Abstract: An apparatus in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed with toner. A donor roll, spaced from the photoconductive member, transports toner to a development zone adjacent the photoconductive member. An electrode member is positioned in the development zone between the photoconductive member and the donor roll. A magnetic roll transports carrier granules and toner particles to a loading zone adjacent the donor roll. In the loading zone, toner particles are attracted from the magnetic roll to the donor roll. A sealing member has a magnetic field induced therein by the magnet in the magnetic roll. The sealing member attracts carrier granules thereto preventing the carrier granules for being transported to the donor roll.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine in which a moving photoconductive belt is supported in the region of the processing stations thereof. The photoconductive belt is guided in an endless path of movement. The region of the photoconductive belt opposed from at least one of the processing stations is maintained substantially planar with photoconductive belt flutter being substantially dampened.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops a latent image recorded on an image receiving member with developer material. A chamber in the developer housing stores a supply of developer material. A donor roll is positioned in the chamber of the housing so as to transport developer material into contact with the latent image to develop the latent image. A rotating, elongated member fluidizes the developer material. As developer material is discharged from a storage container into the chamber of the developer housing, it exerts pressure on the fluidized developer material to move the developer material from one end of the housing to the other end thereof. An electrical bias is applied between the elongated member and the donor roll so that developer material is attracted to the donor roll as the developer material advances from one end of the developer housing to the other end thereof.

Abstract: A module adapted to be mounted removably in a printing machine. The module has a photoconductive belt entrained about a plurality of rollers mounted on a frame. One of the rollers is movable between a non-operative position, in which the space between the rollers is reduced, and an operative position, in which the space between the rollers is increased. A charging station and a cleaning station are mounted on the frame of the module adjacent the photoconductive belt. When one of the rollers is in the non-operative position, a cover covers at least the photoconductive belt. The cover has an insert about which a portion of the photoconductive is wrapped. The insert supports the photoconductive belt in a non-tensioned condition external to the printing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a developed image from a surface to a heated intermediate member. The intermediate member is reheated to at least partially melt the image therein. Thereafter, the image is transferred from the intermediate member to a sheet and fixed thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus which damps movement of sets of sheets being stacked on a support member. The support member moves, at selected intervals, to offset adjacent sets of sheets from one another. A pair of pivotably mounted arms have their free ends engaging the outermost sheet of the sets of sheets stacked on the support member. The arms apply a normal force on the sets of sheets without applying a lateral force thereon. In this way, the sets of sheets are damped without disturbing the integrity of the sets of sheets during offsetting.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for predicting the end of life of a photoreceptor, first records sampled data, then processes the data in order to interpolate the photoreceptor's end of life. Increased prediction accuracy is realized since both global photoreceptor information concerning a population of photoreceptors as well as information directed to a specific photoreceptor operating under particular environmental conditions are taken into account. This information is used not only to predict photoreceptor end of life but to make adjustments in the printing machine to correct xerographic degradations. In one embodiment, the information is used to direct an embedded end of life predictions system for notifying service at a remote site of photoreceptor problems in the printing machine in such a manner that it is transparent to a user of the printing machine.

Abstract: A toner cartridge in which a container defines an open ended chamber. The container is adapted to store a supply of toner in the chamber thereof. The open end of the chamber is sealed. A passageway is formed through the toner in the chamber. As the seal is peeled from the open end of the chamber, toner is discharged therefrom. As toner is discharged from the chamber, air displaced from the hopper receiving the toner moves from the hopper through the passageway onto the upper surface of the toner. In this way, displaced air does not impede the flow of toner particles and maintains a substantially uniform pressure on the discharging toner particles.

Abstract: An apparatus in which background density of a sheet having visible indicia is monitored. A region of the sheet is scanned and a signal is generated corresponding to the scanned region. The signal corresponding to the scanned region is processed and a signal corresponding to the background density of the sheet is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus which adhesively binds a set of sheets by applying a strip having an adhesive to one surface thereof to the spine of the set. The apparatus includes a compiling station which holds at least one set of sheets. A transport advances the set of copy sheets from the compiling station to the bind and to a receiving station. The transport is movable from a non-operative position, coupling the compiling station to the receiving station, to an operative position coupling the compiling station to the binder. In addition, there is a manual insertion station located at the operative position enabling a set of sheets to be inserted into the transport when the transport is positioned in the operative position. The transport is then adapted to advance the manually inserted set of sheets to the binder which then binds the manually inserted set of sheets to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a stack of sheets is detected at a preselected location. An air jet is directed towards an edge of the stack of sheets at a preselected location. A pressure transducer is located at the prescribed location and positioned to have the air jet at impact thereon. The pressure transducer is enabled to transmit a signal indicative of the absence of the stack of sheets at the preselected location in response to the air jet impacting thereon. The pressure transducer is inhibited from transmitting the signal in response to the stack of sheets blocking the air jet. When the stack of sheets blocks the air jet, the signal from the pressure transducer indicates the presence of the stack of sheets at the preselected location. A pneumatic stack height detector of this type may be used to regulate the movement of a stack of sheets used in electrophotographic printing machines.

Abstract: A printing machine in which two electrostatic latent images are recorded on a photoconductive member. One of the latent images is a charged area latent image with the other image being a discharged area latent image. A magnetic developer unit develops the charged area latent image with black toner particles. A non-magnetic developer unit develops the discharged area latent image with toner particles of a color other than black. The toner particles from both latent images are transferred substantially simultaneously to a sheet and fused thereto forming a color high lighted document.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus that develops a latent image recorded on a surface with toner. An electrically biased electrode member in the development zone between the photoconductive member and the donor roll detaches toners from the donor roll so as to form a toner powder cloud in the development zone. The electrical bias applied on the electrode member is an asymmetrical wave. Toner from the toner powder cloud develops the latent image.

Abstract: An apparatus in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed with toner. A donor roll, spaced from the photoconductive member, transports toner to a development zone adjacent the photoconductive member, an electrode member is positioned in the development zone between the photoconductive member and the donor roll. The electrode member is electrically biased to detach toner from the donor roll so as to form a toner powder cloud in the space between the electrode member and the photoconductive member. In this way, the toner from the donor powder cloud develops the latent image recorded on the photoconductive member. A DC current is transmitted through the electrode member. A magnetic member interacts with the DC current flowing through the electrode member to substantially dampen vibrations of the electrode member.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops a latent image recorded on an image receiving member with developer material. A donor roll is positioned in a chamber of a housing having a supply of developer material therein. The donor roll transports a metered layer of developer material into contact with the latent image to develop the latent image. A rotating and translating brush gently disturbs the metered layer of developer material on the donor roll. This substantially prevent the accumulation of developer material agglomerates on the donor roll so as to create a more stable, uniform developer material layer for development of the latent image therewith.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a duplex tray for collecting sheets having an image formed on one side thereof. Successive sheets collected in the duplex tray are advanced therefrom to the processing stations of the printing machine to have an image formed on the other side thereof. The duplex tray has at least one backstop member positioned thereon and adapted to engage an edge of the sheets being collected. The backstop member stops movement of the sheets and is adapted to deflect upon being contacted by the sheet edge. When the leading edge of the sheet engages the backstop member, the backstop member deflects and absorbs energy. This also increases the sheets contact area and minimizes denting and deletions of the image edge of the sheet edge contacting the backstop member.

Abstract: An apparatus in which sheet material is decurled. The apparatus includes a rod deflecting a belt to define a nip therebetween. The belt is entrained about a part of spaced rollers. A pair of baffle plates are located at the entrance to the nip and at the exit to the nip. The rod is adapted to translate in a vertical direction. As the rod translates, the degree of deflection is varied and the bend of the sheet adjusted. The baffle plates at both the exit and entrance regions to the nip pivot in unison with the translation of the pivot rod so as to adjust the orientation of the sheet entering and leaving the nip.

Abstract: A binding tape cartridge in which a reel of binding tape is packaged in a moisture impervious bag. The bag has an exit port through which the tape is advanced. A seal, mounted in the exit port, permits the passage of tape therethrough while maintaining the interior substantially dry. This projects the binding tape from moisture, reducing the possibility of tape delamination.

Abstract: An adaptive setup for a printing machine that stores time and date data for each usage. A pattern of the stored information is determined and processed in conjunction with operator entered restrictions in order to specify machine operating conditions for successive days and times.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a donor roll advances toner to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member. A plurality of electrical conductors are located in grooves in the donor roll. The electrical conductors are spaced from one another and adapted to be electrically biased in the development zone to detach toner from the donor roll so as to form a toner cloud in the development zone. In the development zone, toner is attracted from the toner cloud to the latent image. In this way, the latent image is developed with toner.