Abstract: A media accumulator-ejector for use with an imaging apparatus. Rotatable upper and lower roll assemblies are located above and below a media accumulation zone comprised of an accumulation plate and positioned to receive media exiting an imaging device. The roll assemblies are moveable like jaws between an open position where media can accumulate on the accumulation plate without interference with the roll assemblies and a clamping position where the accumulated media is grasped by the upper and lower roll assemblies. The upper and lower roll assemblies are then rotated to eject the accumulated media from the accumulation plate. The upper and lower roll assemblies can also grasp and continuously eject individual sheets of media at a predetermined process speed.

Abstract: A media stapling system for an image forming device. The media stapling system comprises a stapler mounted on a motor-driven carriage assembly moveably coupled to a track having portions extending along at least two contiguous edges and included corner of a media stack to be stapled. The carriage assembly and track enables stapling in multiple positions along the long and/or short edges and corners of media of varying sizes positioned in a media support. The track is mounted on a planar frame positioned at an angle from horizontal, providing a relatively small footprint. A controller is in operable communication with the media stapling system and an user interface. The user interface provides a plurality of predetermined stapling patterns for selection with the controller controlling the media stapling system to staple the media stack using a selected one of the plurality of stapling patterns.

Abstract: A media accumulator-ejector for use with an imaging apparatus. Rotatable upper and lower roll assemblies are located above and below a media accumulation zone comprised of an accumulation plate and positioned to receive media exiting an imaging device. The roll assemblies are moveable like jaws between an open position where media can accumulate on the accumulation plate without interference with the roll assemblies and a clamping position where the accumulated media is grasped by the upper and lower roll assemblies. The upper and lower roll assemblies are then rotated to eject the accumulated media from the accumulation plate. The upper and lower roll assemblies can also grasp and continuously eject individual sheets of media at a predetermined process speed.

Abstract: A media accumulator-ejector for use with an imaging apparatus. Rotatable upper and lower roll assemblies are located above and below a media accumulation zone comprised of an accumulation plate and positioned to receive media exiting an imaging device. The roll assemblies are moveable like jaws between an open position where media can accumulate on the accumulation plate without interference with the roll assemblies and a clamping position where the accumulated media is grasped by the upper and lower roll assemblies. The upper and lower roll assemblies are then rotated to eject the accumulated media from the accumulation plate. The upper and lower roll assemblies can also grasp and continuously eject individual sheets of media at a predetermined process speed.

Abstract: A media diverter system for an imaging device including a single motor coupled to one of a plurality of diverter assemblies for sequentially directing media sheets from an input path to one of a plurality of output destinations. Each diverter assembly includes a gate moveable between a first and a second position for opening a path between an input and a first and a second output, respectively, a pivot arm coupled to the gate, and a drive gear providing a lobe having up and down camming surfaces on which the pivot arm travels. The single drive motor rotatably is coupled to the drive gears, and, as the drive motor is driven, the drive gears synchronously rotate and corresponding gates are moved to one of a first and a second position for providing a media path from an input of the system to a selected one of the output destinations.

Abstract: Cooking methods and devices for controlling doneness gradients and/or processes using modulated cooking techniques. A precision cooking appliance is provided that allows for cooking food to a precise internal temperature as well as keeping the food both before and after cooking at desired holding temperatures. One or more temperatures sensors are placed adjacent, near, and/or in the food to be cooked so that the temperature of at least one cooking surface can be controlled to reach the precise internal temperature. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also desribed.

Abstract: A translatable media height sensor assembly for measuring a media stack in an imaging forming device. The assembly includes a support and drive and insertion assemblies mounted thereon. Insertion assembly includes a translatable plunger having mounted thereon a sensor and a translatable probe. At a home position, the sensor is actuated by a flag on the support placing sensor output in a first state. During measurement, drive assembly translates insertion assembly toward a media stack and the sensor output changes to a second state and a counter is started. The probe initially encounters the media stack and stops while plunger continues to translate. As the plunger reaches the media stack, the probe engages the sensor causing the sensor output to again change state and stops the counter. The insertion assembly retracts back to the home position where the flag actuates the sensor causing the sensor output to change state.

Abstract: A media stapling system for an image forming device. The media stapling system comprises a stapler mounted on a motor-driven carriage assembly moveably coupled to a track having portions extending along at least two contiguous edges and included corner of a media stack to be stapled. The carriage assembly and track enables stapling in multiple positions along the long and/or short edges and corners of media of varying sizes positioned in a media support. The track is mounted on a planar frame positioned at an angle from horizontal, providing a relatively small footprint. A controller is in operable communication with the media stapling system and an user interface. The user interface provides a plurality of predetermined stapling patterns for selection with the controller controlling the media stapling system to staple the media stack using a selected one of the plurality of stapling patterns.

Abstract: A translateable media height sensor assembly for measuring a media stack height in an imaging forming device. The assembly includes a support and drive and insertion assemblies mounted thereon. The insertion assembly includes a translateable plunger having mounted thereon a sensor and a translateable probe. At a home position the sensor is actuated by a flag on the support placing sensor output in a first state. During measurement, the drive assembly translates the insertion assembly toward a media stack and the sensor output changes to a second state and a counter is started. The probe encounters the media stack and stops while the plunger and the sensor continue to translate with the probe engaging the sensor causing the sensor output to again change state and stop the counter. The insertion assembly retracts back to the home position where the flag actuates the sensor causing the sensor output to change state.

Abstract: A translatable media height sensor assembly for measuring a media stack in an imaging forming device. The assembly includes a support and drive and insertion assemblies mounted thereon. Insertion assembly includes a translatable plunger having mounted thereon a sensor and a translatable probe. At a home position, the sensor is actuated by a flag on the support placing sensor output in a first state. During measurement, drive assembly translates insertion assembly toward a media stack and the sensor output changes to a second state and a counter is started. The probe initially encounters the media stack and stops while plunger continues to translate. As the plunger reaches the media stack, the probe engages the sensor causing the sensor output to again change state and stops the counter. The insertion assembly retracts back to the home position where the flag actuates the sensor causing the sensor output to change state.

Abstract: A translatable media height sensor assembly for measuring a media stack in an imaging forming device. The assembly includes a support and drive and insertion assemblies mounted thereon. Insertion assembly includes a translatable plunger having mounted thereon a sensor and a translatable probe. At a home position the sensor is actuated by a flag on the support placing sensor output in a first state. During measurement, drive assembly translates insertion assembly toward a media stack and the sensor output changes to a second state and a counter is started. The probe encounters the media stack and stops while plunger and sensor continue to translate with the probe engaging the sensor causing the sensor output to again change state and stop the counter. The insertion assembly retracts back to the home position where the flag actuates the sensor causing the sensor output to change state.

Abstract: A lubricant for reducing or eliminating airborne lubricant exhaust mist in ambient air when used by a tool driven by compressed air. The lubricant includes between about 58 vol % and about 90 vol % polyalphaolefin or polyalphaolefin blend, and between about 10 vol % and about 42 vol % complex ester compatible with the polyalphaolefin or polyalphaolefin blend. The ester includes polymeric molecules with a cohesive tendency to adhere to each other, and when subjected to shear stresses, to form elongate filaments.

Abstract: An air tool or air motor lubricant for adding to compressed air, and the method of operating air tools with the lubricant, in which the lubricant comprises a mixture of a polyalphaolefin or polyalphaolefin blend having a viscosity in the range of 2 to 3000 cSt and a high molecular weight complex ester in a ratio of 1.3:1 to 20:1 of the polyalphaolefin or polyalphaolefin blend to the high molecular weight complex ester. The lubricant comprises about 58 to 90 vol % polyalphaolefin or polyalphaolefin blend and about 10 to 42 vol % high molecular weight complex ester. The mixture of polyalphaolefin or polyalphaolefin blend and high molecular weight complex ester is added in an amount in the air of about 0.2 to 0.6 ppm effective to generate a lubricant airborne mist concentration in exhaust air of 0.2 ppm or less.

Abstract: An inline bitumen froth steam heater system including steam injection and static mixing devices is provided. The system heats and de-aerates input bitumen froth without creating downstream processing problems with the bitumen froth such as emulsification or live steam entrainment. The system is a multistage unit that injects and thoroughly mixes steam with bitumen resulting in output bitumen material having temperature of about 190° F. The system conditions a superheated steam supply to obtain saturated steam at about 300° F. The saturated steam is contacted with bitumen froth flow and mixed in a static mixer stage. The static mixers provide surface area and rotating action that allows the injected steam to condense and transfer its heat to the bitumen froth. The mixing action and increase in temperature of the bitumen froth results in reduction in bitumen viscosity and allows the release of entrapped air from the bitumen froth.

Abstract: An air tool or air motor lubricant for adding to compressed air, and the method of operating air tools with the lubricant, in which the lubricant comprises a mixture of a polyalphaolefin or polyalphaolefin blend having a viscosity in the range of 2 to 3000 cSt and a high molecular weight complex ester in a ratio of 1.3:1 to 20:1 of the polyalphaolefin or polyalphaolefin blend to the high molecular weight complex ester. The lubricant comprises about 58 to 90 vol % polyalphaolefin or polyalphaolefin blend and about 10 to 42 vol % high molecular weight complex ester. The mixture of polyalphaolefin or polyalphaolefin blend and high molecular weight complex ester is added in an amount in the air of about 0.2 to 0.6 ppm effective to generate a lubricant airborne mist concentration in exhaust air of 0.2 ppm or less.

Abstract: An inline bitumen froth steam heater system including steam injection and static mixing devices is provided. The system heats and de-aerates input bitumen froth without creating downstream processing problems with the bitumen froth such as emulsification or live steam entrainment. The system is a multistage unit that injects and thoroughly mixes steam with bitumen resulting in output bitumen material having temperature of about 190 ° F. The system conditions a superheated steam supply to obtain saturated steam at about 300 ° F. The saturated steam is contacted with bitumen froth flow and mixed in a static mixer stage. The static mixers provide surface area and rotating action that allows the injected steam to condense and transfer its heat to the bitumen froth. The mixing action and increase in temperature of the bitumen froth results in reduction in bitumen viscosity and allows the release of entrapped air from the bitumen froth.

Abstract: An inline bitumen froth steam heater system including steam injection and static mixing devices is provided. The system heats and de-aerates input bitumen froth without creating downstream processing problems with the bitumen froth such as emulsification or live steam entrainment. The system is a multistage unit that injects and thoroughly mixes steam with bitumen resulting in output bitumen material having temperature of about 190° F. The system conditions a superheated steam supply to obtain saturated steam at about 300° F. The saturated steam is contacted with bitumen froth flow and mixed in a static mixer stage. The static mixers provide surface area and rotating action that allows the injected steam to condense and transfer its heat to the bitumen froth. The mixing action and increase in temperature of the bitumen froth results in reduction in bitumen viscosity and allows the release of entrapped air from the bitumen froth.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing bitumen froth comprising a cyclone body having an elongated conical inner surface defining a cyclone cavity extending from an upper inlet region with a diameter DC to a lower apex outlet with a diameter DU of not less than about 40 mm; an inlet means forming an inlet channel extending into the upper inlet region of said cyclone cavity; and a vortex finder forming an overflow outlet of a diameter DO extending into the upper inlet region of said cyclone cavity toward said lower apex outlet and having a lower end extending an excursion distance below said inlet channel, said excursion distance being operable to permit a portion of bitumen that passes through said inlet channel to exit said overflow outlet without having to make a spiral journey down said cyclone cavity, wherein a lower end of the vortex finder within the cyclone cavity is disposed a free vortex height (FVH) distance from said lower apex outlet.

Abstract: An inline bitumen froth steam heater system including steam injection and static mixing devices is provided. The system heats and de-aerates input bitumen froth without creating downstream processing problems with the bitumen froth such as emulsification or live steam entrainment. The system is a multistage unit that injects and thoroughly mixes steam with bitumen resulting in output bitumen material having temperature of about 190° F. The system conditions a superheated steam supply to obtain saturated steam at about 300° F. The saturated steam is contacted with bitumen froth flow and mixed in a static mixer stage. The static mixers provide surface area and rotating action that allows the injected steam to condense and transfer its heat to the bitumen froth. The mixing action and increase in temperature of the bitumen froth results in reduction in bitumen viscosity and allows the release of entrapped air from the bitumen froth.

Abstract: A method to compensate for imperfect scanner motion in a scanning apparatus having a moveable scanner includes generating an error array by measuring errors in a scanner position at each of a plurality of spaced positions along a direction of travel of the scanner; generating an error compensation array from the error array based on a low frequency component of the error array; and using the error compensation array to adjust at least one parameter associated with the scanning apparatus during a document scanning operation.