Abstract: Classifying and detecting original images on a roll of film so that a photographer can describe and identify to the photofinisher the type of images of interest to the photographer and to identify which images by category on the roll of film are to receive certain customer requested procedures such as multiple prints, enlargements or no printing of that image at all.

Abstract: Magnetic carrier particles are removed from a photoconductive image member by subjecting the carrier particles to a magnetic field while or after exposing the photoconductive image member to erasing radiation in the absence of a substantial electrical field affecting the carrier particles.

Abstract: A fuser includes both a fusing roller and a fusing belt, each separately engageable with a pressure member forming first and second nips for applying a finish to a toner image. The first nip between the fuser roller and the pressure member can provide a matte or textured finish to a print while the second nip between the belt and the pressure member provides a high gloss finish. The fusing roller engages the pressure member through an opening in the belt when the belt is stopped with the opening properly positioned. The fuser roller backs the belt when the belt is being used for fusing or finishing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting apparatus which includes a cutter. A pair of sensors is used to detect a lead edge of an image located on a receiver sheet. In response to the sensors the cutter and the lead edge of the image are aligned. The receiving sheet is transported in a direction essentially perpendicular to the cutter. The cutter cuts the receiving sheet adjacent and parallel to the lead and trail edges of the image. A cut lead edge of the receiving sheet is edge registered. A third sensor detects edges of the image perpendicular to the cut lead edge of the image. A second cutter, responsive to the third sensor, cuts the receiving sheet adjacent edges of the image perpendicular to the cut lead edge of the image.

Abstract: A toner image is transferred from an image member to a receiving sheet using a backing member or corona charger to which a constant current source is applied for creation of a transfer electrical field. A logic and control receives an input indicative of the width of the receiving sheet and adjusts the current applied by the constant current source accordingly. Preferably, the logic and control also has an input indicative of the resistance of the receiving sheet, for example, determined by determining relative humidity and/or the thickness of the receiving sheet, which also is used with the width input to adjust the current applied by the constant current source.

Abstract: A method of forming duplex color images on a receiving sheet passes the receiving sheet through a fuser twice for the first image and once for the second image. The process includes the step of determining which of the toner images should have a higher gloss and forming that toner image first so that it receives the greatest fusing energy. Preferably, the determining step is accomplished by determining which image receives more photographic content.

Abstract: A fuser for fixing toner images to a receiving sheet includes pressure and fusing rollers which are separated during idle. In response to a run signal, the temperature of the fusing roller is given a boost according to a sensed or estimated temperature of the pressure roller. At other times during both idle and run, the temperature of the fusing roller is controlled by a sensor associated with the fusing roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a source of at least one intermediate sheet which is preferably both thermally and electrically conductive. Toner images are transferred from one or more image members to the intermediate sheet under conditions of raised temperature and preferably with the assistance of an electric field. The toner image on the intermediate sheet is then overlaid with a receiving sheet and a combination of heat and pressure transfers and fuses the toner image to the receiving sheet in a single step, preferably while the sheets move at full machine speed. The sheets may then be slowed down or stopped, but are maintained together until cool at which point they are separated and the intermediate sheet fed back to the source of intermediate sheets. The image forming apparatus is particularly useful in creating multicolor toner images with small toners.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image member which moves through a path past a series of stations. The series of stations create both first and second toner images on the same frame of the image member which images can be of different color. When the apparatus is used to form single color images, a charging station used in creating the second toner image is turned to a standby condition. In the standby condition, a bias is maintained on the charging station to repel toner particles from the first toner image that might otherwise accumulate on the charging station.

Abstract: A roller pair assembly for a pair of registration rollers which accelerates a sheet along an image receiving path. A compression spring positioned between a clip and a retainer provides a force at each end of the rollers urging them together. The retainer includes a nest for receiving the compression spring and a bearing surface for engaging a bearing housing for one of the rollers. The clip includes a projection for engaging the compression spring and a pair of resilient arms with detents engaging detents in an outside surface of a housing for the other roller.

Abstract: An electrostatic image on an image member already containing a loose dry first toner image is toned with a second toner, for example, a toner of a second and different color from the first toner image. The toning is accomplished by a developer having a high coercivity permanently magnetized carrier and toner which is moved through a development zone by a rapidly rotating core inside a sleeve on which the developer moves. Pole transitions caused by the rapidly moving core make the high coercivity permanently magnetized carrier move vigorously in a wave motion having alternating crests and troughs. Scavenging of the first toner image is prevented by separating the sleeve from the image member sufficiently that the crests of the developer do not touch the image member during the toning process. An alternating electrical field is applied between the sleeve and the image member to enhance development.

Abstract: A pressure roller fuser includes a member at the end of at least one of the rollers for extending the position for applying the loading force between the rollers away from the center of the roller to cause the roller to bend with respect to the other roller. The bending causes a spreading of the nip at the edges of the roller to reduce wrinkling of the sheets fed through the nip. The amount of bend can be varied by varying the position of the loading force with respect to the center of the rollers, thereby allowing adjustment of the flare of the nip according to ambient conditions or the life of the rollers.

Abstract: A development station for applying toner to an electrostatic image includes a rotatable magnetic core and a roughened sleeve on which developer moves to develop the image. The outside surface of the sleeve contains fine extrusion-formed serrations, which serrations provide a roughness for the outside surface contributing to movement of developer in response to rotation of the magnetic core.

Abstract: A process of forming a composite toner image, for example, a two color image, includes steps of charging and exposing an image member to create a first electrostatic image and developing the image to form a first toner image. The process is repeated to form two toner images on the same area or frame of an image member. To reduce the tendency of the first toner image to spread into the second electrostatic image and also to reduce scavenging of the first toner image by the second toning step, the image member is exposed, immediately after the formation of the first toner image, to uniform activating radiation to form charges of a polarity opposite the electrostatic image, which charges tend to hold the first toner image to the image member. The uniform exposure can be effected through a transparent support to the image member.

Abstract: A sheet inverter generally of the type having a chute for receiving a moving sheet fed in through an input nip and out through an output nip includes an edge engaging stop which is resilient or movable to push the sheet into the output nip. The chute is defined by a pair of paper guides that are curved at one end to bend the leading edge of the sheet into a crosstrack curve that improves its beam strength while the trailing edge is not curved in the crosstrack direction, allowing it to be easily fed into the output nip.

Abstract: The level of charge on toner in a developer is sensed or otherwise determined in an image forming apparatus. In response to such determination, a charge control member is adjusted between positions in which it triboelectrically charges the toner more or less because of greater or lesser contact with the toner.

Abstract: To create an overcoat on a toner image, a clear heat softenable particulate material is applied to a fusing surface before the fusing surface contacts the toner image in a fusing nip. The particulate material softens in the fusing process and ends up as a clear overcoat for the toner image, protecting it from scratches, fingerprints, deglossing and/or softening from heat.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus includes a fuser which has a fusing sheet for contacting the image bearing surface of a receiving sheet. The fusing sheet is attached at one end to a fusing sheet drum and at the other end to a spring for urging the fusing sheet in a first direction. The fusing sheet drum is rotatable in a first direction to allow the spring to move the fusing sheet in the first direction, which moves both the fusing sheet and the receiving sheet through a pressure nip formed by the fusing sheet drum and a pressure roller. The fusing sheet drum is rotatable in the second direction opposite the first direction for rewinding the fusing sheet on the fusing sheet drum. During the rewinding motion of the fusing sheet, the receiving sheet is separated from the fusing sheet by forcing the fusing sheet around a sharp bend.

Abstract: Drum-shaped image and transfer members are controlled by a set of sensors and flags which determine the position of the leading edge of a toner image as it approaches a transfer zone and the leading edge of a receiving sheet as it approaches the transfer zone. A logic and control controls the speed of the transfer drum as it approaches the transfer zone to assure a predetermined spacial relationship between the two leading edges. The leading edge of the receiving sheet is sensed on the transfer drum by sensing a difference in reflectivity between the sheet and a low reflectivity area which the sheet overlies.

Abstract: A fuser for fusing toner images to a receiving sheet includes a pressure roller and a fusing belt. The fusing belt has leading and trailing ends. A towing device is positioned to receive both the leading and trailing ends of the belt to form an endless belt. The towing device is moved through a path which moves the fusing belt through an endless path, which path includes a fusing nip with the pressure roller. The belt is backed by a heated roller at the fusing nip which defines a portion of the endless path and cooperates with the pressure roller to provide pressure in the nip.