Abstract: This is a test procedure for detecting contaminants or a method for removing contaminants from toner to be used in an electrophotographic marking system. The method simulates the mixing and separation of contaminants that occur in an actual development system. It has been determined that contaminants in toner have tribo properties that prevent strong adherence of these contaminants to the carrier whereas purified toner has tribo properties that permit stronger adherence to the carrier. A separation procedure and method is thereby used to remove or identify contaminants.

Abstract: A butterfly-type valve for controlling toner material flow to a toner container, including, a valve plate which is pivotally disposed in an elongate flow path defined by a passage way, wherein the valve plate is pivotal from a closed position which substantially closes a fluid communication along the path to an open position which maximally permitting fluid communication along the path, a gap area defined between the valve plate and the passage way when the valve plate is in the closed position which allows minimum toner material flow therethrough without compressing the toner material, and a pump for supplying air to the gap area when the valve plate is in the closed position to stop the minimum toner material flow.

Abstract: This is a test procedure for detecting contaminants or a method for removing contaminants from toner to be used in an electrophotographic marking system. The method simulates the mixing and separation of contaminants that occur in an actual development system. It has been determined that contaminants in toner have tribo properties that prevent strong adherence of these contaminants to the carrier whereas purified toner has tribo properties that permit stronger adherence to the carrier. A separation procedure and method is thereby used to remove or identify contaminants.

Abstract: An image forming device is arranged to identify a detached apparatus and to provide one or more signals based on the detached apparatus. The one or more signals include at least a user signal based on when the detached apparatus can be attached to or used with the image forming device.

Abstract: An image forming device is arranged to identify a detached apparatus and to provide one or more signals based on the detached apparatus. The one or more signals include at least a user signal based on when the detached apparatus can be attached to or used with the image forming device.

Abstract: An image forming device is arranged to identify a detached apparatus and to provide one or more signals based on the detached apparatus. The one or more signals include at least a user signal based on when the detached apparatus can be attached to or used with the image forming device.

Abstract: This is a magnetic developer purification structure that is used along with other stations positioned in the path of an electrostatic moving belt or drum in an electrostatic marking system. This purification structure may be a separate station or may be part of the development station provided it supplies purified developer to the development station prior to developer contacting the latent image on the drum or belt. The purification structure will agitate the developer mix to form a homogenous mixture of toner and carrier. This mixture is magnetically treated to separate less magnetically attracted contaminants from the remainder of the mixture. The contaminants are removed from the mix and substantially pure developer is then available for contact with the latent image.

Abstract: An image forming device is arranged to identify a detached apparatus and to provide one or more signals based on the detached apparatus. The one or more signals include at least a user signal based on when the detached apparatus can be attached to or used with the image forming device.

Abstract: A system and method enable toner to be packed more densely in a toner container and the container to be more quickly filled with toner. The system includes a container for storage of toner in an xerographic reproduction machine, the container having a fill opening, and a porous plug in a wall of the container; a filling system for mating to the fill opening of the container to provide toner to the container; and a source of negative pressure coupled to the porous plug to remove air from an internal volume of the container and more densely pack the toner stored in the container.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for notifying a user of a document left at a xerographic apparatus, such as a printer or copier. The system includes a sensor module for sensing the document and determining whether the user is within a predetermined distance of the xerographic apparatus. The system further includes a notification module for notifying the user of the document left if the copier user is outside the predetermined distance of the copier. The system and method can utilize RFID transponders each worn by a respective copier user or input data for determining the identity of the user. Notification can be accomplished by one of several methods, such as transmitting an electronic message to the user, actuating an alarm located near or at the xerographic apparatus, and preventing further use of the apparatus until the document is retrieved.

Abstract: An insert in the form of a bin partition improves flow of powder or particulate material once installed into an existing bin. The insert has a triangular shape with a baffle on top of it covering a portion of the partition. The partition changes the shape of the exit area of a bin and enables better control of powder or particulate material flow, thus preventing bridging and uncontrolled flooding while filling the bin's hopper.

Abstract: Dispenser conduit partitions are used to improve the discharge flow of toner particles from a toner dispenser bottle in a host image forming device. A dispenser conduit partition assembly is inserted into the funnel-like dispenser conduit of the toner dispenser bottle. The conduit partition assembly is arranged with multiple partition members. The multiple partition members act to partition the single symmetric dispenser conduit into a corresponding multiplicity of asymmetric dispenser component conduits. As a result, the toner particles are dispensed by the multiple dispenser component conduits to thereby form a corresponding multiplicity of asymmetric toner particle discharge flows, thus reducing toner bridging.

Abstract: A toner-filling device that transports a toner mass from a hopper to a cartridge. A porous tube is used during the filling operation to remove air from or supply air to the toner. This porous tube will operate at various depths of toner to more completely remove air from or supply air to the toner. An auger is used to transport the toner, and the porous tube extends through the auger beyond the lowest end of the auger.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the denseness of powder conveyed from a hopper through a funnel and into a container includes an auger that is positioned within the funnel that is rotatable and vertically movable. The rotation and vertical movement of the auger serves to continuously vary the length of the auger and as a result maximizes the mass of powder that can fill the container. Alternatively, the auger can include an articulatable section that splays when it is extended beyond a terminal portion of the funnel. Still yet, the device could include a hollow auger shaft with an internal rod that has the ability to extend and retract. The rod includes a strip portion and with the strip portion retracted, the powder discharged is in its densest state. As the strip portion is extended the powder density is reduced.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for cleanly cutting off filling of a container with toner without post-cutoff dribbling. The apparatus for the method includes (a) a conduit member having a discharging end; (b) a conveyor device for moving the toner from the hopper towards the container; and (c) a nozzle device including a positive and negative air pressure applying device, and a nozzle member for directing the toner to the container. The nozzle member has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member and a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container. The nozzle member includes a post-cutoff controllable vibrator assembly connected to a controller for selectively enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling.

Abstract: Apparatus has been provided for directing toner from a hopper containing a supply of toner to fill as well as cleanly cutoff filling of a container without post-cutoff dribbling. The apparatus includes (a) a conduit member connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a toner to be moved therethrough; (b) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the toner from the hopper in a toner moving direction towards the container; and (c) an anti-dribbling nozzle device for directing the toner from the conveyor to cleanly fill the container. The anti-dribbling nozzle device includes a source of pressurized air, a controller, and a nozzle member that has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member, a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container, and a nozzle wall connecting the first end to the second thereof.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for directing toner from a hopper containing a supply of toner to fill as well as cleanly cutoff filling of a container without post-cutoff dribbling. The apparatus for the method includes (a) a conduit member connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a toner to be moved therethrough; (b) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the toner from the hopper in a toner moving direction towards the container; (c) a nozzle device including a nozzle member for directing the toner from the conveyor to cleanly fill the container. The nozzle member is mounted within a housing and has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member and a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus have been provided for directing toner from a hopper containing a supply of toner to fill as well as cleanly cutoff filling of a container without post-cutoff dribbling. The apparatus for the method includes (a) a conduit member connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a toner to be moved therethrough; (b) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the toner from the hopper in a toner moving direction towards the container; and (c) an anti-dribbling nozzle device for directing the toner from the conveyor to cleanly fill the container. The anti-dribbling nozzle device includes a source of pressurized air, a controller, and a nozzle member that has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member, a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container, and a nozzle wall connecting the first end to the second thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for moving powder from a hopper containing a supply of powder to fill a container. The apparatus includes (a) a conduit member operably connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a powder to be moved therethrough; (b) a nozzle member for directing the powder from the conveyor to fill the container, the nozzle member being operably connected to the discharge end of the conduit member and having a first end connected to the conduit member, and a second and opposite end for dispensing moving powder into the container; and (c) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the powder from the hopper in a powder moving direction to the nozzle member, the conveyor device being stoppable for halting the flow of powder, and including a porous portion and vacuum device for additionally halting the flow of powder for a clean shutoff.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for directing toner from a hopper containing a supply of toner to evenly fill a non-symmetric container without excessive dusting and spills. The apparatus includes (a) a conduit member operably connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a toner to be moved therethrough; (b) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the toner from the hopper in a toner moving direction towards the non-symmetric container; and (c) a nozzle member for directing the toner from the conveyor to evenly fill the non-symmetric container. The nozzle member is operably connected to the discharge end of the conduit member and has a first end connected to the conduit member, a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the non-symmetric container, and a central portion between the first end and the second and opposite end.