Abstract: An improved sloped stack detection system for a multi-function finisher includes a reflective sensor which suspends the conveying of stapled sets to an output tray when staple build-up in small stapled sets causes the stacked output to become sloped.

Abstract: An improved booklet maker incorporates a movable backstop for compiling incoming sheets and a stapler and creasing module, which is moved to various positions during the booklet making sequence. The moving stapler and creasing function enables the compiling function to occur simultaneously with the stapling and creasing functions. This results in a productivity gain without a footprint increase.

Abstract: A free sheet, high speed, color tandem printing system that controls registration of images from one imager to another while mechanically decoupling individual imagers and all the while maintaining relative registration of each of the color separations by the use of spherical transport servo devices or spherical nips (SNIPS). SNIPS correct skew, lateral, and process positions and ensure proper registration of a sheet with a station.

Abstract: An improvement in a skew adjustment system used in correcting skew between a document handler and a scan tub includes curved slots in a base portion of the document handler that are positioned for rotation over protruding members projecting from the surface of a movable portion of a hinge connecting the document handler to the scan tub. Rotation of the document handler generates a virtual pivot point what will increase the angular adjustment between the scan tub and the document handler while minimizing the misalignments.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the denseness of powder conveyed from a hopper through a funnel and into a container includes an auger that is positioned within the funnel that is rotatable and vertically movable. The rotation and vertical movement of the auger serves to continuously vary the length of the auger and as a result maximizes the mass of powder that can fill the container. Alternatively, the auger can include an articulatable section that splays when it is extended beyond a terminal portion of the funnel. Still yet, the device could include a hollow auger shaft with an internal rod that has the ability to extend and retract. The rod includes a strip portion and with the strip portion retracted, the powder discharged is in its densest state. As the strip portion is extended the powder density is reduced.

Abstract: A line producing system includes an input beam of radiant energy that enters a side of a low cost, radiant energy altering device. The radiant energy emerges from the light altering device radiating in a nearly 360 degree disc pattern forming a ring of ever expanding light.

Abstract: A line producing system includes an input beam of radiant energy that enters a side of a low cost, radiant energy altering device. The radiant energy emerges from the light altering device radiating in a nearly 360 degree disc pattern forming a ring of ever expanding light.

Abstract: A line producing system includes an input beam of radiant energy that enters a side of a low cost, radiant energy altering device. The radiant energy emerges from the light altering device radiating in a nearly 360 degree disc pattern forming a ring of ever expanding light.

Abstract: A line producing system includes an input beam of radiant energy that enters a side of a low cost, radiant energy altering device. The radiant energy emerges from the light altering device radiating in a nearly 360 degree disc pattern forming a ring of ever expanding light.

Abstract: A sheet to sheet electronic skew correction system measures the input skew of each incoming sheet “on-the-fly” with sensors and then adjusts the image electronically to match the skew of the particular sheet. Thus, the image placed on the sheet from a photoreceptor is square with the dimensions of the sheet since the image is an exact match with the skew orientation of the sheet.

Abstract: A line producing system includes an input beam of radiant energy that enters a side of a low cost, radiant energy altering device. The radiant energy emerges from the light altering device radiating in a nearly 360 degree disc pattern forming a ring of ever expanding light.

Abstract: A stalled roll registration system and method includes a mechanism that allows for pivoting deskew action in a pre-registration nip. A ball-on-roll pre-registration transport is used in combination with a stalled roll registration nip. Any initial buckle is depleted rapidly as the body of a sheet straightens out at the registration nip under the influence of the ball-on-belt transport. The method includes the steps of providing a registration nip in a sheet path; providing a ball-on-belt sheet transport for directing a sheet towards the registration nip; feeding the sheet into the registration nip with the ball-on-belt transport; and then pivoting the sheet within the ball-on-belt transport in order to register the sheet against the registration nip.

Abstract: A portable, post slit decurler and high capacity stacker module for use with a machine, such as, a desktop page printer, includes a decurler that decurls prints after they have been slit into thirds, halves, or whole prints. The post slit decurler and high capacity stacker module sits in a receiving tray of a copier/printer and is separately powered or “hard wired” into the copier/printer.

Abstract: A pre-registration system increases the latitude of present active registration systems by decreasing the lateral offset of sheets before they reach the active registration system. This is accomplished by pivoting a long transport with a stepper motor in conjunction with sensing a lateral edge of the sheets in order to direct the sheets to the proper lateral position to be fed into the active registration system with a minimum of lateral offset.

Abstract: A pre-registration system increases the latitude of present active registration systems by decreasing the lateral offset of sheets before they reach the active registration system. This is accomplished by pivoting and translating a sheet supply elevator with stepper motors in conjunction with sensing a lateral edge of sheets in order to direct the sheets to the proper lateral position to be fed into the active registration system with a minimum of lateral offset.

Abstract: A low cost inverter apparatus of includes a dual positionable, multi-function gate and a stationary baffle that guides sheets toward catch or output trays or work in conjunction with reversible rolls to direct the sheets into a duplex path. The dual positionable gate and stationary baffle have points thereon that are positioned to use the beam strength of the sheets to align the sheets with a duplex nip that feeds the sheet into the duplex path.

Abstract: A tensioning system that precisely sets and monitors tension in a photoreceptor belt and includes a stepper motor that is actuated by a controller to apply pressure to the photoreceptor belt through a roll over which the belt is mounted. A load cell is positioned with respect to a piston actuator to sense the pressure applied by the piston actuator against the photoreceptor belt and signals the controller which in turn actuates the stepper motor to bring the tension on the belt to a predetermined set amount.

Abstract: A method that enhances safety while producing toners that are .ltoreq.5.mu. to be used in developing an electrostatic image includes providing selectable color toner liquids on demand to a mixing station; mixing the provided color toner liquids at the mixing station; producing a mist from the mixed toner liquid; collecting color toner particles resulting from the mist cooling; depositing the color toner particles in a development sump that includes carrier beads; and mixing the color toner particles with the carrier beads to produce two-component developer.

Abstract: A system for increasing the life of flexible photoreceptor belt in a copier/printer includes tensioning and de-tensioning the photoreceptor belt. The photoreceptor belt is de-tensioned at the end of daily use, on weekends, and on non working days in order to reduce belt dimensional elongation due to creep which thereby suppresses the development of charge transport layer cracking in the photoreceptor belt and increases belt service life of the photoreceptor by a factor of about 2.times..

Abstract: An improved transparency sensor (10) uses Brewster's Law to detect the presence of sheets of transparency material (20). The sensor (10) includes a light emitting diode (LED) (12) and two photodiodes (14, 16) arranged to receive light reflected from the material (20). The LED (12) supplies incident light at an angle (.theta.) which is related to the refractive index of the transparency material (20) to be detected. A polarizing filter (18) is associated with one of the photodetectors (16) and is oriented to cut out substantially reflected polarized light entering that photodiode (16). Output signals from the photodetectors (14, 16) are processed in a comparator (40) which provides an output signal (42) indicating the presence or not of a transparency material (20).