Abstract: A xerographic CRU (Customer Relpaceable Unit) for an electrophotographic printing machine. The xerographic CRU has retaining features and cooperates with a drive module with certain retractable features that allow the insertion and removal of the CRU without causing damage to the photoreceptor and other critical subsystems. The unit further has many locating members for other subsystems so that critical tolerances are maintained. An interface with a single handle assembly retracts/unlocks and extends/locks the drive module and the associated CRU subsystems into an operative position. The CRU also has electrical and drive connections for the cleaning system, the charging system and transfer/detack.

Abstract: A sheet aligning and registration device for a printing machine. In a stalled roll registration device there is provided a drive mechanism preceding the stalled roll and a sensor to determine the size of a buckle formed in a sheet as it is fed into the registration nip formed by the stalled roll pair. When the buckle reaches a predetermined size the sensor generates a signal which causes the drive controller to briefly pulse the registration roll pair. This brief pulse of the registration roll pair captures the sheet in the nip in a deskewed and registered position for subsequent feeding in a timed relationship to a machine subsystem. A baffle located between the drive nip and registration nip directs the sheet buckle formation in a controlled manner so that proper deskewing and registration forces are obtained.

Abstract: A lift and interlock actuator mechanism for installing a CRU in a printing machine. There is provided a lift and interlock actuator mechanism which has a sliding planar member which is moved from a first position to a second position to remove and/or install a feed head CRU in a printing machine. The planar member creates an interlock which prevents the CRU from being removed or installed when the corresponding drive components are in the wrong position. Sliding of the planar member disengages a drive coupling from the CRU and also causes a lift mechanism to pivot the CRU about the drive shaft causing the CRU to be moved to a position for easy removal. To install the CRU the planar member is slid to the second position the CRU is placed into position and rotated down, allowing the planar member to slide back to the first position. This sliding allows the drive coupling to mesh and allows the CRU to rrotate into the home position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring colorimetric, gloss and registration data on a substrate exiting a printing machine. A detector using a series of red, green, and blue filters collects image data and maps the collected data to absolute color coordinates. The apparatus is factory calibrated to the specific colorants used in the printing machine. Gloss measurements are made using the same apparatus. Registration data between the various color separations is also obtained and feedback delivered to the various imaging modules. The detector allows on the fly data to be obtained and machine specific corrections to be made.

Abstract: A device for inverting a sheet along a path in an electric photographic printing machine. A gateless sheet inverter is provided in which a curved portion of a sheet path branch intersects a second portion of the sheet path to form a curved inverter throat. As the sheet is driven from the curved branch portion of the path into the throat portion the beam strength of the sheet causes the trail edge of the sheet to flip toward a second nip leading to the second sheet path. A pair of reversing rolls captures the lead edge of the sheet to be inverted and then reverses to drive the sheets out of the second nip formed by a tri-roll arrangement. A sheet having a radius of curvature equal to or greater than the radius of curvature of the throat will be guided along the throat baffle and fed through the second nip. To further assist in assuring the trail edge flips to the second sheet path an air knife can be added at the intersection of the path branches to assist in moving the trail edge into the second path branch.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving, steering and maintaining tension on a moving web, particularly in an electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an endless photoreceptor belt supported by a plurality of rolls and arranged to move in a predetermined path through a plurality of processing stations disposed therealong the belt being of the type which is supported by a plurality of rolls. A belt utility roll for driving, steering and maintaining tension on the belt adapted for rotational movement about a first axis and tilting movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis is used. The drive motor and transmission are mounted integral to the utility roll unit and tilt with the roll. An actuator tilts the roll in one of two directions to cause the belt to laterally walk along the roll to maintain the predetermined belt path.

Abstract: There is provided a calibration system for a deskewing and registering device for an electrophotographic printing machine. The method includes a.) moving a sheet from a first position to a second position along a paper path; b.) sensing the position of the sheet at the first position and the second position; c.) choosing a correction value to cause the sheet to change a lateral position from the first position to the second position; d.) repeating the moving, sensing, and choosing steps until a predetermined adjustment is made when moving the sheet from the first position to the second position to determine a proper calibration value.

Abstract: In a printer which produces images as a function of the combination of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K) colorants on an output color print, responsive to device independent colorimetric description of an image, there is provided a method of printing in a color printer so that scanned color images defined in terms of colorimetric color signals may be printed on a color printer responsive to printer colorant signals to render a color print with a set of three primary colorants and black on a substrate, the printing method comprising the ordered steps of scanning an image to derive a set of device independent colorimetric color signals, converting said colorimetric color signals into device dependent primary colorant signals, each primary colorant signal defining a density of colorant to be used in rendering a color print, said conversion accounting for a subsequent black colorant addition, determining, for minimum and maximum values of the combination of primary colorant signals a black colorant

Abstract: A replacement roller cartridge for a cut sheet retard feeder. The cartridge assembly includes a feed roll, a nudger roll, and a retard roll aligned so that the axis of rotation are substantially in the same plane within an articulated frame. The frame is inserted into the feed head and pivoted into an active position. Upon insertion into the feed head, the retard roll is captured by a separate retard bracket so that when the feed head is pivoted into the active position the retard roll is withdrawn from the frame and forms a feed nip with the feed roll. The articulated frame is geared so that the frame folds back against itself to provide a very compact unit. A gear train is provided on both sides of the cartridge to drive the feed roll and the nudger roll. The cartridge assembly provides a low cost, easily replaceable unit that eliminates the need for a service technician to replace worn feed rolls.

Abstract: Each photoreceptor unit in a multi station printing system has a torque limited drive unit which provides rotational torque to overcome most of, but not all, of the rotational drag forces on the photoreceptors. In this manner, the web contact with the photoreceptor can control the speed of the photoreceptor by overrunning the torque provided by the motor but minimizing the possibly of slip or tearing of the web due to high torque loads imparted to the web by the multiple photoreceptor units of the printer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for registering and deskewing a sheet along a paper path. A pair of independently driven selectively actuable nips are used to drive a sheet transverse to a paper path direction until the edge of a sheet is registered laterally and in skew. The transverse nips are then deactivated and a drive nip moves the sheet in a process direction along the paper path. A first transport sensor senses the lead edge of a sheet, a second sensor is used to also detect the lead edge of a sheet within a certain distance from the detection by the first sensor. The transport drive nip can then be adjusted based on the transport time between the first transport sensor and the second transport sensor so that the sheet arrives at a registration sensor at the prescribed time. This apparatus and method allows the use of simple point type sensors as opposed to more complex and expensive sensor arrays.

Abstract: A registering device for an electrophotographic printing machine. A steerable pair of drive nips is located in the paper path. A lead edge sensor detects when a sheet is within the steerable drive nips. The steerable nips are turned so that the sheet is transported toward a side registration sensor located in the paper path. When the side registration sensor detects the edge of the sheet the actuator causes the steerable nips to be straightened. The sheet may be forwarded to a second, higher accuracy registration device for final registration. The steerable nip device provides a course preregistration device which may utilize inexpensive and non complex components. This device also enables the use of less expensive components in the fine registration device as the range of correction required by the fine registration device can be much narrower due to the preregistration device.

Abstract: A dynamic "mailboxing" unit and system for separating by users the sheet outputs of various users of a shared users printer (including facsimile receivers, copiers or combination units). It provides for stacking the sheets sequentially outputted from the printer in separate job sets into one or more temporarily and variably assigned "mailboxes" of a "mailboxing" job sowing accessory unit. The "mailboxing" unit has locking "privacy doors" for restricting access to at least some of the mailbox bins, with electrical unlocking of selected bin doors in response to entry of a user access code. When the door is opened, an access handle is visible and the user can pull the handle which causes the job print sets to be moved to the door opening for easy removal. A second embodiment has the removal handle which extends through the door and when released and pulled by the user causes the door to open and the sets to be moved to the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a uniform temperature along its axis by increasing the heat transfer efficiency. The apparatus uses a sealed chamber containing a substantially pure working fluid in a two phase (liquid and vapor) condition. The vaporization and condensation of the fluid increases the heat transfer efficiency and tends to equalize temperature gradients in a body in contact with the apparatus. The apparatus is utilized in various locations in an electrophotographic printing machine and can be used as a pressure roll for a heat and pressure fuser, a support or drive roll for a photoreceptive member, a support member for a photoreceptor and a heat sink for a developer housing.

Abstract: There is provided a method and device for automatically selecting a gloss finish for a print from an electrophotographic printing machine. The image characteristics and color content are determined and if the characteristics and content exceed a predetermined level, an auto gloss signal is generated by the machine controller. In one instance, a glossy substrate is selected upon which to print the image. In a second instance the fuser is adjusted so as to produce a glossy image output on the substrate. There is also a user selectable mode in which either all prints can be produced on a gloss substrate or on a matte substrate depending on the desired state.

Abstract: A deskewing and registering device for an electrophotographic printing machine. A single set of sensors determine the position and skew of a sheet in a paper path and generate signals indicative thereof. A pair of independently driven nips forward the sheet to a registration position in skew and at the proper time based on signals from a controller which interprets the position signals and generates the motor control signals. An additional set of sensors can be used at the registration position to provide feedback for updating the control signals as rolls wear or different substrates having different coefficients of friction are used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of developing a heat developing film includes a film support surface for supporting and constraining a film and heaters for developing the film supported on the film constraining surface. The film constraining surface may either be stationary or form part of a film transport. The film transport may either be a continuous film transport or a reciprocating film transport. The continuous film transport may be inclined or include an input pinch roller. In addition, the heaters may either be stationary, reciprocatable, or pivotable. The heat is applied by conduction and may include a profiled heater output to control uniformity of the temperature. The apparatus may be provided as a stand-alone unit or may be coupled, either externally to or within, a film exposure device.

Abstract: A stack height control assembly that is remote from the feedhead. A floating coupler and sensor flag arrangement is mounted so that it is engaged with a paper supply drawer as the drawer is moved into an operative position. The feedhead acts as the stack height sensor and through a mechanical engagement with the sensor, which is removed and remote from the supply drawer, signals as the stack is depleted and the elevator mechanism should raise the stack. This control scheme removes complex electrical connectors from the drawer assembly and allows a wide range of substrates to be fed from the paper supply drawer. By allowing the sensor/coupler arrangement to float so as to align with the drawer, the need for extremely tight manufacturing and assembly tolerances with respect to the drawer/sensor arrangement is also obviated.

Abstract: An alignment adjusting device for an independently suspended vehicle wheel particularly useful for MacPherson strut type suspensions which consists of a geared slotted member which reacts with either a geared bolt or nut to allow quick and easy method to adjust camber. An additional embodiment provides a geared wedge which allows displacement of the camber. The device can be installed with minimal modifications to the vehicle or can be manufactured into vehicles and allows the alignment technician to adjust the camber without the need to remove the alignment instrumentation.

Abstract: A stalled roll registration device that minimizes or prevents creasing of a sheet as it is fed through the device. The rolls that register the sheet are not perfectly cylindrical and have a larger radius toward the outside edges of the sheetpath. After the sheet is stalled and then started through the registration pair, the velocity difference caused by the noncylindrical rolls causes the edges of the sheet to be urged toward the edges of the sheetpath thereby minimizing the risk of wrinkling the sheet.