Abstract: A guide system for xerographic printing apparatus introduces paper bearing an unfixed image and having a broad range of basis weights into a fuser nip from a prefuser transport without causing image smear. An entrance baffle is positioned in the path of the paper advancing toward the fuser nip for engagement by the paper's leading edge. The entrance baffle is hinged at its mounting end for swinging movement between a maximal and minimal positions as defined by stop members and is biased into engagement with the minimal stop member. The magnitude of the bias is chosen such that as the lightest basis weight paper engages the entrance baffle, it bends around its free end and is guided into the fuser nip, and such that as the heaviest paper engages the entrance baffle, it forces the entrance baffle toward engagement with the second stop member and itself is guided into the fuser nip.

Abstract: A guide system for xerographic printing apparatus introduces paper bearing an unfixed image and having a broad range of basis weights into a fuser nip from a prefuser transport without causing image smear. An entrance baffle is positioned in the path of the paper advancing toward the fuser nip for engagement by the paper's leading edge. The entrance baffle is hinged at its mounting end for swinging movement between a maximal and minimal positions as defined by stop members and is biased into engagement with the minimal stop member. The magnitude of the bias is chosen such that as the lightest basis weight paper engages the entrance baffle, it bends around its free end and is guided into the fuser nip, and such that as the heaviest paper engages the entrance baffle, it forces the entrance baffle toward engagement with the second stop member and itself is guided into the fuser nip.

Abstract: An apparatus which transfers a developed image from a photoconductive member to a sheet. A sheet baffle guides an advancing sheet to the photoconductive member at the transfer station. A sheet guide having an elongated axis extending in a transverse direction to the planar surface of the imaging member; said sheet guide including a roller assembly on a sheet exit portion of said sheet guide.

Abstract: A sequential transfer-assist blade assembly includes (a) a first cam and blade assembly including a first blade segment having a first length (A1) and being movable for first contacting a first size image receiving sheet having a first center location and a first width (A2); (b) a second cam and blade assembly including a second blade segment and a third blade segment each having a second length (B1), and each being located adjacent a first end and a second end respectively of the first blade segment, the first, the second and the third blade segments being moveable for contacting a second size image receiving sheet such that the second and the third blade segments contact the second size image receiving sheet after the first blade segment, the second image receiving sheet having a center location coincident with the first center location, and having a second width (A2+2×B2); and (c) a third cam and blade assembly including a fourth blade segment and a fifth blade segment each having a third length

Abstract: A dual cam set transfer assist blade system comprising (a) a first set of cam and blade assemblies mounted on a rotatable shaft and each including a cam having a single lobe for rotation in a first direction to cause engagement of a first set of transfer assist blade segments corresponding to a first set of sheet widths, and (b) a second set of cam and blade also assemblies mounted on the rotatable shaft and each including a cam having a first lobe for rotation in a first direction to cause engagement of a second set of transfer assist blade segments corresponding to said first set of sheet widths, and a second lobe for rotation in a second direction to cause engagement of said second set of transfer assist blade segments corresponding to a second set of sheet widths.

Abstract: A device and method of enhancing contact between a photoconductive member of a electrophotographic printing machine and the paper to which an electrostatic latent image is to be transferred uses an array of wiper blade segments mounted on a common shaft. Each segment is attached to the shaft for limited rotational movement on the shaft in opposition to a torsion spring. The torsion spring biases the blade segment towards the paper. Some of the blade segments are operatively associated with a stop mechanism to control the length of the wiper blade array in accordance with the size of the paper being processed. The stop mechanism prevents movement of the blade segment into engagement with the paper by restraining movement of the segment against its torsion spring.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring an image from an imaging surface to a sheet. The apparatus includes a transfer assist blade having a contact surface which is moved from a nonoperative position spaced from the sheet, to an operative position, in contact with the sheet for pressing the sheet into contact with the image. The transfer assist apparatus includes a cleaning member for cleaning the contact surface as it moves between the operative and nonoperative positions.

Abstract: A system for removal of toner particles from a transfer support member surface without the necessity of an independent toner recovery system. A cleaning blade on the transfer support member collects and accumulates residual toner particles. When a non-image area on the photoconductor passes beneath the blade, the blade is spaced from the photoconductor and a reverse bias applied to the transfer support member so that the accumulated particles are transferred to the photoconductive surface. Subsequently, the cleaning system associated with the photoconductive member removes these toner particles.

Abstract: An apparatus which transfers a developed image from a photoconductive member to a sheet. A sheet baffle guides an advancing sheet to the photoconductive member at the transfer station. The sheet baffle has an elongated axis extending in a transverse direction to the planer surface of the photoconductive member. A sensing unit, located prior to the transfer station, generates a signal indicative of the sheet basis weight. A regulator, responsive to the signal from the sensing unit, adjusts the position of the sheet baffle to position the elongated axis thereof at a selected angle relative to the planer surface of the photoconductive member. This angle is greater for a lightweight sheet than for a heavyweight sheet.

Abstract: A conformable bias transfer member for use in an electrostatographic printing apparatus comprising a conductive core having a layer of compressible material coated thereon to form a generally cylindrical roll member. The compressible material includes a conductive filler dispersed throughout the interstices thereof for providing conductivity control which is significantly insensitive to changes in temperature as well as relative humidity.

Abstract: A lightweight easily installed shield for a corona generating device. A frame to support the end blocks and provide a structural member for a corona generating device is provided. The shield for the corona generating device is made of a lightweight, thin conductive material such as stainless steel and are formed so that they have a generally bowed out cross section prior to installation in the frame. To install the shield in the frame it is squeezed together and inserted in the frame. Once released the resilient bias of the steel causes the shield to be restrained within the frame and can be accurately located and retained by using a locating pin or ridge formed in the frame. The shield described allows easy and accurate assembly of the corona generating device.

Abstract: A xerographic CRU (Customer Relpaceable Unit) for an electrophotographic printing machine. The xerographic CRU has retaining features and cooperates with a drive module with certain retractable features that allow the insertion and removal of the CRU without causing damage to the photoreceptor and other critical subsystems. The unit further has many locating members for other subsystems so that critical tolerances are maintained. An interface with a single handle assembly retracts/unlocks and extends/locks the drive module and the associated CRU subsystems into an operative position. The CRU also has electrical and drive connections for the cleaning system, the charging system and transfer/detack.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine that transfers an image at a transfer work station or zone incorporates an adjustable electromechanical pretransfer paper guide to affect entrance geometry and paper landing position onto a photoreceptor, thereby minimizing image deletion.

Abstract: Analysis data are provided which are indicative of plural components making up an original sound waveform. The analysis data are analyzed to obtain a characteristic concerning a predetermined element, and then data indicative of the obtained characteristic is extracted as a sound or musical parameter. The characteristic corresponding to the extracted musical parameter is removed from the analysis data, and the original sound waveform is represented by a combination of the thus-modified analysis data and the musical parameter. These data are stored in a memory. The user can variably control the musical parameter. A characteristic corresponding to the controlled musical parameter is added to the analysis data. In this manner, a sound waveform is synthesized on the basis of the analysis data to which the controlled characteristic has been added. In such a sound synthesis technique of the analysis type, it is allowed to apply free controls to various sound elements such as a formant and a vibrato.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the electrical life of a bias transfer roll is disclosed. The apparatus includes a biasing member comprising a bias roll member or other charging device for reversing current flow through the bias transfer roll. The apparatus of the present invention permits reversal of current flow through a bias transfer roll to replenish ions depleted therefrom during the transfer process.

Abstract: A tension support mounting for applying tension to the corona generating electrode of a corona generating device. Various embodiments are described wherein the corona generating electrode is fastened to a mounting block including an electrode support member, the position of which can be varied for applying variable tension to the corona generating electrode.

Abstract: A bias transfer member including an internal heating element is disclosed. The transfer member includes a thermocouple or voltage activated switch for allowing current flow through the heating element in response to predetermined conditions to raise the temperature of the transfer member and thereby decrease and maintain a substantially constant resistivity in the transfer member so as to extend the electrical life of the transfer member.

Abstract: A transfer system including a contact member for applying pressure against a copy substrate to create uniform contact between the copy substrate and a developed image on an imaging member. The transfer system includes a flexible transfer assist blade and a rotatable cam shaft having a lobe for deflecting the transfer assist blade into contact with the copy substrate. Alternatively, the transfer assist blade may include multiple segments and the rotatable cam shaft may include a plurality of lobes, each having a lengthwise dimension corresponding to predetermined segments of the blade for providing contact across a dimension corresponding to that of the copy substrate. The system further includes a stepper motor for rotating the cam to predetermined angular positions to create an abutting relationship between the lobe and the transfer assit blade for deflecting selected segments of the blade toward the copy substrate.

Abstract: A corona generating device of the type in which a control screen adjacent a corona generating electrode regulates the charge flow. The control screen is coated with a substantially continuous layer of boron electroless nickel.

Abstract: A data separator for use in synchronizing data derived from a floppy disk or similar data source provides a variable net gain or loss of charge to vary the frequency of a voltage-controlled oscillator in accordance with the relative position of the data with respect to the clock until data centering or synchronization is achieved. The net charge is derived from a charge pump circuit that is controlled by a charge pump-up signal whose duration is proportional to the detected phase difference between the data and the clock, and a charge pump-down signal whose duration is one clock cycle. When the data pulse is centered within a clock cycle, the duration of a pump-up signal is one half that of a pump-down signal.