Abstract: A sheet separating mechanism and a method of separating sheets that includes a retard surface carrier that causes a retard surface to apply an alternately higher and lower friction force against the edge of an underlying sheet. The alternation of the higher and lower friction force can be coupled to a vacuum sheet feeder. The retard surface can be translated to present a next portion of the retard surface to the edge of the next underlying sheet with the translation coupled to the vacuum sheet feeder.

Abstract: A stripper assembly strips a media sheet from a photoreceptor belt. A support bracket supports a stripping finger base which includes a multiplicity of attached stripping fingers. The support bracket is fixed proximate to the photoreceptor belt in a media stripping position. Each stripping finger has a protruding distal stripping end extending toward the photoreceptor belt to form a gap therewith. The magnitude of the stripping finger-photoreceptor belt gap is controlled by adjusting the position or spacing of the finger base with respect to the support bracket. The support bracket pivots about an inboard pivot axial. The opposite support bracket outboard end is releasable, thus enabling the support bracket to pivot away from the photoreceptor belt.

Abstract: An improved dircorotron shield for use in an electrophotographic photorecptor printer. The improved dicorotron shield uses titanium or a titanium alloy to form the dicorotron shield, thereby eliminating the need for a base layer or coating to neutralize the production of deteriorative acids that impair or weaken the surface of the photoreceptor. The use of titanium or a titanium alloy limits the production of unstable ozone O3 otherwise occurring due to the high energy agitation of atmospheric oxygen O2 caused by the charging of the corona device the dicorotron shield surrounds. By reducing the production of ozone O3, the formation of acids is reduced as well. As a result of the reduced acids formed, the titanium or titanium alloy dicorotron shield requires less cleaning or maintenance or replacement.