Xerox Corporation

Richard M Dastin

James R Cassano

Vittorio R Castelli

Scott C Durland

Roger M Swanson

Scott A Reese

John E Kosko

Kenneth J Mihalyov

Kenneth G Christy

Arthur J Sobon

Thomas F Cooper

Douglas W Gates

Robert J Tannascoli

Daniel R Shavers

Daniel W Costanza

Eric Alan Merz

James J Appel

David Keneth Ahl

Timothy M Hunter

Stephen J Wenthe, Jr

Timothy G Struczewski

Dan F Lockwood

Michael L Davidson

Michele D Taber

Janine Marie Gates

James D Apolito

Ashok T Patel

Jan J Van Der Steen

Richard S Trembulak

Richard J Laws, Jr

Roman C Kanola

John H Dearlove

Miguel O Martinez

Robert J Tanniscoli

Rachel C Kusmierz

Vittori Castelli

A color printing system achieves enhanced registration of a plurality of color separations. A plurality of color separation images are formed on a receptor in spaced relationship to one another, the distance between the leading edges of successive images corresponding to a pitch distance. The motion components of the system have circumferences which are equal to or a submultiple of the pitch distance. Any systematic errors due to motion of the components will repeat themselves identically for each color separation and eliminate misregistration.

Registration improvement by component synchronization in color printers

Low lateral force rolls used in supporting a photoreceptor belt to minimize lateral belt motion on a multi-pass color copier. Single piece, widely spaced mounting through shafts are used in connection with side support structure of the module drawer to reduce inboard and outboard misalignment. An integral tensions slide/side plate guidance control system is employed to reduce misalignment of the tension roller. Use of these features aid in minimizing undesirable belt movement.

Apparatus for controlling belt guidance in an electrophotographic

A quick and efficient method of testing the color registration on a multi-color electronic reprographic system includes the generation a latent image of a repeated basic test pattern across and down an photoconductive surface. Several images of this repeated test pattern are generated, one for each color in the reprographic system. Each test pattern is shifted a fixed amount so that the final output page displays a set of output figures. A figure of one color will be surrounded by at least one figure of each of the remaining colors of the reprographic system. Using this system a field technician can determine the level of misregistration between all of the colors.

Color registration test pattern

A method and apparatus for manipulating the velocity of a copy sheet in a color reprographic system creates a buckle in the copy sheet to decouple accelerations of the leading edge of the copy sheet from the portion that is in contact with the photoreceptor belt and reduces the buckle on long copy sheets for which the buckle can become large enough that the toner image on the body of the copy sheet can become disrupted by contact with stationary portions of the system. The method and apparatus also accelerates the leading edge of the copy sheet as the trailing edge disengages from the photoreceptor belt to prevent the uncontrolled trailing edge of lightweight copy sheets from contacting stationary portions of the system.

Sheet transport system with sheet velocity manipulation

An apparatus for electrically coupling a conductive layer of a photoreceptor to a reference potential, the photoreceptor being positionable between an operative position and a replacement position. The apparatus includes an electrically conductive brush which is electrically coupled to the reference potential. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for moving the conductive brush into electrical contact with the conductive layer in response to the photoreceptor being moved to the operative position and out of electrical contact with the conductive layer in response to the photoreceptor being moved to the replacement position.

Apparatus for electrically coupling a conductive layer of a

An apparatus is described which records an electrostatic latent image on a charger receiver. The apparatus includes a module which includes a bracket upon which a corona generating device is removably mounted. The bracket is also adapted to pivot so as to facilitate removal of the photoconductive member from the module.

Photoreceptor removal mechanism for a printing machine

A multiple pitch color registration system is disclosed for registering two images that are not precisely placed on a photoreceptor in an electrophotographic printing machine. The registration system is able to run asynchronously for a period of time and then to resynchronize in two different pitch modes. A two roll transfer loop for transferring the plurality of colors is phase locked to the photoreceptor position so that the two roll transfer loop follows the photoreceptor motion errors for maintaining accurate registration.

Multiple pitch color registration system

An apparatus which advances a sheet through a transfer zone and into registration with information developed on a moving member. The sheet is advanced to a position wherein a leading portion thereof is immediately ahead of the transfer zone relative to the forward direction of movement of the moving member and a trailing portion thereof is within the transfer zone. The leading portion of the sheet forms a presentation angle of 7-10 degrees with the horizontal. The trailing portion of the sheet is advanced through the transfer zone at a first velocity and the leading edge of the sheet is advanced in a region immediately ahead of the transfer zone at a second velocity, which is less than the first velocity, so as to create a buckle in the leading portion of the sheet positioned immediately ahead of the transfer zone relative to the forward direction of movement of the moving member. The buckle functions to eliminate relative velocity between the photoconductive belt and any portion of sheet within the transfer zone so as to substantially eliminate slip between the sheet and the photoconductive belt.

Sheet transport system with improved gripper bar

A registration transport and transfer module is located in a retractable drawer having a camshaft actuated by a lever. Rotation of the lever turns the cam which cooperates with a mounting to enable the transfer module to be lowered beneath a photoconductive belt. The drawer may then be pulled away from the machine and the transfer module pivoted about a point so as to expose portions of the copy sheet path for jam clearance.

Floating transfer module mounting

An apparatus for advancing a sheet in a predetermined path is described. The apparatus includes a mechanism for advancing the sheet in the path. The apparatus further includes a first mechanism for controlling movement of the sheet while it is being advanced in the path, the first controlling mechanism being in contact with the sheet in a first mode of operation and being spaced apart from the sheet in a second mode of operation. Moreover, the apparatus includes a second mechanism for controlling movement of the sheet while it is being advanced in the path, the second controlling mechanism being in contact with the sheet in a first mode of operation and being spaced apart from the sheet in a second mode of operation. The apparatus additionally includes an intermediate member movable between a first location and a second location, each of the controlling mechanisms being positioned in one of its respective modes of operation in response to the intermediate member being positioned at its first location and being positioned in the other of its respective modes of operation in response to the intermediate member being positioned at its second location.

Sheet control mechanism for use in an electrophotographic printing

A sheet transport system having a sheet release mechanism to effect release of a sheet from the sheet transport system at a point near the end of the transfer process. The sheet release mechanism includes a member positionable at a first fixed position spaced apart from the path of the sheet and a second fixed position within the path of the sheet. The sheet release mechanism is located on the side of the sheet opposite the side to which the toner image is transferred.

Sheet transport system with improved release mechanism

A method and apparatus for assuring proper park positioning of a sheet gripper device. A reference signal is generated by a master control board causing the sheet gripper to commence its movement along the belts of a sheet transport system. An index marker and encoder coupled to a servo motor generate pulses based on the rotation of the shaft of the servo motor. A registration control board coupled to the servo motor generates an index interrupt after receipt of a predetermined number of pulses from the index marker. The number of rising and falling edges of a system clock that occur between the generation of the reference signal and the index interrupt is computed by the registration control board and sent to the master control board. The master control board compares this distance value to a predetermined resynchronization value. Based on the discrepancy between the two values, the master control board recalculates a park position value which is sent to the registration control board. The park position value is the amount of time that elapses after the sheet gripper has passed a gripper home sensor. Thus, recalculation of the park position value insures accurate park positioning prior to the performance of each job.

Park position control apparatus for a sheet transport system

An apparatus which advances a sheet through a transfer zone and into registration with information developed on a moving member. The sheet is advanced to a position wherein a leading portion thereof is immediately ahead of the transfer zone relative to the forward direction of movement of the moving member and a trailing portion thereof is within the transfer zone. The trailing portion of the sheet is advanced through the transfer zone at a first velocity and the leading edge of the sheet is advanced in a region immediately ahead of the transfer zone at a second velocity, which is less than the first velocity, so as to create a buckle in the leading portion of the sheet positioned immediately ahead of the transfer zone relative to the forward direction of movement of the moving member. The buckle functions to eliminate relative velocity between the photoconductive belt and any portion of sheet within the transfer zone so as to substantially eliminate slip between the sheet and the photoconductive belt.

Sheet transport system with improved registration

An apparatus is described which advances a sheet in a predetermined path through a transfer zone and into registration with information developed on a moving member. The apparatus charges the sheet to transfer the information from the moving member to the sheet. The apparatus includes a mechanism to maintain the charge on the sheet during advancement thereof.

Transfer mechanism for a sheet transport system

A sheet transport system having a sheet gripper which includes at least one resilient member used to bias an upper gripping portion toward a lower gripping portion so as to releasably secure the leading edge of a sheet therebetween. The resilient member includes a stop which functions to register the sheet within the sheet gripper.

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Fairport, NY, United States of America

Richard M Dastin