Abstract: A process cartridge is provided for use in an electrographic apparatus having control means therein which is actuable responsive to insertion of the process cartridge in the apparatus to control operation of selected elements in the apparatus. The process cartridge is typically provided with a rotatable photosensitive drum upon which an image to be reproduced is formed and a plurality of processing components for acting on the drum. A toner hopper assembly is provided which includes a housing provided with a cavity having toner particles therein for deposition on the drum. The toner hopper defines one of the processing components, and actuating means is secured on the toner hopper for engagement with the control means in the apparatus for actuation thereof.

Abstract: A process kit for use in an image-forming apparatus. The process kit includes a development device, a corona discharger, and a cleaning device disposed in spaced relation around the periphery of a photosensitive drum. Each of the above-mentioned components, including the drum, are releasably mounted in a primary housing which is disposed for insertion into the image-forming apparatus. A bracket is disposed at the opposite ends of the development device, corona discharger, cleaning device, and photosensitive drum to releasably secure these components in the primary housing in a manner which provides access for refurbishment or replacement.

Abstract: A ribbon cassette having top and bottom enclosures forming a cavity including a ribbon storage compartment. Ribbon drive means, which includes a pair of spaced elements, is mounted in the cavity for engaging or "pinching" the ribbon therebetween for advancement into the storage compartment. One or both of the elements may be a gear. When only one element is a gear, the other element is a spring assembly. A combined gear support and "stripper" assembly is molded with the upper and lower enclosures and serves as a support for rotatably supporting the gear or gears in the cavity while also preventing the ribbon from winding around or otherwise binding to the gear or gears.

Abstract: A buffering device for use with a process cartridge disposed for detachable mounting in an image-forming apparatus. The buffering device is disposed for buffering the longitudinal movement of a photosensitive member relative to the casing of the process cartridge and, also if desired, for buffering the longitudinal movement of the process cartridge casing relative to a reference wall of the image-forming apparatus. The longitudinal movement is in response to rotation of a helical gear mounted on the rotatable photosensitive member by a helical gear on a drive shaft of the image-forming apparatus. The buffering device also is disposed for imparting a reciprocal longitudinal movement to the photosensitive member and the casing.

Abstract: A drive system for rotation of a photosensitive member carried in a removably mountable housing of a process kit used in an image-forming apparatus. The drive system includes a rotatable helical gear loosely carried on a shaft secured to the rotatable photosensitive member. The loosely mounted helical gear is longitudinally movable along the shaft of the photosensitive member and serves to limit any longitudinal movement of the photosensitive drum and thus the process kit housing relative to the image-forming apparatus.

Abstract: A process kit for use in an image-forming apparatus. The process kit includes a development device, a corona discharger, and a cleaning device disposed in spaced relation around the periphery of a photosensitive drum. Each of the above-mentioned components, including the drum, are releasably mounted in a primary housing which is disposed for insertion into the image-forming apparatus. A bracket is disposed at the opposite ends of the development device, corona discharger, cleaning device, and photosensitive drum to releasably secure these components in the primary housing in a manner which provides access thereto for refurbishment or replacement thereof. A removable cover is removably mounted over openings provided in the housing.

Abstract: An endless loop ribbon cassette wherein the storage of a ribbon in a ribbon cassette is effected by a belt assembly which causes the ribbon to move along a generally linear path substantially corresponding to one dimension of a storage cavity. This effects an ordered, rather than a random, storage of a ribbon. In addition, a ribbon is obliquely positioned with respect to a line of print of a printer with which a cassette is to be used.

Abstract: A cleaning device for an electrophotographic copying device wherein an electrophotographic latent image formed on the surface of a photosensitive member is moved past a series of processing stations including a developing station at which the latent image is developed with a toner to form a toner image and a transfer station at which the toner image is transferred to a copying material. The cleaning device includes a housing having a reservoir therein and an aperture extending longitudinally along the housing in communication with the reservoir to direct spent toner particles therein. A wiper blade is secured to the housing and extends therefrom. The blade is provided with a cleaning edge disposed for contact with the surface of the photosensitive member and for application of a predetermined pressure to the photosensitive surface responsive to contact of the blade with the photosensitive surface for cleaning the toner from the photosensitive surface.

Abstract: An endless loop ribbon cassette wherein the storage of a ribbon in a ribbon cassette is effected by a belt assembly which causes the ribbon to move along a generally linear path substantially corresponding to one dimension of a storage cavity. This effects an ordered, rather than a random, storage of a ribbon. In addition, a ribbon is obliquely positioned with respect to a line of print of a printer with which a cassette is to be used.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge of the type employing two ribbon spools mounted in spaced relation in the cavity formed in the case of the cartridge. In this one, the ribbon is driven by a belt engaging the spools and, in turn, the belt is engaged by both of two alternately driven drive rollers. Alignment and guide devices keep the center lines of the ribbon and belt in coincident alignment and also keep the edges of the ribbon from frictional engagement with the top and bottom of the case.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge of the type employing two ribbon spools mounted in spaced relation in the cavity formed in the case of the cartridge. The ribbon is driven by a belt engaging the spools. The belt is rotated over the spools by rotation of a predetermined drive wheel of two spaced sets of two intermeshing drive wheels. Means are provided for operating the cartridge in various printers having drive locations of varying spatial location as well as direction of rotation.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge of the type employing two ribbon spools. In this one, the ribbon is driven by a belt engaging the spools and, in turn, the belt is engaged by both of two alternately driven drive rollers. The ribbon departure or arrival of a ribbon from or to a spool occurs on a side of a spool opposite to that of engagement of the belt with a spool.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cassette of the type employing two ribbon spools. In this one, the ribbon is driven by a belt engaging the spools and, in turn, the belt is engaged by both of two alternately driven drive rollers and wherein each drive roller, when it is driven, effects removal or unwinding of ribbon from the spool with which it is directly associated.