Abstract: In the representative ink supply system described in the specification, continuous circulation of ink in an ink jet head is accomplished by providing two reservoirs connected to each ink jet orifice through corresponding passages so that ink flows continuously from a high-level reservoir past the orifice to a low-level reservoir. The difference between the levels of ink in the reservoirs is maintained relatively constant by inertial pumping during reciprocal motion of the ink jet head or by pressure transfer of ink from one reservoir to the other reservoir. Cross-flow purging of air or debris from the ink jet head is effected by covering the ink jet orifices and applying air pressure to one reservoir to cause ink and any trapped air or debris to flow from the head to the other reservoir. A pump responsive to reciprocal motion of the ink jet head generates a positive air pressure which is applied during purging and a negative air pressure which is applied to a deaerator for removing dissolved air from the ink.

Abstract: In the embodiment of the cleaning device described in the specification, a web of paper is movable past the orifice plate of an ink jet head from a supply roll to a take-up roll. The cleaning device has a movable front end portion with two pressure bars positioned to urge the web of paper against two portions of the orifice plate, one portion being in line with the orifices and the other below the orifices. The pressure bar supports are arranged so that the bar positioned in line with the orifices engages the web after the other bar has urged the web against the orifice plate. The cleaning device also collects ink ejected during purging of air from the system and may be positioned to prevent ejection of ink during an internal purging operation.

Abstract: In the particular embodiments of the invention described in the specification, a transparency includes a transparent substrate made of a polyester material, an ink pattern disposed on one surface of the transparent sheet in the form of three-dimensional ink spots having curved surfaces and a transparent layer convering the ink spots which has an index of refraction approximately the same as that of the ink spots. The transparent layer is applied to the substrate and the ink spots in the form of a liquid coating which wets the surfaces of the substrate and ink spots and spreads over them to produce a transparent layer having a maximum deviation of about 20 degrees from a plane parallel to the substrate.

Abstract: In the particular embodiments of the invention described in the specification, a projection transparency includes a transparent substrate and an ink pattern disposed on one surface of the transparent sheet in the form of three-dimensional ink spots having curved surfaces with a radius of curvature of at least 3 mils and an angle of contact with the substrate of no more than about 25.degree.. The transparency is prepared by applying ink drops to the substrate and maintaining the ink at a temperature above its melting point for a selected time such as 0.5 to 10 seconds. Thereafter, the ink is cooled rapidly to reduce crystallization and frosting and thereby reduce light transmission losses in the ink to less than 50%.

Abstract: In the embodiment of the hot melt ink supply unit described in the specification, a block of solid hot melt ink has a peripheral surface formed with a key configuration and a handle is removably connected to the block by a threaded projection. After insertion of the block into a correspondingly keyed opening in a heated reservoir, the handle is turned to separate the handle portion from the block of solid ink. A container provided with a removable seal encloses the block of solid ink and handle to protect the ink from contamination.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a sheet is advanced into registration with information developed on a moving member. Spaced belts having a sheet gripper secured thereto move the sheet in a recirculating path of movement. The belts move at a first velocity during registration of the sheet with the information on the moving member and at a second velocity during non-registration of the sheet with the information on the moving member.

Abstract: In the representative hot melt ink supply system described in the specification, a first hot melt ink supply reservoir maintains ink in molten condition during operation of the system and a second reservoir mounted with an ink jet head on a movable carriage communicates with the first reservoir through a flexible supply line. The ink in the supply line is normally kept in solid condition and, when a reduced level of ink is detected in the second reservoir, the supply line is heated to melt the ink in the line and a pump is actuated to transfer ink from the first reservoir to the second reservoir. To permit use of pigmented inks, each of the reservoirs is heated to provide a thermal gradient therein so as to maintain convective circulation of the ink. An ink circulation path is provided to cause convective circulation of pigmented ink in the ink jet head.

Abstract: A transparency includes a transparent substrate such as a polyester material, an ink pattern disposed on one surface of the transparent sheet in the form of three-dimensional ink spots having curved surfaces and a transparent layer covering the ink spots which has an index of refraction approximately the same as that of the ink spots. The transparent layer is applied to the substrate and the ink spots in the form of a liquid coating which wets the surfaces of the substrate and ink spots and spreads over them to produce a transparent layer having a maximum deviation of about 20 degrees from a plane parallel to the substrate.

Abstract: In the particular embodiment of an ink deaerator described in the specification, an elongated ink path leading to an ink jet head is formed between two permeable membranes. The membranes are backed by air plenums which contain support members to hold the membranes in position. Reduced pressure is applied to the plenums to extract dissolved air from the ink in the ink path. Increased pressure can also be applied to the plenums to eject ink from the ink jet head for purging. Within the ink jet head ink is circulated convectively from the orifice to the deaerating path even when the jet is not jetting ink.

Abstract: Providing plural precollated sets of copies by plurally recirculating a set of documents and normally making two consecutive identical copies per document per circulation, at one-half the copying rate of the copier, feeding these pairs of identical copy sheets separately into two of only 3 (or 4) movable compiler bins, sequentially accumulating and stacking these copy sheets into completed, compiled, collated copy sheet sets in each of the two compiler bins, and then removing the sets one at a time for finishing, from the opposite side of the bins, and sequentially changing, for subsequent circulations of the sets of documents, which 2 of the 3 compiler bins are being fed pairs of copy sheets, and which compiler bin is not, so that a compiled set of copy sheets may be removed from its bin or left in awaiting finishing of a prior set without having any copy sheets fed into that bin, in coordination with and without interfering with said feeding and directing of other copy sheets into other compiler bins.

Abstract: In the particular embodiment described in the specification, a hot melt ink jet system includes a temperature-controlled platen provided with a heater and a thermoelectric cooler electrically connected to a heat pump and a temperature control unit for controlling the operation of the heater and the heat pump to maintain the platen temperature at a desired level. The apparatus also includes a second thermoelectric cooler to solidify hot melt ink in a selected zone more rapidly to avoid offset by a pinch roll coming in contact with the surface of the substrate to which hot melt ink has been applied. An airtight enclosure surrounding the platen is connected to a vacuum pump and has slits adjacent to the platen to hold the substrate in thermal contact with the platen.

Abstract: The invention provides a scanner system which in one embodiment includes only a single moving part in the document path, namley a drive roll, which serves not only to move the document through the system, but also to provide a backing against which the document is pushed while a proximate region thereof is being scanned. The invention in an embodiment also provides an opto-mechanical assembly that is shock-mounted to the frame of the system at only three-spaced apart locations, so that the assembly tends to be isolated from vibration and torsional forces.

Abstract: A document printer includes sheet-feeding apparatus for sequentially presenting both faces of a print-receiving sheet to a print station. According to a preferred embodiment, such apparatus features, as part of the duplex sheet path, reversible sheet-feeding means operable in first or second active modes for selectively feeding sheets into and out of a chute, located upstream from the feeding means, to reverse the sheet's lead edge/trail edge orientation. Such sheet-feeding means is also operable in a passive mode in which it allows sheets to advance, without substantial interference, downstream therepast to a registration position.

Abstract: An apparatus in which particles are dispensed from the open end of a chamber. A member is positioned interiorly of the chamber and periodically agitated in response to particles being dispensed therefrom. Agitation of the member prevents bridging and caking of the particles in the chamber and facilitates the flow of the particles therefrom.

Abstract: In a document handling system in which an apertured vacuum belt transports the documents to the imaging station of a copier and provides a light reflective background surface, the belt vacuum apertures are only within discrete limited areas of the belt and have a convoluted surface which holds the document spaced from the vacuum apertures and provides low impedance air flow under the document from the apertures, said areas being substantially enclosed by narrow border areas of unapertured and non-imageable pneumatic weirs at positions corresponding to the edges of conventional sizes of documents, which weirs are finely convoluted to have a much higher air flow impedance.

Abstract: An apparatus in which lateral movement of a moving belt is controlled so that the belt moves in a pre-determined path. The apparatus includes at least one moving member having a plurality of spaced, flexible discs extending outwardly from the exterior surface thereof. The portion or segment of the disc contacting the region of the belt passing thereover provides support therefor. Preventing the belt from deviating laterally from the pre-determined path deflects the portion or segments of the discs providing support for the belt. The deflected portion of the disc returns to the undeflected condition when not supporting the belt. In this manner, the maximum force applied to the belt never exceeds the minimum force required to buckle the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus in which articles are stapled to one another. A staple is driven through the article so that a portion thereof protrudes therefrom. The staple legs protruding through the articles are bent into substantial contact therewith so as to clinch the staples. In the clinched position, the staple legs are closely adjacent to one another and may be overlapping. During the clinching operation, the staple legs are guided by a groove in the surface affecting bending. Initially, the stapled leg is received in the central region of the groove. The central region of the groove has a greater cross-sectional area than the end region thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a stack of sheets is brought into contact with the clamping surface of a fixed stapler head. After the stack is secured against the clamping surface, a staple is driven therethrough.

Abstract: A stapling apparatus in which a staple is supported laterally as it is being driven into an article to prevent tilting thereof. The staple lateral support is retractable to facilitate removal of a jammed staple.

Abstract: An apparatus in which at least two sheets are stapled to one another. The apparatus includes a controller which places a pressure source in communication with a staple drive so that pressurized fluid actuates the staple drive to drive a staple through the sheets. Thereafter, the controller places the staple drive in communication with a staple clincher so that the pressurized fluid exhausting from the staple drive actuates the staple clincher to clinch the portion of the staple legs protruding through the sheets.