Abstract: An image forming apparatus is able to maintain an image density at a constant level. The apparatus has a FC mode selecting key for allowing a user to selectively designate a low FC mode indicating that the apparatus is in a less-used state where the number of times of image formation is smaller than a predetermined value and a high FC mode indicating that the apparatus is in a highly-used state where the number of times of image formation is not smaller than the predetermined value, and a CPU for correctively setting a target value of toner density at a value higher than a target value of toner density at the low FC mode when the apparatus is in the high FC mode.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a light-emitting device having a linear array of a plurality of light-emitting elements, a driver for driving the light-emitting elements, an image forming optical system for causing light emitted by the light-emitting elements to form an image at a predetermined position. A first support is provided for supporting the light-emitting devicde and the driver. A second support is provided for supporting the image forming optical system. A heat conductive member is provided to interpose in a gap between the first and second supports.

Abstract: In a liquid electrophotographic imaging system including a photoreceptor medium, a laser scanning unit scans light onto the photoreceptor medium to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor surface of the photoreceptor medium. A development unit develops an image on the photoreceptor surface corresponding to an electrostatic latent image formed by the laser scanning unit with toner carried by a liquid carrier. A cabinet encloses the photoreceptor medium, the laser scanning unit, and the development unit to prevent the carrier in a gaseous state after being used during development from escaping to the outside. In the laser scanning unit including a light emitting unit, a beam deflector deflects and scans the light emitted from the light emitting unit. A housing encloses the light emitting unit and the beam deflector and has a transparent window through which the light scanned by the beam deflector passes.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device for an ink jet print head that has a greater displacement at a low drive voltage. The ink-jet recording head includes a vibration plate, on which is mounted one or more piezoelectric devices that change the volumes of pressure chambers upon application of a voltage. The device is mounted at least on one face of a pressure chamber substrate that is to be filled with ink. Such piezoelectric device includes a second piezoelectric layer having a piezoelectric constant g of a constant value or higher; and a first piezoelectric layer having a dielectric constant of a specific value or higher. Since the piezoelectric constant d of the piezoelectric device correlates with the product of the largest piezoelectric constant g and the largest dielectric device of the piezoelectric devices, a piezoelectric constant d larger than in the conventional case, i.e., having a greater displacement, can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for printing signs by printing a first ink layer directly on one face of a transparent substrate; applying an intermediate layer over the first ink layer; and printing a second ink layer directly on the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A developing apparatus according to the present invention for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrying member has a developer carrying member arranged opposite to an image carrying member and holding a developer, and a voltage applying device applying an AC voltage to the developer carrying member, wherein the AC voltage has a first peak potential and a second peak potential, the first peak potential being a peak potential on the side of development for supplying the developer to the image carrying member, the second peak potential being a peak potential on the side of recovery for returning the developer to the developer carrying member, and a voltage waveform of the AC voltage always has two straight line portions which differ in slopes while changing from the first peak potential to the second peak potential and/or from the second peak potential to the first peak potential.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus adapted to producing images using inks having predetermined concentrations of a magnetic label material therein, includes a printhead; an ink delivery system adapted to provide inks to the printhead; and a magnetic sensor associated with the ink delivery system, said sensor being sensitive to the magnetic label material in the ink and adapted to produce a signal which is characteristic of the concentration of the label material in the ink; wherein said magnetic sensor includes a horseshoe permanent magnet having first and second pole faces and a pair of magnetic field sensors located symmetrically between said pole faces having their axes of magnetic field sensitivity aligned perpendicular to the fixed field of said permanent magnet such that no signal is produced from said fixed field.

Abstract: A fuser release agent management (RAM) system for applying release agent to a fusing apparatus is provided. The Ram system includes an application member for applying release agent to an external surface of a movable internally heated fusing member, and supply source for supplying release agent to the application member. Importantly, the RAM system includes a heating and release agent redistributing member mounted into contact with the external surface of the internally heated fusing member for additionally heating the external surface and release agent thereon, and for redistributing and smoothing out the release agent thereon, thereby eliminating an interdocument agent banding problem, and differential gloss ordinarily created by areas of unredistributed release agent thereon.

Abstract: A coupling member for coupling a first frame and a second frame of a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge including the first frame having an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a photosensitive member mounting portion for mounting the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the second frame having a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing means mounting portion for mounting the developing means, the coupling member includes a connecting portion for rotatably coupling the first frame and second frame; a spring mounting portion for mounting a spring for applying elastic force to the first frame and second frame; and a coupling member locking portion for locking the coupling member to the second frame.

Abstract: A plurality of resist marks of K, C, M and Y color toner components are transferred at predetermined pitches onto a belt for conveying record paper, by means of a plurality of electrostatic recording units. The resist marks are optically detected by sensors. A positional offset detection unit detects positions of resist lines from phases .phi. obtained through Fourier transform of sensor detection signals, and employs as the reference the detected position of the resist mark of K component to thereby detect positional offsets of the detected positions of the resist marks of the other C, M and Y color toner components. A positional offset correction unit corrects the transferred positions of the other C, M and Y color toner components so as to eliminate any positional offsets relative to the K component image.

Abstract: For transporting finely powdered toner material from a reservoir to a delivery opening, a porous bed that forms a down grade is charged with compressed air proceeding from below, whereby the toner material mixes with air to form a liquid-like mixture. This mixture flows along the down grade from the reservoir to the delivery opening.

Abstract: A release agent supplying member (21) is formed by release agent discharge portions (21a) for discharging release agent, and liquid level uniforming portions (21b) for uniforming a liquid level of the release agent discharged from the release agent discharge portions before supplying the release agent discharged from the release agent discharge portions to a subject to be coated.