Abstract: A modular printhead assembly facilitates the manufacture of printers with print zones of differing widths. The printhead assembly includes a pair of end pieces and a plurality of rods that extend between the end pieces in parallel. The rods pass through holes in lugs extending from carriers configured for the mounting of printheads. Plates are interposed between the printheads and the carriers to enable actuators to move the plates and printheads within the perimeters of the carriers to adjust the stitch and roll alignments of the printheads.

Abstract: A modular roll bar assembly for use in a continuous web imaging device includes a plurality of roll bars, a support frame configured to operatively support the plurality of roll bars such that the plurality of roll bars define a web path having a non-linear shape with an entrance end and an exit end, the entrance end being configured to receive a substantially continuous web of substrate material, the plurality of roll bars being configured to guide the continuous web past the exit end, and a temperature control system having a source of thermally controlled air that is configured to supply air at a predetermined temperature and velocity, and a plenum positioned in the support frame that is configured to guide the thermally controlled air from the source to the plurality of roll bars to heat or cool the plurality of roll bars to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A modular roll bar assembly for use in a continuous web imaging device includes a plurality of roll bars and a support frame configured to operably support the plurality of roll bars such that the plurality of roll bars define a web path having a non-linear shape with an entrance end and an exit end. The entrance end is configured to receive a substantially continuous web of substrate material, and the plurality of roll bars is configured to guide the continuous web past the exit end. A load cell is operably coupled to the support frame and configured to generate a signal indicative of a down force applied to the support frame. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell to receive the signal and to correlate the down force applied to the support frame indicated by the signal to a tension measurement value for the continuous web.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system controls an ink droplet mass by regulating a pressure in an ink reservoir. The printing system includes an ink reservoir, an air pressure device, an ink ejection device, and a controller. The ink reservoir is configured to contain a supply of ink and an air space above the supply of ink. The air pressure device is fluidly coupled to the air space above the supply of ink. The ink ejection device is fluidly coupled to the ink reservoir to receive ink from the supply of ink and to eject ink droplets onto an image receiving surface. The controller is coupled to the air pressure device and is configured to activate the air pressure device selectively to change a mass of the ink droplets ejected by the ink ejection device.

Abstract: A web handling module has been developed for horizontally transporting a web under a printer having at least one print head. The web handling module includes a plenum, an air vent coupled to the plenum, the air vent being coupled to an air handler and configured to generate a negative air pressure inside the plenum, a support plate sealingly coupled to the plenum, the support plate having a plurality of apertures configured to allow air to pass through the plurality of apertures, and a porous belt wound about the support plate to form a continuous loop, the porous belt enabling the negative air pressure to couple the porous belt to a web moving over the support plate to rotate the porous belt about the support plate without relative motion occurring between the web and the porous belt.

Abstract: This is a paper web transporting component that is useful in a duplexing system that uses a paper web to be imaged. The unit has an IOWA roller (backup roll) with an image sensor above it and a cleaning web structure below it. Since excess toner or ink in duplexing systems can adhere to the transport roll, the sensor will pick up these impurities when scanning the surface of the paper web. Therefore, these impurities must be removed from the transport roll or scanning for proper image registration will be adversely affected. The movement of the paper web causes the transport roll to rotate so that the sensor can scan the entire surface of the transport roll.

Abstract: A tightly integrated parallel printer includes a reconfigurable media path module that has a baffle that accepts sheets from above at a 12 o'clock position when in a first configuration and accepts sheets from a 6 o'clock position when in a second configuration. The two configurations of the baffle are established to permit one common media entry transport to be mounted in either of two positions, each satisfying one of the desired configurations.

Abstract: An improved architecture for use in a tightly integrated serial or parallel printer includes an inverter module that comprises a straight pass-through media path, as well as, an invert path. This auxiliary ‘pass-through’ media path of the inverter allows a sheet to enter the inverter ‘backwards’ through the traditional duplex exit path and continue straight out the inverter into the media path of a downstream engine to receive an image thereon.

Abstract: A media handling transport includes first and second device halves. Each of the device halves includes first, second and third body members, with the first end portion of the second body member disposed adjacent the first end portion of the first body member, the first end portion of the third body member disposed adjacent the second end portion of the first body member, and the second end portion of the third body member disposed adjacent the second end portion of the second body member. An inner body member defines a first media transport passageway with the second body member define, a second media transport passageway with the third body member, and a third media transport passageway with the first body member. The second end portions of the second and third body members define an abutting end of the device half, with the abutting end of the first device half disposed adjacent the abutting end of the second device half in an installed transport.

Abstract: This involves a cart that can be used in changing a marking module in a xerographic color marking system. The cart has a lifting mechanism securely attached to its upper surface. When the marking module is to be changed and a new replacement module installed, the lifting mechanism is used to support the marking module during each of these procedures. Since the marking modules are relatively heavy (30-35 lbs.), to prevent accidental damage to the module, the cart and its attached lifting mechanism are conveniently used by the customer. The lifting mechanism is made up of an upper cradle, a bottom plate attached to the cart and a movable linkage. The module securely rests in the cradle in both removal and installing operations. It is not uncommon for a customer to want to change a color or colors in one or more modules. This cart and its attached lifting mechanism makes it relatively easy to accomplish this change.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bidirectional media sheet transport apparatus. The transport apparatus includes one or more belt driven bidirectional nip assemblies aligned to transport one or more media sheets along a bidirectional path. In addition, disclosed are belt tensioning devices to apply multiple tension forces to a belt operatively engaging the one or more bidirectional nip assemblies. Also disclosed is a bidirectional baffle apparatus to enable bidirectional travel of a media sheet from one module to another module.

Abstract: This invention provides a xerographic marking module that has a built-in lifting mechanism that is useful in installing a new module in a xerographic marking system. The lifting mechanism forms the bottom portion of the marking module and comprises an upper cradle to hold the remaining module portion, a lower plate that constitutes the bottom of the module when in a collapsed position, and a movable linkage that connects the cradle to the lower plate. When in installation mode, the linkage creates a vertical force which will upwardly push the cradle (holding the module) away from the lower plate into an installation elevation. After slides in the module and in the color marking system are mated, the lifting mechanism is collapsed and the module pushed into the color marking system or apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a modular printing system having individual units comprising input modules, transporter modules, marking engine modules, fuser modules and exit modules each with its own support structure and cabinet. The modular units have common matching interface configurations for paper feed and electrical connections so as to permit numerous combinations and variations of printing systems capable of monochrome, color, duplex, hybrid and simplex printing by modular interconnection as opposed to built-up systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device that can include a waste collector, a system that transports waste stream of particle matter from a housing, a system that transports a waste stream of effluent and particle matter from the housing, and a separator that receives the waste streams and collects the particle matter into the waste collector.

Abstract: This is a paper web transporting component that is useful in a duplexing system that uses a paper web to be imaged. The unit has an IOWA roller (backup roll) with an image sensor above it and a cleaning web structure below it. Since excess toner or ink in duplexing systems can adhere to the transport roll, the sensor will pick up these impurities when scanning the surface of the paper web. Therefore, these impurities must be removed from the transport roll or scanning for proper image registration will be adversely affected. The movement of the paper web causes the transport roll to rotate so that the sensor can scan the entire surface of the transport roll.

Abstract: A toner transport apparatus for a printing system in which toner is moved from a toner container to a developer housing. The toner transport apparatus can accommodate different lengths and orientations between the toner container and the developer housing. The apparatus discloses a variable length component that expands or contracts to extend the toner transport apparatus to a desired length. The toner transport apparatus can assume unique angles per station with a gear mechanism. A flexible auger can be associated with the toner transport apparatus to move material in non-vertical positions. The toner transport apparatus with the variable length component and flexible auger would provide the ability to reuse components at a variety of positions and angles.

Abstract: A modular roll bar assembly for use in a continuous web imaging device includes a plurality of roll bars and a support frame configured to operably support the plurality of roll bars such that the plurality of roll bars define a web path having a non-linear shape with an entrance end and an exit end. The entrance end is configured to receive a substantially continuous web of substrate material, and the plurality of roll bars is configured to guide the continuous web past the exit end. A load cell is operably coupled to the support frame and configured to generate a signal indicative of a down force applied to the support frame. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell to receive the signal and to correlate the down force applied to the support frame indicated by the signal to a tension measurement value for the continuous web.

Abstract: System and methods providing a plurality of fusers, and one or more radius profiled media handling transports for transporting media in a radius, in an image forming device. The system includes one or more of a plurality of fusers, and radius profiled media handling transport devices arranged in a fashion allowing for improved throughput of media while reducing operating costs. The plurality of fusers allows for the use of individual low capacity fusers that are equal to or less than the overall capacity of the image forming device. Media transport devices transport media on stretch belts across a radius of rollers with a means for providing an adhering force for stabilizing the media to the belt. The rollers are arranged along one side of the frame, along which the media is transported, and a frame may contain an air plenum so as to allow for the drawing of a vacuum through the rollers. The media transport device allows for optimizing a configuration of the image forming device.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system controls an ink droplet mass by regulating a pressure in an ink reservoir. The printing system includes an ink reservoir, an air pressure device, an ink ejection device, and a controller. The ink reservoir is configured to contain a supply of ink and an air space above the supply of ink. The air pressure device is fluidly coupled to the air space above the supply of ink. The ink ejection device is fluidly coupled to the ink reservoir to receive ink from the supply of ink and to eject ink droplets onto an image receiving surface. The controller is coupled to the air pressure device and is configured to activate the air pressure device selectively to change a mass of the ink droplets ejected by the ink ejection device.

Abstract: A media handling transport includes first and second device halves. Each of the device halves includes first, second and third body members, with the first end portion of the second body member disposed adjacent the first end portion of the first body member, the first end portion of the third body member disposed adjacent the second end portion of the first body member, and the second end portion of the third body member disposed adjacent the second end portion of the second body member. An inner body member defines a first media transport passageway with the second body member define, a second media transport passageway with the third body member, and a third media transport passageway with the first body member. The second end portions of the second and third body members define an abutting end of the device half, with the abutting end of the first device half disposed adjacent the abutting end of the second device half in an installed transport.