Abstract: The image forming apparatus according to the present disclosures is configured to transmit, to a file server, an acquisition request for an updating data file at a time different from an access time, which is indicated by access time information of a setting file, by a particular time and update a content of the setting file by the acquired updating data file.

Abstract: A printing apparatus to form an image on a recording medium is provided. The printing apparatus includes a recording head, an ink cartridge, which contains the ink therein, an ink cartridge storage to store the ink cartridge, an ink conveyer tube, which connects the recording head and the ink cartridge to convey the ink, and a maintenance system having an aspirator to aspirate the ink to be drawn in the recording head and the ink conveyer tube and a cap to cover a nozzle surface of the recording head, and a releasing system, which is arranged in the ink conveyer tube to switch an open state and a closed state. The releasing system is arranged in a position higher than a position of the ink cartridge so that the releasing system and the ink cartridge have a predetermined water head difference therebetween.

Abstract: A developer cartridge assembled to a developing device defining therein a developing chamber. The developer cartridge includes a first accommodating portion, and a first agitator. The first accommodating portion accommodates therein a developing agent and is positioned beside the developing device. The first accommodating portion includes a first wall part neighboring the developing device. The first wall part is formed with a first through-hole and a second through-hole. The first through-hole is open diagonally downward from the first accommodating portion to the developing device. The second through-hole is open diagonally upward from the first accommodating portion to the developing device. The first through-hole and the second through-hole allow communication between an interior of the first accommodating portion and the developing chamber. The first agitator is rotatably disposed in the first accommodating portion and in sliding contact with the first wall part in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A method for producing a liquid transport apparatus comprises positioning and joining a vibration plate formed with recesses and a flow passage unit formed with pressure chambers, detecting a positional deviation amount of the recess from a reference position in a predetermined direction, and forming an electrode having a length adjusted on the basis of the detected positional deviation amount. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the decrease in the pressure to be applied in the pressure chamber. Further, it is possible to appropriately discharge a liquid such as an ink or the like from a discharge port.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a photosensitive drum driving unit, a developing roller driving unit, and a driving control unit. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum. The developing roller is disposed facing the photosensitive drum and supplies a developing agent to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image to developing agent image. The photosensitive drum driving unit rotatably drives the photosensitive drum. The developing roller driving unit rotatably drives the developing roller. The driving control unit controls the photosensitive drum driving unit and controls the developing roller controlling unit so that a circumferential speed ratio of the developing roller with respect to the photosensitive drum becomes a circumferential speed ratio which corresponds to a circumferential speed of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a case which includes a particular wall having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a protrusion extending from the second end of the particular wall in a predetermined direction. The case also includes an air intake portion, and an ink supply portion positioned at the particular wall adjacent to the second end of the particular wall. Moreover, the ink supply portion is positioned between the protrusion and the air intake portion.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes an ink chamber including a wall, a translucent portion positioned at the wall, in which the translucent portion has an inner space formed therein, and a movable member. The movable member includes a first portion disposed within the inner space of the translucent member, and the first portion includes a first protrusion portion formed on a first surface of the first portion. The movable member also includes a second portion disposed within the ink chamber, and a portion of the first portion of the movable member has a surface having a first surface roughness, and portion of the second portion of the movable member has a surface with a second surface roughness. Moreover, the first surface roughness is greater than the second surface roughness, and the first protrusion portion extends further towards a first interior surface of the translucent portion than the portion of the first portion having the first surface roughness.

Abstract: A laser beam printer including a front face. The front face defines an opening for allowing attaching/detaching a paper feed cassette, an opening for allowing attaching/detaching a process unit, and an opening allowing manual paper feed. Accordingly, the laser beam printer has excellent operability since it allows the user to perform any operation from its side. At the same time, valuable space at the lateral and upper sides of the laser beam printer is available for effective use.

Abstract: In a gear changing device, when a sun gear rotates in a forward direction, a rotating member is rotated in the same direction as the sun gear and planetary gears are pivotally rotated around the sun gear. When the sun gear rotates in a reverse direction, the rotating member stops rotating and allows the planetary gears to rotate on axes thereof to a plurality of predetermined positions on a path of the planetary gear that pivotally rotates. A plurality of transmission gears are provided at a plurality of predetermined positions along the path of the planetary gear pivotally rotating, so as to engage with each of the planetary gears. A plurality of recesses and projections that are recessed and protruded, respectively, in the diametrical direction of the rotating member are alternately formed in an outer periphery of the rotating member. Each of the recesses and projections has a specific width. A sensor switch that detects the recesses and the projections at a predetermined position is provided.

Abstract: A developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an photosensitive body, including a toner, a fluidity improving material, a cleaning material, and hydrophobic fine particles obtained by treating surfaces of the fine particles with silicone, the treated fine particles containing not less than 5% of the silicone.