Abstract: When a media tray is inserted into a printer with the leading edge of the printed page going into the printer first, multiple sheets of media may slide off the media stack (“shingle”) into the paper path if the primary input tray is inserted too aggressively. This may result in double feeds and/or paper jams for the user. Disclosed is a mechanism that is transparent to the user for slow speed tray insertions but provides force feedback to the user indicating tray insertion at too high of speed. If the user inserts the tray below the speed threshold, then the result is a normal tray insertion. If the user inserts the paper tray above the speed threshold, then there is a feedback to the user to slow the tray insertion to an acceptable velocity.

Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a pivotable handle. The handle includes a front segment extending along a front of a body of the toner container when the handle is in a first position for contacting a corresponding pry surface in an image forming device when the handle moves from the first position to a second position. The handle includes a rear segment extending along a rear of the body when the handle is in the first position permitting a user to actuate the rear segment to move the handle from the first position to the second position. The handle includes a first side segment extending along the first side of the body and a second side segment extending along the second side of the body. The first and second side segments connect the front segment and the rear segment.

Abstract: A media stapling system for an image forming device. The media stapling system comprises a stapler mounted on a motor-driven carriage assembly moveably coupled to a track having portions extending along at least two contiguous edges and included corner of a media stack to be stapled. The carriage assembly and track enables stapling in multiple positions along the long and/or short edges and corners of media of varying sizes positioned in a media support. The track is mounted on a planar frame positioned at an angle from horizontal, providing a relatively small footprint. A controller is in operable communication with the media stapling system and an user interface. The user interface provides a plurality of predetermined stapling patterns for selection with the controller controlling the media stapling system to staple the media stack using a selected one of the plurality of stapling patterns.

Abstract: A media stapling system for an image forming device. The media stapling system comprises a stapler mounted on a motor-driven carriage assembly moveably coupled to a track having portions extending along at least two contiguous edges and included corner of a media stack to be stapled. The carriage assembly and track enables stapling in multiple positions along the long and/or short edges and corners of media of varying sizes positioned in a media support. The track is mounted on a planar frame positioned at an angle from horizontal, providing a relatively small footprint. A controller is in operable communication with the media stapling system and an user interface. The user interface provides a plurality of predetermined stapling patterns for selection with the controller controlling the media stapling system to staple the media stack using a selected one of the plurality of stapling patterns.

Abstract: A method for moving a media sheet within an imaging device includes moving a media sheet along a media path past a predetermined point PP on the media path by rotating a roller. After moving the media sheet past the point PP, a processor monitors whether a performance attribute of a component of the imaging device satisfies a predetermined criteria. After the performance attribute of the component of the imaging device satisfies the predetermined criteria, the media sheet is entered into a feed nip in a substantially deskewed alignment.

Abstract: A method for moving a media sheet within an imaging device includes moving a media sheet along a media path by rotating an at least one roller. While the media sheet is moving, a first sensor is activated with the media sheet and then a second sensor is activated with the media sheet. Feedback is received by a processor indicating the number of rotations of the at least one roller. A measured distance DM from the first sensor to the second sensor is calculated. An adjusted distance DA from the second sensor to a feed nip is then calculated. After activation of the second sensor, the roller continues to move the media sheet on the media path and the roller is rotated at least the adjusted distance DA. The media sheet then enters into the feed nip in a substantially deskewed alignment.

Abstract: A method for moving a media sheet within an imaging device includes moving a media sheet along a media path by rotating an at least one roller. While the media sheet is moving, a first sensor is activated with the media sheet and then a second sensor is activated with the media sheet. Feedback is received by a processor indicating the number of rotations of the at least one roller. A measured distance DM from the first sensor to the second sensor is calculated. An adjusted distance DA from the second sensor to a feed nip is then calculated. After activation of the second sensor, the roller continues to move the media sheet on the media path and the roller is rotated at least the adjusted distance DA. The media sheet then enters into the feed nip in a substantially deskewed alignment.

Abstract: A method for moving a media sheet within an imaging device includes moving a media sheet along a media path past a predetermined point PP on the media path by rotating a roller. After moving the media sheet past the point PP, a processor monitors whether a performance attribute of a component of the imaging device satisfies a predetermined criteria. After the performance attribute of the component of the imaging device satisfies the predetermined criteria, the media sheet is entered into a feed nip in a substantially deskewed alignment.

Abstract: A housing assembly includes a housing having an access opening and a cover movable between a closed position wherein the cover generally covers the access opening and an open position wherein the cover generally does not cover the access opening. The assembly further includes a protrusion located on one of the housing or the cover, and a track located on the other one of the housing or the cover. The protrusion is slidably received in the track, and the track forms a generally closed loop shape such that the protrusion slides in the track when the cover is moved between the open and the closed positions. Additionally ramps may be provided on portions of the track to provide user feed back and to inhibit reverse motion of the protrusion.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the waste ink storage capacity of an ink printing device includes a printhead and a drive mechanism. The apparatus includes a spreader mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism of the ink printing device, wherein the spreader mechanism is driven in both horizontal and vertical directions by the drive mechanism to engage waste ink in a waste ink accumulation region and disperse waste ink over said waste ink accumulation region.

Abstract: A maintenance unit for use in an ink jet printer having a printer frame and a waste ink accumulation region includes a maintenance frame coupled to the printer frame. A maintenance sled is moveably coupled to the maintenance frame. A spreader mechanism is slidably coupled to the maintenance frame, and is driveably coupled to the maintenance sled. The spreader mechanism contacts waste ink to distribute the waste ink over the waste ink accumulation region as the maintenance sled moves relative to the maintenance frame.

Abstract: A maintenance unit for use in an ink jet printer having a printer frame and a waste ink accumulation region includes a maintenance frame coupled to the printer frame. A maintenance sled is moveably coupled to the maintenance frame. A spreader mechanism is slidably coupled to the maintenance frame, and is driveably coupled to the maintenance sled. The spreader mechanism contacts waste ink to distribute the waste ink over the waste ink accumulation region as the maintenance sled moves relative to the maintenance frame.