Abstract: Systems and methods of remanufacturing an imaging cartridge include providing the imaging cartridge adapted to receive a signal from an imaging device and apply the signal to a component of the imaging cartridge, and attaching a signal modification element to the imaging cartridge to form a modified imaging cartridge, the signal modification element adapted to receive the signal from the imaging device, modify the signal to form a modified signal, and apply the modified signal to the component of the modified imaging cartridge.

Abstract: A developing device is disclosed which includes a fixed magnet roller 25 having a plurality of magnetic poles, a development roller 27 having a development sleeve 26 that is supported axially with the ability to rotate freely, and a magnetic sealing member 29 arranged at the end of the longitudinal direction X of the development sleeve 26. Further, the length of each of the plurality of magnetic poles not facing the magnetic sealing member 29 (in other words, the development pole S1, lead-in pole N1, and blade pole N3) of the fixed magnet roller 25 are shorter than the length of each of the plurality of magnetic poles facing the magnetic sealing member 29. Accordingly, the magnetic toner retained on the peripheral surface of the development sleeve 26 is guided to the development area side in the longitudinal direction X of the development sleeve 26.

Abstract: A sheet moisturizing apparatus, including a vertical conveyance route in which a sheet is guided upward or downward and paired moisturizing units which are mounted symmetrically to sandwich the vertical conveyance route.

Abstract: A microwave fuser device for heating printing matter in a reproduction apparatus with microwave energy from a suitable microwave source. The microwave fuser device supplies microwave energy through the bottom of a multi-channel resonator including a gap to enable transport of printing matter therethrough. The device includes a power splitter having plural channels for dividing microwave energy from the microwave source between the channels of the multi-channel resonator. The power splitter has a mechanism to provide variable geometry of its plural channels, whereby the effective width of microwave energy from the resonator of the microwave fuser device can be matched to the width of such printed matter having an image fused thereto substantially preventing undesirable high loss of energy and low yield.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge, a toner storage, and a toner supplying unit. The process cartridge includes an image bearing member, a developer container, a developer bearing member, and a pair of side plates. The developer container includes a toner inlet mounted at a predetermined position on one of its top surface. The pair of side plates are arranged in parallel and separated by a predetermined distance which determines a predetermined longitudinal width of the process cartridge and configured to support the components in the process cartridge.

Abstract: A developer supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes a container body, having a non-circular cross-section, for containing a developer, the container body having an arcuate portion and an extension upwardly extending from the arcuate portion; a discharge opening, formed in the arcuate portion for discharging the developer from the container body; a stirring member for stirring the developer in the container body, the stirring member having a rotation shaft provided in the arcuate portion and a flexible resin material sheet mounted on the rotation shaft; wherein the flexible resin material sheet includes a feeding blade for feeding the developer toward the discharge opening, the feeding blade being slidable relative to an inner surface of the arcuate portion and being non-slidable relative to a ceiling portion of an inner surface of the extension, and includes a stirring blade for stirring the developer, the stirring being slidable relative to a ceiling portion of the inner

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus which flattens a curled sheet includes: a water content control unit which controls a water content of a sheet to flatten the curled sheet; a decurling section which is provided downstream the water content control unit with respect to a conveyance direction of the sheet, and the decurling section bends the curled sheet to be flat by a bending force; and a conveyance route changing section which changes a conveyance route of the sheet to direct to the water content control unit or not.

Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a container body with a discharge opening formed thereon. A sealing member, which unsealably seals the discharge opening, includes an engageable projection engageable with an engaging member provided in the image forming apparatus and a support for displaceably supporting the portion. The sealing member is moved relative to the container body away therefrom to unseal the discharge opening. The engageable projection is with the engaging member. A releasing projection, is provided in the supporting member, for receiving, from a releasing member provided in the image forming apparatus, a force for displacing the engageable projection in a direction of disengagement from the engaging member.

Abstract: A control part 33 rotates a developer roller 21a at a second rotation speed, which is slower than a normal rotation speed during an image formation period (first rotation speed), during a non-image formation period while a heater 14 is in use. This prevents deformation of the developer roller 21a caused by radiant heat from a photoconductive drum 41, effectively prevents the appearance of image fogging, concentration unevenness, and the like, and also suppresses toner deterioration in a development unit 21.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to control the fusing temperature of an image forming apparatus. This method of controlling the fusing temperature of an image forming apparatus having a fan to exhaust the internal air to the outside includes counting the accumulated number of sheets of paper printed in response to print commands, lowering a set point of the fusing temperature and controlling the fan to increase the amount of air to be exhausted when the accumulated number of sheets of printed paper is greater than a predetermined value. According to the method, without installing an additional temperature sensor inside the image forming apparatus, the temperature therein can be presumed and controlled by controlling the fusing temperature of the fusing roller and a fan flow rate to lower the temperature of the paper, and consequently, preventing the formation of creases in the paper.

Abstract: In a laser printer apparatus, a top cover is arranged to cover a base member, a fixing unit, and a laser scanning unit. At a raised portion formed for reinforcement at an end portion of the base member on the side of fixing unit, a plurality of openings are formed along one direction, with the area of the openings made gradually larger as the distance from a fan increases. On the top cover, a wall portion is formed integrally, protruding to the side of the base member, and by the wall portion and the raised portion, an air passage is formed. Thus, a laser printer is provided in which the fixing unit and the laser scanning unit can be cooled, without necessitating any additional member.

Abstract: A toner container of the present invention stores toner and includes a cylindrical portion. A raised portion rises above the circumferential surface of the raised portion and formed with a toner outlet open obliquely to the circumferential surface. A shutter is mounted on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion and movable along the above surface to selectively open or close the toner outlet.

Abstract: A laser beam printer apparatus includes a frame body including side plates formed to support a toner cartridge from a lateral direction and a horizontal plate, a motor secured on the inside of the side plate and having at least a portion arranged above the horizontal plate, and a motor cover arranged below the motor. The horizontal plate has an opening under the motor. The motor cover has locking nails formed to be locked to an edge of the opening.

Abstract: In a method and system for transfer printing of an electrostatic recharge toner image from an intermediate carrier onto a recording medium and for fixing of the transfer-printed toner image onto the recording medium, the recording medium lying on an electrostatically-chargeable conveyor belt and adhered thereto by electrostatic forces is transported through a transfer printing region and subsequently along a guided transport section. The recording medium is conveyed to a fixing device. The guided transport section is arranged in a transport unit and the fixing device is arranged in a fixing unit which are independent of one another. The fixing unit has at least one wall designed to hinder a heat transfer from the fixing unit to the transport unit.

Abstract: A laser scanning unit (LSU) control apparatus for controlling a laser scanning unit (LSU) in an electro-photographic image forming apparatus in which an installed developer forms an image by developing a result obtained by driving the LSU includes: a sensing unit sensing whether the developer is installed and whether a cover of the image forming apparatus is open or closed; an examining unit examining whether installation of the developer and closure of the cover are sensed; and an LSU driver driving the LSU by being switched in response to the examination result. An LSU control method includes sensing whether the developer is installed and the cover is closed, determining whether both the developer is installed and the cover is closed and driving the LSU if it is determined that both the developer is installed and the cover is closed.

Abstract: A transfer printing station is provided with a transfer roller for transfer of a toner image generated on an intermediate carrier onto at least one recording medium in a transfer printing region of the transfer printing station. A drive unit causes the transfer roller to move towards the intermediate carrier as an ON position or away from the intermediate carrier as an OFF position, the drive unit being designed such that it is position-controlled when moving towards the ON position, and is torque controlled in the ON position.

Abstract: There is provided a monitoring apparatus which is capable of efficiently notifying an external host of completion of installation of the monitoring apparatus for image forming apparatuses, and completion of operations carried out for the image forming apparatuses. The monitoring apparatus is connected to a management apparatus for communication therewith. The monitoring apparatus acquires maintenance information from the image forming apparatuses, and sends the acquired maintenance information to the management apparatus. The monitoring apparatus carries out one of management of completion of installation of the monitoring apparatus and central management of completion of operations carried out for the image forming apparatuses.

Abstract: The fixing device and image forming apparatus employ a horizontally moving claw for separating a sheet on which a toner image has been fixed. The claw moves in a horizontally reciprocating manner at a velocity between 0.001 mm/seconds to 0.1 mm/seconds. Moving at that speed, it has been found to reduce scratching of the fixing drum. The device and image forming apparatus also employ a claw having a width between 1.0 mm and 5.0 mm. The claw contacts the drum with a pressure in a range of 3.0×9.8 mN to 7.0×9.8 mN.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first and a second developing unit storing dark toner and light toner, respectively, a dark toner and a light toner replenishing device for replenishing the dark toner and light toner to the first and second developing units, respectively, and a toner replenishment control unit storing a dark toner replenishment history and a light toner replenishment history for controlling the operations of the dark toner and light toner replenishing devices. The toner replenishment control unit corrects, when replenishing the light toner, the light toner replenishing operation by referencing the dark toner replenishment history to thereby control the operation of the light toner replenishing device or corrects, when replenishing the dark toner, the dark toner replenishing operation by referencing the light toner replenishment history to thereby control the operation of the dark toner replenishing device.

Abstract: A sheet moisturizing device, including a moisturizing section which applies water on a sheet carrying a formed image and moisturizes the sheet, a switching section which switches whether a moisturizing process is to be conducted onto the sheet by the moisturizing section or not, and a control section which controls the switching section based on image information carried on the sheet.