Abstract: A cleaning pad that is part of a printer developer customer replaceable unit cleans a laser aperture each time the customer replacement unit is removed and/or replaced. The pad is located on an inboard end of the customer replaceable unit such that when inserted into the printer it wipes any accumulated toner from the surface of the laser aperture. Also, in developer units that include a light proof cover that retracts at the time of insertion, the wiper is situated so that it cleans the aperture in the process of retracting.

Abstract: A package suitable for containing marking material used in a printing machine. The package includes a package surface adapted to engage one or more surfaces of the printing machine and a material identifier mechanism for verifying the marking material. The package may also include a material pouch, which is adapted to contain the marking material, joined with or formed in the package surface. Alternatively, the package may include a carrier adapted to engage one or more surfaces of the printing machine and a material pouch joined with the carrier. Other aspects include a method of remanufacturing a package suitable for containing marking material used in a printing machine.

Abstract: A cleaning pad that is part of a printer developer customer replaceable unit cleans a laser aperture each time the customer replacement unit is removed and/or replaced. The pad is located on an inboard end of the customer replaceable unit such that when inserted into the printer it wipes any accumulated toner from the surface of the laser aperture. Also, in developer units that include a light proof cover that retracts at the time of insertion, the wiper is situated so that it cleans the aperture in the process of retracting.

Abstract: A method is provided for supplying marking material. A package containing the marking material and having an information-bearing tag is fed into a housing of a printing machine along a path including a package inlet. The tag is read to verify the marking material contained in the package. The package is then opened at least partially within the housing to expel the marking material from the package. Objects being marked move relative to the printing machine along a different path not including the package inlet. A method also is provided for verifying the contents of a collapsible marking material package. The package is fed into the housing of the printing machine, and an information-bearing tag on the package is read. If incorrect material has been inserted, the package then is rejected and ejected from the housing before it has been collapsed.

Abstract: A printing machine including a material supply module adapted to expel a marking material contained in a collapsible package having an information-bearing tag. The material supply module includes a reader for obtaining information from the information-bearing tag, a package opening actuator configured to cause the collapsible package to open, and at least one hopper for receiving the marking material. The printing machine also includes a marking device module configured to receive the marking material from the at least one hopper. Other aspects are a method of supplying marking material and a method of verifying the contents of a marking material package.

Abstract: A printing machine including a material supply module adapted to expel a marking material contained in a collapsible package having an information-bearing tag. The material supply module includes a reader for obtaining information from the information-bearing tag, a package opening actuator configured to cause the collapsible package to open, and at least one hopper for receiving the marking material. The printing machine also includes a marking device module configured to receive the marking material from the at least one hopper. Other aspects are a method of supplying marking material and a method of verifying the contents of a marking material package.

Abstract: A package suitable for containing marking material used in a printing machine. The package includes a package surface adapted to engage one or more surfaces of the printing machine and a material identifier mechanism for verifying the marking material. The package may also include a material pouch, which is adapted to contain the marking material, joined with or formed in the package surface. Alternatively, the package may include a carrier adapted to engage one or more surfaces of the printing machine and a material pouch joined with the carrier. Other aspects include a method of remanufacturing a package suitable for containing marking material used in a printing machine.

Abstract: A package suitable for containing marking material used in a printing machine. The package includes a package surface adapted to engage one or more surfaces of the printing machine and a material identifier mechanism for verifying the marking material. The package may also include a material pouch, which is adapted to contain the marking material, joined with or formed in the package surface. Alternatively, the package may include a carrier adapted to engage one or more surfaces of the printing machine and a material pouch joined with the carrier. Other aspects include a method of remanufacturing a package suitable for containing marking material used in a printing machine.

Abstract: A universal voltage fuser heater lamp is described for use in either United States or European markets having different voltage standards. The fuser lamp comprises first and second filaments having equal resistance and a switching mechanism for connecting a power supply to the fuser lamp. The switching mechanism connects the first and second filaments in a parallel configuration when the voltage is 120 Volts and connects the first and second filaments in series when the voltage is 240 Volts from the power supply.

Abstract: A universal voltage fuser heater lamp is described for use in either United States or European markets having different voltage standards. The fuser lamp comprises first and second filaments having equal resistance and a switching mechanism for connecting a power supply to the fuser lamp. The switching mechanism connects the first and second filaments in a parallel configuration when the voltage is 120 Volts and connects the first and second filaments in series when the voltage is 240 Volts from the power supply.

Abstract: A media transport unit includes an envelope transport structure that utilizes support fingers directly under the envelope. The support fingers are canted toward the center line of the paper path. The envelope flap passes over the support fingers at an angle that prevents the envelope flap from catching a support finger and potentially causing envelope wrinkling or a jam. The support fingers on either side of the area over which the envelope passes are canted away from the center line of the paper path to prevent the edges of full width media from catching the surface of a support finger.

Abstract: A solid ink stick supply system and related method for delivering solid ink sticks to an ink jet print head reservoir is disclosed. The supply system includes a housing with a keyed plate that guides the ink sticks into the proper loading position in a supply channel. A pusher rod in the supply channel transfers an ink stick onto an endless belt for delivery to the print head reservoir. A push device on the endless belt engages and delivers the ink stick to the print head reservoir. A second ink stick is transferred from the supply channel to the endless belt and is retained on the belt by a stop device. A method for efficiently loading ink sticks into the supply system is also provided.

Abstract: A solid ink stick supply system and related method for delivering solid ink sticks to an ink jet print head reservoir is disclosed. The supply system includes a housing with a keyed plate that guides the ink sticks into the proper loading position in a supply channel. A pusher rod in the supply channel transfers an ink stick onto an endless belt for delivery to the print head reservoir. A push device on the endless belt engages and delivers the ink stick to the print head reservoir. A second ink stick is transferred from the supply channel to the endless belt and is retained on the belt by a stop device. A method for efficiently loading ink sticks into the supply system is also provided.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for controlling media temperature to prevent image offset and degloss in an electrostatic image forming apparatus are provided. The apparatus and method utilize a plurality of media support surfaces in the pre-nip media path to reduce heat transfer to the media in this region. An insulating channel is provided beneath the media supports to thermally isolate the media supports. One or more insulating plates may also be provided between the rollers of the fusing nip and the media support surfaces to further reduce heat transfer from the fusing members to the media support surfaces and media.

Abstract: A method for setting a predetermined head-to-print medium distance without utilizing a media clamp is provided. A print medium support surface has a contact length that is less than the length of the print medium. The distance between the print head and the support surface is set to a minimum. Stationary rollers and arcuate guides direct the print medium between a spacing device and the support surface without utilizing a clamp. A shim is interposed between the spacing device and the print medium to move the print head away from the print medium. The shim is retracted leaving the print head spaced from the print medium by the predetermined head-to-print medium distance.