Abstract: An example device can include a reserve print materials container, an access port coupled to the reserve print materials container to receive, from a replenishment device, print materials directly to the reserve print materials container in-situ, and a main print materials container coupled to the reserve print materials container to receive print materials from the reserve print materials container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes lock mechanisms, a second detection processing portion, and a second release processing portion. The lock mechanisms regulate attachment and detachment of the developer storage portions attached to the attachment portions. The second detection processing portion detects whether or not any of the image forming units has an abnormality. The second release processing portion can release a regulation on attachment and detachment of two or more developer storage portions corresponding to two or more image forming units that include at least an image forming unit adjacent to the image forming unit detected to have the abnormality.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus may include an imaging cartridge and a toner cartridge that are detachably attached to a main body, a first optical sensor that is mounted in the imaging cartridge and detects a toner level in a development chamber, and a second optical sensor that is mounted in the toner cartridge and detects a toner level in the development chamber.

Abstract: A developer replenishment device includes a developer transport member, a joint member, and an elastic member. The developer transport member transports a developer to a developing device. The joint member is attached to an end portion of the developer transport member on a side of the developing device so as to be relatively displaceable with respect to the developer transport member to be joined to the developing device so as to be able to replenish the developing device with the developer. The elastic member is interposed between the developer transport member and the joint member, and includes a guide hole that guides the developer from the developer transport member to the joint member.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner container to store toner and two rotary agitation members to rotate to agitate toner in the toner container. The toner container has two arc-shaped portions adjacent to each other at an inner bottom wall of the toner container. The two rotary agitation members has edges to rotate along the two arc-shaped portions with rotation phases thereof shifted from each other. The two rotary agitation members are placed with rotation trajectories thereof partially overlapping each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing apparatus and a toner container which replenishes the developing apparatus with toner. The developing apparatus includes a first conveyance member having a first rotational shaft and a toner replenishment port. The toner container includes a second conveyance member having a second rotational shaft and a toner discharge port. The developing apparatus and the toner container are assembled in such a manner that the first rotational shaft and the second rotational shaft are in mutually perpendicular directions, and the toner replenishment port and the toner discharge port are mutually overlapping in a vertical direction. The second conveyance member rotates in a direction whereby the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port to the toner replenishment port at a position on an upstream side of the toner replenishment port in terms of the toner conveyance direction.

Abstract: A toner supplying device including a secondary toner container, a first feeding member performing a first feeding operation of feeding toner from a toner container to the secondary container on demand, a second feeding member performing a second feeding operation of feeding the toner from the secondary container to a developing device on demand, and a toner supply controller controlling the amount of the toner in the secondary container to be greater than a predetermined amount. The controller performs first control in which when the first feeding operation is performed, the amount of the toner fed in the second feeding operation per unit of time is decreased, or second control in which when the amount of the toner fed in the second feeding operation is greater than a predetermined amount, the amount of the toner fed in the first feeding operation per unit of time is decreased.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a top cover a top surface of the apparatus body, a container-installation section in which a replaceable container is removably installable, a first holder, and a second holder. The container includes a container body to contain consumables, having a transparent portion that makes the color of the consumables contained in the container body is viewed from outside thereof, and a connecting portion connectable to the container-installation section, to supply the consumables from the container to the apparatus body. The first holder holds the connecting portion and cover the connecting portion so that the connecting portion is not visible when the top cover is opened; and the second holder holds the container body, such that the color of the consumables in the container body are visible through the transparent portion of the container body when the top cover is opened.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a medium container is installed includes a main body, an image forming unit, a medium container a container body at least partially formed of a deformable material, a drawer to hold the medium container thereon and movable between a first position and a second position, a medium transport unit including a medium outlet port provided on a distal end of the medium container, and a medium receiving unit disposed at the second position of the drawer and connected to the medium transport unit provided on the medium container, and a medium transport facilitator mounted on the drawer to contact the medium container set in the drawer from below to move the medium contained in the medium container toward the medium transport unit at the second position.

Abstract: A polymer is provided in which a sulfonic group or a derivative thereof is introduced. The polymer includes a unit represented by the following chemical formula (1): wherein R represents -A1-SO2R1; A1 is selected from an alkylene group, a heterocyclic ring, an aromatic ring; and —SO2R1 is a sulfonic group or of a derivative of a sulfonic acid.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer unit of an image forming apparatus is provided between a plurality of developer containers for containing developer and a plurality of developing devices. The intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer unit for secondarily transferring primarily transferred developed images from the plurality of image carriers onto a paper, an intermediate transfer unit driving mechanism for driving the intermediate transfer unit, and a housing for supporting the intermediate transfer unit driving mechanism. One end of the housing includes a plurality of developer inlet ports positionally corresponding to the developer supply ports of the developer containers respectively, a plurality of developer outlet ports positionally corresponding to the developer receiving ports of the developing devices respectively, and a plurality of developer supply paths connecting between the developer inlet ports and the developer outlet ports respectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developing units respectively including developer inlets, the developing units are arranged side by side in a first direction, a plurality of developer containers to contain developers to be supplied to the plurality of developing units and respectively including developer outlets, the developer units are arranged side by side in the first direction to face the plurality of developing units, and a plurality of developer supplying paths respectively to connect the developer inlets to the developer outlets, wherein the plurality of developer containers include first and second developer containers, and a position of the developer outlet of the second developer container is different from position of the developer outlet of the first developer container.

Abstract: A method and system for printing image documents using a variety of toners where some toners using a multi-development station having two or more development stations. These toners are co-printed prior to fixing, on the receiver by the multi-development station.

Abstract: A developing unit of an image forming apparatus includes a developing member to develop an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive medium with a developer, a first feed member to feed the developer to the developing member, and a reset member disposed above the developing member to reset the developing member. Accordingly, expenditure for consumables is reduced, because a developer cartridge is separately provided. Additionally, efficient developer agitation is provided. Furthermore, a consistent image quality is achieved, because a plurality of augers move vertically and horizontally to circulate the developer inside the developing unit.

Abstract: The invention provides an image formation apparatus having at least a first toner image-forming unit that forms a first toner image which directly contacts a surface of a recording medium, a second toner image-forming unit that forms a second toner image which is disposed on the first toner image without directly contacting the recording medium, and a fixing unit. The invention further provides a printed item having at least a recording medium, a first toner image directly contacting a surface of the recording medium, and a second toner image residing on the first toner image without directly contacting the recording medium. A contact angle ?1 of the first toner and the first toner image with respect to an aqueous de-inking solution, is smaller than a contact angle ?2 of the second toner and the second toner image with respect to the aqueous de-inking solution.

Abstract: A toner dispensing system and a method for controlling the same. A toner dispensing amount is determined using a pixel dispensing time related to a pixel count adjusted according to the ratio of a transition count to a pixel count per page, a ? automatic concentration control dispensing time relating to the difference between the toner concentration of a developer material and target concentration, and a dispensing rate corresponding to a print job length. The determined amount of toner is dispensed into a developer housing. This method can maintain a toner concentration in order to obtain an accurate image density. A remaining toner ratio (%) determined from a total dispensing time, a dispensing rate, and a toner capacity can also be displayed so that the user can monitor the remaining amount of toner, the used amount of toner, etc., during the life of the toner cartridge.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer unit of an image forming apparatus is provided between a plurality of developer containers for containing developer and a plurality of developing devices. The intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer unit for secondarily transferring primarily transferred developed images from the plurality of image carriers onto a paper, an intermediate transfer unit driving mechanism for driving the intermediate transfer unit, and a housing for supporting the intermediate transfer unit driving mechanism. One end of the housing includes a plurality of developer inlet ports positionally corresponding to the developer supply ports of the developer containers respectively, a plurality of developer outlet ports positionally corresponding to the developer receiving ports of the developing devices respectively, and a plurality of developer supply paths connecting between the developer inlet ports and the developer outlet ports respectively.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has an image carrier, an exposure unit to irradiate the image carrier; a developing part; a rotator on which a plurality of such developing parts is provided; a color toner replenishing part which moves from a retracted position where light emitted from the exposure unit is not obstructed, to a replenishing position where light emitted from the exposure unit is obstructed, and with which the color toner of the color developing part in the replenishing position is replenished; and a black toner replenishing part which is disposed in a position where light emitted from the exposure unit is not obstructed and with which the black toner is replenished to the black developing part in the replenishing position.

Abstract: There is provided a development apparatus including a plurality of replenishment developer containers which accommodates a replenishment developer containing a toner to be replenished to a plurality of development devices, a plurality of replenishment developer conveyance paths which replenishes the replenishment developer in the plurality of replenishment developer containers to the plurality of development devices, a plurality of conveyance members provided in the plurality of replenishment developer conveyance paths, wherein a length of at least one conveyance path, of the plurality of replenishment developer conveyance paths, is different from that of other conveyance paths, and cohesion degree of a replenishment developer conveyed by the longest conveyance path, of the plurality of replenishment conveyance paths, is lower than cohesion degree of the replenishment developer conveyed by other conveyance paths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus 1 including a photosensitive member 2 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed according to an image signal, a development mechanism 5 for forming a toner image by developing the electrostatic latent images, and a transfer body 60 for transferring the toner image. The development mechanism 5 includes a plurality of developing units 51-54 holding different kinds of toners. A second work of adhesion between the photosensitive member 2 and a second toner to be transferred to the transfer body second is larger than a first and a third work of adhesions between the photosensitive member 2 and a first and a third toners to be transferred to the transfer body first and third.

Abstract: A developing device including a developing unit configured to develop an electrostatic latent image with a toner; a toner cartridge configured to contain the toner and supply the toner to the developing unit, and including an agitator configured to agitate the toner, wherein the toner cartridge is detachably attached to the developing unit; at least one opening configured to pass the toner between the developing unit and the toner cartridge; and at least one control valve configured to open and shut the opening, wherein a toner replacement ratio (b/a) of the developing device satisfies relationship 0.05?b/a?2.0, wherein a represents an amount of the toner supplied to the developing unit from the toner cartridge per a unit time and b represents an amount of the toner discharged to the toner cartridge from the developing unit per the unit time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a specific color image forming station for forming a black image and one or more non-specific color image forming stations for forming images of colors other than black, the photosensitive drum of the specific color image forming station is located vertically downward of the photosensitive drums of the non-specific color image forming stations, and the capacity of the black toner cartridge of the specific color image forming station is made larger than those of the toner cartridges of the non-specific color image forming stations. With this arrangement, the frequency of replacement of the black toner cartridge can be reduced without adversely affecting the size of an apparatus main body.

Abstract: 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 of surroundings of the toner filling port, from an outer side of the casing body, for sealing toner inside the casing body, is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on an imaging surface with a custom color toner, including a developer housing for developing a portion of the latent image with the toner of custom color. The developer housing includes a donor member for transporting toner of the custom color to a development zone to develop the latent image. A replaceable reservoir unit is provided for mixing and supplying the custom color toner to the donor member. An array of toner dispensers is provided for supplying various primary color toners, as required, to achieve the custom color, and additional reservoirs having various colored toners therein to allow for faster convergence to a given point in the color space.

Abstract: There is provided a toner supply method in a picture image forming system having a plurality of picture image forming parts, each of which is designed to supply a toner from a toner cartridge to a developing part, the toner supply method having the steps of: detecting a cartridge empty when the level of the toner in the toner cartridge of any one of the picture image forming parts becomes an empty level; introducing a toner, which remains in the toner cartridge of each of the plurality of picture image forming parts, from the toner cartridge of a corresponding one of the plurality of picture image forming parts into a reserve tank portion, which is provided so as to correspond to each of the toner cartridges for housing therein a predetermined quantity of toner, when the cartridge empty is detected in any one of the picture image forming parts; detecting a toner empty when the level of the toner in the developing part becomes an empty level in any one of the picture image forming parts; and inspiring to repla

Abstract: An electrophotographic color printing arrangement includes a belt photoreceptor having a path of motion extending at an angle of about 35° to 60° with respect to the horizontal, a plurality of developing units disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the photoreceptor and a substrate supply container located beneath the developing units. A fuser unit is located above the lower end of the photoreceptor path remote from the photoreceptor and a photoreceptor cleaning unit located adjacent to the upper end of the photoreceptor path receiving toner from the photoreceptor and conveys it to a waste container.

Abstract: An electrostatographic developing device (15) including a magnet roller (16), a chamber (41) for two-component developer, a holder (22) for toner and a toner dosage reservoir (45) with an opening closed by a magnetic plug (58) of developer, and a magnet (53) for controlling such magnetic plug.

Abstract: In a printer having a toner cartridge drum in which a toner cartridge of each of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is detachably provided, when the toner cartridge is exchanged by opening a door of the printer and, further, opening a cartridge door, in case of opening and subsequently closing the toner cartridge door, a cartridge change mode is set, and in case of closing the door of the printer, an initial operation of the printer is not immediately performed but the cartridge drum is driven and the cartridge to be exchanged is moved to a taking-out position. When the cartridge change mode is not set, in case of closing the door of the printer, the initial operation of the printer is executed.

Abstract: A lockout mechanism for preventing an operator from filling a toner hopper in an electrographic printing device until the hopper is at least empty enough to accept the entire contents of a toner cartridge. An interlock mechanism takes advantage of the already existing selector shaft to selectively de-activate lockout members in response to a low toner level transducer. The printing device includes a plurality of tones hoppers. Each provided with a lockout member which is pivotable between a locked out position and a refill position. The locked out position has the lockout members interfering with a connection between toner cartridges and the top of toner hoppers. The lockout members are held in their locked out positions by cam follower members, which are slidable between an upward locked out position and a downward refill position.

Abstract: A color printer including a photoconductive belt, a black developing unit which is located adjacent the photoconductive belt and a revolving type developing unit which is located adjacent the photoconductive belt and has a developing position on the photoconductive belt which is different from that of the black developing unit. The revolving type developing unit has a yellow developing device, a magenta developing device and a cyan developing device, each including a detachable toner cartridge by which yellow toner, magenta toner and cyan toner is replenished. The black developing unit is replaceable independent of the revolving type developing unit by being removably mounted on a removable frame on which the revolving type developing unit is mounted. Both developing units are removable from the color printer as a body by removal of the removable frame from the color printer.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a rotary developing device has a developing unit in which a plurality of developing chambers are arranged around an axis of rotation. The developing unit is rotated about the axis to bring one of the chambers to a developing position where an image carrier is located. In each of the chambers, part of a developer removed by a doctor blade is received by a guide and then released from the guide into the chamber. This part of the developer is agitated in the vertical direction together with the developer existing in the chamber by the rotation of the device. As a result, the developer is agitated and charged in a desirable manner.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a developing device has a toner container having a toner outlet, and a receptacle having a mount portion for removably mounting the container. The insertion space of the mount portion and the toner outlet are each tapered such that the width in the up-and-down direction sequentially decreases toward the deepest end. In a developing device of the type causing the container to be rotated to bring the toner outlet into alignment with a toner inlet formed in the receptacle, the edge portion of the toner outlet is tapered to reduce a load during rotation and to ensure close contact at the end of the mounting of the container.

Abstract: A marking particle color blending device for use in an electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is provided. The device includes a first container for storing a first supply of marking particles defining a first color and a second container for storing a second supply of marking particles defining a second color. The device further includes a mixing chamber operably associated with the first container and the second container for receiving a least a portion of at least one of the first supply of marking particles and the second supply of marking particles. The device also includes a first metering device operably associated with the first container and the mixing chamber for accurately controlling the quantity of the first supply of marking particles entering the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus for forming a full color image in the four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow and black has a optical ATDC sensor attached in a cyan developing device to control the toner density under optical ATDC. A black developing device has the toner density controlled by AIDC. A standard develop efficiency .eta.STD of the cyan developing device obtained as a result of the AIDC is compared with a develop efficiency .eta. of black toner. The toner supply amount of the black developing device is determined according to the comparison result to supply the toner. Thus, an image formation apparatus is provided that can detect at favorable accuracy the toner density of a developing device incorporating a developer of which the toner density cannot be detected using optical ATDC to supply a required amount of toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner replenishment device which replenishes a specified monocolor toner to a developing unit arranged around a surface of an image carrier, and which is connected to the developing unit. The apparatus further includes a toner amount detector provided in the toner replenishment device, a cover member provided on a toner replenishment opening portion formed in the toner replenishment device in such a manner that the cover member can be opened and closed, and a cover opening mechanism for enabling the cover member to be opened when the detector detects that the level of toner stored in the toner replenishment device is lower than a predetermined value.