Abstract: A xerographic CRU (Customer Relpaceable Unit) for an electrophotographic printing machine. The xerographic CRU has retaining features and cooperates with a drive module with certain retractable features that allow the insertion and removal of the CRU without causing damage to the photoreceptor and other critical subsystems. The unit further has many locating members for other subsystems so that critical tolerances are maintained. An interface with a single handle assembly retracts/unlocks and extends/locks the drive module and the associated CRU subsystems into an operative position. The CRU also has electrical and drive connections for the cleaning system, the charging system and transfer/detack.

Abstract: A composite friction feed roll includes one material which feeds fresh paper well and another material which reliably feeds paper which has passed through fusing and has oil on its imaged surface. Such a roll will feed deplex and fresh paper or inserts equally reliably. Suitable material combinations would be silicone rubber which handles fused copies with ease, but has limited life feeding fresh or virgin paper because it collects fibers from fresh paper, and isoprene which is long lived handling fresh paper, but is rapidly contaminated by fuser oil. In the steady state condition, silicone regions will be primarily active in feeding duplexed paper while the isoprene oil contaminated, while in the plain paper feeding case, isoprene regions will be primarily responsible for feeding while the silicone becomes paper debris contaminated.

Abstract: An agglomerate removal device for removing unwanted particles from images on a photoreceptor includes vacuum pick off source and baffles that create a controlled aerodynamic drag under the photoreceptor before the images reach a transfer station. Removing the agglomerates improves the quality of images transferred at the transfer station to receiving substrates.

Abstract: A top vacuum corrugation feeder employs a vacuum feedhead working in conjunction with an air knife to feed sheets from the top of a stack. The air knife employs a thick boundary layer of air at a low pressure to suspend and separate the sheets by aerodynamic drag, resulting in about a 50% reduction in the required power for operation of conventional top vacuum corrugation feeders.