Simple itb steering rib applicator

Abstract

This invention provides a steering rib for an ITB. These steering rib or ribs are applied to the ITB by placing the rib around a cylindrical fixture. The rib is held in place by a vacuum that is applied to the rib to hold it against the fixture until the rib is adhered to the inside surface of an ITB. Once the rib or ribbing is adhered to the ITB, a series of apertures directs compressed air against the rib and the ITB to release them from the fixture.

1 . An electrophotographic marking system, said system comprising an intermediate transfer belt (ITB),
 said belt comprising on its inner surface at least one steering rib,   said steering rib configured to guide and steer said ITB during a marking step,   said ribs configured to mate with an aligned notched roller or surface to keep said belt aligned as it rotates and ensures minimum lateral movement during image on image registration,   said ribs provided on said ITB by placing said ribs with an adhesive on its outer surface around and on a cylindrical fixture, positioning said ITB on said cylindrical fixture over said ribbing and thereby adhering said ribs to an inside surface of said ITB.   
     
     
         2 . The marking system of  claim 1  wherein said steering rib has an adhesive on its external side to facilitate attachment to said inner surface of said belt. 
     
     
         3 . The marking system of  claim 1  wherein said steering rib is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of plastics, paper, and fiberglass. 
     
     
         4 . The marking system of  claim 1  wherein said steering rib comprises a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         5 . The marking system of  claim 1  wherein said steering rib is located on two edge portions of said belt. 
     
     
         6 . The marking system of  claim 1  wherein said steering rib is located on one edge portion of said belt. 
     
     
         7 . A method of applying a steering rib to an ITB of an electrophotographic marking system, said method comprising:
 providing a cylindrical ribbing application fixture,   providing in said fixture a base structure,   above said base structure is positioned a lower plenum,   and above said lower plenum is positioned an upper plenum,   applying a vacuum to said lower plenum to thereby hold a precut strip of said ribbing that is positioned around said lower plenum,   exposing to an inner surface of said ITB an outer surface of said steering rib with an adhesive located on said outer surface of said ribbing,   applying compressed air to said upper plenum,   applying vacuum to said upper plenum, securing the belt in place,   removing said vacuum to said lower plenum forcing said ribbing with said adhesive against an inner circumference of said belt,   removing said vacuum from said upper plenum,   reapplying compressed air to said upper plenum,   and removing said belt with said ribbing from said application fixture.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said vacuum and said compressed air are applied to said lower plenum via apertures in said lower plenum. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said vacuum and said compressed air are applied to said upper plenum via apertures in said upper plenum. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said vacuum and said compressed air are supplied to said fixture from a source external to said fixture. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said vacuum and said compressed air are supplied to said fixture from a source internal to said fixture. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said ribbing is applied on one inner side of said ITB. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said ribbing is applied to two or more inner locations on said ITB. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said ribbing comprises a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said lower plenum and said upper plenum comprise a cylindrical or drum-like structure having a dome positioned above for easy sliding of an ITB over said dome and around said drum. 
     
     
         16 . A cylindrical ribbing application fixture for applying a ribbing to an ITB comprising:
 a base structure,   above said base structure is positioned a cylindrical lower plenum,   positioned above said lower plenum and contiguous therewith is a cylindrical upper plenum,   said lower plenum having a plurality of apertures around its circumference, said apertures configured to apply a vacuum to said ribbing to hold said ribbing in place around said lower plenum and said apertures configured to apply said compressed air to said ribbing to apply said ribbing to said ITB,   said upper plenum having a plurality of apertures around its circumference, said apertures configured to apply compressed air against an inner surface of said ITB to thereby aiding in the loading and release of said ITB from said fixture after said ribbing is adhered to said ITB and said apertures configured to apply vacuum to said ITB to secure it in place during the ribbing application process.   
     
     
         17 . The fixture of  claim 16  wherein said vacuum and said compressed air are supplied to said fixture from a source outside said fixture. 
     
     
         18 . The fixture of  claim 16  wherein said vacuum and said compressed air are supplied to said fixture from a source internal to said fixture. 
     
     
         19 . The fixture of  claim 16  where said lower plenum is configured to receive said ribbing around its circumference, and wherein said apertures in said lower plenum are configured to supply a vacuum that holds said ribbing against said lower plenum. 
     
     
         20 . The fixture of  claim 16  configured to apply said ribbing against an inner surface of all sizes of ITB.