Electrophotography inventions 11/07

20070274734 - Fixing device for color image forming apparatus and control method: A fixing device of the invention switches ON a heater lamp of the press roller in a fixing device in a color print mode. In a monochromatic mode, power comparable to the power consumption of the heater lamp can be supplied additionally to an exciting coil on the heat roller... Agent: Amin, Turocy & Calvin, LLP

20070274735 - Image forming apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, image forming method and image forming system: Tab attribute setting device 161 adds tab attribute information indicating image forming on a tab sheet to page information of a document image designated by an operator and adds a tub dividing number to print job information. Tab dividing number setting device 163 relates identification information of a sheet tray... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070274736 - Power storage device and image forming apparatus: A power storage device includes an alternating current (AC) power source, a field effect transistor (FET), a capacitor bank, a direct current (DC) fixing heater, a step-down chopper circuit, and an output control unit. The FET switches between a first path and a second path to supply power from the... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070274737 - Toner container and toner filling method: A toner container which is mountable and removable at a main body of an image forming apparatus, the toner container comprising: at least one toner filling port provided in a casing body of the toner container; and a sealing member which covers the toner filling port and a predetermined range... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070274738 - Conductive brush, process cartridge and image forming apparatus: In the invention, oxidation-treated carbon black having good dispersibility is used to obtain a conductive brush having a uniform resistance even when it is finely processed. An image forming process is carried out by using the conductive brush, whereby abnormal discharge to a photoreceptor is suppressed, and an image defect... Agent: Amin, Turocy & Calvin, LLP

20070274739 - Sheet trimming apparatus and image forming system: A sheet trimming apparatus including: a trimming section provided with a trimming cutter blade for trimming a sheet bundle; a paper scrap container for storing paper scraps separated from the sheet bundle by the trimming cutter blade; and a paper scrap guide member, which is provided to create a falling... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070274740 - Developing device and image forming apparatus: A developing device includes a developing unit, a developer agitating unit, a developer conveying unit, and a toner supplementing unit. The developing unit develops an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier with a developer containing toner and carrier. The developer agitating unit agitates the developer. The developer conveying unit... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070274741 - Development apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus: A development apparatus can uniform a toner density by controlling the phase of a toner density fluctuation, and can inhibit fluctuation of the toner density and variation of the toner charge amount. The development apparatus is configured to have a phase control mechanism, which forms a dividing point at a... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070274742 - Image forming apparatus and developing device: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier and a developing device configured to develop a latent image carried by the latent image carrier. In the developing device, a receive-convey screw conveys a developer received from a developer carrier. The receive-convey screw includes a receive-convey blade including a lower,... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070274743 - Image forming method and image forming apparatus: An image forming method wherein a storage container, accommodating the toner having a volume-based median diameter of 3.5 μm through 8.5 μm and containing a resin having a glass-transition temperature of 0° C. through 46° C. and a softening point of 75° C. through 110° C., is included in an... Agent: Lucas & Mercanti, LLP

20070274744 - Developing apparatus and image forming apparatus: A developing apparatus includes a developing roller, a first shaft, a second shaft, a belt, and a power supply. The developing roller is in contact with an image forming body. The first shaft is driven in rotation by an external drive source. The belt is entrained about the first and... Agent: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.

20070274745 - Color image forming apparatus: A tandem type color image forming apparatus which executes color misregistration correction, including: a detecting section which detects a width of a transfer sheet; an image forming section having an image carrier, on which arranged side by side are an image area where formed is an image for transfer and... Agent: Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman & Chick, PC

20070274746 - Method, apparatus, and program for image forming capable of effectively adjusting positional deviation: An image forming apparatus, in which a program for carrying out an image forming method is provided, includes a transfer member to receive respective images formed on a plurality of image bearing members, an image detecting unit to detect the images conveyed on the transfer member, a paper length detecting... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070274747 - Image-forming apparatus, image-forming method and toner: An image-forming apparatus including: a first image-forming unit using a color forming control toner, a first image carrier, a first toner image-forming unit, a color forming information-applying unit, and a first transfer unit; a second image-forming unit using a black coloring toner, a second image carrier, a second toner image-forming... Agent: Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

20070274748 - Image fixing apparatus and an image formation apparatus: An image fixing apparatus includes a fixing member, a magnetic flux generator, a heat member, a core, and a magnetic flux adjuster. The fixing member fixes the toner image onto the recording medium. The magnetic flux generator generates a magnetic flux. The heat member has a heat layer which is... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070274749 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method: In an image forming apparatus of this invention, a cleaning bias of opposite polarity to toner is applied to a conductive cleaning blade, thus enhancing the cleaning performance of the cleaning blade. Thus, even for substantially spherical toner, good cleaning is provided without increasing the pressing force of the cleaning... Agent: Amin, Turocy & Calvin, LLP

20070274750 - Method for feeding sheets in a printing machine: The invention relates to a method of feeding sheets of printing material in a printing machine, preferably a digital printing machine, on a continuous loop transport means, in particular, a transport belt, which has at least one dead space section, specifically a seam, and which is preferably included in a... Agent: Eastman Kodak Company Patent Legal Staff

20070274751 - Image forming system and recording medium for storing program: Disclosed herein is an image forming system including: an image forming unit for forming images based on a plurality of document pages on a plurality of recording media to form a printed matter; a special sheet feeding unit for storing a special sheet group constituting one set in which a... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070274752 - Image forming apparatus: In a supplementary paper feed device 20 for feeding a recording medium P fed from the outside through a paper feed opening portion 202 provided in an apparatus main unit into a paper feed conveying path 132 of a main paper feed device 13, a paper conveying path 201 extending... Agent: Reed Smith, LLP Attn: Patent Records Department

20070269224 - Toner cartridge: A toner cartridge inserted in an image forming apparatus and supplying toner to the image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprises a toner container that contains toner, and a protrusion for showing a type of the toner cartridge, wherein the protrusion forms a ramp inclining toward a direction the toner cartridge... Agent: Amin, Turocy & Calvin, LLP

20070269225 - Toner cartridge: A toner cartridge comprises a toner container which contains toner, a driving member which rotationally drives a conveying member, an agitating member which agitates a toner in the toner container while being rotated, a driven member which rotates in association with the driving member which is for rotationally driving the... Agent: Amin, Turocy & Calvin, LLP

20070269227 - Toner cartridge: A toner cartridge comprises a toner cartridge main body which houses toner, a discharging opening which supplies the toner housed in the toner cartridge main body to an image forming apparatus, a shutter which opens the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is inserted in the image forming... Agent: Amin, Turocy & Calvin, LLP

20070269228 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method: An image forming apparatus including a latent image bearing member; a developing device configured to develop a latent image on the image bearing member with a two-component developer; a development potential forming device configured to form a development potential; a toner replenishing device configured to supply the toner to the... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070269229 - Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus: This invention can provide a fixing apparatus capable of determining its own life with high accuracy, and an image forming apparatus using this fixing apparatus. To accomplish this, a fixing apparatus includes a fixing unit whose nip portion is separable, a fixing driving motor which drives the fixing unit, a... Agent: Rossi, Kimms & Mcdowell LLP.

20070269230 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries an image and rotates, a transfer member that rotates in contact with the image carrier and transfers an image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium, a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium to a contact position... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070269231 - Variable force biasing mechanism and electrical connection: A biasing mechanism in an image forming apparatus exerts a variable force on a removable cartridge unit to generate a nip force between a roller in the cartridge unit and another roller. A pivot member is fixed to the apparatus housing. An arm is pivotally mounted in the housing about... Agent: John V. Pezdek

20070269232 - Method for installing replacement optical photo conductor: A method for installing a replacement optical photo conductor cylinder in a recycled toner cartridge having a frame for an electrostatic copier or similar device where the original photo conductor is permanently installed in the frame forming a part of the toner cartridge. The method includes the steps of removing... Agent: Charles E. Temko, Esq.

20070269233 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes a carrier unit including an intermediate transfer member, a detachable waste toner container, and a recording-medium directing member provided to the carrier unit. The recording-medium directing member guides a recording medium, and also prevents the waste toner container from contacting the intermediate transfer member when... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070269234 - Image forming apparatus: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image carrier carrying an image; a charging roll charging the image carrier; a cleaning member configured to be brought into contact with the charging roll for cleaning the charging roll; a first holding portion detachably provided in an apparatus main body... Agent: Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

20070269235 - Developing device and image forming apparatus: A developing device includes a container, a stirring and transferring unit, a replenishing unit, and a discharging mechanism. The container contains developer including toner and carrier. The stirring and transferring unit is located in the container to mix and stir the toner and the carrier, and circulates the developer in... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070269236 - Image forming apparatus: This invention provides a buffering block with a Mylar bonded on the upper surface of an urethane rubber made base material on the bottom surface of the inserting port of an inserting side frame to support a toner bottle. When a toner bottle is slid and taken out from a... Agent: Amin, Turocy & Calvin, LLP

20070269237 - Toner cartridge: A toner cartridge provided in an image forming apparatus in a removable manner for supplying toner to the image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprises a toner cartridge main body which contains the toner, a discharging opening for supplying the toner contained in the toner cartridge main body to the image... Agent: Amin, Turocy & Calvin, LLP

20070269238 - Toner cartridge: A toner cartridge inserted in an image forming apparatus and supplying toner to the image forming apparatus comprises a container which contains the toner and provided with a discharging opening for discharging the contained toner, the container having a shape with a predetermined curvature at a bottom part, a conveying... Agent: Amin, Turocy & Calvin, LLP

20070269239 - Developing roller and image forming method employing the same: An objective is to provide a developing roller in which increase of residual potential is inhibited during repetitive operation without deteriorating interlayer adhesion, and prepared is a layer immediately below the surface capable of preventing fog caused by toner scattering, accompanied with a surface layer capable of preventing stains formed... Agent: Lucas & Mercanti, LLP

20070269240 - Developing roller and image forming method employing the same: An objective is to provide a developing roller in which increase of residual potential is inhibited during repetitive operation without deteriorating adhesion to an elastic layer, scattering and leakage of toner are prevented, appropriate elasticity is exhibited and a resin layer capable of preventing uneven charging of toner and image... Agent: Lucas & Mercanti, LLP

20070269241 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, an endless belt whose front surface contacts the image carrier to form a transfer nip, and a bias applying roller configured to apply a transfer bias to a back surface of the endless belt. An image is formed of a toner having... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070269242 - Image-forming device for absorbing vibration of guide plate: An image-forming device includes a photosensitive drum, a transfer roller, a guide plate for guiding the paper toward the photosensitive drum, and a sponge fixed to the bottom surface of the guide plate. The sponge is softer than the guide plate, so that it can absorb vibrations in the guide... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20070269243 - Image-forming device for suppressing recording sheet from flapping when transferring toner image thereon: In an image-forming device including a photosensitive drum, a transfer roller, and a guide plate for guiding a recording sheet toward the photosensitive drum, a sponge is disposed between the guide plate and a transfer position where a developer image on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the recording sheet.... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20070269244 - Image-forming device for suppressing vibration of guide plate and jams of recording sheet: An image-forming device includes a photosensitive drum, a transfer roller, a guide plate for guiding the paper toward the photosensitive drum, and a seat for supporting one end portion of the guide plate, for allowing another end portion of the guide plate to be deformable. A sponge is fixed to... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20070269245 - Fixing device, fixing member used therefor, and image forming apparatus: A fixing member includes: a core material; and a coating layer that coats the core material, in which a wear-resistance imparting additive with an average particle diameter of up to approximately 1 μm is dispersed.... Agent: Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

20070269246 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit which forms an image on a recording sheet, a casing which houses the image forming unit and holds the image forming units, a conveying roller which applies a conveying force to the recording sheet by contacting with the recording sheet, a... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. Attorneys For Client Nos. 0166889, 006760

20070264032 - Image forming apparatus: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: process cartridges removably provided at an apparatus-main-body; a conveyance belt facing the process cartridges; a cover member provided at the apparatus-main-body capable of opening/closing to the apparatus-main-body; identified parts respectively provided at the process cartridges, at least one of shapes and... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070264033 - Image forming apparatus: A sheet which entered between a first sheet conveying unit and a second sheet conveying unit is detected by a sheet detecting unit. A loop of the sheet formed with a difference of sheet conveying speeds between the first and second sheet conveying units is detected by a loop detecting... Agent: Fitzpatrick Cella Harper & Scinto

20070264034 - Image forming device: An image forming device in which image carrying bodies on which an electrostatic latent image is respectively formed in accordance with for each a plurality of colors are arranged in a tandem manner, in which a charging voltage in which an alternating voltage and a direct voltage are superimposed is... Agent: Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.

20070264039 - Managing recording sheet type information: Example embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an apparatus, method, system, computer program and product, each capable of managing information regarding a plurality of recording sheet types available for use by an image forming apparatus.... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070264040 - Multiple contact printer chip: Provided is a printer chip having a plurality of sets of contacts, each set of contacts capable of interoperation with a different type of printer, cartridge, or photoconductor unit. The chip is installed on the cartridge with the chosen set of contacts oriented to mate with the electrical contacts in... Agent: Steven Miller

20070264035 - Toner, and developer, image forming method, image forming apparatus and process cartridge using the toner: a hydrophobized titanium oxide having a primary particle diameter of from 0.01 to 0.03 μm and a specific surface area of from 60 to 140 m2/g, wherein the hydrophobized titanium oxide is prepared by surface-treating a particulate titanium oxide prepared by a wet process, wherein the hydrophobized titanium dioxide has... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070264036 - A method and apparatus to detect loads associated with one of a plurality of components driven by a shared motor in an image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner system that collects waste toner in a waste toner container. An amount of waste toner collected in the container is increased by using a driven toner distributing member that distributes accumulated toner within the container. The toner distributing member may be driven... Agent: John J. Mcardie, Jr. Lexmark International, Inc.

20070264037 - Process controls methods and apparatuses for improved image consistency: Density or reflectance targets for respective first and second marking engines of a document processing system are determined. A series of control patches is printed with the respective first and second marking engines. Relative reflectance values of each control patch printed with the first and second engines are determined. First... Agent: Patrick R. Roche, Esq. Fay, Sharpe, Fagan, Minnich & Mckee, LLP

20070264038 - Image forming apparatus with loop detection and conveying speed control based thereon: An image forming apparatus has transfer rollers for transferring an unfixed image, fixing rollers with a changeable conveying speed, discharging rollers with a changeable conveying speed thereof and for discharging the recording material on which the image has been fixed by the pair of fixing rollers, a loop detecting sensor... Agent: Fitzpatrick Cella Harper & Scinto

20070264041 - Local suppression of unwanted toner emissions: A developer apparatus for a printing device includes a rotatable developer carrying member which carries developer thereon. A magnet assembly is disposed in the developer carrying member. The magnet assembly includes a plurality of magnets for conveying the developer. The magnets generate a magnetic field over a larger proportion of... Agent: Patrick R. Roche Fay, Sharpe, Fagan, Minnich & Mckee, LLP

20070264042 - Developing device, process cartridge and image forming device: An aspect of the invention provides a developing device including: a developer container that contains developer and is formed with an opening; a developing roller that is rotatably supported by the developer container at a predetermined position and includes a roller shaft and an elastic roller configured to carry the... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. Attorneys For Client Nos. 0166889, 006760

20070264043 - Imaging cartridge having a displaceable body: Provided is a printer cartridge having a resilient pliable body. The resilient pliable body of the printer cartridge conforms to obstructions located in different positions inside the printer cartridge receiving cavity of different models and brands of printers. When the resilient pliable front of the printer cartridge contacts an obstruction... Agent: Steven Miller

20070264044 - Magnetic coupling for an imaging cartridge: Provided is a printer cartridge equipped with a magnetic wastebin-hopper coupling. A combination of magnets and magnetically attractive materials are mounted on the wastebin assembly (or photoconductor unit) and hopper assembly of the printer cartridge in order to bias the two assemblies together. This allows an end user to remove... Agent: Steven Miller

20070264045 - Photosensitive member cartridge: The invention provides a photosensitive member cartridge, that has, for example, a case including a bottom wall, an upper wall, and side walls. A photosensitive drum and a transfer roller are rotatably disposed in a space surrounded by the bottom wall, the upper wall, and the side walls. The bottom... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20070264047 - Image forming apparatus: wherein R1 and R2 independently denote a hydrogen atom, a substituted or non-substituted alkyl group, a substituted or non-substituted cycloalkyl group, a substituted or non-substituted aralkyl group, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 independently denote a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, cyano group, nitro group, amino group,... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070264048 - Drive transmission mechanism and image forming device: A direction in which a drive transmission acts on a driving member and a coupling member at a coupling portion is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the drive transmission acts on the coupling member and a driven member at a coupling portion. In both of the... Agent: Murata Machinery, Ltd. (muratec) C/o Keating & Bennett LLP

20070264049 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member; a charge unit charges the image carrying member in a non-contact manner using a charge roller; a development unit develops the electrostatic latent images on the image carrying member; a transfer unit transfers the developer images on the image carrying member... Agent: Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.

20070264050 - Electrophotographic image recording apparatus and image processing apparatus: The electrophotographic image recording apparatus includes a photoconductive image bearing member, a charging unit, an exposure unit, developing means, a transferring unit suited to superimpose and transfer the plural kinds of toner images obtained by the developing means, and a processing unit adapted to execute halftone processing image data to... Agent: Fitzpatrick Cella Harper & Scinto

20070264053 - Developing device including improved conveying device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus using the same: A developing device for an image forming apparatus that uses developing agent supplied from a supplying device. The developing device includes a developing roller configured to bear the developing agent thereon and develop a toner image on an image bearing member. The device also includes a supply and circulation system... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070264052 - Development device, and image forming apparatus and process cartridge using the development device: A development device includes a developer carrying member, developer supply, developer collection and developer agitation conveyance paths, transfer and communication openings, and partition. The developer carrying member bears a two-component developer. The developer supply and developer collection conveyance paths respectively convey the two-component and collected developers in the first direction.... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070264051 - Powder supplier, method for filling a powder supplier with powder, and image forming device: A powder supplier is provided. The supplier including: a non-cylindrical housing that stores a powder; a rotating member that is arranged rotatably inside the housing; a sheet-shaped conveying member that is fixed to the rotating member and has a free end side that differs from a fixed portion thereof, the... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070264054 - Development apparatus and image forming apparatus employing the same: A development apparatus comprises three developer conveyance paths with separate functions for the supply, recovery and agitation of a developer, in which a reduction in size of the apparatus can be achieved. An image forming apparatus comprises the development apparatus. By provision in a development region width α of a... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070264055 - Toner cartridge: A toner cartridge including a container body having a discharge opening. A drive transmitting member is fixedly coupled with the container body near the discharge opening. The drive transmitting member is sized and shaped to transmit rotational movement to the container body. A collar is moveably coupled along the container... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20070264056 - Doctor blade with tangential working tip: A doctor blade for a printer may include a cantilever spring. The free end of the cantilever spring includes a section with a first bend in one direction and a second bend in the opposite direction. Thus, a bump end may be formed which has a surface which is generally... Agent: Lexmark International, Inc. Intellectual Property Law Department

20070264057 - Cleaning unit for roller member supporting belt and image forming apparatus: A felt that cleans the surface of a drive roller or secondary transfer supporting roller that stretches an intermediate transfer belt is supported by a Mylar at its one free end, the other end thereof being fixed to a bracket. The felt is swingably brought into contact with the drive... Agent: Amin, Turocy & Calvin, LLP

20070264058 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus of the wet fixing method includes a toner image forming section, a intermediate transfer section including an intermediate transfer belt, a fixing fluid applying section that applies a fixing fluid to a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt and swells and/or softens the toner image,... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20070264059 - Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus provided therewith, control program for the fixing apparatus, computer-readable storage medium storing the program, and a contact method for an external heating member in the fixing apparatus: Contamination of a printing medium by a developer that has been transferred from an external heating member to a fixing member is prevented in a fixing apparatus in which the external heating member is installed. The fixing apparatus includes: a fixing roller, pressed against a printing paper at a fixing... Agent: Mark D. Saralino (general) Renner, Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

20070264060 - Fixing apparatus and an image formation apparatus: A fixing apparatus and an image formation apparatus therewith are disclosed. According to the fixing apparatus, a heating range that is heated by electromagnetic induction caused by a current flowing through a coil unit is finely tunable by covering a part of a core unit with a shielding member. Further,... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070264061 - Fixing apparatus: A fixing apparatus used in an image forming apparatus has a fixing member for fixing toner on paper and a pressure member making contact therewith to form in between a nip through which paper is passed. The fixing member has a support member formed of a ferromagnetic material and a... Agent: Smith, Gambrell & Russell

20070264063 - Automatic document feeder, image reading device including the same, and image forming apparatus including the same: An automatic document feeder, for transferring a document through a scanning position three times, includes: a first transfer mechanism to reverse a given document via a reversing path, and transfer the same to a scanning position; a second transfer mechanism to transfer the given document from the scanning position to... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070264062 - Image reading apparatus: An image reading apparatus equipped with an image reading apparatus unit (B) provided a platen (33) and reading means (31) that reads an original, a document feeder (A) provided conveyance paths (P1), (P2), and (P3) leading from a sheet supply tray (1) to a discharge tray (34) via the platen... Agent: Judge & MurakamiIPAssociates

20070264064 - Image forming apparatus and method of controlling the apparatus: Black tapes 61 and 62 having optical reflectances different from that of the texture of a document D are stuck to the lower side of a platen cover 3. The black tapes 61 and 62 have the optical reflectances different from that of the texture of the document D. When... Agent: SocalIPLaw Group LLP

20070264065 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus is provided with a first and a second sheet feeding sections for accommodating sheets before printing in a stacked manner; a first sheet conveying section including first conveying members and adapted to convey a sheet received from the first sheet feeding section; a second sheet conveying... Agent: Casella & Hespos

20070264066 - Image forming apparatus: The invention provides an image forming apparatus wherein, when forming an image on transfer sheet, the transfer sheet is shifted across the width immediately before transfer of the image onto transfer sheet based on the position of a toner image formed on an intermediate transfer member as an image carrier,... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.

20070264067 - Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system: A sheet processing apparatus which flattens a curled sheet includes: a water content control unit which controls a water content of a sheet to flatten the curled sheet; a decurling section which is provided downstream the water content control unit with respect to a conveyance direction of the sheet, and... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070258723 - Image forming apparatus and operating method: An image forming apparatus effectively reduces its maintenance cost and prevents a failure of the image forming apparatus in a period of busy use by the user, which includes a failure prediction distinction device configured to predict a failure based on an internal state signal, a maintenance time determination device... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20070258724 - Apparatus and process for fuser control: The invention is in the field of fusing and fusing apparatus for print media, particularly for fusing toner to print media and other variations. According to various aspects of the invention, an improved temperature control is provided for a fusing apparatus wherein control is prioritized. According to various further aspects... Agent: David A. Novais Eastman Kodak Company

20070258725 - Image heating apparatus: An image heating apparatus having a first fixing device for heating an image on a recording material, and a second fixing device for heating the image on the recording material heated by the first fixing device, wherein at the start of an image heating process, the preparatory operation of the... Agent: Fitzpatrick Cella Harper & Scinto

20070258726 - Image forming apparatus: The image forming apparatus includes: a head which ejects droplets of liquid in accordance with an image signal; a sub tank which is integrated with the head; a liquid holding chamber which is arranged in the sub tank and has an intake port and an outflow port, the liquid being... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070258727 - Material supplying container and image forming unit: A material supplying container comprises: a plurality of containers each of which contains a material; a plurality of supply openings respectively formed correspondingly to said plurality of containers; and a plurality of seal members that respectively close said supply openings, wherein said plurality of supply openings can be opened by... Agent: Sughrue-265550

20070258728 - Neutralization device and image forming unit for use in image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus: A neutralization device is disposed in an image forming apparatus having an image carrier so as to face the image carrier. The device comprises: a light irradiation section that irradiates neutralization light onto the image carrier; a case member that accommodates the light irradiation section and is opened to a... Agent: Sughrue-265550

20070258729 - Image forming apparatus having enhanced controlling method for reducing deviation of superimposed images: An image forming apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers to carry an image; a plurality of drivers to drive the image carriers; a plurality of drive-force transmitting members to transmit a driving-force from the drivers to image carriers; a developing... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070258730 - Method for forming image and image forming apparatus: The developing agent is selected to have a distribution of adhesive force to the surface of an image carrier, which is configured such that the ratio of the developing agent having an adhesive force which is not less than 2.5 times as high as an average value of a distribution... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20070258731 - Liquid developer, method of manufacturing liquid developer, and image forming apparatus: A liquid developer includes an insulation liquid, and toner particles that are dispersed in the insulation liquid. Fatty acid monoester is unevenly distributed in the vicinity of surfaces of the toner particles, and the insulation liquid contains unsaturated fatty acid triglyceride.... Agent: Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.

20070258733 - Developing device and image forming apparatus: A developing device has a bearing member that can bear a toner, a storing chamber for storing the toner, a waiting chamber disposed below the storing chamber for receiving the bearing member that can be filled with the toner and a buffer chamber positioned between the storing chamber and the... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20070258732 - Process cartridge, image forming apparatus and method of assembling process cartridges: A process cartridge having an image holder that is detachably fitted to an image forming apparatus body and a developing device that makes a latent image formed on the image holder visible and having a developer accommodating space, includes: a first developer accommodating section and a second developer accommodating section... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070258734 - Variable energy development station using a magnet to restrict developer material flow in the development station: An improved development station extends the useful life of toner in the housing and increases the number of images developed by the developer supply. The improved development station includes a development station housing having a developer sump, a toner supply for providing toner material to the developer sump, a mixing... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20070258735 - Toner supply container and electrophotographic image forming apparatus: A toner supply container is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus. The container includes a toner accommodating portion to accommodate toner and has a supply opening to supply toner into the image forming apparatus, a feeding member to feed the toner in the toner accommodating portion toward the supply... Agent: Fitzpatrick Cella Harper & Scinto

20070258736 - 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)... Agent: Casella & Hespos

20070258737 - Transfer-separation device and image forming apparatus: A transfer-separation device includes an intermediate transfer unit, a secondary transfer roller, a repulsive roller, a transfer unit, and a charge-eliminating/separating member. The secondary transfer roller and the repulsive roller form a nip through which the intermediate transfer unit and a recording medium pass. The transfer unit applies a bias... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070258738 - Apparatus for improving image fidelity on high-speed electrophotographic printing systems: An electrophotographic printing system having an apparatus for improving image fidelity is disclosed. The electrophotographic printing system includes a photosensitive drum, a first and second retractors and a paper presser. The first and second retractors position a sheet of printing paper within a first and second predetermined distances, respectively, from... Agent: Dillon & Yudell, LLP

20070258739 - Cleaning device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus: A cleaning device according to the present invention comprises a cleaning belt, an unwinder, a winder, and a detector. The unwinder is wound with the cleaning belt. The winder winds up the cleaning belt intermittently from the unwinder along a path leading past a cleaning position where the belt is... Agent: Mark D. Saralino (general) Renner, Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

20070258740 - Fixing apparatus: A fixing apparatus according to the invention comprises an elastic member, a heating roller including a conductive metal layer on the outside of the elastic member, a pressurizing roller for supplying a predetermined pressure to the heating roller, and a driving mechanism for rotating the heating roller through the conductive... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20070258741 - Fusing unit for an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the same: A fusing unit for an image forming apparatus has a heating roller, and a fusing belt assembly that rotates in contact with the heating roller. The fusing belt assembly comprises a pressure roller, a separating roller and a fusing belt rotatably supported by the pressure roller and the separating roller.... Agent: Roylance, Abrams, Berdo & Goodman, L.L.P.

20070258742 - Image heating apparatus and flexible sleeve used for the same: The image heating apparatus includes a flexible sleeve including a stainless base layer; a heater being in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the flexible sleeve; and an elastic roller being in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the flexible sleeve and forming a nip portion with the... Agent: Fitzpatrick Cella Harper & Scinto

20070258743 - Lubricant supplying device, cleaning device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus: A lubricant supplying device that supplies lubricant onto a surface of an image carrier includes a lubricant carrying unit and a transfer unit. The lubricant carrying unit faces the image carrier in a non-contact manner, and carries the lubricant. The transfer unit transfers the lubricant from the carrying unit onto... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070253720 - Developing device and image forming apparatus: A developing device includes a developing roller that supplies two-component developer from a developer container to an image carrier, and a first developer supplying unit and a second developer supplying unit arranged in parallel, one closer to the developing roller than the other is to the developing roller. The first... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070253721 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method: An image forming apparatus which adjusts toner density in a developing device according to humidity. However, an image quality may decrease if the humidity changes between the time when a power source is turned off and the time when the power source is turned on. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus... Agent: Casella & Hespos

20070253722 - Image forming apparatus: A tandem electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes plural toner image forming units and a fixing unit. The plural toner image forming units are disposed in a conveyance direction of a printing medium. Each of the toner image forming units includes a photoreceptor on which a toner image is formed and... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070253724 - Image forming apparatus: A delaying section for obtaining from an image processing section a printing rate of image data used for forming a toner image, and delaying in accordance with the obtained printing rate a start timing of a toner image forming by the toner image forming section. The delaying section does not... Agent: Casella & Hespos

20070253723 - Image forming apparatus and image forming system: An image forming apparatus is operable with a first sheet processing device and a second sheet processing device connected to the image forming apparatus via a network. The image forming apparatus includes a memory configured to store a control program for the first and second sheet processing devices; and a... Agent: Canon U.s.a. Inc. Intellectual Property Division

20070253725 - Image forming apparatus and control method for the same: For a network printer function and a network scan function, a trial using mode whose use frequency is limited can be set. When the preset trial using mode is finished, the use of the tried function is permitted according to setting of an exclusive key.... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20070253726 - Image forming apparatus, lubricant applying apparatus, control method of image forming apparatus: Along a rotational direction of a photoreceptor, a cleaner unit for cleaning a surface of the photoreceptor, a lubricant applying apparatus for applying a lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor, and a charging device for charging the surface of the photoreceptor are disposed in this order. Further, the lubricant... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20070253727 - Developing device and image forming apparatus equipped with the same: A developing device includes: a developing roller that supplies toner so as to develop an electrostatic latent image into a toner image; and a seal member that prevents toner from leaking from end portions in the axial direction of the developing roller to the outside and the developing device is... Agent: Smith, Gambrell & Russell

20070253728 - Image forming apparatus: An image forming apparatus including an image holding member, an image forming section that forms an image on the image holding member, a main frame that houses at least the image holding member and the image forming section, a cover body that is mounted to the main frame so as... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070253729 - Photosensitive unit and image forming apparatus: A photosensitive unit is described. The photosensitive unit may include a side wall; a drum body rotatably provided with respect to the side wall and formed with an electrostatic latent image; a brake member provided on one end portion of the drum body in an axial direction and having a... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. Attorneys For Client Nos. 0166889, 006760

20070253730 - Image forming apparatus having mechanism for reducing pressing force between image bearing member and transferring member: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member and a transfer roller that are brought into pressure contact with each other by a force of a transfer spring to define a nip section therebetween. The transfer roller is movable between a first position at which the transfer roller is in... Agent: Canon U.s.a. Inc. Intellectual Property Division

20070253731 - Fixture structure, optical device, image reading device and image forming device: A fixture structure is disclosed that is able to independently adjust relative positions of constituent components in different directions and able to reduce workload of the relative position adjustment. The fixture structure includes plural members fixed with each other by screws, a first adjustment unit for adjusting relative positions of... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070253732 - Imaging device having function for correcting image shake of acquired image: An imaging device photoelectrically converts a subject image to generate image data. The imaging device has a function of selectively performing two types of image vibration correction processings on this image data. The imaging device makes a selection/switching between the image vibration correction processings in accordance with a determination of... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20070253733 - Illumination system: The invention relates to an illumination system, and to a fluorescent illumination system and fluorescent microscope using the illumination system. The illumination system comprises an LED light source which radiates radiation focussed via an elliptical mirror onto a homogenization bar. This creates a very efficient, intense and stable light source.... Agent: Hoffmann & Baron, LLP

20070253734 - Photosensitive material drum and image-forming machine equipped with the photosensitive material drum: A photosensitive material drum capable of easily preventing the leakage of the adhesive through the notches which are for confirming the earthing of the flange member. The flange member inserted in an end portion of the drum body includes an annular protuberance covering an end surface of the drum body,... Agent: Smith, Gambrell & Russell

20070253736 - Image forming apparatus capable of effectively forming a quality color image: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers, an optical writing unit, a plurality of developing units, a transfer member, a transfer unit, an image sensor, and a control unit. In at least one embodiment, the image sensor is configured to sense a positional displacement detection pattern including... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070253735 - Method for assembling drum drive unit and image formation apparatus: In a tandem type image formation apparatus, a drum drive unit which always simultaneously drives respective photoreceptor drums, is assembled such that it is possible to synchronize cycles of rotational speed fluctuations of the respective photoreceptor drums in assembling. In this manner, the photoreceptor drums rotate so as to synchronize... Agent: Amin, Turocy & Calvin, LLP

20070253738 - Charging device, process cartridge, image forming apparatus and charging method: In an image forming apparatus in which a charging roller charges a photoreceptor which is rotating at high speed, damages of the photoreceptor and the charging roller are prevented. The photoreceptor included in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is rotated at high speed so that a speed of a peripheral... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20070253737 - Charging roller and image forming apparatus incorporating same: The invention delivers a charging roller which is capable of preventing current leakage to a photoreceptor throughout life-time and which has a stable resistance value throughout life-time. The charging roller contains a metal core and a rubber layer formed on the core. The rubber layer is an epichlorohydrin-based rubber base... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20070253739 - Image forming apparatus, charging roller, production method of charging roller, production apparatus of charging roller: e

20070253740 - Image forming apparatus, process cartridge used therein, and production method of charging roller: An image forming apparatus in which a charging roller charges an image carrier to which a lubricant is applied prevents slip of the charging roller. The charging roller is composed of a metal core and a rubber layer mainly made of an epichlorohydrin rubber formed around the metal core. A... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20070253741 - Image forming apparatus and method for forming image: An image-forming apparatus includes a rotary developing device including a casing having absolute value of the surface potential of not larger than 300 V.... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20070253742 - Image forming device: The image forming device of the present invention is able to be configured such that it has an image carrier that carries electrostatic latent image, a rotary type developing unit having a plurality of developing machines that stores toner in the interior thereof and is able to develop the electrostatic... Agent: GlobalIPCounselors, LLP

20070253743 - Toner cartridge: The present invention provides an exchangeable toner cartridge which can be attached to or detached from an apparatus main body. The toner cartridge includes the toner transfer member which is provided along a longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge and which can rotate. At the first range of the upstream... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070253745 - Toner transport apparatus and image forming apparatus: A toner transport apparatus that transports toner particles and includes a lateral transport device and a longitudinal transport device. The lateral transport device includes a lateral tube extending in a lateral direction and a lateral transport member provided inside the lateral tube in a rotatable manner and transporting toner particles.... Agent: Casella & Hespos

20070253744 - Device and method for the replacement of expired developer: In order to replace out-of-date flowing medium in a system, where the medium comprises a component which ages, out-of-date flowing medium is removed and a quantity of fresh flowing medium or a fresh component are added while maintaining a given level of the flowing medium.... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20070253746 - Toner supply device and image forming apparatus: A toner supply device is equipped with a coupling that has a toner supply opening on the side wall, a partition wall provided in this coupling integrally with a specific space provided on the inner wall and a hole larger than a toner supply opening on the side wall. A... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20070253748 - Toner cartridge: A toner cartridge can be attached to and detached from an apparatus main body. The toner cartridge includes an outer housing having a substantially rectangular upper cross section and a substantially semi-circular lower cross section, and an inner housing that is disposed inside of a lower portion of the outer... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070253747 - Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus: The present invention provides a toner cartridge of replaceable type that is removably loaded into an apparatus main body, the toner cartridge including: a first section that is substantially cylindrical shape and at which a toner conveying member is disposed; and a second section that is provided at a substantially... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070253749 - Developing device and image forming apparatus: A developing device supplies developer to an electrostatic latent image bearing body of an image forming apparatus. The developing device includes a container housing with an opening in a position opposite to the electrostatic latent image bearing body and stores developer to be supplied to the electrostatic latent image bearing... Agent: Casella & Hespos

20070253750 - Layer-thickness restriction member, developing device, method for manufacturing restriction blade, and blade-forming mold: A layer-thickness restriction member, including: an abutting surface that is for abutting against a developer-bearing body in order to restrict a layer thickness of developer borne by the developer-bearing body; and a flash that is located on a side close to a non-abutting surface that is located on an opposite... Agent: Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.

20070253751 - Adhesive primer coating for printing: A method of printing, comprising: a) developing a latent image on a photosensitive surface with a visible toner, thereby producing a visible toner image; b) transferring the visible toner image to a surface of an intermediate transfer member; c) applying a layer of an adhesive material over at least a... Agent: Hewlett Packard Company

20070253753 - Image forming apparatus: There is provided an image forming apparatus utilizing a concurrently transferring and fixing method which improves a transfer efficiency of a toner image from an intermediate transfer member to a transferring and fixing member, allows a stable forming of a high-definition image in a high-speed image forming, and ensures further... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070253752 - Intermediate transfer material, image forming method and image forming apparatus: An intermediate transfer material, for use in an image forming apparatus in which a toner image on an electrostatic latent image carrier is transferred onto the intermediate transfer material and the toner image on the intermediate transfer material is further transferred onto a final transfer material, wherein the intermediate transfer... Agent: Lucas & Mercanti, LLP

20070253754 - Image forming apparatus and transfer unit: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, includes: a belt-like member that is capable of cyclic rotation; a plurality of support members, along which the belt-like member is stretched; a first member that is located along an inner face of the belt-like member; and a... Agent: Sughrue-265550

20070253755 - Image forming apparatus and guide unit, transport unit used therein: A guide unit 24 includes an electrically conducting guide plate 25 disposed upstream of the transfer unit 20 that transports toner image transfer sheets between the image carrier 7 and the transfer unit 20, an electrically insulating support member 26 that supports the guide plate 25, an electrically conducting connecting... Agent: GlobalIPCounselors, LLP

20070253756 - Fixing device, and image forming apparatus provided with fixing device: A fixing device has a roller pair; a cover for defining a forward transport path, and a backward transport path for transporting a sheet discharged from the roller pair back to an image former for forming toner images on both sides of the sheet. A sheet detection arm has opposite... Agent: Casella & Hespos

20070253757 - Image forming apparatus: There is provided an image forming apparatus involving wet fixing that causes no bleeding and coagulation of toner and eventually no disturbance of toner image as a result of application of a fixing fluid, generates no curling or wrinkles in a recording medium, and can fix toner with large adhesion... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC