Abstract: A developer, for an electrophotographic image forming system, includes a developer container for storing developing solution, a developing roller which is partially soaked in the developing solution stored in the developer container and installed to rotate in an opposite direction of a photosensitive medium, a cleaning roller, which is soaked in the developing solution, is installed to rotate opposite to the developing roller and removes the developing solution remaining on the surface of the developing roller, and a developing solution agitator, which agitates the developing solution, and thereby keeps the developing solution in uniform concentration.

Abstract: A collection vessel 124 is formed with a plurality of collection spaces 148a to 148f separated by partition walls 146, and collection ports 134 and 136 are connected to the collection spaces 148a to 148f. The collection spaces 148a to 148f are made to communicate with each other through a communication part 152. A developer intake section 154 implementing a full condition detector is placed below the communication part 152. A detection vessel is placed in the developer intake section 154 for detecting a full condition based on the developer overflowing the collection spaces 148a to 148f.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus is equipped with a first photosensitive member, a plurality of first developing devices, a second photosensitive member, and a second developing device. In the image forming apparatus, toner images on the first photosensitive member and the second photosensitive member are transferred onto a transfer medium while one is superimposed on the other, whereby it is possible to form a high quality image using deep-color and light-color toners of the same hue and to prevent a deterioration in gradation property.

Abstract: A wet color image forming apparatus to transfer a color image using electrostatic force and pressure and a method of forming an image with the wet color image forming apparatus. The wet color image forming apparatus includes photosensitive bodies, developing units, a transfer belt, a paper transfer roller, and a multi-function roller. The photosensitive bodies form latent electrostatic images corresponding to image information input from the outside. The transfer belt is driven and the paper transfer roller is supported during the transfer of the image to the paper by the multi-function roller. The transfer belt includes a surface layer that contacts the photosensitive bodies and the paper transfer roller, a first cushion layer that contacts the multi-function roller, and a second cushion layer between the surface layer and the first cushion layer and has a lower hardness than the first cushion layer.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a developing device, an inequality of 1≦(&agr;/100)×Vr×Hr1/3<3.5 is satisfied, wherein Vr denotes the peripheral speed ratio of an outer circumferential surface of a developer carrying member to the outer circumferential surface of an image carrying member, Hd denotes a spacing of the outer circumferential surface of the developer carrying member to the outer circumferential surface of the image carrying member, Hh denotes an average value of a height of a magnetic brush layer, Hr denotes a ratio of an average value of the height Hh to the spacing Hd, and &agr; (%) denotes a coverage ratio of an area of the magnetic brush layer to cover the outer circumferential surface of the developer carrying member to the outer circumferential surface of the developer carrying member.

Abstract: A rear electrode is arranged at a location at the back of a toner transport path opposite a supply roller, and the rear electrode is moreover embedded in a support, toner-supplying voltage from rear electrode power supply being applied to rear electrode, toner-supplying electric field being formed in the vicinity or vicinities of supply roller, toner-supplying voltage from a rear electrode power supply being varied as appropriate, and intensity of toner-supplying electric field(s) being adjusted.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus in which an increase in the service life is compatible with a reduction in apparatus size and cost and which provides high productivity in image formation. The image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; an image forming unit; an intermediate transfer device; a final transfer member; a potential gradient forming unit; and a cleaning unit; an upstream side cleaning roll, a downstream side cleaning roll which is in contact with the intermediate transfer member on the downstream side of the upstream side cleaning roll with respect to a feedback direction in which the residual toner is fed back from the final transfer position to the primary transfer position, and a cleaning brush which is in contact with the intermediate transfer member on the downstream side of the upstream side cleaning roll and on the upstream side of the downstream side cleaning roll.

Abstract: A cleaner includes a first roller and a second roller. The first roller is for removing foreign matter from a photosensitive body of an image forming device. The second roller is disposed in confrontation with the first roller. An electric field developed between the first roller and the second roller moves foreign matter having a predetermined charge polarity from the surface of the first roller to the surface of the second roller.

Abstract: A rotary developing device having a cylindrical rotary developing unit, and a plurality of development members mounted around the periphery of the rotary developing unit. The rotary developing unit is driven to bring one of the development members to the developing position facing a photoreceptor and subsequently the transmission of the driving power to the development member is conducted. In the rotary developing device, the driving direction of the development members at a driving power transmitting section is set to be the same as the driving direction of the rotary developing unit and a simple additional structure employing an electromagnetic clutch or a one-way clutch is applied to the driving power transmitting section, thereby avoiding a collision of tooth tops between gears, damping the impact generated by a collision, and reducing vibration and damage of tooth tops. Therefore, the production of image defects due to registration error are prevented.

Abstract: A method of aligning and registering duplex images using an imaging device, such as a printer including the steps of applying a first image to a first side of a media, modifying one or more imaging parameters of the imaging device after the first image is applied, and applying a second image to a second side of the media using the modified imaging parameters.

Abstract: Apparatus include a toner cartridge that defines a primary toner reservoir and at least one secondary toner reservoir. A gate device is also included, wherein the gate device is configured to selectively control the flow of toner from the secondary toner reservoir to the primary toner reservoir. Methods of operating a toner cartridge include providing a toner cartridge having a primary toner reservoir and a secondary toner reservoir. The toner cartridge is operated to initially deplete toner from the primary toner reservoir. At a given level of toner depletion from the primary toner reservoir, toner is dumped from the secondary toner reservoir into the primary toner reservoir for replenishment thereof.

Abstract: A conductive isolation member for electrophotography components is disclosed. In one embodiment, a cartridge for use in an image forming device includes a photosensitive drum, an electrophotography component, and a conductive isolation member electrically connected to the electrophotography component to permit discharge of static charge on the electrophotography component upon removal of the conductive isolation member.

Abstract: An active steering system and method thereof include a drive source, a steering roller, a steering motor, a steering controller, a belt edge sensor, and a main controller. The steering roller adjusts a belt in a widthwise direction, which is rotated by the drive source. The steering motor drives the steering roller, and the steering controller controls the steering motor. The belt edge sensor detects a belt edge signal according to a position of the belt in the widthwise direction. The main controller controls the drive source and/or the steering controller where the belt is rotated based on a balance point at which an amount of change of at least one value of the belt edge signal and a step number of the steering motor is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A printer cartridge and method of making or refurbishing a printer cartridge are disclosed. The printer cartridge may include a first cartridge subassembly attached to a second cartridge subassembly. The first cartridge subassembly may include a first conductive terminal and the second cartridge subassembly may include a second conductive terminal that is normally in electrical contact with the first conductive terminal when the first and second subassemblies are assembled. A compressible toner seal may be disposed between the first and second cartridge subassemblies. A compressible, electrically conductive extension may be attached to the first conductive terminal to compensate for variations in thickness of the compressible toner seal or relative movement of the first cartridge subassembly relative to the second cartridge subassembly when the first and second subassemblies are attached to one another to form the printer cartridge.

Abstract: A first printing device forms position alignment marks on a front surface of a web in addition to front-surface images. Information on interval of the printed alignment marks is transmitted to a second printing device, which is for forming rear-surface images on a rear surface of the web. The second printing device detects the position alignment marks. A controller controls a transport speed of the web in the second printing device such that the rear-surface images will be formed in position alignment with the front-surface images based on ideal detection timing and actual detection timing of the position alignment marks.

Abstract: To be able to insert bands of an arbitrary length into a machine unit, for example intermediate carrier bands given an electrophotographic printer device, the band is seated on tubes. The tubes are pushed into receptacles arranged in the machine unit. The band can then be slipped over the transport and guide drums arranged in the machine unit. Subsequently, the band is tensed and the tubes are pulled from the receptacles.

Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of reliably removing an untransferred residual toner from the surface of an intermediate transfer drum which is covered with an elastic layer, thereby enabling to form a recorded image having a high image quality with no ghost image, and capable of continuing to form recorded images having the high image quality over a long period of time without causing damage to the intermediate transfer drum. The intermediate transfer drum is structured such that the periphery of a metal base is covered with an elastic layer. As a toner discharging member for capturing a toner adhered to the intermediate transfer drum and discharging the toner as waste into a recovery box, there are provided a recovery roll that rotates while being in contact with the intermediate transfer drum and a scraper for scraping off a toner adhered to the surface of the recovery roll.

Abstract: A device and method for automatically opening the cover of an ink-jet printer using a solenoid driving device, which responds to an electrical signal sent from a controller unit because the unit detected either a paper jam or that the ink cartridge is depleted. The new mechanism for automatically opening a printer cover allows the user to remove jammed paper or to replace the spent ink cartridge with greater speed and efficiency. This device has the advantages of being economical for use in ink-jet printers and employs a simple design which minimizes the need for repair and simplifies the manufacturing process.

Abstract: Media removal apparatus having a stripper finger structure for separating the lead edge of an imaging media such as plain paper from a heated fuser roll and a stripper baffle for separating the portion of the imaging media beyond the lead edge of the imaging media from the heated fuser roll. The stripper finger structure is supported for movement between a home or standby position and an active position, with the finger tips in constant contact with the heated fuser roll, for effecting separation of the media's lead edge from the heated fuser roll. Likewise, the stripper baffle structure is supported for movement between home or standby positions to its active position where it effects separation of a portion of the imaging media beyond its lead edge.

Abstract: A photocopier includes an intermediate member that is provided pivotably to the photocopier through a freely pivoting joint and an opening and closing cover that is provided pivotably to the intermediate member through a freely pivoting joint. The intermediate member is connected to the photocopier at one edge of the intermediate member. Further, the opening and closing cover is connected to the intermediate member at other edge opposite to the edge of the intermediate member. When the opening and closing cover is opened, image recording system located within the photocopier is exposed.