Abstract: An image forming device includes marking material dispensers for disposing an image on an imaging drum surface. The image forming device further includes plural particle removal devices comprising first and second particle removal devices coupled to a vacuum source. The first particle removal device includes a first vacuum port positioned as close as possible to an included image transfer site. The second particle removal device includes a second vacuum port positioned as close as possible to the marking material dispensers. The first and second vacuum ports are positioned proximate to the imaging drum surface to provide respective first and second air flows.

Abstract: An escort belt facilitates removal of particulate from a print zone in an ink printing machine while maintaining proper registration of printing media in the print zone. The escort belt includes an endless belt having a width between a first and a second edge of the escort belt that is greater than a media sheet carried by the escort belt, a first plurality of apertures arranged in a longitudinal line proximate one of the belt edges of the escort belt, and a second plurality of apertures distributed between the first plurality of apertures and the other edge of the escort belt, the apertures of the first plurality having a shape different from that of the second plurality of apertures and the apertures of the first aperture plurality being positioned so the apertures are only partially covered by edges of the media being held to the escort belt by a vacuum source applied to the first and the second pluralities.

Abstract: A method for disposing of waste ink from an image producing machine (10) is provided. The machine (10) includes a printhead (32) that ejects ink in its liquid form from a face (32a) of the printhead (32), the ink being phase change ink existing in liquid form above a melting temperature and in solid form below the melting temperature. The method includes: catching waste ink from the printhead (32) in a gutter (34); heating the gutter (34) to a temperature above the melting temperature; and, flowing the waste ink from the gutter (34) into a collection container (38) where it is allowed to solidify.

Abstract: A maintenance assembly and method for insulating printer/copier solid ink printheads. The maintenance assembly includes a car movably supported for travel along a maintenance path interposed between a first printhead and an ink receiving surface from a home position to a completion position and a wiper extending from the car for wiping the printhead front faces as the car moves along the path. The method includes moving a car having a wiper extending therefrom along a maintenance path interposed between the printhead front faces and the ink receiving surface parallel to the front faces for wiping the first and second printhead front faces.

Abstract: An apparatus in an ink jet printer reduces the risk of clogged nozzles in ink jet printing machines by providing a negative pressure area in the vicinity of a localized high shear stress region that is located about a print head perimeter.

Abstract: Embodiments herein comprise a compact dust abatement apparatus that includes at least one manifold shaped to fit next to a belt or drum of a printing engine, at least one blower/fan positioned within the manifold, and at least one air duct connected to the manifold. The manifold has a vacuum opening adjacent the belt or drum and an exit opening where the air duct connects to the manifold. The blower is positioned inside the manifold, between the vacuum opening and the exit opening, such that the blower draws air and particles from the vacuum opening toward the exit opening. Thus, the blower creates a vacuum at the vacuum opening. The air duct directs air and particles from the manifold to a location away from the sensitive components. The inclusion of the blower inside the vacuum manifold provides for compactness without sacrificing performance.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving sheet feeding in a direction of movement to a process station, including: a contact surface having ribs spaced along contact surface in the direction of movement, apertures being defined in the space between each rib; a blower; and an air plenum for supplying a vacuum generated by the blower to the contact surface so that when an leading edge of the sheet passes by the contact surface the vacuum pulls the leading edge of the sheet towards contact surface.

Abstract: In a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine having a printhead system and a controller, apparatus and method for melting solid phase change ink into melted molten liquid ink, and for controlling the melted molten liquid ink to achieve a high throughput rate of image production are provided.

Abstract: A phase change waste ink control apparatus and method are provided and are suitable for use in a phase change ink image producing machine including a printhead system. The apparatus for the method includes (a) devices for producing phase change waste ink such as from a printhead system; (b) a waste ink gutter assembly, including a heating device, for collecting, accumulating and coalescing the phase change waste ink. The apparatus also includes (c) a controller for periodically turning the heating device on to heat and melt coalesced phase change waste ink within the waste ink gutter assembly; and (d) a waste ink collection container for collecting melted phase change waste ink from the waste ink gutter assembly.

Abstract: A printhead interposing maintenance method and apparatus are provided for maintaining a printhead assembly within a relatively tight space in an image producing machine.

Abstract: A phase change waste ink control apparatus and method are provided and are suitable for use in a phase change ink image producing machine including a printhead system. The apparatus for the method includes (a) devices for producing phase change waste ink such as from a printhead system; (b) a waste ink gutter assembly, including a heating device, for collecting, accumulating and coalescing the phase change waste ink. The apparatus also includes (c) a controller for periodically turning the heating device on to heat and melt coalesced phase change waste ink within the waste ink gutter assembly; and (d) a waste ink collection container for collecting melted phase change waste ink from the waste ink gutter assembly.

Abstract: A pre-melter assembly is provided for containing, conditioning and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink into a melter housing in a phase change ink image producing machine. The pre-melter assembly includes (a) a first portion having a first feeding apparatus and a first container for containing and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink. It also includes a second portion having a second container and a second feeding apparatus for containing and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink to a melter housing. The pre-melter assembly then includes a cooling device mounted in heat exchange relationship with the second feeding apparatus for maintaining a temperature Tw of the solid pieces of phase change ink below a melting point temperature Tm of the solid pieces of phase change ink, thereby preventing premature melting of the solid pieces of phase change ink before the solid pieces reach the melter housing.

Abstract: In a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine having a printhead system and a controller, apparatus and method for melting solid phase change ink into melted molten liquid ink, and for controlling the melted molten liquid ink to achieve a high throughput rate of image production are provided.

Abstract: A pre-melter assembly is provided for containing, conditioning and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink into a melter housing in a phase change ink image producing machine. The pre-melter assembly includes (a) a first portion having a first feeding apparatus and a first container for containing and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink. It also includes a second portion having a second container and a second feeding apparatus for containing and feeding solid pieces of phase change ink to a melter housing. The pre-melter assembly then includes a cooling device mounted in heat exchange relationship with the second feeding apparatus for maintaining a temperature Tw of the solid pieces of phase change ink below a melting point temperature Tm of the solid pieces of phase change ink, thereby preventing premature melting of the solid pieces of phase change ink before the solid pieces reach the melter housing.

Abstract: A tray for holding a media roll being fed to a paper path of a copier/printer including a plurality of wall defining a chamber, the chamber including: an open portion thereof for receiving the print media roll; a cover for opening and closing the open portion of the chamber, a first seal associated with the chamber and cover, for preventing air from exiting or entering when the cover closed, a sheet slot defined in one of the plurality of wall, for feeding print media therethrough to the paper path of the copier printer; and a second seal, associated with the sheet slot, for to preventing air from exiting or entering the chamber as roll media is fed.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving sheet feeding in a direction of movement to a process station, including: a contact surface having ribs spaced along contact surface in the direction of movement, apertures being defined in the space between each rib; a blower; and an air plenum for supplying a vacuum generated by the blower to the contact surface so that when an leading edge of the sheet passes by the contact surface the vacuum pulls the leading edge of the sheet towards contact surface.