Xerox Corporation

Scott C Durland

James R Cassano

Richard M Dastin

Roger M Swanson

Vittorio R Castelli

Arthur J Sobon

Daniel R Shavers

David Keneth Ahl

Thomas F Cooper

Timothy G Struczewski

Dan F Lockwood

Frank R Walsh

Scott A Reese

Michele D Taber

John E Kosko

Jan J Van Der Steen

Ashok T Patel

Stephen C Urciuoli

Robert J Tanniscoli

Roman C Kanola

David T Pfeiffer

Terry Catherman

John H Dearlove

Miguel O Martinez

The present invention is a method and apparatus for vacuuming toner waste from a toner sump in a xerographic printing machine. A xerographic module in the machine contains a photoconductor, charging devices, a cleaning unit and the toner sump. When the toner sump approaches a full condition, the toner waste must be removed in order to prevent failure of the xerographic module seals. This is accomplished by removing the xerographic module from the machine, opening a sealed toner sump port and attaching a vacuum source to the toner sump port so that the toner waste can be removed with the vacuum source. A disposal adaptor tool sealingly engages the vacuum source to the toner sump at the toner sump port, allowing the toner to removed in a clean glove environment. Once the toner waste is removed from the toner sump, a new toner seal is placed over the toner sump port and the xerographic module is returned to the machine for further use.

Method and apparatus for removing toner waste from a toner sump

An apparatus is described for releasably gripping a sheet and advancing the sheet through a transfer zone and into registration with information developed on a moving member. The apparatus includes a first gripping member and a second gripping member adapted to be moved relative to the first gripping member. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for applying a force on the second gripping member to urge the second gripping member towards the first gripping member to grip the sheet. Moreover, the apparatus includes a mechanism for advancing the first gripping member and the second gripping member through the transfer zone. The apparatus additionally includes a mechanism for moving the second gripping member relative to the first gripping member to acquire or release the sheet. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for positioning the moving mechanism in a first mode of operation to allow the moving mechanism to move the second gripping member, and, in a second mode of operation to prevent the moving mechanism from moving the second gripping member. The printing machine still further includes a mechanism for isolating the positioning mechanism from the force applied by the force applying mechanism during the first mode of operation.

Sheet transport apparatus for use in an electrophotographic printing

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 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.

Sheet transport system with improved gripping and registration mechanism

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 within the transfer zone and a trailing portion thereof is immediately behind the transfer zone relative to the forward direction of movement of the moving member. The leading portion of the sheet is advanced through the transfer zone at a first velocity and the trailing portion of the sheet is advanced in a region immediately behind the transfer zone at a second velocity, which is greater than the first velocity, so as to create a buckle in the trailing portion of the sheet in the region. 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 which compensates for the velocity mismatch between adjacent sheet transports. A plate, interposed between the sheet transports, supports the sheet until the leading edge thereof advances from the first sheet transport to the second sheet transport. When the leading edge of the sheet is received by the second sheet transport, the plate pivots away from the sheet to a location remote therefrom. Since the first sheet transport advances the sheet at a greater velocity than the second sheet transport, the sheet forms a buckle to compensate for the velocity mismatch between sheet transports.

Sheet transport velocity mismatch compensation apparatus

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

Scott C Durland