Abstract: An apparatus in which contaminants transferred from a copy sheet to a photoconductive member are attracted back to the copy sheet. During the transfer of the toner powder image from the photoconductive member to the copy sheet, the copy sheet contaminants are attracted to the photoconductive member. Simultaneously with this transfer process, the copy sheet contaminants have their polarity charged to the same polarity as the polarity of the charge on the toner powder image. In this way, the contaminants are attracted back to the copy sheet from the photoconductive member preventing contamination thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus which controls the electrical charging of a photoconductive member used in an electrophotographic printing machine. The apparatus has a pair of corona generating devices. The second corona generating device detects the level of charge on the photoconductive surface after the charging thereof by the first corona generating device. In response to the detected charge level, the second corona generating device transmits a control signal to the first corona generating device so as to regulate the charge on the photoconductive member.

Abstract: A solenoid powered apparatus for clenching staples is disclosed. The known force-displacement output of the solenoid is converted to match the known force required to clench the staple legs.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine in which a light image exposing a non-uniform charge pattern formed on a photoconductive member is substantially attenuated to record a latent image thereon. Substantially unattenuated light rays discharge selected portions of the charge pattern. In this manner, fatigue of the photoconductive member is minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops a latent image with marking particles. The marking particles are transported through a path in which the marking particles rotate and translate in the portion of the path remote from the latent image and rotate in the portion of the path adjacent the latent image. In this way, the latent image attracts a portion of the marking particles to form a particle image and the marking particles translate from a receiving region to a discharge region.

Abstract: An apparatus in which particles are discharged into the chamber of a housing storing a supply of developer material therein. The apparatus includes an auger having a multiplicity of spirally wound flexible fibers. As the flexible fibers rotate, they move the particles from a supply thereof to at least one exit port for discharge therefrom into the developer material.

Abstract: An apparatus which includes a plurality of heating elements to fuse a powder image onto a copy sheet. Selected heating elements of the apparatus are energized in an ordered sequence corresponding to the surface area of the powder image being fused.

Abstract: An apparatus in which the developability of electrostatically charged particles in a mixture of particulate material is measured. The apparatus includes a transparent member positioned closely adjacent to a developer roller of an electrophotographic printing machine. Electrostatically charged particles are attracted from the particulate mixture being transported by the developer roller to the member. A beam of energy is transmitted through the member. The intensity of the internally reflected beam is detected and a signal generated indicative of the quantity of charged particles adhering to the member.

Abstract: An apparatus which dispenses toner particles into the chamber of a housing storing developer material. The toner particles are stored in the container and dispensed from the uppermost portion thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops a latent image recorded on a flexible member. Developer material is transported into contact with the flexible member in at least two development zones. The first development zone optimizes line development and the second development zone optimizes solid area development. At least in the second development zone, the flexible member is maintained at a preselected tension so that the developer material being transported into contact is compressed and deflects the flexible member thereabout.

Abstract: An apparatus which discharges particles into the chamber of a housing storing a supply of developer material therein. Particles are dispensed from a storage container substantially uniformly to a region located therebeneath in the chamber of the housing and to a region displaced therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus in which sheets are separated and fed, in seriatim, from a stack with a flow of pressurized fluid being directed between the stack and support thereof. The pressurized fluid produces a gap between the stack and support which is detected. The pressure of the fluid is controlled in response to the detected gap.

Abstract: An apparatus which controls air flowing into and out of a chamber in a housing to minimize the escape of particles therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a latent image recorded on an image bearing member is developed by transporting an electrically conductive developer material into contact therewith in a development zone. The pressure applied on the developer material in the development zone is controlled so as to maintain the conductivity thereof at a selected level.

Abstract: An apparatus which reduces the scattering of charged particles from a housing storing a supply thereof in a reproducing machine having photoconductive member with an image voltage level recorded on a portion thereof. A particle holder is electrically biased to a voltage level different than that of the image voltage recorded on the photoconductive member. In this way, an electrical field is formed between the photoconductive member and the particle holder which repels or attracts the charged particles therefrom. The particle holder is readily removable from the reproducing machine so as to facilitate the periodic cleaning of charged particles therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops image areas recorded on a surface by transporting a developer material into contact therewith. The apparatus includes a conductive member and an insulating member spaced therefrom. Developer material transported by the conductive member develops the solid regions of the image areas. The insulating member removes developer material from the non-image areas and develops the lines in the image areas with the developer material.

Abstract: An orifice plate for use in ink jet printing machines is produced by an electroplating technique. The plate is bilaminar with nickel being plated onto copper to form a substantially rigid structure.

Abstract: A multi-mode electrostatographic printing machine. A first latent image is recorded on a photoconductive member. The first latent image is transferred to a dielectric sheet. Subsequent to this transfer, the sheet is moved to a position where a second image is formed on the dielectric sheet by a stylus array having a plurality of individually actuatable stylii. Operator controls allow either of or both the latent images to be formed on the dielectric sheet. The multi-mode of operation can be extended to include a third image forming device for causing a third latent image to be recorded on the photoconductive member and subsequently transferred to the dielectric sheet. The operator controls are similarly extended to allow any combination of the three images to be formed on the dielectric sheet.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine in which an original document is reproduced on a copy sheet. The printing machine includes a photoconductive belt arranged to move in a recirculating path. As the photoconductive belt moves through a first cycle, a combined charging-transferring unit charges at least a portion of the photoconductive belt, and a combined exposing-discharging unit focuses a light image of the original document thereon. This records an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive belt which is developed by a combined developing-cleaning unit. During the second cycle, the charging-transferring unit transfers the toner powder image to the copy sheet, and the combined developing-cleaning unit removes residual particles from the photoconductive belt. After cleaning, the combined exposing-discharging unit illuminates the photoconductive belt to eliminate any charge remaining thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus which moves documents in a recirculating path from a stack to an imaging station. Successive uppermost document are fed from the stack to the imaging station. After imaging, the documents are returned to the bottom of the stack.