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

Abstract: A filter unit includes a corrugated filter, and a casing for containing the filter. A reinforcement member is formed by casting a resin material into at least one recess of the filter.

Abstract: A blower assembly for an environmental control system comprising a blower housing and a blower operably carried in that housing, the housing having a one-piece inlet ring and ring support, the support having a plurality of upstanding columns that define the space within which the blower operates, and the housing being characterized by the absence of apertured side members. A unitary inlet ring and ring support for a blower assembly, the support having a plurality of upstanding columns, some columns having upstanding webs extending between them and between the inlet ring.

Abstract: In a copying machine 1 which is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, an air fan 11 and an air duct 12 on the downstream side thereof are provided in a housing 10, to lead an air current to an opening 55a of an image forming unit 5 through the air duct 12. The opening 55a is for passing a light beam from a light irradiating unit 4, and is also used for blowing off air, to lead the air current to the photosensitive drum 51. A rib 10g is provided in the vicinity of the opening 55a in the housing 10, to efficiently guide the air current to the opening 55a without varying the air current. The air current disperses ozone or the like in an area surrounding the photosensitive drum 51.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising an intermediate transfer belt 12 having a horizontal belt part 12a, and a transfer section 34 arranged opposite the horizontal belt part 12a of the intermediate transfer belt 12 for transferring to a sheet overlaid images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 12 by a plurality of image forming sections 20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K for overlaying multiple images of respectively different color, wherein a belt unit 110 comprises a frame 112, at least three rollers 14, 16, 18 supported on frame 112, and the intermediate transfer belt 12 supported on the exterior surface of these rollers, and wherein the belt unit 110 can be installed and removed from the image forming apparatus body perpendicular to the shafts of the rollers 14, 16, 18, and parallel to the horizontal part 12a.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning and removing particles from a printer machine quietly and efficiently with a variable speed blower whereby the blower can operate in a reduced power mode during normal operation and in an increased power mode for special cleaning operations in the printer machine.

Abstract: A method for reducing contamination of a corona charger in an electrophotographic process wherein the corona charger imparts a charge to a photoconductor film passed by the corona charger, by identifying contaminated air flow streams and determining the direction of flow of the contaminated air flow stream flowing past or into the corona charger and positioning at least one plate to divert the contaminated air flow streams away from the corona charger.

Abstract: In a copying machine 1 which is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, an air fan 11 and an air duct 12 on the downstream side thereof are provided in a housing 10, to lead an air current to an opening 55a of an image forming unit 5 through the air duct 12. The opening 55a is for passing a light beam from a light irradiating unit 4, and is also used for blowing off air, to lead the air current to the photosensitive drum 51. A rib 10g is provided in the vicinity of the opening 55a in the housing 10, to efficiently guide the air current to the opening 55a without varying the air current. The air current disperses ozone or the like in an area surrounding the photosensitive drum 51.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrophotographic printing apparatus for printing an image on a print medium with use of a liquid developer which contains a liquid carrier and a toner being dispersed in the liquid carrier. It has an image printing system comprising an imaging surface on which a toner image is formed from the liquid developer, and transferring the toner image from the imaging surface to the print medium, and an air treatment system having a cleaning member. The cleaning member has a holding member having a plurality of passages in rows, and a particulate material which is capable of absorbing or adsorbing vapor of the liquid carrier and which is held in the plurality of passages. The particulate material is held in the passage with room for the particulate material to move in the passages.

Abstract: An air filtering apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer is mounted on a charger and includes a suction device sucking air in a main body of the printer and a filtering device filtering pollutants contained in the air sucked by the suction device.

Abstract: It is a purpose of the invention to provide a dust protector for an image exposure device capable of preventing particles from sticking to windows or the like of the image exposure device and free from moisture condensation on the windows or the like of the image exposure device as a result of direct exposure of the same to the atmosphere and an image forming apparatus utilizing the same. The purpose is achieved by providing a dust protector for an image exposure device for performing image exposure on a member to be exposed from below with a dust protective member for preventing particles from sticking to at least a member located above an optical path of the image exposure device by covering the image exposure device from above without blocking the optical path of the image exposure device and an air flow generating unit for generating an air flow that prevents particles from entering the region covered by the dust protective member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter unit comprising a corrugated filter, a casing for containing the filter and a reinforcement member formed by casting a resin material into one recess of the filter at least.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an outer housing having an external communication opening, a transfer unit for transferring a recording medium from a lower portion of the housing to an upper portion thereof, an image forming unit, having a corona discharge member, for forming an image on the recording medium transferred with the transfer unit, a passage body extending from the vicinity of the image forming unit to the communication opening of the housing, and having an air inlet port opened in the vicinity of the image forming unit and an air ejection port opened at the communication opening, and an air transferring device provided in the passage body for sucking air into the passage body through the air inlet port and ejecting air to the external communication opening of the housing from the air ejection port of the passage body.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic printer having topping corona devices for charging a photosensitive belt, a laser scanner for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged photosensitive belt, and a development unit for developing the electrostatic latent image to an image having a predetermined color. The liquid electrophotographic printer includes an exhaust guide forming a movement path of air so that the air moves from places around the topping corona devices to the outside of the printer, a filter for filtering impurity contained in the air passing through the exhaust guide, and an induction pump for allowing air to flow from the places around the topping corona devices to the filter through the exhaust guide. The ozone generated around the topping corona devices can be removed, thereby preventing the environment surrounding the printer from being contaminated by the ozone.

Abstract: An electrostatic imaging device such as copying machine includes a photoreceptor, a corona electrifier for the photoreceptor, a developer and a ventilation system. The ventilation system includes a suction duct having a suction port for absorbing ozone generated by the corona electrifier, an exhaust duct having a pair of air nozzle for blasting air to the developer for prevention of ink leakage, an ozone remover for removing ozone from the air inside the duct to provide clean air to the air nozzle.

Abstract: In an air circulation system of a liquid electrophotographic printer, an engine shell includes a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image which is formed on a photoreceptor belt and having an air injector, a drying unit for drying the developed image, and a transferring unit for transferring the developed image to print paper. Air in the engine shell is taken in and exhausted to the outside though a main path. A filter is installed on the main path for filtering air. A return path is branched from the main path and through which the air taken in from the engine shell is supplied to the air injector. An air pump provides a driving force such that air can flow along the main path and the return path. Thus, as air can be exhausted from the engine shell and the exhausted air can be re-supplied to the air injector using a single pump, the structure of the system is simplified.

Abstract: An ozone-exhaust duct is incorporated in an electrophotographic printer to exhaust air, containing ozone and dust articles, and an exit structure of the duct is associated with an ozone-filter. In the exit-structure, a dust trapper is provided under an exit end portion of the duct near the ozone-filter to define a dust-trapping chamber such that a cross-sectional area of the exit end portion of the duct is increased in comparison with a cross-sectional area of a remaining portion of the duct, whereby a velocity of the air, introduced from the remaining portion of the duct into the exit end portion thereof, slows down, due to the existence of the ozone-filter and the increased cross-sectional area of the exit end portion of the duct, resulting in trapping of a part of the dust particles, contained in the introduced air, in the dust-trapping chamber of the dust trapper due to gravity.

Abstract: An electrograph apparatus includes a photoconductor, a charging device for uniformly charging the surface of the photoconductor, a developing device, a charge extinguishing device functioning so that a sheet of printed paper can be easily released, and a fixing device in which denatured silicone oil having a mercapto-group as a functional group is used as a releasing agent, for fixing a toner image copied on a printing paper, in which the fixing device is provided above the charging device and the charge extinguishing device.

Abstract: An air circulation system for a liquid-type electrophotographic printer. The air circulation system circulates air in the printer and discharges the air to the outside. The printer includes a developer unit for developing a predetermined image onto a photoreceptor belt, a drying unit for drying the developed image, and a transfer unit for printing the dried image on a paper.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a charge retentive surface is developed with toner particles to form a visible image thereof, including; a housing having a supply of toner and developer therein; a donor member for transporting toner from said housing to the development zone; a means for conveying toner to the donor member; means for generating a negative air stream for carrying toner therein; and a filter for removing the toner from the negative air stream, being positioned so that developer impinges on said filter to dislodge material collected in said filter.

Abstract: In an apparatus for filtering a solvent of a liquid electrophotographic printer, an exhaust fan exhausts air inside a main body of the printer to the outside thereof. A platinum catalyst filter is installed on a flow route of air exhausted by the exhaust fan and filters solvent included in the exhausted air. A heater selectively heats the platinum catalyst filter, and the solvent collected by the filter is decomposed. Thus, the filter can be reused and generation of waste can be prevented.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a charge retentive surface is developed with toner particles to form a visible image thereof, including; a housing having a supply of toner and developer therein; a donor member for transporting toner from the housing to the development zone; a means for conveying toner to the donor member; blower for generating a negative air stream for carrying toner therein; and a filter for removing the toner from the negative air stream, the filter including filter material and spring blower, connected thereto, for oscillating the filter material to dislodge toner material collected in the filter when the generating means is disabled.

Abstract: An electrostatic filtering system which allows a steady flow of air into a development housing and prevent toner emission therefrom. The system is used in an apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface includes the housing having a supply of toner therein; a donor member arranged in the housing to transport toner to a development zone adjacent the surface; and electrode for detaching toner from the donor member and produce a toner cloud in the development zone; and an air handling system, associated with the housing, for generating a negative air stream in the housing, the air handling system including the electrostatic filtering system for removing the toner from the negative air stream. The electrostatic filtering system includes a baffle mounted in the housing in the negative air stream and a high voltage DC for applying a bias to the baffle thereby creating an electrostatic field between the baffle and the developer for collecting toner emission.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a charge retentive surface is developed with toner particles to form a visible image thereof, including; a housing having a supply of toner and developer therein; a donor member for transporting toner from said housing to the development zone; means for conveying toner to the donor member; means for generating a negative air stream for carrying toner therein; and a filter for removing the toner from the negative air stream, said filter including filter material and oscillation means, operational connected to said conveying means, for oscillating said filter material to dislodge toner material collected in said filter when said generating means is disabled.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic printer includes a printer body. An engine unit is installed in the printer body and includes a photoreceptor belt, a laser scanner for forming a latent electrostatic image on the photoreceptor belt, a development device for developing the latent electrostatic image by supplying a developer liquid which is a mixture of a liquid carrier and a toner, a transfer roller for transferring the developed image to a print paper, a fixation roller for pressing the print paper against the transfer roller, and a drying unit for evaporating the liquid carrier remaining on the photoreceptor belt. A closed cell encompasses the engine unit. An exhaust fan exhausts the air inside the closed cell. A filter removes the gaseous carrier from the exhausted air.

Abstract: A cleaning system for an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus for air flow control for maintaining optimum cleaning efficiency. The cleaning system includes a fan for producing an air flow to entrain residual marking particles and other debris. The fan has a filter and a variable speed blower associated therewith. A pressure transducer is associated with the filter for measuring the pressure drop across the filter, and generates a signal corresponding to the pressure drop measured by the pressure transducer. Responsive to the signal from the pressure transducer, the speed of the blower is regulated to maintain a desired optimum efficiency air flow through the filter. Of course, the speed of the blower can be quantified such that at a certain threshold speed an appropriate warning may be provided that the filter is no longer operating efficiently and needs to be cleaned or replaced.

Abstract: A developing device which is capable of being detachably mounted to a rotary unit of an image forming apparatus and which includes a developer carrying member for forming a development region together with an image carrying member and rotating as carrying a developer, a developer containing section for containing the developer to be supplied to the developer carrying member, and a pressure relief portion provided in a surface substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotary unit, of the developer containing section.

Abstract: An integrated environmental management system for reproduction apparatus including a reprographic marking engine for reproducing information supplied thereto and accessories for facilitating the handling of reproduction output from the marking engine. The integrated environmental management system includes a housing associated with the reprographic marking engine. The housing defines a chamber having, in communication, a rear wall substantially parallel to the rear of the reprographic marking engine, first and second side walls, and top and bottom walls. An inlet plenum in the housing chamber communicates, for example, with an opening in the first side wall of the housing. The inlet plenum includes an inlet filter for preventing contaminants in ambient air from entering the inlet plenum, a first inlet duct directed into the general interior of the reprographic marking engine, and a plurality of inlet ducts directed respectively to specific systems within the reprographic marking engine.

Abstract: Hopper plug (143) vents out air pressure build-up which cause toner leaks. One side of the plug has a series of entrance openings (491) which communicate with the inside of the hopper (61). Air, potentially containing some toner particles, passes through those openings and enters a first chamber (507). The first chamber has exit holes (499) which do not face the entrance openings. Air passing through the exit holes of the first chamber enters a second chamber (509). The second chamber has exit holes (495) which are at the opposite end and do not face the entrance openings. Third chamber (511) of this labyrinth faces a mat toner filter (501) which leads to exit holes (503).

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface with toner. The apparatus includes a housing having a supply of toner therein; a donor member arranged in said housing to transport toner to a development zone adjacent the surface; a electrode member is provided for detaching toner from said donor member and produce a toner cloud in the development zone; and an air handling system, associated with said housing, for collecting stray toner particles emitted from said housing, said air handling system including a separator for separating toner by size. The air handling system includes a blower, a particle chamber and a valve assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling driving of an ozone emission fan includes the steps of: when an external printing command is provided, outputting a control signal for driving the ozone emission fan; printing image data externally inputted after outputting the control signal for driving the ozone emission fan; and after the printing operation, outputting another control signal for stopping the ozone emission fan.