Abstract: In a liquid ink printer transport belt located between a liquid ink printhead and a vacuum holddown device includes apertures for applying a vacuum to the recording medium and for enabling the liquid ink printhead to purge ink through the apertures in the absence of the recording medium without slowing or stopping the belt. The vacuum holddown device includes a platen located beneath the belt for applying a vacuum through the apertures and gutters or slots for collecting ink from the liquid ink printheads during printing. The combination of belt and platen or apertures and gutters or slots provides continuous communication of the vacuum to the recording media as the belt moves across the platen and through a dryer. The transport belt enables the use of a single transport for both imaging and drying.

Abstract: In reproduction systems in which a printer outputs a plurality of different plural sheet print jobs, a system is provided for automatically separating respective print jobs into separate specially formed folders for respective print jobs and stacking a number of them into one or more specially shaped print jobs stacking containers, with the closed folders formed to extend above and provide clear distinctions and separations of their respective print jobs in the container so that a selected print job can be readily removed as a unit from the container. The folders may be on-line separately printed in tab areas and folded. The folding can be uneven or skewed or otherwise formed to be held above their contained print jobs even if the folder was from the same size paper stock.

Abstract: In reproduction systems in which a printer outputs a plurality of different plural sheet print jobs to a common stacking output, a system is provided for automatically separating respective print jobs into separate folders by loading selected folder paper stock into a paper source for the reproduction system, automatically feeding the folder paper stock to the same print jobs stacking output in the correct sequence with the feeding of the copy sheets of the print jobs, providing an open folder at the print jobs stacking output in a position to receive the copy sheets therein prior to the print job, then feeding the plural printed copy sheets of the print job into the open folder, closing the open folder around the print job, repeating the process for subsequent folders and their respective print jobs and stacking them substantially superposed in the common print jobs stacking output, with the closed folders providing clear distinctions and separations of the respective print jobs within their respective folde

Abstract: A method of skipping white spaces during the marking of an image onto a recording medium with a marking device includes the steps of detecting a white space in the image between a previous image block and a next image block, positioning a marking element of the marking device adjacent an output starting position on the recording medium, and marking the next image block on the recording medium. The marking device includes a marking element and a controller. Each white space is interposed between two image blocks, which include adjacent image data lines. The controller controls the marking element to mark the image in swaths. Each swath of the marking element is capable of marking more than one image data line. The output starting position is determined such that the marking device marks the next print block using a minimum number of swaths. As a result, the operating speed and throughput of the marking device are increased.

Abstract: A valve for selecting an ink from a plurality of different types of inks having no dead spaces to prevent ink of one type from contaminating ink of a second type. The valve includes a selecting member with a channel and a housing having first, second and third passages. The housing defines with the valve a cleaning chamber in communicating relation with the channel and the first, second, and third passages. The cleaning chamber receives a solvent between changing from one ink to another ink which cleans the selecting member and chamber thereby preventing mixing of inks of different types.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead includes a mounting frame, an ink supply reservoir secured to the mounting frame and a valve housing secured to the mounting frame, the valve housing including an ink chamber. An ink supply fitting is supported in the mounting frame and includes a bore having a first end communicating with the ink supply reservoir and a second end communicating with the valve housing for feeding ink from the ink supply reservoir to the ink chamber. The fitting includes a valve seat in the bore. A valve member located in the valve housing is mounted for reciprocation in the ink supply fitting bore for selectively sealing against the valve seat in the fitting. A support member supports the valve member so that the valve member can reciprocate in relation to the valve seat to selectively allow a flow of ink into the ink chamber.

Abstract: A printer combines the technologies of xerographic and thermal ink jet printing into a unit which is capable of high resolution text and color graphics. The printer is capable of forming a composite image including a xerographic printing portion and a Thermal Ink Jet (TIJ) printing portion by printing the xerographic portion using known xerographic techniques and the thermal ink jet portion by a thermal ink jet printing array associated with the printer. The portions may be printed in any order and may be dried by a drying station after printing of each portion or after both portions have been printed. At least one thermal ink jet printing array can serve as an annotator which is capable of printing additional information onto a copy such as company letterhead, special instructions, addresses or the like.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printer incorporates a copy speed feed control for reducing peak power requirements. Printing data supplied to the printer is scanned to determine image density or power consumption to dry ink in a dryer is determined. The speed of the sheet transport system is controlled in accordance with the image density so that, at high image densities, the speed of the sheet at the printer and/or at the dryer is reduced. A controller controls the speed of a drive motor driving the transport system in accordance with a determination of the density of the printed image from image print data or energy required for ink drying. A printer employing on-demand workstations having potentially high peak power usages can be made compatible with conventionally provided power supply systems.

Abstract: An enhanced duct apparatus provides enhanced re-establishment of ink fluid flow between an ink reservoir and printheads when, for example, ink supply tubing located therebetween is filled with slugs of ink which prevent the flow from being established. The apparatus requires minimal head pressure, thus reducing reservoir depth, by including a high surface energy material within the tubing. Preferably, the material is in the form of a spring which may be of stainless steel. This inclusion of a high surface energy material is more readily wetted by the ink and allows substantially instantaneous overcoming of impedance, including adhesive, surface tension, and wetting forces, upon initiating opening of fluid flow from the reservoir through the duct.

Abstract: An encoder system for providing a large number of actual positional control pulses per revolution utilizes an optical digital disc. The disc is driven by the work piece transport system. A playback unit similar in construction to audio disc players can be used. The positional control information is recorded on the disc as the disc is being driven by the transport system with which the disc is to be associated. Mechanical anomalies of the drive system are compensated for in the recording process. The accuracy of the positional information is improved. The system is especially useful for high resolution ink jet printing system.

Abstract: A document finisher includes a printing station for printing on the binding of a book. The printing station in one embodiment prints on the binder tape before the book is bound. In a second embodiment, the printer prints on the binding after the book is bound. The printing stations are space efficient and designed to be easily incorporated with preexisting stations in document finishers. Ink jet printers and impact-type printer may be utilized.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer, a printhead assembly comprising a printhead and an ink reservoir is mounted on a scanning carriage for movement across a recording medium. During printing, droplets of ink are expelled from ink channels within the printhead and the channels are replenished with ink which is drawn in from the reservoir. The reservoir is connected by supply and return lines to an ink source, and a pump is provided to deliver ink from the source along the supply line to prime the printhead and reservoir. To ensure that the reservoir is filled with ink during the priming operation, the outlet from the reservoir to the return line incorporates a flow restriction equal to, or greater than, that of the printhead.

Abstract: A control system for the on-line binder of a reproduction machine which extends the operating window of certain binder components by an additional `almost jam` interval in an attempt to prevent shutdown of the binder in the event that the component operating window is exceeded. Each `almost jam` event is recorded in memory for use when servicing the machine.

Abstract: Automatically feeding document pages into registration over the conventional platen of a copier wherein the document pages comprise single page individual sheets and plural page connected unseparated segments of elongate computer forms webs, comprising: feeding the first document page automatically to the platen and registering it in an individual sheet document mode regardless of whether the first document page is an individual sheet or the first page of an elongate computer forms web; automatically sensing whether a computer forms web was so fed to the platen by sensing whether the document length exceeds a preset length and that said document has sprocket holes; and then automatically switching from said individual sheet document mode to a computer forms web document mode for the feeding and registering of subsequent document pages of a computer forms web in response to said sensing of a computer forms web, wherein in said computer forms web document mode the subsequent computer forms web page feeding and

Abstract: In a document handling system for feeding a computer forms web across the copying platen of a copier, the improvement in laterally registering the computer forms web transversely of the feeding direction of the web over the platen without utilizing the sprocket holes of the computer forms web with apparatus compatible with individual document feeding and registration comprising a lateral undercut platen registration edge channel extending in the feeding direction of the computer forms web over the platen, and a slightly angled frictional roller over the platen frictionally laterally urging the computer forms web laterallly against the lateral registration edge and frictional feeding plural driven roller nip pairs adjacent the downstream edge of the platen for applying a rotational skewing force to the computer forms web urging it against the lateral registration edge in cooperation with the computer form feeding frictional roller, and by at least one roller nip pair adjacent the lateral platen registration ed

Abstract: A belt tensioning system for a belt transport particularly adapted for use in a document handling system of a reproducing machine. A belt is arranged for movement about first and second pulleys which are adjustably supported within a frame. The frame includes a tensioning system for adjusting the tension of the belt by changing the relative distance between the pulleys. The tensioning system includes a vernier for providing fine adjustment of the belt tension. The vernier system allows the belt tension to be adjusted while maintaining the parallelness of the belt pulleys.

Abstract: A document handling apparatus and a reproducing machine employing it, include a system for pre-registering a document prior to its advancement to a viewing station. A stop member is selectively positionable in and out of a path of the document. A guide chute defines a desired throat for guiding the document into engagement with the stop member. A system is provided for transporting the document to the viewing station. The guide chute is supported for movement in a direction away from the stop member in response to the movement of the stop member between its respective positions in and out of the document path.

Abstract: Apparatus for counterbalancing the movement of a platen cover or document handler between a first closed position and a second open position. The counterbalancing apparatus comprises a gas spring and a tension spring. The tension spring is arranged to increasingly counter the force exerted by the gas spring as the platen cover is moved from the first to the second position. This compensates for the reduced force exerted by the platen cover as it is opened. The platen cover in the second position preferably has moved past vertical and the tension spring is effective to counter the force exerted by the cover between vertical and the second position.

Abstract: A flat platen, rotating mirror scanning system is disclosed in which the angular velocity of the rotating mirror is continually varied from end to middle to end of scan to effect a constant speed of scan across the platen surface. This is achieved by providing a mirror drive arrangement which is the mechanical analog of the optical geometry. Conjugate distance changes inherent in flat platen scanning are compensated by a stationary "half-lens" adjacent to the rotating mirror.

Abstract: A stack elevating apparatus for a sheet feeder. A tray for supporting a stack of sheets is arranged for movement between at least one elevated position and a lowered position. The tray is arranged to descend to the lower position by gravity. An inertial force is provided for controlling the rate of descent of the tray. In one embodiment the inertial force is provided by an inertial member which is arranged to rotate in response to the descent of the tray and for continued rotation after the tray has stopped. In another embodiment a system is provided for amplifying the inertial force provided by the inertial member. A selectively engageable friction drive system for elevating the tray forms yet another embodiment.