摘要:
Apparatus and methods for maintaining flowability of solid-ink pellets when delivering solid-ink pellets from a container to an image-forming apparatus. The apparatus includes an extraction tube inserted into the container and connected to a vacuum source. Suction from the vacuum source impels pellets into the extraction tube through an extraction inlet, but pellet agglomerations may clog the system. Such a clog produces an immediate pressure spike within the extraction tube, an event detected by the clog detector. An actuator, responsive to the clog detector, drives an agitating structure that breaks up agglomerations and restores smooth pellet flow. Alternative embodiments can include devices having only the clog detector or the agitating structure. Alternative implementations of the agitating structure provide means for accomplishing pellet break up. The accompanying method detects the occurrence of a clog and responds by operating the agitating structure to break up agglomerations.
摘要:
Apparatus and methods for maintaining flowability of solid-ink pellets when delivering solid-ink pellets from a container to an image-forming apparatus. The apparatus includes an extraction tube inserted into the container and also connected to a vacuum source. Suction produced by the vacuum source impels pellets into the extraction tube through an extraction inlet, but pellet agglomerations may clog the system. Such a clog produces an immediate pressure spike within the extraction tube, an event detected by the clog detector. An actuator, responsive to the clog detector, drives an agitating structure that breaks up agglomerations and restores smooth pellet flow. Alternative embodiments can include devices having only the clog detector or the agitating structure along with the clog detectors. Alternative implementations of the agitating structure provide means for accomplishing the pellet break up. The accompanying method detects the occurrence of a clog and responds by operating the agitating structure to break up agglomerations.
摘要:
A replenishment carrier injection system is provided for adding carrier particles to a developer housing in a two-component developer toner imaging machine. The replenishment system includes (i) a carrier-only hopper for receiving and containing a first quantity of carrier particles; (ii) metering valves connected to a discharge end of the carrier-only hopper; (iii) a pneumatic plenum connected to the metering valves; (v) an air pump connected to the carrier-only hopper and to the pneumatic plenum for pressurizing the carrier-only hopper and for pneumatically conveying a metered quantity of carrier particles in an air stream from the pneumatic plenum; and (vi) carrier injection assemblies each being connected to the pneumatic plenum and including a conduit for carrier flow, a direct injector elbow connecting the conduit to a developer housing for directly injecting fresh carrier from the pneumatic plenum into the developer housing; and a fresh carrier current collector for detecting any fault in fresh carrier flow through said direct injector elbow the system into the developer housing.
摘要:
A teeter-totter valve device for metering magnetic particles from a hopper includes (i) a tube connected to the hopper for flow of magnetic particles out of the hopper; (ii) a teeter-totter member having a first arm including a first distal end, and a second adjustable arm including a second distal end; (iii) a support assembly supporting the teeter-totter member on and spaced from the tube; (iv) a first magnet located at the first distal end; (v) a second magnet located at the second distal; and (vi) a moving assembly for moving each of the first magnet and the second magnet towards and away from a first near point and a second near point on the tube to create or remove a point magnetic field and magnetic particles dam within the tube, thereby stopping or allowing flow of a desired quantity of magnetic particles past the first near point and past the second near point.
摘要:
An imaging material replenishment system for a reproduction apparatus, with an imaging material container removably insertable into an insertion guide, which container has a containment lid automatically removed upon insertion, with a lid latching member with a latching notch normally latching the containment lid to the container. The insertion guide has a latch engaging member such as a fixed pin positioned to engage an unlatching ramp surface of the lid latching member as the container is inserted, a locking slot returning the pin therein during dispensing, and thus holding the lid there, and another, oppositely inclined, ramp surface automatically relatching the lid to the container as the container is removed after dispensing. An integrated contents encoding and interlock system is also provided.
摘要:
An electrostatographic printer includes a development housing for supplying developer to an image receptor, and a replenisher in communication with the development housing. In a basic state, a regular supply of developer having a first predetermined TC is supplied. In a special state, a special supply of developer having a second predetermined TC is supplied. In response to determining the printer should be in the special state, the special supply of developer is requested to be installed in the printer, such as through Internet ordering to a vendor. The vendor can also “custom-blend” a developer formulation based on transmitted machine conditions.
摘要:
An electrophotographic printing machine, wherein an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed to form a visible image thereof, the electrophotographic printing machine including a system, for removing contaminants from toner in a developer housing, the system including a filter system, positioned in a path of flowing developer material, the filter system having a screen for permitting developer material to travel therethrough while inhibiting contaminants from traveling therethrough when vibrated; the screen being inclined to the path of flowing developer material a vibration driver, operatively connected to the screen, for vibrating the screen.
摘要:
An electrostatographic printer includes a development housing for supplying developer to an image receptor, and a replenisher in communication with the development housing. In a basic state, a regular supply of developer having a first predetermined TC is supplied. In a special state, a special supply of developer having a second predetermined TC is supplied. In response to determining the printer should be in the special state, the special supply of developer is requested to be installed in the printer, such as through Internet ordering to a vendor. The vendor can also “custom-blend” a developer formulation based on transmitted machine conditions.
摘要:
A low cost, robust and efficient replenisher toner container is provided and includes (a) a one-piece blow-molded container body having a wall defining an exterior surface of the body and an interior cavity within the body; (b) a first end, of the one-piece blow-molded container body, having a handle member; (c) a second end, of the one-piece blow-molded container body opposite the first end, including a single fill/dispense opening for filling the interior cavity with replenisher toner and for dispensing replenisher toner from the interior cavity; and (d) at least a one molded scoop member formed at the second end for efficiently delivering the replenisher toner being dispensed from the interior cavity into receiving components in the xerographic machine.