Lexmark International, Inc.

Julie Ann Gordon Whitney

Niko Jay Murrell

Kerry Leland Embry

Brandon Alden Kemp

Peter Brown Pickett

Bartley Charles Gould, Ii

Kurt Daniel Lambert

Ryan Thomas Bradley

Gary Allen Denton

Gregory Lawrence Ream

Roger Steven Cannon

James Lee Combs

Jarrett Clark Gayne

Alan Stirling Campbell

Franklin Joseph Palumbo

Scott Richard Castle

Agnes Kam Zimmer

Duane Edward Norris

Daniel R Steinberg

Royden Thomas Kern

Shirish Padmaker Mulay

Nicholas Fenley Gibson

Bryan Michael Blair

Frank Marion Hughes

Michael Todd Phillips

David Keith Lane

Brad Edward Mattingly

Gerald Floyd Davis

Christopher Michael Bennett

William Claiborne Ryle

Jason Edward Gordon

Ronald Monroe Nowell, Jr

Heidi L Hays

David William Hullman

Ryan James Nelson

Christopher Michael Smith

Rachel Doris Rieck

An imaging apparatus, including a transfer roll; and first and second rolls, each first roll and second roll being disposed relative to the transfer roll, the second roll forming a transfer nip with the transfer roll and the first roll being disposed upstream relative to the second roll in a media feed direction. During a toner transfer operation, the transfer roll is coupled to a predetermined voltage and the first and second rolls are coupled to at least one voltage reference so that an electric field is generated between the transfer roll and the first roll and between the transfer roll and the second roll, the first roll being associated with an electrical characteristic such that the electric field generated between the transfer roll and the first roll is limited during the toner transfer operation relative to the electric field generated between the transfer roll and the second roll.

Controlled transfer nip for an electrophotographic device and method of using same

A device for transferring images from an image donating member to an image receiving medium comprises a substrate, at least two electrodes disposed on the substrate, and at least one layer of coating disposed on the substrate having an outer surface for forming a nip region with the image donating member. The at least two electrodes are controllable to produce an electric field and control a position thereof at the nip region to allow transfer of an image from the image donating member to the image receiving medium in an image transfer operation.

Transfer device and system for an electrophotographic device comprising multiple electrodes

A method of determining a media class using an optical translucence sensor (OTS) in an imaging device. A media sheet for processing by a media processing device (MPD) in the imaging device passes through an OTS positioned on a media path prior to the MPD. The OTS has an output that is periodically sampled in several predefined interest zones to provide a plurality of intrinsic variables related to the media sheet. The intrinsic variables are combined with extrinsic variables to form a variables data set that is normalized then fed to a controller having a predefined set of media class determining equations for determining a media class for the media sheet. A media class determining equation is provided for each class of media expected to be used in the imaging device. The determined media class is then used to set one or more operating parameters for the media processing device.

Method of determining a media class in an imaging device using an optical translucence sensor

An imaging device includes a moving surface for transferring a developed toner image during an image transfer operation, a sensing unit for detecting the amount of residual toner remaining on the moving surface after the image transfer operation, and a cleaning unit for selectively cleaning the residual toner from the moving surface. A controller coupled to the sensing unit and the cleaning unit selectively adjusts an operating characteristic of the cleaning unit based on the amount of residual toner detected by the sensing unit.

Imaging device having an adaptable cleaning system

An operational imaging device and method using a predetermined set of operating parameter determining (OPD) equations forming an OPD equation set for providing one or more operational parameter values for processing of a media sheet. The OPD equation set, stored in the operational imaging device, is solved using values for a set of N variables measured by an operational sensor set in the operational imaging device. Each equation solution determines a value for one of the operating parameters. The OPD equation set is generated by a training system using a continuum training engine. A training data set containing measured variable values of the set of N variables is collected using by a training sensor set. The training data set includes empirical best match data values for the one or more operational parameters based on a comparison of a model image to images produced by a training imaging device.

Imaging device and method for determining operating parameters

An imaging apparatus having a toner transfer station, including a donating member for donating toner forming an image; and a transfer roll which serves to form a transfer nip in which toner is transferred from the donating member to a media sheet disposed in the transfer nip between the donating member and the transfer roll, wherein a product of a resistivity of the transfer nip and a dielectric constant thereof is greater than or equal to a product of a resistivity of the media sheet and a dielectric constant thereof.

Transfer NIP for an electrophotographic device, and methods of making and using same

A transfer station for toner transfer in an electrophotographic imaging device includes an endless transfer belt transported about an endless path through the imaging device, a transfer roll adjacent one surface of the transfer belt, and a backup roll adjacent an opposite surface of the transfer belt opposite from the transfer roll such that the transfer roll and backup roll form a transfer nip effecting transfer of toner. For the purpose of improved overtransfer performance, an outer layer of a thin polymer coating is applied to at least one of the transfer belt and the rolls so as to be located within the transfer nip with transfer of toner. The polymer layer has a thickness from about 5 &#x3bc;m to about 200 &#x3bc;m, surface resistivity from about 1E08 to about 1E12 Ohm/cm and breakdown strength greater than 500 V.

Method for enlarging toner transfer window in EP imaging device and transfer station employing the method

A toner transfer station of an electrophotographic imaging device employs a backup roll having an inner electrically grounded cylindrical metal base core and an outer surface layer disposed about the inner base core. The outer surface layer may be formed of a polyurethane elastomer material to provide a capacitive coating with a thickness greater than 15 microns, a dielectric constant less than 12 and a resistivity of less than 3.00E+13 Ohm-cm.

Backup roll with capacitive coating and an imaging device transfer station employing the backup roll

A system for tailoring a transfer nip electric field includes a transfer roll, a backup roll forming a transfer nip with the transfer roll, and a pre-nip roll positioned upstream from the transfer and backup rolls and the transfer nip such that a toner image-supporting transfer belt moving past the pre-nip, transfer and backup rolls separately makes contact with, wraps partially around, and rotates each of the rolls as a media sheet is fed into the transfer nip after first passing through a gap defined between the pre-nip and transfer rolls such that by presetting the position, geometry and charge of the pre-nip roll relative to the transfer and backup rolls and the transfer belt an electrical field at the transfer nip can be tailored for enhanced toner transfer from the transfer belt to the media sheet.

System for tailoring a transfer nip electric field for enhanced toner transfer in diverse environments

The present application is directed to methods and devices for controlling charge buildup on a toner image as the toner image passes through one or more transfer nips. Charge buildup may be reduced by laterally offsetting a transfer roller from a photoconductor drum. The transfer roller may be constructed of an essentially non-compressible conductive material. AC current may be used to generate an electrical field between the photoconductor drum and the transfer roller.

Methods and devices to transfer toner in an image forming device to control charge buildup on a toner image

The present invention relates to a device or method which may reduce starvation in the transfer of an image forming substance to a developing location within an image forming apparatus. The device may include a first roller having a surface which is capable of supplying an image forming substance to a developing location. A second roller may then be included having a surface in rotating contact with the first roller. The second roller is capable of supplying image forming substance to the first roller. The second roller may comprise foam having a specified porosity, electrical conductivity, and/or be configured to rotate in a desired direction and/or desired speed relative to the first roller.

Apparatus and method for transfer of image forming substances

An improved color EP (laser) printer is provided for use in high humidity conditions. A humidity sensing circuit determines if the print quality might be degraded due to environmental conditions, using a resistivity sensing circuit, or a humidity sensor. If the print quality would likely be degraded, the invention is able to enhance toner transfer by printing supplemental process black toner dots underlaying standard black toner dots at predetermined pixel locations in the bitmap of a print job. This assumes that the black printing station is the 'last' station along the travel of the intermediate transfer member. Other colors could be used for the supplemental toner dots.

Black print quality enhancement for high humidity environment

The invention provides a printing apparatus for printing an image having a spatial resolution onto a print medium. The printing apparatus includes a printhead having a plurality of printing elements for ejecting ink droplets having a mass onto the print medium, and a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the printhead, producing a temperature signal. The apparatus also includes a media sensor for determining what type of print medium is loaded in the printer and producing a print medium signal based on the type of print medium installed in the printer. A plurality of heating devices are located adjacent the printhead for adjusting the temperature the printhead. The apparatus includes a printer controller for receiving the temperature signal from the temperature sensor and the print medium signal from the media sensor, and determines the ink temperature based on the print medium signal, and activates the heating devices to maintain the temperature of the printhead within a desired temperature range that is dependent upon the print medium signal.

Print head temperature adjustment based on media type

A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of air entrained in ink of ink jet printer cartridges especially during filling of the ink cartridge is disclosed. The method includes providing ink suitable for ink jet printing heating the ink to a predetermined temperature range to liberate air entrained in the ink, and then filling the ink jet cartridge while maintaining the elevated temperature of the ink. The apparatus includes an ink holding tank in fluid communication via a conduit with an air removal device that includes a heater adapted to elevate the temperature of the ink and liberate air entrained therein. The air removal device is in turn in fluid communication via a second conduit with an ink cartridge. Preferably, the heater is a temperature controlled resistance heater while the air removal device further includes a baffled holding chamber adapted to allow the ink time to reach and maintain the elevated temperature. The second conduit may include a second resistance heater to help maintain the elevated temperature of the ink during transfer of the heated ink from the heater to the ink cartridge during filling.

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Georgetown, KY, United States of America

Julie Ann Gordon Whitney