Abstract: System and methods may calibrate an AC rms voltage applied to a coronode of a charging device to achieve a predefined operating current at a target value of DC shield voltage. The target value of DC shield voltage may be set to be substantially below an over-voltage condition. System and methods may use a calibration routine that may determine a minimum AC voltage required to achieve the target value of DC shield voltage. Systems and methods may alternatively, or additionally, sense current and adjust the applied voltage to obtain a target current.

Abstract: A plasma sprayed TiO2 coating is used to remove effluents produced during an electrical charging step using a corona charging device. The plasma spray allows for the application of TiO2 ceramic to an aluminum dicorotron housing. Plasma spray also increases the electrical conductivity of the TiO2 (which is necessary for the dicorotron operation). Plasma sprayed coatings are also porous which aids in the capture and reduction of effluents.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for cleaning marking material from a surface portion of a movable photoconductive member. The system includes a first rotatable brush, a blade and a second rotatable brush arranged in sequential order along the movable photoconductive member. The first rotatable brush is for removing a first amount of marking material from the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member as the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member moves past said first rotatable electrostatic brush. The blade, in engaging contact with the movable photoconductive member, is for removing a second amount of marking material from the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member. The second rotatable brush, positioned in interference contact with the movable photoconductive member, is for removing substantially all residual marking material that was not removed by the first rotatable brush and the blade.

Abstract: A defect analysis system for a xerographic print engine includes a residual mass sensor that senses the two-dimensional signature structure of residual mass remaining on a photoconductive or other substrate surface after image transfer. Preferably, the sensor is a full width array that spans substantially an entire width of the photoconductive surface. This information is then processed and analyzed to determine a specific type of transfer defect present. This may include the quantified level of defect for each detected type. The defect analysis system may also include a closed-loop control system that can adjust various xerographic process parameters using feedback based on the identification and optionally magnitude of each specific defect type. The identified print quality defect, such as mottle, streaks, point deletions, graininess, etc.

Abstract: A transfer assist blade for an electrophotograhic printing machine that provides the necessary stiffness to allow complete transfer of a toner image while avoiding excessive bending stress in the blade. The blade is made up of a semiconductive polyester layer bonded to a non-semiconductive polyester layer. A third and fourth layer of high molecular weight polyethylene are bonded o the second layer. These third and fourth layers do not extend the full length of the blade to provide supplemental stiffness while avoiding excess bending stress.

Abstract: A transfer assist blade for an electrophotograhic printing machine that provides the necessary stiffness to allow complete transfer of a toner image while avoiding excessive bending stress in the blade. The blade is made up of a semiconductive polyester layer bonded to a non-semiconductive polyester layer. A third and fourth layer of high molecular weight polyethylene are bonded o the second layer. These third and fourth layers do not extend the full length of the blade to provide supplemental stiffness while avoiding excess bending stress.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing electrostatic charge of particles in a waste container. In one embodiment the waste container is coated with a liquid having a viscosity sufficient to prevent tribocharging between the waste container and the waster toner particles, and to collect toner particles deposited from the cyclone separator into the waste container. Another embodiment describes the use of a flange extending into the waste container to prevent tribocharging that can cause explosions in the waste toner bottle.

Abstract: A convenience staple removing station in a portion of a frame of a reproduction machine for effectively and safely removing staples from a stapled set of document sheets. The staple removing station includes a recess and a tray for automatically receiving staples removed from stapled sets of document sheets. Importantly, the staple removing station includes an active movable staple removing apparatus including an actuatable movable staple extraction member having staple engaging tips for engaging, and applying a normal force to, a clinched staple in a stationarily positioned set of sheets, thereby pulling and removing the staple from the stationarily positioned set of sheets. The active staple removing apparatus further includes staple stripping members for automatically stripping and removing removed staples from the staple extraction member.

Abstract: A particulate image developer material mixing system for a reproduction apparatus, with a rotatably driven helical mixing coil in a developer material sump for mixing the developer material in the sump, and with a system for holding the rotatably driven helical mixing coil in the sump, and a system for anti-bridging of the developer material by agitating the developer material in the sump by agitating the mixing coil; including a smoothly rounded rod substantially extending inside of the helical mixing coil with a smoothly enlarged diameter end portion outwardly radiused to operatively intermediately engage the mixing coil so that as the helical mixing coil is rotatably driven at least one coil thereof is periodically partially detained and deformed on the smoothly enlarged diameter end portion and then periodically released automatically after a further rotation, so as to provide a periodic anti-bridging agitation of the developer materials, at a desired frequency, and the free end of the helical mixing coil

Abstract: An apparatus for removing magnetic granules from a moving imaging surface in a region between a developer station and a transfer station is provided. The apparatus includes a member, interposed between the developer station and the transfer station. The member has a plurality of grooves in the exterior surface thereof. Each of the grooves have a width greater than each portion of the member between adjacent grooves. The apparatus also has a magnetic member operatively associated with the member. The magnetic member generates a magnetic field to attract the magnetic granules from the imaging surface to the member. The member and the magnetic member are adapted to move relatively to one another. The member is eccentrically mounted in a housing so that two air passageways of different dimensions are formed between the member and the housing so that the air flow in the respective air passageways are different from each other.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus having a flicker bar for detoning particles from the cleaning brushes. The flicker bar has an air channel integral therein. The solitary construction and the support bars in the top member of the flicker bar provides a uniform air channel width that is not compromised due to assembly tolerances.

Abstract: An electronic input/output apparatus for a computer system which includes a computer and a computer screen, includes a mechanical mouse and a printhead integral with the mouse, both being attached to the computer through an electrical interconnection means. The mouse is represented by a cursor on the computer screen based on movement of the mouse. The electrical interconnection means provides data signals between the computer and the electronic input/output apparatus for the mouse and additionally for the printhead which is capable of printing data displayed on the computer screen which has been passed over by the cursor. The printhead, upon activation by a print button or the like, prints onto a substrate as the I/O apparatus is moved across the substrate. Control of the printing operation is done by monitoring and controlling the data sent to the printhead based on positional and velocity values obtainable by a tracking mechanism within the mouse.

Abstract: An agglomerate removal device for removing unwanted particles from images on a photoreceptor includes vacuum pick off source and baffles that create a controlled aerodynamic drag under the photoreceptor before the images reach a transfer station. Removing the agglomerates improves the quality of images transferred at the transfer station to receiving substrates.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a platen having a planar surface sized to hold a sheet upon which an image is to be printed flat on the planar surface. The platen is movably mounted for linear reciprocal movement between a sheet receiving position and a sheet releasing position. In operation, a sheet is fed onto or otherwise acquired on the platen. The sheet can be held on the platen by a holddown force such as by vacuum or electrostatic attraction. The platen moves a sheet held thereon across a full width printhead located between the two positions to print an image on the sheet. Sheets are released from the platen at the sheet releasing position which may include an output tray. After the sheet is released from the platen, the platen is reciprocated back to the receiving position to accept another sheet.

Abstract: In the present invention, a drive means for use in a printer or copier is described which will transport a recording medium, such as paper, having liquid images on one surface thereof without inadvertently causing the recording liquid to be pushed from the still wet image areas into non-image areas, thereby reducing print quality. This transportation of a recording medium with wet images without degradation of print quality is accomplished by a drive means comprising a drive roller having a high friction surface which is rotatably mounted beneath and tangent to a planar path of movement for the recording medium and a toothed idler roller having spaced teeth with rounded distal ends which extend from a hub to form a nip with the drive roller through which the recording medium is transported. The teeth have a predetermined height from the hub and a predetermined spacing between teeth. The distal ends of the teeth have a surface which is of a material that is not wetted by a recording liquid.