Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Lloyd F. Bean, II
  • Patent number: 7257362
    Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning an imaging surface moving in a process direction, including: an abrading brush for uniformly abrading the imaging surface to remove laterally conductive deposits that lead to lateral charge migration therefrom, the abrading brush includes a core defining a core length and having fibers extending outwardly therefrom, the fibers include abrasive particles attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Facci, William H. Wayman, Moritz P. Wagner, Paul J. McConville, Michael J. Turan, Douglas A. Lundy
  • Patent number: 7228082
    Abstract: A printing machine adapted to print an image on a plurality of different predefined sized sheets, including: means for selecting a sheet of a predefined size to be imaged; means for recording image; means for developing the image; means for transferring the image on the sheet; and a fuser for fusing the image onto the sheet, the fuser includes an endless belt having a plurality of predefined sized fusing areas being selectively activatable, and wherein the plurality of predefined sized fusing areas are arranged in a substantially parallel manner along a process direction of the belt; and means for activating one or more of the plurality of predefined sized fusing areas to correspond to one of the selected predefined sized sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm G. Davidson, Robert R. Tuchrelo, Nathan E. Smith
  • Patent number: 7224929
    Abstract: A cleaning system including: a cleaning device for cleaning laterally conductive deposits from the imaging surface; an AC bias member, adjacent to the imaging surface and positioned downstream from the cleaning device; and a power supply for biasing the AC bias member to generate corona that contacts the imaging surface to degrade laterally conductive deposits that lead to lateral charge migration on the imaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Facci, Michael J. Turan, Moritz P. Wagner, William H. Wayman, Douglas A. Lundy, Paul J. McConville
  • Patent number: 7113717
    Abstract: A fuser system of a xerographic device, including a fuser member and a pressure member in which the pressure member is made to exert pressure upon the fuser member so as to form a nip having a nip width between the fuser member and the pressure member, wherein the nip width is set to within a specification nip width range, a drive system for driving said fuser member relative to said pressure roll; a sensor for monitoring the torque of said drive system; a processor in communication with the sensor that receives torque data from the sensor, wherein the processor determines a current nip pressure uniformity from the torque data and compares the current nip pressure uniformity to the specification nip pressure uniformity range, and a nip pressure adjustment device in communication with the processor, which adjusts the current nip pressure uniformity to be within the specification nip pressure uniformity range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Donald M. Bott, Joseph M. Antonio, Aaron M. Burry, Osman Todd Polatkan
  • Patent number: 7076193
    Abstract: An apparatus for developing in a development zone a latent image recorded on a surface, including a housing defining a chamber storing at least a supply of toner therein; a donor member disposed of at least partially in the chamber of the housing and spaced from the surface, the donor member being adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis to transport toner to the development zone in a region opposed from the surface; and a wire assembly module mounted the development zone and extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the wire assembly module including a wire and a drive system for translating portions of the wire in the development zone, and power supply for electrically biasing the wire to detach toner from the donor member so as to form a toner powder cloud in the development zone with detached toner from the toner cloud developing the latent image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Wing, Scott Douglas Berner, legal representative, Ron E. Dufort, Robert E. Hildebrand, Michael J. Martin, Barbara J. Schaeffer, James J. Spence, Douglas G. Berner, deceased
  • Patent number: 7065308
    Abstract: A method of maintaining a rotational velocity of an imaging drum during engagement with a transfer roll in an image producing device including: forming a nip to transfer an image from the imaging drum to media when the imaging drum is in engagement with the transfer roll; maintaining a substantially constant imaging drum rotational velocity mode during engagement with the transfer roll; sensing a lead edge of portion of the media prior to entering the nip; augmenting torque assist to increase the torque of the transfer roll when the media is in the nip for a defined period; and resuming the substantially constant imaging drum rotational velocity mode while a second portion of the media is in the nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Calamita, Daniel W. Costanza
  • Patent number: 7054574
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrostatographic printing apparatus, the apparatus including a charge-retentive member defining an imaging surface and a charging device for placing a charge on the imaging surface, including the steps of: providing a power supply to apply a bias to the bias charging roll; and applying a bias to the bias charging roll, the applying includes applying a burst modulated waveform to the bias charging roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Facci, Rachael L. McGrath
  • Patent number: 7038816
    Abstract: A method for rendering a raster output level determines an image position of a pixel of interest (POI) within an image. An intended raster output level, which corresponds to the POI, is received into a processing device. A final raster input level is determined as a function of the image position and the intended raster output level. The final input level and the image position are transmitted to an output device. An actual raster output level is rendered, via the output device, at a position on an output medium corresponding to the image position. The actual raster output level substantially matches the intended raster output level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: R. Victor Klassen, Stephen C. Morgana, Robert P. Loce, Michael Branciforte, Daniel R. Maurer, Michael J. Martin, Robert M. Lofthus
  • Patent number: 7031645
    Abstract: In a development system including a developer transport adapted for depositing developer material on an imaging surface having an electrostatic latent image thereon, comprising: a housing defining a chamber storing a supply of developer material comprising carrier and toner; a donor member, mounted partially in the chamber and spaced from the imaging surface, for transporting developer on an outer surface thereof to a region opposed from the imaging surface, the donor member having a magnetic assembly having a plurality of poles, a sleeve, enclosing the magnetic assembly, rotating about the magnetic assembly; a developer bed height of the developer material produce by the rotation of the magnetic assembly on the donor member to a predefined developer bed height within a development nip; and a grid, spaced and interposed between the donor member and the charge retentive surface, the grid having being dispose longitudinal with respect to the charge retentive surface and the donor member, the grid being spaced s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Dale R. Mashtare, Christopher Snelling
  • Patent number: 7010239
    Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a movable imaging surface, including: a reservoir for storing a supply of developer material including toner particles, said reservoir including a transport member; a donor member being arranged to receive toner particles from said transport member and to deliver toner particles to the image surface at locations spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the imaging surface thereby to develop the latent image thereon; a power supply, connected to said donor member, for biasing said donor member to deliver toner to the image surface during a printing mode of operation; a second power supply, connected to the transport member, for maintaining a predefined voltage difference between the transport member and the donor member such that toner particles are attracted to the donor member from the transport member during a printing mode of operation; a controller for generating a donor member purge signal trigger based on sensed or calculated dev
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Eric M. Gross, Paul J. McConville, Gerald S. Leclerc, Joseph A. Mastrandrea, Mark J. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 6999703
    Abstract: A device for ion charging airborne toner particles for the development of electrophotographic images is proposed. The ion toner-charging device subjects an airborne stream of toner particles to unipolar gas ions in the presence of an applied alternating electric field. The alternating electric field prevents the charged particles from depositing on the electrodes in the charging zone. The device uniformly charges irregular or spherical shaped toner particles to the Pauthenier charging limit. The device is an interface between various methods for supplying toner to the unit and developing an electrostatic image with ion charged toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Dan A Hays
  • Patent number: 6994340
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a stack of sheets in a direction of movement to a process station, including: a sheet tray for holding the stack of sheets; an air plenum, positioned above the stack of sheets, for picking up a sheet from the stack of sheets when a vacuum force in the air plenum; a paper fluffer for blowing air between individual sheets in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Clark, Robert A. Austin, Timothy G. Shelhart, Ernest L. DiNatale
  • Patent number: 6993272
    Abstract: A method for producing a toner of a custom color in a developer unit including a housing defining a reservoir for storing a supply of toner, a donor member for transporting toner to an imaging surface; including: identifying custom color requested; determining color of toner in the reservoir; detoning toner on the donor member if the color of toner in the reservoir is beyond a predefined value in color space from the custom color requested; calculating and dispensing primaries toner colors to be added to the reservoir to obtained the custom color requested; mixing the primary toner colors dispensed in the reservoir; and evaluating and comparing the color components of the toner being mixed to the custom color requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Clark V. Lange, Daniel M. Bray
  • Patent number: 6980765
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing charged particles from a surface, the surface being capable of movement, including: a conductive brush in contact with the surface, the conductive brush having a first region thereof having a first polarity and a second region having a second polarity; the conductive brush includes a core and conductive fibers attached thereto, the core being electrically segmented into the first region and the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mary L. McStravick, Paul W. Morehouse, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6980751
    Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a movable imaging surface, including: a reservoir for storing a supply of developer material including toner particles; a donor member being arranged to receive toner particles from the reservoir and to deliver toner particles to the image surface at locations spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the imaging surface thereby to develop the latent image thereon; and a humidification system, associated with the reservoir, for maintaining the supply of developer material at a predefined humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Wayman, Barrett L. Gady, Jean A. Maksymiak
  • Patent number: 6970673
    Abstract: An electrographic printing machine including: a first photoconductive member; an imaging device for recording a first latent image on the first photoconductive member to form a first developed image; a first developer unit for developing the first latent image; a second photoconductive member, closely adjacent to the first photoconductive member in a transfer region; a second imaging device for recording a second latent image on the second photoconductive member; a second developer unit for developing the second latent image to form a second developed image; a first transfer station for transferring the second developed image on the second photoconductive member to the first photoconductive member; and a second transfer station for transferring developed images on the first photoconductive member to a recording substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Kiri B. Amarakoon
  • Patent number: 6969066
    Abstract: An apparatus for improving sheet feeding in a direction of movement to a process station, including: a contact surface having ribs spaced along contact surface in the direction of movement, apertures being defined in the space between each rib; a blower; and an air plenum for supplying a vacuum generated by the blower to the contact surface so that when an leading edge of the sheet passes by the contact surface the vacuum pulls the leading edge of the sheet towards contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Ferrarese, John Meyers, Mark F. Scholand, Scott J. Phillips, Jacob Eyngorn, David G. Savini
  • Patent number: 6965746
    Abstract: A method is provided for developing a latent electrostatic image with marking particles through the process steps of: moving the surface of an image receiving member at a predetermined process speed; storing a supply of developer material comprising toner and carrier beads in a reservoirs said toner comprising electrically conductive core particles with an electrically insulating coating thereover; transporting marking particles onto an outer surface of a donor member to be delivered to a development zone adjacent the image receiving member; and inductive charging electrically conductive core particles of said toner onto said outer surface of said donor member prior to the development zone to a predefined charge level. Other features of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and upon reference to the drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Dan A. Hays, Jack T. LeStrange
  • Patent number: 6963704
    Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a movable imaging surface, including: a reservoir for storing a supply of developer material including toner particles, the reservoir including a developer material mixing and transport area; a donor member being arranged to receive toner particles from the reservoir and to deliver toner particles to the image surface at locations spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the imaging surface thereby to develop the latent image thereon; and a climate system, associated with the reservoir, for maintaining the supply of developer material at a predefined temperature, the climate system includes a cooling element for supplying cool air to the developer material mixing and transport area, and a heating element positioned within air path for heating air to predefined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Hunter, Andrew C. LaRocca, John H. Steele, Mark A. Adiletta, Armando J. Rivera, Ali R. Dergham
  • Patent number: 6959161
    Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine comprising: a photoconductive member having a path a movement through the plurality of xerographic stations, the photoconductive member including a segmented ground plane, the segmented ground plane being define into individual portions by insulating separation lines in the ground plane; and a grounding strip electrical connected each individual portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Kiri B. Amarakoon