Abstract: A development apparatus for use in electrostatographic copiers and printers includes a housing and a self-closing mechanism for completely and efficiently unloading or purging spent developer material from such apparatus. The mechanism further includes an aperture for discharging developer material from the housing, a self-closing conduit member connected to the aperture, and vacuum source for selectively transporting and removing developer material from the conduit member.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus magnetic brush developer station having a housing including an upper and lower portion, a plurality of members including at least one set of magnets, a developer transport mechanism, and a developer material mixer. The set of magnets is rotatably supported in the upper portion of the housing. The lower portion of the housing, which provides a reservoir adapted to contain a mixture of carrier particles and pigmented marking particles, rotatably supports the transport mechanism and mixer. A drive mechanism is provided to rotate the set of magnets, transport mechanism, and mixer respectively. The upper housing portion is coupled to the lower housing portion for pivotable movement to a closed position wherein the set of magnets is in operative relation with the transport mechanism and the mixer, and to an open position wherein the set of magnets, transport mechanism, and mixer in the interior of the housing are readily accessible.

Abstract: In a magnetic brush developer station for an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus, the developer station including a housing adapted to contain developer material, a mixer for such developer material, a magnetic brush for applying developer material to a charge pattern bearing member, and a mechanism for transporting developer material from the mixer to the magnetic brush. The transporting mechanism comprises a roller having members, located about the periphery of thereof, for picking up a quantity of developer material. The roller is mounted within a portion of the interior wall of the housing so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The wall portion of the housing is a segment of a cylinder whose axis is offset in relation to the longitudinal axis of the roller, so that, in the direction of rotation of the roller, the respective pickup members are closest to the wall at the entrance thereto and farthest from the wall at the exit thereto.

Abstract: A drive mechanism rotates a shaft of a station of a reproduction apparatus about an axis. The drive mechanism is supported by a mechanism plate in the apparatus, and the station is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis to engage the shaft with the drive mechanism and to disengage the shaft from the drive mechanism. Power from a source can be applied to the drive mechanism when the station shaft is disengaged from the mechanism, when the shaft is engaged with the mechanism but the station is not being operated, and when the station is being operated. The improved drive mechanism is particularly useful for one or more development stations of a reproduction apparatus such as a copier/duplicator, printer or the like.

Abstract: A drive mechanism rotates a shaft of a station of a reproduction apparatus about an axis. The station is movable in the reproduction apparatus in a direction substantially parallel to the axis to engage the shaft with the drive mechanism and disengage the shaft from the drive mechanism. As the shaft is moved into engagement with the drive mechanism, the mechanism can move with respect to the axis so that the drive mechanism is adjusted to receive the shaft.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus has a flexible photoconductor that is moved along an endless path and past a development station for developing latent images on one surface of the photoconductor. A back-up roller is adjacent the other surface of the photoconductor. A mechanism urges the roller against the photoconductor to move it toward the station in response to insertion of the station into the reproduction apparatus. The mechanism has arms alongside the path of the photoconductor that are engageable with stops on the station to precisely locate the roller, and thus the photoconductor, relative to the station.

Abstract: Two development stations each have fixed stops at a predetermined position relative to a toning roller. The stations develop latent images on one surface of a flexible photoconductor, and two parallel rollers are located adjacent the other surface of the photoconductor. One roller or the other roller can deflect the photoconductor into an operative relationship with one or the other of the stations. The apparatus that moves the rollers engages the stops to precisely locate the photoconductor relative to the stations.

Abstract: Soldering apparatus which comprises a frame member and a reciprocating member movably mounted on the frame member for movement with respect to an anvil member having a component to be soldered supported thereon. A soldering tip is mounted on the reciprocating member and has a soldering face which is moved on an advance stroke into contact with the component on the anvil member to heat the component to soldering temperature. A generally vertical passage is formed through the soldering tip and opens at the lower end through the soldering face. A roll of solder wire is provided for supplying a predetermined quantity of flux-cored solder into the upper end of the passage to fall into contact with the heated component whereby the flux is automatically heated and melted to clean the surface of the component before the solder is melted to form the soldered joint. An air jet or a reamer is also provided for cleaning the passage during a return stroke.