Abstract: An electrostatic latent image-developing device includes a toner cartridge provided with a container having a toner discharge opening, a toner contained in the container and a sealing tape for sealing the toner discharge opening, and a toner cartridge-holding device having a toner-receiving opening and allowing detachable mounting of the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge is equipped with a shutter member that is disposed on one edge side of the toner discharge opening and is so constituted as to move to the other edge side across the toner discharge opening to cover the toner discharge opening. The toner cartridge-holding device is equipped with a shutter-moving device which moves the front edge of the shutter member from one edge side to the other edge side of the toner discharge opening.

Abstract: A latent image is developed in the photoconductor surface of a moving belt by displacing the belt from its path of movement toward an adjacent stationary electrophotographic developer as the latent image approaches that developer, to establish a toner transfer gap therebetween, where toner is transferred from the developer to the photoconductor as the latent image passes the developer. Electromagnetically or pneumatically operated mechanisms are employed to displace the belt.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus operating in xerographic printing apparatus employs a single-component magnetic toner. The inventive features of the sheet processing apparatus are directed toward smooth transportation and discharge of printing sheets sent through the printing apparatus, across a sheet transport guide, and through an image fixing and sheet transporting unit which finally discharges the printing sheets. Conductivity of the transport guide is selected by the material of which it is made, specified herein to have superficial resistivity in the range of ten thousand to one hundred million megohms.

Abstract: In hard copy machines, automatic detection of the size of print media in a supply bin is provided by electrical devices. Adjustable print media alignment fences are operatively connected to the electrical devices, such as potentiometers, photovoltaic strips, photoemitter-photodetector arrays, or the like. The output signals from the electrical devices are correlated to width and length dimensions of the print media or the absence of print media availability. Embodiments are disclosed for standard and custom print media size detection.

Abstract: An one-component developing device includes an electrically conductive member which is located in a region extending from a position downstream, with respect to a moving direction of a surface of a toner carrying member, to a developing region, and is in contact with the surface of the toner carrying member. A surface of the electrically conductive member contacting the developing sleeve is formed of material, of which charge polarity is shifted to the same polarity side as a regular charge polarity of the toner in view of charge series, and which contains highly conductive material dispersed therein.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming images on recording media is adaptable to receiving a process cartridge detachably mounted thereto. The process cartridge has a frame, an image bearing member and a process unit which acts on the image bearing member. The image forming apparatus includes a mounting unit on which the process cartridge is mounted, and an elastic pressing member for elastically pressing against the frame of the process cartridge mounted on the mounting unit. The elastic pressing member may be mounted on the process cartridge.

Abstract: A process cartridge removably mountable in an image forming system, includes an image bearing member, process means acting on the image bearing member, a first member which forms a part of a developer container for containing developer, a second member which forms a part of the developer container for containing the developer, a seal member obtained by solidifying liquid material as an elastomer and disposed on connection surfaces at which the first and second members are joined to each other, and a regulating means provided in the connection surface of the first member to be joined to the second member and adapted to regulate the movement of the liquid material. An image forming system to which such a process cartridge can be removably mounted, and a method for assembling such a process cartridge, also are provided.

Abstract: An electrostatic recording apparatus and a management system thereof wherein the recording apparatus includes a photoconductor drum having a cap provided at an opening of the drum and a photoconductor sheet wound on a portion of the drum other than the opening, with the photoconductor drum being rotated. The cap is electrified and a capacitor is provided between the cap and a terminal and charged through the cap to maintain the cap in an electrified state. A potential of the terminal is equal to a ground potential or a potential approximating the ground potential. Further, a controller is provided for discharging the electrified electric charge of the cap in response to a discharge instruction. A managing system may be provided for judging the state of the electrostatic recording apparatus.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus has a plurality of developing rollers arranged in a row in the direction of rotation of a photosensitive member so as to face the surface of the photosensitive member. Each developing roller retains on the surface thereof a developer consisting essentially of an electrically insulating magnetic toner and an electrically conductive magnetic carrier. At least the surface portion of each developing roller is driven to rotate in order to transport the developer to the surface of the photosensitive member. A developing bias voltage is applied to each of the developing rollers. Exposure is carried out by applying image light from the reverse side of the photosensitive member toward the most downstream developing roller as viewed in the direction of rotation of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus, a recording operation is controlled by being connected to a host computer. The apparatus includes a sheet supporting unit for supporting a plurality of sheets, a feeding unit for feeding a sheet supported by the sheet supporting unit, a manual insertion port for manually inserting a sheet into the main body of the apparatus, a conveying unit for conveying the sheet fed from the sheet supporting unit or the sheet inserted from the manual insertion port, a recording unit for performing a recording operation on the sheet fed by the conveying unit, a sheet detection unit for detecting the sheet inserted from the manual insertion port, and a control unit for causing the apparatus to execute a recording operation in a manual insertion mode based on the detection of the manually inserted sheet by the sheet detection unit, and for temporarily providing an off-line state with respect to the host computer after the recording operation has been completed.

Abstract: In a cleaning device and a developing device installed in an electrophotographic device, a cleaner and toner magazine (CTM) has a cleaning unit including a cleaning blade for removing a toner left on a photoconductive element after image transfer and a waste toner tank for collecting it, and a developing unit accommodating a fresh toner tank storing a fresh toner. The waste toner tank and fresh toner tank are constructed integrally with each other and connected together such that the fresh toner tank is movable to the developing device.

Abstract: A copying apparatus for the photographic reproduction of a multi-dimensional object capable of photocopying an original and a three-dimensional object, wherein one of an original and a three-dimensional object is disposed on a platen glass, and an illuminating device is disposed so as to be separated from a surface of the platen glass by a predetermined distance in a substantially vertical direction. The illuminating device is also disposed such that the one of the original and the three-dimensional object is positioned between the illuminating device and the platen glass, illuminates a light field to the one of the original and the three-dimensional object. As a result, even if the one of the original and the three-dimensional object is copied onto a photosensitive material, recording can be effected such that quality of a recorded image is maintained and a background image of a copied one of the original and the three-dimensional object is set by the illuminating device.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus includes a photoconductor drum, also known as an electrostatic latent image holding member, with a magnet placed therein. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the magnetic drum. Then, the drum is brought into contact with a magnetic developer, or toner, in a developer reservoir to have the magnetic developer attached to the photoconductor drum surface by a magnetic force. A removing roller, having an AC voltage applied thereto, is passed in close vicinity of the magnetic drum with the resultant development of images because toner remains at image areas only. In the electrophotographic apparatus, the photoconductor drum, the removing roller or both include two magnetic poles. A device for increasing friction force of the surface of the photoconductor drum, of the removing roller or both may also be provided.

Abstract: An electrostatographic imaging structure is provided having at least one distinct outer layer including a rotary drum having an outer peripheral surface, a retainer either separate from or a part of the drum or a hold down mechanism, and a photosensitive member held down to the peripheral surface of the drum by the retainer or hold down mechanism.

Abstract: A developer device is provided with a developer vessel for storing therein a developer material composed of toner particles and carrier granules. In the developer device, a target ratio of toner particles for a detected quantity of the developer material is computed. In the device, a toner concentration detector sensor is also provided for detecting the ratio of toner particles in the developer vessel. In order to set the detected toner ratio of toner particles equal to the target ratio, quantity of toner particles to be additionally supplied to the developer vessel is controlled. As a result, the ratio of toner particles to the developer material stored in the developer vessel can be maintained in a predetermined ratio, thereby ensuring a desirable image quality.

Abstract: A fixing device has a hollow fixing roller, and a pressing roller pressingly contacting the fixing roller to cooperate with the fixing roller to form a nip portion therebetween so as to fuse and fix a toner image onto a recording paper. The fixing device also has a heating element arranged within the fixing roller at a position eccentric from the axis of the fixing roller toward the nip portion, to locally heat the inner wall of the fixing roller at a position corresponding to the nip portion, so as to decrease the time necessary to heat the fixing roller, to prevent offset, and to prevent the recording paper from being wound onto the fixing roller.

Abstract: An electrostatic copying machine including a drum that supports a photoreceptor belt. The drum includes a mechanism for reducing the drum perimeter, allowing a user to replace the photoreceptor belt.

Abstract: A charging member includes an electrode to be supplied with a voltage; a surface layer contactable to a member to be charged; and wherein a cavity is provided between the electrode and the surface layer. The cavity extends in a circumferential direction of the charging member and/or the cavity has a configuration to provide a substantially constant state of contact between the charging member and the member to be charged.

Abstract: Sheet transportation apparatus operating in an image forming system for xerographic printing employing magnetic toner. The inventive features of the sheet processing apparatus are directed toward smooth transportation and discharge of printing sheets sent through a system image printing unit, across a sheet transport guide, and through an image fixing and sheet transporting unit which finally discharges the printing sheets. The sheet transport guide dips downward and meets a sheet admission guide, having superficial resistivity lower than that of the sheet transport guide to reduce electrical repulsion of the leading edge of a transported sheet. The sheet admission guide guides each sheet into a nipping position of a heating/pressure roller pair as fixing rollers in the image fixing unit.

Abstract: A non-interactive or scavengeless development system for use in color imaging is disclosed. A donor roll structure is provided with two sets of interdigitated electrodes which are embedded in the surface of the donor roll. To minimize wear and tear on the electrodes of one set of the interdigitated wire electrodes which are selectively actuated in a development zone, power is commutated thereto via a member that makes rolling contact with the electrodes only in the development zone. In two embodiments of the invention, the contact is made with the electrodes at the outer surface of the donor roll while in another embodiment contact is made on the interior surface of the donor roll structure.