Abstract: A toner supply arrangement for use in an integrated printing system which includes at least one toner container wherein the at least one toner container adapted for supplying toner to at least two image marking engines. The arrangement further includes a distribution mechanism adapted to transport the toner from the at least one toner container to the at least two image marking engines.

Abstract: Xerographic imaging modules, xerographic apparatuses including the xerographic imaging modules and methods of making the xerographic imaging modules are disclosed. An embodiment of the xerographic imaging modules includes a photoreceptor roll having a photoconductive surface, a donor roll adjacent the photoreceptor roll for supplying toner to the photoconductive surface, and a toner loading roll adjacent the donor roll for supplying the toner to the donor roll. The toner loading roll includes a core comprised of a foam first material, and a non-porous surface region comprised of the first material. The surface region surrounds the core and forms an outer surface of the toner loading roll.

Abstract: A motion restoring intervertebral prosthesis for replacing a failed or partially failed natural disc comprises two components defining an imaginary longitudinal axis generally aligned with the spinal axis when installed, the components having vertebral body engaging surfaces on one side and mating articulating surfaces on the other side, with peripheral rims encircling the articulating surfaces. The articulating surfaces accommodate rotational motion about the longitudinal axis and limited pivotal motion about the A/P and M/L planes. The rims are arranged to contact and limit the pivotal motion between the components to about +/?6° and preferably +/?4° in both directions in the M/L plane and in the A/P plane in the forward direction. Optionally, the encircling rims allow pivotal action of about 20° to 30° in the A/P plane in the rearward direction.

Abstract: A printing system includes a plurality of marking engines. The marking engines selectively receive at least one replacement module, such as a toner or ink cartridge. The replacement module includes a consumable such as toner or ink, which is consumed during rendering of images by the respective marking engine. A scheduling system assigns images to the marking engines for rendering on a print medium, such as paper. The scheduling system has a mode of operation in which images are selectively assigned to the marking engines to balance usage of the consumable by the marking engines.

Abstract: A printing system includes first and second marking devices for applying images to print media. A primary fusing device is associated with each of the first and second marking devices for applying a primary fusing treatment to the images applied to print media by the first and second marking devices. A secondary fusing module receives printed media from the first and second marking devices, the secondary fusing module including first and second secondary fusing devices which selectively apply a further fusing treatment to the images applied to the printed media.

Abstract: A printing system includes first and second marking devices for applying images to print media. A first primary fusing device is associated with the first marking device for applying a primary fusing treatment to the images applied to print media by the first marking device. A second primary fusing device is associated with the second marking device for applying a primary fusing treatment to the images applied to print media by the second marking device. At least one secondary fusing device receives printed media from the first and second marking devices. The secondary fusing device selectively applies a further fusing treatment to at least a portion of the images applied to the printed media to increase a uniformity of an appearance characteristic between printed images generated by the first marking device and the second marking device.

Abstract: A railcar draft gear housing formed from an austempered ductile iron casting having an original shape and including an open end, a closed end, and wall structure axially extending between the housing's ends. The wall structure of the housing defines an axial section between and spaced from the ends. The axial section of the wall structure is configured to withstand impact energy imparted to the housing in excess of 81,000 inch pounds while retaining and exhibiting substantially linear elasticity wherein the resultant ratio of stress to energy input remains substantially constant thereby allowing for flexible distortion of the housing in a manner promoting enhanced energy damping characteristics while allowing the casting to return to the original shape after the impact energy is released threrefrom.

Abstract: A railcar draft gear housing is disclosed. The railcar draft gear housing is formed from an austempered ductile iron casting and includes an open end, a closed end, and wall structure axially extending between the housing's ends. The wall structure of the housing defines an axial section between and spaced from the ends. The axial section of the wall structure is configured to withstand impact energy imparted to the housing in excess of 81,000 inch pounds while retaining and exhibiting substantially linear elasticity wherein the resultant ratio of stress to energy input remains substantially constant thereby allowing for flexible distortion of the housing in a manner promoting enhanced energy damping characteristics.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a guide member for directing sheets toward a transfer zone. The guide member defines a set of ribs which hold the sheets above the main surface of the guide member. Thus, any stray marking material which lands on the guide member is relatively unlikely to contact a sheet moving over the guide member.

Abstract: A fluid ejecting method and system include one or more fluid ejectors within a fluid ejector frame and an interposer frame and movably mounted upon a fluid ejector carriage. The fluid ejector carriage traverses across a recording medium for placing swaths of fluid droplets upon the recording medium. A biasing structure urges the fluid ejector frame to a first position to obtain highly accurate and repeatable placement of fluid droplets when the fluid ejector frame is in the first position. A second position of the fluid ejector frame is achieved by energizing a position actuator to move the fluid ejector frame from the first position to the second position to obtain highly accurate and repeatable placement of fluid droplets when the fluid ejector frame is in the second position. The recording medium is advanced separately upon completing a set of at least one swath of fluid droplets.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a guide member for directing sheets toward a transfer zone. The guide member defines a set of ribs which hold the sheets above the main surface of the guide member. Thus, any stray marking material which lands on the guide member is relatively unlikely to contact a sheet moving over the guide member.

Abstract: A housing for a railroad car draft gear is disclosed. The draft gear housing has an axially elongated tubular portion comprised of layers. At least one of the layers of the draft gear housing is formed from a filament wound structure or composite material, and an additional layer may be steel.

Abstract: A fluid ejecting method and system include one or more fluid ejectors within a fluid ejector frame and an interposer frame and movably mounted upon a fluid ejector carriage. The fluid ejector carriage traverses across a recording medium for placing swaths of fluid droplets upon the recording medium. A biasing structure urges the fluid ejector frame to a first position to obtain highly accurate and repeatable placement of fluid droplets when the fluid ejector frame is in the first position. A second position of the fluid ejector frame is achieved by energizing a position actuator to move the fluid ejector frame from the first position to the second position to obtain highly accurate and repeatable placement of fluid droplets when the fluid ejector frame is in the second position. The recording medium is advanced separately upon completing a set of at least one swath of fluid droplets.

Abstract: An ink jet printer including a movable printhead assembly having printheads including ink and nozzles for printing onto a recording medium, a maintenance assembly having liquid application members for cleaning and priming the printheads, and a customer replaceable, multiple function capping assembly for assuring effective cleaning and continued quality operation of the printheads. For a first function, the capping assembly has a housing defining a fluid chamber containing cleaning liquid, a liquid flow aperture formed through the housing from the fluid chamber, and a snap-in, snap-out valve connector mounted over the liquid flow aperture for supplying cleaning liquid to the maintenance assembly, and for enabling economical, easy customer removal and replacement of the capping assembly within the ink jet printer.

Abstract: A surgical fastener and method for attachment of a soft tissue graft to a bone tunnel is disclosed. The surgical fastener comprises a screw and collar. The screw having a conical head and blunt threads. The collar having a conical shape so as to fit over the conical screw head and containing side wall openings. Secure fixation of a soft tissue graft within a bone tunnel may then be achieve by passing the end(s) of the graft through the side wall openings in the collar and then holding tension on the graft while the screw is driven through the collar into the bone tunnel. With seating of the screw head in the collar the soft tissue graft is be firmly held in place as the screw threads and collar compress the graft into the side walls of the tunnel and the graft tails are captured securely by the interface of the screw head and collar.

Abstract: A method of replenishing fluid used in an marking device maintenance station of an ink marking device includes obtaining condensate from ambient air through a condensation process and channeling the condensate to a reservoir in communication with the marking device maintenance station.

Abstract: A liquid ink printer, depositing liquid ink to form an image, on a recording medium, including a printing dimension defining a maximum print area to receive the liquid ink, moving along a recording medium path. The printer includes a printbar, including a plurality of nozzles, aligned substantially perpendicular to the recording medium path, to deposit a swath of ink on the recording medium during movement of the recording medium along the recording medium path, a recording medium transport, disposed adjacent the plurality of nozzles, to move the recording medium along the recording medium path, and an encoder system, spaced from the recording medium transport, to determine the position of the recording medium transport with respect to the array of nozzles. The printbar includes a mounting substrate to mount a plurality of printhead dies including the nozzles and an optical reader of the encoder system.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a charge retentive surface is developed with toner particles to form a visible image thereof, including; a housing having a supply of toner and developer therein; a donor member for transporting toner from said housing to the development zone; a means for conveying toner to the donor member; means for generating a negative air stream for carrying toner therein; and a filter for removing the toner from the negative air stream, being positioned so that developer impinges on said filter to dislodge material collected in said filter.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a charge retentive surface is developed with toner particles to form a visible image thereof, including; a housing having a supply of toner and developer therein; a donor member for transporting toner from the housing to the development zone; a means for conveying toner to the donor member; blower for generating a negative air stream for carrying toner therein; and a filter for removing the toner from the negative air stream, the filter including filter material and spring blower, connected thereto, for oscillating the filter material to dislodge toner material collected in the filter when the generating means is disabled.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a charge retentive surface is developed with toner particles to form a visible image thereof, including; a housing having a supply of toner and developer therein; a donor member for transporting toner from said housing to the development zone; means for conveying toner to the donor member; means for generating a negative air stream for carrying toner therein; and a filter for removing the toner from the negative air stream, said filter including filter material and oscillation means, operational connected to said conveying means, for oscillating said filter material to dislodge toner material collected in said filter when said generating means is disabled.