Treatment Of Developed Image Prior To Transfer Patents (Class 399/296)
  • Patent number: 11577503
    Abstract: A drag force sensor on a fountain solution carrier roller surface measures drag force of a fountain solution layer on the fountain solution carrier roller surface in real-time during a printing operation. The measured drag force is used in a feedback loop to actively control the fountain solution layer thickness by adjusting the volumetric feed rate of fountain solution added onto the imaging member surface during a printing operation to reach a desired uniform thickness for the printing. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jack T. Lestrange, Joseph C. Sheflin, Palghat S. Ramesh, Anthony S. Condello, Brian M. Balthasar, Seemit Praharaj, Chu-heng Liu, Paul J. Mcconville, Douglas K. Herrmann, Jason M. Lefevre
  • Patent number: 11495264
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describes techniques for clipping a video. The disclosed techniques comprise obtaining a video including a plurality of frames performing object detection on each frame; identifying objects contained in each frame, wherein a region where each object is located is selected through a detection box; classifying and recognizing the objects identified in each frame using a pre-trained classification model; selecting human body region images; determining a similarity between each human body region image selected from the plurality of frames and a target character image; in response to determining that a similarity between a human body region image and the target character image is greater than a predetermined threshold, identifying the human body region image as a clipping image; and synthesizing clipping images identified in the plurality of frames in order of time to obtain a clipping video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Shanghai Bilibili Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heming Cai, Long Qian
  • Patent number: 11169469
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming portions, an intermediate transfer belt, a plurality of primary transfer members, a belt cleaning device, a secondary transfer member, a voltage application device, an image density sensor, and a control section, and executes calibration based on a result of detection by the image density sensor. The control section is capable of executing a cleaning assist mode in which, at the time of executing the calibration, a part of patch images on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred to the secondary transfer member. In a case of forming a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt after one belt revolution, the control section executes the cleaning assist mode, and in a case of not forming the toner image after one belt revolution, the control section continuously applies a reverse transfer voltage to the secondary transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Ryosuke Kimura
  • Patent number: 11112732
    Abstract: A bias condition determination portion of an image forming device executes each of: a first approximation expression determination operation that respectively acquires the DC component of the development current with at least three peak-to-peak voltages included in a first measurement range and determines a first expression showing a relation between the peak-to-peak voltage and the DC component of the acquired development current, a second approximation expression determination operation that respectively acquires the DC component of the development current with at least three peak-to-peak voltages included in a second measurement range larger than the first measurement range and determines a second approximation expression showing a relation between the peak-to-peak voltage and the DC component of the acquired development current, and a reference voltage determination operation that determines, as a reference peak-to-peak voltage, the peak-to-peak voltage at an intersection where the first approximation exp
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Shimizu, Yasuhiro Tauchi, Akira Matayoshi, Masashi Fujishima
  • Patent number: 10705467
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixer that fixes toner adhering to a sheet that passes through a fixing nip, the fixer including: an endless fixing belt that rotates; and a presser that presses the fixing belt to form the fixing nip between the fixing belt and the presser. The image forming apparatus includes a hardware processor that calculates an amount of the toner adhering to the sheet that passes through the fixing nip, and determines a degree of abrasion of the fixing belt, based on the amount of the toner calculated by the hardware processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Junichi Arai
  • Patent number: 10620570
    Abstract: There is provided a process for heat transfer printing, comprising: electrostatically printing a transparent release composition onto a transfer material (1) to form a release layer (2) disposed on the transfer material; (1) electrostatically printing an electrostatic ink composition to form an image layer (3) disposed on the release layer (2); applying a heat-activatable adhesive composition to the image layer to form a heat-activatable adhesive layer (4); contacting the heat-activatable adhesive layer (4) with a target substrate (5) under conditions such that the heat-activatable adhesive layer (4) is activated to adhere to the target substrate and the release layer (2) is softened; and separating the target substrate (5) and the transfer material (1) such that the heat-activatable layer (4), image layer (3) and release layer (2) are transferred to the target substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Inna Tzomik, Albert Teishev
  • Patent number: 10514635
    Abstract: Herein is described a liquid electrostatic printing method comprising providing a liquid electrostatic ink composition comprising a carrier liquid and chargeable particles comprising a resin; and providing an adhesion promoting composition comprising an adhesion promoter. The liquid electrostatic ink composition is contacted with a latent electrostatic image disposed on a surface to create a developed ink image. The developed ink image is transferred to an intermediate transfer member. The adhesion promoting composition is deposited on the intermediate transfer member to form an adhesion promoting layer. The adhesion promoting layer and the developed ink image are transferred to a print substrate, such that the adhesion promoting layer is disposed on the print substrate and the developed ink image is disposed on the adhesion promoting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Guy Nesher, Boaz Tagansky, Albert Teishev, Martin Chauvin, Reut Avigdor
  • Patent number: 10466609
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling a liquid electrophotography printer (LEP). The LEP may include a plurality of ink developers, IDs, to transfer charged ink to a photoreceptor, by virtue of a potential difference between the engaged ID and the photoreceptor selectively dischargeable to allow an image to be formed on a print medium in use through printing a spread of plural color separations thereon each corresponding to ink from one of a plurality of engaged IDs. the apparatus may comprise a print controller to, in use monitor an order of color separations to be printed onto the print medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Vitaly Portnoy, Yoav Nachmias, Michel Assenheimer, Liran Fanny Haim
  • Patent number: 10397458
    Abstract: A telecentric illumination and photographing system for detection of marine microscopic organisms includes an optical path module and an illumination drive module, where the optical path module includes: an LED light source, a light homogenizing rod, a decoherence light homogenizing sheet, a diaphragm, a telecentric collimation camera, where a light beam emitted from the diaphragm is incident into a microscopic organism area with uniform illuminance after passing through the telecentric collimation camera; and a telecentric imaging camera, matching the telecentric collimation camera to receive an illumination beam passing through the microscopic organism area and output the illumination beam to an imaging unit, to obtain an imaging result of uniform illuminance. Further, the illumination drive module enables the LED light source to work in a stable state in which light emitting intensity is constant, thereby improving current output accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: GRADUATE SCHOOL AT SHENZHEN, TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xuemin Cheng, Hongsheng Bi, Yonghong He, Zhonghua Cai, Jiayong Lin
  • Patent number: 10338516
    Abstract: Examples of refreshing a photoconductive layer in an image forming apparatus are described. In one example, a method includes performing a first refreshing cycle comprising applying, at a first refresh unit, a first refresh voltage to the photoconductive layer and applying, at a second refresh unit, a second refresh voltage to the photoconductive layer. A second refreshing cycle is performed including applying, at the first refresh unit, a third refresh voltage to the photoconductive layer, the third refresh voltage being higher than the first refresh voltage and higher than the second refresh voltage. Each of the first and second refreshing cycles electrically bias the photoconductive layer to a refresh polarity opposite to a print polarity applied during a print routine of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Sasi Moalem, Dmitry Maister, Seongsik Chang, Dekel Green
  • Patent number: 10191416
    Abstract: In an example, a method of wetting a print blanket includes receiving a null cycle trigger during a printing session. The method also includes maintaining printing voltages on a forecast BID (binary ink developer) that has been prepared to print a next color separation onto a photoreceptor, and applying wet null voltages to a non-forecast BID. The method then includes engaging the non-forecast BID with the photoreceptor to transfer fluid other than ink to the photoreceptor during the null cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HP INDIGO B.V.
    Inventors: Vitaly Portnoy, Michel Assenheimer, Amiran Lavon, Eric G. Nelson, Amir Ofir
  • Patent number: 10185255
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer to bear a toner image, a nip forming member contacting the image bearer to form a transfer nip, and a transfer power source. The transfer bias has a transfer peak value to electrostatically move toner from the image bearer to the recording sheet and an opposite-peak value to electrostatically move less toner from the image bearer to the recording sheet than the transfer peak value. An opposite-peak duty of the transfer bias is less than 50%. The opposite-peak duty is tr/T×100% where T is one cycle of the transfer bias and tr is a time period during which the transfer bias is on a side of the opposite-peak value relative to an offset voltage of the transfer bias in the one cycle T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Kochi, Hirokazu Ishii, Seiichi Kogure, Naohiro Kumagai, Kenji Sugiura, Shinya Tanaka, Hiroki Nakamatsu, Yuuji Wada, Junpei Fujita, Takahiro Suzuki, Kazuki Yogosawa, Atsushi Nagata
  • Patent number: 10082760
    Abstract: According to one example, there is provided a method of printing. The method comprises generating a gloss modification image based on a substrate gloss level and a desired gloss level for a portion of the image, and printing the image and the gloss modification image on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: HP Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Eyal Bodinger, Itzik Shaul, George Trendafilov, Gilad Greenberg
  • Patent number: 9804554
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable first coupling provided at a side surface of an engaging portion with a taper surface, and a unit detachably mountable in a second direction crossing with the first direction. The unit includes a second coupling, a driven member and a releasing member. The second coupling includes at an end portion thereof a portion-to-be-engaged engageable with the engaging portion to transmit the driving force, and the driven member receives the driving force from the second coupling. When the unit is disengaged from the main assembly, the releasing member is moved in the second direction in contact with the taper surface to move the first coupling away from the second coupling to effect disengagement between the engaging portion and the portion-to-be-engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fukashi Hatano
  • Patent number: 9444972
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exposure unit, including a plurality of light-emitting units that correspond to a respective plurality of pixels and a lens array optical system, for emitting exposure light. A photosensitive member is exposed by the exposure light from the exposure unit. A correcting unit estimates, from image data, an intensity of ghost light at a position of each pixel on the photosensitive member in a case when the photosensitive member is exposed by the exposure unit, using the image data, and corrects the image data based on the estimated intensity of the ghost light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Saiki, Takeyoshi Saiga, Yu Miyajima, Shimpei Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9429880
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes at least one image carrier that carries a toner image, an intermediate transfer body that is rotatable and that faces the image carrier, an opposing member that is positioned upstream of a second transfer section in a rotation direction of the intermediate transfer body and that faces the intermediate transfer body, and a voltage application unit that applies an AC voltage, whose polarity reverses, and forms an AC electric field between the intermediate transfer body and the opposing member. A first transfer section in which the toner image on the image carrier is transferred onto a surface of the intermediate transfer body is formed. The second transfer section that is positioned downstream of the first transfer section in the direction of rotation of the intermediate transfer body and in which the toner image on the intermediate transfer body is transferred onto a medium is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaaki Yamaura
  • Patent number: 9329516
    Abstract: A deinkable liquid toner is disclosed herein. The deinkable liquid toner includes a non-polar carrier fluid, a styrene-alkyl acrylate, and a colorant. The styrene-alkyl acrylate has a glass transition temperature ranging from about 65 C to about 100 C. A method for making the deinkable liquid toner and a printing system are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Hou T. Ng, Sivapackia Ganapathiappan, Albert Teishev
  • Patent number: 9146494
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charging member for charging a surface of a photosensitive member to a first potential, an exposing member for partially exposing the charged surface of the photosensitive member such that a potential of the exposed portions becomes a second potential smaller than the first potential, a developer carrier for feeding developer onto the photosensitive member, a discharging-beam member for irradiating a discharging beam onto the photosensitive member having a developer image, and a control device configured to: control a developing bias to become a third potential larger than the second potential and smaller than the first potential; and control a discharging bias such that a potential of portions on the photosensitive member where the developer image has not been formed becomes a fourth potential not smaller than the third potential and smaller than the first potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Matsushita
  • Patent number: 9077938
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a primary transfer part, a droplet ejecting unit and a controller. On the photosensitive drum, an electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing device forms a toner image by causing a developing agent to adhere to the electrostatic latent image. The primary transfer part transfers the toner image onto an intermediate transfer belt. The droplet ejecting unit ejects droplets onto the toner image on the photosensitive drum after forming the toner image on the photosensitive drum and before transferring the toner image to the transfer member. The controller controls an ejection area of the droplet ejecting unit in accordance with image information of the toner image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Saito, Hiroshi Akita, Eri Yagi, Tomohiro Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8971743
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a latent image bearing member, a charger, a latent image forming device, a developing device, and a transfer device is provided. The transfer device is adapted to transfer a toner image formed on the latent image bearing member onto an intermediate transfer member or a recording medium by action of a transfer elected field in a transfer position where the latent image bearing member faces the transfer device. When a non-charged portion of the latent image bearing member that has not been charged to a predetermined potential by the charger passes through the transfer position, a strength of the transfer electric field is lowered than that in transferring the toner image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Miyazaki, Naoki Nakatake, Yuji Nagatomo, Yasuhide Matsuno, Takahiro Sanada, Yasuhiro Fujiwara, Kyoko Abe, Takeshi Yamashita, Tomoya Adachi
  • Patent number: 8903285
    Abstract: The cleaning unit cleans the surface of the image carrying body after transfer of the toner image onto an image transfer object. The post-transfer neutralization unit is disposed between the transfer unit and the cleaning unit, and neutralizes electrical charge of the surface of the image carrying body after transfer. The first control unit controls neutralization light intensity of the pre-transfer neutralization unit such that a dark potential (V0 potential) of a non-image region on the image carrying body after pre-transfer neutralization is higher by 50 to 150 V than a bright potential (VL potential) of a solid image region. The first setting operating unit allows for an increase and decrease in the neutralization light intensity of the pre-transfer neutralization unit based on a status of an output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masaru Hatano
  • Patent number: 8828475
    Abstract: An image forming method which applies a zinc-containing metal soap to a surface of an intermediate transfer belt including nitrogen on its surface. At least one of the following formulae is satisfied: (1?C/D)×100(%)?(B/A)×100(%)?10(%) (F/E)×100(%)?30(%) wherein A and B represent a percentage content of nitrogen at the surface of the intermediate transfer belt before and after image formation on 1,000 sheets, respectively, C represents a percentage content of zinc at the surface of the intermediate transfer belt after the image formation on 1,000 sheets, D represents a percentage content of zinc based on all elements other than hydrogen in the zinc-containing metal soap, and E and F represent a percentage content of nitrogen at the surface of the intermediate transfer belt before and after application of the metal soap thereto for 5 minutes without image formation, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Momoko Shionoiri, Toshiyuki Kabata
  • Patent number: 8811864
    Abstract: Printers are provided in which a charge pattern is formed with a second area having a surface potential that is at least 30 percent less than a surface potential of an adjacent first area that creates an inter-area field between the first area and second area that extends into a portion of the first area that is proximate to the second area. A development station applies a first development field and a first toner is partially developed in the first area based upon the influence of the inter-area and first development fields. The charge pattern and first toner are further developed with a different second toner. The surface charge, the first toner and second toner have the same polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Rodney Ray Bucks
  • Patent number: 8798509
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect a position where a toner image of a color component other than the color component of a misregistration prevention pattern and the toner image of the misregistration prevention pattern overlap each other on a surface of an image carrier; and a control unit configured to control to form the misregistration prevention pattern on the surface of the image carrier except for the overlapping position detected by the detection unit, and not to form the misregistration prevention pattern at the overlapping position on the surface of the image carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Arimura
  • Publication number: 20140192212
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose an image processing method and an apparatus. The image processing method includes: receiving information of starting a first camera and a second camera simultaneously to perform photographing; using the first camera to photograph and obtain a first image, and using the second camera to photograph and obtain a second image; and displaying the first image and the second image simultaneously. In the embodiments of the present invention, two cameras are started simultaneously to perform bidirectional photographing, and the images taken by both cameras are displayed simultaneously, so that front and back scene images are captured simultaneously and a panoramic image is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhen He, Jilin Liu, Yang Liu, Tengyue Li, Dong Wang
  • Patent number: 8682231
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming unit for forming a toner image and a toner pattern comprising toner not to be transferred onto a recording medium for adjustment of a density of toner on a surface of the image bearing member, a nip forming member contacting the surface of the image bearing member to form a transfer nip therebetween, a transfer bias applicator for applying a transfer bias in which an alternating current component and a direct current component are superimposed to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium in the transfer nip, a first cleaning device to mechanically remove toner remaining on the image bearing member after passing through the transfer nip. The transfer bias applicator applies a charge eliminating bias to remove charge from toner in the toner pattern when the toner pattern passes through the transfer nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Sengoku, Hiroyoshi Haga, Hiromi Ogiyama, Yasunobu Shimizu, Tomokazu Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8532537
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier that holds a latent image thereon, a developer carrier that develops the latent image on the latent image carrier by using a liquid developer including a toner and a carrier liquid, a squeeze roller being in contact with the latent image carrier, that holds an image developed by the developer carrier, to squeeze the liquid developer on the latent image, and a control unit that applies a first bias to the squeeze roller, when a first position of the latent image carrier that does not hold the latent image is in contact with the squeeze roller, and that applies a second bias being different from the first bias to the squeeze roller, when a second position of the latent image carrier that holds the latent image is in contact with the squeeze roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sasaki, Naotaka Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8520257
    Abstract: Color reproduction data of a print obtained by forming an image on a print medium corresponding to an input type thereof, and spectral data of a laminate film corresponding to an input type thereof are acquired. A reference color is determined based on color information of a designated color to be reproduced on a protective-film-covered print. Based on the acquired color reproduction data and the acquired spectral data, the determined reference color is converted into another reference color depending on the print without the laminate film thereon. A color value depending on a color patch that is selected as a color closest to the designated color, under a condition where the laminate film is not laminated, from a designated color adjusting color chart printed based on color values depending on the converted other reference color or colors close to the other reference color, is acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Teraue
  • Patent number: 8503901
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a latent image forming device; a developing device; an electrode which faces to the image carrier; an electric power source, a toner contamination detecting device for detecting toner contamination onto the electrode; an electrode cleaning device for cleaning the electrode; and a controlling section. The control section controls the electric power source to apply at least an alternating current voltage to the electrode so that toner image is rearranged by reciprocally moving toner of the toner image between the image carrier and the electrode control section and allows the electrode cleaning device to clean the electrode when the toner contamination detecting device detects toner contamination on the electrode, and performs the toner rearrangement by the electrode from which the toner contamination is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akita, Seiko Itagaki, Natsuko Minegishi, Hiroyuki Saito
  • Publication number: 20130149013
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a voltage applied to a pre-transfer charger is set to the highest voltage, and is then reduced at a position corresponding to a predetermined range from a leading edge of a recording material, to suppress a phenomenon of backward scattering of toner formed just before entering a transfer nip, when a burr formed on the leading edge of the recording material exits the transfer nip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130114981
    Abstract: An image-recording method includes steps of supplying an intermediate transfer medium with a liquid composition containing a reaction agent that makes a coloring material contained in ink precipitate or aggregate, forming an intermediate image by supplying the ink to at least a portion of the area of the intermediate transfer medium to which the liquid composition has been supplied, and transferring the intermediate image to a recording medium. The liquid composition contains a particulate silicone rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Patent number: 8396386
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a latent image bearing member, a charger to evenly charge a surface of the latent image bearing member, an electrostatic latent image forming device to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the latent image bearing member, a developing device to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image using toner, a transfer bias application device to apply a transfer bias to an image transfer area where the latent image bearing member faces a recording medium, a pre-transfer neutralizing device to reduce an electric potential at a portion on the surface of the latent image bearing member, a surface electric potential detector to detect an electric potential at the surface of the latent image bearing member, and a radiation amount control device to control an amount of radiation from the pre-transfer neutralizing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hirokazu Ishii
  • Patent number: 8326193
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for carrying a toner image; a transfer member forming a nip with the image bearing member to transfer the toner image from the image bearing member onto a transfer material at the nip, wherein the image forming apparatus is operable in a marginless printing mode in which the toner image formed on the image bearing member is larger than a size of the transfer material, and the toner image is transferred as far as edges of the transfer material; and a charging member for effecting electric discharge toward the image bearing member, the charging member being disposed at such a position as is opposed to a side of the transfer material which receives the toner image in an upstream side of the nip with respect to a feeding direction of the transfer material, wherein when the apparatus operates in the marginless printing mode, the charging member effects the electric discharge toward the toner existing in an area of the image bearing member which correspond
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Suzuki, Kenichi Iida
  • Patent number: 8290411
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a latent image bearing member, a charger to evenly charge a surface of the latent image bearing member, an electrostatic latent image forming device to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the latent image bearing member, a developing device to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image using toner, a transfer bias application device to apply a transfer bias to an image transfer area where the latent image bearing member faces a recording medium, a pre-transfer neutralizing device to reduce an electric potential at a portion on the surface of the latent image bearing member, a surface electric potential detector to detect an electric potential at the surface of the latent image bearing member, and a radiation amount control device to control an amount of radiation from the pre-transfer neutralizing device based on a detection result obtained by the surface electric potential detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hirokazu Ishii
  • Publication number: 20120237271
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming unit for forming a toner image and a toner pattern comprising toner not to be transferred onto a recording medium for adjustment of a density of toner on a surface of the image bearing member, a nip forming member contacting the surface of the image bearing member to form a transfer nip therebetween, a transfer bias applicator for applying a transfer bias in which an alternating current component and a direct current component are superimposed to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium in the transfer nip, a first cleaning device to mechanically remove toner remaining on the image bearing member after passing through the transfer nip. The transfer bias applicator applies a charge eliminating bias to remove charge from toner in the toner pattern when the toner pattern passes through the transfer nip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Kenji SENGOKU, Hiroyoshi Haga, Hiromi Ogiyama, Yasunobu Shimizu, Tomokazu Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8270884
    Abstract: An image forming method using toner comprising toner particles having a core-shell structure comprising a core particle incorporating a viscous material and a shell layer covering the above core particle is disclosed. The method comprises steps of a toner image forming step on a dielectric drum; a first pressure applying step in which the shell layer of the toner particles forming the toner image is subjected to a preliminary break treatment by a first pressure roller, which is arranged in contact with the dielectric drum; and a transfer/fixing step in which a toner image made by the toner particles which have been subjected to a preliminary break treatment by the first pressure applying step is transferred and fixed to an image support by a second pressure roller which is arranged in contact with the dielectric drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaharu Matsubara, Shigenori Kouno, Mitsutoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8224218
    Abstract: A developing device includes a photosensitive member having a surface on which a visible image is formed and a developing member to feed a developer to the photosensitive member, and an image forming apparatus having the developing device. The photosensitive member includes a developing region, to which the developer is transmitted by the developing member, and a transfer region, from which the developer of the photosensitive member is transmitted to a recording medium. A redistributing unit is disposed between the developing region and the transfer region, to redistribute the developer present on the photosensitive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Bum Yoo, Jean Man Sur
  • Patent number: 8185026
    Abstract: An electric charge elimination needle for eliminating an electric charge of an intermediate transfer belt is disposed on the side more downstream than an opposite sheet metal which restricts an electric potential on the belt, in a direction of rotation of the intermediate transfer belt, thereby preventing a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt carried with tension by a plurality of tension rollers, from disorder when the intermediate transfer belt contacts and is detached from the tension roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhito Shirafuji
  • Patent number: 8185020
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus employing nonvolatile liquid developers is provided, which image forming apparatus exhibits high transfer efficiency in transferring images on an image carrier to a recording media and enables formation of images with sufficient fixing strength. An image forming apparatus which incorporates a squeezing mechanism which removes a part of carrier liquid from the liquid developer incorporating image visualizing particles, fine thermoplastic resin particles, and nonvolatile carrier liquid, and incorporates a transferring mechanism which transfers a visible image, in which a part of carrier liquid is removed, onto the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Naoki Yoshie
  • Patent number: 8135302
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a primary transfer unit to transfer toner images of plural colors on image carriers onto an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer unit to transfer the toner images onto a transfer material; and a pre-secondary transfer discharge unit to discharge charges of the toner images, wherein the discharge unit includes a scorotron having a grid electrode and a discharging electrode; an opposing electrode opposed to the grid electrode through the intermediate transfer member; a first voltage unit to apply a reverse polarity voltage of the toner images to the discharging electrode; a second voltage applying unit to apply a same polarity voltage of the toner images to the grid electrode; a cleaning unit of the grid electrode; a current detecting unit; and a controller to control a timing to clean the grid electrode according to the detected current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yotaro Sato, Takenobu Kimura, Hajime Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20120014709
    Abstract: In an electrographic printing apparatus, a charge image carrier has charge images generated thereon of images to be printed. A developer station develops the charge images into an image film with carrier fluid and embedded toner images. A transfer unit receives the image film from the charge image carrier and transfers the image film onto a printing substrate. A fixing station fixes the image film on the printing substrate. A carrier fluid recovery device is arranged between the fixing station and the transfer unit, and recovers carrier fluid from carrier fluid vapor occurring in the fixing station and supplies the recovered carrier fluid to the transfer unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Pohlt
  • Publication number: 20120008990
    Abstract: In a method to optimize transfer of a developer fluid on a printing substrate in an electrophoretic printing apparatus, a developer fluid containing at least carrier fluid and toner particles is used, the toner particles having sizes that are greater than diameters of capillaries in a surface of the printing substrate. The additive particles are added to the developer fluid before the transfer, sizes of the additive particles being selected such that the sizes are smaller at least in part in comparison to the diameters of the capillaries in the surface of the printing substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Pohlt
  • Patent number: 8073365
    Abstract: An ion generating device is arranged such that a heater electrode is wired so as to heat (i) a creeping discharge area and (ii) areas where respective terminal sections of an induction electrode, a discharge electrode, and the heater electrode are provided. This allows prevention of dew condensation and nitric acid generation in the vicinities of the respective terminal sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Adachi, Shoutaro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8068768
    Abstract: In an ion generating element, (i) an induction electrode and a heater electrode are provided away from each other on one surface of an insulating base material such that the induction electrode and the heater electrode are insulated from each other, (ii) a dielectric layer is provided on the surface of the insulating base material, and (iii) the dielectric layer has a length covering the insulating base material and the dielectric layer has openings above a ground terminal of the induction electrode and above a ground terminal and a power supply connection terminal of the heater electrode so that the terminals are exposed. As a result, it is possible to provide an ion generating element for generating ions along with creeping discharge, a charging device, and an image forming apparatus, each of which can be produced at low costs and prevent damages when unexpected troubles occur, and each of which is excellent in terms of safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Adachi, Shoutaro Okamoto, Toshiaki Kagawa
  • Patent number: 8055157
    Abstract: An ion generating element of the present invention includes a discharge electrode and an inductive electrode, both of which are provided so as to face each other with a dielectric body sandwiched therebetween, and a heater electrode which warms the ion generating element by Joule heat produced because of a passage of an electrical current. A distance between the discharge electrode and the heater electrode is larger than that between the discharge electrode and the inductive electrode, and further a shield electrode having a connection for ground is provided between the heater electrode and the inductive electrode on a surface of the dielectric body at a side on which the inductive electrode is provided. Hence, it is possible to prevent a leak to the heater electrode at low cost, while giving consideration towards safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Adachi
  • Patent number: 8032061
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus including first and second photosensitive bodies, first and second exposing units to form electrostatic latent images on the first and second photosensitive bodies respectively charged to a uniform electric potential, a first developing unit to develop an electrostatic latent image of the first photosensitive body by supplying a color toner to the electrostatic latent image of the first photosensitive body, and a second developing unit in which a transparent toner and a white toner charged to different polarities are contained and which develops a transparent toner image and a white toner image by respectively supplying the transparent toner and the white toner to an image portion and a non-image portion of an electrostatic latent image of the second photosensitive body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jong-woo Park, Won Choe, Ki-jae Do
  • Patent number: 8000640
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a section for obtaining a property of a recording material; an adjusting section for adjusting a toner amount of a toner image formed by development depending on the property of the recording material; a charging section for charging the toner image before transfer; and a controlling section for adjusting a charging quantity by the charging section depending on the toner amount, where an appropriate quantity of charge depending on the toner amount is provided to the toner image before transfer to the recording material. Depending on the property of the recording material, an appropriate toner amount is transferred at a high transfer efficiency, and uniformity of a solid concentration is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eiji Tabata, Masahiko Matsuura, Keiko Momotani
  • Patent number: 7979005
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Sano, Toru Miyasaka
  • Publication number: 20110052274
    Abstract: An electrophoretic printing system is provided comprising a transfer printing station for transfer printing charge images developed with liquid toner comprising a carrier fluid and toner and wherein the developed charge images are transferred to a recording medium. A wetting unit provided adjacent to the recording medium before the transfer printing station as viewed in a movement direction of the recording medium wets the recording medium with a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Pohlt
  • Publication number: 20110033212
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for carrying a toner image; a transfer member forming a nip with the image bearing member to transfer the toner image from the image bearing member onto a transfer material at the nip, wherein the image forming apparatus is operable in a marginless printing mode in which the toner image formed on the image bearing member is larger than a size of the transfer material, and the toner image is transferred as far as edges of the transfer material; and a charging member for effecting electric discharge toward the image bearing member, the charging member being disposed at such a position as is opposed to a side of the transfer material which receives the toner image in an upstream side of the nip with respect to a feeding direction of the transfer material, wherein when the apparatus operates in the marginless printing mode, the charging member effects the electric discharge toward the toner existing in an area of the image bearing member which correspond
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Suzuki, Kenichi Iida