Abstract: A developing device is provided with a toner container rotatable to a toner replenishing position. The toner container has a toner outlet in a wall of the container. This outlet includes an edge portion that is downstream in the direction of the rotation of the container that is jutted towards the center of toner container rotation which is inside the toner container. This inwardly jutted edge portion of the toner outlet provides a toner outlet profile having an edge that is lower than the other edge of the toner outlet in the direction of toner container rotation so that the lower edge does not engage into contact with a toner inlet on a wall of a developing chamber of a developing device until after the toner outlet is in a position overlapping at least most of the toner inlet.

Abstract: A consumable product such as a toner cartridge for a laser printer includes a messaging device connected thereto. The messaging device is adapted to receive a control signal from the printer or other host, the control signal being indicative of a use status for the consumable product, such as "toner low". The control signal produces a visual effect upon the messaging device such that a message or a change in message concerning the consumable product is indicated thereby. The message or change in message is, alternatively, indicative of an identifier for the consumable product. The messaging device is a resistive heater substrate having at least one layer of thermochromatic ink disposed thereon. In an alternate embodiment, the message or change in message is effected by a change in temperature upon the messaging device, rather than by a direct control signal. In another alternate embodiment, a fuse is connected to the messaging device for providing further information to the printer system.

Abstract: An electrostatographic printing machine having an imaging member with a surface voltage potential and a control system including first and second reference values. A sensor measures first and second surface voltage potentials that are compared to the first and second reference values to provide first and second error signals to control first and second process stations in the printing machine. A first compensator responds to the first error signal to provide a first weighted adjustment to the first process station and a second weighted adjustment to the second process station. A second compensator responds to the second error signal to provide a first weighted adjustment to the second process station and a second weighted adjustment to the first process station in order to compensate for coupling effects between adjustments to either the first or second processing stations.

Abstract: A charging device includes a charging member for charging a movable member to be charged; the charging member including a carrying member for carrying a magnetic particle layer contactable to the member to be charged, the carrying member being adapted to be supplied with a voltage; wherein a direction of a magnetic force acting on magnetic particles in the magnetic particle layer at a downstream end position with respect to a movement direction of the member to be charged at a portion where the member to be charged and the magnetic particle layer are contacted, is opposite from the member to be charged with respect to a tangent line of the member to be charged at the end position.

Abstract: A hollow cylindrical electrostatographic imaging member supporting end flange including a disk shaped member, a supporting hub extending axially from the disk shaped member and a metal disk coaxially secured to the hub, the disk comprising a plurality of rectangular tabs extending radially from the disk in a direction away from an imaginary axis of the hub for engagement with the hollow cylindrical electrostatographic imaging member upon insertion of the hub and disk shaped member into one end of the hollow cylindrical electrostatographic imaging member. When this end flange is inserted into one end of the hollow cylindrical electrostatographic imaging member, the plurality of rectangular tabs extending radially from the disk engage the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical electrostatographic imaging member.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus of electro-photography type in which a light image obtained by reflected light from an original document image by projecting light onto the original document image is changed in size at a set magnification rate to form an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member, and the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image.

Abstract: A dual-component magnetic brush developing device using a dual-component developer containing magnetic carriers and toner electrically attracted to the magnetic carriers.

Abstract: A device for measuring life of a process unit, the device including: a process unit detachably mountable in a main unit, the process unit including at least a photosensitive body having a surface on which can be formed a static electric latent image; a counter for measuring life of the process unit; an unused indication sheet provided internally to each unused process unit and discharged from the process unit when an unused process unit is mounted in the main unit; a sensor provided in the main unit, the sensor detecting discharge of each unused indication sheet and outputting an unused indication sheet discharge sensor signal accordingly; and a control unit provided in the main unit and capable of receiving the unused indication sheet discharge sensor signal from the sensor, the control unit resetting the counter upon receipt of the unused indication sheet discharge sensor signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus has two backup rollers which rotate while remaining in contact with the circumference of a pressing roller, and a plurality of roller bearings for pressing the pressing roller against a heating roller via the backup rollers. The roller bearings are set so as to forcefully press the portion in the vicinity of the center of the pressing roller compared to the portions around both ends of the pressing roller, via the backup roller. As a result, a pressing force acting between the pressing roller and the heating roller becomes substantially even in the axial direction of them, thereby resulting in an even nipping width. Further, the fixing apparatus may be provided with a cylindrical rotary pressing member and a substantially cylindrical pressed-contact member which is disposed in the rotary pressing member and presses it against the heating roller. The pressed-contact member may be formed so as to have a larger diameter at the center than at both ends thereof.

Abstract: When the surface temperature of a heating roller exceeds a predetermined temperature, bearings that rotatably support the heating roller melt. Thus, a pressuring roller causes the heating roller to move toward a temperature detecting device. Thus, the heating roller comes in contact with the temperature detecting device. Consequently, when a defect takes place, the warm-up time after the temperature detecting device works until the power to the heater is shut off can be reduced. In addition or in the alternative, an electrode plate has edges electrically contacting and connecting the heater in the heating roller and a power supply. As the heating roller moves, electrical contact between the heater and the electrode plate is broken and the power from the power supply to the heater is disconnected. As a result, an electrophotographic printing apparatus can be prevented from getting defective, thereby improving the reliability thereof.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising a first frame, a second frame rotatable with respect to the first frame around a rotational center, and a gripper portion formed on the first frame at a position immediately below the hinge means, to be gripped for lifting and transmitting the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus can be made light weight and inexpensive, and stable transportation of the apparatus is ensured.

Abstract: A heat roller fixing device which can substantially make uniform the amount of deflection of a backup roller over the axial length thereof to improve a paper feed force at an axially central portion of the backup roller. The heat roller fixing device includes a heat roller rotatably mounted to a frame, and a backup roller pressed against a heat roller by coil springs to follow rotation of the heat roller. The backup roller includes a hollow cylinder, a solid metal shaft inserted in the hollow cylinder and having a pair of large-diameter portions spaced a given distance from each other. One of the large-diameter portions of the solid metal shaft is fixed to the hollow cylinder such as by a pin therethrough, and the solid metal shaft is biased toward the heat roller by the coil springs.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic printing machine, wherein an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed with toner of a first color and toner of a second color to form a visible image thereof, the electrophotographic printing machine including a system, for removing contaminates from toner of a first color and toner of a second color moving from a toner dispenser to a developer housing, the system including: a mounting assembly, a filter system mounted on the mounting assembly, the filter system having a screen for permitting toner of the first color to travel therethrough while inhibiting contaminants from traveling therethrough when vibrated; a first vibration driver, operatively connected to the screen, for vibrating the screen; a second filter system mounted on the mounting assembly, the filter system having a screen for permitting toner of the second color to travel therethrough while inhibiting contaminants from traveling therethrough when vibrated; and a second vibration d

Abstract: The improved apparatus for forming a color image by slit scan exposure has means for changing the position of a line sensor assembly relative to the shorter side of the slit light that has passed through a slit and means for constructing color filter tables that represent the relationships between the amounts of insertion of the color filters into the optical path and the quantities of the admitted exposing light on the basis of the measured data on the quantity of the slit light measured by using the line sensor assembly with its position being changed relative to the shorter side of the slit light.

Abstract: A sorter for enclosing sheets ejected out from a recording apparatus of an electrophotographic type includes a plurality of movable trays for enclosing the sheets, and a driving unit for driving the tray so as to move the tray. In the present sorter, the driving unit widens a distance between the tray to which the sheet is enclosed and the tray adjacent to the tray and, after the sheet was enclosed to the tray, the driving unit reduces the distance between the tray to which the sheet was enclosed and the tray adjacent to the tray so as to press a curl of the sheet. By vertically moving the plurality of trays, the distance between the trays is changed and the tray to enclose the sheet is changed. Each time a predetermined number of sheets are enclosed to the tray, the plurality of trays are moved upward and, after the elapse of a predetermined time, the plurality of trays are moved downward.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing recording media or supports in the form of discs, wherein a fusible powder is applied image-wise to an image-forming medium and then transferred to an intermediate medium, the powder image on the intermediate medium then being brought into contact, in a contact zone, with a recording disc, the latter being heated in a preheater before the contact zone to a temperature of at least 60.degree. C., and wherein the intermediate medium in the contact zone is heated to a temperature of at least 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a removing portion and a heater. The removing portion removes a toner held by an electrostatic force on a first surface of a latent image charge holding member. The latent image charge holding member includes a pyroelectric layer having a first surface on which the toner is deposited. The heater heats the pyroelectric layer to reduce the electrostatic force attracting the toner to the first surface of the pyroelectric layer, and the removing portion thereby removes the toner from the latent image charge holding member. In another embodiment of the cleaning device, the heater is incorporated in the removing portion which is a blade. In still another embodiment the cleaning device includes a heater and an ultrasonic vibrator is used as the removing portion.

Abstract: A mechanism for facilitating removal of a receiver member from intimate contact with an intermediate image transfer member of a reproduction apparatus having a primary image forming member, an intermediate image transfer member including a compliant outer surface, and a mechanism for electrostatically transferring a marking particle image formed on the primary image forming member from the primary image forming member to the intermediate image transfer member and, thereafter, to a receiver member brought into intimate contact with the intermediate image transfer member. The removal facilitating mechanism includes a member, downstream of the transfer means, in substantial pressure contact with the intermediate image transfer member to compress the outer surface of the intermediate image transfer member, and pinch a receiver member off the intermediate image transfer member.

Abstract: A drive apparatus is comprised of a driven shift of a rotary photosensitive drum, a drive motor and a gear mechanism for rotatably driving the driven shaft, and a flywheel rotated around a wheel rotary shaft, for stabilizing the rotations of the driven shaft. A pulley having a large diameter is mounted on a rotary shaft directly coupled to the driven shaft, whereas a pulley having a small diameter is mounted on the wheel rotary shaft. An endless belt is wound on these pulleys, so that drive force is transferred from the rotary shaft to the wheel rotary shaft, and an angular velocity of the flywheel is made higher than that of the driven shaft.

Abstract: A customer replaceable unit includes a cover and support structure for supporting a photoreceptor belt while it is packaged, shipped and inserted over drive and idler rolls in a machine. It prevents a machine operator from having to handle the belt itself and provides protection from extrinsic damage.