Abstract: A contamination control apparatus for controlling contamination in an image forming device is provided. The apparatus includes an air mover located in the image forming device; a first duct, a first end of the first duct receiving non-contaminated air, and a second end of the first duct being fluidly connected to an air input of the air mover such that the air input receives the non-contaminated air from the first duct; an exhaust duct, a first end of the exhaust duct being fluidly connected to an air output of the air mover such that the exhaust duct receives the non-contaminated air from the air output; and a second duct, a first end of the second duct being positioned such that contaminated air is drawn into the second duct, and a second end of the second duct being fluidly connected to the exhaust duct at a position downstream of the air output of the air mover and upstream of the second end of the exhaust duct.

Abstract: A contamination control apparatus for controlling contamination in an image forming device is provided. The apparatus includes an air mover located in the image forming device; a first duct, a first end of the first duct receiving non-contaminated air, and a second end of the first duct being fluidly connected to an air input of the air mover such that the air input receives the non-contaminated air from the first duct; an exhaust duct, a first end of the exhaust duct being fluidly connected to an air output of the air mover such that the exhaust duct receives the non-contaminated air from the air output; and a second duct, a first end of the second duct being positioned such that contaminated air is drawn into the second duct, and a second end of the second duct being fluidly connected to the exhaust duct at a position downstream of the air output of the air mover and upstream of the second end of the exhaust duct.

Abstract: An air flow accelerator for creating an air current. The air flow accelerator comprises an air inlet, an air outlet, an impeller, and a motor for rotating the impeller to create an air flow passing from the air inlet to the air outlet. The air outlet comprises a first elongate plenum having an interior passage for receiving the air flow, and a second elongate plenum connected to the first elongate plenum by a common wall between the first elongate plenum and the second elongate plenum. The common wall has a plurality of apertures therein. The second elongate plenum comprises a plurality of chambers such that one or more of the apertures connects to each of the chambers. The second elongate plenum further comprises a narrow slot for emitting the air flow. The air flow emitting from the slot forms a jet inducing a flow of air from outside the air flow accelerator.

Abstract: Disclosed are document imaging systems and methods which provide cleaning and cooling of various components associated with an image scanning system. According to one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, provided is a document imaging system including a flexible, accordion style, duct which draws air through a vacuum slot between a light source and optical sensor associated with the scanning system. The resulting air flow provides cleaning of the imaging platen and provides cooling/cleaning of the light source and optical sensor.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a paper path adjacent a media supply. The paper path moves printing media from the media supply through the printing apparatus. Also, a marking engine is positioned adjacent the paper path, and the paper path supplies the printing media to said marking engine. The marking engine prints marking material on the printing media in a printing process, and the printing process generates vapors and ultrafine particles. The printing apparatus includes ducting adjacent the paper path and the marking engine. A fan is positioned within the ducting. The fan moves the vapors and ultrafine particles from around the paper path and the marking engine into the ducting. Further, at least one condensation unit is located within the ducting. The condensation unit is maintained at a temperature sufficient to condense and collect the vapors and ultrafine particles.

Abstract: Disclosed are document imaging systems and methods which provide cleaning and cooling of various components associated with an image scanning system. According to one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, provided is a document imaging system including a flexible, accordion style, duct which draws air through a vacuum slot between a light source and optical sensor associated with the scanning system. The resulting air flow provides cleaning of the imaging platen and provides cooling/cleaning of the light source and optical sensor.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a marking device, a media path positioned to supply sheets of media to the marking device, and a media supply tray positioned to supply the sheets of media to the media path. Further, a pair of rollers forms a nip adjacent the media supply tray. The rollers rotate in opposite directions to cause the sheets of media to move from the media supply tray to the media path. Additionally, a first frame structure supports a first roller of the pair of rollers. The first frame structure can be in a fixed position and holds the first roller in a fixed location. A second frame structure supports a second roller of the pair of rollers. The second frame structure is adjustable in a first direction toward the first roller and has a variable pivot position allowing the second frame structure to move in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: An air flow accelerator for creating an air current. The air flow accelerator comprises an air inlet, an air outlet, an impeller, and a motor for rotating the impeller to create an air flow passing from the air inlet to the air outlet. The air outlet comprises a first elongate plenum having an interior passage for receiving the air flow, and a second elongate plenum connected to the first elongate plenum by a common wall between the first elongate plenum and the second elongate plenum. The common wall has a plurality of apertures therein. The second elongate plenum comprises a plurality of chambers such that one or more of the apertures connects to each of the chambers. The second elongate plenum further comprises a narrow slot for emitting the air flow. The air flow emitting from the slot forms a jet inducing a flow of air from outside the air flow accelerator.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a controller that stores instructions, which cause the image forming apparatus to determine a characteristic measurement in response to a toner cartridge being partially inserted into the image forming apparatus. A pair of spaced apart sensors included on the image forming apparatus each contact an outer cross-sectional surface of a film on a delivery aperture of the toner cartridge. The image forming apparatus further includes an auger having at least one sensor for conducting a characteristic measurement on the film. The characteristic measurement corresponds to criteria programmed in the image forming apparatus for determining if the toner cartridge has a full toner level or a partially full (or low) toner level.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a paper path adjacent a media supply. The paper path moves printing media from the media supply through the printing apparatus. Also, a marking engine is positioned adjacent the paper path, and the paper path supplies the printing media to said marking engine. The marking engine prints marking material on the printing media in a printing process, and the printing process generates vapors and ultrafine particles. The printing apparatus includes ducting adjacent the paper path and the marking engine. A fan is positioned within the ducting. The fan moves the vapors and ultrafine particles from around the paper path and the marking engine into the ducting. Further, at least one condensation unit is located within the ducting. The condensation unit is maintained at a temperature sufficient to condense and collect the vapors and ultrafine particles.