Abstract: The sheet diverting mechanism of a roller conveyor and belt combination sheet distributor operates in a sequential belt depressing mode by a three-roller deflector in a triangular configuration. The diverting mechanism can move in the direction of paper flow or counter thereto. The mechanism revolves about the roller centers, rather than to rotate about the center of the configuration. It follows a cyclic curved series of paths, producing a deflection of a subsequent belt area at a rate equal to a withdrawl of a prior belt area. The structure holding the roller deflector has great angular tolerance once the roller is in deflecting position. The two rollers, not in operation, can stop within several angular degrees.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting a continuous remixing of magnetic toner material for development of an electrostatic latent image wherein a plurality of magnetic developing rollers are positioned with intersecting magnetic force fields for effecting a blanket of development material extending about and between the developing rollers adjacent an electrostatic latent image bearing surface. The apparatus differs from prior practice in that two mixer rollers are positioned on obtuse angular relationship with respect to the bottom one of the development rollers, with magnetic orientation and hand of rotation such that an orbital magnetic field is created above the mixer rollers in space, lifting all magnetic toner material out of the normal sump area and causing a mixing action and metering action of the development material.

Abstract: Carrier particles for use in an electrophotographic process are prepared by applying a mixture of a perfluoro acid and polyvinylidene fluoride to the surface of the carrier particle. The resulting carriers are long lived, abrasion resistant and capable of imparting a high triboelectric charge to electroscopic powders mixed therewith.

Abstract: A copying machine which includes a thin flexible sheet with a layer of chromium dioxide, a lamp for shining light at the sheet and a document to be copied to form a magnetic image on the chromium dioxide layer, a drum having a layer of nickel cobalt, a transfer head for pressing the sheet against the drum while applying an anhysteretic magnetic field to them to transfer the magnetic image to the nickel cobalt, an applicator for applying toner to the drum, and a mechanism for pressing sheets of paper against the drum to transfer the toner to the paper. The nickel cobalt layer has a lower coercivity but higher remanence than the chromium dioxide, so that the magnetic field on the drum can be of greater strength than the original magnetic field on the chromium dioxide layer. Also, the nickel cobalt layer on the drum is a smooth continuous metallic layer which can perform better printing than the nonmetallic chromium dioxide particles which are held in a resinous binder on the flexible sheet.

Abstract: A blanket cleaning apparatus is provided for cleaning ink from a blanket cylinder of a rotary offset duplicating machine. The apparatus comprises a cleaning roller for contact with the blanket cylinder, a wiper roller and a metering roller in contact with each other and with the cleaning roller, and a wringer roller in interfering relation with the wiper roller at the zone of contact to effect deformation of the peripheral surface of the wiper roller. A cleaning fluid is supplied to the wringer roller which transfers the fluid to the wiper roller and meters the amount of fluid carried by the wiper roller to the cleaning roller for cleaning the blanket cylinder.

Abstract: The drawings and specification set forth a structure in which one sheet at a time is dispensed to a utilization device, which is a table top and a belt drag conveyor. As the sheet is dispensed from the feeder, it trips a switch which starts the utilization device and turns off the feeder. The utilization device may be a photocopier table, for example, and the drag conveyor brings the document to be copied to a specific register line without the use of stops which might damage the forward edge of a document. The system is coordinated by a controller which will supply the documents to be copied at a maximum rate one after the other for collating, or on command, according to operator preference.

Abstract: A duplicator system and method are provided for preparing a lithographic master and for producing duplicated copies from the master in a fully automated system. An ink and moisture system is provided for supplying ink and moisture to a master on a master cylinder. During a pre-inking phase, an ink ductor roller is operative for a predetermined duration within variable ranges, as determined by the number of duplicated copies to be reproduced, and a moisture roller is operative to transmit moisture to the inking system. An early moisture circuit is also provided for conditioning the system by supplying moisture prior to a pre-inking phase in those instances wherein there has been a significant delay between the processing of two consecutive masters. Control means including a sensing device is provided for sensing the ambient temperature at an ink fountain and providing an indication thereof at predetermined temperature values.

Abstract: A turret mounted series of photocomposing disc fonts wherein the turret has a series of disc hubs all having a different elevation in order that the disc members may be bunched together in overlapped relationship and hence occupy a minimum area within the photocomposing machine. The advance in the art is primarily in the placement of the discs in overlap relationship and then advancing or retracting the turret in order to accomplish proper positioning of the disc as opposed to the concept of the prior art in keeping all discs on one plane and then rotating the turret to bring each disc in turn into the optical system.

Abstract: A data recorder is provided including a removable cartridge which carries both a sales form and an underlying log sheet. The fixed and variable data are imprinted by reciprocation of a platen carriage, with return of the carriage to the home position causing ejection of the credit card and loading of a stored energy mechanism. When the sales form is removed, the stored energy mechanism is released, whereby the log sheet is incrementally advanced to the next position.

Abstract: A moisture system control apparatus is provided for metering the rate of feed of dampening fluid from a fountain apparatus including a fountain roller to a master on a master cylinder of a lithographic duplicating machine. The control apparatus comprises a linkage for converting continuous rotary input motion to incremental rotation of the fountain roller, and infinitely variable selector apparatus for adjusting the magnitude of the rotation increments employed during a first mode of operation which obtains while printing is in progress.

Abstract: A wear compensating transducer is provided for reading optical and magnetic data from documents comprising a magnetic read head with a group of optical fibers passing through the reluctance gap and with the fiber ends disposed for wiping engagement with documents as they are read. The fiber ends define an optical reading aperture which remains substantially constant as the fiber ends wear with the contact surface of the magnetic head.

Abstract: Carrier particles for use in an electrophotographic process are prepared by coating a particulate matrix with an ion exchange resin dispersed in a polymeric binder. The resulting coated carrier particles are long lived and depending upon the choice of ion exchange resin can be used to impart a positive or negative triboelectric charge of the magnitude desired to electroscopic powders mixed therewith.

Abstract: Compositions useful for eradicating images which have been produced upon paper by electrophotographic or similar means are provided. Suitable formulations include an alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a nitrile having 2 to 3 carbon atoms and are derived from a solvent formulating map prepared from a plot of hydrogen bonding indices against solubility parameters. In general such formulations include a mixture of solvents and may include a ketone or ester in addition to such alcohol or nitrile.

Abstract: A moisture system control apparatus is provided for metering the rate of feed of dampening fluid from a fountain apparatus including a fountain roller to a master on a master cylinder of a lithographic duplicating machine. The control apparatus comprises a linkage for converting continuous rotary input motion to incremental rotation of the fountain roller, and infinitely variable selector apparatus for adjusting the magnitude of the rotation increments employed during a first mode of operation which obtains while printing is in progress.

Abstract: A belt of flexible metal with a dielectric of good electrostatic charge retention properties bonded to it is guided over grounded metal rollers with the metallicized side in contact with the rollers. At an imaging station an electrostatic image is placed directly on the dielectric.As the belt moves past a toning station it is sprayed with an insulating fluid containing small particles of high dielectric constant, which thereby obtain an induced dipole moment, or particles with a permanent dipole moment may be used. These particles are suspended in an organic carrier which is chosen so as not to discharge the dielectric belt and to impart a negligible electrostatic charge to the particles.Then the developed image is moved past a station wherein a dielectric roller is used as a backup, and a sheet of plain paper is pressed between the belt and the roller to transfer the wet particles from the belt to the paper.

Abstract: Some photocomposition machines use optics with a variable magnification lens, usually referred to as a variator lens. Because larger size print requires more lumens of power for proper exposure of the photosensitive sheets used in photocomposition machines, the common practice is to employ an iris diaphragm which is coordinated with the size of the projected image. The ratio of the diaphragm opening to the focal length is referred to as the f-number.The invention shows an improved cam operated iris control wherein the cam-to-follower pressure angle is maintained at a minimum and provides a means for enabling the cam follower to traverse the entire cam without binding as the cam follower carriage is moved relative to the driving cam.

Abstract: An ion modulator such as a three-layered structure, formed by sandwiching a photoconductor between a metal screen and an insulating layer, which is used as an image source. The apparatus includes an optical system for projecting an image of a graphic original onto the modulator and creating a charge distribution system thereon that can be retained for long periods of time. As part of the apparatus there is included a special drum formed by adhering a resilient-rubber like layer having a compliance that produces a displacement from the normal surface in the range of 1/16 to 3/32 inch when placed under 25 - 75 pounds of force per lineal inch, and a thickness of about 0.60 inches. Over the compliant layer is next applied an insulating or dielectric layer having a resistivity of at least 10.sup.14 ohm-centimeters and a thickness of about 0.5 mils. The special drum, which is the image generating medium, receives the charge pattern resulting from collecting the ion particles on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: An edge guide for the rotating disc of a photocomposition machine wherein the guide is made up of a plurality of guide surfaces, offset with respect to one another on opposite sides of a plane, and staggered along a guide path so that preferably no guide surface is opposite another guide surface. The radial clearance between any two guide edges is sufficient to allow the discharge of foreign matter.

Abstract: In photocomposition, when change in point size is made, rather than change iris opening, a programmable flash intensity provides the required irradiance. Iris setting is made only to compensate for film or paper sensitivity, flash lamp efficiency, and energy storage capacitor variations.

Abstract: A photoconductive coating having an improved charge acceptance is produced by vacuum evaporation of amorphous selenium in the presence of an inert gas.