Abstract: A fusing apparatus for fusing toner images onto a substrate. The fusing apparatus has a generally cylindrical pressure roller, a fuser roller, and a device for applying toner release oil to the surface there of. The fuser roller further includes a first length portion that has a generally cylindrical outer shape for contacting the pressure roller to form a fusing nip through which the substrate can be moved. In order to prevent damage to the surface of the fuser roller, the fuser roller includes a second length portion which lies towards an end of the fuser roller away from the fusing nip and has a generally conical outer shape for preventing contact between the fuser roller and pressure roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus uses a printhead including both writing optical fibers and an autofocus optical fiber. Radiation emitting from the fibers is imaged by a high numerical aperture lens on writing and focusing surfaces, respectively. Radiation from the autofocus fiber is reflected back through the lens to a split detector focus sensing device. To produce an adequate detection window for focusing, the numerical aperture of the autofocus fiber is chosen to be substantially less than the numerical aperture of the writing fibers and of the lens.

Abstract: A development apparatus for applying toner of different colors to electrostatic images at a single development position, which moves translationally to align each of a series of development units with the development position. The development units are supported in a movable carriage which carriage includes a translation plate. The translation plate is supported on the floor or other similar surface by a set of wheels which wheels are secured to said translation plate by integrally molded mounts. The mount includes a surface for receiving an axle for the wheels, snaps for holding the axle against the surface and a retaining wall for preventing axial movement of the axle. The yoke also restricts movement of its wheel parallel to its axis of rotation.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive drum cartridge which has an opening through which toner is applied to an electrostatic image formed on the photoconductive drum. To provide more than one color, a development device includes four toning units which are indexible into alignment with the toning opening in the cartridge. Each toning unit includes an applicator assembly at the top of the unit which is movable with respect to the rest of the unit toward the toning opening. A resilient lift mechanism engages a pair of ledges at opposite ends of the applicator assembly and is actuatable to move the applicator assembly toward the toning opening. A sensor senses arrival of each toning unit in a position aligned with the toning opening. A logic and control in response to a signal from the sensor rotates a cam member which is resiliently coupled to the pins for moving the applicator assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an image on an imaging member. The apparatus includes a magnetic brush for depositing a substantially uniform layer of thermoplastic toner particles onto the imaging member. A laser scanner device is utilized to imagewise heat selected toner particles such that the selected toner particles are lightly tacked to the imaging member. The imaging member is contacted by a second magnetic brush, which includes a supply of magnetic carrier particles preferably having a coercivity of greater than about 100 oersteds, at least two times to remove nonselected toner particles from the imaging member. Alternatively, the imaging member may be contacted by two separate magnetic brushes at least one time to remove nonselected toner particles from the imaging member.

Abstract: A fuser includes a pressure roller and a fusing roller and a skive for the fusing roller. The fusing roller is replaceable in a cartridge which has a housing which protects the fusing roller. The housing defines an access opening to the fusing roller and includes a skive for assisting in the separation of a receiving sheet from the fusing roller. The skive defines at least a portion of one edge of the access opening and is preferably molded integrally with the housing. A heat shield is positioned between the fusing roller and the housing to prevent the housing from becoming too hot to handle.

Abstract: A toner image that combines pictorial information with text or graphic information is made glossy only in the pictorial portion. A clear gloss enhancing toner is selectively applied to the portion of the image that is pictorial as determined by a suitable manual input or electronic analysis of the image.

Abstract: A wicking device for applying toner release oil to the surface of a fuser roller of a reproduction apparatus. The wicking device includes a first rotatable roller that has a hollow interior and a porous capillary shell for pulling toner release oil from the hollow interior to the outside surface thereof. The wicking device also includes a second rotatable roller that is mounted within, and for rotation against, the surface of the hollow interior of the first rotatable roller for supplying and pushing toner release oil into the capillary shell of the first rotatable roller.

Abstract: In a sheet feeder device of the vacuum belt type, the vacuum belt moves in a pivotal manner between a generally horizontal sheet acquiring position, in which the lower face of the belt confronts the top surface of the top sheet, lying generally flat atop the underlying stack sheet; and a tilted position, in which the belt lifts the leading end of the acquired top sheet away from the underlying sheet, flexes it to insure its separation from the underlying sheet and delivers it endwise to a sheet receiving unit.

Abstract: In a single-component developer system, the charge of the developer is controlled despite changes in relative humidity by determining or predicting the relative humidity and adjusting the bias on a device for charging said toner, such as, a toner-adder roller or doctor blade.

Abstract: A weak electrostatic image on an imaging member is amplified by first toning it with a charge injection toner. The imaging member is recharged without fusing the toner image to a charge of the same polarity as the first charge but substantially higher potential. The excess charge over the first charge injects through the toner to create an amplified electrostatic image that can be toned.

Abstract: A series of electrostatic images carried by a drum or similar image member are toned with different colored toners by a movable developing device. The developing device moves a series of developing units to a position aligned with the drum. An applicator is an aligned unit is moved relative to the rest of the unit toward the drum to operatively position the unit for developing each electrostatic image.

Abstract: Receiving sheet jams in a toner image fuser are cleared by raising an upper frame of an image-forming apparatus. A pressure roller in the fuser is fixed to the upper frame and separates from a fusing roller when the upper frame is raised. Inner and outer guides providing a slot for the receiving sheet leading away from the fuser to an output hopper are mounted to separate when the upper frame is raised, permitting clearance of paper stuck between the guides. The outer guide is prevented from following the inner guide as the upper frame is raised, but instead stops at a position covering the fusing roller to prevent touching of a hot fusing roller by the operator while the operator is clearing a jam.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus particularly usable in making multicolor toner images includes toning stations in pairs. First and second toning stations each have a toner applicator. A spacing roller or disk is mounted at each end of each applicator. Because the toning unit includes two stations and two applicators, the four disks can be used to accurately position the applicators with respect to an image surface such as a photoconductive drum.

Abstract: A photoconductive drum has a flexible photoconductive loop and an expandable mount. The mount includes a shell with a slit allowing the shell to expand. A pair of wedges are moved toward each other on a shaft. Cam surfaces on the wedges push against chamfered corners on ribs extending inward from the shell to expand both ends of the shell. The shell assumes the shape of the loop even though loop is slightly conical.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus, for example, a color electrophotographic apparatus, includes two development stations. Each development station includes an applicator with a rotatable component which moves developer into toner-applying relation with an electostatic image carried on an image member. The two rotatable components are driven by a single motor selectively according to whether the motor is driven in a forward or reverse direction. A one-way clutch in the drive train of each rotary component prevents rotation of that component when the other station's rotary component is being driven.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes a primary image member upon which first and second toner images are formed and an intermediate image member to which the first toner image is transferred. Duplex imaging is accomplished by transferring the second toner image from the primary image member to one side of a receiving sheet and the first toner image from the intermediate image member to the other side of the sheet. The intermediate image member extends toward a fuser to transport the receiving sheet to the fuser while the first image is being transferred. Both images are transferred to the receiving sheet while not being backed by the other image member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image member supplied to the apparatus in an image member cartridge and a transfer member which engages the image member through an access opening in the cartridge. The axes of rotation of the image member and the transfer member are maintained parallel in order to avoid image degradation during transfer while the image member cartridge is urged toward the transfer member. A pair of plates which support the transfer member also include control surfaces for engaging opposite ends of a shaft on which the image member is rotatable for maintaining the image member axis parallel to the transfer member axis. A preferred urging means is disclosed which includes an over-center spring having a condition in which it urges the cartridge toward the transfer member and a condition in which the urging means is urged away from the cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer drum for superimposing different color toner images to create a multicolor iamge. The images are formed on an image member which is supplied to the apparatus in a cartridge. The cartridge is loaded in the apparatus by a first movement generally parallel to the axes of rotation of the transfer drum and the image member to a position in which the image member is spaced from and opposing the transfer drum. The cartridge is then rotated around one of its corners to move the image member into transfer engagement with the transfer drum.

Abstract: A multicolor image forming apparatus creates a series of different color toner images on a rotatable image member. The toner images are transferred in registration to a receiving sheet carried by a transfer drum. The transfer drum is driven by the image member during transfer but is driven by an independent overridable drive between images. The independent overridable drive includes a worm gear which engages a gear fixed to the transfer drum to rotate the transfer drum. The worm gear is mounted on a rotatable shaft which is driven by a stepper motor. The shaft rotates the worm gear but the worm gear can slide on the shaft or otherwise move axially. A shoulder limits axial movement providing positive drive for the transfer drum. When the image member contacts the receiving sheet and begins to drive the transfer drum it overrides the worm gear and the worm gear separates or floats away from the limiting shoulder.