Abstract: An optical inspection apparatus detects faults in a material coated on a moving web. Multiple cameras are positioned in an array across the width of the web transverse to the direction of the moving web. Each camera comprises a electronic camera and digital signal processor. An illumination source is preferably positioned to illuminate one side of the web. The camera array is positioned on the opposite side of the web aligned with the illumination source. The cameras in the array image the moving web along colas and collect image data from the web. The image is digitized and processed in real-time by averaging each column of image data to produce a profile of light intensity transmitted across the web width from which faults occurring in the longitudinal direction are detected in a host computer.

Abstract: A sheet stripping assembly has a sheet removal blade moveable between a first position overlying a marginal portion of a photosensitive member of a copying apparatus and a second position in which it does not overlay the photosensitive surface marginal portion. Trip elements mounted on a moving platen control movement of the blade through a blade moving mechanism. At the end of a copy cycle, the blade is left in the second position.

Abstract: A curved blade overlays the marginal portion of a photocopier drum photosensitive surface at the transfer station to engage copy sheets and direct them to a transport assembly removing the sheets from the transfer station. The blade is pivotally mounted at one end and connected to a reciprocating actuator at the other end. It is pivoted away from its overlaying position, after the transport assembly engages the leading corner of the sheet so that the sheet can then contact the marginal portion, and back to its overlaying position after the trailing edge of the sheet has left the surface of the drum. In one embodiment the actuator is mechanically responsive to the photocopier scanner. In another embodiment, the blade is pivotable about an intermediate portion, and the actuator is operated by a solenoid energizable by a switch at the appropriate times.

Abstract: Disclosed are blades oriented in a trailing configuration for cleaning residual toner from the photosensitive drums of photocopying machines without marring the drum's surface. In one embodiment of the invention, the blade is constructed of layers of resilient material having different moduli of elasticity resulting in the blade's having greater resistance to transverse deformation than to deformation along the primary axis of the blade. In another embodiment, the blade comprises a mass of an elastic material having a partially hollow interior. The hollow interior results in a blade with differing moduli of elasticity in different directions.