Abstract: A developer unit for developing a latent image recorded on an image receiving member with marking particles, to form a developed image, including: a drive mechanism for moving the surface of the image receiving member at a predetermined process speed. A donor member is spaced from the image receiving member and adapted to transport marking particles to a development zone adjacent the image receiving member. A plurality of wires having a predefined tension are positioned in the development zone between the image receiving member and the donor member. A voltage supply to electrically bias the plurality of wires during a developing operation with an alternating current, to detach marking particles from the donor member, forming a cloud of marking particles in the development zone, and developing the latent image with marking particles from the cloud.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus and a method of using the image recording apparatus. The image recording apparatus has a sheet sending path connecting a sheet supply section, an image forming section, and a sheet discharge section. A pull-in path branches from the sheet sending path, and a return path branches from the pull-in path to define a branch point. A first pair and a second pair of conveying rollers are provided on the pull-in path on respective sides of the branch point.The first pair and the second pair of conveying rollers are independently drivable in a forward direction and a reverse direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a toner image on a sheet, comprises first and second process units each comprising a photoreceptor, a charging device, an imagewise exposing device, and a developing device. The first process unit forms a first toner image on its photoreceptor and the second process unit forms a second toner image on its photoreceptor. A rotatable intermediate transfer member has a toner image receiving surface, and the first and second process units are located in close proximity to the toner image receiving surface of the rotatable intermediate transfer member. A second transfer device transfers the second toner image from the second process unit to the toner image receiving surface. A sheet feeder feeds the sheet to the toner image receiving surface so that the second side of the sheet is provided with the second toner image; and a first transfer device transfers the first toner image from the first process unit to the first side of the sheet on the toner image receiving surface.

Abstract: An image development system for developing a latent image on an imaging surface, such as a xerographic photoreceptor, with plural development rollers having internal axially extending developer magnets with relatively offset axial end positions, and wherein at least one development roller has a smooth surface area at that same end, to reduce edge banding image defects from the interaction of the axial ends of the magnets of adjacent development rollers, especially for large size copy sheets being printed, such as B4 size. The image developer unit may have three development rollers with three different lengths of developer magnets to provide three different magnetic end positions staggered on opposite sides of the end position of the large sheet (relative to the imaging surface).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a developer collection container for collecting a waste developer; a developer amount detector for detecting an amount of the waste developer in the developer collection container; a first cumulative print counter for counting a total number of prints produced during a period between a release of a filled state detection and a subsequent filled state detection, detected by the developer amount detector; and a judging device for judging whether or not the developer collection container is emptied according to the total number of prints counted by the first cumulative print counter.

Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus, wherein a visible image retained on an intermediate transfer belt is collectively transferred to recording material by means of a collective transfer device including a transfer roller and a back-up roller. The recording material that has passed through a transfer nipping region is guided by means of a recording material guide member. In such an image forming apparatus, the intermediate transfer belt is set at an angle of 50.degree. or less relative to the reference line passing through the exit of the transfer nipping region between the transfer roller and the back-up roller among normals orthogonal to a line passing through the center shafts of the transfer roller and the back-up roller, in the area downstream from the transfer nipping region, and the recording material guide member is provided downward at an angle of 5.degree. to 20.degree. relative to the reference line L.