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: 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: A tool for installation of intermediate belts by a customer includes a lightweight frame structure that is collapsible for handling and ease of belt loading onto the tool itself. The frame structure includes linkage such that when a handle connected to the frame structure is rotated; the framework will expand into the hanging belt and force the belt to take the shape of an intermediate belt transfer module profile. The intermediate transfer belt is then slid onto rollers of the intermediate belt transfer module.

Abstract: A method and system for providing dynamic sensor positioning in a color image forming device. Movably mounted sensors are provided in color printers and color reproduction devices allowing for a single sensor to be utilized in a plurality of positions corresponding to a plurality of color control patches, resulting in reduced production and operating costs. In particular, a color xerographic device is provided with a movably mounted ESV that can be positioned substantially adjacent to a plurality of color control patches, thereby, allowing for a single ESV in a multi-color image forming device.

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: A hybrid printing system including (a) a machine frame; (b) a multi-color image producing module mounted within the machine frame and including color image output terminals and an endless intermediate transfer member for receiving color images from the color image output terminals to form a multi-color image; (c) a separate black image producing module mounted within the machine frame spaced from the multi-color image producing module and including a black image output terminal; and (d) a print media transport/transfer module mounted within the machine frame for receiving and moving image receiving print media through the machine frame, the print media transport/transfer module including a repositionable electrostatic transport/transfer member having multi-positions including (i) a first position forming a first image transfer nip with the endless intermediate transfer member, and (ii) a second position forming a second image transfer nip with the black image output terminal.

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 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: 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: 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: 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: A method and system for providing dynamic sensor positioning in a color image forming device. Movably mounted sensors are provided in color printers and color reproduction to a plurality of color control patches, resulting in reduced production and mounted ESV that can be positioned substantially adjacent to a plurality of color control patches, thereby, allowing for a single ESV in a multi-color image forming device.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a media conditioning module for being connected between a media source supplying sheets of media and a printing device. The media conditioning module is adapted to remove moisture from the sheets of media received from the media source before the sheets of media are supplied to the printing device. The media conditioning module comprises a heater and a cooler. The heater has manifolds positioned to supply heated air to both sides of the sheets of media as the sheets of media pass through the media conditioning module. The cooler is positioned to supply non-heated air to both sides of the sheets of media as the sheets of media pass through the media conditioning module. The heater is positioned with respect to the cooler such that the sheets of media pass by the heater before the sheets of media pass by the cooler.

Abstract: A tool for installation of intermediate belts by a customer includes a lightweight frame structure that is collapsible for handling and ease of belt loading onto the tool itself. The frame structure includes linkage such that when a handle connected to the frame structure is rotated; the framework will expand into the hanging belt and force the belt to take the shape of an intermediate belt transfer module profile. The intermediate transfer belt is then slid onto rollers of the intermediate belt transfer module.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine comprising at least one print engine, an input media path delivering a print media to the print engine, an output media path removing the print media from the print engine, and a media handling transport disposed in at least one of the media paths. The 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.

Abstract: A hybrid printing system including (a) a machine frame; (b) a multi-color image producing module mounted within the machine frame and including color image output terminals and an endless intermediate transfer member for receiving color images from the color image output terminals to form a multi-color image; (c) a separate black image producing module mounted within the machine frame spaced from the multi-color image producing module and including a black image output terminal; and (d) a print media transport/transfer module mounted within the machine frame for receiving and moving image receiving print media through the machine frame, the print media transport/transfer module including a repositionable electrostatic transport/transfer member having multi-positions including (i) a first position forming a first image transfer nip with the endless intermediate transfer member, and (ii) a second position forming a second image transfer nip with the black image output terminal.

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 overal 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: This is a structure useful in electrostatic marking systems that prevents a charge from contacting a photoreceptor in areas not covered by paper. An automatically movable cover is positioned between a corona device and the photoreceptor to prevent the charge emitted by the corona from damaging the unprotected areas of the photoreceptor. The movement and positioning of the shutter or cover is automatically calibrated by the width of paper being used. Since a plurality of paper widths can be used in an electrostatic marking system, various portions of the photoreceptor will be exposed. The entire determination to move the cover or shutter and to the extent positioned is automatically determined minimizing the possibility of error if manual positioning of the cover was used.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a printing apparatus and method including a media sheet registration system, a fuser roll assembly and a fuser roll RDS (registration distribution system). The media sheet registration system steers media sheets to alternative target positions to smooth fuser roll edge wear area profiles associated with the RDS and media sheets passing through the fuser roll assembly.