Lexmark International, Inc.

Gary Michael Tylicki

Edward Lynn Triplett

David Erwin Rennick

Larry Steven Foster

Brian Allen Blair

Brian Reed Spencer

Paul Douglas Horrall

Daniel Lee Carter

Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges

David Lee Merrifield

Jason Lee Rowe

Earl Dawson Ward, Ii

Ronald Willard Baker

James J Molloy

Derek Masami Inouye

Martin Victor DiGirolamo

Bernard L Wilzbach

Robert Leonard Burdick

Robert Galon Newman

A reusable and resettable separator for use with electrophotographic components of an imaging device. The separator is installed with the imaging device and includes a spring-biased lift rail and release linkage and is used to move either a developer unit or a photoconductive drum unit between an operative position where a developer roll and a photoconductive drum form a contact nip and a separated position where the two rolls are separated. The separator is initially set using the lift rail to place two rolls in the separated position with the release linkage engaging the lift rail to hold this position. Opening of an access door engages a one-way release arm actuating the release linkage allowing the lift rail to translate moving the two rolls to the operative position. When reshipment of the imaging device is needed, the separator can manually reset placing the two rolls back in the separated position.

Resettable separator for electrophotographic components

The present application is directed to systems and methods to control access to an interior of an image forming device. The image forming device may include a body with a door that is movable between open and closed positions. In the open position, access is gained to an interior of the body. A controller controls a latch through a motor arrangement to lock and unlock the door. A user interface may be positioned on an exterior of the body to allow a user to enter commands to lock and unlock the door. Additional elements may also be included within the interior of the image forming device and operated with the motor arrangement.

Systems and methods to control access to an interior of an image forming device

A system for sensing a media stack to detect a given stack height includes a stack site in an output bin and a mechanical flag mounted adjacent to a side thereof in a counterbalanced state at a home position where an exposed portion of the flag extends into a media sheet delivery path where it is struck by an edge of repetitive media sheets moving to the site. The striking of the exposed portion by the sheet edge causes the flag to deflect to a displaced position outside of the delivery path, allowing the sheet to land on the site increasing the height of a media sheet stack at the site. The counterbalanced state further allows the flag to return to the home position with its exposed portion in the media path until a given stack height is reached where the stack blocks further return of the flag indicating that the output bin is full.

System and method for sensing a media stack from side of stack and delivery path to stack to detect given stack height

An image forming device with one or more door assemblies that engage locking mechanisms to secure a module in an operating position. The module may be coupled to one of the one or more door assemblies. A first locking mechanism may secure the module to the image forming device body when a first door assembly is closed. A second locking mechanism may secure the module to the body with a greater securing force than the first locking mechanism to secure the module to the body. The second locking mechanism may be engaged upon closing a second door assembly. Separate biasing members may be used to apply the securing forces. The locking mechanisms may include four-bar or over-center mechanisms to apply the securing forces.

Securing mechanism for an image forming device module

In a toner cartridge, photoconductor drum (11) is driven by a gear (3) which is in the printer, toner adder roller (48) is driven independently by a face coupling (5) which is in the printer. On the opposite side, a gear train from toner adder roller (48) drives developer roller (42) and toner paddle (52). The two systems permit the cartridge to function in different printers requiring different ratios of speeds. Stiffness requirements of the cartridge are reduced. Movements are more consistent, and space utilization is enhanced.

Toner cartridge with independent driven systems

Growing community of inventors

Georgetown, KY, United States of America

Gary Michael Tylicki