Abstract: Inside the body of an image forming device, first to fifth electric charge providers are mounted in a first location out of a path of an air flow to the suction unit caused by the action of the suction unit, and a sixth electric charge provider is mounted in a second location through which external air flows in the body caused by the action of the suction unit. Each electric charge provider emits charges in ambient air to cause ultrafine particles floating in the ambient air to clump together.

Abstract: A transparent electrophotographic varnish composition comprises a charge adjuvant and inorganic filler particles. A method of manufacturing an electrophotographic varnish composition comprises heating a thermoplastic resin mixture until the resin has melted; cooling the resin mixture to form resin particles; contacting the resin particles with a charge adjuvant and inorganic filler particles to form composite particles or a mixture of particles; and combining the composite particles or particulate mixture with a carrier fluid to form the electrophotographic varnish composition. A liquid electrophotographic printing system and a print substrate are also provided.

Abstract: A printer applies an imaging material to form an image, withdraws vapors from the applied imaging material and treats the withdrawn vapors with a vapor treatment system. The printer heats untreated withdrawn vapors with heat from the vapor treatment system.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device forming an image on a recording medium; and a light source that, after the image has been formed by the image forming device, irradiates the recording medium with light to fix the image on the recording medium, while the recording medium moves relatively in a predetermined movement direction. The light source includes a current supply section, a light emitting section, and a current output section. Current for light emission is supplied to the current supply section. The light emitting section includes light emitting elements that are disposed two-dimensionally. At least the light emitting elements provided side by side in the movement direction are electrically connected in parallel. The current output section outputs the current that has passed through the light emitting section. The current supply section and the light emitting section are provided side by side in the movement direction.

Abstract: In a method or apparatus to optimize transfer of a developer fluid having toner embedded in a carrier fluid in an electrophoretic printing apparatus, charge images of print images are generated on an intermediate image carrier. The print images are inked into toner images by means of a developer station with the developer fluid. The toner images are transfer printed onto a printing substrate in a transfer printing zone by a transfer unit. The toner embedded in the carrier fluid is thus transported from the developer station to the intermediate image carrier in a first transport path segment and from the transfer unit to the printing substrate in a second transport path segment. A temperature acting on the carrier fluid in the first transport path segment is above a melting point of the carrier fluid, and a temperature acting on the carrier fluid in the second transport path segment is below the melting point of the carrier fluid.

Abstract: A method for drying printed material operates with the aid of a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array of radiation sources which can be driven individually or in groups. At the same time, the high-resolution image data describing the printing image or a content of printing forms for individual color separations is transformed into image data of lower resolution. Position data which describes the position of the printed image in the transport direction is also obtained from a device for transporting the printing material. Control data for modulation of an intensity of the radiation sources or groups of radiation sources of the array are generated from the image data of lower resolution and the position data, so that the printing material is swept over in the transport direction with time-modulated radiation points which in each case include a plurality of image points of the higher-resolution printed image.

Abstract: In a method or system to operate a digital printer for double-side printing to a recording medium with toner particles applied with a liquid developer, the digital printer prints first and second sides of the recording medium in succession. Electrophoretic mobility of toner particles of a first toner image on the first side is reduced after application of said first toner image and before application of the second toner image on the second side of the recording medium. The electrophoretic mobility is reduced by drying the first toner image along a drying route in an airflow generated by a blower such that carrier fluid is thus removed from the first toner image. After the application of the second toner image on the second side of the recording medium, both the first and second toner images are simultaneously fixed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a drying unit to dry a printing medium on which an image was printed using an inkjet head; a humidification unit to humidify the printing medium that was dried by the drying unit so that the moisture content of the printing medium becomes the equilibrium state in the ambient environment; a colorimetric unit to perform colorimetry on the printing medium that was humidified by the humidification unit; and a calibration unit to calibrate printing properties on the basis of the result of colorimetry by the colorimetric unit.

Abstract: A method for drying printed material operates with the aid of a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array of radiation sources which can be driven individually or in groups. At the same time, the high-resolution image data describing the printing image or a content of printing forms for individual color separations is transformed into image data of lower resolution. Position data which describes the position of the printed image in the transport direction is also obtained from a device for transporting the printing material. Control data for modulation of an intensity of the radiation sources or groups of radiation sources of the array are generated from the image data of lower resolution and the position data, so that the printing material is swept over in the transport direction with time-modulated radiation points which in each case include a plurality of image points of the higher-resolution printed image.

Abstract: An electrically conductive pattern forming apparatus has process disposition which reduces contamination of a pattern or inside of the apparatus due to backflow and leakage of a liquid material such as a developing agent or a cleaning liquid. A developing device and a cleaning device in the electrically conductive pattern forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method are disposed in a lower region about the center of a photoreceptor, a solvent removing process is disposed in a region in which the photoreceptor rotates upward, and a transfer liquid applying process and an electrostatic transfer process are disposed above the center of the photoreceptor and in a region in which the photoreceptor rotates downward.

Abstract: A system for adjusting air supply applied to evaporate carrier liquid during a one shot process printing job, comprises at least one air supply unit, at least one air knife unit configured for directing air toward at least a separation of the image, wherein each separation includes a single color of a plurality of colors used to form the full colored image, and controller configured for adjusting at least one air supply parameter between separations.

Abstract: A method for printing a substrate by liquid developer electrography, the method comprising: (a) developing a latent image with liquid developer comprising toner particles dispersed in a carrier liquid, said toner particles comprising UV-curable additive; (b) transferring the developed image to the substrate; (c) at least partially fixing the image to the substrate; and (d) irradiating the at least partially fixed image with UV radiation to cure the UV-curable additive.

Abstract: A carrier removing device of a wet-type image forming apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises an intermediate transfer medium and a vaporizing unit. The intermediate transfer medium receives images from an image carrying medium. The vaporizing unit evaporates, at a low temperature, a liquid carrier saturating the intermediate transfer medium.

Abstract: Using liquid print color in a printing process in which the print color is transferred from one transfer device onto another transfer device and/or onto a printing medium. To improve handling of the print color, in particular, to optimize it, preferably to avoid adversely affecting transference of the print color and at the same time to avoid adverse effects upon the printing medium, at least one liquid component of the print color is reduced.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite image on a final image receptor from image data in a single pass electrophotographic system is provided. The method includes steps for applying liquid transfer assist material comprising charged particles of transfer assist material to at least a portion of an element of the electrophotographic system, along with charged toner particles, in order to provide a composite image layer on a final image receptor in a single pass of a photoreceptive element through transfer of the composite image layer from another element in the system.

Abstract: To remove a carrier liquid from a toner image before transfer on a photosensitive drum, a wet electrophotographic device of the present invention includes a first slit nozzle which blows airflow of a first velocity onto a surface of the photosensitive drum after image formation, a second slit nozzle which is positioned on a downstream side more than the first slit nozzle and which blows airflow of a second velocity higher than that of the airflow supplied from the first slit nozzle onto the surface of the photosensitive drum, and an aperture portion which introduces a reverse airflow generated by the airflow from the second slit nozzle to the first slit nozzle side between both nozzles.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus using a liquid developer of the present invention includes a photosensitive member which holds an electrostatic latent image, a plurality of developing unit which supply liquid developers including toner particles and carrier liquid to the photosensitive member to form a visible image, a visible image stabilizing unit which enhances adsorption among toners constituting the visible image on the photosensitive member and between the toners and the photosensitive member by an electric field, a drying unit which dries the visible image formed on the photosensitive member, a periphery of the visible image, or the carrier liquids included in the visible image by an air current, and a shielding unit which is disposed between the drying unit and the visible image stabilizing unit and which prevents deposits attached to the photosensitive member surface together with liquid droplets of the carrier liquid existing on the photosensitive member surface from reaching the visible image stab

Abstract: A photosensitive material processing device for processing a photosensitive material with a processing liquid while conveying the photosensitive material by a roller pair. A driving device for providing a rotation drive to the roller pair. A drive controlling device that gradually raises voltage of the electric power at the time of starting the rotation drive of the roller pair.

Abstract: A delivery unit and method for removing carrier vapor in a wet-type printer. The delivery unit includes a delivery guide, delivery rollers and a duct for collecting carrier vapor generated from a paper by the latent heat on the paper passing through the delivery guide in order to prevent the carrier vapor from leaking outside of the printer. The carrier vapor collection duct includes upper and lower housings connected to each other to form a predetermined space therein. The upper housing has a vent on one side thereof and an air inlet on the opposite side. A fan is mounted on the vent. The carrier vapor is collected in the duct of the delivery unit and then sent to the catalyst unit by the fan to be oxidized. Accordingly, the delivery unit can prevent the white carrier vapor generated from the paper passing through the delivery unit from leaking outside the printer.

Abstract: A liquid-developer drying device includes a covering wall which has a facing surface covering and facing to part of an image-carrying body with a drying air passage between them. The image-carrying body carries developed image in a first direction along the drying air passage. The developed image includes liquid developer having toner particles and carrier liquid. The covering wall has a plurality of slits formed therein. The slits are distributed in a region with substantially less than half length along the facing surface covering the image-carrying body so as to blow dry air to the drying air passage in a second direction parallel to the first direction. Each of the slits extends across the drying air passage. The liquid-developer drying device also includes an air source supplying drying air to the slits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for measuring the density of an image in regard to a liquid test patch. The device has: a fan for drying a test patch by blowing air to the test patch disposed on at least one of a photosensitive medium, a photosensitive belt and printing paper; a sensor for projecting infrared light to the dried test patch and measuring the density of the test patch based on the reflected light of the infrared light reflected from the test patch; and an adjustment unit for adjusting the mixing ratio of a toner and a carrier in accordance with the measured density. The device measures the amount of light reflected from the dried liquid test patch, thus allowing the density of the image to be measured accurately.

Abstract: A method of drying carrier liquid from a toner image on a photoreceptor or from a photoreceptor after transfer to a final substrate comprises providing an electrophotographic apparatus comprising at least a) a photoreceptor, b) a continuous absorbent drying sheet having a beginning and an end, the beginning attached to a take-up roll or spool and the end attached to a supply roll or spool, the intermediate portion thereof coiled around the supply spool with at least a portion of the sheet contacting the photoreceptor. The process includes providing a toned image on the photoreceptor; contacting the continuous absorbent drying sheet to the toned image on the photoreceptor, or to the photoreceptor itself after the image is transferred away, creating a used portion of the continuous absorbent drying sheet; and simultaneously disbursing fresh length of the continuous absorbent drying sheet and taking-up the used portion of the continuous drying sheet.

Abstract: A liquid-developer drying device includes a covering wall which has a facing surface covering and facing to part of an image-carrying body with a drying air passage between them. The image-carrying body carries developed image in a first direction along the drying air passage. The developed image includes liquid developer having toner particles and carrier liquid,. The covering wall has a plurality of slits formed therein. The slits are distributed in a region with substantially less than half length along the facing surface covering the image-carrying body so as to blow dry air to the drying air passage in a second direction parallel to the first direction. Each of the slits extends across the drying air passage. The liquid-developer drying device also includes an air source supplying drying air to the slits.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting carrier liquid utilizes thermal energy generated above a surface from which the carrier liquid is being extracted. The thermal energy can be generated by a heating element positioned over the surface. The thermal energy is used to evaporate the carrier liquid on the surface so that the evaporated carrier liquid can be condensed for collection.

Abstract: A method for processing carrier vapor for an image forming apparatus using liquid developer. The method includes the step of sucking gas containing vapor of a carrier liquid vaporized in a cabinet of the image forming apparatus from one end of a pipe and ejecting the gas from another end of the pipe. The method further includes liquifying vapor of the vaporized carrier liquid using a liquifying device connected to the another end of the pipe, and ejecting the vapor not liquefied by the liquifying device using an ejection port.

Abstract: An image fusing unit of a liquid electrophotographic unit for fusing an image developed by a developer which is a mixture of toner particles and liquid solvent and transferred onto a sheet of paper includes a charging portion installed on a transfer path of the paper for applying electric potential in a direction in which the toner is in close contact with the paper, a drying portion for drying the image by directly contacting and heating the paper, and a fusing portion for fixing the image to the paper by heating and pressing the paper. Thus, the efficiency of heat can be improved by drying in the direct contact method. Also, by closely pressing the toner against the paper prior to drying, the disadvantage according to the contact type drying method, that is, the toner adheres to a contact member, can be solved.

Abstract: A drying unit and method of drying for a liquid electrophotographic printing apparatus, the drying unit that is equipped in the printing apparatus comprising a developing unit that develops an image on an photosensitive medium using a liquid carrier as a mediator and a transfer unit that transcribes the developed image on a printing paper, so that the liquid carrier remaining on the photosensitive medium can be dried. The drying unit for the liquid electrophotographic printing apparatus is positioned near the photosensitive medium and includes a manifold having an inlet and an outlet; an inlet-outlet channel being between the inlet and the outlet and connecting them; a gas flowing unit by which the gas in the manifold is discharged through the outlet and gas flows in the manifold through the inlet; a condenser that condenses the evaporated carrier discharged through the outlet; and a heater that heats the gases flowing in the manifold through the inlet.

Abstract: An image forming device and method utilizing an electrostatic latent image recording medium, developing units reserving different colors for developing images on the recording medium, a dryer for drying the developed images, and an adhesion reinforcer for enhancing adhesion of toner particles including electrostatically pressing dried toner particles against a front surface of the electrostatic latent image recording medium.

Abstract: A development system is provided that extends the functionality of liquid developer to produce custom colors and combines it with a powder development engine to enable custom color printing. This invention provides a apparatus and method, control scheme, hardware, and software, necessary for enabling custom color printing using an electrophotograpic hybrid technology.

Abstract: A development system is provided that extends the functionality of liquid developer to produce custom colors and combines it with a powder development engine to enable custom color printing. This invention provides a apparatus and method, control scheme, hardware, and software, necessary for enabling custom color printing using an electrophotograpic hybrid technology.

Abstract: An image fusing unit of a liquid electrophotographic unit for fusing an image developed by a developer which is a mixture of toner particles and liquid solvent and transferred onto a sheet of paper includes a charging portion installed on a transfer path of the paper for applying electric potential in a direction in which the toner is in close contact with the paper, a drying portion for drying the image by directly contacting and heating the paper, and a fusing portion for fixing the image to the paper by heating and pressing the paper. Thus, the efficiency of heat can be improved by drying in the direct contact method. Also, by closely pressing the toner against the paper prior to drying, the disadvantage according to the contact type drying method, that is, the toner adheres to a contact member, can be solved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for printing an image on a print medium with a liquid developer which comprises a liquid carrier and a toner dispersed in the liquid carrier. The printing method has: forming a toner image probably containing the liquid carrier, from the liquid developer; removing the liquid carrier from the toner image; transferring the toner image to the print medium; projecting light radiation on the toner image to be transferred, to measure the optical reflection from the toner image to be transferred; and estimating transfer suitability of the toner image to be transferred, by means of the measured optical reflection from the toner image to be transferred, for appropriately controlling the extent of the removing of the liquid carrier. The printing apparatus has an optical instrument which projects light radiation on the toner image to be transferred and measures the optical reflection from the toner image to be transferred, in order to appropriately control the carrier remover.

Abstract: A photoreceptor web drying unit of a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a plurality of heating sources, installed close to but not contacting a photoreceptor web, for generating heat used for drying and vaporizing liquid carrier, a manifold, encompassing the heating sources, for collecting gas carrier vaporized by the heating sources, a circulation line, forming a closed loop connected to the manifold, for forming a path for circulation of the gas carrier collected in the manifold, an inlet duct, installed at the manifold to be connected to the circulation line, through which the gas carrier vaporized by the heating sources can flow, and a blowing duct, installed at the manifold to be connected to the circulation line, through which air can flow into the manifold. Thus, since the drying unit is formed in a non-contact method with respect to the photoreceptor web, images are not inadvertently picked-up by the drying unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an optical unit which forms an electrostatic latent image on a surface of a photosensitive body, a developing device which supplies a liquid developer on the electrostatic latent image formed by the optical unit, and develops the electrostatic latent image into a developer image, a condensing device which condenses the developer image, and a transfer device which transfers the developer image condensed by the condensing device to a recording medium, while applying a shearing stress to the developer image.

Abstract: A novel drying device for a wet type image forming apparatus including a nip roller; a heating roller incorporating a heater therein; a drying belt wound between the nip roller and the heating roller for circulation, being heated by said heating roller and being urged to contact with a surface of a photoconductor after forming a toner image for absorbing a developing solvent other than toner from the surface of the photoconductor; and a cleaning roller incorporating a heater and rotating with contacting with the drying belt. A drying unit including the nip roller, heating roller, and drying belt is moved so that the drying belt is displaced between a contacting position where it contacts with the surface of the photoconductor when in a printing state and a retracted position placed way from the conductor otherwise.

Abstract: In one aspect, a carrier recovery apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a drying unit, a cooling unit for cooling and condensing carrier vapor evaporated by the drying unit, a condenser for condensing the carrier vapor which has not been condensed by the cooling unit, and a carrier recovery container. In another aspect, a carrier recovery apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a drying unit, a first cooling unit for cooling and condensing carrier vapor evaporated by the drying unit, a second cooling unit for cooling the carrier which has passed through the first cooling unit, a condenser for condensing the carrier vapor which has not been condensed by the first and second cooling units, and a carrier recovery container. Accordingly, the efficiency of condensing carrier vapor is improved. As a result, the recovery percentage of a carrier increases, and the duration of a filter is extended.

Abstract: A photoreceptor web drying unit of a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a plurality of heating sources, installed close to but not contacting a photoreceptor web, for generating heat used for drying and vaporizing liquid carrier, a manifold, encompassing the heating sources, for collecting gas carrier vaporized by the heating sources, a circulation line, forming a closed loop connected to the manifold, for forming a path for circulation of the gas carrier collected in the manifold, an inlet duct, installed at the manifold to be connected to the circulation line, through which the gas carrier vaporized by the heating sources can flow, and a blowing duct, installed at the manifold to be connected to the circulation line, through which air can flow into the manifold. Thus, since the drying unit is formed in a non-contact method with respect to the photoreceptor web, images are not inadvertently picked-up by the drying unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for drying a liquid image carried on a surface of a medium moving along a predetermined path from an upstream location towards a downstream location. The apparatus includes an air moving device, such as a blower, that moves air. A plenum has an intake that receives air and an outlet permitting the air to exit the plenum. A channel structure communicates with the outlet of the plenum and is disposed generally adjacent to a surface of the medium carrying the image. The channel structure includes an upstream channel portion and a downstream channel portion such that air exiting the outlet of the plenum is diverted to flow towards the upstream location in the upstream channel portion and towards the downstream location in the downstream channel portion. A heater is associated with the medium to heat at least a portion of the medium and thus the image. A method of drying a liquid image on a surface of a medium is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for drying a liquid image carried on a surface of a medium moving along a predetermined path from an upstream location towards a downstream location. The apparatus includes an air moving device, such as a blower, that moves air. A plenum has an intake that receives air and an outlet permitting the air to exit the plenum. A channel structure communicates with the outlet of the plenum and is disposed generally adjacent to a surface of the medium carrying the image. The channel structure includes an upstream channel portion and a downstream channel portion such that air exiting the outlet of the plenum is diverted to flow towards the upstream location in the upstream channel portion and towards the downstream location in the downstream channel portion. A heater is associated with the medium to heat at least a portion of the medium and thus the image. A method of drying a liquid image on a surface of a medium is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a developing apparatus, including: a developing agent carrier for carrying a developing agent to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier with the developing agent; a regulating member for regulating a thickness of a layer of the developing agent carried by the developing agent carrier; and a securing member, provided with an engaging hole for engaging with an axis, for securing the regulating member to a main body of the developing apparatus. The securing member is provided with a cutting portion formed around the engaging hole so as to be able to absorb, in a longitudinal direction of the regulating member, a difference between elongation and contraction of the regulating member and elongation and contraction of the main body of the developing apparatus.

Abstract: A capture device which captures developer, after used for developing image, from a wet electronic developing device includes a drying belt, a nip roller, a regeneration roller, and a cleaning roller. An absorption layer absorbing solvent is arranged over the outer circumference of the drying belt. The surface of the absorption layer contacts the surface of an organic photo-conductor belt in a predetermined adjacent area. The absorption layer rotates in an opposite direction of the rotational direction of the organic photo-conductor belt, thereby to absorb the solvent and some toner which are included in the developer. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the organic photo-conductor belt and developed using the developer. The nip roller rotates and supports an adjacent section of the drying belt which is adjacent to the organic photo-conductor belt, from the inside of the drying belt.

Abstract: A drying unit and method of drying for a liquid electrophotographic printing apparatus, the drying unit that is equipped in the printing apparatus comprising a developing unit that develops an image on an photosensitive medium using a liquid carrier as a mediator and a transfer unit that transcribes the developed image on a printing paper, so that the liquid carrier remaining on the photosensitive medium can be dried. The drying unit for the liquid electrophotographic printing apparatus is positioned near the photosensitive medium and includes a manifold having an inlet and an outlet; an inlet-outlet channel being between the inlet and the outlet and connecting them; a gas flowing unit by which the gas in the manifold is discharged through the outlet and gas flows in the manifold through the inlet; a condenser that condenses the evaporated carrier discharged through the outlet; and a heater that heats the gases flowing in the manifold through the inlet.

Abstract: A liquid developer comprised of a nonpolar liquid, resin, optional colorant, and an alkaline earth charge acceptance additive.

Abstract: A liquid developer containing a liquid, colorant, and a wax charge acceptance additive. When free of colorant, the developer is considered colorless or slightly colored.

Abstract: An electro-photographic image forming apparatus forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive belt and develops the electrostatic latent image with liquid toner composed of particle toners and a liquid solvent. With absorption means, whose surface is a liquid-solvent absorption layer, in pressure contact with the photosensitive belt, only the liquid solvent is recovered from the liquid toner image developed on the photosensitive belt. A dried toner image is transferred from the photosensitive belt to paper to fix the toner image thereon. The absorption means is heated by a heat source controlled by a temperature control method, which differs between the standby time and the print time, to vaporize the liquid solvent absorbed in the absorption layer. In addition, the electro-photographic image forming apparatus has means for moistening all part of the absorption means with the liquid solvent before the first image is written on the photosensitive belt.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a latent image carrier which is rotatable, a developing unit which supplies a liquid developer to the latent image carrier and develops a latent image formed on the latent image carrier, the liquid developer containing solvent and toner particles, a collecting unit which collects solvent vapor of the liquid developer, a separating unit which separates the solvent vapor from air collected by the collecting unit, a sensor which measures a density of solvent vapor in the separating unit, and a control unit which controls a rotational speed of the latent image carrier in accordance with the density of solvent vapor measured by the sensor.

Abstract: A drying unit coupling apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer in which the engagement of a driving gear installed at a main frame, and a driven gear installed at a cam shaft, are prevented from disengaging when an auxiliary frame supporting the cam shaft is coupled to the main frame. The driven gear is engaged with the driving gear when the auxiliary frame and the main frame are coupled. The apparatus includes a main frame where a driving roller supports a circulating photoreceptor medium, a driving gear installed at the main frame, an auxiliary frame which is slidably installed at the main frame, a cam shaft supported at the auxiliary frame, a drying unit, a driven gear installed at the cam shaft, a cam member installed at the cam shaft, and a position fixing mechanism which fixes the position of the cam shaft when the driving gear and the driven gear are engaged, preventing the driving gear and the driven gear from deviating from each other.

Abstract: A carrier collection device comprises an absorption belt, a heat source, a vapor collection tube, an absorption device, a condenser, a foaming member.

Abstract: A wet type electrophotographic image forming apparatus is capable of indicating timing of replacement of filter due to influence of solvent used in the process of image formation whereby to cause degradation of image quality or fatigue of parts and to restrict discharged vapor concentration of collected solvent. The image forming apparatus employing an ink containing a solvent includes a liquefying device for cooling the solvent evaporated during an image forming process and collecting liquefied solvent, an air pump sucking left unliquefied by the liquefying device and maintaining in a vapor state, a pressure sensor detecting a suction pressure of the air pump, and alarm means for comparing an absolute value of a pressure data generated by the pressure sensor and indicative of the suction pressure and a predetermined pressure range and generating an alarm when the absolute value of the pressure data is output of the pressure range.

Abstract: A method of cleaning ink remaining on a photoreceptor web when an error occurs in a printer including a development unit for supplying ink to a rotating photoreceptor web to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor web, a transfer roller for transferring a toner image formed on the photoreceptor web to a sheet of paper, and a cleaning roller installed to clean the transfer roller. When an error occurs, a printing operation is stopped so that the printing cannot be performed. Next, the ink adhering to the photoreceptor web is transferred to the transfer roller by rotating the photoreceptor web a predetermined number of times in a state in which the cleaning roller is separated from the transfer roller and the transfer roller contacts the, photoreceptor web. Then, the ink transferred to the transfer roller is removed in a state in which the cleaning roller contacts the transfer roller. Thus, the time required to remove the polluted ink remaining on the photoreceptor web can be reduced.