Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing toner in an electrostatographic printer includes apparatus for agitating toner contained by a relatively large toner container (e.g., 10-25 liters in volume). The apparatus includes a substantially vertically-oriented shaft supporting a blade that operates, as the blade rotates, to drive the contained toner mass upwardly, thereby aerating the mass and preventing compaction during toner dispensing.

Abstract: A conformable roller for use in a fusing station of an electrostatographic machine, the fusing station being provided with a pressure roller and a fuser roller for fusing a toner image on a receiver, the fuser roller made from a plurality of layers surrounding an axis of rotation, the conformable roller comprising a rigid cylindrically symmetric core member; a flexible replaceable removable compliant sleeve member in the form of a tubular belt surrounding and nonadhesively intimately contacting the core member; and the fusing station including an external heat source for the fuser roller, at least one of the plurality of layers being thermally resistive.

Abstract: An air quality management apparatus for use in a modular electrostatographic color printer. For air quality management a non-air-conditioned open-loop portion is provided for managing quality of air in a first interior volume, and an air-conditioned recirculation portion is provided for managing quality of air in a second interior volume. The first interior volume includes a fusing station for fusing color images on receiver members. The second interior volume includes a number of tandemly arranged image-forming modules, as well as an auxiliary chamber associated with, yet isolated from, each module, such that air-conditioned air flowing through each module does not mix with air-conditioned air supplied to the modules and to devices within the modules. The second interior volume is differentiated from the first interior volume by at least one separating member. The air-conditioning device is for controlling temperature and relative humidity of air included in the second interior volume.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the shortcomings in the prior art by providing a method, apparatus, and computer program for determining the operational life of Operator Replaceable Component (ORC) devices within a printer. The invention involves using a replacement history of the ORC device to predict the future life of a newly installed ORC device. The system of the invention provides tracking of the remaining lifetime of the ORC devices. As the system keeps track of the remaining life of the ORC devices, the system will prompt the operator when the ORC devices need to be replaced. Once replaced, the ORC device database is updated with the life span data of the ORC device that was replaced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing toner in an electrostatographic printer includes apparatus for drawing ambient air in a vertical direction, preferably upwards, through a relatively large toner container. The air-flow is sufficient to fluidize the toner in the toner container and thereby prevent compaction. Such fluidization is optionally supplemented by the action of an auger or propeller mechanism mounted within the toner container. During rotation of the auger/propeller, the toner is lifted and thereby further prevents toner compaction.

Abstract: A fuser member comprising a core and a layer overlying the core, the layer including a fluorocarbon random copolymer, a curing agent which cures the fluorocarbon random copolymer, the cured fluorocarbon random copolymer having subunits of: —(CH2CF2)x—, —(CF2CF(CF3))y—, or —(CF2CF2)z—, wherein x is from 30 to 90 mole percent, y is from 10 to 70 mole percent, z is from 0 to 34 mole percent; x+y+z equals 100 mole percent. The layer further including particulate filler having zinc oxide and yellow iron oxide and siloxane polymer comprising one or more curable, silanol-terminated, polyfunctional poly(C1-6 alkyl)siloxane polymers.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for facilitating the loading of a hollow cylindrical drum, for example, an image-recording drum in an electrostatographic printer or the like, onto a rotatably driven drum axle having a free end extending outwardly in a cantilever manner from a support frame and having a longitudinally-extending axis of rotation. According to a preferred embodiment, such apparatus generally comprises a plurality of slide mechanisms disposed at equal distances from each other and from the intended axis of drum rotation. Each of the slide mechanisms comprises a pair of elongated slide members extending parallel to said axis of rotation, one of the slide members of each of each pair being rigidly supported by said drum axle, and the other slide members of each pair being slidably mounted on the rigidly supported slide members for movement parallel to the drum axis.

Abstract: A method for sensing a register discrepancy (r) in a multi-color printed item, the position of at least one register mark (1, 1′) that is associated with one color being sensed with respect to the position of at least one register mark (2, 2′) that is associated with at least one further color, and any density register discrepancy (r) using a measurement window being ascertained from discrepancies in the actual relative position (3) with respect to the reference relative position (4). The invention, furthermore, concerns an apparatus, a register control system, and register marks (1, 1′, 2, 2′).

Abstract: Disclosed is a release agent donor roller, and methods and fusing systems which incorporate the donor roller, for applying a polymeric release agent to a fuser roller in an electrophotographic apparatus. The donor roller comprises a base member with a polymeric outer layer thereover comprising a silicone material with a controlled, relatively high swelling characteristic in the release agent, i.e., the layer has a swell in 300 cts poly(dimethylsiloxane) oil maintained at a temperature of 175° C. after 24 hours exposure of greater than 15% by weight. When operated in a fusing system, the donor roller exhibits relatively low toner contamination levels, even for relatively low melting polymer binder resins used in producing toners, such as polyester resins. The swell characteristic is still at an acceptable level such that the donor roller has adequate mechanical stability.

Abstract: A single piece control grid electrode for a corona charging device for charging a curvilinear shaped dielectric support member with improved charging uniformity and consistency and with lower assembly and service cost. The single piece control grid is formed by a plurality of integral planar segments angularly oriented with respect to each other so that each segment may be equally spaced from the curvilinear shaped dielectric support member.

Abstract: An interface member providing flow communication of particulate material between a particulate material receptacle and a housing of a mechanism for replenishing particulate material from a receptacle to a remote reservoir. The interface member includes a casting defining a flow communication passage. A plate is attached to the casting at an angle to the horizontal to define an angled entrance to the casting. A member, associated with said angled entrance plate, is provided for guiding and holding the marking particle receptacle at a corresponding angle to the horizontal when the receptacle is installed on the angled entrance plate, whereby the angled orientation of the receptacle lets air percolate into the receptacle while the receptacle is emptying, allowing the particulate material to flow freely out of the receptacle.

Abstract: A container having opposing ends joined by a closing member, which closing member carries (a) a plurality of spread-apart ribs that radially encompass the periphery of the closing member, and (2) a plurality of radial sub-portions between adjacent ribs which sub-portions encompass the periphery of the closing member and a plurality of facets carried by the sub-portions.

Abstract: A method and structure for a conductive fur brush cleaner assembly for an image processing apparatus is disclosed. The cleaner assembly includes a plurality of rotating components, an insulated outer cover surrounding the rotating components and a conductive inner cover surrounding the rotating components. The insulated outer cover prevents a charge from being bled from the conductive inner cover. The conductive inner cover accumulates a charge from the waste particles within the cleaner assembly such that the inner cover becomes biased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for manual replacement of a roller (1) of a copying machine, the roller being equipped with carrying means, in which it can turn freely around its center axis (X1), and the machine (F) on the one hand having rollers (1; 2) in a roller pair arrangement for routing through and delivering a recording medium (S) in the form of a sheet or strip, which rollers can be operated in rotation in an adjoining, axially parallel arrangement in the bearing points (L1; L2; L3; L4) of the machine, and are supported by their axial ends, and on the other hand there being manually activated means for releasing/fixing the rollers in their bearing points and for separating/compressing (3) the rollers in the radial direction for purposes of removing them from and inserting them into their bearing points.

Abstract: A process for printing and/or coating of a substrate, especially of paper or cardboard, is proposed. The process calls for at least one toner layer (1) to be transferred to the substrate and fixed on it, the surface (3) of a gloss variation device (5) acting at least in sections on at least one fixed toner layer (1), or one toner layer (1) in the course of being fixed, in order to influence the gloss of the fixed toner layer (1). In the process, depending on the gloss to be achieved, the force with which the surface (3) of the gloss variation device (5) acts on at least one toner layer (1) and/or at least one property of the surface (3) of the gloss variation device (5) is changed.

Abstract: Controlling image defects related to transfer or fusing of toner images in an electrostatographic machine, wherein engagement between an operational surface of a toner image bearing member or fusing member and an operational surface of another member forming a nip is adjusted using an engagement adjustment device in order to reduce or eliminate image defects relating to an overdrive or underdrive associated with the nip. The engagement adjustment device provides a preselected amount of overdrive or underdrive between a toner image bearing member or fusing member and a receiver member, which preselected amount includes zero.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of making an ink-jet-ink-derived material image on a receiver. An ink jet device is used to form a coagulable ink image on a member, the ink image including a coagulable marking ink and a non-marking ink. Each smallest resolved imaging area of the ink image includes a predetermined mixed volume of the coagulable marking ink and the non-marking ink, the predetermined mixed volume being coagualable. Coagulates are formed within the coagulable ink image, and excess liquid is removed from the coagulates so as to form an ink-jet-ink-derived material image. The ink-jet-ink-derived image is transferred from the operational surface of the intermediate member to another member, which another member may be a receiver member, a drum or a web.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of making an ink-jet-ink-derived material image on a receiver. An ink jet device is used to form a coagulable ink image on an intermediate member. Coagulates within the coagulable ink image are formed, and excess liquid is removed from the coagulates so as to form an ink-jet-ink-derived material image. The inkjet-ink-derived image from the operational surface of the intermediate member is transfered to another member, which another member may be a receiver member, a drum or a web.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of making an ink-jet-ink-derived material image on a receiver. An ink jet device is used to form a colloidal ink image on a member. The ink for use in the ink jet device includes an aqueous-based colloidal dispersion of particles and a nonaqueous colloidal dispersion of particles. The ink for use in the ink jet device includes an aqueous-based colloidal dispersion of particles, a nonaqueous colloidal dispersion of particles. The particles of the colloidal ink image are caused to become concentrated adjacent an operational surface of the member. Excess liquid is removed from the particles so as to form an ink-jet-ink-derived material image. The ink-jet-ink-derived image is then transferred from the operational surface of the intermediate member to another member, which another member may be a receiver member, a drum or a web.

Abstract: A photoconductive sleeved primary image-forming member roller for use in an electrophotographic machine comprising a central member including a rigid cylindrical core member and a compliant layer formed on the core member; and a flexible replaceable removable photoconductive sleeve member in the form of an endless tubular belt that surrounds and non-adhesively intimately contacts the central member.