Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a first charging device for charging an imageable surface; recording means for recording an electrostatic latent image on the imageable surface; developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with developer; a second charging device for transferring a developer image on the imageable surface onto an a substrate; control means for setting a value of the bias of either the first charging device or the second charging device from an operating bias to a testing bias; test pattern forming means for forming test patterns on the imageable surface at operating bias and said testing bias; test patterns detection means for scanning non-uniformity of the test patterns, and means for associating non-uniformity of the test patterns to a reliability condition of either the first charging device and/or second charging device.

Abstract: A method for controlling blade interference in a single blade or multi-blade xerographic cleaner based on a look-up table for environmental conditions and blade age. Temperature and humidity sensors and a blade age counter are used to provide information to a controller, which adjusts the blade interference through a stepper motor based on the preloaded table. This allows lower blade load in most conditions over life, compared to the known method of setting the initial load high enough to cover these stress factors at worse case levels. The look-up table is empirically determined for a give blade material and xerographic system, e.g., photoreceptor, toner, etc. It takes into account the variation in blade load itself as a function of the environment and blade age.

Abstract: A method for controlling a xerographic single or multiple blade cleaning subsystem includes sensing the actual cleaning blade load against a photoreceptor with a transducer and adjusting it to a desired value. A feedback loop through a stepper motor will set the desired load by changing blade to photoreceptor interference. This will correct for the effects of piece part tolerances, blade modulus changes with environment and set with age. A single transducer and positioning system can achieve the desired average blade load, or one at each end can also keep the load even from end to end.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate replacing cleaning blades employed to chisel excess toner from a photoreceptor surface. For example, a cleaning unit can comprise a blade holder with a plurality of cleaning blades attached thereto, which is rotated (e.g., by an actuator) to remove a used cleaning blade from the photoreceptor surface and position a new cleaning blade against the photoreceptor surface. Blade replacement can be triggered by a detected defect on an output image or by detected excess toner on the photoreceptor surface downstream from the cleaning blade. Additionally, blade replacement can be triggered as a function of blade use (e.g., measured in time, prints, photoreceptor cycles), friction force on the blade, or a combination thereof, to achieve a desired (e.g., low) cleaning unit failure probability.

Abstract: A blade engagement system for cleaning and/or metering a release agent onto an image forming machine moving surface, such as a photoreceptor. The blade engagement system includes a blade cassette having a plurality of blades, each including a compliant blade member having a blade tip. The blade engagement system also including a blade engagement apparatus removably receiving the blade cassette. The blade engagement apparatus having a blade positioning mechanism moving the blades, one at a time, from the blade cassette to a working position wherein the blade tip engages the moving surface for cleaning and/or metering. Used blades can be moved back into the cassette for storage. The blade cassette can be replaced with a new one after all of the blades have been used.

Abstract: This is a cleaning roll for a xerographic cleaning station. The roll comprises a compliant foam layer covered with a fabric overcoating. The cleaning station also contains a detoning roll which contacts the cleaning roll to attract residual toner for disposal out of the station. There is an electrical connection in the station to a biasing structure which will bias both the fabric overcoating and the detoning roll. The conductive fabric has an average roughness (RA) not exceeding about 8 ?m to 10 ?m and the fabric comprises yarns of similar size to provide thereby a smooth and uniform surface texture.

Abstract: This is an electrophotographic marking system that effectively cleans residual toner and toner additives from the surface of a photoreceptor of a marking system, by improved toner and toner agent removal expedients . This cleaning process reduces ghosting problems that had been encountered in final copies produced by electrophotographic systems such as in copier, printers and duplicators. This cleaning is accomplished by expedients such as increasing a cleaning brush bias, and by increasing the surface area of cleaning brushes used in the system. In addition, the development process is desensitized to the development of ghosting. This desensitizing is accomplished by expedients such as increasing the gap between the development roll and the photoreceptor and by reducing the AC development electrical bias.

Abstract: A device that improves the effectiveness of a corona charging element cleaner by forcing it to travel to the end-limits of the outboard end of the corona charging element to ensure that the corona charging element is completely wiped clean. The device uses a pawl and rack to affect a ratchet-like motion, the direction of which permits travel in the opposite direction only after the limit of travel is reached.

Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning a moving surface of an image forming device, such as a photoreceptor. The cleaning system includes first and second links each having three pivot connections for pivotally connecting first and second cleaning blades together in mutually exclusive cooperative movement alternating between a common Cleaning Position at a first location and respective Suspended Positions. The cleaning system can include a Doctor Blade arrangement in which the cleaning blades are disposed in a Doctor Blade orientation in the Cleaning Position. The cleaning system can include a Wiper Blade arrangement in which the cleaning blades are disposed in a Wiper Blade orientation in the Cleaning Position. The first and second cleaning blades form similar Blade Holder Angles, Blade Deflection Angles and Working Angles when occupying the Cleaning Position.

Abstract: A blade engagement apparatus for metering release agent onto an image forming device associated moving surface, such as a Solid Ink Jet drum. The blade engagement apparatus includes a blade positioning mechanism having a blade holder rotated about a fixed pivot point disposed a distance LD from the moving surface. A plurality of metering blades extending from the blade holder each include a blade tip disposed a distance LB from the pivot point such that LB is greater than LD. A replacement blade is brought into a working position in deflected engagement with the moving surface for metering a release agent onto the surface while the used blade is moved into a non-operational suspended position. Various blade replacement strategies are used to initiate a blade replacement operation.

Abstract: A xerographic marking engine adjusts a charging actuator value, such as an AC peak-to-peak voltage or an AC peak-to-peak current, based on a determined knee value, VKNEE, of a charge curve for an imaging apparatus photoreceptor within the xerographic marking engine and environmental sensor data. The environmental sensor data may measure environment temperature and environment humidity. In near A-zone [80 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 percent relative humidity] environments, the charging actuator value may be selected to achieve a predetermined photoreceptor wear rate that avoids print quality defects due to lateral charge migration. In other than A-zone environments, the charging actuator value may be selected to minimize the photoreceptor wear rate, while avoiding print quality defects. The described approach allows optimal photoconductor wear to be achieved, in all operational environments, without increasing the risk of print quality defects.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing controlled blade engagement with an image forming machine moving surface are provided for metering a release agent onto the surface, cleaning the surface, or both. A blade engagement apparatus is provided having a controller controlling an actuator connected to a blade positioning mechanism for providing controlled engagement of the blade with the moving surface. The minimum blade load applied by the blade to the moving surface needed to prevent defects is determined and maintained for increasing the useful life of the blade. Control systems and methods utilizing single and separately operable dual blade positioning mechanisms are provided.

Abstract: A blade engagement apparatus for metering release agent onto an image forming device associated moving surface, such as a Solid Ink Jet drum. The blade engagement apparatus includes a blade positioning mechanism having a blade holder rotated about a fixed pivot point disposed a distance LD from the moving surface. A plurality of metering blades extending from the blade holder each include a blade tip disposed a distance LB from the pivot point such that LB is greater than LD. A replacement blade is brought into a working position in deflected engagement with the moving surface for metering a release agent onto the surface while the used blade is moved into a non-operational suspended position. Various blade replacement strategies are used to initiate a blade replacement operation.

Abstract: A blade engagement apparatus moving blades into working positions in engagement with an image forming device moving surface for cleaning and/or metering release agent onto the surface. The blade engagement apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart links having slots receiving pins extending from the blades and an actuator rotating the links for moving the blades along track slots into and out of the working positions. The links couple the blades together for mutually exclusive cooperative movement alternating between the working positions and respective suspended positions wherein the blades are removed from the moving surface.

Abstract: A application apparatus for metering release agent onto an image forming device moving surface, such as a Solid Ink Jet drum. The application apparatus includes a blade positioning mechanism with first and second links each having three pivot connections for pivotally connecting first and second blades together in mutually exclusive cooperative movement alternating between a common working position at a first location and respective suspended positions. The application apparatus can include a doctor blade arrangement in which the blades are disposed in a doctor blade orientation in the working position. The application apparatus can include a wiper blade arrangement in which the blades are disposed in a wiper blade orientation in the working position. The first and second blades form similar blade holder angles, blade deflection angles and Working Angles when occupying the working position.

Abstract: Blades, printing apparatuses, replaceable cartridges and methods of treating substances on surfaces are disclosed. An embodiment of a blade for treating a substance on a surface of a component includes a body having a free end portion with a surface, and which is comprised of an elastomeric material. A bi-material spring is adapted to apply a load to the body such that the surface of the body treats the substance on the surface of the component.

Abstract: A method for controlling a xerographic single or multiple blade cleaning subsystem includes sensing the actual cleaning blade load against a photoreceptor with a transducer and adjusting it to a desired value. A feedback loop through a stepper motor will set the desired load by changing blade to photoreceptor interference. This will correct for the effects of piece part tolerances, blade modulus changes with environment and set with age. A single transducer and positioning system can achieve the desired average blade load, or one at each end can also keep the load even from end to end.

Abstract: A method for controlling blade interference in a single blade or multi-blade xerographic cleaner based on a look-up table for environmental conditions and blade age. Temperature and humidity sensors and a blade age counter are used to provide information to a controller, which adjusts the blade interference through a stepper motor based on the preloaded table. This allows lower blade load in most conditions over life, compared to the known method of setting the initial load high enough to cover these stress factors at worse case levels. The look-up table is empirically determined for a give blade material and xerographic system, e.g., photoreceptor, toner, etc. It takes into account the variation in blade load itself as a function of the environment and blade age.

Abstract: A control method for monitoring the cleaning performance of a single or multiple blade xerographic cleaning subsystem includes looking at the photoreceptor post-cleaner with a full width array sensor and adjusting the blade load on the photoreceptor to the minimum required to maintain effective cleaning. Blade load is adjusted using a stepper motor. Monitoring of cleaning failures can be done during non-print time, when a toner patch is developed to evaluate cleaning. Re-adjustment is needed periodically since environmental stresses can change, and the blade ages due to set and wear. Two toner patches at the ends of the blade with two stepper motors can be used to assure the same load from end to end.

Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning a moving surface of an image forming device, such as a photoreceptor. The cleaning system includes first and second links each having three pivot connections for pivotally connecting first and second cleaning blades together in mutually exclusive cooperative movement alternating between a common Cleaning Position at a first location and respective Suspended Positions. The cleaning system can include a Doctor Blade arrangement in which the cleaning blades are disposed in a Doctor Blade orientation in the Cleaning Position. The cleaning system can include a Wiper Blade arrangement in which the cleaning blades are disposed in a Wiper Blade orientation in the Cleaning Position. The first and second cleaning blades form similar Blade Holder Angles, Blade Deflection Angles and Working Angles when occupying the Cleaning Position.