Xerox Corporation

Frank R Walsh

Ernest L DiNatale

Scott C Durland

Thomas W Morgan

Stephen C Urciuoli

Paul J Holubek

Michael E Minadeo

Terry Catherman

Kenneth J Weaver

Edward C Braband

Robert A Berns

Betty J Curtis

The present invention is a method and apparatus for vacuuming toner waste from a toner sump in a xerographic printing machine. A xerographic module in the machine contains a photoconductor, charging devices, a cleaning unit and the toner sump. When the toner sump approaches a full condition, the toner waste must be removed in order to prevent failure of the xerographic module seals. This is accomplished by removing the xerographic module from the machine, opening a sealed toner sump port and attaching a vacuum source to the toner sump port so that the toner waste can be removed with the vacuum source. A disposal adaptor tool sealingly engages the vacuum source to the toner sump at the toner sump port, allowing the toner to removed in a clean glove environment. Once the toner waste is removed from the toner sump, a new toner seal is placed over the toner sump port and the xerographic module is returned to the machine for further use.

Method and apparatus for removing toner waste from a toner sump

An installation tool for stringing a tensioned wire between an anchor point and a retaining point, including a sleeve having a slidably mounted pin inside. A tip of the pin holds a loop end of the tensioned wire (such as a coronode in a corotron wire assembly), and protrudes from an end of the sleeve. When the tip holding the loop end of the tensioned wire is placed adjacent to a retaining pin, and the tip is retracted into the sleeve, the loop end of the wire slides onto the retaining pin, where it may rest in a securing notch. A spring may be used to bias the tip of the pin to retract or protrude from the end of the sleeve positioned adjacent to the retaining point. An end of the pin protruding from the sleeve end opposite the retaining point may be used independently or in cooperation with a biasing spring to move the tip of the pin into and out of the sleeve. The sleeve may include gripping areas and or finger loops to permit the user to accurately manipulate the tool. Delicate coronode wires in printers and copiers as well as other spanning wires can be readily installed or replaced using the wire installation tool of the present invention.

Wire installation tool

A method and apparatus for cleaning and replenishing the developer unit of an electronic reprographic printing system. The developer units are mounted in a retractable drawer within the machine. A cover is placed over the developer unit, which is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. A vacuum machine is connected to the air outlet to create a wind flow within the developer unit for cleaning the unit. A tool is provided for turning the auger within the developer unit when it is being cleaned, and to similarly assist in the subsequent recharging of the developer unit with developer.

System for cleaning the developer unit in an electronic reprographic

A system for setting or adjusting the proper registration position of the original document in a copier having a document feeder providing a variable document registration position on the platen, and numeric data key entries programmable in specialized diagnostic modes, and non-volatile memory. The system involves registering and copying a test sheet using the document feeder in its initial, unadjusted, registration setting. The test sheet has a test pattern of registration position indicia with identifying numeric indicia, and also having a registration window at an optically reversed position on the test sheet from the test pattern and a cursor pointing to a specific position within the window. The test sheet is laid over a same-size copy of the test sheet, with the sheet edges aligned, but with the two sheets rotated by 180 degrees relative to one another, so that the copy of the test pattern on the copy sheet underlies and is visible through the registration window of the test sheet, whereby the cursor on the test sheet points to a specific registration identifying numeric indicia within the test pattern copy. By activating a selected diagnostics mode of the copier and then entering the identifying numeric indicia into the numeric data key entries of the copier the copier automatically resets in non-volatile memory the registration position of the document feeder by a preprogrammed distance corresponding to the entered numeric indicia.

Copier/document handler customer variable registration system

A technique for expanding the control windows or time periods between sensors in a real time machine for diagnostics. In particular, upon indication of a malfunction of the travel of a sheet between sensors, a Service Representative is able to place the machine in a diagnostic mode and expand the time period or window for determining more precisely the degree of deviation of the errant time period from the standard range.

Monitoring window expansion for diagnostics

Briefly, the invention is a control and diagnostic system that monitors all possible machine events and activities that pass through microprocessor control. In case a fault is detected, the control will display the particular chain (subsystem) of the machine and the last successfully completed event which occurred in that chain and on the copy which caused the shutdown. These chain (subsystem) and event numbers are common to the components in a wide variety of machines and immediately provides a lower entry point in the usual fault isolation procedure. In another feature, subsystem sequencing, the Service Representative can select a chain number and then press start print. The machine will then display in sequence the numbers for the events in the selected chain as they occur and allow the Service Representative to selectively exercise the components. This feature can be provided for training purposes to aid in understanding sequence of subsystem operation. Another feature of the present invention is the use of dedicated registers in the controller to record completed events for the various chains and components in the reproduction machine. At shutdown the contents of the registers can be displayed to indicate the last completed event for a particular chain (subsystem) or for each of the chains (subsystems).

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Webster, NY, United States of America

Frank R Walsh