Abstract: A digital printing system, for printing on a continuous web of print media, includes a media operation zone in which an operation is performed on the print media. A support structure guides a continuous web of print media under tension through the media operation zone. The support structure includes a first mechanism and a second mechanism. The first mechanism, located upstream relative to the media operation zone, includes structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction so as to establish center justification of the print media as the print media enters the media operation zone. The second mechanism, located downstream relative to the media operation zone, includes structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction so as to maintain center justification of the print media as the print media travels through the media operation zone.

Abstract: A digital printing system for printing on a continuous web of print media includes a first module and a second module that guide a continuous web of print media under tension through the printing system. At least one of the first module and the second module include a digital printhead for placing marks on the print media as it travels through the module. The first module includes a first support structure. A first mechanism is affixed to the first support structure and includes structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction. A second mechanism is affixed to the first support structure and includes structure that sets a tension of the print media. The second module includes a second support structure and is positioned downstream from the first module.

Abstract: A digital printing system for printing on a continuous web of print media includes a support structure that guides the continuous web of print media under tension through the printing system. The printing system includes a first mechanism that is affixed to the support structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction. A second mechanism is affixed to the support structure that sets tension of the print media. A third mechanism is affixed to the support structure that sets an angular trajectory of the print media. A roller is affixed to the support structure and is configured to align to the print media being guided through the printing system without necessarily being aligned to another roller located upstream or downstream relative to the roller. A drive roller is affixed to the support structure that moves the print media through the printing system. A printhead is located downstream relative to the first mechanism.

Abstract: A digital printing system for printing on a continuous web of print media includes a support structure that guides a continuous web of print media under tension through the printing system. The continuous web of print media includes an edge. The support structure includes a first mechanism, a filter mechanism, and a section in which cross track motion of the continuous web of print media is not desired. The first mechanism is affixed to the support structure and includes structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction. The filter mechanism sets an angular trajectory of the print media, is located downstream relative to the first mechanism, and passively filters fluctuations in position of the edge of the continuous web of print media. The section in which cross track motion of the continuous web of print media is not desired is located downstream relative to the filter mechanism.

Abstract: A method of processing photographic media carrying a plurality of images, and an apparatus which can execute the method. The media is scanned to obtain image signals corresponding to the images. Image characteristics are determined from scanned image signals. Image characteristics for scanned images are automatically compared with one or more predetermined characteristic values to classify as passed or suspect images those images which do or do not meet one or more predetermined characteristics. Simulated images are displayed based on the scanned image signals such that any suspect images are apparent to a user. User inputs are obtained for any suspect images, and any suspect image signal is corrected in response to the user input for that image. The image signals are forwarded to an output device.

Abstract: A support assembly, in an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus having multiple development stations respectively containing different color marking particles for selective development of a plurality of latent image-wise charge patterns on a moving dielectric member so that such apparatus is capable of making multi-color reproductions. The support assembly includes a plurality of members adapted to receive the plurality of development stations respectively. The plurality of members are simultaneously movable to a first position where development stations received by the members are remote from the dielectric member to facilitate removal of such development stations from the apparatus, and to a second position where such development stations are in juxtaposition with the dielectric member.

Abstract: Magnetic brush development apparatus wherein flow of developer material, distributed in balance across the length of the apparatus, is assured. The apparatus includes a sump containing a supply of developer material. A magnetic brush is spaced from the sump. A feed mechanism, located within the housing between the sump portion and the magnetic brush transports developer material from the sump to the magnetic brush. A ribbon blender, located in the sump, agitates and transports developer material to the feed mechanism. The pitch of the blender blades self adjust as a function of developer imbalance. As material builds up, the blades's pitch angles decrease, reducing the rate of material transport toward areas of maximum build up. Thus, for a blender where the desired flow pattern is end-to-end, the end of the other ribbon near the end of the station toward which material is transported by the outer ribbin is self adjusting.

Abstract: An improved transfer apparatus for use in an electrostatographic copier including a dielectric member adapted to carry electrostatically developed marking particle images. The transfer apparatus comprises a cylindrical roller mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis and located such that its peripheral surface is in operative relation with the dielectric member of the copier. A receiver member is selectively tacked, at least at its lead marginal edge, on the peripheral surface of the roller by vacuum attraction, such vacuum being effective through ports in the roller. At least one trough is formed in the roller substantially aligned with the vacuum ports. Such trough minimizes contact of the tacked lead edge of the receiver sheet to the peripheral surface of the roller, thereby facilitating release of the sheet from the roller at a desired time.

Abstract: An electrographic development apparatus has a sump for receiving developer material including carrier particles and toner particles. A magnetic brush receives development material from the sump and moves the material into a position relative to an electrostatic image carried on an insulating surface so that toner particles can be transferred to the electrostatic image to develop such image. A ribbon blender in the sump mixes the toner and carrier particles of the developer material, circulates developer material axially within the sump, agitates and shears the developer material, promotes tribocharging, and feeds developer out of the sump along a path leading to the magnetic brush.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus includes a mechanism for transporting a web carrying electrostatically held toner images through an endless path. The web includes a plurality of closely spaced perforations along an edge. A transfer device includes a drum for presenting a receiving surface to the web to receive a plurality of images in registery, for example, color separation images that will make up a multicolor image on the receiving surface. The transfer drum is driven through a gear train by a sprocket which engages the perforations. The sprocket may also drive the web. To assure the most accurate registry despite inaccuracies in the gear train or perforation location, the pitch of the images on the web divided by the circumference of the sprocket is an integer, preferably 1 and preferably, the circumference of the sprocket divided by the circumference of each of the gears in the gear train is an integer.

Abstract: A transfer roller apparatus for use for example in an electrographic copier including a dielectric member adapted to carry electrostatically developed marking particle images, and the mechanism for applying an electrical bias thereto. The transfer roller apparatus, employing a mechanism for accurately locating a receiver member on the periphery of the roller, dielectric member of the copier. Such apparatus includes a conductive core, mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis and located such that its peripheral surface is in operative relation with the dielectric member. An electrical bias is applied to the roller to establish a transfer field between the roller and the dielectric member to effect transfer of marking particle images from the dielectric member to a receiver member accurately located on the peripheral surface of the roller. The bias is applied by connecting an electrical potential source to the roller through the conductive core.

Abstract: A transfer roller apparatus for use for example in an electrographic copier including a dielectric member adapted to carry electrostatically developed marking particle images on successive image receiving areas. The transfer roller apparatus, is driven to synchronize transfer roller rotation with dielectric member movement for accurate transfer of marking particle images to a receiver member on such roller peripheral surface. The roller transfer apparatus includes a gear train having a first gear coupled to a rotational motive source and a last gear coaxially coupled to the transfer roller. The transfer roller is articulatable to a first position in operative relation with the dielectric member, a second position in operative relation with a cleaning mechanism for the peripheral surface of the roller, and a third rest position intermdiate the first and second positions.

Abstract: An electrographic development apparatus has a sump for receiving developer material including carrier particles and toner particles. A ribbon blender in the sump mixes the toner particles and carrier particles, circulates them within the sump and assists in transporting of the materials to a magnetic brush where the toner particles can be transferred to an electrostatic image on a photoconductor. The improved ribbon blender has an elongate helical ribbon positioned within the sump and extends along the sump with adjacent convolutions of the ribbon being spaced from each other. A plurality of buckets are secured to the ribbon between adjacent convolutions of the ribbon. The buckets on one convolution of the ribbon are spaced from the buckets on adjacent convolutions of the ribbon.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the alignment, in a lateral (cross-track) direction, of a web moving along a path to minimize lateral deviation between successive discrete areas of such web. The apparatus includes a steering roller for supporting the web for movement along such path. The steering roller is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the span of the web approaching the steering roller. As the web moves along the path, the lateral position of a marginal edge of the web relative to a reference plane is sensed. When such lateral edge position is at either of two spaced predetermined locations relative to such reference plane, signals indicative of the presence of such edge at such locations are produced.

Abstract: Magnetic brush developer apparatus for selectively developing an electrostatic charge pattern on a member by contacting the member with particulate magnetic developer material. The apparatus includes an applicator for transporting developer material in juxtaposition with such member. An electromagnet is operatively associated with the applicator for establishing developer nap bristles on the applicator when energized. The electromagnet is selectively energized to establish nap bristles to develop a selected electrostatic charge pattern with developer material and deenergized to avoid development of any non-selected electrostatic charge pattern.

Abstract: In a camera, a piezoelectric generator is struck by a hammer to produce an electrical pulse for flash firing. A firing spring carrying the hammer engages a shutter blade to drive the blade as the spring is moved to impact the hammer against the crystal. When the firing spring is stopped by the hammer striking the crystal, the shutter blade is catapulted from the firing spring to uncover an exposure aperture in synchronization with the resulting flash illumination.