Abstract: A ground plate includes an electrically conductive planar member having a long axis and a perpendicular short axis. The planar member has an elongated hexagonal shape having two opposing long sides, two opposing relatively shorter sides, and four angled sides between the long sides and the relatively shorter sides with a hollow central opening. Spring clips extend from inner edges of the hollow central opening. The inner edges from which the spring clips extend are parallel to the long axis. Each spring clip includes a distal end portion curving outward from the hollow central opening and is configured to contact a shaft extending through the hollow central opening to form an electrical connection between the planar member and the shaft. A tab projection extends from an outer edge of each of the relatively shorter sides. Each tab projection is in the same plane as the planar member.

Abstract: A ground plate includes an electrically conductive planar member having a long axis and a perpendicular short axis. The planar member has an elongated hexagonal shape having two opposing long sides, two opposing relatively shorter sides, and four angled sides between the long sides and the relatively shorter sides with a hollow central opening. Spring clips extend from inner edges of the hollow central opening. The inner edges from which the spring clips extend are parallel to the long axis. Each spring clip includes a distal end portion curving outward from the hollow central opening and is configured to contact a shaft extending through the hollow central opening to form an electrical connection between the planar member and the shaft. A tab projection extends from an outer edge of each of the relatively shorter sides. Each tab projection is in the same plane as the planar member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for maintaining flowability of solid-ink pellets when delivering solid-ink pellets from a container to an image-forming apparatus. The apparatus includes an extraction tube inserted into the container and connected to a vacuum source. Suction from the vacuum source impels pellets into the extraction tube through an extraction inlet, but pellet agglomerations may clog the system. Such a clog produces an immediate pressure spike within the extraction tube, an event detected by the clog detector. An actuator, responsive to the clog detector, drives an agitating structure that breaks up agglomerations and restores smooth pellet flow. Alternative embodiments can include devices having only the clog detector or the agitating structure. Alternative implementations of the agitating structure provide means for accomplishing pellet break up. The accompanying method detects the occurrence of a clog and responds by operating the agitating structure to break up agglomerations.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for maintaining flowability of solid-ink pellets when delivering solid-ink pellets from a container to an image-forming apparatus. The apparatus includes an extraction tube inserted into the container and also connected to a vacuum source. Suction produced by the vacuum source impels pellets into the extraction tube through an extraction inlet, but pellet agglomerations may clog the system. Such a clog produces an immediate pressure spike within the extraction tube, an event detected by the clog detector. An actuator, responsive to the clog detector, drives an agitating structure that breaks up agglomerations and restores smooth pellet flow. Alternative embodiments can include devices having only the clog detector or the agitating structure along with the clog detectors. Alternative implementations of the agitating structure provide means for accomplishing the pellet break up.

Abstract: A replenishment carrier injection system is provided for adding carrier particles to a developer housing in a two-component developer toner imaging machine.

Abstract: A low cost, robust and efficient replenisher toner container is provided and includes (a) a one-piece blow-molded container body having a wall defining an exterior surface of the body and an interior cavity within the body; (b) a first end, of the one-piece blow-molded container body, having a handle member; (c) a second end, of the one-piece blow-molded container body opposite the first end, including a single fill/dispense opening for filling the interior cavity with replenisher toner and for dispensing replenisher toner from the interior cavity; and (d) at least a one molded scoop member formed at the second end for efficiently delivering the replenisher toner being dispensed from the interior cavity into receiving components in the xerographic machine.

Abstract: A teeter-totter valve device for metering magnetic particles from a hopper includes (i) a tube connected to the hopper for flow of magnetic particles out of the hopper; (ii) a teeter-totter member having a first arm including a first distal end, and a second adjustable arm including a second distal end; (iii) a support assembly supporting the teeter-totter member on and spaced from the tube; (iv) a first magnet located at the first distal end; (v) a second magnet located at the second distal; and (vi) a moving assembly for moving each of the first magnet and the second magnet towards and away from a first near point and a second near point on the tube to create or remove a point magnetic field and magnetic particles dam within the tube, thereby stopping or allowing flow of a desired quantity of magnetic particles past the first near point and past the second near point.

Abstract: An electrostatographic printer includes a development housing for supplying developer to an image receptor, and a replenisher in communication with the development housing. In a basic state, a regular supply of developer having a first predetermined TC is supplied. In a special state, a special supply of developer having a second predetermined TC is supplied. In response to determining the printer should be in the special state, the special supply of developer is requested to be installed in the printer, such as through Internet ordering to a vendor. The vendor can also “custom-blend” a developer formulation based on transmitted machine conditions.

Abstract: A replenishment carrier injection system is provided for adding carrier particles to a developer housing in a two-component developer toner imaging machine.

Abstract: A teeter-totter valve device for metering magnetic particles from a hopper includes (i) a tube connected to the hopper for flow of magnetic particles out of the hopper; (ii) a teeter-totter member having a first arm including a first distal end, and a second adjustable arm including a second distal end; (iii) a support assembly supporting the teeter-totter member on and spaced from the tube; (iv) a first magnet located at the first distal end; (v) a second magnet located at the second distal; and (vi) a moving assembly for moving each of the first magnet and the second magnet towards and away from a first near point and a second near point on the tube to create or remove a point magnetic field and magnetic particles dam within the tube, thereby stopping or allowing flow of a desired quantity of magnetic particles past the first near point and past the second near point.

Abstract: An electrostatographic printer includes a development housing for supplying developer to an image receptor, and a replenisher in communication with the development housing. In a basic state, a regular supply of developer having a first predetermined TC is supplied. In a special state, a special supply of developer having a second predetermined TC is supplied. In response to determining the printer should be in the special state, the special supply of developer is requested to be installed in the printer, such as through Internet ordering to a vendor. The vendor can also “custom-blend” a developer formulation based on transmitted machine conditions.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine, wherein an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed to form a visible image thereof, the electrophotographic printing machine including a system, for removing contaminants from toner in a developer housing, the system including a filter system, positioned in a path of flowing developer material, the filter system having a screen for permitting developer material to travel therethrough while inhibiting contaminants from traveling therethrough when vibrated; the screen being inclined to the path of flowing developer material a vibration driver, operatively connected to the screen, for vibrating the screen.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine, wherein an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed to form a visible image thereof, the electrophotographic printing machine including a system, for removing contaminants from toner in a developer housing, the system including a filter system, positioned in a path of flowing developer material, the filter system having a screen for permitting developer material to travel therethrough while inhibiting contaminants from traveling therethrough when vibrated; the screen being inclined to the path of flowing developer material a vibration driver, operatively connected to the screen, for vibrating the screen.

Abstract: A system for dispensing imaging development material into a printer from a re-supplying container dispensing aperture sealed by a sealing plug, which plug is automatically unsealed by the insertion of the container into the printer, and automatically resealed by removal of the container. Simply pushing the container towards its normal position against the imaging material input of the printer (here, a fixed auger tube) first automatically grasps the plug in a gripping system and then pushes the gripped plug into the interior of the container while firmly holding the plug on the end of the auger tube. After the material dispensing, or whenever else the container is removed, simply pulling the container away causes the plug to automatically re-seal the dispensing aperture and then to automatically release the plug gripping system so that the re-sealed container can be cleanly removed.

Abstract: A particulate image developer material mixing system for a reproduction apparatus, with a rotatably driven helical mixing coil in a developer material sump for mixing the developer material in the sump, and with a system for holding the rotatably driven helical mixing coil in the sump, and a system for anti-bridging of the developer material by agitating the developer material in the sump by agitating the mixing coil; including a smoothly rounded rod substantially extending inside of the helical mixing coil with a smoothly enlarged diameter end portion outwardly radiused to operatively intermediately engage the mixing coil so that as the helical mixing coil is rotatably driven at least one coil thereof is periodically partially detained and deformed on the smoothly enlarged diameter end portion and then periodically released automatically after a further rotation, so as to provide a periodic anti-bridging agitation of the developer materials, at a desired frequency, and the free end of the helical mixing coil

Abstract: A system for sealing a member rotating about an axis of a support is provided. The system includes a magnetic field producing member and a magnetizable member. The magnetizable member is positioned adjacent the magnetic member. The magnetizable member has at least a portion thereof progressively increasing in thickness in a direction substantially parallel to the axis as distance from the axis increases.