Abstract: There is provided a developer container, which is divided into a first containing part and a second containing part that are communicated with each other at communication parts on the opposite end sides, which has a discharge port at the second containing part, and in which a developer is contained; a developer carrying member that carries the developer within the developer container to adhere it to the image carrying member; a first conveyance member that conveys the developer in the first containing part of the developer container while agitating it; a second conveyance member that conveys the developer in the second containing part of the developer container while agitating it, and supplies the developer to the developer carrying member; a third conveyance member that is arranged between the second conveyance member and the discharge port; a first driving member that rotary-drives the first conveyance member and the second conveyance member; and a second driving member that drives the third driving member

Abstract: Disclosed is a decolorable toner containing a binder resin and a coloring agent which contains a color former compound and a color developing agent and has a capsule structure such that it is covered with an outer shell, and having a volume average particle diameter of from 5.0 to 15.0 ?m and a number-based particle size distribution CV of 35% or less.

Abstract: A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes an input gear which receives an external driving force; a developing roller which carries developer; a supply roller that is in contact with the developing roller and supplies the developer to the developing roller; a supply roller gear that is meshed with the input gear to drive the supply roller using a driving force transmitted from the input gear; and a developing roller gear that drives the developing roller with a driving force transmitted from the supply roller gear.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing housing that supports a developer carrier, and a developer cartridge. The developer cartridge includes a cartridge housing that is configured to accommodate developer, an agitator that is provided in the cartridge housing and is configured to agitate the developer by a driving force, and a transmission gear that is configured to transmit the driving force to the agitator. The developing housing comprises a moving gear that is movable between a meshing position in which the moving gear meshes with the transmission gear and a spaced-apart position in which the moving gear is spaced apart from the meshing position. The moving gear is configured to transmit the driving force from the transmission gear to the agitator.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a developing device including a developer carrying member for supplying the developer to the image bearing member, a developer feeding member, provided rotatably in a developing container, first and second driving force receiving members, provided at opposite end portions of the developer carrying member, for driving the developer carrying member and the developer feeding member, respectively; a first and second drive inputting members, for inputting drive to the first and second driving force receiving members, respectively. Directions, toward and away from the image bearing member, of forces are applied to abutment members, which determine a gap between the image bearing member and the developer carrying member, at the time when the drives are inputted to the first driving force receiving member and the second driving force receiving member, respectively.

Abstract: In view of the above, this invention is directed to printing methods including electrographic printing wherein toner and/or laminates form one or more multi-channeled layers, with a particular pattern. The multi-channeled layers are printed, such as by electrographic techniques, using the steps of forming a desired image on a receiver member and incorporating channels of toner that form a microfluidic item. In the microfluidic items the channels act as interconnects to transfer fluids between incorporated micro-devices such as pumps, devices, and sensors. The channels can also be designed to act as splitters ports, reservoirs, filters, and separators to allow a variety of specialty micro-devices to be developed with the printer.

Abstract: A developing device includes an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing member facing the image carrier to supply a developing agent to the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier, a rotary member facing the outer circumference of the image carrier in a non-contact state to collect toner scattered from the developing member, and a gear train to drive the rotary member. An effect that the developing member is subjected to by the driving of the rotary member is minimized, thereby preventing deterioration of image quality. Also, the scattering of the developing agent is effectively prevented by adjusting the drive rotational velocity of the rotary member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, image formation units disposed in the main body, a moving member disposed in the main body, the moving member including a surface facing each image formation unit, a pair of first stoppers disposed in each image formation unit, and a pair of second stoppers disposed in the main body in correspondence with each image formation unit, each second stopper being configured to prevent the developer on the moving member from entering the image formation unit.

Abstract: A storage container includes: a storage container main body; a flow-out opening; a shutter; a seal member; a restricting portion; and an open-close movement restricting portion.

Abstract: The electrographic printing of one or more multi-channeled layers having a particular pattern by electrographic techniques that produces a specialty item electrographically. Such electrographic printing comprises the steps of forming a desired print image, electrographically, on a receiver member utilizing predetermined sized marking particles; and, where desired, forming one or more final multi-channeled layers utilizing marking particles of a predetermined size or size distribution.

Abstract: The electrographic printing of one or more multi-channeled layers having a particular pattern by electrographic techniques that produces a specialty item electrographically. Such electrographic printing comprises the steps of forming a desired print image, electrographically, on a receiver member utilizing predetermined sized marking particles; and, where desired, forming one or more final multi-channeled layers utilizing marking particles of a predetermined size or size distribution.

Abstract: A developing unit includes: a developer carrying member that visualizes an electrostatic latent image held on an image carrying member using magnetic developer; a peeling member that peels off the magnetic developer held on the developer carrying member by a magnetic force; and a movement controller that controls movement of the peeling member, when the peeling member peels off the magnetic developer, the movement controller moving the peeling member to a position close to the developer carrying member, and when the peeling member has peeled off the magnetic developer, the movement controller moving the peeling member to a position away from the developer carrying member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium containing a first image formed with a first recording material; and a second image comprising a first region formed with a second recording material having approximately the same light fastness as that of the first recording material, and a second region formed with a third recording material having higher light fastness than that of the first recording material, a color of the second region being a color corresponding to any stage of a process of discoloration of the first region.

Abstract: When dynamic torques are Ts, Ti, and T2, respectively, and rotation angle speeds are Rs, R1, and R2, respectively, at the time of rotations of the developing sleeve 40 and the screws 41 and 42, the mass of the developer housed in the second agitating chamber 902 is M2, the mass of the developer which is present in the space of the side of the developing sleeve when a space formed by the developing chamber 900 and the first agitating chamber 901 is divided is Ms, the mass of the developer which is present in the space of the side of the screw 41 is M1, gravitational acceleration is G, each load on the developer by rotations of the developing sleeve and the screws is defined as Wds (mW/g)=Rs×Ts×G/Ms, Wd1(mW/g)=R1×T1×G/M1, and Wd2 (mW/g)=R2×T2×G/M2, respectively, relationships of 0.5<Wds/(Wd1+Wd2)?7.0, 12.5?Wds?57.5, and Wd1<Wd2 are satisfied.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus including: a two-component developer that contains toner and carrier; a photoconductor that forms a toner image by the two-component developer; and an intermediate transfer body to which the toner image on the photoconductor is transferred. The intermediate transfer body has a surface layer that is provided on a transfer surface of the intermediate transfer body onto which the toner image is transferred and that contains a first fluoropolymer. The carrier has a carrier core particle and a coat layer that is provided on a surface of the carrier core particle and that contains a second fluoropolymer. The toner is positively charged.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides a development device including a rotatable development sleeve which supplies developer to a photosensitive drum, the development sleeve being disposed such that a rotational axis of the development sleeve is orientated toward a vertical direction; a conveying screw which conveys the developer along a rotational axis direction of the development sleeve; and a developer supply guide which guides the developer conveyed by the developer conveying device to the development sleeve. The plural developer supply guides are disposed at predetermined intervals in the rotational axis direction of the development sleeve and between the development sleeve and the conveying screw.

Abstract: A developing device that can be mounted to and dismounted from a mounting and dismounting section provided in an image forming apparatus main unit, the developing device includes: a developing device main unit; a positioning member for positioning the developing device main unit with respect to the mounting and dismounting section by engaging the mounting and dismounting section when the developing device is mounted to the mounting and dismounting section, the positioning member being fixed on a one end side in a longitudinal direction of the developing device main unit; a coupling member that is to be coupled to the mounting and dismounting section when the developing device is mounted to the mounting and dismounting section, the coupling member being attached to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device main unit in such a manner that its relative position to the developing device main unit can be changed; and an element capable of communication in a noncontacting manner with

Abstract: A driving device to be used in an image forming apparatus includes an input gear; a partly non-toothed gear having a toothed portion engageable with the input gear and having a non-toothed portion; a holding member capable of placing the partly non-toothed gear in a holding state in which the non-toothed portion opposes the input gear and the partly non-toothed gear is not engaged with the input gear and capable of placing the partly non-toothed gear in a released state in which the holding state is released; a cylindrical member rotatable by receiving a rotational force; and an entering portion which is rotatable together with the partly non-toothed gear and which is capable of entering an inside of the cylindrical member and capable of receiving the rotational force from the cylindrical member by a frictional force between the entering portion and the cylindrical member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a scanner unit which performs an exposure process by irradiating beams to the image carrier, a scanner supporting plate which supports the scanner unit, a pair of sidewall frames which supports both lateral ends of the scanner supporting plate, a beam structure which is disposed between the pair of sidewall frames in at least one of a front side and a rear side of the scanner unit, and a reinforcing plate which is disposed opposite to the scanner supporting plate with interposing the scanner unit therebetween and is disposed between the pair of the sidewall frames in a non-fixed state to the scanner supporting plate and the scanner unit.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a body frame, a photosensitive body having a shaft, a developing unit having a shaft in parallel to the photosensitive body, a driven part that is rotatably joined to the shaft of the developing unit, a transmission part that has a transmission shaft in parallel to the shaft of the developing unit and is connected to the driven part in a transmittable manner, a unit casing that rotatably supports the shaft of the developing unit and the transmission shaft, is rotatably supported to the body frame, and controls the developing unit to approach the photosensitive body when the unit casing rotates in the same direction as a rotation direction of the photosensitive body, and a driving part that is provided in the body frame and rotates the transmission part in the same direction as the rotation direction of the photosensitive body.

Abstract: A technology capable of suppressing the generation of transfer scattering of a toner image on an intermediate transfer body and contributing to an improvement in image quality in an image forming apparatus employing an intermediate transfer system is provided. An image forming apparatus is configured to include an intermediate transfer body to which a toner imager is transferred from an image carrier, the intermediate transfer body having an elastic surface layer having a center point average roughness of 0.1 times or more of a volume average particle size of a used toner and a ten-point average roughness of not more than the volume average particle size of the used toner; and a development section which develops an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier by using a toner having a shape factor SF-1 in the range of from 100 to 130 and a shape factor SF-2 in the range of from 100 to 140.

Abstract: Provided are an electrophotographic toner and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same. The electrophotographic toner includes: parent toner particles including a binder resin, a colorant, a releasing agent, and a charge control agent; and barium titanate external additives having an average primary particle diameter in the range of about 50 to about 150 nm, an average shape factor (SF1) in the range of about 100 to about 120, a shape factor in the range of about 0.96 to about 1, and an aspect ratio in the range of about 0.89 to about 1, and added to the surface of the parent toner particles.

Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a developer roller, a receiving unit for receiving a driving force, a transmitting unit for transmitting the driving force from the receiving unit to the developer roller, and a transferring unit for transferring the drive force from the receiving unit to the transmitting unit. The transferring unit is connected with both the receiving unit and the transmitting unit. A relative position of the receiving unit and the transmitting unit is movable while the transferring unit is connected to both the receiving unit and the transmitting unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resist coating and developing apparatus, a resist coating and developing method, a resist-film processing apparatus, and a resist-film processing method, capable of reducing a line width roughness by planarizing a resist pattern. The resist coating and developing apparatus comprises: a resist-film forming part configured to coat a resist onto a substrate to form a resist film thereon; a resist developing part configured to develop the exposed resist film to obtain a patterned resist film; and a solvent-gas supply part configured to expose the resist film, which has been developed and patterned by the resist developing part, to a first solvent of a gaseous atmosphere having a solubility to the resist film. A solvent supply part supplies, to the resist film which has been exposed to the first solvent, a second solvent in a liquid state having a solubility to the resist film.

Abstract: A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes an input gear which receives an external driving force; a developing roller which carries developer; a supply roller that is in contact with the developing roller and supplies the developer to the developing roller; a supply roller gear that is meshed with the input gear to drive the supply roller using a driving force transmitted from the input gear; and a developing roller gear that drives the developing roller with a driving force transmitted from the supply roller gear.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus (100) includes a photoreceptor drum (1), a development unit (2), a pressing member (7), and a vibration absorption member (8). The development unit (2) is disposed adjacent to the photoreceptor drum (1), and supported movably toward and away from the photoreceptor drum (1). The pressing member (7) urges the development unit (2) toward the photoreceptor drum. The vibration absorption member (8) frictionally suppresses the movement of the development unit (2) toward and away from the photoreceptor drum (1). The vibration absorption member (8) attenuates a self-excited vibration of the development unit (2), by suppressing the movement of the development unit (2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a particle dispersion liquid including (meth)acrylic resin-containing hydrophobic particles, an acetylene glycol surfactant adsorbed to the hydrophobic particles, and water; the particle size, in a state of being swollen due to absorbing water until saturation, of the hydrophobic particles to which the acetylene glycol surfactant has been adsorbed being 1.1 to 2 times as large as the particle size of the hydrophobic particles in a dried state.

Abstract: A development device includes a developer carrier, a bearing member, a biasing member, and a guide. The developer carrier supplies a developer to an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The bearing member rotatably supports the developer carrier axially. The biasing member is provided on a side of the bearing member opposite the image carrier to apply a force to the bearing member to move the bearing member and the developer carrier toward the image carrier. The guide is disposed about the bearing member to enable the bearing member to move therebetween and guide the bearing member toward the image carrier. The bearing member includes a rotatable part to rotate and slide over the guide while contacting the guide.

Abstract: A developer cartridge constructed in a structure in which an overload is not applied to stirring units to stir a developer even when the developer is lump includes a housing having a developer storage chamber, a first stirring unit rotatably mounted in the housing, and a second stirring unit rotatably mounted in the housing such that the second stirring unit is rotatable with time delay after a rotation of the first stirring unit. The second stirring unit includes a rotary shaft, and the developer cartridge further includes a rotary member coupled to one end of the rotary shaft and a power transmission member to transmit a rotary force to the rotary member after rotation thereof by a predetermined angle.

Abstract: Disclosed are a charge eliminator and an image forming apparatus having the same. The charge eliminator includes a light source array and a light guide member. The light source array includes a plurality of point light sources. The light guide member includes an incidence face through which light generated from the point light sources is introduced. The light guide member guides the light introduced through the incidence face to the photoconductor. A diffusion pattern is provided at the incidence face of the light guide member to diffuse the light introduced through the incidence face.

Abstract: A developing device to prevent damage of a memory unit and poor connection between terminals of the memory unit and a main body of an image forming apparatus, by improving a mounting position of the memory unit. The developing device is removably mounted to a main body of the image forming apparatus. The memory unit includes terminals exposed through a rear side of the developing device. The memory unit is disposed closer to a power reception unit formed at one side of the developing device than to a driving force reception unit formed at an other side of the developing device.

Abstract: A developing device configured to form toner cloud without making toner particles adhere to the electrostatic transport substrate having electrodes. By applying periodical voltages to electrodes, electrically charged toner particles float on the electrostatic transport substrate. Also, a rotatable toner transporter designed to carry toner particles floating on the electrostatic transport substrate. Also, a two-component developer bearer including a sleeve with magnets on which the two-component developer is borne. The two-component developer borne on the sleeve is sent to the toner transporter by rotation of the sleeve. There, toner particles are transported to the toner transporter because of the electric bias applied between the two-component developer bearer and the toner transporter. Toner particles electrically floating on the toner transporter are sent to the photoconductor for development.

Abstract: To prevent the developer housing of a toner cartridge from flexing and thereby causing toner leaks, one or more support ribs are added internally to the developer housing, near the developer roll opening to prevent housing flexure. The support rib is designed to not impede toner flow, or movement and installation of components within the cartridge (such as the agitator or other moving parts). The support rib may be formed integrally within the housing, or formed separately and then installed within housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image bearer; a charging device charging the image bearer; a light irradiating device irradiating the charged image bearer with light to form an electrostatic image; a developing device developing the electrostatic image with a developer including a toner to form a toner image on the image bearer; a transfer device transferring the toner image; and a cleaning device cleaning the image bearer, wherein the volume average particle diameter of the toner is greater than 5.0 ?m and less than 5.5 ?m, the content of toner particles having a particle diameter of not greater than 4.0 ?m is not higher than 20% by number, the ratio of the first shape factor SF-1 to the second shape factor SF-2 is from 1.00 to 1.15, and the content of toner particles having a SF-2 of not less than 115 is not less than 67.8% by number.

Abstract: A toner for developing an electrostatic image includes a toner particle to which particles of an external additive A having a number average particle diameter of from 7 nm to 200 nm and particles of an external additive B having a number average particle diameter of from 30 nm to 4000 nm have been externally added. The ratio of the number average particle diameter of the particles of the external additive B to the number average particle diameter of the particles of the external additive A is in a range of from 2 to 20. The particles of one of the external additive A or the external additive B are particles having a core material covered with an organic material containing hydrogen and nitrogen. The particles of the other one of the external additive A or the external additive B are SiO2 particles.

Abstract: A blade cleaning jig includes a cleaning portion and a gripping portion. The cleaning portion includes a support body of stainless steel or the like and polishing tape provided on the upper face of this support body, and moreover a cushioning material is inserted between the support body and the polishing tape. A protective member for preventing damage to the surface of a developer roller is attached to the entire lower face of the support body. This protective member is attached bent at a circumferential end portion such that the protective member covers from the lower face of the support body via a circumferential edge portion to an upper face circumferential edge portion.

Abstract: 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 of adhesive force is 3% by weight or less based on an entire weight of the developing agent.

Abstract: An electrostatic-image-developing toner includes a binder resin; a colorant; a releasing agent having a melting temperature of from about 70° C. to about 100° C.; and an ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developing units. A cam shaft includes a plurality of cams having different rotation phases respectively corresponding to the plurality of developing units. A regulation means controls a rotational force of a driving force source that is transferred to the cam shaft. The regulation means includes a spring clutch having a plurality of latch portions of which phases correspond to the plurality of cams, and an actuator that is selectively connected to the plurality of latch portions and corresponds the plurality of cams to the plurality of developing units. A control means is disposed at the spring clutch and substantially prevents the cam shaft from excessive rotation to prevent the cams from being separated from a corresponding position with respect to the selected developing unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a printing form from a photosensitive element to form a relief pattern. The method and apparatus thermally develop the photosensitive element by heating a composition layer of the element to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy and providing a development medium to the element to remove the liquefied composition. A conformable layer is disposed between the photosensitive element and a base support, which improves the compressibility and the contact between the photosensitive element and the development medium. The method and apparatus improve the efficiency of the removal of liquefied portions from the photosensitive element and the uniformity of the relief pattern formed.

Abstract: The image forming unit 100 includes a photosensitive drum 11, a rotary developing device 30, and a rotation speed control device 70. Electrostatic latent images are formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The rotary developing device 30 includes a plurality of developing apparatuses 13 having a developing roller 14 disposed in opposition to the photosensitive drum 11, and a distance regulating collar 73 that regulates the distance between the photosensitive drum 11 and the developing roller 14. The rotation speed control device 70 includes a rotation speed control device 71 that controls the rotation speed of the rotary developing device 30 so that for a predetermined period of time until the developing apparatus 13 reaches the developing position the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 11 and the movement speed in the circumferential direction of the distance regulating collar 73 are equal.

Abstract: A gear mechanism is provided and includes a first sun gear; a first planetary gear configured to mesh with the first sun gear; a first arm configured to keep a distance between the first sun gear and the first planetary gear and configured to swing around a rotation axis of the first sun gear; a second sun gear; a second planetary gear configured to mesh with the second sun gear; a second arm configured to keep a distance between the second sun gear and the second planetary gear and configured to swing around a rotation axis of the second sun gear; and an interlocking unit configured to connect the first arm and the second arm with each other for interlocking the swinging of the first arm and the second arm, the interlocking unit configured to move independently of rotations of the first sun gear and the second sun gear.

Abstract: Provided are an electrophotographic toner, a process for preparing the same, image forming method and an image forming apparatus using the toner. The electrophotographic toner may include a latex, colorant, wax, Si and Fe. A molar ratio of Si/Fe may be about 0.1 to about 5.

Abstract: Provided is an improved drive mechanism for an imaging machine. At least one internal ramp radiates from the center of the drive dog whereby a tooth of the imaging machine drive mechanism is centered and directed into the drive dog seat. The leading edge of the drive dog seat contacts the base of the imaging machine drive mechanism thus making full contact between the drive dog seat and the imaging machine drive mechanism tooth.

Abstract: A roller spacing apparatus and an image forming device including the same. The roller spacing apparatus includes a frame, a first rotatable roller member having a first shaft, a second rotatable roller member having a second shaft and being rotatable in a close contact with the first roller member under a predetermined pressure, and at least one spacing part to space apart the first and the second roller members from each other by a predetermined gap such that the first and the second roller members are not in contact with each other when the first and the second roller members are not in use.

Abstract: A multi-purpose print platform includes a color print engine with color and black toners and a low-cost-per-page print engine having at least two image development systems in which each of the development systems is associated with a different type of black toner and/or highlight color toners. Jobs that include color and black and/or highlight color pages can be processed by using both print engines. The low-cost-per-page print engine typically is low cost in that it facilitates processing pages at a low per page cost relative to color and/or high cost black print engines while providing the productivity and reliability of a typical black only print engine.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member; a plurality of development devices attachable to and detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus, a motor; and a drive transmission member. Each development device includes a development roller for forming a toner image on a surface of the photosensitive member. The motor is rotatable forward and backward, for driving the development roller. The drive transmission member is disposed between the motor and the development roller. The drive transmission member includes a plurality of gears, a plurality of shafts and a plurality of one-way clutches. An air gap is provided in at least one engagement portion where the gears engage with the shafts.

Abstract: To provide an electrophotographic developing member which can both be kept from the sticking of a developer and be kept from being deformed by its contacting members, and can form stable images over a long period of time. An electrophotographic developing member characterized in that its surface layer satisfies the following expressions (1) to (3) where the average crosslinking density in each region of up to 100 nm in depth, from 100 nm to 200 nm in depth and from 200 nm to 300 nm in depth from the surface of the surface layer is represented by C1, C2 and C3 (mol/cm3), respectively: C3<C2<C1;??(1) C3×1.3?C1?C3×5.0; and??(2) 2.0×10?4?C3?7.0×10?4.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing cartridge having a developing roller driven by developing roller drive gear, a supply roller driven by a supply roller drive gear, an input gear, a gear holder formed with a developing roller support member, supply roller support member and input gear support member, a gear holder integrally formed with the support members and a shaft receiving member formed at a location opposite the gear holder.

Abstract: A developing device driver according to the present invention includes a developing roller gear connected to each developing roller to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductive medium with developer having predetermined color, a driving source for generating power for rotating the developing roller gear, a driving gear driven by the power transmitted from the driving source, and a power switching gear provided with power from the driving gear and rotated along a circumference of the driving gear, and a rotation unit. The rotation unit rotates the power switching gear to place the power switching gear into contact with and separate the gear from the developing roller gears to selectively drive one developing roller.