Eastman-Kodak Company

Frank Hacknauer

Kenneth D Corby

Ronald R Vacek

Robert H Shea

Salvatore C DeFazio

Satyan R Kalyandurg

Richard S Fox

Brian R LaBudde

Edward S Nudelman

A reproduction apparatus having a housing, a logic and control unit for controlling the operation of the reproduction apparatus, a user control interface for inputting control instruction signals to said logic and control unit, and a mechanism for mounting said user control interface so as to be usable by a variety of users. The mounting mechanism includes a user control interface support platform slidably supported for movement, relative to the reproduction apparatus housing to a home position and a position spaced from the home position where the user control interface is readily accessible by a user. The platform is automatically moved to its home position when a portion of the reproduction apparatus housing is opened to provide access to the interior of such housing.

Operator control interface mounting mechanism

In a finisher unit 1, two rectilinear guide channels 9, 16 are arranged which cross each other at an acute angle (.alpha.). In the area of the point of intersection 19 of the guide channels 9, 16, a plurality of deflectors 24 are arranged which, under the action of gravity, cover the steeply inclined guide channel 16 such that they extend into the transport path of the sheets guided therein. The pivotally mounted deflectors 24 are pivoted counter-clockwise by an arriving sheet and thus are transferred to a position in which they close the transverse guide channel 9,9b such that they form a guiding surface connecting guide channel 16 across the point of intersection 19. The deflectors 24 which are mounted outside the guide channels 9,16 extend through recesses 9d, 16a, 16c, 16d into the channels and are limited in their end positions by end faces 9a and 16brespectively of the guide channels 9 and 16 respectively. In order that the sheets can also be smoothly guided across the point of intersection 19 in the second, transverse guide channel 9, such channel is provided with a funnel-shaped constriction 9c upstream of the point of intersection 19 and with a funnel-shaped flared portion 9b downstream of the point of intersection 19.

Paper-guiding device in a finisher unit for copy sheets

A mounting system is provided for the development apparatus of the development station of an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus such as a copier or printer. The system includes a dual axis automatic lifting mechanism that includes a lever assembly displaceable along the vertical and horizontal axes, and a swivellable spring and plunger assembly which imparts a generally diagonal displacement force to the lever assembly.

Dual axis displacement lifting mechanism for a development apparatus

An improved saddle stitcher for use with a reproduction apparatus having a modular finisher apparatus for forming completely finished reproduction sets of a series of reproductions produced on sheets respectively by the reproduction apparatus. The modular finisher includes a mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices including a saddle stitcher. The improved saddle stitcher comprises a support frame mating with the finisher mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices to enable the frame to be received therein. A sheet feed path for receiving reproduction sheets is associated with the support frame, and an adjustable mechanism for registering reproduction sheets and thereafter stapled reproduction sets is mounted on the frame. Further, a mechanism associated with the frame is provided for stapling reproduction sheets at substantially the mid-line thereof, and for folding a stapled reproduction set substantially along the mid-line thereof. Accordingly, reproduction sheets are registered and stapled into a reproduction set, and thereafter the stapled reproduction set is reregistered and folded. Folded stapled reproduction sets are collected in an output hopper for operator retrieval.

Saddle stitcher for a reproduction apparatus finisher

An improved Z-folder for use with a reproduction apparatus having a modular finisher apparatus for forming completely finished reproduction sets of a series of reproductions produced on sheets respectively by the reproduction apparatus. The modular finisher includes a mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices including a Z-folder. The improved Z-folder comprises a support frame mating with the finisher mechanism for detachably accepting modular devices to enable the frame to be received therein. An assembly is mounted on the frame for moving a reproduction sheet directed to the Z-folder along a prescribed path to effect Z-folding of such reproduction sheet. A device for collecting reproduction sheets prior to having a finishing operation carried out thereon is also associated with the frame. A sheet feed path is defined for delivering reproduction sheets directly to the collecting device, such path intersecting the prescribed path of the Z-folding assembly, whereby a compact arrangement is provided.

Z-folder for a reproduction apparatus finisher

A cleaning apparatus which is loadable against a surface to be cleaned has a L-shaped self-loading blade, a holding member, and supporting members including a retaining pin and a spring member. The cleaning blade includes a base section and a cleaning section which can move relative to each other from unloaded positions to loaded positions.

Self-loading cleaning blade and holder therefor

An improved modular finisher apparatus, for use with a reproduction apparatus producing reproduction sets, for forming completely finished reproduction sets. The improved finisher apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving sheets of reproduction sets from the reproduction apparatus. A first feed path extends from the receiver to a sheet collector where received sheets are directed. Collected sheets are stapled into finished reproduction sets. A second feed path extends from the sheet collector to a set collector where finished reproduction sets are collected. The finisher also includes at least one of the following devices: a Z-folder, a saddle stitcher, and an insert tray. Sheet transport paths are provided to any of the included devices.

Modular finisher for a reproduction apparatus

Toner bottle

A receiving apparatus for a toner container has a toner cavity over which the containing portion of the container is slid. To prevent skiving of toner into the workings of the machine, a guide forces at least the leading part of the containing portion through a higher path with respect to the cavity as it moves over the cavity than the path it takes moving back to a position beside the cavity. A toner container for such a receiving apparatus includes a flange with extensions of the flange away from the container for cooperating with the guide of the apparatus.

Receiving apparatus for a toner container and toner container therefor

A container for supplying toner to a receiving apparatus of a copier or printer includes a containing portion having an opening in its bottom. A cover for the opening is slidable between positions covering and uncovering the opening. The cover includes a hinge permitting rotating a major portion of the cover to an unprotruding position when the cover is not covering the opening.

Container for particulate material

A two-compartment container for supplying toner to an electrostatographic development station has a first compartment for containing and supplying fresh toner or toner mixed with carrier to the station and a second compartment for receiving and containing spent developer for disposal. When the container is mounted in a toner supplying position with respect to a development station, an opening in the second compartment mates with an opening in the station through which developer overflows. A door covering the opening to the second compartment is automatically openable by appropriate means associated with the station in response to placing the container in the toner supplying position.

Container for electrostatographic toner or developer

In electrographic apparatus a magnetic brush development station has a housing with a sump for holding a supply of developer material, and a magnetic brush that applies developer material from the sump to a latent image on a photoconductor. A rotatable transport roller is located between the sump and the magnetic brush. A magnet in the roller attracts developer material from the sump to the roller so that rotation of the roller can move the material toward the magnetic brush. A gating and metering member in the form of a cylindrical tube is positioned around the roller and spaced from it. The tube has two elongate, spaced slots, and the tube is rotatable between first and second positions. When the tube is in one of its positions developer material from the sump can pass through one of the slots to the roller and be transported to the other slot where it is metered to the magnetic brush. When the tube is in its second position the slots are offset from the sump and the brush to block the flow of developer material to the transport roller and to the magnetic brush.

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Honeoye Falls, NY, United States of America

Frank Hacknauer