Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers containing a development roller (11) and a first channel contains a feed auger (13) and developer, with a plurality of paddles (12) attached to the feed auger, at least some the paddles increase in size with respect to a previous paddle along a direction of developer flow (18). This arrangement of paddles ensures that a uniform layer of developer is formed on the development roller despite the volume of developer in the first channel decreasing along the length of the first channel in the direction of developer flow.

Abstract: A method for transporting developer in an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers includes transporting developer from a first channel to a development roller across at least a portion of the development roller; releasing spent developer from the development roller to a second channel; wherein the second channel has a first region having a first cross-sectional area and a second region having a second cross-sectional area; wherein the first region is a mixing region the second region is a transport region; and wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross sectional area.

Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers containing a development roller (11) and a first channel contains a feed auger (13) and developer, with a plurality of paddles (12) attached to the feed auger, at least some the paddles increase in size with respect to a previous paddle along a direction of developer flow (18). This arrangement of paddles ensures that a uniform layer of developer is formed on the development roller despite the volume of developer in the first channel decreasing along the length of the first channel in the direction of developer flow.

Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer (100) with multiple augers containing a development roller (11), a first channel (12) containing a feed auger (13), and a second channel (19) containing a mixing auger (20) with the second channel having regions optimized for either developer mixing or developer transport. Optimizing the regions of the second channel for mixing and transport ensures that a homogeneous developer is steadily provided to the first channel and the development roller, thus enabling the production of uniform, high-quality images.

Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer (100) with multiple augers containing a development roller (11), a first channel (12) containing a feed auger (13), and a second channel (19) containing a mixing auger (20) with the second channel having regions optimized for either developer mixing or developer transport. Optimizing the regions of the second channel for mixing and transport ensures that a homogeneous developer is steadily provided to the first channel and the development roller, thus enabling the production of uniform, high-quality images.

Abstract: A method for transporting developer in an electrophotographic printer (100) with multiple augers includes transporting developer from a first channel to a development roller (11) across at least a portion of the development roller; releasing spent developer from the development roller to a second channel (19); wherein the second channel has a first region having a first cross-sectional area and a second region having a second cross-sectional area; wherein the first region is a mixing region the second region is a transport region; and wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross sectional area.

Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers containing a development roller (11) and a first channel contains a feed auger (13) and developer, with a plurality of paddles (12) attached to the feed auger, at least some the paddles increase in size with respect to a previous paddle along a direction of developer flow (18). This arrangement of paddles ensures that a uniform layer of developer is formed on the development roller despite the volume of developer in the first channel decreasing along the length of the first channel in the direction of developer flow.

Abstract: A development system (10) for an electrophotographic printer with multiple augers containing a development roller (11) and a first channel contains a feed auger (13) and developer, with a plurality of paddles (12) attached to the feed auger, at least some the paddles increase in size with respect to a previous paddle along a direction of developer flow (18). This arrangement of paddles ensures that a uniform layer of developer is formed on the development roller despite the volume of developer in the first channel decreasing along the length of the first channel in the direction of developer flow.

Abstract: A developer station and method for an electrophotographic printer is provided that reduces developer agitation. The developer station includes a sump of magnetic developer, and a magnetic brush roller mounted above said sump and having a rotatable magnetic core surrounded by a substantially cylindrical toning shell rotatably mounted with respect to the core. The toning shell defines a nip at its closest point to the photoconductor element. A tangent line tangent to the cylindrical toning shell at the nip is oriented substantially vertically, and the magnetic developer is applied to the toning shell at an angular distance of no more than about 120° from said nip. The toning shell may be eccentrically mounted with respect to the magnetic core and is substantially closest to the rotatable magnetic core within about +30° and ?30° from said nip. Such a configuration advantageously reduces the residence time of the developer on the toning shell.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing toner in an electrostatographic printer includes apparatus for agitating toner contained by a relatively large toner container (e.g., 10-25 liters in volume). The apparatus includes a substantially vertically-oriented shaft supporting a blade that operates, as the blade rotates, to drive the contained toner mass upwardly, thereby aerating the mass and preventing compaction during toner dispensing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing toner in an electrostatographic printer includes apparatus for drawing ambient air in a vertical direction, preferably upwards, through a relatively large toner container. The air-flow is sufficient to fluidize the toner in the toner container and thereby prevent compaction. Such fluidization is optionally supplemented by the action of an auger or propeller mechanism mounted within the toner container. During rotation of the auger/propeller, the toner is lifted and thereby further prevents toner compaction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing toner in an electrostatographic printer includes apparatus for drawing ambient air in a vertical direction, preferably upwards, through a relatively large toner container (e.g., 10-225 liters in volume). The air-flow is sufficient to fluidize the toner in the container and thereby prevent compaction. Such fluidization is optionally supplemented by the action of an auger or propeller mechanism mounted within the container. During rotation of the auger/propeller, the toner is lifted and thereby further prevents toner compaction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing toner in an electrostatographic printer includes apparatus for agitating toner contained by a relatively large toner container (e.g., 10-25 liters in volume). Such apparatus includes a substantially vertically-oriented shaft supporting s blade member that operates, as the blade rotates, to drive the contained toner mass upwardly, thereby aerating the mass and preventing compaction during toner dispensing.

Abstract: A fuser, for a reproduction apparatus, having at least one heated fuser roller operating at a setpoint temperature to permanently fix a marking particle image to a receiver member, and a mechanism for controlling temperature droop in the heated fuser roller. The temperature droop controlling mechanism includes a heat sink having a thermal mass selected to substantially match the heat take out rate for the nominal fuser operating process, the heat sink being movable to a position in operative contact with the heated fuser roller and a nonoperative position remote from heated fuser roller. A logic and control unit is provided for moving the heat sink from the nonoperative remote position to the operative position contacting heated fuser roller as soon as a reproduction apparatus job run is started to remove heat from the heated fuser roller thus lowering its surface temperature from the setpoint temperature.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus utilizing clear marking particles in the development of an image, the clear marking particles being laid down so as to prevent offset upon fusing of an image to a receiver member. The reproduction apparatus is disclosed as including a dielectric member adapted to have latent images formed thereon. A development station, is provided including a plurality of developer units respectively containing marking particles of different colors, at least one developer unit containing black marking particles and another developer unit containing clear marking particles. The development station selectively develops latent images with marking particles from the developer units respectively. A transfer station serves to transfer developed marking particle images to a receiver member, and a fuser assembly fuses a marking particle image on a receiver member.

Abstract: A substantial change in charge on toner in a development station due to a reduction in relative humidity as the station warms up is compensated for by applying heat from an externaI source to the station when the station has not been warmed up. For example, when the station is turned off or in a condition of idle. This feature is particularly usable in a station having a rotating magnetic core.

Abstract: A development station for applying toner to an electrostatic image includes a rotatable magnetic core and a roughened sleeve on which developer moves to develop the image. The outside surface of the sleeve contains fine extrusion-formed serrations, which serrations provide a roughness for the outside surface contributing to movement of developer in response to rotation of the magnetic core.

Abstract: A toner container has three chambers for holding three different color toners. The container is receivable by a receiving structure having a pair of opposing slots for receiving flanges on the base of the toner container. The receiving mechanism is part of a development device which includes a movable carriage for moving a plurality of development units into alignment with a development position. A portion, for example, an applicator of each development unit is movable with respect to the rest of the unit into toning relation with an image member at the development position.

Abstract: A series of electrostatic images carried by a drum or similar image member are toned with different colored toners by a movable developing device. The developing device moves a series of developing units to a position aligned with the drum. An applicator is an aligned unit is moved relative to the rest of the unit toward the drum to operatively position the unit for developing each electrostatic image.