Abstract: There is provided a transfer device that is used for transferring a developer image hold on a surface of an image supporting body to a first face of a transfer member transported and includes a transfer member that includes a conductive surface layer that is rotatable around a first rotation axis and be elastically transformed, forms a second contact area, which differs from the first contact area in a transporting direction of the transfer member, by contacting with a second face of the transfer member, and is supplied with a transfer voltage used for transferring the developer image onto the first face of the transfer member, a transformation unit that elastically transforms the transfer member, and an adjustment unit that adjusts a shape of the second contact area by adjusting the degree of elastic transformation of the transfer member.

Abstract: An apparatus including a transfer belt, an edge sensor and a belt steering roll. The transfer belt having a lateral edge and the edge sensor detecting lateral positions of the lateral edge as it passes the edge sensor. The belt steering roll controlling lateral movement of the transfer belt, which is rotatably mounted maintaining rolling engagement with the transfer belt. An axis of rotation of the belt steering roll selectively tiltable defining a steering angle with respect to an axis reference orientation. Changes in the steering angle inducing a lateral shift profile to the lateral edge. The lateral shift profile defined by changes to the lateral positions of the lateral edge during a period. The steering angle being changed based on a differential between a currently detected lateral position of a segment of the lateral edge and a predetermined lateral position derived from the lateral shift profile.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a toner image; a transfer member that transfers the toner image to an object to be transferred at a transfer position that faces the image carrier; an endless transfer belt that is wound around the transfer member, and rotates circumferentially as the transfer member rotates; a facing member that is arranged to face the transfer member so as to nip the transfer belt at the transfer position; a transfer voltage application member that applies a voltage at the transfer position such that a transfer current flows between the transfer member and the facing member; and a conductive member to which a voltage is applied between the conductive member and a target member at a position different from the transfer position such that a current in a direction opposite to the transfer current flows to the transfer belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movable belt; a transfer member opposed to the image bearing member with the belt therebetween; wherein the transfer member has a contact surface substantially parallel with a surface of the belt and contacted to the belt, and wherein when the belt is moving, the belt rubs the contact surface, and a toner image is transferred from such a part of image bearing member as is opposed to the contact surface; and a supporting member for supporting the transfer member, the supporting member being swingable.

Abstract: A secondary transfer unit stretches a transfer belt in an endless form over a driving roller, a driven roller, a transfer roller, an auxiliary roller, and a support roller therebetween. The transfer belt moves, by rotation of the driving roller, along a circulation path which passes through a transfer position. The transfer roller and the auxiliary roller press the transfer belt from the inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt toward an intermediate transfer belt in the transfer position. The transfer belt has an outer peripheral surface thereof which is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt and is roughened so that the surface roughness of the outer peripheral surface becomes 6 ?m to 10 ?m.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, a transport belt, a driving roller, a transferring member, a nip portion, and an applying portion. The transferring member makes contact with the inner circumferential surface of the transport belt to press the transport belt against the image carrying member. The nip portion is formed between the transport belt and the image carrying member by the pressure of the transferring member. The applying portion applies a bias to the transferring member. Application of the bias to the transferring member causes, at the nip portion, the toner image carried on the image carrying member to be transferred to the recording medium carried on the transport belt. Near the nip portion, a pair of support members are arranged which keeps both width-direction end parts of the transport belt in contact with the image carrying member.

Abstract: A charge applying member includes a conductive roller and a shaft. The conductive roller includes a first region in contact with a member to be charged and facing an image forming region of the member to be charged and a second region next to a longitudinal end of the first region and facing a region of the member to be charged outside the image forming region and is configured to apply a charge to the member to be charged. The shaft formed of a metallic material inserted into the conductive roller and configured to be given a voltage from a power supply. A region plated with a metal having a lower ionization tendency than the shaft is formed as a plated region on a surface portion of the shaft corresponding to the first and second regions and a non-plated region is formed on a surface portion of the shaft corresponding to the second region.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer roller, a first resilient member configured to urge the transfer roller in the direction toward a recording medium carrying path, a pair of sliding members configured to support both ends of the transfer roller independently from each other, a pair of transfer roller holding members configured to support the respective sliding members so as to be capable of sliding and rotate about a center of rotation independently from each other, and a carrying guide configured to rotate about the center of rotation, be urged in the direction toward the transfer roller holding members by a second resilient member, and be restricted from rotating by the sliding members.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising an image carrying member for carrying a toner image; a intermediary member for carrying the toner image transferred from said image carrying member; a first transfer member for transferring the toner image from said intermediary member onto a sheet, said first transfer member having first resistance and being contacted to said intermediary member; a second transfer member for transferring the toner image from said intermediary member onto the sheet, said second transfer member having second resistance higher than the first resistance and being contacted to said intermediary member at a position downstream of said first transfer member; and voltage applying means, connected to both of said first transfer member and said second transfer member, for applying the same voltage to said first transfer member and to said second transfer member to transfer the toner image onto the sheet.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing a conductive rubber roller having small aspect ratios of inner and outer diameters, having a stable measure of its inner diameter, having uniform cell distribution and being free from non-uniformity of hardness and electrical resistance in the peripheral direction. The process has a step of continuously extruding a tube composed of a specific unvulcanized rubber composition from a rubber extruder in a microwave vulcanizing unit, and a step of foaming and vulcanizing the tube by using a microwave irradiator having a microwave irradiation zone 4 m or less in length while being transported at given speed. The foamed rubber tube has an inner diameter 20 to 35% smaller than the outer diameter of the conductive core material over the whole region in the lengthwise direction, and the conductive core material is press-fitted into the foamed rubber tube without using any adhesive.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a toner transfer station, including a donating member for donating toner forming an image; and a transfer roll which serves to form a transfer nip in which toner is transferred from the donating member to a media sheet disposed in the transfer nip between the donating member and the transfer roll, wherein a product of a resistivity of the transfer nip and a dielectric constant thereof is greater than or equal to a product of a resistivity of the media sheet and a dielectric constant thereof.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt member bearing a toner image, a contact member disposed inside loop formed by the belt member, a rotary pressing member to contact the contact member through the belt member and form a nip between the contact member and the rotary pressing member via the belt member through which a recording medium is conveyed, and a transfer device to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium. An amount of winding of the belt member around the rotary pressing member is changeable between a first state in which the belt member is wound around the rotary pressing member upstream from the nip in the direction of move to the nip and a second state in which the amount of winding of the belt member around the rotary pressing member is reduced from the first state while contacting the belt member.

Abstract: A roll supporting mechanism rotatably supports an electrically-conducted roll. The roll supporting mechanism includes an electrically-conducting portion that contacts with a circumferential portion of an outer periphery of the electrically-conducted roll to conduct electricity to the electrically-conducted roll, and an insulating portion that contacts with the other circumferential portion of the outer periphery of the electrically-conducted roll at a contact portion smaller than a contact portion of the electrically-conducting portion and that is formed by an insulating material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a toner image forming portion for forming a toner image on the image bearing member; a rotatable belt member, stretched by a plurality of stretching members, for carrying and conveying a recording material; a transfer member for transferring the toner image from the image bearing member onto the recording material; a bias applying portion for applying a bias for transferring the toner image from the image bearing member onto the recording material; a push-up member for pushing up the belt member from an inner surface side of the belt member, perpendicular to a recording material conveyance direction; and an execution portion executing an operation in which the recording material is separated from the belt member by a push-up operation, which is performed, during rotation of the belt member, before the bias is applied to the transfer member.

Abstract: Flexible members for use in imaging devices which may include a non-ionic surfactant; a fluorinated surfactant; or both.

Abstract: A belt drive apparatus includes: a rotatable first roller; a rotatable second roller; a belt member stretched by the first and the second rollers so as to be capable of being conveyed by the first roller and the second roller; and a restraint member provided on at least one of the two ends of the second roller and including a belt receiving surface to be brought into contact with an edge portion of the belt member. The belt receiving surface and an axis of the second roller make an angle that is not smaller than 93° but not larger than 115°.

Abstract: A transfer belt unit satisfies the following conditions. An intermediate transfer belt has a thickness not less than 100 micrometers and not more than 200 micrometers, a tension not less than 80 N/m and not more than 180 N/m, and a tensile elastic modulus not less than 1000 megapascals and not more than 2000 megapascals. A secondary-transfer bias roller has an Asker C hardness not less than 35 degrees and not more than 50 degrees. Stretching rollers for stretching the intermediate transfer belt have an outer diameter not less than 6 millimeters.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image holding member on which an image is held, and a transfer unit transferring the held image to a recording material, wherein the transfer unit includes, a transfer roll disposed to be opposite to the image holding member, forming a transfer electric field, and transferring the image to the recording material, a drive unit applying driving force to the transfer roll, a torque limiting mechanics limiting an upper limit of torque which acts on the transfer roll, and an inertia member provided to increase an amount of inertia with respect to the transfer roll and moving the transfer roll with inertia in a direction in which a speed difference between the image holding member and the transfer roll is decreased when the upper limit of torque acts on the transfer roll.

Abstract: A transfer roller includes a conductive support, a first conductive elastic layer disposed on the conductive support, and a second conductive elastic layer disposed on the first conductive elastic layer. A common logarithm of surface resistivity of the second conductive elastic layer is higher than a common logarithm of volume resistivity of the second conductive elastic layer by about 1 or more.

Abstract: A pressing mechanism that presses a contact unit, which is brought into contact with a contact target unit against the contact target unit, includes a holding unit that holds the contact unit. The holding unit includes two first portions that are arranged at both ends of the holding unit in its width direction away from the contact unit and are biased toward the contact target unit and a second portion that is arranged at approximately a center in the width direction sandwiching the contact unit with the first portions and supports the holding unit.

Abstract: A semiconductive polyimide resin belt that exhibits excellent electrical properties, including the ability to achieve accurate image transfer in a color image-forming unit, and the ability to prevent variations in resistance due to the transfer voltage, enabling high-quality transfer images to be stably produced over an extended period of time; and excellent physical properties, including resistance to deterioration in flatness due to plastic deformation caused by loads applied in the width direction of the belt, excellent durability, and stable operation even after extended use; and an intermediate transfer belt made of the semiconductive polyimide resin belt. The semiconductive polyimide resin belt comprises carbon black and a polyimide resin.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide an intermediate transfer belt, materials and processes for producing an intermediate transfer belt, and an image transfer apparatus used in electrophotographic printing devices, wherein the intermediate transfer belt can comprise a thermosetting polyimide comprising the reaction product of a polyamic acid and a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene.

Abstract: When at least one of first image data and second image data is captured, according to a moving speed of an object while an image sensor is capturing an image, exposure time for capturing the image is controlled to decrease a difference between object blur widths in a direction in which the object moves.

Abstract: An electrophotographic (EP) printer prints on a receiver sheet moving on a tensioned rotatable transport web with a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa. The transport web is wrapped around a compliant image-bearing member. Two transfer stations are arranged along the belt, each with a rotatable image-bearing member. The first station has a first rotatable nip-forming member disposed adjacent to the transport web on the opposite side thereof from the first image-bearing member. The first rotatable nip-forming member is relatively stiffer than the first image-bearing member. The second station has a nip-forming member on a compliant mount. The second rotatable nip-forming member is relatively less stiff than the second image-bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer roller. The transfer roller includes an elastic layer disposed on a metal core bar. The elastic layer is made of a non-foamed solid rubber. The surface of the elastic layer includes a plurality of convex portions extending in a line in the axis direction of the transfer roller.

Abstract: A roller component includes a layer composed of a foamed rubber material including plural cells formed by gas, the layer being formed into a substantially cylindrical body, wherein a volume of the cells decreases from an inner side of the substantially cylindrical body toward the outside.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member includes a mixture of a polyimide, a metal dialkyldithiophosphate, a polysiloxane, and an optional conductive filler component.

Abstract: A belt moving unit includes an endless belt member and plural support rolls supporting the belt member movably and rotating, wherein the support rolls include one or more follower rolls rotating to follow the movement of the belt member and at least one of the follower rolls is used as an inertial roll to which inertia is applied, wherein the inertial roll includes a rotation shaft, a rotational inertial member rotating with the rotation shaft and applying inertia, and a roll body disposed along a peripheral surface of the rotation shaft and including plural roll-divided members, and wherein the plural roll-divided members include a fixed divided member fixed to the rotation shaft and rotating along with the rotation shaft to follow the movement of the belt member and a rotating divided member rotating independently of the rotation of the rotation shaft.

Abstract: A transfer station for toner transfer in an electrophotographic imaging device includes an endless transfer belt transported about an endless path through the imaging device, a transfer roll adjacent one surface of the transfer belt, and a backup roll adjacent an opposite surface of the transfer belt opposite from the transfer roll such that the transfer roll and backup roll form a transfer nip effecting transfer of toner. For the purpose of improved overtransfer performance, an outer layer of a thin polymer coating is applied to at least one of the transfer belt and the rolls so as to be located within the transfer nip with transfer of toner. The polymer layer has a thickness from about 5 ?m to about 200 ?m, surface resistivity from about 1E08 to about 1E12 Ohm/cm and breakdown strength greater than 500 V.

Abstract: A control portion obtains a first difference in a movement amount between paper passing period and paper non-passage period of a transfer belt, and determines whether or not a first absolute value thereof is a first threshold value or more. In a case where the first absolute value is the first threshold value or more, a transfer belt unit positional adjustment motor is driven to adjust a first angle with respect to a first direction of a transfer belt unit with respect to a photoreceptor drum. In a case where the first absolute value is less than the first threshold value, a second absolute value of a second difference between a movement amount and a designed value set in advance of the transfer belt is obtained, and whether or not the second absolute value is a second threshold value or more is determined.

Abstract: A conductive roller includes a conductive core and a foamed elastic layer covering the conductive core. The foamed elastic layer contains at least three conductive rubbers having different volume resistivities within the range of less than about 1×1014 ? cm, at least one insulating rubber having a volume resistivity of about 1×1014 ? cm or more, and at least two conductive fillers.

Abstract: A passive belt steering apparatus includes a steering linkage at two ends of a steering roll. The steering linkage includes a fixed support and a steering link movably connected to the fixed support and a steering roll at to pivot points. The two pivot points are offset from one another to accommodate passive hard axis roll alignment in response to an axial force to the steering roll applied by a misaligned or incorrectly positioned belt.

Abstract: A roller device includes a roller main body, a shaft member, flanges, a position restricting member, a plate-shaped member, a biasing member, and a securing member. The shaft member is inserted into the roller main body and the flanges in contact with both ends of the roller main body. The position restricting member is secured to the shaft member at an end portion side of the shaft member with respect to the flange. The position restricting member restricts an axial position of the flange. Movement of the plate-shaped member toward the end portion side in an axial direction is restricted by the position restricting member. The biasing member biases the flange toward a center side in the axial direction. The securing member is disposed at the end portion side of the shaft member with respect to the plate-shaped member. The securing member engages the position restricting member.

Abstract: An electrostatographic printing apparatus that includes a charge receptor endless belt; a transfer nip including a BTR roll in contact with the charge receptor at a transfer zone, a continuous media supplied to the transfer zone, and the transfer nip adapted for systematic engagement and disengagement with the continuous media for synchronization of image transfer from the charge receptor to the media. More specifically, in response to recognition of imaging inconsistencies such as belt seams, test patches, or label format pitches, the endless belt disengages from the continuous media at the BTR roll. The BTR roll is appropriately turned on and off and the continuous media reversed in direction commonly known as a ‘Pilgrim step’, then returned to normal direction to synchronize the transfer of images to the continuous media, wherein there is substantially zero wrap of the continuous media on the BTR roll during the engagement of the continuous media with the charge receptor belt.

Abstract: A transfer device is provided, which includes a transfer roller that is provided with a conductive rotational shaft, opposed to an external image-carrying body, and configured to transfer onto an image-transferred member a developer image carried by the image-carrying body, and a bearing rotatably supporting the rotational shaft of the transfer roller, the bearing including a conductive section that is disposed in a position around the rotational shaft of the transfer roller and configured to bear the rotational shaft from an opposite side of the image-carrying body with respect to the rotational shaft and to be supplied with electricity from an external power supply, and an insulated section that is disposed in a position around the rotational shaft and configured to cover the image-carrying body from a side of the image-carrying body.

Abstract: A transfer device and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. Shapes of cam profiles of first cam members and second cam members controlling movement of first slider members moving a first transfer roller corresponding to a black developer, and second slider members moving a second transfer roller corresponding to a color developer. Times are different as when movement of the first slider members is completed and when movement of the second slider members is completed in mode conversion among a ready mode, a mono mode and a color mode, and thus a driving load generated when the first and second cam members are rotated is reduced, non-uniformity of the rotating speeds of the first and second cam members is reduced, and problems generated due to non-uniform rotating speeds of the cam members are reduced.

Abstract: A toner transfer station of an electrophotographic imaging device employs a backup roll having an inner electrically grounded cylindrical metal base core and an outer surface layer disposed about the inner base core. The outer surface layer may be formed of a polyurethane elastomer material to provide a capacitive coating with a thickness greater than 15 microns, a dielectric constant less than 12 and a resistivity of less than 3.00E+13 Ohm-cm.

Abstract: A belt pressurizing device includes: an endless belt that is circularly driven; a pressing member that presses the endless belt against a facing member with the endless belt interposed between the pressing member and the facing member; and a lubricant supplying member that supplies lubricant to reduce sliding resistance of the endless belt pressed by the pressing member, so as not to be in contact with the endless belt.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a plurality of rollers, a rotatable intermediate transfer belt wound around and stretched between the rollers, a transfer member disposed in the inner loop of the belt and facing an image bearing member of an image forming apparatus disposed at an outer circumference of the belt, to transfer an image formed onto the surface of the image bearing member when contacting the intermediate transfer belt, and a position adjuster to adjust the position of the intermediate transfer belt at different positions relative to the image bearing member. The positions include a contact state in which the intermediate transfer belt applied with a predetermined tension contacts the image bearing member, a first separation state in which the tensioned intermediate transfer belt separates from the image bearing member, and a second separation state in which the intermediate transfer belt separates further away from the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit having an endless transfer belt stretched over a plurality of rollers, a pair of integrated support side plates for supporting the plurality of rollers rotatably, a pair of press side plates supported, to be able to rotate in the direction of moving toward or away from the image carrier, by means of a supporting member provided in the frame of the transfer unit, a swing portion provided on the press side plates and supporting the support side plates swingably with respect to the image carriers when the transfer belt and the image carriers are pressed, and a member for urging the press side plates in the direction that the transfer belt presses the image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image-forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a backup member and a medium transfer member. The image-forming unit is configured to form a developed image, which is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. The intermediate transfer member is entrained about the backup member. The medium transfer member is opposed to the backup member and is configured to transfer the developed image on the intermediate transfer member to a medium. The medium transfer member is also at a first position where a rotational axis of the medium transfer member lies downstream of a rotational axis of the backup member in a medium transport direction.

Abstract: A belt driving device includes an endless belt, a tension roller, a shaft member, deviation transfer members, and biasing members. The deviation transfer members are fitted over the shaft member in such a manner as to adjoin respective of opposite ends of the tension roller in an axial direction of the tension roller. Of the deviation transfer members, at least that deviation transfer member which is located on a downstream side in a deviation direction along the axial direction is movable together with the endless belt along the shaft member. Each of the biasing members has an acting end pivotally supported on an associated one of the deviation transfer members and a base end pivotally supported on an associated one of apparatus frames at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A toner bearing member is provided which includes a conductive support, an insulation layer provided on the conductive support, multiple electrodes arranged at regular intervals on the insulation layer, a surface layer covering the multiple electrodes, comprising a polymerized compound having a specific unit, and a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the conductive support and the multiple electrodes while periodically reversing an electric field generated therebetween.

Abstract: There is provided a transfer device that is used for transferring a developer image hold on a surface of an image supporting body to a first face of a transfer member transported and includes a transfer member that includes a conductive surface layer that is rotatable around a first rotation axis and be elastically transformed, forms a second contact area, which differs from the first contact area in a transporting direction of the transfer member, by contacting with a second face of the transfer member, and is supplied with a transfer voltage used for transferring the developer image onto the first face of the transfer member, a transformation unit that elastically transforms the transfer member, and an adjustment unit that adjusts a shape of the second contact area by adjusting the degree of elastic transformation of the transfer member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic (EP) printer for transferring a toner image to a receiver sheet has a tensioned rotatable transport web with a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa. The transport web is wrapped around a compliant image-bearing member. A compressible, rotatable nip-forming member that is relatively less stiff than the image-bearing member is adjacent to the transport web on the opposite side thereof from the image-bearing member. A mount holds the nip-forming member against the image-bearing member, and permits the axis of rotation of the nip-forming member to move closer to or farther from the transport web. When the leading edge of the receiver on the web engages with the image-bearing member, the nip-forming member compresses. The axis of rotation of the nip-forming member translates by an amount less than the thickness of the receiver sheet minus the compression of the compliant coating of the image-bearing member.

Abstract: A rotating body for use in an image forming apparatus has an outer surface in which one or more grooves are formed. The one or more grooves are oriented at an angle greater than 0° and less than 90° with respect to a longitudinal direction of the rotating body.

Abstract: An electrophotographic (EP) printer prints on a receiver sheet moving on a tensioned rotatable transport web with a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa. The transport web is wrapped around a compliant image-bearing member. Two transfer stations are arranged along the belt, each with a rotatable image-bearing member. The first station has a first rotatable nip-forming member disposed adjacent to the transport web on the opposite side thereof from the first image-bearing member. The first rotatable nip-forming member is relatively stiffer than the first image-bearing member. The second station has a nip-forming member on a compliant mount. The second rotatable nip-forming member is relatively less stiff than the second image-bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier which carries an image and a transfer roller including a roller base material which faces the image carrier and rotates. A concave portion is positioned on a peripheral surface of the roller base material. A grip unit on the concave portion grips a recording medium. An elastic layer is disposed on a peripheral surface of the roller base material. The transfer roller passes the recording medium through a nip between the image carrier and the elastic layer which comes into contact with the image carrier via the image carrier and the recording medium to transfer the image carried on the image carrier onto the recording medium. A roller driving unit rotates the roller base material. A control unit controls the roller driving unit and causes the concave portion to face the image carrier to stop the transfer roller.

Abstract: An image transfer system includes an endless image bearing belt for carrying an image to be transferred to a web material; a first roll around which the image bearing belt travels; a second roll around which the image bearing belt travels; a biased transfer roll for supporting the web material such that the web material contacts the image bearing belt at a nip located at a nip location between the biased transfer roll and the first roll, and such that the image is transferred from the image bearing belt to the web material; and a pre nip roll for supporting the web material upstream of the nip. The image bearing belt wraps concavely around the first roll, and the first roll and the biased transfer roll are positioned relative to each other such that the web material wraps around a portion of the image bearing belt and the first roll prior to the web material entering the nip and prior to the image being subjected to an electric field.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movable belt; a transfer member opposed to the image bearing member with the belt therebetween; wherein the transfer member has a contact surface substantially parallel with a surface of the belt and contacted to the belt, and wherein when the belt is moving, the belt rubs the contact surface, and a toner image is transferred from such a part of image bearing member as is opposed to the contact surface; and a supporting member for supporting the transfer member, the supporting member being swingable.