Abstract: A retard sheet feeder that utilizes a slip clutch with an integral biasing device to separate double fed sheets. A retard roll is provided in circumferential contact with a feed roll to form a drive nip. The retard roll is free to rotate in the feeding direction by the use of a spring that is axially aligned with the roll and allows the roll to slip in the feed direction once a predetermined torque level is reached. The spring may be either internal to the roll or external to the roll. When the drive torque to the retard roll is reduced such as when a double sheet is in the drive nip, the torque is not sufficient to overcome the stored spring energy and the roll is rotated in a reverse direction by the spring to drive the double sheet out of the nip.

Abstract: A space optimizing toner container for an electrophotographic printing machine. The toner container is generally configured so that it is larger in the horizontal dimension than in the vertical dimension. A pusher member, internal to the container housing is spaced from the discharge opening in the housing. The pusher member is movable, either manually or by a biasing device such as a spring so that the powder toner is moved in a generally horizontal direction as the toner is depleted. The container may have a flexible inner liner which contains the toner particles and allows for the recycling of the container. The described toner container operates without the need for a complex toner transport system while allowing the normally unused space in the horizontal direction from the toner outlet to be utilized.

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 a 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captured by a separate retard bracket so that when the feed head is pivoted into the active position the retard roll is withdrawn from the frame and forms a feed nip with the feed roll. 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. The design is also adaptable for use in various types of sheet and document feeders and can be used throughout a printing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for adaptive sheet decurling in an electrophotographic printing machine. A plurality of sensors are provided to determine the basis weight of the copy sheet, the density of the image being transferred to the copy sheet and fused thereon, the relative humidity of the machine environment, the process speed of the print engine, and any other relevant parameters. Signals indicative of these parameters are generated and sent to the machine controller which processes these signals and predicts the degree and direction of curl expected in a sheet. Based on the degree of and direction of curl, a bidirectional variable penetration decurler is actuated to a setting which should provide the proper amount of mechanical decurling force.

Abstract: A system to support a moving photoreceptor belt in an electrophotographic printing machine while minimizing lateral forces applied thereon. Pairs of idler rolls are located in contact with the inner surface of the belt in an arrangement in which the axes of rotation of the idlers are skewed in substantially equal but opposite angles from a direction perpendicular to the direction of belt motion. As the resultant lateral forces between the belt and rolls act in a direction nearly parallel to the axes of rotation of the idlers, the opposing skew essentially cancels the side force of each pair of idlers which promotes good belt tracking. As the idlers are freely rotating, drag and tensioning forces on the belt are also minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus for minimizing fuser misstrips from a heat and pressure fuser in an electrophotographic printing machine. A plurality of sensors are provided to determine the basis weight of the copy sheet, the density of the image being transferred to the copy sheet and fused thereon, the relative humidity of the machine environment, the process speed of the print engine, etc. Signals indicative of all the variables are generated and sent to the machine controller which processes these signals and predicts when a fuser misstrip is likely to occur. Based on the likely degree of misstrip, a variety of actions are taken to prevent the misstrip. A stripper finger can be actuated to physically remove the sheet from the fuser member and/or the release agent management system can vary the amount of release agent applied to the fuser to assist in the removal of the copy sheet from the heated fuser member.

Abstract: A multi-mode apparatus for ejecting individual sets of compiled, attached or unattached sheets to substantially the same location for any size sheet from a electrophotographic printing machine to an off line finishing device without impairing the process speed thereof. In a first mode each sheet set is compiled on a moveable member. The moveable member is then translated by actuating a pneumatic cylinder to translate the compiled sheet set to a location external of the compiling apparatus. A vertically moveable bail device applied a normal force to the sheet set to maintain the integrity of the set during transport but is substantially frictionless so as to not disturb the registration of the sheet set. The translating member is able to quickly transport a compiled set of sheets from a location internal of the compiling device to an external location whereat the sheet set may be fed to an off-line other finishing or processing device.

Abstract: A retard feeder system having a noise suppression device which feeds sheets from a stack of sheets to a sheet transport path. The device includes a sheet feeding friction device for engaging and moving sheets in a direction toward the path, a retard pad positioned adjacent said sheet feeding device to form a retard nip to permit selective feeding of individual sheets through the retard nip to the path, and a raised portion in the path for corrugating the sheet as portions of the sheet are engaged in the retard nip. The corrugation of the sheet helps to minimize the sheet flutter and vibration while it is within the retard nip by increasing the beam strength of the sheet and thereby decreases the audible noise created by the vibrating sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding 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 web being of the type which is supported by a plurality of rolls. A roll for supporting the web and in frictional contact therewith is adapted for rotational movement about a first axis. A roll support in the form of a dead shaft allows the roll laterally move to pivot about a second axis in a direction substantially normal to the predetermined path direction. This is accomplished by supporting the dead shaft on a V-groove roller which rides in a track substantially along the arc of rotation normal to the predetermined path direction.

Abstract: An alignment adjusting device for an independently suspended vehicle wheel particularly useful for Macphear son strut type suspensions which consists of a one piece eccentric nut-washer combination that allows a quick and easy method to adjust camber. The device can be installed without modifications to the vehicle and allows the alignment technician to adjust the camber without the need to remove the alignment instrumentation.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a moving belt, 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 compliant belt guide is positioned at each end of a tensioning roll. The guide is biased so as to absorb a portion of the force exerted on it by the moving belt but to maintain a minimal belt walk in a direction transverse to the predetermined path.

Abstract: A signature booklet making apparatus for an electrophotographic printing machine, the booklet making machine having a trimmer blade blower and high capacity waste bin. Selectively operable air ducts are provided to distribute an airflow either across the trim blade to remove trim scraps or through a bypass duct to efficiently fill the waste bin with scrap. A valving mechanism responsive to the operation of the trimmer directs the airflow to the correct duct. By selectively causing the air to flow across the trim blade the chance of forcing thin booklets into the waste chute thereby causing jams is minimized.

Abstract: A relief device for the tamping mechanism of an offset sheet set stacker. A sheet set stacker is provided having a plurality of retractable tamping mechanisms for alternately offsetting sheet sets within the stacker. Each tamping mechanism is provided with a spring biased follower arm which locks the tamping mechanism in an operative position. A relief device in the form of an oblong pivot mount allows the tamping mechanism to not only pivotally retract from an operative position but to also shift a slight amount transversely to the paper path process direction. This slight shift prevents a binding of the tamper against the just compiled sheet stack and minimizes the occurrence of sheet stack disturbance.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding individual sheets from the bottom of a sheet stack. The sheet stack is placed in the paper tray with the lead edge abutting the sheet feeding apparatus. The face of the stack rests against the main fang. As a nudger forwards the sheets from the bottom of the stack to a position under the main fang, further sheet separation occurs as the lead edges of the sheets strike a corrugated fang located between the main fang and the retard roll. The corrugated portion of the fang causes the sheets to be shingled out permitting a single sheet to pass under the retard roll and to be advanced by the feed roll.

Abstract: A heated thick walled belt fuser for an electrophotographic printing machine. The belt is rotatably supported between a pair of rolls. One of the spans of the belt is in contact with a heating roll in the form of an aluminum roll with an internal heat source such as a quartz lamp. The belt is able to wrap a relatively large portion of the heating roll to increase the efficiency of the heat transfer. The second span of the belt forms an extended fusing nip with a pressure roll. The extended nip provides a greater dwell time for a sheet in the nip while allowing the fuser to operate at a greater speed. External heating enables a thick profile of the belt, which in turn allows the belt to be reinforced so as to operate at greater fusing pressures without degradation of the image. The thick profile and external heating of the belt also provides a much more robust design than conventional thin walled belt fusing systems.

Abstract: A sorter apparatus for receiving and attaching sets of sheet material in succession at a sheet input station. A plurality of bins are provided for receiving the sheet material in a first position within each bin. The bin has a slidable tray mounted thereon. The slideable tray is movable in a direction, transverse to the sheet input direction, to displace the sheet material, received within each bin, to a second position where the sheet set is attached. The slideable tray is then returned to the first position and another bin is positioned at the sheet attaching position where the process is repeated.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet stack container comprising opposed vertical walls between which sheets are stacked and a sheet feeder for feeding sheets off the top of the stack in a direction between the walls and parallel with the walls. The container includes a platform for elevating the stack into contact with the sheet feeder, and pusher members in one of the walls for urging the stack against the other wall. The pusher members are positioned at or near the top of the stack, and act only on a minor proportion of the stack height when the maximum stack height is contained in the container. First and second pusher members are provided, the first pusher member being urged towards the stack by a relatively strong spring, and acting on sheets near the top of the stack, but not on the sheets nearest the top of the stack, and the second pusher member being urged towards the stack by a relatively light spring, and acting on the sheets nearest the top of the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and reducing image transfer smear is provided. A pattern consisting of a sequence of toner characters or marks separated by spaces is written and developed on a photoreceptive member and then transferred to an intermediate medium. As the pattern is transferred to the intermediate medium, the velocity of the photoreceptor is varied. A photodetector is used to detect the transferred pattern on the intermediate medium and generate a signal indicative thereof. As the detector senses the absence of toner, the signal generated is greater when the space between the toner characters is largest. By monitoring when the signal is greatest and determining the corresponding velocity of the photoreceptor at that time, the best velocity match between the photoreceptor and intermediate transfer medium can be determined and set.

Abstract: A wave generating system for a wave pool utilizing a rotary valve to control the pneumatic flow to the wave generator. A rotary sleeve valve particularly adapted to high volumetric, relatively low pressure applications wherein a plurality of concentric sleeves rotatably located within a valve body provide for both porting adjustment and directional flow of the media. External control devices allow for adjustment of the porting and the timing of the directional flow by means of simple variable speed rotating devices such as an electric motor. The construction of the valve creates a very durable, strong unit which particularly avoids breakage and reliability problems associated in wave pool controls.

Abstract: A release agent management system incorporated in an electrophotograpic printing machine having a heat and pressure fuser assembly with stripper fingers to aid in the removal of fused copies from the fuser roll. The fuser assembly includes a heated fuser roll, a pressure roll, a sump containing a quantity of release agent, a metering roll and a donor roll. The metering roll is immersed in a quantity of release agent and is in contact with the donor roll. The donor roll acts as the transport to transfer release agent from the metering roll to the heated fuser roll. The surface of the donor roll is provided with cutout grooved areas corresponding to the location of the stripper fingers on the fuser roll. These grooves result in a lesser amount of release agent being applied to the fuser roll in the area adjacent the stripper fingers.