Abstract: A printing device (10) such as a laser printer includes a fuser assembly (200) with a fuser wiper (210) that can be removed and replaced by a user during normal maintenance to extend the useful life of the fuser assembly (200). Indicators (b0, b1) stored in a memory device (144) can be read by a print engine (36) of a printer (10) either when a print cartridge (100) is first inserted into the printer (10) or at specified times thereafter. Depending on the contents of the memory device (144), the print engine (36) may send a notification message to the printer's raster image processor (150) to cause a message to be displayed on the printer's operational/display panel (254) that informs a user the fuser wiper (210) should be replaced.

Abstract: A particle supply apparatus is disclosed that includes a particle accommodating unit that accommodates particles, a gas spouting unit that is arranged at a bottom portion of the particle accommodating unit and is configured to spout gas toward the particles, and a conveying mechanism that applies suction to the particles accommodated in the particle accommodating unit and conveys the particles toward a supply destination.

Abstract: A toner cartridge is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus and supplies toner to the image forming apparatus. The locking mechanism is positioned either at a locking position or at a non-locking position. Shortly after the toner cartridge has been attached to the image forming apparatus, the locking mechanism is at a non-locking position. When a user operates a driving member of the toner cartridge after the toner cartridge has been attached to the image forming apparatus, the operating lever engages the locking mechanism to cause the locking mechanism to move to a locking position. When the locking mechanism is at the locking position, the locking mechanism limits the driving member to move relative to the engagement portion, so that the toner cartridge is not allowed to be detached from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a toner collection apparatus having a waste toner accommodation chamber that temporarily accommodates waste toner removed from a photosensitive medium. A screw to transfer the waste toner is installed in the chamber. A collection path connects the waste toner accommodation chamber to a developing chamber that holds new toner to be supplied to the photosensitive medium. Waste toner is delivered through the collection path to the developing chamber. An agitator that agitates the waste toner to prevent the collection path from being clogged is provided. The agitator includes a pivoting body installed in the collection path. One end of the pivoting body selectively contacts the screw. The other end of the pivoting body is connected to an agitating body that is arranged in a lengthwise direction of the collection path. As the screw rotates, the pivoting body pivots, thereby moving the agitating body so that it agitates waste toner in the collection path.

Abstract: An image forming device 30 is constituted capable of executing a refresh mode, including: a toner discharge process that transports toner on a developing sleeve 4a inside a developing unit 4 to a photoreceptor drum 1 side when starting up the image forming device from the power supply off state, the sleep (energy saving) mode, and the like, to the copy start state; a transfer roller refresh process that transports the toner transported to the photoreceptor drum 1 side by the toner discharge process to a transfer roller 5 side; and a return process that once again transports the toner transported to the transfer roller 5 side by the transfer roller refresh process to the photoreceptor drum 1 side.

Abstract: A wet-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a development unit for developing an image on a photosensitive medium, a developer cartridge for supplying a developer to the development unit, a developer collection unit disposed between the development unit and the developer cartridge for collecting developer remaining within the development unit into the developer cartridge, and a control unit for controlling the amount of developer to be collected through the developer collection unit to prevent an overflow of the developer at the developer cartridge while the developer is collected. A method for collecting developer remaining in a development unit into a developer cartridge in a wet-type electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprises the steps of turning on a pump to supply developer to the development unit, collecting developer remaining in the development unit in both a natural manner and a compulsory manner.

Abstract: A contact pressure setting method of setting a contact pressure between contact members of an image forming apparatus. A film member is inserted into a gap between the contact members and the contact pressure is set so that a pulling force to pull out the film member lies within a predetermined range. Thus, the contact pressure can be accurately and easily recognized and the contact pressure can be set to be uniform.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for indicating the time to replace consumables in an image forming apparatus by receiving the current date and the critical time of the consumables from a host and comparing them. The apparatus and method include receiving information regarding replacement of the consumables from the host; comparing the received information regarding the replacement of the consumables to information on the critical time to replace the consumables; and when the comparison result indicates the need to replace the consumables, indicating the time to replace the consumables. The information regarding replacement of the consumables includes a current date, and the information on the critical time includes the critical time. The indicating of the time may include comparing the current date and the critical time and when the current date is the same as or greater than the critical time, determining that the consumables need to be replaced.

Abstract: A roller capable for use as a developer roller in a printer including a roll body having a surface, wherein the roller provides a first surface flexibility (SF1) when the roller rotates in one direction and a second surface flexibility (SF2) when said roller rotates in a second direction.

Abstract: Embodiments for a toner auger for use in an image forming device. The image forming device includes a channel through which toner is moved. The auger is positioned within the channel and has an axis of rotation and at least one offset section extending radially outward from the axis of rotation. The offset section forms a sweep envelope that extends outward from the axis of rotation. The auger may be positioned within the channel for the offset to contact the channel. Contact may cause a vibratory force that prevents the toner from clogging and bridging within the channel.

Abstract: A developing unit includes a developer container that includes an opening and holds a developer; a first screw that stirs and conveys the developer, and that supplies the developer to a developing roller; a second screw that stirs the first developer, and that conveys the developer to a direction opposite to a direction to which the first screw conveys the developer; and a partition wall that partitions between the first screw and the second screw. The partition wall includes a guiding member that guides, to a position within a range in which rotation of the first conveying unit reaches, a part of the developer that is supplied to the developing roller and is returned after being used for development from the developing roller, and at least a part of the guiding member is an adhesion surface to which a sealing member for sealing the opening is adhered.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a controller acquires data such as operation start time and operation end time of the image forming apparatus, and records it in an acquisition database. The controller fetches data recorded in the acquisition database to calculate a frequency of use. The controller creates each transition time of auto power saving, auto off, auto clear and weekly timer, and thereafter, records it in a setting database. The controller fetches data recorded in the setting database to set each transition time of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a print unit that prints an image by an electrophotographic process and has a developer cartridge having a photoreceptor drum. A door opens and closes one side of the print unit to install and remove the developer cartridge. A fixing member is selectively shifted between a first position where the developer cartridge is installed and removed and a second position where the developer cartridge is fixed to the print unit by opening and closing the door.

Abstract: A developer system for developing an image in an electrophotographic printing machine, including: a developer housing having a toner sump containing developer material; a magnetic development member rotatably mounted in the housing for transferring toner particles to a latent image on the photoreceptive member in a development zone; a transport system for transporting developer material from the toner sump to the magnetic development member, the transport system includes: a mix/pump auger, disposed in a first auger channel, for mixing and circulating developer material along a first path within the first auger channel; a transport auger, adjacent to the mix/pump auger and disposed in a second auger channel, for circulating developer material along a second path within the second auger channel; a wall member disposed in between the mix/pump auger and the transport auger, the wall member having a first opening disposed near an inboard end of the housing and a second opening disposed near an outboard end of the

Abstract: According to the present invention, when inserting and removing EPUs from an image forming unit, a support leg of a casing can swing, is inclined, and avoids easily a structural body on a path. Further, when putting the EPUs outside the main body of the image forming apparatus, the support leg is fixed to the casing. Therefore, the space for the support leg of the casing of the image forming unit to insert through can be reduced.

Abstract: A fusing member is formed from an evacuable inner tube with a cylindrical wall. The evacuable inner tube is inserted into an outer tube and the inner tube is pressurized to expand the inner tube such that the wall is in contact with the outer tube. An amount of a working fluid is then sealed within the inner tube at a below atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including a heat roller, a pressure roller, a fusing apparatus, and a method of controlling a fusing temperature of the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a heat roller, a first temperature sensor which senses a temperature of the heat roller, a first heat source which is installed inside the heat roller, a second heat source which is installed inside the heat roller and has a lower heat capacity than the first heat source, a pressure roller, and a control unit which controls the first and second heat source based on the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor. The printing apparatus further includes a third heat source which is installed inside the pressure roller, wherein the control unit controls the first, second and third heat sources to reduce a warm-up time, power consumption, flicker and overshoot, while providing a stable fusing operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include: a photoreceptor and a corona charging device or bias transfer roller that provides a charge to an image receiving medium. A cover may be disposed over a portion of the corona charging device or the bias transfer roller to shield the photoreceptor from exposure to the charge from the corona charging device when image receiving medium is charged and in contact with the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A printing device includes: multiple marking engines that during operation place marks on output media; and, a power supply that selectively supplies selected levels of power to the marking engines for selected times so as to ready the marking engines for operation from a dormant state. Power from the power supply is selectively distributed to the multiple marking engines so that at least one of the marking engines is readied for operation prior to at least one of the other marking engines.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes at least two image bearing members, a transferring unit that makes a physical contact with both the image bearing members, and a lubricant applying unit that applies lubricant on the surface of the image bearing members. Images can be selectively formed on any one of the image bearing member. Although an image is being formed on one image bearing member, the transferring is made to come in physical contact with the other image bearing member.