Abstract: An apparatus and related method for a self-cleaning toner roller device adjacent a toner roller. The cleaning device having one or more shields to capture the toner debris from the toner roller, a toner debris receptacle to collect the toner debris, and a controller to move the applicator from an operational mode to a self-cleaning mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for a self-cleaning toner roller device adjacent a toner roller. The cleaning device having one or more shields to capture the toner debris from the toner roller, a toner debris receptacle to collect the toner debris, and a controller to move the applicator from an operational mode to a self-cleaning mode.

Abstract: A method of rendering the appearance of a printed input digital image comprised of an array of pixels and wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information, the method comprising defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel; and, reassigning the digital value of the edge pixels or interior pixels independently of one another. The rendering of the present invention occurs post RIP.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus having a transfer assembly, including an electrically biased transfer roller in nip relation with a dielectric support member, for effecting transfer of a pigmented marking particle image from an image area of a dielectric support member to a receiver member in transfer relation with the dielectric support member in the transfer nip, a mechanism for cleaning the transfer roller including a control for the electrical bias on the transfer roller. The electrical bias control has a power supply generating an electrical output, of a settable polarity, connected to the transfer roller for applying an electrical bias of a set polarity thereto. A mechanism disables the power supply for a period of time during a start-up phase of reproduction so as to prevent transfer of residual marking particles from the dielectric support member to the transfer roller.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus having a transfer assembly, including an electrically biased transfer roller in nip relation with a dielectric support member, for effecting transfer of a pigmented marking particle image from an image area of a dielectric support member to a receiver member in transfer relation with the dielectric support member in the transfer nip, a mechanism for cleaning the transfer roller including a control for the electrical bias on the transfer roller. The electrical bias control has a power supply generating an electrical output, of a settable polarity, connected to the transfer roller for applying an electrical bias of a set polarity thereto. A mechanism disables the power supply for a period of time during a start-up phase of reproduction so as to prevent transfer of residual marking particles from the dielectric support member to the transfer roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to cleaning systems for electrographic processes and, in particular, to detecting leaks in such processes. A process and apparatus for sensing leaks is provided in an electrographic process cleaning system of the type configured to have a particle collection container. According to an aspect of the invention, a pressure is sensed that is indicative of pressure inside the particle collection container.

Abstract: The invention relates to cleaning systems for electrographic processes and, in particular, to detecting leaks in such processes. A process and apparatus for sensing leaks is provided in an electrographic process cleaning system of the type configured to have a particle collection container.

Abstract: Electrostatographic recording method and apparatus that includes a primary image-forming member (PIFM) which moves along a closed path at high-speed. The PIFM may be in the form of an endless belt, which has a row of image frame synchronizing indicia. The indicia are spaced from each other in the direction of movement of the PIFM. The indicia are not all uniformly spaced from one another so that an interframe area larger than other smaller interframe areas on the PIFM can exist. During a production run toner images are formed on the image frames by sensing the image frame synchronizing indicia. The larger interframe area is provided preferably at a splice or seam area to provide sufficient time for a change in a process element for which sufficient time is not available at a smaller interframe area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for replenishing toner and collecting used toner in an electrostatographic machine. The apparatus includes a replenishment hopper having a supply of fresh toner. A development device feeds toner onto a recording member having an electrostatic image to be developed. A feeding device feeds fresh toner to the development device from a replenishment bottle. A replenishment motor drives the feeding device to feed fresh toner to the development device. A collection container or bottle collects used toner removed from a recording member. A controller tracks a first accumulated motor operating on-time and is programmed to compare the operating on-time with a first pre-programmed value for determining when the collection container is to be emptied or to be replaced or that the machine is to be cycled down. The controller also tracks a second accumulated motor operating on-time for determining when the replenishment bottle is to be replaced.

Abstract: An electrometer probe is used in an electrophotographic apparatus as part of a process control system to measure charge on a photoconductive film belt. This measurement is used to control voltage level or other process parameter of the electrophotographic process. The probe is supported in an electrometer probe holder so that a sensor aperture of the probe is at a fixed distance from the film belt. In order to ensure proper operation of the electrometer probe, a method and an apparatus for independently calibrating the electrometer probe is provided. A curved plate is provided on the electrometer probe holder. The plate is mounted at the same spacing from the probe aperture as the film belt. This plate has a receptacle for the service person's test lead to attach. The other end of the test lead is attached to a test point for the toning station bias supply. The probe may be reoriented on the probe holder to position the probe aperture at the fixed distance to the plate.

Abstract: An electrostatographic recording apparatus includes an endless recording member upon which toner images are recorded. A densitometer is provided for measuring density of a toned area on the recording member. The densitometer includes a light emitting and/or light sensitive component that is located in an internal space confined by the endless recording member. The densitometer further includes a slidable support upon which the component is mounted in facing relationship with and proximate to an internal facing portion of the recording member. A stationary mounting structure is attached to a film core upon which the film-like recording member is supported. The slidable support is received within the stationary mounting structure. An electrical circuit is electrically connected to the component and is mounted on a side of the slidable support that is opposite in facing direction to that of the component.

Abstract: A cleaning system for an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus for air flow control for maintaining optimum cleaning efficiency. The cleaning system includes a fan for producing an air flow to entrain residual marking particles and other debris. The fan has a filter and a variable speed blower associated therewith. A pressure transducer is associated with the filter for measuring the pressure drop across the filter, and generates a signal corresponding to the pressure drop measured by the pressure transducer. Responsive to the signal from the pressure transducer, the speed of the blower is regulated to maintain a desired optimum efficiency air flow through the filter. Of course, the speed of the blower can be quantified such that at a certain threshold speed an appropriate warning may be provided that the filter is no longer operating efficiently and needs to be cleaned or replaced.

Abstract: An integrated environmental management system for reproduction apparatus including a reprographic marking engine for reproducing information supplied thereto and accessories for facilitating the handling of reproduction output from the marking engine. The integrated environmental management system includes a housing associated with the reprographic marking engine. The housing defines a chamber having, in communication, a rear wall substantially parallel to the rear of the reprographic marking engine, first and second side walls, and top and bottom walls. An inlet plenum in the housing chamber communicates, for example, with an opening in the first side wall of the housing. The inlet plenum includes an inlet filter for preventing contaminants in ambient air from entering the inlet plenum, a first inlet duct directed into the general interior of the reprographic marking engine, and a plurality of inlet ducts directed respectively to specific systems within the reprographic marking engine.

Abstract: A container for supplying toner includes a containing portion with an opening through which toner is moved into a receiving sump. A cover for the opening is flexible enough to move in an arcuate path from a position coveting the opening to a position of storage alongside a sidewall of the containing portion. The cover is stiff enough to be pushed back to its covering position. The leading edge of the cover in its movement back to its coveting position is made concave to the direction of movement so that it will more easily enter a channel partially defined by a seal around the opening. A protrusion on the cover enters a hole in a cover holding member when the cover is in its coveting position to lock the cover in place when the container is not on a receiving apparatus. The protrusion can be pushed out of the hole, unlocking the cover by an appropriate receiving member.

Abstract: A support assembly, in an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus having multiple development stations respectively containing different color marking particles for selective development of a plurality of latent image-wise charge patterns on a moving dielectric member so that such apparatus is capable of making multi-color reproductions. The support assembly includes a plurality of members adapted to receive the plurality of development stations respectively. The plurality of members are simultaneously movable to a first position where development stations received by the members are remote from the dielectric member to facilitate removal of such development stations from the apparatus, and to a second position where such development stations are in juxtaposition with the dielectric member.

Abstract: An efficient, clean and inexpensive apparatus for adding fresh toner to a development station in an electrostatographic copier or printer includes a pivotable member for holding and transporting a container of such toner, without retouching, regrasping or directly rehandling such container, between a first position in which the container, substantially in an upright orientation, is non-slidably attachable to the pivotable member, and a second position in which the container is fully inverted over the development station automatically locating such container in place for toner therein to flow gravitationally into the development station.