Abstract: A magnetic brush applicator for use in an electrographic reproduction apparatus for applying a magnetic developer to a recording element comprises a cylindrical non-magnetic sleeve having a rotatably driven magnetic core piece positioned therein. According to the invention, the axis of rotation of the magnetic core piece is displaced from the sleeve axis, such displacement being toward a development zone at which the applicator applies developer to the recording element. In a preferred embodiment, the rotational axis of the core piece lies in a plane passing through the sleeve axis, such plane being angularly displaced with respect to a second plane connecting the sleeve axis and the line of closest contact between the sleeve and recording element. Such angular displacement is between 0.degree. and 20.degree. in a direction upstream of the second plane as determined by the directioh of core piece rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking or unstacking trays comprising a tray holding mechanism and a drive member for moving the tray holding mechanism from an initial position along a prescribed closed path. In the stacking mode of operation, upon movement along the path, the tray holding mechanism moves downwardly depositing a first tray held thereby onto a second tray previously supplied to a receiving station on a tray support platform such as a conveyor. Continued movement along the path causes the tray holding mechanism to engage the second tray and to raise the stacked first and second trays to permit a third tray to be supplied to the receiving station by the conveyor. This sequence is continued until as many trays as desired are stacked. Alternatively, the disclosed apparatus may be switched to an unstacking mode wherein trays are deposited in succession from a stack to the receiving station on the conveyor.