Abstract: An apparatus in which shutters used to occlude the region of the platen not supporting the original document being reproduced are calibrated. After the fully open position of the shutters is determined, the size of each original document being reproduced may be determined. In calibrating the shutters, an original document having a predetermined size is positioned on the platen with one set of perpendicular edges thereof being located at a registration position. The shutters are moved from the fully open position to another set of perpendicular edges of the document. The distance that the shutters move between the open position and the edges of the document is measured. With this information, the distance between the open position and the registration position may be determined as a function of the size of the original document and the distance that the shutters move. After the location of the open position of the shutters has been calibrated, the size of other original documents may be determined.

Abstract: A printing machine in which magnetically permeable marking particles develop a latent image recorded on a photoconductive member. A read head is positioned adjacent the photoconductive member to detect magnetic field intensity effects produced by the marking particles. In addition, an optical device may be used to transmit a light beam onto the marking particles developed on the latent image and to sense the intensity of the light rays reflected therefrom. The read head alone or in combination with the optical device, generates a control signal. The control signal may be used to regulate one of the processing stations of the printing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus in which the approximate thickness of a set of sheets is determined. A tray supporting a stack of sheets thereon is periodically indexed a preselected distance each time the thickness of the stack of sheets decreases by a specified amount. The approximate thickness of the set of sheets is calculated as a function of the number of times the tray is indexed and a constant corresponding to the preselected distance the tray indexes.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a container in which an auger having vanes is disposed in the chamber thereof for moving particulate material stored therein. A threaded sealing member is adapted to engage the auger vanes so as to be driven along the container on rotation of the auger. The sealing member is mounted slidingly within the container but is restrained from rotating about the auger. On rotating the auger, in one direction, the sealing member moves along the auger to a storage position located beyond the auger vanes.

Abstract: A scuffer wheel drives a copy sheet into a registration corner on a tray of a printing machine. The vibration and hop of the scuffer wheel is damped by having the periphery of the scuffer wheel engage a leaf spring mounted over a slot in a thin plate mounted on the tray. This prevents sheet migration and misalignment of the sheets of the stack with respect to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus which transports a sheet through a transfer station to transfer an image from an image receiving member thereto. A stationary member has at least a portion thereof positioned closely adjacent the image receiving member to define a transfer zone therebetween. A substantial portion of the sheet is vacuum tacked to the transfer member. The sheet is moved relative to the transfer member to advance through the transfer zone so that the image is transferred from the image receiving member to the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying release oil to a fuser roller pair in a xerographic copier comprises an elongated trough containing a supply of oil in the base thereof, and wick for drawing up the oil from the trough and applying it to a metering roller. The metering roller applies the oil to a donor roller which, in turn, transfers the oil to the heated roller of the fuser roller pair. An upper guide device is provided on the exit side of the fuser by ribs formed integrally on the underside of the trough. The trough and guide ribs may thus have a compact configuration that is suited to inexpensive manufacture, e.g. by molding, as a one piece item. A lower guide member is fixed to the fuser assembly. Also, stripper fingers are mounted integrally on the trough adjacent the upper guides, the fingers being provided with slots through which the ribs extends.

Abstract: An apparatus which compensates for the velocity mismatch between adjacent sheet transports. A plate, interposed between the sheet transports, supports the sheet until the leading edge thereof advances from the first sheet transport to the second sheet transport. When the leading edge of the sheet is received by the second sheet transport, the plate pivots away from the sheet to a location remote therefrom. Since the first sheet transport advances the sheet at a greater velocity than the second sheet transport, the sheet forms a buckle to compensate for the velocity mismatch between sheet transports.

Abstract: A multifunction blower in which a common housing is employed to both increase and decrease the pressure of incoming air in separate chambers thereof. The increase and decrease in air pressure is adjustable by changing the impellers of the pressure and vacuum assemblies used therein.

Abstract: An apparatus which dries and fuses a liquid image of liquid carrier and toner particles to a sheet. The sheet passes through a nip defined by a support member cooperating with a roller. The roller contacts the liquid image on the sheet. Heat is applied to the liquid image to fuse the toner particles to the sheet and vaporize at least a portion of the liquid carrier therefrom. The side of the sheet opposed from the side having the liquid image thereon is maintained at a lower pressure than atmospheric pressure to reduce the amount of heat required to vaporize the liquid carrier and remove the vaporized liquid carrier therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a copy of an original document has selected portions thereof color highlighted. An editing device, associated with an electrophotographic printing machine, selects the portions of the copy to be reproduced in a highlight color with the remainder of the copy being reproduced in another color. The printing machine, in response to the signal transmitted from the edit pad, records a latent image on a photoconductive surface having a plurality of charge levels. These charge levels are developed simultaneously with different color developer material. The resultant developed image has different colors therein. This developed image is transferred to a copy sheet and fused thereto forming a color highlighted copy.

Abstract: A reproducing machine in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed with a liquid developer material comprising at least a liquid carrier having pigmented particles dispersed therein. The developed image is transferred from the photoconductive member to a sheet of support material. The sheet of support material having the developed image thereon is dried to remove substantially all of the liquid carrier transferred thereto. The pigmented particles are permanently fused to the sheet of support material in image configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus which transfers a developed image from a photoconductive surface to a copy sheet. The apparatus includes a corona generating device arranged to charge the copy sheet. This establishes a transfer field that is effective to attract the developed image from the photoconductive surface to the copy sheet. A sheet guide, adapted to have a portion thereof contiguous with the corona generating device, maintains the copy sheet substantially wrinkle free as it is being guided into contact with the photoconductive surface in the transfer field.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a latent image is developed with developer material. An applicator roller has developer material adhering releasably to at least a portion of the exterior surface thereof. The applicator roller rotates and translates from an non-operative position spaced from the latent image to an operative position closely adjacent the latent image. In this way, the applicator roller transports developer material to the latent image. After development is completed, rotation and translation of the applicator roller is reversed to return the applicator roller to the non-operative position terminating development. An apparatus of this type is used in a multicolor electrophotographic printing machine wherein successive latent images are developed with different color developer materials and the respective developer materials are prevented from co-mingling on the same latent image.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member used in an electrophotographic printing machine. The apparatus employs a developer material which ages during the life of the electrophotographic printing machine. Carrier granules are added to the developer material to extend the life of the developer material. When the quantity of developer material exceeds a predetermined quantity, developer material exits therefrom through an exit port. A magnetic flux field is generated in the region of the exit port to form a carrier bead curtain which prevents the passage of toner particles therethrough while permitting developer material and carrier granules to exit therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops a latent image recorded on a generally planar photoconductive member moving in a direction at least partially inclined with respect to the gravitational force exerted thereon. The latent image is developed with a liquid developer material in an extended development zone substantially parallel to the photoconductive member. The liquid developer material is pumped partially upwardly from the lowermost region of the development zone toward the uppermost region thereof. This forms a pressure barrier preventing the escape of liquid developer material from the lowermost region of the development zone. A sealing roller prevents the escape of liquid developer material from the uppermost region of the development zone.

Abstract: An apparatus which determines the location of an edge of an advancing sheet and discriminates between a hole therein. After the leading edge of the sheet is detected and the sheet has moved a first predetermined distance, the absence or presence of the sheet is sensed for a second predetermined distance. If the sheet is not detected as it moves the second predetermined distance, the control logic indicates that the trailing edge has been detected. In the event the sheet is sensed, the control logic indicates that a hole has been detected and the process is repeated to locate the trailing edge.

Abstract: A method of assembling parts in which, before actual assembly of the parts, the forces associated with a good assembly of parts and the forces associated with a faulty assembly of parts are identified to train a pattern of recognition signature analysis system. During assembly, the forces required to actually assemble the parts are measured and a determination is made by the system as to whether these forces are associated with a good assembly or a faulty assembly to determine if the assembled part should be accepted or rejected.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops a latent image, corresponding to an original document, recorded on a moving member. The apparatus includes a first developer unit and a second developer having their characteristics regulated so that the density of the developer material deposited on the latent image by the second developer unit approximates that of the original document over a first density region of the original document. The density of the developer material deposited on the latent image by the second developer unit or both the first developer unit and the second developer unit approximates that of the original document over a second density region.

Abstract: An apparatus which seals a shaft mounted rotatably on a bearing member. At least two spaced apart annular flanges are mounted on the shaft. One of the flanges being is arranged to bear radially against the bearing member. An annular sealing member is mounted on the shaft between the two flanges in abutting relation with at least one of the flanges to form a radial seal with the bearing member.