Abstract: A height adjuster moves a platform along a cart frame, and the platform contacts an alignment stop when the platform is in a loading position on the cart frame. Platform slots are connected to the platform, and the platform slots are sized and shaped to match the size and shape of linear projections of a replaceable printing module. Clamps are sized and shaped to connect to connection points of a printing device and align the cart frame to the printer frame. The platform slots are positioned by the platform to be aligned with housing slots of the printing device when the clamps connect the transport cart to the printing device, and when the platform contacts the alignment stop (and is in the loading position) this allow the replaceable printing module to be transferred between the transport cart and the printing device.

Abstract: A height adjuster moves a platform along a cart frame, and the platform contacts an alignment stop when the platform is in a loading position on the cart frame. Platform slots are connected to the platform, and the platform slots are sized and shaped to match the size and shape of linear projections of a replaceable printing module. Clamps are sized and shaped to connect to connection points of a printing device and align the cart frame to the printer frame. The platform slots are positioned by the platform to be aligned with housing slots of the printing device when the clamps connect the transport cart to the printing device, and when the platform contacts the alignment stop (and is in the loading position) this allow the replaceable printing module to be transferred between the transport cart and the printing device.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for carrying and dispensing an ink into a printing system. A system configured to dispense an ink comprises an ink carrying apparatus having a container, a movable cover, a unit monitor, a film, and a locking tab. The system also comprises a docking station configured to accept the ink carrying apparatus and engage the locking tab when the movable cover is in an open position. The system further comprises a processor configured to communicate with the unit monitor to facilitate a movement of the movable cover from a closed position to the open position. Based on a detection of a type of ink in the container, the movable cover is allowed to be moved from the closed position to the open position so as to facilitate removal of the film and cause the ink to be dispensed.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods of replenishing at least one consumable in a printer system having at least one channel with a lockout device and an indicator. The embodiments incorporate a solenoid latch on the channel, a channel closed switch and an attention light. When a consumable needs to be replaced, the user scans the new consumable label against a CRUM reader. If it is valid consumable for the printing system, the attention light above the low or empty channel is lit and its solenoid latch is released. The attention light and solenoid latch would be wired in parallel so that whenever the solenoid is energized to allow the channel to be opened, the attention light will illuminate.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for carrying and dispensing an ink into a printing system. A system configured to dispense an ink comprises an ink carrying apparatus having a container, a movable cover, a unit monitor, a film, and a locking tab. The system also comprises a docking station configured to accept the ink carrying apparatus and engage the locking tab when the movable cover is in an open position. The system further comprises a processor configured to communicate with the unit monitor to facilitate a movement of the movable cover from a closed position to the open position. Based on a detection of a type of ink in the container, the movable cover is allowed to be moved from the closed position to the open position so as to facilitate removal of the film and cause the ink to be dispensed.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods of replenishing at least one consumable in a printer system having at least one channel with a lockout device and an indicator. The embodiments incorporate a solenoid latch on the channel, a channel closed switch and an attention light. When a consumable needs to be replaced, the user scans the new consumable label against a CRUM reader. If it is valid consumable for the printing system, the attention light above the low or empty channel is lit and its solenoid latch is released. The attention light and solenoid latch would be wired in parallel so that whenever the solenoid is energized to allow the channel to be opened, the attention light will illuminate.

Abstract: A low cost, robust and efficient replenisher toner container is provided and includes (a) a one-piece blow-molded container body having a wall defining an exterior surface of the body and an interior cavity within the body; (b) a first end, of the one-piece blow-molded container body, having a handle member; (c) a second end, of the one-piece blow-molded container body opposite the first end, including a single fill/dispense opening for filling the interior cavity with replenisher toner and for dispensing replenisher toner from the interior cavity; and (d) at least a one molded scoop member formed at the second end for efficiently delivering the replenisher toner being dispensed from the interior cavity into receiving components in the xerographic machine.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine, wherein an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed to form a visible image thereof, the electrophotographic printing machine including a system, for removing contaminants from toner in a developer housing, the system including a filter system, positioned in a path of flowing developer material, the filter system having a screen for permitting developer material to travel therethrough while inhibiting contaminants from traveling therethrough when vibrated; the screen being inclined to the path of flowing developer material a vibration driver, operatively connected to the screen, for vibrating the screen.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine, wherein an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed to form a visible image thereof, the electrophotographic printing machine including a system, for removing contaminants from toner in a developer housing, the system including a filter system, positioned in a path of flowing developer material, the filter system having a screen for permitting developer material to travel therethrough while inhibiting contaminants from traveling therethrough when vibrated; the screen being inclined to the path of flowing developer material a vibration driver, operatively connected to the screen, for vibrating the screen.

Abstract: A toner transport apparatus for electrographic printing machines that uses the distance between a toner storage container holding a supply of toner material and a developer housing to admix the toner with the developer. A first flexible auger transports the toner from the toner storage container to the developer housing and a second flexible auger transports some of the toner and developer from the developer housing back to the toner hopper where it is mixed with fresh toner.

Abstract: A system for dispensing imaging development material into a printer from a re-supplying container dispensing aperture sealed by a sealing plug, which plug is automatically unsealed by the insertion of the container into the printer, and automatically resealed by removal of the container. Simply pushing the container towards its normal position against the imaging material input of the printer (here, a fixed auger tube) first automatically grasps the plug in a gripping system and then pushes the gripped plug into the interior of the container while firmly holding the plug on the end of the auger tube. After the material dispensing, or whenever else the container is removed, simply pulling the container away causes the plug to automatically re-seal the dispensing aperture and then to automatically release the plug gripping system so that the re-sealed container can be cleanly removed.

Abstract: A wear resistant member is loosely disposed about a thermistor in contact with a thermistor bead such that it is between the bead and a heated fuser member and completely surrounds the components of the thermistor. The wear resistant member is in the form of a strap or tape having an opening adjacent one end through the opposite end is insertable. The inserted end is configured such that once it is inserted it can't be withdrawn through the opening. The strap is loosely supported in its operative position and can be easily removed, for example, by cutting through the strap and then withdrawing the strap from around the thermistor. Thus, a worn strap can be removed and a new one installed without discarding the thermistor and more importantly discarding the thermistor assembly.

Abstract: An ink jet printer has a sheet conveying and drying device having a plurality of flexible, resilient yet stiff fingers connected in a cantilevered manner to a drive chain which moves the fingers from a printed sheet receiving tray to a sheet stacking tray. After sheets are printed by a conventional ink jet printing head, the sheets are picked off of the printed sheet receiving tray and fed to a sheet stacking tray. The printed sheets are dried while being fed from the printed sheet receiving tray to the sheet stacking tray. After the printed sheets are picked off of the fingers at the sheet stacking tray, the chain drive continues to move the fingers in a counterclockwise direction along the chain path. The resilient, flexible fingers are deformed by upper and lower guide rollers, a stacking tray and a rear separating wall and are flicked back into a sheet receiving position at the printed sheet receiving tray.

Abstract: A release agent management system incorporated in an electrophotographic printing machine having a heat and pressure fuser assembly. The fuser assembly includes a heated fuser roll, a pressure roll and a wick for applying fuser oil to the surface of the heated fuser roll. The wick is moved into and out of engagement with the fuser roll and release agent material is supplied to the wick in accordance with the number of prints fused from which a print equivalency value is calculated. The print equivalency corresponds favorably to actual oil consumed. A predetermined print equivalency value is used for determining when oil is supplied to the wick and the predetermined value is varied depending on the volume of prints being made.

Abstract: A heat and pressure fuser for fixing toner images to substrates. A dual heating lamp arrangement is utilized for elevating the surface temperature of a heated fuser roll. The operation of the dual heat lamps is controlled using dual thermistors for maintain steady state temperature fluctuations to .+-.3.degree. F. The thermistors are positioned, one adjacent the inboard end of the fuse and the other adjacent the outboard end thereof. The outboard thermistor is used to determine the desired on time of the fuser lamp and the inboard thermistor is used to determine which of the two lamps is on. If the inboard temperature is below a predetermined target value a 14 inch lamp is turned on. If the inboard temperature is at or above a predetermined target value an 11 inch lamp is turned.

Abstract: A release agent management system incorporated in an electrophotographic printing machine having a heat and pressure fuser assembly. The fuser assembly includes a heated fuser roll, a pressure roll and a wick for applying fuser oil to the surface of the heated fuser roll. The wick is moved into and out of engagement with the fuser roll and release agent material is supplied to the wick in accordance with the number of prints fused from which a print equivalency value is calculated. The print equivalency corresponds favorably to actual oil consumed. A predetermined print equivalency value is used for determining when oil is supplied to the wick.