Abstract: The present teachings described a method and system of refilling replenisher containers for an electrophotographic machine. A replenisher cartridge for refill is received and a weight of the replenisher cartridge is determined. The weight of residual material in the replenisher cartridge is determined. The weight of carrier particles in the weight of residual material is determined through X-ray image analysis of the replenisher cartridge. The weight of carrier particles in the weight of residual materials and the weight of residual toner by is determined. An amount of toner and carrier is added to the replenisher cartridge.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving powder material dispensing from containers, including toner dispensing from rotating toner cartridge components. The disclosed systems and methods separately agitate a rotating toner bottle, including an apparently, or indicated, expended toner bottle, in an image forming device to dislodge residual toner in the toner bottle without the need to remove the toner bottle from the image forming device to perform manual agitation by modifying a physical configuration of the rotating toner bottle in a manner that improves the performance of the rotating toner bottle by improving the flow of the toner material within the toner bottle. The disclosed physical configurations of the rotating toner bottle impart agitating pulses or disturbances onto rotating toner bottles to disturb any layers of residual toner material formed within the rotating toner bottle that may inhibit flow of the toner material in the rotating toner bottle.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving powder material dispensing from containers, including toner dispensing from rotating toner cartridge components. The disclosed systems and methods separately agitate a rotating toner bottle, including an apparently, or indicated, expended toner bottle, in an image forming device to dislodge residual toner in the toner bottle without the need to remove the toner bottle from the image forming device to perform manual agitation by modifying a physical configuration of the rotating toner bottle in a manner that improves the performance of the rotating toner bottle by improving the flow of the toner material within the toner bottle. The disclosed physical configurations of the rotating toner bottle impart agitating pulses or disturbances onto rotating toner bottles to disturb any layers of residual toner material formed within the rotating toner bottle that may inhibit flow of the toner material in the rotating toner bottle.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive label may be affixed to a temperature sensitive item. The temperature sensitive label conveys when the item has reached a tripping temperature. The tripping temperature may be a temperature at which the item is compromised. To convey this, the label changes properties and functions with a message to convey that the item has been exposed to the tripping temperature. For example, the label may reveal, block, or alter a message that conveys whether the item has been exposed to the tripping temperature. The message may be part of the label or separate from the label.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive label may be affixed to a temperature sensitive item. The temperature sensitive label conveys when the item has reached a tripping temperature. The tripping temperature may be a temperature at which the item is compromised. To convey this, the label changes properties and functions with a message to convey that the item has been exposed to the tripping temperature. For example, the label may reveal, block, or alter a message that conveys whether the item has been exposed to the tripping temperature. The message may be part of the label or separate from the label.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive label may be affixed to a temperature sensitive item. The temperature sensitive label conveys when the item has reached a tripping temperature. The tripping temperature may be a temperature at which the item is compromised. To convey this, the label changes properties and functions with a message to convey that the item has been exposed to the tripping temperature. For example, the label may reveal, block, or alter a message that conveys whether the item has been exposed to the tripping temperature. The message may be part of the label or separate from the label.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated detection of printing defects in an image output device are described, employing an imaging device adjacent a photoresponsive member in the output device, wherein the imaging device generates image signals in response to developed and undeveloped regions on the photoresponsive member to identify defects therein.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive label may be affixed to a temperature sensitive item. The temperature sensitive label conveys when the item has reached a tripping temperature. The tripping temperature may be a temperature at which the item is compromised. To convey this, the label changes properties and functions with a message to convey that the item has been exposed to the tripping temperature. For example, the label may reveal, block, or alter a message that conveys whether the item has been exposed to the tripping temperature. The message may be part of the label or separate from the label.

Abstract: An electrographic printer is disclosed including a replenisher system for replenishing developer material in a development chamber by transferring replenisher from a replenisher supply source through an opening into a transporter in communication with the replenisher supply source and the chamber having a filter disposed between the replenisher supply source and the transporter to limit the size of particles passing from the replenisher supply source to the transporter. A filtered replenisher cartridge and method of supplying replenisher with a refilled replenisher cartridge are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrographic printer is disclosed including a replenisher system for replenishing developer material in a development chamber by transferring replenisher from a replenisher supply source through an opening into a transporter in communication with the replenisher supply source and the chamber having a filter disposed between the replenisher supply source and the transporter to limit the size of particles passing from the replenisher supply source to the transporter. A filtered replenisher cartridge and method of supplying replenisher with a refilled replenisher cartridge are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated detection of printing defects in an image output device are described, employing an imaging device adjacent a photoresponsive member in the output device, wherein the imaging device generates image signals in response to developed and undeveloped regions on the photoresponsive member to identify defects therein.

Abstract: A method of providing prepaid billing by receiving a request for a recharge token from a customer; accepting payment information and the number of additional prints requested from the customer; receiving from the customer a unique serial number for the printing system, a current copy count for the printing system, and a remaining copy count for the printing system; generating a recharge token; encrypting the recharge token according to an encryption key stored in a first database; transmitting the encrypted recharge token to the customer; storing the encrypted recharge token in a second database; decoding the encrypted recharge token according to an encryption key stored in the second database; determining whether the decoded recharge token is valid; and where the decoded recharge token is valid, increasing the remaining copy count by the number of additional prints requested.

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 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 toner for particular use in devices utilizing hybrid scavengeless development includes toner particles of at least one binder, at least one colorant, and optionally one or more additives, the toner exhibiting a charge per particle diameter (Q/D) of from −0.1 to −1.0 fC/&mgr;m with a variation during development of from 0 to 0.25 fC/&mgr;m and the distribution is substantially unimodal and possesses a peak width of less than 0.5 fC/&mgr;m, and the toner has a triboelectric charge of from −25 to −70 &mgr;C/g with a variation during development of from 0 to 15 &mgr;C/g following triboelectric contact with carrier particles. Use of a toner with such properties in a hybrid scavengeless development apparatus enables images to be achieved with properties similar to that achieved in offset lithography.

Abstract: A method of forming a toner having controlled properties for use in a developer composition finding particular use in a hybrid scavengeless development scheme includes feeding at least one binder and at least one colorant into a mixing device at a feed ratio, upon exit of the mixture from the mixing device, monitoring one or more properties of the mixture with at least one monitoring device, wherein if the monitoring indicates that the one or more properties being monitored is out of specification, removing the monitored mixture from the method and adjusting the feed ratio by adjusting the feeding of the at least one binder or of the at least one colorant, thereby retaining in-specification mixture in the method. The in-specification toner is ground, optionally together with a portion of one or more external additives, classified, and mixed with one or more external additives to obtain the toner having controlled properties.

Abstract: An article including; a support member with a plurality of apertures therethrough; and a plurality of gate members attached by at least one end to at least one side of the support member, wherein each gate member is situated in close proximity to at least one of the apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus for the classification of solid particulates entrained in a fluid, comprising: a housing provided with a feed inlet, a fine fraction outlet, and a coarse fraction outlet; and a classifier wheel having an upper and lower surface, and a plurality of blade vanes connecting the upper surface to the lower surface at the peripheral edges of the upper and lower surfaces, and wherein the wheel has a constant cut point geometry.