Abstract: A low cost, low complexity method and apparatus for improved productivity and reducing operator induced shut-downs when feeding multiple jobs of different media type, but the same size, from a single sheet tray includes providing media identification divider sheets that contain patterns of either simple bars or punched holes with the divider sheets loaded into the sheet supply tray on top of their corresponding sheet stack except the first one; providing a digital sensor that reads each media identification divider sheet pattern; and feeding media for the first job. When the first job is complete, remaining sheets for that job can be fed (optionally at high speed) to a purge tray. Media divider sheets for each successive job after the first job are sent to the purge tray for reuse later.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved productivity and reducing operator induced shut-downs when feeding multiple jobs from a single sheet tray includes providing bar-coded job divider sheets; loading the divider sheets into the sheet supply tray on top of their corresponding sheet stack; providing a bar-code sensor above the sheet supply that reads each divider sheet bar-code information; confirming that the bar-code information matches what is in the job cue; and setting subsystem operating parameters for that paper. Once the first divider sheet is sensed, it is then fed to a purge tray before the job starts. When the job is complete, remaining sheets for that job can be fed (optionally at high speed) to the purge tray on top of the corresponding divider sheet for reuse later. If too few sheets were loaded for the job, the feeder will cause a soft cycle down and flag the problem.

Abstract: A low cost, low complexity method and apparatus for improved productivity and reducing operator induced shut-downs when feeding multiple jobs of different media type, but the same size, from a single sheet tray includes providing media identification divider sheets that contain patterns of either simple bars or punched holes with the divider sheets loaded into the sheet supply tray on top of their corresponding sheet stack except the first one; providing a digital sensor that reads each media identification divider sheet pattern; and feeding media for the first job. When the first job is complete, remaining sheets for that job can be fed (optionally at high speed) to a purge tray. Media divider sheets for each successive job after the first job are sent to the purge tray for reuse later.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved productivity and reducing operator induced shut-downs when feeding multiple jobs from a single sheet tray includes providing bar-coded job divider sheets; loading the divider sheets into the sheet supply tray on top of their corresponding sheet stack; providing a bar-code sensor above the sheet supply that reads each divider sheet bar-code information; confirming that the bar-code information matches what is in the job cue; and setting subsystem operating parameters for that paper. Once the first divider sheet is sensed, it is then fed to a purge tray before the job starts. When the job is complete, remaining sheets for that job can be fed (optionally at high speed) to the purge tray on top of the corresponding divider sheet for reuse later. If too few sheets were loaded for the job, the feeder will cause a soft cycle down and flag the problem.

Abstract: A print job processing method at least includes: providing processing attributes for particular print stock, including a predetermined fuser dwell time; establishing a print job, including the stock to be used for each page of the print job; for each page in the print job, selecting the appropriate subsystem containing the stock specified for the particular page; for each page in the print job, transferring image substance to each sheet to be printed, the placement of the image substance corresponding to an image to be duplicated on the page; matching the appropriate portion of the processing attributes to each subsystem; for each page, automatically fusing the image substance to the page according to the dwell time established by the processing attributes for the stock used for the page; and outputting processed pages.

Abstract: A substrate inverter, comprising: an inversion channel having an input path having an input nip and output path having an output nip; input drive means for driving a substrate into the inversion channel means in an initial incoming direction so that a leading edge and trailing edge of the substrate pass by the input nip until the trailing edge of substrate reaches a first position in the inversion channel; output drive means for driving the substrate out of the inversion channel in an output direction generally opposite the initial incoming direction; the output drive means includes a nip for engaging the leading edge of the substrate when the substrate is in the first position; a Controller, responsive to the output drive means, for adjusting speed of the output drive means so that substrate is driven a first speed until the trailing edge of substrate reaches a second position in the inversion channel, and second speed when the trailing edge passes the second position or stop.

Abstract: A substrate inverter, comprising: an inversion channel having an input path having an input nip and output path having an output nip; input drive means for driving a substrate into said inversion channel means in an initial incoming direction so that a leading edge and trailing edge of said substrate pass by said input nip until said trailing edge of substrate reaches a first position in said inversion channel; output drive means for driving said substrate out of said inversion channel in an output direction generally opposite said initial incoming direction; said output drive means includes a xnip for engaging said leading edge of said substrate when said substrate is in said first position; a Controller, responsive to said output drive means, for adjusting speed of said output drive means so that substrate is driven a first speed until said trailing edge of substrate reaches a second position in said inversion channel, and second speed when said trailing edge passes said second position.

Abstract: A method of reducing condensation in an image forming apparatus wherein after the image forming apparatus is turned on and the fuser is being heated, a device is used to heat post Fuser paper path elements to reduce the possibility of condensation within the copier.

Abstract: An anti-condensation baffle unit having two members which correspond to each other, which copied paper is transferred between the two members by at least one idler roller, and at least one muffin fan attached to the baffle unit to cool the area surrounding the baffle unit and the paper that passes through the baffle unit. The baffle unit further includes a plurality of slots, positioned such that the edge of the paper will not be caught by and consequently jam, which allow the air blown from fan to contact the paper and allows ventilation throughout the copying procedure.

Abstract: A paper conditioner to control image dependent curl which uses one or more counter-rotating transfer rollers which are initially spaced from their respective back-up rollers in the intercopy gap, and which come together as the lead edge enters the nip area, and separates when the trail edge is about to pass. This permits the rollers to have a less demanding runout tolerance by bringing the rollers together when the sheet is in the nip, and then articulating the rollers apart in the intercopy gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering a sheet with a developed image on a moving surface. The apparatus includes a transfer station, detector, memory, and a registration transport. The detector is located at the transfer station and generates a registration signal in response to a sheet edge and a registration portion of the developed image. The memory stores sheet position factors and responds to the detector to update the factors. The registration transport communicates with the detector and the memory to move the sheet to the transfer station in registration with the developed image.

Abstract: An apparatus which transfers a developed image from a photoconductive surface to a copy sheet. The apparatus includes a corona generating device arranged to charge the copy sheet for establishing a transfer field that is effective to attract the developed image from the photoconductive surface to the copy sheet and a blade which is moved from a non-operative position spaced from the copy sheet, to an operative position, in contact therewith. The blade presses the copy sheet into contact with at least the developed image on the photoconductive surface to substantially eliminate any spaces between the copy sheet and the developed image during transfer of the developed image from the photoconductive surface to the copy sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeding and separating apparatus includes a multiple piece entrance guide located between a stack from which sheets are to be fed and a retard nip. The guide includes a polycarbonate base member, a radiused high friction urethane retard member and a flexible polycarbonate or polyester film deflector member. The urethane is ground to a radius on the leading edge to promote the feeding of down curled sheets, shingling of sheets and the breaking up of slugs prior to entering the retard nip. The deflector member assists in feeding down curled sheets.

Abstract: A mounting which supports a bearing in a machine frame. The mounting is molded with the bearing being molded integrally therewith in an aperture therein. The outer race of the bearing is in molded non-rotative engagement with the mounting. The mounting has a plurality of mounting supports. At least one of the mounting supports is adapted to be received by the frame.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus for properly placing copy sheets from a high speed copy machine into an exit tray. The invention utilizes a variable speed motor to control the rollers which reside at the end of the paper path. One or more paper guides mounted to the drive rollers, enable the motor to operate over a wide range of speeds, yet still work efficiently. The motor accelerates to its highest speed as the copy sheet enters the nip between the drive and idler rollers, and is decelerated to its slowest speed as the trailing edge of the copy sheet exits the nip. The trailing edge of the copy sheet then moves off of the roller and onto the paper guide. The speed of the motor can then be increased without having to wait for the copy sheet to move into the output area. This substantially reduces the period of time required to reproduce copies.