Abstract: A multicassette autoloader for vertically oriented storage phosphor cassettes includes a front, a back and opposite sides. The autoloader includes an input bin for receiving multiple vertically oriented storage phosphor cassettes stacked together in face-to-face contact, wherein the cassettes are oriented front-to-back with faces facing the autoloader sides, and wherein each of the cassettes contains a storage phosphor which is removable from the cassette; a storage phosphor read location at which a storage phosphor is removed from and replaced in a storage phosphor cassette positioned at the storage phosphor read location; and an output bin for receiving storage phosphor cassettes from the storage phosphor read location for subsequent removal.

Abstract: A cassette handling apparatus of a storage phosphor reader, which is used for reading a latent image stored in a storage phosphor contained in a cassette. The cassette handling apparatus includes: a cassette platen and front plate for receiving a cassette having a storage phosphor; a cassette centering guide mechanism for centering a received cassette on the cassette platen; a cassette feed mechanism for moving a received cassette into contact with the front plate; and a storage phosphor feed mechanism for feeding a storage phosphor out of a received cassette into the storage phosphor reader for processing.

Abstract: A storage phosphor reader apparatus for reading exposed storage phosphors. The reader includes an outer frame assembly including a cassette handling assembly for handling cassettes; an inner frame assembly; a first set of vibration isolators; a storage phosphor scanning assembly; and a second set of vibration isolators. A frame locker assembly is provided for locking the scanning assembly to the outer frame assembly when a cassette is transferred between the cassette handling assembly and the scanning assembly and for unlocking the scanning assembly during scanning of a storage phosphor removed from the cassette, so that the first and second sets of vibration isolators isolate the scanning assembly during storage phosphor scanning.

Abstract: A multicassette autoloader for vertically oriented storage phosphor cassettes includes a front, a back and opposite sides. The autoloader includes an input bin for receiving multiple vertically oriented storage phosphor cassettes stacked together in face-to-face contact, wherein the cassettes are oriented front-to-back with faces facing the autoloader sides, and wherein each of the cassettes contains a storage phosphor which is removable from the cassette; a storage phosphor read location at which a storage phosphor is removed from and replaced in a storage phosphor cassette positioned at the storage phosphor read location; and an output bin for receiving storage phosphor cassettes from the storage phosphor read location for subsequent removal.

Abstract: In a storage phosphor reader for reading a latent image stored in a storage phosphor contained in a cassette, a cassette handling apparatus. The cassette handling apparatus comprises: a cassette platen and front plate for receiving a cassette having a storage phosphor; a cassette centering guide mechanism for centering a received cassette on the cassette platen; a cassette feed mechanism for moving a received cassette into contact with the front plate; and a storage phosphor feed mechanism for feeding a storage phosphor out of a received cassette into the storage phosphor reader for processing.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a very compact zoom assembly with a minimum number of parts. Another object of this invention is to provide a zoom assembly which does not require guide rods and utilizes with only one motor for both zooming and focusing. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a zoom assembly includes a zoom lens defining an optical axis. This zoom lens is capable of operating in a plurality of different zoom positions and of focus adjustment for different object distances in each of the zoom positions. The zoom positions are (i) two extreme zoom positions (a wide angle position and a telephoto position), and (ii) a plurality of intermediate zoom positions. The zoom lens includes at least a first movable lens group and a second movable lens group. These first and second lens group are separated from one another by a variable distance.

Abstract: Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a zoom assembly having a plurality of different zoom positions and focus adjustment for different object distances in each of the zoom positions includes: (i) a zoom lens having a plurality of lens groups defining an optical axis and (ii) a cam barrel centered about the optical axis. The cam barrel has an inner peripheral surface with at least one cam groove for moving one of the lens groups relative to another one of the lens groups. The cam groove includes: (i) a set of primary zoom sections, each corresponding to one of the zoom positions and having a slope with respect to the optical axis, and (ii) a set of intermediate sections corresponding to transitions from one of the plurality of zoom positions to another one of the plurality of zoom positions. Each of the intermediate sections is has a slope with respect to the optical axis.

Abstract: The first, movable encloses the front, middle and rear lens groups. The front and rear lens groups are supported by a front and a rear lens cell, respectively. At least one of the front and rear lens cells is an integral part of the front lens barrel. The front and rear lens cells are located at a fixed distance with respect to one another. The middle lens group is supported by a mid-lens cell. The mid-lens cell is slidably movable within the first, movable barrel and has at least three external cam followers. The second, movable barrel engages and at least partially encloses the first barrel and includes three cam grooves engaging the cam followers. The motor is operatively connected to the second, movable barrel. The motor rotates the second, movable, so that the second, movable barrel moves along the optical axis with respect to the first, movable barrel.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting sheets seriatim along a travel path from a first station to a downstream second station. The sheet transport apparatus comprises a housing in juxtaposition with the sheet travel path. A first transport assembly and a second transport assembly are respectively mounted within the housing. The second transport assembly is mounted in the housing, downstream in the direction of sheet transport, of the first transport assembly, for articulation relative to the first transport assembly, and so as to extend into operative relation with said sheet travel path for transporting a sheet respectively along a first portion of the sheet travel path and a second portion of the sheet travel path at an angle to the first portion.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus, a mechanism which substantially prevents trail edge smear of an image on a receiver member. The reproduction apparatus has a flexible dielectric web entrained over at least a pair of support members defining a web travel path. Successive areas of the dielectric web are adapted to respectively carry a marking particle developed image. A marking particle developed image is transferable from the dielectric web to a receiver member brought into contact with the dielectric web. After transfer of the developed image to the receiver member, the receiver member is transported away from the dielectric web. A mechanism is provided for facilitating separation of a receiver member from the dielectric web. The separation mechanism includes an elongated member having a surface adapted to enable the dielectric web to pass thereover.

Abstract: In an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus having a transfer assembly, of compact configuration, including a transfer roller for effecting transfer of a pigmented marking particle image from a dielectric support to a receiver member including a mechanism for mounting the roller transfer assembly. The mechanism includes a support for the transfer assembly located within the reproduction apparatus. The support for the transfer assembly is connected to the transfer assembly such that the transfer roller of the transfer assembly is castered and gimbaled.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically cleaning the corona wires and charge control grid of a corona charger. The simplified cleaning mechanism comprises a cleaning pad assembly having opposed substantially parallel surfaces for wiping substantially parallel operative surfaces of the corona charger corona wire and grid. The cleaning pad assembly is held within the corona charger in association with the corona wire and grid, and is movable along substantially the length of the corona wire and grid. The cleaning pad assembly is automatically selectively activated such that, on linear movement, the cleaning pad assembly cleans the corona wire and charge control grid at the same time. The cleaning pad includes a cleaner bar, a batting member matching a surface of the cleaner bar and a cleaning material wrapped around the cleaner bar and batting member.

Abstract: In an apparatus for transporting sheets along a travel path, a registration mechanism for aligning a sheet relative to the travel path. The registration mechanism comprises a support for a sheet moving along the travel path and a pair of frusto-conical rollers. The frusto-conical rollers are mounted for rotation about common axis, with the apex portions of the respective frusto-conical rollers oriented in the same direction relative to the common axis. The common axis is located to lie in a plane parallel to the plane of a sheet in the travel path and extend in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of a sheet along the travel path. The plane containing the axis is spaced from the sheet supporting means a distance such that the frusto-conical rollers are in nip relation with the sheet supporting means so as to urge a sheet in the travel path in the direction of movement along the travel path and in a direction transverse to the direction of movement with a minimum of skew induced in such sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding material, in the form of discrete sheets, seriatim from a stack of discrete sheets. The sheet feeding apparatus comprises a support for a stack of discrete sheets. A sheet in the supported stack of discrete sheets is engaged by a friction mechanism for selectively removing such sheet from the stack. Such sheet is attracted to the friction mechanism by vacuum directed adjacent to the friction mechanism. The vacuum attraction increases the force of engagement of such sheet with the friction mechanism to facilitate removal of such sheet from the stack of discrete sheets by the friction mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the lateral movement of a travelling web to automatically compensate for web conicity and angular deviation of the web velocity vector. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus comprises a steering roller about which a travelling web is at least in part entrained. An assembly supports the steering roller for rotation about its longitudinal axis, and mounts the steering roller for angular adjustment about a caster axis perpendicular to such longitudinal axis at the mid-point of the steering roller. The assembly is, in turn, supported for rotation about a gimbal axis intersecting, and perpendicular to, the caster axis. Lateral movement of a web supported on the steering roller is sensed relative to the steering roller in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the steering roller. The mechanism for sensing lateral movement of the web moves in a corresponding direction to the sensed lateral movement of the web.

Abstract: In an apparatus utilizing a photoconductive member mounted for movement about a closed loop path through electrostatographic process stations for reproducing information, a mechanism for mounting said photoconductive member in said apparatus. Such mechanism comprises at least a pair of rollers about which the photoconductive member is entrained. The photoconductive member-supporting rollers are supported for movement to (i) an operative position relative to electrostatographic process stations, (ii) a remote position enabling access to such electrostatographic process stations, and (iii) an intermediate position where removal and replacement of the photoconductive member on the rollers is facilitated.