Patent ID: 6233411
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A method of stabilizing productivity in an electrostatographic toner image reproduction machine (the machine), the method comprising:(a) establishing a first toner concentration (TC) limit at and below which toner image reproduction of the machine stops and the machine dead cycles;(b) establishing a second TC limit, higher than the first TC limit, above which the toner image reproduction rate of the machine is 100% at ST ppm (Standard Prints Per Minute);(c) adding fresh toner into a developer housing of the machine in an attempt to maintain the TC of the developer housing above the second TC limit while running copies having various toner area coverage levels; and(d) establishing at least a third TC limit, between the first TC limit and the second TC limit, above which the toner image reproduction rate is less than 100% at (ST-X1) ppm, and below which the toner image reproduction rate is less than 100% at (ST-X2) ppm, where X1 and X2 are integers, and X2 is greater than X1, thereby deterring the toner concentration of the developer housing from reaching the first TC limit causing the machine to dead cycle, and thus stabilizing productivity of the machine.