Abstract: An electrostatographic recording apparatus and method includes recording of electrostatic images and a patch area on an endless imaging member. The recording is operative in accordance with adjustable parameters to adjust density of the patch area. A development station is operative in accordance with another parameter for adjusting density of the images and the patch area. A sensor senses density of a toned patch area and generates a first signal representing density of the toned patch area. A transfer station transfers images on the image member to a transfer medium. A cleaning station located downstream of the sensor and the transfer station cleans remnant toner and the patch area on the imaging member. The cleaning station is adjustable to alter cleaning performance.

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: Method and apparatus for control of cross-track registration of a web member in an image forming apparatus, such as a photocopier or printer. A control patch is laid down on the web member and toned. After toning, the amount of toner for a particular section of the control patch is sensed and compared with known amounts of toner to determine the cross-track position of the web. Once the cross-track position is determined, a printhead is programmed to alter the web lay-down location, of an image to be reproduced, to adjust for the actual cross-track location of the web.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting sheets between two process stations in hard-copy output apparatus, such as copiers and printers. The system includes a plurality of interleaved belts which extend between the process stations and around rollers of different diameter to selectively raise the belts in a predetermined fashion for contact with the sheet at specific portions along the sheet transfer path. The belts are divided into two groups which operate at different speeds. The faster group receives the sheet from the first process station and moves the sheet to the second group of belts which moves at a slower speed. The speed of the second group can be adjusted by sensing the speed of the sheet in the transition area of the two belt groups to compensate for slippage between the sheet and belts.

Abstract: Color toner images are transferred in registry to a receiving sheet held on a transfer drum. To facilitate releasing the sheet with the last image the drum surface is roughened, providing at least 0.002 inches between peaks and valleys. To offset difficulties created by such roughening in initial securing of the sheet to the drum, a transfer field is not applied as the leading edge of the sheet leaves the nip. The transfer field is applied after a short portion of the sheet, for example, 0.25 inches has left the nip.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus transfers a toner image from an image member to a receiver sheet by applying an electric field between the image member and the receiver sheet in a direction urging the toner image to the receiver sheet. A programmed power supply is adapted to (1) generate a pre-set constant current across the applied electric field during an adjustment period and (2) lock onto the voltage that supplies the set-point current for the reminder of a reproduction run. The value of the voltage is used to automatically adjust the value of an least one electrostatographic process element. The electrostatographic process element to be adjusted may be at least one of detack bias, detack duration, initial voltage V.sub.0, exposure E.sub.0, developement bias V.sub.B, copy sheet conditioning, and copy sheet drying.

Abstract: Reproduction apparatus wherein registration errors in image formation are corrected in response to an examination of enlarged reproductions of reproductions so as to make the appropriate adjustments in timing of process steps, giving a registration suitable for very high quality multiple image reproduction.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus includes an image member for bearing toned electrostatic images, and transfer apparatus having a transfer member for transferring toned images from the image member to a receiver sheet with a given transfer efficiency. The transfer member includes a plurality of vacuum vents for gripping a receiver sheet thereto such that the vents affect the transfer efficiency in the region of the toned images which align with the vents. Means are provided for adjusting the density of the toned image on the image member in the region of the vents such that the affect on the transfer efficiency by the vents is substantially offset by the adjustment to the density of the toned image. In a preferred embodiment, the transfer member is a drum.

Abstract: Roller transfer apparatus of simplified construction which has an extended transfer nip exhibiting low pressure for effecting efficient transfer of marking particle images from a dielectric support with a substantial reduction in image transfer defects. In such transfer apparatus, the dielectric support in the form of a web is supported by a mechanisnm offset relative to the transfer roller in an upstream and/or downstream direction to position the web relative to the transfer roller to establish an extended contact nip zone with a low nip pressure. As an example, the support mechanism includes a pair of spaced rollers respectively offset relative to the transfer roller in an upstream and downstream direction to provide a nip zone with a dimension of at least 0.01 m measured in the direction of roller rotation and a nip pressure in such zone of less than 2.times.10.sup.4 Pa.