Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag

Eastman-kodak Company

Other

Nexpress Solutions, Inc.

Nexpress Digital LLC

James A Zimmer, Jr

Matthias Hermann Regelsberger

David E Hockey

Frederick E Altrieth, Iii

Philip A Stern

Alfred Gonnella, Jr

Michael Thomas Dobbertin

George R Walgrove, Iii

Edward Michael Eck

Christopher Stephen Garcia

Kenneth P Friedrich

Anne F Lairmore

Thomas K Sciurba

The present invention relates to a method for providing paper stack level calibration in a reproduction apparatus. According to various aspects of the invention, methods are provided for continuous feeding with a transition from one supply to another, and leaving a controlled number of sheets in the prior supply.

Method for controlling stack-advancing in a reproduction apparatus

The invention is in the field of timing control of electrographic machines. The invention is particularly suited for changing from one frame mode to another. Printing processes and apparatus are provided wherein timing signals are generated, such as one periodic timing signal having a period corresponding to a first frame size, and another alternative periodic timing signal having a period corresponding to a second frame size that is different from the first period The printing process and apparatus creates indicium that are at variable distances and create alternate frame modes to improve productivity with receiver sheets of various sizes. A splice indicium indicating a location of a splice in the electrographic imaging member may also be provided.

Apparatus and process for altering timing in an electrographic printer

An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus having a transfer assembly, including an electrically biased transfer roller in nip relation with a dielectric support member, for effecting transfer of a pigmented marking particle image from an image area of a dielectric support member to a receiver member in transfer relation with the dielectric support member in the transfer nip, a mechanism for cleaning the transfer roller including a control for the electrical bias on the transfer roller. The electrical bias control has a power supply generating an electrical output, of a settable polarity, connected to the transfer roller for applying an electrical bias of a set polarity thereto. A mechanism disables the power supply for a period of time during a start-up phase of reproduction so as to prevent transfer of residual marking particles from the dielectric support member to the transfer roller.

Electrostatographic reproduction method and apparatus with improved start-up to substantially prevent transfer roller contamination

A job ordering system for an image-forming machine that transfers an image onto a sheet at essentially the same time in which an inserter places an inserted sheet into a sheet output path. The image-forming machine has image-forming equipment, a sheet output path, and an inserter. The image-forming equipment transfers an image onto a sheet and provides the sheet to the sheet output path. The inserter places an inserted sheet onto the sheet output path at essentially the same time as the image-forming equipment transfers the image onto the sheet. One or more images may be transferred onto a plurality of sheets according to a sheet sequence for an image-forming job. One or more inserted sheets may be placed on the sheet output path at one or more inserted sheet positions.

Job ordering system for an image-forming machine

This invention provides an image-forming machine with a user detection system. The image-forming machine has image-forming equipment and at least one sensor. The image-forming equipment may include a photoconductor, one or more chargers, an exposure machine, a toning station, a fusing station, related equipment, and accessories. The image-forming machine may also include a sensor interface and a communication link. The sensor is monitored to detect when a user is near the image-forming machine. An output signal from the sensor indicates a user presence near the image-forming machine. A warm-up procedure is started in response to the output signal of the sensor.

User detection system for an image-forming machine

The present invention provides an electrophotographic (EP) image-forming machine and related method having activation of a charger cleaner in a corona charger after an arcing fault. The corona charger has corona wires connected to a high voltage potential supply, preferably providing a voltage in the range of about 5 to 11 kva or in the range of about 13,000 to 22,000 volts peak-to-peak. A corona voltage detection circuit is connected to measure current changes in the high voltage potential supply. A grid has a preselected electric potential to control the charge. The grid may be grounded, but preferably is connected to a power supply providing a voltage in the range of about 300 to 900 volts. A grid voltage detection circuit is connected to measure current changes in the power supply. The voltage detection circuits provide a voltage signal to a microprocessor. When arcing occurs, the microprocessor cycles the EP image-forming machine into a standby mode. The charger cleaning apparatus is activated to clean the charger. When the cleaning is completed, the EP image-forming machine returns to normal operation. In a further aspect of the present invention, the image-forming process stops when arcing occurs. The charger is cleaned. Any prints affected by the arcing are disposed. The image-forming process restarts at the image frame where the arc occurred.

Image-forming machine having charger cleaning activation after an arcing fault and related method

An electrostatographic recording apparatus and method has a primary image forming member (PIFM) that is moving along a closed path. The PIFM is sufficiently large to form a series of images thereon in the direction of movement of the PIFM during a production run of image formation. Plural series of toner images are formed on the PIFM during production runs. A first location on the PIFM is normally used to form images forming a part of the production runs. The first location is adjacent to and downstream of, in the direction of movement of the PIFM, a second location, such as a seam area, that is not used for image recording of production images during the production runs. A transfer device that is in engagement with the PIFM has its electrical bias switched from a first polarity used when transferring toner images from the PIFM to a second polarity that is of opposite polarity when the transfer device is in engagement with the PIFM at the second location. After a new cycle-up of the apparatus, there is provided for no recording at the first location on the PIFM of a first image forming a part of a new production run of images. Instead, the first image is recorded at a next available location on the PIFM downstream of the first location in the direction of movement of the PIFM, so that the transfer device is provided more time to recover when switching from the second polarity to the first polarity.

Electrostatographic image-forming apparatus and method with control of image forming after cycle-up

An apparatus and method for replenishing toner and collecting used toner in an electrostatographic machine. The apparatus includes a replenishment hopper having a supply of fresh toner. A development device feeds toner onto a recording member having an electrostatic image to be developed. A feeding device feeds fresh toner to the development device from a replenishment bottle. A replenishment motor drives the feeding device to feed fresh toner to the development device. A collection container or bottle collects used toner removed from a recording member. A controller tracks a first accumulated motor operating on-time and is programmed to compare the operating on-time with a first pre-programmed value for determining when the collection container is to be emptied or to be replaced or that the machine is to be cycled down. The controller also tracks a second accumulated motor operating on-time for determining when the replenishment bottle is to be replaced.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

James A Zimmer, Jr