toner cloud in the development zone. In the development zone, toner is attracted from the toner cloud to the latent image. In this way, the latent image is developed with toner.

Abstract: An apparatus which determines the intensity of signals generated by a raster input scanner. The signals are inputted to a delay circuit and to a gray detector. The signals generated from the delay circuit and the gray detector are subsequently sent to a logic circuit which determines whether to output a gray signal or a non-gray signal to a raster output scanner used to expose a charged photoconductive surface to record a latent image thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member with toner particles. A donor member is spaced from the photoconductive member and transports toner particles to a development zone adjacent the photoconductive member. Electrode wires are positioned in the development zone between the photoconductive member and the donor member. The electrode wires are electrically biased to detach toner particles from the donor member to form a cloud of toner particles in the development zone. Toner particles detached from the toner particle cloud develop the latent image. The electrode wires are adjustably supported in tension adjacent the donor member.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a donor roll advances toner to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member. A plurality of electrode wires are positioned in the space between the donor roll and the photoconductive member. A support contacts the electrode wires at at least two points. One of the contact points is selected to minimize the wire edge angle between with the other of the contact points being selected to minimize the wire free span. In this way, edge banding and strobing effects are minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a donor roll advances toner to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member. A plurality of electrode wires are positioned in the space between the donor roll and the photoconductive member. The electrode wires are tensioned. An electrical bias is applied to the electrode wires to detach the toner from the donor rolls so as to form a toner cloud in the space between the electrode wires and the photoconductive member. Detached toner from the toner cloud develops the latent image. Vibration of the electrode wires is detected in order to enable the vibration of the electrode wires to be substantially cancelled.

Abstract: A character printing and detection system in which a toner image is fixed to a sheet with each character of the toner image being inverted so that the normally leading edge of each character is the trailing edge. The toner image on the sheet is magnetized. The sheet of support material is re-inverted so that the leading edge of each character of the toner image fixed to the sheet of the support material is the trailing edge. The intensity of the magnetic field generated by each character of the toner image fixed to the sheet is detected to identify each character.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member with toner. Fluidized toner is transported from one end of the developer housing to the other end. A donor roller, spaced from the photoconductive member is adapted to receive toner and transport the toner to a development zone adjacent the photoconductive member. The excess toner is contained and diverted from the ends of the donor roller into the chamber of the housing. This insures that excess toner does not build-up on the sides of the donor roller resulting in the sides of the copy being background free.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member with toner. Fluidized toner is transported from one end of the developer housing to the other end. An electrical bias is applied between the toner mover and the donor roller so as to attract toner to the donor roller. A rotating rod resiliently urged into contact with the donor roller charges and meters the toner on the donor roller. Electrically biased wires in the development zone between the photoconductive member and the donor roller detach toners from the donor roll so as to form a toner powder cloud in the development zone. Detached toner from the toner powder cloud develops the latent image.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a donor roll advances toner to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member. A plurality of electrode wires are positioned in the space between the donor roll and the photoconductive member. The electrode wires are electrically biased to detach the toner from the donor roll so as to form a toner cloud in the space between the electrode wires and photoconductive member. Detached toner from the toner cloud develops the latent image. A damping material is coated on a portion of the electrode wires. The damping material damps vibration of the electrode wires.