Abstract: A guide for leveling the flow of a coating from a nozzle onto a generally cylindrical substrate of a polymeric printing component in a printing machine is provided. The substrate is rotated about its longitudinal axis by a turning apparatus having a axially movable slide for mounting the nozzle to the slide. The coating is spirally applied to the substrate. The guide includes a member operably associated with the slide and moves with the slide. The member has a surface parallel to and slightly spaced from the periphery of the substrate so as to assist in evenly distributing the coating on the periphery of the substrate.

Abstract: A device for storing a supply of particles for use in one of a first developer unit of a first electrophotographic printing machine and a second developer unit of a second electrophotographic printing machine is provided. The device is cooperable one of a first mechanism of the first developer unit of the first electrophotographic printing machine and a second mechanism of the second developer unit of a second electrophotographic printing machine to feed the particles from the device into one of the first developer unit and the second developer unit. The first mechanism includes a first mechanism feature and the second mechanism includes a second mechanism feature. The device includes a container defining a chamber for storing particles therein. The container defines an aperture therein. The first mechanism further includes a first member removably connectable to the container. The first member includes a first member feature.

Abstract: A device for storing a supply of particles for use a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine is provided. The device is cooperable with a mechanism to feed the particles from the device into the developer unit. The device includes a container defining a chamber for storing particles therein and a member. The container defines an aperture therein. The member is removably connectable to the container. The member includes a first member feature. The first member feature is engagable with said mechanism for feeding the particles from the device into to the developer unit.

Abstract: A drive mechanism including a first member and a second member is provided. The first member defines a first member axis of rotation. The first member has a first member surface. The second member defines a second member axis of rotation. The second member has a second member surface. The first member surface of the first member is in intimate contact at a contact zone with the second member surface of the second member. The contact zone defines a plane extending substantially through the first member axis and the second member axis, whereby the force transmitted by the drive mechanism is substantially tangential to the axes of said members.

Abstract: A drive member for use in a printing machine is provided. The drive member cooperates with a drive shaft to transfer torque therebetween. The drive member further cooperates with a torque transferring component to transfer torque therebetween. The drive member includes a body defining an aperture therein and an axis of rotation thereof. The drive member further includes a torque transferring feature associated with the body for transferring torque between the body and the torque transferring component. The drive member further includes a fit enhancing feature extending from the body toward the aperture for enhancing the fit between the body and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A charging apparatus for applying a uniform electrostatic charge to a charge retentive surface is provided. The apparatus includes a housing and an array of pin electrodes supported by the housing and positioned adjacent the surface in a non-contact relationship. The apparatus also includes a generally U shaped shield connected to the housing and at least partially surrounding the array of pin electrodes. The apparatus also includes a grid positioned across distal ends of the shield. The grid defines an effective charge length and an effective grid width. The apparatus also includes a power supply operatively coupled to the pin electrodes for supplying a predetermined current to each of the pin electrode. The power supply provides a predetermined voltage to the grid.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the height of a stack of sheet media in a supply bin is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor and a substantially linearly extending member. The member is operatively associated with the optical sensor to permit relative motion between the sensor and the member. At least one of the sensor and the member moves with the supply bin. The sensor generates a signal indicative of the relative motion between the sensor and the member. The relative motion provides an indication of the height of the stack of the sheet media.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing the feeding of an insert by a first drive mechanism with a sheet feed by a second feed mechanism and the first feed mechanism is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing the sheet in operable contact with the second feed mechanism at a first position, traversing the sheet sequentially with the second feed mechanism and the first feed mechanism, advancing the sheet toward a second position in cooperation with a first sensor adjacent one of the first feed mechanism and the second feed mechanism, placing the insert in operable contact with the first feed mechanism at a third position subsequent to the first sheet being in cooperation with the sensor, and advancing the insert into a fourth position within the first feed mechanism positioned closely behind the sheet positioned at a fifth position within the first feed mechanism.

Abstract: A system for providing a plurality of process cartridges for developing with marking particles a latent image with common components is provided. The system includes a housing and a member mounted to the housing for advancing the marking particles toward the latent image. The system also includes a first pan securable to the housing and defining a first cavity therebetween. The first cavity defines a first volume. The system also includes a second pan securable to the housing and defining a second cavity therebetween. The second cavity defines a second volume substantially different than the first volume. The housing, the member and the first pan are assemblable to form a first process cartridge including the first volume. The housing, the member and the second pan are assemblable to form a second process cartridge including the second volume.

Abstract: A method for tracking the position of a sheet through a paper path being translated by a plurality of feed mechanisms within a printing machine is provided.

Abstract: A seal for sealing a toner filling aperture of a housing of a refilled toner cartridge is provided. The cartridge includes a ruptured closure positioned on the housing adjacent the aperture. The housing and the closure cooperate to define a non-planar surface adjacent the periphery of the aperture. The seal includes a body having a first surface thereof conforming to the periphery of the aperture. The body has an opening therein. The seal also includes a member secured to a second surface of the body. The second surface is opposed to the first surface. The seal also includes an adhesive secured to the first surface of the body. The adhesive conforms to the non-planar surface and seals the body to the closure and the housing so as to permit the cartridge to be sealed without removal of the closure.

Abstract: A bearing support for use in a process cartridge including a roll rotatably mounted to a housing is provided. The roll is used for transporting marking particles to a latent image to form a developed image. The bearing support supports the roll and provides an electrical path between the roll and a voltage source. The bearing support includes a body having a first feature for cooperation with the roll and a second feature for cooperation with the housing. At least one of the first feature and the second feature provides for rotatable motion between the housing and the roll. The bearing support further includes a third feature for providing an electrical path between the roll and the voltage source.

Abstract: A slidable subsystem for use in a printing machine is provided. The subsystem includes a body slidably mounted to the printing machine, a handle connected to the body, and a lever. The lever is operably associated with the body. The lever selectively secures the body to the printing machine. The lever is moveable into a first relaxed position and a second secured position. The lever cooperates with said handle to permit the handle to be extended forwardly when the lever is in a relaxed position.

Abstract: A device for transferring electrical charge from an electrically conductive element to a rotating element is provided. The device has a body including a pultruded composite member having a multiplicity of electrically conductive fibers provided with a polymer matrix. The plurality of conductive fibers is oriented within the polymer matrix in a longitudinal direction of the pultruded composite member. The fibers each extend in a substantially parallel direction, parallel to a first axis. The body includes a first contact area. The body defines an aperture therein. The body has a second contact area on the periphery of the aperture spaced from the first contact area and a support. The support is secured to the body for supporting the body. The first contact area is for contact with the conductive element and the second contact area is for contact with the rotating element. The fibrillated portion is coincident with at least one of the first contact area or said second contact area.

Abstract: A plug for use in plugging an aperture in a container for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine is provided. The plug includes a base, a rim extending from the periphery of the base. The rim may cooperate with the aperture. The plug further includes a stem extending from the base and spaced from the rim, so that the rim may conform to the aperture and thereby seal the aperture without being affected by the handle.

Abstract: A device for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine is provided. The device includes an open ended container defining a chamber in communication with the open end thereof. The particles are stored in the chamber of the container. The device also includes a member cooperating with the container to urge the container in the direction of the open end. The member defines a longitudinal axis thereof. The member is collapsible in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The member includes a body defining a cavity therein.

Abstract: A device for transferring electrical charge between a first element and a second element is provided. The elements have relative rotational motion therebetween. The device has a body including a multiplicity of electrically conductive fibers. A substantial portion of the fibers extend in a substantially parallel direction, parallel to a first axis. The body includes a first contact area. The body defines an aperture therein. The body further includes a second contact area on the periphery of the aperture spaced from the first contact area. The first contact area is for contact with the first element and the second contact area is for contact with the second element.

Abstract: A device for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine is provided. The device includes an open ended container defining a chamber in communication with the open end thereof. The particles are stored in the chamber of the container. The device also includes a resilient member cooperating with the container to urge the container in the direction of the open end. The member defines a longitudinal axis and includes conofrustrical shaped segments. The member is collapsible in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The member includes a body defining a cavity therein.

Abstract: A media tray lifting mechanism for use with a driving mechanism to present sheet media for processing in a printing machine is provided. The mechanism includes a tray for supporting the sheet media and a cable affixed in at least three spaced apart positions to the tray to form cable connections. The mechanism also includes a plurality of support pulleys affixed to the printing machine and movably attached to the cable for supporting the cable within the machine. At least two of the support pulleys is associated with each of the cable connections to form pulley sets. At least one of the support pulleys within each pulley set subtends another pulley within the pulley set to provide a substantially vertical section of the cable between the pulleys. An adjustment pulley is movably secured to the printing machine and is movably attached to the cable. The adjustment pulley is positioned between adjacent sets of pulley sets.

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively positioning a plurality of components in a printing machine is provided. The mechanism includes a lever for controlling the mechanism, a first linkage operably connecting the lever to a first component, and a second linkage operably connecting the lever to a second component, so as to simultaneously reposition the first component and the second component by actuating the lever.