Abstract: In a method for generating a developer mixture in a developer station of an electrographic printing device, magnetizable carrier particles and toner are simultaneously filled into the developer station, and in case of an error or an aborting of the filling a continuation takes place at a later time of the method.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides an image forming unit that comprises: a developer container configured to contain a developer; and a developer supplier including at least a developer carrier configured to supply the developer, contained in the developer container, to a latent image formed on an image carrier, wherein: the glass transition temperature of a first developer initially contained in the developer supplier is higher than the glass transition temperature of a second developer contained in the developer container; and the glass transition temperature of the first developer is equal to or lower than 75° C.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes an image receptor and a developing unit having a developing roller facing the image receptor. New toner can be added to the developing unit when existing toner in the developing unit is consumed. The added toner and existing toners are formed of cores and external additives. At least one of the cores or the external additives of the added toner is different from that of the existing toner. When the charge amount of the two toners are Q1 and Q2, respectively, the ratio Q1/Q2 is greater than 0.6 and smaller than 1.7, and the absolute values of Q1 and Q2 are 10 ?C/g or greater, respectively.

Abstract: A two dispenser system is used to replenish developer and toner in an electrostatic marking system. This two dispenser system replenishes toner and developer in a more accurate way since each of the dispensers are individually controlled and operated. Better quality prints and less waste is provided over extended usage periods.

Abstract: A developing device to simplify a magnet of a developer delivery unit, and an image forming apparatus with the same. In the image forming apparatus comprising a photosensitive member and a developing device that includes a developing roller to supply a developer to the photosensitive member, the developing device includes a casing defining an external appearance of the developing device, a first auger section defined in the casing for agitation and conveyance of the developer, a second auger section defined in the casing and divided from the first auger section, and a developer delivery unit provided on the outside of the casing, to deliver the developer from the first auger section to the second auger section.

Abstract: A replenishment carrier injection system is provided for adding carrier particles to a developer housing in a two-component developer toner imaging machine.

Abstract: A ball valve device for filling pressurized hoppers includes (a) a valve housing having a wall defining a chamber, a first port and a second port; (b) a valve ball rotatable within the chamber and including a through-bore for material flow from a refill container through the second port into the hopper, the valve ball having a horizontal, first hopper sealing position for pressure sealing the second port, and a vertical, second hopper opening position for opening the second port to the through-bore; and (c) a pressure release assembly including (i) a pressure release port formed through the valve housing wall and spaced from the first port and the second port; and (ii) a pressure release and particle catch assembly connected externally to the pressure release port for receiving pressure and remnant carrier particles from the refill container, thereby allowing safe release of pressure from the through-bore and from the refill container following refilling of the pressurized hopper.

Abstract: A replenishment and image mottle reduction system for adding carrier particles to a developer housing in a two-component developer toner imaging machine. The replenishment system includes (i) a carrier-only hopper for receiving and containing a first quantity of carrier particles; (ii) metering valves connected to a discharge end of the carrier-only hopper; (iii) a pneumatic plenum connected to the metering valves; (v) an air blower connected to the carrier-only hopper and to the pneumatic plenum for pressurizing the carrier-only hopper and for pneumatically conveying a metered quantity of carrier particles in an air stream from the pneumatic plenum; and (vi) a carrier separator assembly connected to the pneumatic plenum, located above each developer housing and including a carrier current collector, for separating fresh carrier from the air stream, and for allowing the carrier separated as such to drop by gravity into the developer housing.

Abstract: A two-component developing unit having an OPC, a toner supply part supplying toner, and a carrier circulating part including a carrier and circulating the carrier to mix the toner with the carrier and deliver the toner onto the OPC, includes a housing with a hollow body connecting the toner supply part and the carrier circulating part, a rotating shaft inside the housing extending from the toner supply part to the carrier circulating part; a right delivering wing discontinuously formed on the rotating shaft with gaps and which delivers the toner and the carrier from the toner supply part to the carrier circulating part; and a reverse delivering wing in the gaps of the right delivering wing which delivers the toner and the carrier in a reverse direction of the right delivering wing.

Abstract: An objective is to provide an Image forming method and an image forming apparatus exhibiting neither failure in lack of line image nor image defect in halftone images, together with extremely high image quality and longer lifetime. Disclosed is an image forming method possessing the steps of evenly charging an organic photoreceptor; conducting a light exposure process; conducting a developing process to visualize the electrostatic latent image formed on the organic photoreceptor to form a toner image; transferring the toner image into a transfer medium; and conducting a cleaning process to remove a residual toner from the organic photoreceptor, the method further comprising the step of replenishing a developing device with a developer comprising toner and carrier, wherein the organic photoreceptor comprises a surface protective layer containing a filler, and the carrier is mixed with the toner, after attaching a lubricant onto a carrier particle in advance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing toner in an electrostatographic printer includes an apparatus for feeding powder toward the feed apparatus wherein the feed roller includes a tapered feed roller comprising a shaft and one or more variable height flutes such that there is more developer volume in the direction of flow as well as a conveyance controller for controlling the powder conveying device, including the one or more tapered feed rollers such that the tapered feed roller preferentially uniformly conveys the powder toward the feed apparatus.

Abstract: A developing agent storage device for storing a refill developing agent includes toner particles, carrier particles, an inner layer of the developing agent storage device. The toner particles and carrier particles compose the refill developing agent. The inner layer is provided as a wall contacting the refill developing agent. An electrostatic chargeability level of the toner particles, the carrier particles, and the inner layer is set in an order of toner, inner layer, and carrier from any one of a negative charge side and a positive charge side.

Abstract: A developing device of the present invention is operable with a two-ingredient type developer by mixing and agitating toner grains and carrier grains to thereby electrify the toner grains. At least the carrier grains are sealed in a space formed in the developing device until the developing device starts being used while the toner grains are introduced in the developing device at the start of use.

Abstract: A developer container includes a developer container configured to contain a developer including a toner and a carrier, a developer delivering mechanism configured to deliver the developer toward an image bearing member of an image forming apparatus, and a detecting mechanism configured to detect deterioration of the developer based on a predetermined characteristic of the developer.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention, includes an image forming apparatus comprising a toner storage device storing a toner, an image forming device including a developer, and a toner transfer device provided between the toner storage device and the image forming device. The toner transfer device has a transfer passage, in which a powder is placed before activation of the toner transfer device.

Abstract: In a tandem type color image forming apparatus having a function which collects a residual toner for recycle, a particle diameter distribution of a carrier is expressed as that a ratio of the number of carrier particles whose particle diameter is not smaller than ?40 ?m is not greater than 5% and a ratio of the number of carrier particles-whose particle diameter is not smaller than ?30 ?m is not greater than 20%, or an intermediate transfer body which has a laminated structure including two or more layers and has a layer with the low hardness arranged on an image carrier, or a total toner layer thickness T1+T2+T3 of first to third transfer image is less than 30 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tandem-type image forming method using a trickle developing system, wherein the average circularity of a toner contained in at least a supplementary developer used for appropriately supplying a developer to a developing device is in the range of 0.940 to 0.980. In the toner, the ratio of the number of particles having an average circularity of 0.970 or greater, in a particle diameter range of a toner circle-equivalent diameter×3/5 or less, is 5% or less, and the ratio of the number of particles having an average circularity of 0.950 or less, in a particle diameter range of a toner circle-equivalent diameter×7/5 or greater, is 10% or less.

Abstract: A carrier and a dummy toner are stored in a developing unit of a process cartridge in a brand new status. A plurality of process cartridges corresponding to a plurality of color toners is used in common. The color toners are respectively supplied to the developing unit from toner supply units after the process cartridges in the brand new status are installed in installation sections in a main unit of an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A multi color image forming apparatus includes a plurality of stations arranged side by side for forming unique mono-color toner images using mono-color developers each having a different mono-color toner. Each of the plurality of stations includes an image bearing member for bearing a latent image, and a developing device for visualizing the latent image into the mono-color toner image. A conveying device is provided to convey a transfer medium. A transfer device is provided to transfer the mono-color toner images from the image bearing members to the transfer medium. Charge ability of prescribed mono-color toner included in the mono-color developer used in the upstream station is smaller than that used in the downstream station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a surface layer excellent in adhesiveness and abrasion resistance, having a hardness and a toughness, and not degrading the charge transport property. One aspect of the present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a photosensitive layer on a conductive support, wherein a surface layer of the photosensitive member contains a crosslinked epoxy-modified resol type phenolic resin, and at least one of a charge transport material and a conductive fine particle.

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image on an image-bearing member is developed with a two-component developer comprising a toner and a carrier stored in a developer vessel while supplying as required a replenishing developer to the developer vessel. The replenishing developer comprises 1 wt. part of a carrier and 2-50 wt. parts of a toner, wherein the carrier is a magnetic fine particle-dispersed resin carrier comprising at least inorganic compound particles and a carrier binder resin, and the toner has a weight-average particle size of 3 to 10 ?m and contains 1 to 40 wt. % of solid wax.

Abstract: In a developing assembly including a two-component developer container and a developer-carrying member, the developer-carrying member has at least a substrate and a resin coat layer formed on the substrate surface, and the resin-coat layer contains at least a binder resin and solid particles for making the resin-coat-layer surface uneven. The solid particles have an average circularity of 0.64 or more, which is the average value of the values calculated according to the equation Circularity=(4×A)/{(ML)2×?}, (wherein ML represents the Pythagorean-method maximum length of a particle projected image, and A represents the projected area of a particle image), and the resin-coat layer has a surface roughness fulfilling specific conditions attributable to the solid particles. Also disclosed are an image-forming apparatus and a process cartridge which employ the developing assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tandem-type image forming method using a trickle developing system, wherein the average circularity of a toner contained in at least a supplementary developer used for appropriately supplying a developer to a developing device is in the range of 0.940 to 0.980. In the toner, the ratio of the number of particles having an average circularity of 0.970 or greater, in a particle diameter range of a toner circle-equivalent diameter×⅗ or less, is 5% or less, and the ratio of the number of particles having an average circularity of 0.950 or less, in a particle diameter range of a toner circle-equivalent diameter×{fraction (7/5)} or greater, is 10% or less.

Abstract: A multi-printer system comprising: a plurality of imaging apparatus, each said apparatus comprising at least one liquid-toner reservoir, containing liquid toner; a central source of toner concentrate; a toner concentrate conduit which connects the central source to the individual imaging apparatus; and at least one toner-concentrate pump which pumps the toner concentrate from the central source to the individual imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A developing apparatus, an image formation apparatus and a process cartridge is provided. Even though the sealing materials of the initial developer container are stripped off in such a way that the process cartridge having the developing apparatus is tilted, the initial developer can be uniformly supplied along the central axis line of the developer carrier. The developing apparatus performs a self toner control and has an initial developer case 10 for containing the non-used initial developer 3c that is input into the developer containing space S. The initial developer case 10 is divided internally into a plurality of partition spaces 10b along the direction of the central axial line D of the developing sleeve 4, so that a plurality of partitions 10c is formed inside the initial developer case 10.

Abstract: An imaging media cartridge for use in an imaging apparatus includes a first imaging media reservoir chamber and a second imaging media reservoir chamber. A removable barrier is disposed between the first imaging media reservoir chamber and the second imaging media reservoir chamber. By removing the removable barrier, a reserve of imaging media can be provided from the second imaging media reservoir chamber to the first imaging media reservoir chamber. In one embodiment the imaging media cartridge is a toner cartridge. In another embodiment the imaging media cartridge is a liquid ink cartridge.

Abstract: A developing apparatus comprises a toner supply auger provided slidably along a shaft in a development case for transferring toner supplied from a toner supply inlet along the shaft to a transfer mixer, an open-and-shut device for opening and closing a toner supply outlet and a toner supply inlet, and a pushing means for moving the toner supply auger in the loading and unloading direction of the toner supply cartridge, thereby changing a site of the toner supply auger facing the toner supply inlet to another site near the back end of the toner supply auger.

Abstract: A developing apparatus is provided in which a developer material in a development tank is made to circulate through a developer material storage vessel detachably mounted on the development tank, thereby prolonging the service life of the developer material. In the developing apparatus of the present invention, a predetermined developer material composed of a toner and a carrier stored in a development tank 31 is stirred by a stirring roller 33, and supplied to a latent image formed on a photoreceptor 11 by means of a development roller 32 in the development tank to visualize the latent image. The concentration of the toner consumed in the development tank is detected by a toner concentration sensor 34 so that toner is supplied from a toner storage tank 41 to the development tank so as to maintain the concentration of the toner at a constant level.

Abstract: A developing apparatus is provided in which the concentration of a toner in a developer material and the amount of developer material is kept constant by the use of simple mechanical parts so as not to deteriorate the electrification performance of the developer material. In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a pocket 25 of a discharged developer material weighing part 20 receives a discharged developer material discharged from a developer material discharge port 14. Each time the accumulated weight thereof reaches a prescribed weight, the discharged developer material thus received is discharged into a discharged developer material receiving part 30, and this discharge is detected by a sensor 27. An unillustrated control unit counts this detection and calculates an amount of carrier decreased. Based on this result, a carrier supply roller 13 of the replenishment device is driven to replenish the carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method cause a connecting/conveying device to convey a recovered toner from a cleaner part to a recovered toner housing to house therein the recovered toner, and cause a control device to separately control a recovered toner supply device and a new toner supply device to supply the recovered toner, which is stored in the recovered toner housing, and/or a new toner, which is stored in a new toner housing, to a developing device. The control device restricts the supply of the recovered toner from the recovered toner housing to the developing device when a no-residual-amount detecting device detects no residual amount of the new toner in the new toner housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method cause a connecting/conveying device to convey a recovered toner from a cleaner part to recovered toner housing means to house therein the recovered toner, and cause control means to control recovered toner supply means and new toner supply means in accordance with a toner concentration ratio in a developing device, which is detected by toner concentration ratio detecting means, to supply the recovered toner, which is stored in the recovered toner housing means, and a new toner, which is stored in new toner housing means, to the developing device.

Abstract: A method of replenishing developer, wherein the replenisher contains carrier particles coated with zinc stearate.

Abstract: A method of replenishing developer, wherein the replenisher contains carrier particles coated with zinc stearate.

Abstract: A developing apparatus, an image formation apparatus and a process cartridge is provided. Even though the sealing materials of the initial developer container are stripped off in such a way that the process cartridge having the developing apparatus is tilted, the initial developer can be uniformly supplied along the central axis line of the developer carrier. The developing apparatus performs a self toner control and has an initial developer case 10 for containing the non-used initial developer 3c that is input into the developer containing space S. The initial developer case 10 is divided internally into a plurality of partition spaces 10b along the direction of the central axial line D of the developing sleeve 4, so that a plurality of partitions 10c is formed inside the initial developer case 10.

Abstract: A variable developer forming method and apparatus that replenishes toner in an image forming apparatus, including a controller that determines a first supply amount and a second supply amount based on an analysis of a document to be printed, a toner storage device that variably releases toner into a developer supply device based on the first supply amount and a carrier storage device that variably releases carrier into the developer supply device based on second supply amount.

Abstract: A developing unit and an image forming apparatus includes drive and control mechanisms for the conveyance of collected toner and fresh toner in an uncomplicated structure and an uncomplicated toner supplying roller structure for the reduction in manufacturing cost. Fresh toner and collected toner stored in housing parts of a toner housing are discharged from an outlet via openings formed in a partitioning member for forwarding to a developing section by a toner supplying roller disposed to confront the outlet. The toner supplying roller is provided in common to fresh toner and collected toner. The toner supplying roller includes a single rotary shaft and a plurality of composite members which are fit into the rotary shaft. Each of the composite members has a cylindrical hollow body and a cylindrical elastic body which is fit onto the outer peripheral surface of the hollow body. The composite members are disposed correspondingly to the housing parts.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a developing unit operable with a one- or two-ingredient type developer and a device for replenishing toner to the developing unit included in the apparatus are disclosed. A plurality of toner bottles are accommodated in the toner replenishing device, so that the toner is replenished from one toner bottle to the developing unit. A rotating mechanism causes all the toner bottles to rotate during toner replenishment. A device is provided for determining the frequency of use of the individual toner bottle. The toner discharged from each toner bottle is fed to a toner transport portion via a respective passageway.

Abstract: A pneumatic toner feed mechanism for a developer station of a printer or copier is disclosed. The feed mechanism includes at least two storage containers which are separately allocated to the developer chambers of the developer station. The toner storage containers act as intermediate storage units which are linked to the developer chambers of the developer station by supply ducts. Toner is supplied from bottle-shaped transport containers by a vacuum transport mechanism to the toner storage containers. The transport mechanism includes controllable solenoid valves. The toner level is detected by way of a control mechanism that preferably includes associated capacitive sensors. When a level of toner in a storage container exceeds a predetermined level, the associated valves are opened thereby eliminating the vacuum and associated automatic toner refill. A controller or control means may include a priority control system which preferably refills the toner of the main printing color.

Abstract: A method and device for charging and feeding toner particles in a printing device include at least one printer unit. The toner unit includes at least one container, one back electrode and one control electrode provided with apertures and electrodes. The toner particles are transported to an information carrier, which is insertable between said container and the back electrode. A toner carrier material is provided substantially coplanar to the electrode unit to dispense toner particles. The toner carrier material is being entirely or partly conductive. The toner carrier material is brought substantially into direct contact with the control electrode unit. The toner particles are successively fed towards the control electrode unit by an external force.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a developing unit for forming an image by use of a two-ingredient type developer, i.e., toner and carrier mixture includes a container for replenishing fresh toner and for replacing carrier deteriorated due to aging or a developer including such carrier. By rotating the container in one direction, both fresh toner and a two-ingredient developer can be supplied to the developing unit. Initially when a container is mounted, the developer is fed in an amount less than an amount for image formation to start and only when a second container is mounted and rotated is the developer amount sufficient for image formation to start.

Abstract: A developing device for an image forming apparatus and of the type using a developer consisting of toner and magnetic particles is disclosed. While a developing sleeve conveys the developer deposited thereon, toner is automatically replenished to the developer from a toner hopper via an opening formed in the hopper due to the movement of the developer. At the same time, the toner introduced into the developer is charged by friction. A developer storing member includes a penthouse portion. A projection protrudes from the surface of the penthouse portion facing the developing sleeve toward the sleeve and extends in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sleeve conveys the developer. The developer forms on the sleeve a layer having stable toner content and stable toner charge without resorting to a sophisticated toner content control mechanism.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus having a flexible aperture electrode body, a toner carrier roller, a toner case, and an electrically conductive opposing electrode. The aperture electrode selectively allows toners supplied by the toner carrier roller to pass through the aperture. An image receiving sheet is backed by the opposing electrode, and the toner passing through the aperture electrode is attracted onto the sheet. The aperture electrode body has both ends fixed to an attachment member. The toner case provides a pair of ribs in contact with the aperture electrode body so as to increase tension thereto.

Abstract: A developing unit including a housing having an opening defining a developing zone, an applicator for applying particulate developer through the opening towards an electrostatographic image to be developed, and a paddle wheel for agitating developer within the housing, for scooping up developer from within the housing and projecting scooped-up developer towards the applicator. A hopper, located outside the width of the development zone supplies toner to the housing, and a primary spiral screw conveys developer from the hopper across the width of the development zone in one direction, while a secondary spiral screw receives developer from the primary spiral screw and conveys developer across the width of the development zone in an opposite direction. A passageway outside the width of the development zone enables the return of developer from the secondary spiral screw to the primary spiral screw.

Abstract: A recycle developing method utilizes the steps of (1) providing a developing vessel containing a starting developer composed of an electroscopic toner and a magnetic carrier; (2) transferring toner from the developing vessel to a photosensitive material having an electrostatic latent image formed thereon; (3) transferring a portion of the toner on the photosensitive material to a paper to form a toner image on the paper; (4) recovering toner remaining on the photosensitive material after the aforementioned portion of toner is transferred to the paper to form a toner image thereon; and (5) repeating steps (2)-(4) while replenishing toner in the developing vessel by the sub-steps of: (5a) supplying toner recovered in step (4) to the developing vessel, and (5b) supplying a virgin toner, having a higher chargeability than the electroscopic toner in the starting developer, to the developing vessel, to form a mixed toner in the developing vessel.

Abstract: A developing device has a vessel for holding a two-component developer composed of a toner component and a magnetic component. A magnetic roller is rotatably provided within the vessel to bring the developer to a developing zone for a development of an electrostatic latent image. An agitator also is provided within the vessel for agitating and circulating the developer to cause a triboelectrifiction between the toner component and the magnetic component and a uniform distribution of the toner component in the magnetic component. The agitator is arranged to present a uniform density mass of the developer to the magnetic roller for ensuring an even development of the latent image.