Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material. The position of the recording material is detected when the recording material is underway from a registration roller for correcting a skew of the recording material to an image forming position for the recording material, and the image is written based on the detected position signal. The image is thus formed at a proper position on the recording material.

Abstract: An apparatus (11) for conditioning media, for example a moving web (12) of receptor material in an electrostatographic printer (10), is described. The apparatus (11) comprises a heating system, such as a heated drum (55), to adjust the moisture content of the media and a cooling system (65) for cooling the heated media. A moisture sensor such as an electrometer (74) determines the moisture content e.g. by an electrical condition of the media before it leaves the apparatus (11). The moisture sensor (74) controls the heating system (55). A temperature sensor (81) determines the temperature of the media after cooling. This sensor (81) may control the cooling system (65) or other parameters of the system. By conditioning a receptor material in an electrostatographic printer, a higher yield of toner transfer can be obtained. Optionally two electrometers (74a, 74b) are used to thereby detect the charge decay on an earthed metal drum (72).

Abstract: A developing device in an image forming apparatus is provided with: a developing roller opposed to a photosensitive body, on which an electro-static latent image is formed, for developing the electro-static latent image by using toner; a supplying roller for supplying the toner to the developing roller; a wall member prescribing a developing chamber, in which the developing roller and the supplying roller are disposed, and a toner supply port, through which the toner is supplied into the developing chamber; a pair of upper and lower augers disposed in the developing chamber at a vicinity of the toner supply port for carrying and circulating the toner supplied through the toner supply port, and adhering the toner onto the supplying roller; and an auger partition plate disposed between the upper and lower augers for restricting movement of the toner between the upper and lower augers.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, the absolute value (.vertline.VBH-VM.vertline.) of the potential difference between a first development bias electric potential (VBH) and an intermediate electric potential (VM) is set to be smaller (.vertline.VBH-VM.vertline.<.vertline.VBL-VM.vertline.) than the absolute value (.vertline.VBL-VM.vertline.) of the potential difference between a second development bias electric potential (VBL) and the intermediate electric potential (VM).

Abstract: In a digital printer as an image forming device, a high voltage is applied to a counter electrode exclusively when the counter electrode is covered with a sheet of paper having a good insulating property, so that a strong electric field necessary for image formation is generated between the counter electrode and a toner carrier. When the counter electrode is not covered with a sheet of paper, a high voltage relay provided between the counter electrode and a high voltage power source is turned OFF so that the application of the high voltage to the counter electrode is suspended, so that the strong electric field is not generated. By doing so, it is possible to surely avoid discharge which tends to occur between the counter electrode and the toner carrier or between the counter electrode and the control electrode.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a container body having a toner transport passage, and a toner transporter disposed in the toner transport passage for transporting toner from one end portion toward the other end portion of the toner transport passage while agitating the toner along the toner transport passage. The container body has a toner discharge port provided at the other end portion of the toner transport passage, and a recycle toner entry port provided at the one end portion of the toner transport passage. When the toner cartridge is mounted at a predetermined position, the toner discharge port is positioned opposite a toner feed port provided in a developing device, while the recycle toner entry port is positioned opposite a recycle toner drop port provided in a recycle toner carrier.

Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus to form an image on a transfer sheet, in which an image bearing member, image exposing unit for forming a latent image, developing unit for developing the latent image, an intermediate image bearing member for bearing a toner image on its surface, first transfer member for transferring the toner image from the image bearing member to the intermediate image bearing member or the first side of the transfer sheet, second transfer member for transferring said toner image from the intermediate image bearing member to the second side of the transfer sheet, fixing unit for fixing the toner images on the both sides of the transfer sheet, detector for detecting a reference position on the intermediate image bearing member, and controller for controlling timing to start forming the latent image and/or timing to feed the transfer sheet to the first transfer member on the basis of the detection of the reference position on the intermediate image bearing member, are. included.

Abstract: An image fixing device is disclosed comprising a heating roll installed with a heater, a pressure roll rotatably pressing against the heating roll, and a thermistor for sensing the surface temperature of the heating roll, wherein a CPU is provided for controlling the surface temperature of the heating roll to an initial fixing control temperature of 1.1 times a normal fixing temperature, when the surface temperature of the heating roll sensed by the thermistor is below one-third of the normal fixing temperature.

Abstract: A laser printer produces an image of raster scan lines exhibiting a pitch distance p. The printer includes a photoreceptor and n laser sources, where n.gtoreq.2. First and second sets of laser sources, in one embodiment, produce plural optical beams which, when imaged on the photoreceptor, are separated by pitch distance p in the direction of movement of the photoreceptor. The first set and second sets of laser sources are separated by a distance S.sub.PR =c(1+qr)p, where: c=number of laser sources in each set, q=an integer, and r=number of rows of laser sources in both the first and second sets. The optical beams are modulated with pixel value data in accordance with a correspondence of image scan lines and positions of the optical beams on the photoreceptor. The photoreceptor is moved by a distance (q.multidot.c.multidot.r)p between scans. In such manner, an interleaving of the scan lines is achieved, which allows substantial separation of laser diodes on a laser diode chip.

Abstract: In a fixing apparatus having a flexible metal fixing sleeve provided around a holder, which holds a coil inside, and heated by induction current of the coil, and a pressure roller that pinches the fixing sleeve between it and the holder by pressing on the holder, the following relation is satisfied:(F1+F2)/F3.gtoreq.1.7where symbols F1, F2 and F3 represent respectively during recording paper feeding: a drive force transmitted from the pressure roller to the fixing sleeve via recording paper in the region where the recording paper passes through; a drive force transmitted from the pressure roller directly to the fixing sleeve in the region where the recording paper does not pass through; and a friction resistance force generated between the inner surface of the fixing sleeve and the outer surface of the holder.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by laser beam irradiation from an optical unit. A developing unit, which receives toner from a toner feeder and is provided with a toner agitator, supplies toner onto the drum for converting the latent image to a visible image. A toner sensor detects the concentration of the toner within the developing unit for output of a corresponding detection signal. A toner supply controller controls the toner feeder by comparing the output of the toner sensor with a varying standard voltage which varies linearly from a peak level to a steady level. An exposure start controller causes the optical unit to start irradiating the photosensitive drum with light after the rotation of the drum is stabilized but before the output of the toner sensor reaches the peak level.

Abstract: A developer backer bar having a surface having a plurality of radii for interfacing with a noncontact developer member. The backer bar is arranged so that it can be retracted for clearance purposes when removing or inserting a xerographic CRU. Upon installation of the CRU, the backer bar is biased into position to maintain a development zone within predetermined parameters. The multiple radii surface eliminates or minimizes errors that may result from slight variations in axial alignment between the backer bar and the developer member while additionally providing low drag forces on the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A remote diagnosis system including a plurality of image forming apparatus each having a trouble informing device, and a central controller for receiving data including a trouble indicator indicative of a problem which may or has occurred in each of the image forming apparatus and for responding to this data. Also included is a data communication apparatus, connected to each of the plurality of image forming apparatus and the central controller, for receiving the data including the trouble indicator from each of the plurality of image forming apparatus, and for transmitting this data to the central controller. The remote diagnosis system further includes a trouble classifying device for classifying causes of trouble which may occur in each of the image forming apparatus. In addition, the data communication apparatus collects data classified by the classifying device.

Abstract: An interlock/latch system for a machine cover, particularly for an electrophotographic printing machine. A cover latch is provided with a latching mechanism and a set of electrical contacts which are mechanically closed when the cover is closed and the latch engaged. A sensor such as a Hall-Effect sensor is mounted in close proximity to the latch. A magnet in the cover actuates the Hall-Effect sensor when the cover is closed and latched sending a signal to the machine controller. The machine controller prohibits operation of the machine until the signal is received.

Abstract: Provided is an ink-jet recording process for forming a color image on a recording medium using a liquid formulation and a color ink in combination, wherein the liquid formulation contains a cationic polymer having a weight-average molecular weight in the range of from 400 to 1,400, and the liquid formulation and the ink are each ejected from a recording head having an ink ejection volume per dot of from 2 to 25 picolitters.

Abstract: A fixing device having a peeling sheet capable of performing stable peeling without causing any damage to the image, the sheet or the fixing roller. The fixing device includes: a fixing roller having an elastic layer formed on its surface; a compression roller in contact with the fixing roller in a nip portion; and a plastic peeling sheet provided downstream of the nip portion, the peeling sheet having an end edge which comes into contact with the surface of the fixing roller to peel the sheet which has passed through the nip portion away from the surface of the fixing roller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cleaning of an intermediate transfer member of an image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image formed on a photosensitive member onto the intermediate transfer member and then transferring the toner image onto a transfer material. An effective cleaning width of a cleaning means for removing residual toner remaining on the photosensitive member in a width-wise direction of the photosensitive drum is selected to become greater than a longitudinal dimension of the intermediate transfer member, the longitudinal dimension of the intermediate transfer member is selected to become greater than a width of a transfer electrode for transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer member, and the longitudinal dimension of the intermediate transfer member is selected to become greater than a charge width of an electrode for charging the residual toner on the intermediate transfer member to return the toner to the photosensitive member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a blade for removing a developer left on a photoconductive drum. In addition, a low density pattern is formed on at least a part of the photoconductive drum based on a duration the photoconductive drum is driven.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing at least two different types of substrates from a moving surface to a fusing station is disclosed. A constant speed transport positioned to receive the substrate from the moving surface advances the substrate to the fusing station. An air moving device moves air such that air pressure induces a drive force on the substrate on the transport. A sensor generates a first signal when the substrate is of a first type and generates a second signal when the substrate is of a second type. The air moving device induces a first drive force when the sensor generates the first signal and induces a second drive force when the sensor generates the second signal.

Abstract: A platen type scanner driving mechanism has a supporting structure which includes an upper casing and a lower casing. A fixed lever extends longitudinally with respect to the support structure between the upper casing and the lower casing. An optical module is slidable along the fixed lever and extends transversely to the fixed lever. A single pulling wire is fixed by two spaced apart locations proximal to the center of the optical module, and a driving unit which drives the single pulling wire. The single pulling wire drives the optical module which is in parallel motion with respect to the fixed lever. The relative disposition of the single pulling wire, driving unit, and the optical module, prevents the optical module from being swung during displacement, reduces loads applied to the driving mechanism and optimizes the driving unit's force.