Abstract: In order to prevent an imaging forming process of an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus from becoming contaminated with fuser release oil, a substantially uniform layer of pigmented marking particles from a development subsystem of the image forming process is deposited onto a photoconductive member of the image forming process during any non-imaging cycles of the process, including cycle down, non-imaging skip frames, or recovery from a receiver jam. The substantially uniform layer of pigmented marking particles acts as a barrier to block fuser release oil from the photoconductive member and as a vehicle to carry away contaminating fuser release oil.

Abstract: Preventing the imaging forming process of an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus from becoming contaminated with fuser release oil. A substantially uniform layer of the pigmented marking particles from the development subsystem of the image forming process is deposited onto the photoconductive member of the image forming process during any non-imaging cycles of the process, including cycle down, non-imaging skip frames, or recovery from a receiver jam. The substantially uniform layer of pigmented marking particles acts as a barrier to block fuser release oil from the photoconductive member and as a vehicle to carry away contaminating fuser release oil.

Abstract: An electrophotographic (EP) image-forming device and related method are provided for on-line quantitative assessment of the image formation and development process. The EP image-forming device has a primary charger, an exposure device, a toning station, a transfer charger, a fusing station, and a cleaner operatively disposed about a photoconductor. A transmission densitometer is positioned adjacent to the photoconductor. The densitometer determines the successive tones corresponding to a plurality of step areas of a toner pattern for each image frame. The density readings are stored in memory. The photoconductor densities are subtracted from the combined densities to provide measured toner densities, which are then averaged for each step area. The average measured toner densities or voltage readings are compared to the aim toner densities or voltage readings for each step in the step tablet which are displayed in an output chart to quantitatively assess the image quality of the image-forming process.

Abstract: A logic and control unit (LCU) is configured to assess the viability of various subsystems in the electrophotographic marking process. The LCU determines a charging efficiency between a primary charger and a photoconductor, establishes a reference voltage on the photoconductor, wherein the reference voltage corresponds to the charging efficiency, operates a first subsystem in a non-print production mode to produce a first resulting voltage on the photoconductor, and translates the photoconductor to a stationary sensor for measuring the first resulting voltage.

Abstract: An eletrophotographic marking machine and electrophotographic process wherein the machine has a logic and control unit programed to complete a print mode operation wherein an image recording member such as a belt is moved past a series of workstations in a print mode operation, the control unit being configured to permit a process isolation that interrupts the print mode operation of the machine without causing a hard stop of the machine. The controller is further configured to allow the restart of the interrupted print mode operation from the point of stoppage so the interrupted print mode can be completed.

Abstract: A system for assessing the performance of an electrophotographic marking machine is provided, wherein data from several different inputs are gathered in two distinct sets having different frequencies. A high-frequency data set includes parameters typically recorded with each print made, and provide an electrophotographic history which is used in deducing the cause of malfunctions. The lower-frequency data are typically recorded at the time of each autosetup, and provide electrophotographic trend information which is used as a predictor of component and consumable lifetimes. In each data set, only data over an appropriately selected period maintained on a first-in, first-out basis. This system has the advantage of simultaneously providing an intensive recent history for tracing faults, and enabling long-term trends to be discerned without being buried in a redundant excess of data.

Abstract: An electrostatographic recording apparatus and method has a primary image forming member (PIFM) that is moving along a closed path. The PIFM is sufficiently large to form a series of images thereon in the direction of movement of the PIFM during a production run of image formation. Plural series of toner images are formed on the PIFM during production runs. A first location on the PIFM is normally used to form images forming a part of the production runs. The first location is adjacent to and downstream of, in the direction of movement of the PIFM, a second location, such as a seam area, that is not used for image recording of production images during the production runs. A transfer device that is in engagement with the PIFM has its electrical bias switched from a first polarity used when transferring toner images from the PIFM to a second polarity that is of opposite polarity when the transfer device is in engagement with the PIFM at the second location.

Abstract: A grid electrode for attachment to a corona charger includes a series of substantially parallel grid wires extending in a longitudinal direction of the wires. A flat metallic plate member is formed integral with the wires at one of the longitudinal ends of the wires. A cap member is connected to the plate member. The cap member includes a cover segment having a surface that overlies and is in planar contact engagement with a substantial portion of a respective plate member with a thickness of at least 0.5 millimeters and the cover segment being formed of a material that is substantially electrically more resistive than the flat metallic plate member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for replenishing toner and collecting used toner in an electrostatographic machine. The apparatus includes a replenishment hopper having a supply of fresh toner. A development device feeds toner onto a recording member having an electrostatic image to be developed. A feeding device feeds fresh toner to the development device from a replenishment bottle. A replenishment motor drives the feeding device to feed fresh toner to the development device. A collection container or bottle collects used toner removed from a recording member. A controller tracks a first accumulated motor operating on-time and is programmed to compare the operating on-time with a first pre-programmed value for determining when the collection container is to be emptied or to be replaced or that the machine is to be cycled down. The controller also tracks a second accumulated motor operating on-time for determining when the replenishment bottle is to be replaced.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic process and apparatus a replenishment device adds toner particles to a development station that includes a developer comprising a mixture of toner particles and carrier particles. A reference parameter that is used in control of aim point of toner concentration in the mixture is set to an initial value until about a midlife of the developer is reached. Once the midlife of the developer is reached there are provided programmed step adjustments in the reference value in accordance with further increases in life of the developer to thereby control replenishment of toner particles so that control of charge to mass of the toner particles in the mixture is provided to reduce a tendency of dusting by the toner particles of the mixture due to age of the developer.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a toner transfer member for electrostatography comprises a substrate and an outer surface layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a ceramer comprising a polyurethane silicate hybrid organic-inorganic network and a fluoropolymeric composition comprising a polyester-based polyurethane and polytetrafluoroethylene. The transfer member of the present invention is particularly useful for duplex electrostatographic copying processes; its outer surface layer substantially reduces the migration of release oil from the fusing station to the photoconductor via the transfer member, thereby ensuring high quality fused images on both sides of a receiver sheet.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus having a transfer assembly, including an electrically biased transfer roller in nip relation with a dielectric support member, for effecting transfer of a pigmented marking particle image from an image area of a dielectric support member to a receiver member in transfer relation with the dielectric support member in the transfer nip, a mechanism for cleaning the transfer roller including a control for the electrical bias on the transfer roller. The electrical bias control has a power supply generating an electrical output, of a settable polarity, connected to the transfer roller for applying an electrical bias of a set polarity thereto. A timing signal generator produces signals respectively corresponding to the location of a receiver member relative to the transfer nip.

Abstract: An electrostatographic recording apparatus and method wherein a primary charger establishes a uniform electrostatic charge on an electrophotoconductive image recording member in accordance with a first operating parameter. A recording device imagewise modulates the charge on the image recording member to form electrostatic latent images in accordance with a second operating parameter and also forms a developable process control patch. A development station develops the electrostatic latent images and the control patch on the image recording member with toner in accordance with a third operating parameter. A replenishment device provides toner to the development station at a controlled rate in accordance with a replenishment signal.

Abstract: A cleaning system for an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus for air flow control for maintaining optimum cleaning efficiency. The cleaning system includes a fan for producing an air flow to entrain residual marking particles and other debris. The fan has a filter and a variable speed blower associated therewith. A pressure transducer is associated with the filter for measuring the pressure drop across the filter, and generates a signal corresponding to the pressure drop measured by the pressure transducer. Responsive to the signal from the pressure transducer, the speed of the blower is regulated to maintain a desired optimum efficiency air flow through the filter. Of course, the speed of the blower can be quantified such that at a certain threshold speed an appropriate warning may be provided that the filter is no longer operating efficiently and needs to be cleaned or replaced.

Abstract: A setup method for a corona charger device used in an electrophotographic recording apparatus. The setup method includes operating the corona charger device in a calibration mode so that charge of a first polarity is output by the device and deposited upon a photoconductive recording member. The level of charge deposited upon the member is sensed and a position of the charger device relative to the member is adjusted so that the level of charge deposited upon the member is at a target level. The charge of the first polarity output for setup is opposite to that of charge output during the production run.

Abstract: An electrostatographic recording method and apparatus includes an auto cycle-up routine for establishing readiness of various stations including a toning station for proper operation. In the automatic cycle-up routine proper operation of a toning station warmer is determined by a controller. The controller then establishes a first cycle-up duration when the toning station warmer is determined to be operating satisfactorily and a second and longer cycle-up duration when the toning station warmer is determined to be not operating satisfactorily.

Abstract: An integrated environmental management system for reproduction apparatus including a reprographic marking engine for reproducing information supplied thereto and accessories for facilitating the handling of reproduction output from the marking engine. The integrated environmental management system includes a housing associated with the reprographic marking engine. The housing defines a chamber having, in communication, a rear wall substantially parallel to the rear of the reprographic marking engine, first and second side walls, and top and bottom walls. An inlet plenum in the housing chamber communicates, for example, with an opening in the first side wall of the housing. The inlet plenum includes an inlet filter for preventing contaminants in ambient air from entering the inlet plenum, a first inlet duct directed into the general interior of the reprographic marking engine, and a plurality of inlet ducts directed respectively to specific systems within the reprographic marking engine.

Abstract: An electrophotographic reproduction apparatus and method are provided for reproducing an original document sheet that includes a continuous tone pictorial information area and a line-type information area. Rather than reproducing the entire document sheet with screening of both types of information, means are provided for selectively screening only the pictorial information area on the reproduction. The means of one preferred embodiment comprises a programmable illumination source that is programmed through inputs by the operator using a digitizing tablet to selectively image portions of a screen onto a charged photoconductive web prior to development of the electrostatic image formed on the web so that only the area on the web receiving the pictorial image is exposed to the screen.