Eastman-kodak Company

Xerox Corporation

Kent A Randall

Donald Saul Rimai

Francisco Luiz Ziegelmuller

Dennis R Kamp

Sven Sonnenberg

Thomas W Bober

Robert J Nash

Richard P Greenaway

First and second toner images are created on a primary image member. The first toner image is transferred to an intermediate image member and then transferred back to the primary image member to combine the two images. Preferably, the intermediate image member is a light roller that is inarticulatable and maintained in contact with the primary image member which is preferably an endless belt with sufficient wrap to drive the intermediate image member with low pressure in the contact nip. Cleaning is effected by transferring residual toner back to an empty portion of the primary image member from where it may be cleaned off by a primary image member cleaning station. Intrack registration of the images is maintained by adjusting the time between flashes in creating the two images.

Method and apparatus for forming combined toner images

Imaging apparatus includes a primary image member upon which first and second toner images are formed and an intermediate image member to which the first toner image is transferred. Duplex imaging is accomplished by transferring the second toner image from the primary image member to one side of a receiving sheet and the first toner image from the intermediate image member to the other side of the sheet. The intermediate image member extends toward a fuser to transport the receiving sheet to the fuser while the first image is being transferred. Both images are transferred to the receiving sheet while not being backed by the other image member.

Imaging apparatus utilizing intermediate transfer member

Apparatus for recovering waste toner in a copier or printer includes a rotatable heating drum and a heat source for heating the drum so that its exterior surface reaches a temperature sufficient to melt toner particles. Waste toner particles that are removed by a cleaning apparatus are fed through a chute onto the surface of the heating drum for melting. A rotatable receiving roller forms a transfer nip with the heating drum for transfer receiving melted toner from the heating drum. Melted toner on the receiving roller is cooled off into a solid mass or plug of toner for clean, safe disposal.

Method and apparatus for solid recovery of waste toner

Imaging apparatus includes a primary image member upon which first and second toner images are formed and an intermediate image member to which one of said toner images is transferred. Duplex imaging is accomplished by transferring one image from the primary image member to one side of a receiving sheet and a second image from the intermediate image member to the other side. The intermediate image member extends toward a fuser to transport the receiving sheet to the fuser while the first image is being transferred. Both images are transferred to the receiving sheet while not being backed by the other image member. In a full-color portion four different color toner images are formed and transferred in registration to form a multicolor image which is transferred to the intermediate image member permitting the apparatus to function in either a high-volume simplex or duplex imaging mode or in a low-volume, full-color imaging mode.

Multipurpose imaging apparatus

Multicolor toner images are formed by first forming separate color images by four separate image-forming devices. Two of those images are transferred in registration to a first intermediate drum to form a two-color image which two-color image is then transferred to a second intermediate drum. The third and fourth color toner images are transferred in registration to the second intermediate drum to form a four-color toner image. The transfer of the two-color image to the second intermediate drum can be accomplished before or after transfer of the third and fourth images. The four-color toner image can be transferred to a receiving sheet in one step.

Method and apparatus for forming multicolor toner images

Duplex toner images are created on a receiving sheet by forming first and second toner images on an image member. The first toner image is transferred to a first intermediate member and then to a second intermediate member. The second toner image is transferred to a first side of the receiving sheet. The receiving sheet is separated from the image member and the first toner image is transferred to the other side of the receiving sheet from the second intermediate member. With this apparatus, a straight paper path can be provided without reversing optics or electronics for forming one of the two toner images. Two toner images can also be combined into a single image on the second intermediate member, for example, two toner images of different color, and a third toner image placed on the first side of the sheet.

Method and apparatus for handling toner images

Toner images are combined for later transfer to a receiving sheet by forming first and second toner images on an image member and transferring the first toner image to an intermediate member. The first toner image is transferred back to the image member in registration with a second toner image to form a combined toner image.

Method and apparatus of forming combined toner images

A document feeder for recirculating simplex or duplex document sheets in a sheet stack to and from a scanning station of a reproduction apparatus of the type including a donor/transfer member for producing simplex or duplex copies of simplex or duplex document sheets. The recirculating feeder includes a hopper for holding the document sheets and a first cylinder located in spaced relation to the hopper and in juxtaposition with the scanning station. The first cylinder is capable of having a document sheet tacked to its peripheral surface. Second and third cylinders, capable of having a document sheet tacked to their respective peripheral surfaces, are located between the hopper and the first cylinder in nip relation with the first cylinder and one another. The cylinders are bidirectionally rotatable about their respective longitudinal axes. A document sheet is transportable from the hopper into the nip relation between the second and third cylinders. Rotation of the cylinders, transport of a document sheet and tacking of a sheet to a particular cylinder are controlled for effecting transport of simplex or duplex document sheets seriatem from the hopper past the scanning station and back to the hopper in proper orientation and direction of transport to enable the desired production of simplex or duplex copies.

Recirculating document feeder

A document feeder for recirculating simplex or duplex document sheets to and from a scanning station of a reproduction apparatus for selectively producing pre-collated or post-collated simplex or duplex copies of simplex or duplex document sheets. The document feeder includes a first document sheet transport path extending from a hopper to the scanning station; a second transport path located in juxtaposition with the scanning station for moving a document in scanning relation to such station; a third transport path, for turning a document sheet over, located between the hopper and the second transport path; and a fourth transport path extending between the second path and the hopper. A drive mechanism, associated with the transport paths, is operative to transport a sheet in a particular direction along such respective paths. A first diverter is controlled to be located in a first position for directing a transported document sheet from the first path to the third path when document sheets are of the simplex type, and in a second position for directing a transported document sheet from the first path to the second path when document sheets are of the duplex type. A second diverter is controlled to be located in a first position for retaining a transported document in the second path for recirculation past the scanning station when post-collated copies are to be made, and in a second position for directing a transported document sheet from the second path to the fourth path when pre-collated copies are to be made.

In an electrographic reproduction apparatus having a single process assembly for forming transferable images on a member moving along an image travel path, a mechanism for producing duplex copies on receiver sheets moving along a travel path spaced relative to such image travel path. Such mechanism includes a pair of similar doner rollers. The first doner roller is operatively associated with the transferable image-bearing member and located adjacent to one side of the sheet travel path for selectively receiving a transferable image from such member and transferring such image to one side of a receiver sheet moving along the sheet travel path. The second doner roller is operatively associated with the transferable image-bearing member and located adjacent to the opposite side of the sheet travel path for selectively receiving a transferable image from such member and transferring such image to the opposite side of such moving receiver sheet, whereby a duplex copy is produced.

Electrographic reproduction apparatus capable of producing duplex copies

A feature rich, compact console electrographic reproduction apparatus having ready access to the entire receiver sheet transport path, improved thermal management, and the capability of performing automatic two-pass duplex copying or two-pass image overlaying. A first assembly, mounted for movement through a front wall of the apparatus housing for ready access, includes receiver sheet stack holders, respective receiver sheet feeders, a mechanism for receiver sheet transport to a dielectric member, and a mechanism for effecting transfer of a transferable image from such member to a receiver sheet. A second assembly, mounted for movement through the front wall of the apparatus housing for ready access, includes a mechanism for receiver sheet transport from the dielectric member, an image fixing mechanism, and a stacker for fixed image hearing receiver sheets. An auxiliary receiver sheet supporting tray, in the second assembly, includes a mechanism for selectively stacking receiver sheets in such tray in particular facial orientations which respectively enable duplex copy or image overlay copy to be automatically reproduced on receiver sheets returned from such tray to the dielectric member. A blower and associated baffling, located in the apparatus housing, directs incoming fresh air through a substantial opening in the front of such housing in a swirling pattern through its interior and exhausts such air through an opening in the bottom of the housing.

Compact console electrographic reproduction apparatus

Disclosed is an improved stable developer composition which contains resin particles, pigment particles, colloidal silica additive particles, fatty acid metal salt additive particles, and uncoated ferrite carrier particles. One preferred specific developer composition disclosed is comprised of (1) first resin particles of styrene methacrylate copolymers, grafted with or containing a low molecular weight wax composition, (2) second resin particles of a styrene, acrylate, acrylonitrile terpolymer, (3) pigment particles, (4) colloidal silica additive particles, (4) fatty acid metal salt additive particles, and (5) uncoated ferrite carrier particles.

Growing community of inventors

Webster, NY, United States of America

Kent A Randall