Abstract: A magnetic mixing apparatus and process for mixing magnetizable developer material for use in the development system of an electrostatographic reproducing machine. In accordance with one embodiment a blanket of developer material is magnetically divided into a plurality of widely spaced apart streams. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the blanket of developer material is magnetically divided into a plurality of closely adjacent or touching streams having different trajectories. Preferably the streams are then directed into one or more cross-mixing devices to provide enhanced side-to-side mixing of the developer.

Abstract: Electrostatic imaging apparatus for transfer development of latent images employing a developer donor member with a plurality of raised micro-pins on the donor surface, for self-spacing the donor from the imaging surface. Methods of producing such donors are disclosed.

Abstract: A dual purpose removable cassette for a reproducing apparatus is provided, as well as a reproducing apparatus employing the cassette. The cassette is adapted to support both a supply of copy sheet material in the form of a fan-fold web as well as an extra long document which may be in either a coiled form or a fan-fold form.

Abstract: A sheet-feed roller system that employs an annular deformable resilient roller eccentrically mounted on a shaft for rotation whereby rotation of the shaft brings the roller into contact with sheets only when they are to be fed by the roller in order to increase the feed force while minimizing the pressing force on the sheets to thereby reduce sheet misfeed.

Abstract: A reproduction system in which an image is formed on an imaging surface and transferred at a transfer station to a copy sheet, where the copy sheet is transferred through the transfer station by transport means having a plurality of apertures therein through which a vacuum is applied and includes a means to continuously vary those apertures of the transport means within which the vacuum is applied throughout the transfer zone in order to substantially eliminate adverse effects of vacuum hole printout on the pneumatically constrained copy sheet.

Abstract: An exposure device for a copying machine that has a transparent platen includes a pair of reflecting members covering the end areas of the platen. The reflectors are movable according to the size of paper placed into the copying machine so as to increase or decrease the covering areas whereby the effective coverage area of the platen is made to coincide with the size of copy paper fed into the copying machine.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and reproducing machine includes an optical system for viewing a document and for projecting an image thereof onto a moving imaging surface. A plurality of optical elements are arranged along an optical path. The projected image magnification is changed by changing the position of at least two optical elements. An interlock apparatus associated with the magnification changing system is provided for inhibiting the change in position of one of the two optical elements until the other of the two optical elements has completed its change in position, upon the changing of the magnification of the optical system.

Abstract: A device for preventing movement of an original document on the platen of a copier where the platen reciprocates is disclosed having a protrusion that is adapted to adhere to the platen cover. The protrusion is locatable according to the size of the original document being copied and applies pressure in a concentrated area on the platen or the document to prevent movement of the original document while being copied.

Abstract: A magnetic brush development system within a photocopier that circulates developer by the use of magnetic rollers includes deflecting members interposed between the rollers that are oscillated laterally to maintain homogeneity of developer circulating over the rollers.

Abstract: A method of preventing double-sheet feeding within copiers or printing machines and the like comprising the steps of (1) cutting the paper in an inclined direction and then (2) arranging the inclined ends of the paper at right angles to each other to thereby separate the sheets.

Abstract: A drum support apparatus including outboard and inboard hubs having outer surfaces adapted for interface fitting with the inside surface of a drum. The hubs while being supported on a shaft that is cantilevered from a frame, provide support for the drum in the form of a plurality of spaced equidistant lobes located on their outer surfaces. The lobes reduce the load required to properly seat the drum against the hubs and thereby decreases the possibility of drum run-out by reducing the contact area when the interface fit of the drum/hub combination occurs. The shaft is supported at its outboard end by a removable support bracket.

Abstract: Copy from a processor is transported in a direction of travel on a conveyor toward a three position deflector, the first position of the deflector guides copy around one end of the conveyor to a sorter, in the second position the deflector intercepts the copy, deflects the leading edge of the copy in the opposite direction of travel and permits the trailing edge of the copy to become the leading edge and continue transportation as an inverted copy, in the third position the deflector is translated out of the path of copy flow completely.

Abstract: A paper tray for copying machines includes a tray body having a movable side plate and an elastic member operatively connected to the movable side plate whereby as the tray is inserted into a copying machine, the elastic member in cooperation with an actuator on the copier, urges the movable side member against paper placed in the tray and thereby automatically compensates for paper skew as well as paper irregularities.

Abstract: A sheet feeder apparatus having a deformable separator belt and an indexable retard roller includes a device for setting the proper depth of penetration of the retard roller into the deformable belt in the form of a flat surface on the periphery of the roller. In use, a deformable separator belt is placed in the sheet feeder over the flat surface of and adjacent to the retard roller. The proer penetration depth of the retard roller into the deformable belt is subsequently set by indexing the retard roller to present a non-flat surface adjacent the deformable belt.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus, electrostatographic machine and process are provided wherein particulate material is removed from the surface of an electrostatographic imaging member by at least one blade member having an edge engaging the surface. The blade edge is vibrated at a frequency sufficiently high to substantially reduce the frictional resistance between the blade edge and the imaging surface. The amplitude of the vibrations is controlled to a level which will insure sufficient conformity between the blade edge and the imaging surface so that adequate cleaning can be provided. Preferably the vibrations are carried out at ultrasonic frequencies with an amplitude less than about 0.005 inches.

Abstract: A method of image reproduction is disclosed wherein an image is reproduced by selectively activating a surface of an image transfer body to form a tackified image configuration on the surface and contacting the surface with a transfer developer material which adheres to the tacky surface in image configuration. The developer material comprises a sublimable dye. The transfer body surface is positioned adjacent a surface of a receiving body and the adhering developer material is heated to a temperature for causing the dye to sublimate and thereby transfer in image configuration to the adjacent surface of the receiver body. The transfer and receiver bodies are separated and a reproduction of the image is retained on the receiver body. A number of copies are produced by repeatedly replacing the receiver body and reheating the adhering material. A reproduction master for use with this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Microfield donors used in a xerographic process in which the donor is spaced from the photoconductive surface by a spacer element along their interracting surfaces to preclude background deposits of toner from forming in the development of an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive surface.

Abstract: Microfield donors used in a xerographic process and the methods for manufacturing them. The donor is provided with means for establishing a plurality of electrostatic microfields on the donor surface to attract and hold toner particles so they can be transported to a developing station. The polarity of the established microfields are continuously reversed to alternately repel and attract toner particles to the doner surface during their transportation in order to agitate the toner particles to prevent agglomeration of the particles from forming and to effect nullification of the microfield attracting the particles adjacent a photoconductor to form a high density image free of background deposits in uncharged area of the photoconductive surface.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus and process wherein a movable member having a sheet receiving surface on its outer periphery includes a cavity. A supply of sheet material is supported within the cavity and feeding means are provided for feeding the sheet material outwardly from the cavity for application to the surface of the movable member. Preferably the sheet receiving surface comprises an electrostatic imaging surface. The process and apparatus may be applied to reproducing machines and processes for forming images on a single side of a sheet; on both sides of a sheet in a single pass; or for forming plural images in superimposed registration on a sheet.

Abstract: A friction retard sheet feeding apparatus including a feed member for engaging a stack of sheets and a retard member having a friction surface arranged in nipped engagement with the feed member. The sheets are supported in a stack configuration upon an elevator arranged for movement between an elevated position for sheet feeding and a lowered position. Drives are provided to raise the elevator. An incrementing apparatus is provided for advancing the retard member relative to the feed member in response to the operation of the drives for elevating the stack.