Abstract: An imaging system may include first and second imaging assemblies for synchronously imaging on both sides of a receiver material using directed charged particle or aerosol toner printing methods. The imaging assemblies may in turn each include an imaging member and an intermediate transfer member, and the intermediate transfer member may be a split intermediate transfer member. The imaging system may also use flexible aperture print arrays.

Abstract: The present invention provides conductivity control agents derived from the trans esterification of dialkyl phosphonium 5-sulfoisophthalate salts with poly(alkylene glycols). The conductivity control agents can be used with semi-conductive rolls, belts and other biasable members. The inclusion of the conductivity control agent in the polymeric or polyurethane elastomers extends the electrical life of the polymer biasable member in low humidity environments. Additionally, the resistivity of the elastomeric polymers or polyurethane on the biasable member is controlled to a desirable value by adjusting the conductivity control agent level in the polymer elastomers.

Abstract: An imaging system may use electrophotographic processes to synchronously image on both sides of a receiver material, such as in a single pass of the receiver material through the imaging system. The system may include intermediate transfer members, which may be split rollers or non-split rollers. The intermediate transfer members may hold one image, or they may be 2-up or greater rollers that hold multiple images.

Abstract: An imaging system may include first and second imaging assemblies for synchronously imaging on both sides of a receiver material using directed charged particle or aerosol toner printing methods. The imaging assemblies may in turn each include an imaging member and an intermediate transfer member, and the intermediate transfer member may be a split intermediate transfer member. The imaging system may also use flexible aperture print arrays.

Abstract: An imaging system may use pulsed dc voltages to synchronously image on both sides of a receiver material, such as during a single pass of the receiver material through the imaging system. The imaging system may use electrophotographic processes to image on the receiver material. Alternatively, the imaging system may use directed charged particle or aerosol toner development processes to image on the receiver material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polyurethane elastomers and shaped articles prepared therefrom comprising charge-control agents to provide electrical conductivity to the elastomers, thereby allowing for their use in electrophotographic processes. The elastomers comprise a polyisocyanate prepolymer, a polyether prepolymer, and a hardener mixture comprised of at least one additional polyol and a charge-control agent. When used in an electrophotographic process, the elastomers are capable of exhibiting resistivities of less than 6×109 ohm-cm for 600,000 images or more.

Abstract: An electrophotographic machine includes a dielectric member carrying a toner image. A biased transfer roller engages the dielectric member and transfers the toner image to an image substrate. A cleaning brush having a plurality of bristles, at least some of which are electrically conductive, engages the transfer roller. An electrically conductive housing encloses the cleaning brush. The bristles contact the transfer roller through an opening in the housing. At least one of the cleaning brush and the housing is biased to substantially the same electrical potential as the transfer roller.

Abstract: An electrographic machine has a transfer station where a toner image is transferred to a receiver sheet. That sheet travels at a high speed of more than 15 inches per second and up to as high as 35 inches per second. A transfer roller has a metal core and an elastomeric sleeve with a resistivity selected to optimize transfer of toner at high speeds. The resistivity of the sleeve is selected to be high enough to support transfer of the toner but not so high as to cause the surface voltage to exceed the breakdown voltage of the dielectric material that includes the elastomeric sleeve, the receiver sheet, the toner and the photoconductor.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a corona charger for use in an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus or the like, and more particularly to a cleaning mechanism for the corona wires of a corona charger. According to one aspect, a corona wire assembly is provided having a corona wire and a cleaning pad with a hole, the corona wire extending through the hole. According to another aspect, a method for cleaning a corona wire is provided wherein relative movement is generated between a corona wire and a cleaning pad having a hole, the corona wire extending through the hole. According to a further aspect, a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the surface of a corona wire within a corona charger is provided having a cleaning pad, a corona wire passing through the cleaning pad and positioning the cleaning pad in at least one direction lateral to the corona wire, and a holding member holding the cleaning pad without restraining the cleaning pad in the at least one direction lateral to the corona wire.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically cleaning the surface of a corona wire within a corona charger is described, wherein the a cleaning assembly includes a cleaning pad mounted within a pad holder, the cleaning pad wrapped around a substantial portion of a circumference of the corona wire for wiping the surface of the corona wire. The cleaning mechanism also includes means for holding the cleaning assembly within the corona charger in association with the corona wire, means, associated with the holding means, for moving the holding means linearly along the length of the corona wire, and means for automatically selectively activating the moving means to move the holding means such that the cleaning assembly is moved to clean the corona wire. In one embodiment, the cleaning assembly includes at least one finishing stone mounted to a stone holder, wherein the finishing stone engages the surface of the corona wire.

Abstract: This invention provides an image-forming machine with a conditioned cleaning system, which may have a photoconductor, one or more chargers, a toning station, and a cleaning station. Toner is applied to image areas and toner lubrication areas on the photoconductor. The toner essentially provides a lubricating or protective barrier between the cleaning station and the photoconductor.

Abstract: The invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for locking one element to another with a gimbal lock without castoring about a gimbal axis. In one preferred embodiment, a mounting apparatus and method for a roller transfer assembly for use in a reproduction apparatus are provided that accurately positions the roller transfer assembly in operative relation with a dielectric member of a reproduction apparatus with an anti-castor gimbal locking coupling.

Abstract: A high speed copier 10 has a transfer roller 42 and a cleaning brush 52. The cleaning performance is improved when the engagement of the two rollers exceeds a first threshold T1. Their engagement is maintained below a stall threshold T2.

Abstract: A grid electrode for attachment to a corona charger includes a series of substantially parallel grid wires extending in a longitudinal direction of the wires. A flat metallic plate member is formed integral with the wires at one of the longitudinal ends of the wires. A cap member is connected to the plate member. The cap member includes a cover segment having a surface that overlies and is in planar contact engagement with a substantial portion of a respective plate member with a thickness of at least 0.5 millimeters and the cover segment being formed of a material that is substantially electrically more resistive than the flat metallic plate member.

Abstract: A vacuum conveyor system for transporting sheets between two process stations in an image producing apparatus, such as copiers and printers. The system includes a plurality of interleaved belts which extend between the process stations and around rollers to convey the sheet without image disruption or sheet damage between the processing stations.

Abstract: An electrostatographic copier/printer has an image member with at least one portion which can selectively be imaged to receive an electrostatic image to be toned. A toning station is operable to bring the developer into contact with the image member portion so as to produce a toner image according to the electrostatic image if the portion has been imaged and to leave a small amount of background toner uniformly deposited if the image member portion has not been imaged. The background toner on the non-imaged portion serves to assist subsequent detack operation. A plurality of different color toning stations may be provided, and, if so, the black toner toning station is preferably used to leave the background toner.

Abstract: A device for assuring separation between a receiver member and a dielectric member in an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus. The electrostatographic reproduction apparatus includes a dielectric member adapted to carry a developed image, the dielectric member being movable along a travel path in which at some point the direction of travel is changed. Upstream of the change of direction of travel of the dielectric member, a mechanism is provided for electrostatically transferring a developed image from the dielectric member to a receiver member movable into register with the dielectric member. The separation device comprises an electrically conductive member of sharp edge configuration.

Abstract: A corona charger includes a conductive electrode and a corona wire between the electrode and a receiver. A non-conductive shell about the wire is open toward the receiver. A voltage is periodically applied to the wire, whereby a corona charge is produced in the shell and the shell charges with the wire such that the corona charge is directed toward the receiver. A voltage is applied to the electrode of same sign but lagging the voltage applied to the wire such that the corona charge is accelerated by the electrode to the receiver when the voltage on the electrode approximates the voltage on the wire.