Electrophotography inventions 08/06

20060193641 - Light modifier with spiral optical forms: Improved methods and apparatus for varying one or more parameters of a light beam are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more light modifying elements are interposed in the light beam between the light source and a subject illuminated, each of said light modifying elements having a pattern of both...

20060193642 - Image formation device and cartridge: An image formation device is disclosed that is able to detect data errors each time data are read from a memory in a cartridge and able to detect transmission error of the data. The image formation device includes a cartridge memory controller and a verification unit to verify reliability of...

20060193643 - Image forming apparatus and developer cartridge: A developer cartridge is configured to be detachably mounted in a main body of an image forming apparatus. A drive member is configured to be driven by the driving force and to move in a moving direction when the developer cartridge is mounted in the apparatus main body. A moving...

20060193644 - Image forming apparatus and developer cartridge: A developer cartridge is configured to be detachably mounted in an apparatus main body and to accommodate developer. The developer cartridge includes a drive member and a display portion. The drive member is configured to be driven to move by a driving force when the developer cartridge is mounted in...

20060193646 - Image-forming device and developer cartridge for use therein: When a new developer cartridge is initially mounted in an image-forming device, a toothed part of a sensor gear disposed in the cartridge is brought into meshing engagement with an agitator drive gear disposed in the image-forming device. The sensor gear is driven while its toothed part is in meshing...

20060193645 - Image-forming device and developing cartridge for use therein: An image-forming device includes a body, a developer cartridge, a first detecting unit, a second detecting unit and a controller. The developer cartridge accommodates developer therein and detachable from the body. The developer cartridge includes an information member disposed, when the developer cartridge is mounted on the body, in at...

20060193648 - Developer collecting device and image forming apparatus having the same: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided with a developer collecting device which collects developer removed from an image bearing member and an intermediate transfer body by a cleaning section. The developer collecting device comprises a positioning frame for determining a mounting position of the image bearing member onto an...

20060193647 - Image forming device and image forming method: An image forming device includes a casing including a cover capable of being opened and closed, a process unit which is arranged inside the casing and executes a printing process on a printing medium, an image forming unit which is arranged inside the casing and forms an electrostatic latent image...

20060193650 - Developing device, image forming apparatus having developing device, developing device control method, developing device control program, and computer-readable storage medium: The developing device according to the present invention includes a developing tank for containing two-component developer, a toner density sensor, and a toner cartridge. Further, the developing device according to the present invention includes a control section for inputting, to the toner density sensor, a control voltage (Vc) for correcting...

20060193649 - Image-forming device: The image forming device, by providing an amount of toner remaining detection system, calculates the amount of relative change in the electrostatic capacitance in the amount of toner remaining over a prescribed number of sheets of recording paper (R) to sense the amount of toner remaining, and indicates that the...

20060193651 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method using liquid development: A CPU 113 executes a control program stored in a memory 116, whereby a patch image is formed on a photosensitive member of a photosensitive member unit 10, a light emitter 171 irradiates light upon the patch image, a light receiver 172 receives light from the patch image, whether a...

20060193653 - Electrophotographic image forming apparatus, process cartridge and discharge preventing mechanism: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus on which a process cartridge is detachably mountable forms an image on a recording medium, and has a main body electrical contact electrically connected to a cartridge electrical contact when the cartridge is mounted on an apparatus main body, an electrically grounded electrically conductive discharge...

20060193652 - Image forming apparatus, toner cartridge, and development cartridge: An image forming apparatus includes: an electrostatic latent image bearing member; a toner cartridge; a developing member; a transfer member; a development cartridge; a development contact; and electrical connection units. The toner cartridge is removably coupled to the development cartridge. The development cartridge incorporates at least the developing member. The...

20060193654 - Package, packing assembly, and packing method for used process cartridge: The package has an used developer cartridge, a packing case and cushioning members. The packing case is configured with a upper surface that can be opened. When packed in the packing case, the developer cartridge is accommodated in the cushioning members so that the developing roller is positioned vertically above...

20060193655 - Image forming apparatus and image forming unit: An image forming apparatus including at least two image forming units arranged side by side in an arrangement direction and each of the image forming units contains a photoconductor configured to bear a latent electrostatic image thereon and at least one process device configured to form a toner image on...

20060193656 - Belt unit for image-forming apparatus: A belt unit is detachably mountable in an image-forming apparatus. The belt unit includes: at least two rollers, each having a roller shaft; an endless belt looped around the two rollers; and an outer frame disposed around the endless belt and having two roller-supporting walls rotatably supporting the rollers therebetween,...

20060193657 - Xerographic charging device having three pin arrays: In a xerographic printing apparatus, a scorotron places a uniform charge on a photoreceptor for forming electrostatic latent images. Three conductive pin arrays are disposed in a housing defined by sidewalls and a screen adjacent the photoreceptor. There can be provided insulative walls between adjacent pin arrays. The screen and...

20060193658 - Image forming apparatus and cartridge: An image forming apparatus includes: an electrostatic latent image bearing member; a toner cartridge; a developing member; a transfer member; a developing device; a toner-circulating member; a drive-force output unit; and a circulating-member driving unit. The toner cartridge is removably coupled to the developing device. The toner-circulating member is incorporated...

20060193659 - Developing unit: A developing unit is disclosed that includes a sub rotary developing unit, a toner supply device, and a drive device. The sub rotary developing unit has a developing roller in the interior thereof, and an elastic seal made of an elastic member with a slit sealing an opening on the...

20060193660 - Developer-carrying member having improved transportability, a developing unit, a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus: A developer-carrying member to transport a developer having a carrier to a developing area facing an image carrying member in an image forming apparatus includes a sleeve. The sleeve carries the developer. The surface of the sleeve has a maximum roughness Rmax of one-sixth or greater than a particle diameter...

20060193661 - Roll fuser apparatus: An improvement in a Release Agent Management system that alleviates the buildup of dirt, toner and paper debris on a wick in the system includes a metering roll, a supply of release agent material into which the wick is positioned and a pair of metering blades positioned on opposite sides...

20060193662 - Fixing apparatus: One of the amount of induction heating by a coil and that of induction heating by coils is increased/decreased relative to the other, and the ratio of the amount of the induction heating by the coil to that of the induction heating by the coils, at which the amount of...

20060193663 - Dual-purpose surface-treating blade assembly: A surface-treating apparatus has a dual-purpose surface-treating blade assembly that includes a blade holder for holding and loading a blade member, and a one-piece blade member having a first edge mounted to the blade holder and a second edge for contacting and treating a surface. The one-piece blade member has...

20060193664 - Original transporting apparatus: An original transporting apparatus 10 is comprised of an original setting section 11 equipped with an original guide 11a that regulates originals in the width direction, a first transporting mechanism 12 that picks up an original placed on the original setting section 11 under the pressurized state, and a second...

20060193665 - Method for image forming capable of performing fast and stable sheet transfer operations: Image forming methods and apparatuses capable of performing stable and fast sheet transfer operations are provided. In a continuous feed mode, a preceding sheet and a succeeding sheet are successively fed from a sheet tray through first and second transfer rollers to an image forming position. When it is determined...

20060193666 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus including: a first driven roller that forms a first nip portion with a driving roller; a second driven roller that forms a second nip portion with the driving roller at a downstream side of the first nip portion; a first transfer passage into which the sheet...

20060193668 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus has a main body (11). A side wall (12) extends up at one side of the main body (11) while a rear wall (13) extends up at the rear of the main body (11). A document reader (14) is disposed atop the side wall (12) and...

20060193667 - Image forming device, image forming method, and computer readable recording medium stored with image forming program: The image forming device compares the size of the paper ready to be discharged with the size of the paper left on the paper tray if there is any paper left on the paper tray, and supplies a supporting member having a larger bending strength than the paper onto the...

20060188270 - Allowing image formation using consumable item where code of consumable item is identical to code of image-formation device: A first code is programmed into a memory of an image-formation device consumable item, outside of an image-formation device. Upon insertion of the image-formation device consumable item into the image-formation device, it is detected that the memory of the consumable item has programmed therein the first code. The image-formation device...

20060188271 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method: An image forming apparatus including an electrostatic latent image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image on a peripheral surface thereof, a plurality of development units each accommodating a toner and adapted to develop the electrostatic latent image by the toner, a development unit holder capable of holding the plurality...

20060188272 - Integrated media and media tray sensing in an image forming device: An image forming device determines a plurality of conditions in the device. In one embodiment, a signal source positioned downstream from a media input tray emits a signal. The signal reflects off of a reflective member and is received by a detector. Based on the amounts of the signal detected...

20060188273 - Development apparatus: A development apparatus comprises an auger conveyor member of stirring and conveying a developer, the gravity of the developer being eccentrically distributed with respect to a center of rotation, a drive transfer member of driving and rotating the auger conveyor member, the drive transfer member being capable of being engaged...

20060188274 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus of the present invention forms a light and a dark toner image and superposes them on a sheet for thereby outputting a composite image. The apparatus includes a first and a second developing unit storing dark toner and light toner, respectively, a dark toner and a...

20060188275 - System and method for adjusting toner consumption: A toner cartridge comprises toner and electrical development components which consume a portion of the toner by printing a plurality of images. An electronic circuit stores an indication of the amount of toner remaining, and a value controlling a voltage applied to at least one of the electrical development components....

20060188276 - Image forming apparatus: There is disclosed an image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a charging device to charge the image bearing member; an exposing device to form a latent image on the image bearing member; a developing device to form a toner image on the image bearing member; a transferring device...

20060188277 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus having plural image carriers, respective chargers, exposure units, color toner developing units, a black toner developing unit, a transfer unit that transfers in the transfer section the color toner images and black toner image onto an intermediate transfer member by the application of a transfer bias...

20060188279 - Image forming apparatus and method using liquid development: A CPU 113 executes a control program stored in a memory 116 thereby forming a plurality of patch images with a developing bias increased for each of the patch images; detecting a density of each of the patch images by means of a patch sensor 17; and comparing the image...

20060188278 - Liquid toner concentration detecting device, and image forming apparatus and method of controlling concentration of liquid toner: A first container is operable to accommodate a liquid toner, and provided with a window. A reflector is disposed in the first container. A light emitter is operable to emit light to the reflector through the window and the liquid toner. A light receiver is operable to receive the light...

20060188280 - Image generating apparatus: An image generating apparatus is provided which can maximize the throughput without causing thermal damage of the fusing components. It determines a sub-thermistor temperature threshold value for switching small size paper feed intervals in response to a sub-thermistor initial temperature. It supplies a heating body with current for heating, and...

20060188281 - Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus: An warming-up operation is performed by driving the first coil and the second coil in accordance in an operating mode already stored, until the temperatures T1 and T2 detected by the first and second temperature sensors, respectively, reach preset value Ts. A temperature rise ΔT1 per unit time of the...

20060188282 - Image forming apparatus and authentication method: An image forming apparatus including applications and system side software for providing system side services to the applications is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an authentication module for displaying an authentication screen on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus, wherein the authentication module allows the...

20060188283 - Image forming apparatus and method of controlling apparatus having control sections for permitting use of different functions: If a code input by an operation of a user is a permission code, use of a scanner function is permitted. When the enable key is set, an enable code stored in an enable key is read. In a case where the read enable code coincides with a preregistered enable...

20060188284 - Image printing apparatus: The present invention provides an image printing apparatus comprising: a tray on which printing paper sheets are placed; a job storage section storing a predetermined job and a forthcoming post-determined job; a priority level setting section setting execution priority levels of jobs; and a control unit. When a tray set...

20060188285 - Electrophotographic image forming apparatus, cartridge and process cartridge: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a cartridge is detachably mountable for forming an image on a recording medium, having a main body electrical contact member having a main body electrical contact electrically connected to a cartridge electrical contact of the cartridge in order to supply electric power to...

20060188286 - Blade-cleaning device and blade member supporting method: A blade cleaning device of the present invention fixes a blade to a blade support member in a state of sliding and moving it in the longitudinal direction and fixes a second side seal member to the blade support member in a state of sliding and moving it in the...

20060188287 - Image producing machine having a footprint-reducing tower: A reduced footprint image producing machine including (a) an image output terminal (IOT) having (i) a moveable imaging member including an imaging surface; (ii) latent imaging devices for forming a latent electrostatic toner image on the imaging surface; (iii) a development unit for developing the latent electrostatic image on the...

20060188288 - Image forming apparatus: Charge removing light is guided by an optical path defining member (623) from a charge removing unit (6) toward a photosensitive drum (2). A distance between an end surface (623e) of the optical path defining member (623) and a surface on an axially central part of the photosensitive drum (2)...

20060188289 - Full-color image forming apparatus: In image formation of a black-line image, the image is developed with black toner, and in addition parts of the black-line image corresponding to an intersection between at least two black lines and a middle portion of a black line are developed with toner of at least one of cyan,...

20060188291 - Image forming apparatus: The image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a first motor for driving said image bearing member, a fixing unit which fixes an image transferred from said image bearing member to a recording material onto the recording material and a second motor for driving said fixing unit, wherein said...

20060188290 - Image forming apparatus, image forming method and storage medium therefor: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a photosensitive drum driving unit, a developing roller driving unit, and a driving control unit. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum. The developing roller is disposed facing the photosensitive drum and supplies a developing agent...

20060188292 - Charging apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus: A charging device for electrically charging an image bearing member, includes a contact charging member contactable to the image bearing member to charge the image bearing member, the contact charging member being supplied only with a DC voltage; and a contact member contacted to the charging member, wherein the image...

20060188293 - Conductive member and process cartridge having it and image forming apparatus having the process cartridge: A conductive member including a conductive supporting body (1), an electric resistance adjusting layer (2) formed on the conductive supporting body (1), and space holding members (3, 3) provided on opposite ends of the electric resistance adjusting layer (2), at least one engaging projection (50, 60,70, 80) being provided on...

20060188294 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes: an image supporting member; a charge roller for charging the image supporting member; a gap setting member disposed on the charge roller for setting a gap between the image supporting member and the charge roller; and a pressing member disposed at a position corresponding to...

20060188295 - System and method for creating a three-dimensional texture in an electrophotographic image: An electrophotographic printer is configured to print a three-dimensional texture on a substrate by applying clear toner in locations corresponding to where texture is desired. The clear toner for texture may be applied either after, or before, other colors (e.g., CMYK) are applied to the substrate. The clear toner may...

20060188296 - Nano-size powder coatings for donor members: A donor member useful in ionographic or electrophotographic apparatuses and useful in hybrid scavengeless development units, having a substrate and an outer coating having a nano-size powder....

20060188297 - Developing method using a two-ingredient type developer and image forming apparatus using the same: A developing method of the present invention is practicable with a developing unit of the type including a rotatable, nonmagnetic sleeve and a rigid metering member. A two ingredient type developer made up of magnetic carrier grains and toner grains is magnetically deposited on the sleeve. The metering member meters...

20060188298 - Image formation device: An image formation device has an image formation section, a pattern image detection section and a registration correction section. The image formation section forms an image to be outputted and a pattern image on an image-bearing body, the pattern image is formed at a non-image creation region outside an image...

20060188299 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes first and second toner image forming sections and a transfer unit. The first and second toner image forming sections include first and second image carriers and first and second intermediate transfer members, respectively. The color toner images are formed on the image carrier and then...

20060188300 - Heat fixing member and heat fixing assembly: In a heat fixing member which is a seamless type cylindrical heat fixing member having an elastic layer, the elastic layer is mixed with carbon fibers, and the elastic layer has a thermal conductivity of 1.0 W/(m·K) or more in the thickness direction thereof. A heat fixing member is provided...

20060188301 - Method and apparatus for electrostatographic printing with enhanced color gamut: A color electrostatographic printer apparatus applies respective color separation toner images to a receiver member to form a color image. A fuser station fuses, or at least tacks, the color image to the receiver. A clear toner overcoat is then applied to the fused color toner image using an inverse...

20060188302 - Method and device for conveying waste toner in an image forming device: A conveyor mechanism for moving waste toner within an interior of a waste toner reservoir. The conveyor mechanism has a first end positioned in proximity to an inlet into the waste toner reservoir, and a second end positioned vertically above the first end. The conveyor mechanism operates to move the...

20060188303 - Imaging apparatus: An imaging apparatus is disclosed that is operated by an operator and is configured to execute an imaging operation involving reading an original document. The apparatus includes a pattern detecting unit configured to determine whether a pattern is printed on the original document, and user information registering an authorized user...

20060188304 - Printing apparatus: A printing apparatus including a first component having a photosensitive member and a transcribing portion transcribing a toner image formed on the photosensitive member onto a web, and a second component having a web guide portion guiding the web transported to the transcribing portion and a fixing portion fixing the...

20060188305 - Uniform entry of media into an alignment nip: Alignment nip regulation may be implemented by controlling the approach of media to an alignment nip. Where media is fed from a plurality of sources and from a plurality of approach angles through a common alignment nip, nip entry may be controlled by focusing the media through a diverter or...

20060188306 - Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus: A sheet conveying device includes: a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet along a sheet conveying path; a paper dust removal roller that is provided in the sheet conveying path to cover a range that is longer than a width of the sheet, the paper dust removal roller removing paper...

20060188307 - Image formation device and image formation method: An image formation device has a transport component, an image formation section, a detection component and a controller. The transport component transports paper. The image formation section forms an image on the paper. The detection component detects a state of transport of the paper which is being transported by the...

20060182450 - Sheet loading apparatus and recording apparatus: A sheet loading apparatus, which is equipped with a position adjustment unit that can be held in a fixed condition with a small applying force and released from the fixed condition by an intuitive and slight operation, is provided. The apparatus includes a sheet loading unit on which sheets are...

20060182451 - Abnormality determining apparatus, image forming apparatus, copying machine, and information obtaining method: A time point at which a predetermined period elapses since the start of use of a copying machine as a detection subject after factory shipment or repair is obtained. Pieces of set information, which are combinations of various types of information until the time point is reached are sequentially stored...

20060182453 - Image formation apparatus and image formation method: An image formation apparatus includes a development unit using a developer support having a conductive surface layer, and a control unit for causing an idle operation of the developer support to be performed at a predetermined timing in a non-print state....

20060182452 - Image forming apparatus and method for detecting the color information and positions of developing units: An image forming apparatus and method for reproducing an image includes a plurality of color developing units, and a developing unit detector configured to detect a type and a position of each of the plurality of color developing units. A printer control unit controls the reproduction of the image based...

20060182454 - Method for automactically eliminating an errorring during the operation of an electrographic printing or copying device, electrograhic printing or copying device and computer program for said device: A method is provided for controlling a printer or copier device by which errors, such as paper jams, can be cleared automatically. A controller commands a module having the error to clear the error automatically. The commands are sent to modules beginning at the output of the printer or copier...

20060182455 - Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus: An image processing apparatus for measuring concentration of concentration patterns by optical sensors and correcting image information on the basis of a correction value obtained on the basis of measured concentration values has: a measured concentration value obtaining unit which measures the concentration in different concentration patterns by the optical...

20060182456 - Image forming apparatus, method of controlling same, program for controlling, and recording medium for program: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes main control section for controlling the charging control section and the development bias control section so that a potential difference between the photoconductor potential and the development bias potential in developer discharge from the development section is smaller than that in...

20060182457 - Image forming apparatus: The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes scanner section 1 for outputting an image data upon reading out an image on a text, image forming section 21 for forming an image on a predetermined print medium based on the image data, fusing section 22 for fusing thus formed...

20060182458 - Changing an amount of power drawn from a power source: Disclosed are embodiments of an imaging system....

20060182459 - Color image forming apparatus: A color image forming apparatus which, in a sequential order for each of plural colors of a composite color image, charges plural photosensitive bodies, exposes electrostatic latent images on the plural photosensitive bodies, develops latent images on the photosensitive bodies into color images, and transfers the color images to sequentially...

20060182460 - Image-forming apparatus: An image-forming apparatus is disclosed. The image-forming apparatus includes a fixing unit. The fixing unit includes: a heating part including a heating element; a power storage unit including a chargeable and dischargeable capacitor and supplying power to the heating part so that the heating element of the heating part generates...

20060182461 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus is disclosed wherein an image reading portion is provided in spaced relationship with a top surface of an image forming portion. Further, in the apparatus: a supporting column portion is standingly provided on the image forming portion for supporting the image reading portion in a cantilevered...

20060182463 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes a rotary type developing device having multiple developers provided so as to be rotatable; an image forming unit including the rotary type developing device disposed therein; an image reading unit disposed above the image forming unit; and supporting members for supporting the image reading unit...

20060182464 - Image forming apparatus and sheet feeding device: A second side face opposes to a first face. A first handle is provided on the first side face at a first position and adapted to be used to lift an image forming apparatus. A second handle is provided on the second side face at a second position which is...

20060182462 - Image forming device: An image forming device having an image reading section which is supported in a cantilevered state with a space between the image reading section and a top surface of an image forming section, the image forming device including: a housing of the image forming section; and a first supporting body...

20060182465 - Image forming apparatus effectively producing quality color image without causing color slippage: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of process cartridges. Each process cartridge includes an image carrier configured to form an image intermediately, a drive transfer member engaged with the image carrier, a drive mechanism configured to drive to rotate the image carrier via the drive transfer member, a marking...

20060182466 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes a latent-image carrier, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a cleaning unit, a recovered-toner supply unit, and a foreign-matter collecting unit. The developing unit carries a developer containing a toner and develops an electrostatic latent image on the latent-image carrier with the toner. The transfer...

20060182467 - Developing apparatus, process cartridge provided with the same and image forming apparatus provided with the same: The present invention provides a developing apparatus to be provided in a quick start up electrophotographic image forming apparatus that can efficiently prevent generation of unevenness by a screw pitch in a short period of time. The developing apparatus rotates a developer transporting screw so as to transport and supply...

20060182468 - Container holding device, conveying device, image forming apparatus, and method of fixing container: A container holding device includes a container guide member (60) that holds a toner container (50). The toner container (50) can be detachably attached to the container guide member (60). The toner container (50) includes a soft, shrinkable bag (51) for storing contents such as toner. The container guide member...

20060182470 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member with a magnetic developer; a supply tube for supplying t magnetic developer into the developing device; a feeding screw for feeding the magnetic developer in the supply tube; a magnetic member...

20060182469 - Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus to be mounted with the toner cartridge: A toner cartridge is provided, which comprises a toner bottle containing toner, and a support member supporting the toner bottle in an axially rotatable manner. The toner bottle has a toner outlet port provided in a portion thereof supported by the support member. The support member has an outlet port...

20060182471 - Belt driving control apparatus and image forming apparatus: A belt driving control apparatus, the belt driving control apparatus having an endless belt, a driving roller driving the endless belt, a driving motor driving the driving roller, at least one idler roller being dependent on the endless belt, and an encoder attached to one of the idler roller, the...

20060182472 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus capable of changing over between black printing and color printing with an intermediate transfer belt being brought into contact with and separated from photoconductors by means of a black transfer member and a three-color-integrated color transfer member. The image forming apparatus has a registration mark former...

20060182473 - Image forming device: An image forming device includes an intermediate transfer member to which a toner image formed on an image bearing member is primarily transferred and which is able to simultaneously support a plurality of toner images, a secondary transfer member for secondarily transferring a toner image held on the intermediate transfer...

20060182474 - Fixing device and image forming apparatus with fixing device: A fixing device includes: a fixing belt member configured to be endless and rotatable; driving force transmission members that are disposed on respective ends of the fixing belt member, and transmits a rotational driving force to the fixing belt member; and a pressing member that is disposed to push an...

20060182475 - Apparatus and method of reducing charge roller contamination: The present invention relates generally to image forming equipment, e.g. a laser printer of the type which includes a photoconductive (PC) drum and an associated charge roller. The invention is disclosed in exemplary embodiment as a laser printer incorporating a cleaner element with an electrical potential to sufficiently charge contamination...

20060182476 - Image forming apparatus: In an image forming apparatus including an image reading unit, an image forming unit, and a column support portion supports the image reading unit in a cantilever manner so that a space is provided between the image reading unit and an upper surface of the image forming unit, and receives...

20060182477 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus of the present invention carries out an image processing with respect to a sheet size based on a print request and image information based on the print request, so as to obtain a write image on a photoreceptor. On the basis of a printing ratio of...

20060182478 - Stripper assembly and a printing machine including the same: A stripper assembly strips a media sheet from a photoreceptor belt. A support bracket supports a stripping finger base which includes a multiplicity of attached stripping fingers. The support bracket is fixed proximate to the photoreceptor belt in a media stripping position. Each stripping finger has a protruding distal stripping...

20060182479 - Image forming apparatus: A printer includes: a transferring device for transferring a toner image to paper; a fixing device for fixing the toner image onto the paper; a conveyance guide for guiding the paper separated from the transferring device to the fixing device, the conveyance guide being electrically insulated; and a conductive member...

20060177230 - Image forming apparatus and developer cartridge: A CPU causes a power control unit and a bias application circuit at all times to apply a developing bias to a developing roller thereby to execute a printing operation. When the CPU determines the lapse of lifetime of a developer cartridge on the basis of detection signals from a...

20060177231 - Process cartridge and image forming apparatus: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a drum shaft for being rotated by a driving force supplied from the main assembly of the apparatus and...

20060177232 - Image forming device and control method: An image forming device whereby stable fixing performance is obtained and whose fixing properties are excellent and that does not produce curling of the paper after fixing, due to performing control for correcting fixing temperature by environmental sensing not only during standby but also over time. A plurality of temperature...

20060177233 - Image forming apparatus: The invention provides an image forming apparatus where the useful life of the image carrier does not become significantly short. This system has a charging unit, a charge voltage loading unit, an exposure unit, a development unit, an image transfer unit and a control unit, wherein, when the transport interval...

20060177234 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrying body; a latent image forming unit to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrying body; a developing unit to develop the electrostatic latent image on the image carrying body to form a toner image, the developing unit including a developing...

20060177235 - Developing device: A controller determines the degree of acuteness of the resonant oscillation of a piezoelectric oscillator, based on the developer's fluidity detection data detected by the piezoelectric oscillator. The toner density output data detected by a toner density sensor is modified to a correct value, based on the degree of acuteness,...

20060177236 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus for forming an image with an electrophotographic process, that includes: a power source; a first drive unit having a capacitative load and driving each part of the apparatus; a second drive unit having a capacitative load and driving each part of the apparatus; and a power...

20060177237 - Image forming apparatus and image reading apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming body, a locking unit blocking movement of at least one movable object of the image forming body, and a control unit controlling a locking state of the locking unit and a releasing state of the locking unit. The locking unit includes a...

20060177238 - Electrophotographic photoreceptor and image forming apparatus having the same: An object of the invention is to provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor using a non-contact type charging process excellent in wear resistance life and not causing injury and unevenness in density to the images to be formed for a long time by defining physical properties of the surface. In the electrophotographic...

20060177239 - Imaging apparatus, and toner and process cartridge used in the imaging apparatus: An imaging apparatus that is capable of realizing good cleaning characteristics and transfer characteristics, and obtaining a high quality image using toner having a high average roundness is provided. The imaging apparatus includes an image carrier, a charge unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a cleaning unit. The...

20060177240 - Device and method for inking of a charge image with toner material in a printer or copier: In a device and method for inking of a charge image with toner material in a printer or copier, the charge image corresponding to a print image to be generated is generated on a surface of a photoconductor element comprising a photoconductive layer. At least one layer made up of...

20060177241 - Image forming apparatus and removable cartridge: An image forming apparatus includes: an electrostatic latent image bearing member; a toner cartridge; a developing member; a transfer member; a developing device; and a circulating member. The toner cartridge is removably coupled to the developing device. The developing device incorporates the developing member. The circulating member is capable of...

20060177242 - Image defect reduction in image development apparatus: Super wire history image defects in an image development system including one or more electrode wires disposed in a gap between a toner donor roll and an imaging member are reduced by providing an initial toner composition in the image development system, the initial toner composition containing at least 30...

20060177243 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus having a photosensitive drum bearing an electrostatic image, and a developing sleeve carrying a developer for developing the electrostatic image, the developing sleeve is in non-contact with the photosensitive drum, and is designed to be flexed so that the surface of the developing sleeve may go...

20060177244 - Image forming roller: An image forming roller according to an aspect includes a shaft, and an electrically conductive elastic layer provided to cover an outer circumferential of the shaft and having a polished surface. The shaft is made of a resin composition containing an aromatic polyamide, a glass fiber, an electrically conductive material...

20060177245 - Color image forming apparatus: There is described a color image forming apparatus, which makes the high durable transferring operation possible. The color image forming apparatus includes: primary transferring devices to transfer unicolor toner images respectively formed on image bearing members onto an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transferring device to transfer the multi-color toner...

20060177246 - Image forming apparatus: A registration mark is a toner image which has a first linear pattern and a second linear pattern, which extend along a main scanning direction, and a two-dimensional pattern. The first linear pattern, the two-dimensional pattern and the second linear pattern are arranged apart from each other in this order...

20060177247 - Image forming apparatus and method: Power transmission members (91), which transmit rotational drive force from a drive source (81), such as a motor, to an intermediate transfer drum (41D) is elastically deformed due to a load change which is generated as a cleaning part (49) contacts and moves away from the intermediate transfer drum (41D)....

20060177248 - Belt transfer apparatrus and image forming device: A combined resistance R1=Vt1/I1 (MO) of a transfer belt (61) and a recording sheet obtained when a transfer current I1 (μA) passes through the transfer belt (61) and the recording sheet upon application of a first transfer bias voltage Vt1 (V) to a transfer roller (6b) from a high-voltage power...

20060177249 - Image forming apparatus and fixing device: An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing device having a heating member and a pressing member which is pressed against the heating member, the heating member and the pressing member holding and transporting a recording medium to thermally fix a developer on the recording medium; a peeling member that peels...

20060177250 - Image heating apparatus: In an image heating apparatus including a rotatable heating roller to heat an image on a recording material at a nip part, and a cooling unit to cool the rotatable heating roller, the cooling unit includes a pipe that forms a cooling loop for circulating cooling fluid, and a heat...

20060177251 - Fixing device and image forming apparatus: A fixing device for fixing a toner image carried on a recording material, including: a belt member that rotates in a state where its major axis is set in a transporting direction of the recording material and its minor axis is set in a direction orthogonal to the transporting direction...

20060177252 - Original document reading device: A document reading device is disclosed which allows an original document to be read without an operator actuating a start key. If a series of operations are performed, such as loading an original document into a sheet feeding tray after the lapse of a time period “a” from the reading...

20060177253 - Image forming apparatus and control method therefor: An image forming apparatus which is capable of correctly and accurately detecting a sheet leading edge position and carrying out image formation in appropriate image write timing. a detection device is disposed at a reference position upstream from the transfer position and detects the recording medium being conveyed. A determining...

20060177254 - Image recording apparatus and image recording method: An image recording apparatus having a transport path of a recording material, and an image recording unit in the transport path which records an image in the recording material in the process of transporting the recording material in the transport path. It includes: a recording material detection unit which is...

20060171724 - Image forming apparatus: To eliminate a possibility to induce a user's confusion on an image forming apparatus displaying a message prompting the user to supply consumables if a remaining amount of the consumables becomes less than a prescribed amount. Communication section receives an order defining information from an external device, storing section stores...

20060171726 - Copying machine, device and process for use in copying machine for notifying original left behind: A copying machine disclosed in the present invention comprises: a discharge tray for receiving a discharged sheet; a platen cover that is manually opened and closed; an opened/closed state detecting sensor for detecting whether the platen cover is in an opened or closed state; a discharged sheet detection sensor for...

20060171725 - Optical mouse sensor for monitoring motion of a sheet: An apparatus monitors the motion of sheet, such as in a digital printer. An optical sensor is capable of recording an image in a two-dimensional array of pixels, and has acuity to recognize a terrain of a small area on a sheet that is substantially blank to a human eye....

20060171727 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer belt that is formed of an endless belt; a plurality of image forming units that are so arranged as to be aligned in a transfer belt conveyance direction; a plurality of toner supply containers that are detachably fitted, on one end side in...

20060171728 - Electric potential measuring device using oscillating device, image forming apparatus, and electric potential measuring method: To provide an electric potential measuring device which is useful in realizing size reduction, high sensitivity, and high reliability. The electric potential measuring device includes: an oscillating device which includes torsion springs, and an oscillating body axially supported by the springs to oscillate; and signal detecting unit which is located...

20060171729 - Multicolor image forming apparatus to prevent color contamination: A multicolor image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developing units and a development power supply unit. Each of the developing units includes a developing roller located at a development gap from a photosensitive body, deposits toner accommodated therein on a surface of the developing roller, and supplies the toner...

20060171730 - Image forming apparatus with control of transfer charge: An electrostatic latent image transferring apparatus applies a transferring bias to a transfer member in a transferring portion, wherein a transferring bias value is determined on the basis of a first detection result detected when the surface of the image bearing member which has passed a portion opposed to the...

20060171731 - Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes a first heater that heats a heating member, a second heater that heats a support member, and a third heater that heats a facing member. The image forming apparatus further includes a fixing belt wound around between the heating member and the support member, and...

20060171733 - Image formation device: The present invention provides an image formation device having a plurality of startup modes in dependence upon the toner cartridge installed, with which the user can perform alteration of the startup mode in a simple and easy and moreover accurate manner. This image formation device is one to which a...

20060171734 - Image forming apparauts: A clearing section includes a counter for measuring a period up to the reset of contents set by means of an operation panel to initial values. If a position discriminating section discriminates that the operation panel is at a first position, the clearing section starts measuring the period by means...

20060171732 - Image processing apparatus, control method, program, and storage medium: This invention facilitates setting information input operation by the user in an image processing apparatus. In order to achieve this purpose, according to this invention, a control method in an image processing apparatus which performs image processing using setting information set for each function includes a step of inputting setting...

20060171735 - Image forming apparatus: There is described an image forming apparatus equipped with a cleaning unit to clean a belt-type transfer member. The cleaning unit includes: a conductive opposing roller that contacts an inner surface of the intermediate transfer member; a first conductive blush member and a second conductive blush member, both of which...

20060171736 - Developing device, image forming apparatus, image forming system, and method of assembling developer supplying roller: A developing device includes a housing, a developer bearing roller, a first seal member, a second seal member, a second seal supporting member, and an urging member. The housing has an opening and is adapted to contain a developer. The developer bearing roller is arranged facing the opening and adapted...

20060171737 - Developer cartridge and recycling method thereof: A cartridge includes: a casing having a wall defining a developer accommodating portion inside the casing, a filling port being formed through the wall in fluid communication with the developer accommodating portion; a cylindrical wall portion formed on the wall at a circumferential edge of the filling port and protruding...

20060171738 - Process cartridge, developer cartridge, and image forming device: A process includes a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall. The first wall is formed with at least one first engagement part. The second wall is formed with at least one second engagement part. The second wall is disposed in confronting relation with the first wall. The...

20060171739 - Developer cartridge and image forming apparatus: A developer cartridge includes a casing, a development roller, a support member, and at least one transmission gear. The development roller is rotatably disposed in the casing. The support member is provided as a separate member from the casing and is mounted on the casing. The at least one transmission...

20060171740 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus main body that is provided with an image forming section that forms image on a sheet; a first guide member that guides the sheet along a sheet conveying path and is configured to be displaceable relative to the apparatus main body; a second...

20060171741 - Image printing apparatus: An image printing apparatus includes a control unit which controls a rotational speed of an image carrier; a detecting unit which detects data of the rotational speed; a storage unit which stores the rotational speeds up to n past rotation cycle of said image carrier; and a determining unit which...

20060171742 - Image reader apparatus and cylinder shaped lamp used for the same: An image reader apparatus for lighting a manuscript surface of a manuscript in a line state, and for image-forming a reflection light from a reading part of the manuscript surface lighted in the line state, to an image sensor, by an image forming lens which forms a part of a...

20060171743 - Developer cartridge and image forming apparatus: A developer cartridge includes a casing, an agitator, and a developing roller. The casing has a first inner space serving as a developer accommodating chamber that accommodates developer and a second inner space serving as a developing chamber in communication with the developer accommodating chamber. The agitator is disposed in...

20060171744 - Toner cartridge: A toner cartridge (20) has a shutter (40) adapted to be changed between a closed posture (S1) and an open posture (S1) for opening a toner supply port (322), a lever (50) to be operated manually to change the posture of the shutter (40), and a postural-change restriction mechanism (60)...

20060171745 - Developing apparatus: A developing apparatus having a developing sleeve provided with an elastic layer on its surface, and for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member with a mono-component magnetic toner having a mean degree of circularity of 0.965 or greater, a magnet provided in the developing sleeve, and...

20060171747 - Developing cartridge and image forming apparatus: A layer thickness restricting blade may include an arm main body and a contact portion provided at a front end portion of the arm main body. The contact portion may be configured by inserting a rubber member made of polyurethane to a rubber member made of silicone. The contact portion...

20060171746 - Developing method, developing device, and image forming device: l

20060171748 - Image forming apparatus: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which comprises an intermediate transfer belt (15), and a plurality of image-forming units (11) to (14) disposed along the intermediate transfer belt (15) and adapted to form toner images of different colors and sequentially transfer the toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt (15)...

20060171749 - Fixing method, a fixing apparatus, an image formation method, and an image formation apparatus: An energy-saving fixing apparatus for use in image formation apparatuses such as a copying machine is disclosed. A recording medium is sandwiched by a pair of belts, having belt tension between 0.001 and 5.4N/mm, for a period between 50 and 1000 ms. The recording medium is pressurized at pressure between...

20060171750 - Digital copier with smart printing function and copying method thereof: In a digital copier with smart printing function, a sheet size detection module detects a sheet size of a to-be-printed sheet placed in a tray module and generates a sheet size signal, and a scanning module scans a document to obtain a document image and an image signal corresponding to...

20060171751 - Document discharge cassette, image scanner having the cassette, and document scanning method: A document discharge cassette, an image scanner having the cassette, and a document scanning method to be embodied by the image scanner having the document discharge cassette attached thereto. The document discharge cassette includes a base, positioned under the document discharge exit provided at the scanner body and through which...