Eastman-kodak Company

Nexpress Solutions, Inc.

Other

Scott Thomas Slattery

Jerry Eugene Livadas

James R Carey

Rodney Ray Bucks

Timothy John Young

Christopher Stephen Garcia

Michael E Jacobs

W Charles Kasiske

Timothy Gilbert Armstrong

Donald Steven Hensel

Gary Edwin Nichols

D Steven Kepner

Thomas Samuel Albrecht

Daniel Francis Vespone

Cathlyn Y Yu

Patricia D Reuschle

Peter S Alexandrovich

Thomas K Hilbert

Richard George Allen

Kenneth P Friedrich

Kenneth M Patterson

Carol K Dunn

Brandon H Brown

Michael Donovan Dunn

Michelle Wise

Michelle Dawn Wise

Thomas C Bidwell

Thomas Kurt Hilbert

An system and related method for maintaining print quality based on development potential measurements that include comparing the current process measurements to a toner concentration related set-point; calculating a quality adjustment range based on current process measurements and the toner concentration related set-point, or a derivative thereof, indicative of print quality; and adjusting current process conditions related to the current process measurements to trend towards a new set point within the quality adjustment range so that a rate of change is proportional to the difference between the current process measurements and the set point.

Print quality maintenance method and system

Controlling the charge on toner in a development station of an electrographic reproduction apparatus, wherein data relative to latent image charge carrying member voltage and image density control patches are sensed and development potential to achieve an aim density is calculated therefrom. A delta from an optimum development potential range is calculated, and in response to the determined delta, an amount of liquid charge control agent, from a supply of suitable liquid charge control agent, necessary to be added to the developer material in the development station to bring the toner to substantially a charge level that will enable a desired optimum developer potential is calculated. The calculated amount of liquid charge control agent is then injected directly into the development station.

Addition of liquid charge control agents to toner in toner development stations of electrographic reproduction apparatus

A package () for an individual charging wire () includes a backing () having a back portion () and a front portion (). A first perforation () is defined in the backing () between the back portion () and the front portion (). A closing strip () is disposed on the back portion (). A padding strip () is disposed on the back portion () between the closing strip () and the first perforation (). A second perforation () is defined in the back portion () between the closing strip () and the padding strip ().

Charger wire package and container

A system, method, and apparatus for adjusting dry ink concentration in a developing station () of a printer is disclosed. The adjustment is performed by calculating the thermal drift of a dry ink monitor () and applying the result as a compensating factor in calculations in a software algorithm. The dry ink monitor () has a sensing port () in contact with a dry ink concentration and is connected to a dry ink monitor interface board () that houses a temperature sensor (). The monitor interface board () is positioned in proximity to the dry ink monitor () to enable the temperature sensor () to measure a temperature of the dry ink concentration. The software algorithm is used to adjust the dry ink concentration based on a slope coefficient calculated by the printer based on outputs from the dry ink monitor () and the dry ink monitor interface board ().

Dry ink concentration monitor interface with automated temperature compensation algorithm

An interface member providing flow communication of particulate material between a particulate material receptacle and a housing of a mechanism for replenishing particulate material from a receptacle to a remote reservoir. The interface member includes a casting defining a flow communication passage. A plate is attached to the casting at an angle to the horizontal to define an angled entrance to the casting. A member, associated with said angled entrance plate, is provided for guiding and holding the marking particle receptacle at a corresponding angle to the horizontal when the receptacle is installed on the angled entrance plate, whereby the angled orientation of the receptacle lets air percolate into the receptacle while the receptacle is emptying, allowing the particulate material to flow freely out of the receptacle.

Replenisher mechanism interface

A single piece control grid electrode for a corona charging device for charging a curvilinear shaped dielectric support member with improved charging uniformity and consistency and with lower assembly and service cost. The single piece control grid is formed by a plurality of integral planar segments angularly oriented with respect to each other so that each segment may be equally spaced from the curvilinear shaped dielectric support member.

Single piece control grid electrode for a corona charger

A mechanism for replenishing particulate material from receptacles to a reservoir, which provides a highly accurate and continuous indication of the amount of particulate material remaining in the housing of the replenisher mechanism. The replenisher mechanism includes a housing having a plurality of discrete sensors for sensing the level of particulate material within the housing, a delivery assembly which provides flow communication of particulate material between the housing and a remote reservoir, and has a delivery assembly sensor that senses the amount of particulate material delivered by the delivery assembly. A logic and control unit operatively connected to the housing level sensors and the delivery assembly sensor continuously determines the amount of particulate material remaining in the housing so as to indicate when, and how much, particulate material to add to the housing.

Replenisher mechanism for a reproduction apparatus development station with continuous monitoring of remaining marking particle material

A magnetic brush development station with a housing forming a reservoir for developer material has a plurality of augers located in the housing for mixing developer material. A drive for the plurality of augers includes an assembly having a body extending through the development station housing. A plurality of bearings are positioned in the body with a spacer between the plurality of bearings. A rotatable shaft is connected between the plurality of augers and an auger drive member. A seal for the rotatable shaft has a lip formed of a material which is able to stretch sufficiently to maintain sealing contact with the shaft while the shaft is being rotated by the auger drive member.

Development station for a reproduction apparatus

A magnetic brush development station for a reproduction apparatus. The magnetic brush development station includes a housing forming, at least in part, a reservoir for developer material. The reservoir has a pressure equalization seal. A mechanism is associated with the housing for readily moving the housing relative to the reproduction apparatus. Another mechanism selectively readily replenishes and/or empties at least one component of developer material with respect to the reservoir. A plurality of augers are located in the housing for mixing developer material within the reservoir. A drive for the augers, extending through the housing, has a seal therefor. A development roller, mounted within the housing, delivers developer material from the reservoir to a development zone. The development roller includes a core magnet inside a shell such that the core magnet and the shell having relative rotation. The core magnet extends less than the entire length of the development roller such that the developer nap on the shell does not extend to the end of the development roller. A metering skive, extending the length of the development roller, controls the quantity of developer material delivered from the reservoir portion of the housing to the development zone. The metering skive is positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the development roller at a location upstream in the direction of shell rotation prior to the development zone. Further, a magnetic seal is located in association with the skive at each end of the development roller. The magnetic field of the magnetic seal is sufficient to substantially prevent leakage of developer material from the ends of the development roller.

A mechanism for replenishing particulate material from a receptacle to a remote reservoir. The replenisher mechanism includes a housing having a sensor for sensing the level of particulate material within the housing, pair of spaced end walls, and a pair of spaced side walls. At least a portion of the side walls are flexible. An interface provides flow communication of particulate material between a particulate material receptacle and the housing, and a delivery assembly provides flow communication of particulate material between the housing and a remote reservoir. At least one paddle assembly is operatively associated with at least one of the flexible side walls for moving such side wall in a manner to substantially prevent agglomeration and flake production in the particulate material within the housing. The paddle assembly includes a first pivot rod mounted in fixed spatial relation to the housing, a paddle supported on the first pivot rod, a second pivot rod carried by the paddle. A reciprocating actuator arm is connected to the second pivot rod to selectively move the paddle about the first pivot rod. A lever is pivotably mounted on the second pivot rod, whereby when the paddle is rotated about the first pivot rod by reciprocation of the actuator arm, the lever rotates about the second pivot rod providing movement of the flexible membrane adjacent to the first pivot rod causing the breaking of any particulate material bridges at that point.

Replenisher mechanism for a development station of a reproduction apparatus

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Brockport, NY, United States of America

Scott Thomas Slattery