Abstract: A driving device, an image forming device, and an image forming apparatus are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the image forming device includes a first rotator and a second rotator, which are arranged in parallel with each other. The driving device rotates the first rotator with a rotational speed different from a rotational speed of the second rotator.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus of the present invention, a developing unit for magenta contains magenta-type toner for pseudo full-color image forming whose chromaticity point is shifted closer to yellow hue on a chromaticity diagram, in comparison with genuine-magenta toner for full-color image forming, and likewise, a developing unit for cyan contains cyan-type toner for the pseudo full-color image forming whose chromaticity point is shifted closer to yellow hue on the chromaticity diagram, in comparison with genuine-cyan toner for the full-color image forming.

Abstract: A neutralization device is disposed in an image forming apparatus having an image carrier so as to face the image carrier. The device comprises: a light irradiation section that irradiates neutralization light onto the image carrier; a case member that accommodates the light irradiation section and is opened to a side facing the image carrier; and a buffer member that is provided between the case member and the image carrier and prevents the light irradiation section from abutting against the image carrier.

Abstract: A pressing member applies a pressing force to a trailing end in a direction which intersects a predetermined reference direction, allowing the pressing force to have both a first component in the predetermined reference direction and a second component perpendicular to the predetermined reference direction. A trailing end is pressed in the predetermined reference direction by the first component. In the mounted state, the leading end is in contact with the reference member at two contact surfaces including a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The first contact surface defines a first positioning direction being perpendicular to the first contact surface and intersecting the predetermined reference direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method for removal of image forming deposits between two contacting surfaces in an image forming device or image forming device cartridge. The method includes positioning an insert between the contacting surfaces which insert is capable of removing the deposits when the insert is inserted or removed from the device. The deposits may include those that may ultimately adhere or weld to the surfaces of the device during shipping and/or storage and upon exposure to differential environmental conditions.

Abstract: A cleaning unit for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes removing means made up of a cleaning blade configured to remove toner particles left on the surface of an image carrier in contact with the image carrier and a blade holder holding the cleaning blade. Assuming that the cleaning blade has a natural frequency of fc and that the image carrier has a speed variation frequency of fd ascribable to rotation thereof, a range other than a range represented by the following relation is selected: 1 2 · f c < f d < 2 · f c .

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image forming unit including an image bearing member, an intermediary transfer member onto which an image formed on the image bearing member is transferred, the intermediary transfer member being located at an upper portion of the image forming unit, a housing for supporting and accommodating the image forming unit and the intermediary transfer member, the housing being drawable from the image forming apparatus with the image forming unit and the intermediary transfer member supported thereby, a supporting portion for supporting the intermediary transfer member for rotation relative to the housing, and a mounting and demounting portion, provided in the housing, for permitting the image forming unit to be mounted and demounted relative thereto. The mounting and dismounting of the image forming unit is enabled by rotating the intermediary transfer member, after the housing is pulled out of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a development mechanism for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrying member into a visual image, a toner storage detachably installed and provided for storing toner therein, a toner transporting mechanism for transporting the toner from the toner storage to the development mechanism, and a supporting device for detachably supporting the toner storage therein and moving between a set position at which the toner storage is engaged with the toner transporting mechanism and a tilt position at which the toner storage is disengaged from the toner transporting mechanism.

Abstract: An image density control method for an image forming apparatus in which, in order to keep the development capability constant over time, the toner density in the developer is manipulated to an appropriate range by changing the toner density control reference value in accordance with the toner replacement amount in a fixed time period by ascertaining changes in the image coverage of the output images, and by changing the image forming conditions at predetermined execution intervals.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge with an image bearing member configured to bear an image on a surface thereof. A developing device is configured to develop the image formed on the image bearing member by using a developer accommodated in a chamber thereof. The developing device includes a developer bearing member configured to bear the developer on a surface thereof to transfer the developer to the image formed on the image bearing member. A conveying member is configured to agitate and convey the developer in the chamber to the developer bearing member. A regulating member held in contact with the developer brought up from the chamber onto the surface of the developing roller is configured to uniformly distribute the developer on the surface of the developer bearing member.

Abstract: A toner-cartridge-side wireless communication device is attached to a bottom wall of a toner cartridge. A developing-unit-side wireless communication device is attached to an inner position of a toner cartridge mounting portion of a developing unit. The toner-cartridge-side wireless communication device and the developing-unit-side wireless communication device are arranged as opposed to each other, thereby performing stable communication between the toner-cartridge-side wireless communication device and the developing-unit-side wireless communication device.

Abstract: A temperature-changing pressure roller assembly is provided and includes (a) a rotatable pressure roller including a cylindrical sleeve having an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a hollow interior to the rotatable pressure roller having a first end and a second and opposite end; (b) a vortex tube assembly for simultaneously producing a hot air stream and a cold air stream, the vortex tube assembly being connected to the hollow interior of the rotatable pressure roll; and (c) control device connected to the vortex tube assembly for selectively controlling flow of the hot air stream and the cold air stream thereof through the hollow interior of the rotatable pressure roller, thereby selectively changing a temperature of the cylindrical sleeve of the pressure roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus changes over an electric potential on an image bearing member in response to an attenuation region in which a remaining potential on a developing member is attenuating after a developing bias applied to the developing member has been turned off after completion of an image forming operations. Accordingly, it is possible to mitigate adherence of developer due to a large potential difference between the developing member and the image bearing member.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging cartridge with a universal body sculpted to mate with the imaging cartridge-receiving cavity of a plurality of imaging machine models. The universal body of the imaging cartridge enables the cartridge to be used with imaging machines made by different manufacturers, and different imaging machine models made by a common manufacturer. A plurality of recesses is formed in the leading end of the imaging cartridge body that accepts protuberances in an imaging machine's cartridge-receiving cavity and enables the cartridge to mate with a plurality of printers.

Abstract: The invention is objected to perform fixing in an optimum fixing condition even with various kinds of recording materials or the like while improving usability by discriminating the kinds of recording materials. An image reading sensor 123 includes a reflective LED 301, a transmissive LED 303 disposed on the opposite side relative to a recording material 304 for detecting the transmitted amount of light, a CMOS area sensor 211, and an imaging lens 1113. The light from the reflective LED 301 as a light source is applied toward the surface of the recording material 304, and the reflected light from the recording material 304 is collected via the lens 303 and an image is formed on the CMOS area sensor 211. The LED 301 is disposed so as to apply LED light to the surface of the recording material 304 diagonally at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A fusing assembly includes a fuser member, such as a rotatable fuser roll which, during operation, contacts a sheet of print media to fuse a marking material to the sheet. A stripping apparatus applies gas to the sheet to assist in detaching the sheet from the fuser roll. The stripping apparatus includes a fluid pathway which connects an associated source of pressurized gas with at least one orifice adjacent the fuser roll. A pressure sensor senses a pressure of the gas in the fluid pathway intermediate the source and the at least one orifice during operation of the fuser roll.

Abstract: A feeding unit is disposed near the lower edge of an access opening formed in a front cover of a main casing. The feeding unit includes a pair of registration rollers and a pair of guide parts. One of the registration rollers and one of the guide parts are retained on the front cover. Thus, when the front cover is pulled to an open position, the registration roller and the guide part retained on the front cover displace together with the front cover, exposing a paper conveying path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming device including: a main body frame at which an opening is provided; an image forming section that is accommodated in the main body frame, and that forms an image on a recording medium; an opening/closing cover that is rotatably supported and opens and closes the opening, a bent portion of the opening/closing cover that is bent toward the main body frame covering an edge portion, at the side of the opening, of the main body frame in a state in which the opening/closing cover is closed; and a fixed cover that is provided integrally with the main body frame, and that covers the bent portion in the state in which the opening/closing cover is closed.

Abstract: A customer replaceable unit (CRU) assembly for mounting in a sheet handling machine is disclosed and includes (a) a CRU frame having a frame size for fitting into a mounting portion within the sheet handling machine; (b) a first roller assembled rotatably to the CRU frame; (c) a second roller assembled rotatably to the CRU frame and for resilient contact with the first roller to form a sheet handling nip; and (d) a spacer and anti-mounting assembly including (i) a holding feature formed in the CRU frame and (ii) a removable member mounted in the holding feature for temporarily preventing mounting of the CRU frame into the mounting portion within the sheet handling machine, and for temporarily spacing the second roller out of resilient contact with the first roller so as to prevent roller flat spots, operating roller noise, and premature roller failure.

Abstract: The invention provides a charging device including a charging roll and a voltage application unit which is capable of applying to the charging roll a voltage in which an alternating current voltage is superimposed on a direct current voltage, the alternating current (Iac) which flows through the charging roll satisfying the following Equation (1), the charging roll satisfying the following conditions (a) to (c), and the charging roll contacting an image supporter to charge the image supporter: Iac/I(inflection)?1.2??Equation (1) (in the Equation (1), I (inflection) represents the flexion point of lac) (a) the fluctuation of the outside diameter is 0.1 mm or less (b) resistance (common logarithm) is 9.0 log·? or less (c) resistance variation (common logarithm) is 0.5 log·? or less.