Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is adapted to make duplex copies with a separate pass through the fuser for each side. To prevent fusing oil from contaminating an image member by passage from a first image side of a duplex copy to a transfer drum and, hence, to the image member, an oiling algorithm to prevent or lessen oiling during fusing of the first side of duplex copies is provided. Preferably, the apparatus has a finite duplex return path which can hold a limited number of receiving sheets, which number is small enough that offset does not occur while doing first side-duplex fusing.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes a primary image member upon which first and second toner images are formed and an intermediate image member to which one of said toner images is transferred. Duplex imaging is accomplished by transferring one image from the primary image member to one side of a receiving sheet and a second image from the intermediate image member to the other side. 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. In a full-color portion four different color toner images are formed and transferred in registration to form a multicolor image which is transferred to the intermediate image member permitting the apparatus to function in either a high-volume simplex or duplex imaging mode or in a low-volume, full-color imaging mode.

Abstract: A small particle toner image is carried on a heat-softenable outer layer of a receiving sheet. The toner is embedded in the layer by application of an electric field to the toner while the layer has been softened by heating. Preferably, the toner is charged prior to the field-applying step to make it responsive to the field. Pressure may be applied to assist in the embedding process.

Abstract: A toner image on a receiving sheet is laminated using a transparent laminating sheet fed from the normal copy sheet supply of a copier, printer or the like. The laminating sheet is fed into laminating contact with the toner image after the toner image has been formed on a receiving sheet. The resulting sandwich is fed through the fuser laminating the image between the sheets. The invention is particularly usable in forming color transparencies.

Abstract: A copier or printer uses the principle of single pass duplexing which produces simplex output at full machine speed and duplex output with a gap of at least one sheet between sheets. It has a duplex fuser that fuses both duplex images simultaneously. The duplex fuser has a first relatively hard roller which contacts the side of receiving sheets carrying simplex images and a soft heated roller which contacts the opposite sides of sheets. The soft roller is heated, in part, by a lamp in its center, and, in part, by heat from the first roller which is passed to the soft roller between duplex sheets. The soft roller therefore runs at a higher temperature for duplex than it does for simplex. The hard roller preferably has a thin elastomeric layer on a metal core and therefore transfers heat to its surface more efficiently and faster than the soft roller.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus includes a transfer member, for example, a transfer drum with a line of small closely spaced laser drilled vacuum holes to hold a receiving sheet to the drum surface. The transfer drum is formed by forming a layer of at least intermediate conductivity material on the surface of a core, forming at least one vacuum opening in the core and laser drilling in the layer a line of closely spaced small holes communicating with the opening. In one embodiment, a short focal length lens focuses a laser beam near the surface of the layer, which beam spreads below the surface to form a conical hole. The conical hole helps maintain the continuity of a transfer field while being free from clogging.

Abstract: A fixing device fixes a toner image to a receiving sheet, especially to a receiving sheet having a heat softenable thermoplastic layer. The device has an endless belt which moves from a pressure nip through a cooling path away from the nip and then returns to the pressure nip. A heat exchanging roller is positioned between the portions of the path of the belt to subtract heat from the belt as it moves away from the nip and return that heat to the belt as it again approaches the nip. The heat exchanging roller has a thin conductive layer on an insulating core which thermally matches with the belt to increase the thermal efficiency of the fixing device.

Abstract: A toner image carried on a receiving sheet which receiving sheet includes a heat softenable outer layer is fixed or finished by being fed into a nip between a pair of pressure members. The pressure members either embed the toner in the layer or apply a gloss or texture to the heat softenable layer. To eliminate an image defect at the leading edge of the sheet, the pressure between the pressure members is applied by a means having two conditions, one in which said pressure is applied and a second in which it is relaxed. The sheet is sensed as it approaches the nip and the pressure applied just as or after the nip is reached by the leading edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A toner bearing thermoplastic layer on a receiving sheet is textured or the gloss is improved by heating the thermoplastic layer from the rear to its glass transition temperature and contacting said sheet with a texturizing surface under sufficient pressure to texturize the layer. Offset of the thermoplastitc onto the pressure member contacting it is inhibited by not independently heating that member substantially above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic layer.

Abstract: Xeroprinting masters are formed by first forming a toner mask. The mask is used to expose a xeroprinting master material exhibiting persistent conductivity in response to a given wavelength and intensity of radiation. The toner mask can be formed and transferred to the xeroprinting material without fusing. After exposure the masking toner can be cleaned off providing a planographic master. Multicolor images are formed by forming two or more masking images, and transferring them to two or more master surfaces. After irradiation and cleaning each master surface is used as a xeroprinting master for a particular color in a multicolor duplicating system.

Abstract: An applicator for a development unit is precisely positioned with respect to an image member, such as a photoconductive drum. A pair of pins are fixed with respect to the image member and fit in a pair of holes that are fixed with respect to the applicator. A roller on each of opposite ends of the applicator engages a surface of the image member to properly space the applicator and image member, while the pins and holes control relative lateral and rotational movement.

Abstract: A xeroprinting master is formed by depositing a corona charge injection modifying material on a master substrate which includes a charge transport layer. The material can block the injection of charge that would otherwise inject into the charge transport layer or it can inject charge that would otherwise remain on the surface of the master. Preferably, the deposit is made by a conventional printer such as an ink jet, impact or thermal printer and the resulting deposit is not fused before use in xeroprinting.

Abstract: A toning station having an applicator with a rotatable component and a mixing device directly below it in a chamber are both rotated to tone an electrostatic image. To not tone an electrostatic image that is passing the applicator, the mixing device is not rotated while the rotatable component of the applicator is rotated for a short period of time to clear a developer position adjacent the electrostatic image of developer. A supply of developer in the chamber has a low enough level that when the mixing device is not rotating it does not come under the magnetic influence of the applicator but when the mixing device is rotating it is within such influence.

Abstract: A dry toner image is embedded in a thermoplastic layer on a receiving sheet by pressing a ferrotyping web against the image in the presence of sufficient heat to soften the layer. Preferably, the layer is preheated and the web and image are pressed together by a pair of hard rollers to a pressure in excess of 100 pounds per square inch.A curl preventing layer opposite thermoplastic layer does not offset on a backing roller because it has a melting point above the temperature of the process.

Abstract: A toner image carrying thermoplastic layer on a receiving sheet is texturized from the back side of the sheet by positioning the sheet between a smooth hard surface and a texturizing surface with the texturizing surface contacting the back side. The thermoplastic layer is softened by heat and becomes texturized without embossing the back side. A curl preventing layer on the back side is not embossed because it has a melting point above the temperature of the process. A glossy-textured print can be produced this way. The process is especially useful in making multicolor prints of photographic quality.

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 transfer member is driven by a motor in the image forming apparatus and in turn drives the image member in the cartridge, eliminating the need for a separate driving connection between the image forming apparatus and the image member.

Abstract: Multicolor toner images are formed by first forming separate color images by four separate image-forming devices. Two of those images are transferred in registration to a first intermediate drum to form a two-color image which two-color image is then transferred to a second intermediate drum. The third and fourth color toner images are transferred in registration to the second intermediate drum to form a four-color toner image. The transfer of the two-color image to the second intermediate drum can be accomplished before or after transfer of the third and fourth images. The four-color toner image can be transferred to a receiving sheet in one step.

Abstract: A toner image, for example, a multicolor toner image is formed on a thermoplastic layer on a receiving sheet. To fix the image without substantial visible objectionable relief, the toner image is first positioned between two members, one of which has a rough texture to it to apply a texture to the toner image and the thermoplastic layer carrying it. It is then positioned between a pair of smooth surfaced pressure members to reduce the texture and relief and to apply a gloss to the image.

Abstract: Toner images are transferred in registry to a receiving sheet held on a transfer drum which drum has one or more layers which varies in resistivity. To offset difficulties in initial securing of the sheet to the drum, a transfer field is not applied as the leading edge of the sheet attaches to the drum. The transfer field is applied after a predetermined delay, which delay is varied as a function of the resistance of the drum.

Abstract: A small particle toner image is formed on a primary image member, such as a photoconductor, and electrostatically transferred to an intermediate image member and then electrostatically transferred to a receiving sheet. The intermediate image member is chosen to have characteristics making the toner less attractive to the primary image member, but more attractive to the receiving sheet, than the intermediate.The intermediate transfer member can include a base of a relatively compliant material having a Young's modulus 10.sup.7 Newtons per square meter or less with a very thin outer skin of a harder material having a Young's modulus of 5.times.10.sup.7 Newtons per square meter or more.