Abstract: Various methods, devices and techniques for improving image quality for an image forming device are disclosed. For example, improved image quality can be had for an image forming apparatus having a first image forming unit including a first image carrier and a first developer carrier in contact with the first image carrier at a first pressure, and the first image carrier carries a first developer having a first charging characteristic, and a second image forming unit including a second image carrier, and a second developer carrier in contact with the second image carrier at a second pressure, greater than the first pressure, and the second developer carrier carries a second developer having a second charging characteristic. The first pressure and the second pressure are preset based on the first charging characteristic and the second charging characteristic.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus has a plurality of image forming units for forming a developer image on a recording medium, and a fixing device for fixing the developer image to the recording medium. Each of said image forming units has an image bearing body that bears the developer image, and a cleaning portion that removes residual developer from said image bearing body. Said cleaning portion of said image forming unit is disposed closest to said fixing device and includes a cleaning blade that has repulsion elasticity at a predetermined temperature, and said repulsion elasticity is lower than that of a cleaning blade of said cleaning portion of at least one of said image forming units disposed farther from said fixing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit including an image carrier and a developer carrier which is in contact with the image carrier at a first pressure, and which carries a first developer; and a second image forming unit including an image carrier, and a developer carrier which is in contact with the image carrier at a second pressure greater than the first pressure and which carries a second developer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image supporting member; an exposure device for forming a static latent image on the image supporting member; a developing device for developing the static latent image formed on the image supporting member; an image control unit for controlling a condition for forming an image; and a density sensor for detecting a developer density. In the image forming apparatus, a first pattern for detecting the developer density is formed to determine whether the developer density is proper. When the developer density thus detected is greater than a threshold value, a second pattern for discarding developer is formed to discard the developer. A third pattern for density correction is formed to perform the density correction.

Abstract: An image forming unit includes an image supporting member for forming a latent image; a developer supporting member for attaching developer to the latent image to develop the latent image; a developer supply member facing the developer supporting member for supplying the developer to the developer supporting member; and a first developer pushing member facing the developer supply member to be freely rotatable for supplying the developer to the developer supply member. The first developer pushing member includes a first rod member disposed substantially in parallel to the developer supply member, so that the rod member moves close to the developer supply member equal to or more than 2.50 times when the developer supply member rotates one rotation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units for forming a developer image on a recording medium, and a fixing device for fixing the developer image to the recording medium. Each of the image forming units includes an image bearing body that bears the developer image, and a cleaning portion that removes residual developer from the image bearing body. The cleaning portion of the image forming unit disposed closest to the fixing device is different from the cleaning portion of at least one of the image forming units disposed farther from the fixing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image supporting member; an exposure device for forming a static latent image on the image supporting member; a developing device for developing the static latent image formed on the image supporting member; an image control unit for controlling a condition for forming an image; and a density sensor for detecting a developer density. In the image forming apparatus, a first pattern for detecting the developer density is formed to determine whether the developer density is proper. When the developer density thus detected is greater than a threshold value, a second pattern for discarding developer is formed to discard the developer. A third pattern for density correction is formed to perform the density correction.

Abstract: An image forming unit includes an image supporting member for forming a latent image; a developer supporting member for attaching developer to the latent image to develop the latent image; a developer supply member facing the developer supporting member for supplying the developer to the developer supporting member; and a first developer pushing member facing the developer supply member to be freely rotatable for supplying the developer to the developer supply member. The first developer pushing member includes a first rod member disposed substantially in parallel to the developer supply member, so that the rod member moves close to the developer supply member equal to or more than 2.50 times when the developer supply member rotates one rotation.

Abstract: A toner reservoir includes a toner chamber that holds toner therein, a shaft disposed within the toner chamber, and a rotating body. The shaft has a groove formed in an outer circumferential surface thereof. The groove extends substantially in a first direction in which the shaft extends. The groove has opposing walls that define a tapered width of the groove such that the width becomes wider nearer an end of the shaft. The rotating body has a wall that projects from rotating body in a second direction parallel to the first direction. The wall may be a hollow cylinder having a plurality of grooves that are formed in its inner surface and extend parallel to the shaft. The wall may include a plurality of walls angularly spaced apart and in contact with the shaft to rotatably hold the shaft.

Abstract: A toner reservoir includes a toner chamber that holds toner therein, a shaft disposed within the toner chamber, and a rotating body. The shaft has a groove formed in an outer circumferential surface thereof. The groove extends substantially in a first direction in which the shaft extends. The groove has opposing walls that define a tapered width of the groove such that the width becomes wider nearer an end of the shaft. The rotating body has a wall that projects from rotating body in a second direction parallel to the first direction. The wall may be a hollow cylinder having a plurality of grooves that are formed in its inner surface and extend parallel to the shaft. The wall may include a plurality of walls angularly spaced apart and in contact with the shaft to rotatably hold the shaft.

Abstract: A flexible element for converting an opening port of a toner supply container in an openable and closable manner is provided so that, when the toner supply container is joined to a developing unit, an external force acting on the developing unit or toner supplying container, deforms the flexible element to uncover the opening and when the toner supply container and developing unit are separated one from another, the opening port is covered by the flexible element.

Abstract: A flexible element for covering the opening port of a toner supply container in an openable and closable manner is provided so that, when the toner supply container is joined to the developing unit, the external force acted on the developing unit or toner supplying unit, deforms the flexible element to release the opening and when the toner supply container and developing unit are separated one from another, the opening is closed by the flexible element.

Abstract: Paper regulating mechanism in a paper feed cassette for accomodating paper sheets, has: a regulation guide plate disposed below a bottom plate, on which are placed the paper sheets, and formed with a slit having a predetermined width; upper plate-shaped portions against which the paper sheets come into abutment; lower guided portions disposed at the lower ends of said upper plate-shaped portions and so loosely fitted in said slit as to easily move; rollers connected to said upper plate-shaped portions or said lower guided portions and rotatably abutting against said regulating guide plate; and lock members for fixing said upper plate-shaped portions in arbitrary positions with respect to said regulation guide plate.

Abstract: Paper regulating mechanism in a paper feed cassette for accommodating paper sheets , has: a regulation guide plate disposed below a bottom plate, on which are placed the paper sheets, and formed with a slit having a predetermined width; upper plate-shaped portions against which the paper sheets come into abutment; lower guided portions disposed at the lower ends of said upper plate-shaped portions and so loosely fitted in said slit as to easily move; rollers connected to said upper plate-shaped portions or said lower guided portions and rotatably abutting against said regulating guide plate; and lock members for fixing said upper plate-shaped portions in arbitrary positions with respect to said regulation guide plate.

Abstract: A transmission member is fitted to a flange member to which a photosensitive drum is fitted. The transmission member is made of a synthetic resin and includes an output gear that engages with a drive gear of a transfer drum. The output gear is formed on the outer periphery of a cylindrical portion formed on one end side of the transfer member. An outer peripheral support surface is formed along the circumference on one end side of the flange member. The inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion of the output gear is fitted onto, and is supported by, the outer peripheral support surface of the flange member.

Abstract: A transfer unit of an image forming apparatus includes a transfer device, a pressing member, and a regulative member. The transfer device is provided adjacent to a photoconductor of the image forming apparatus and is separable from the photoconductor under its own weight. The pressing member presses the transfer device against the photoconductor. The regulative member regulates the distance by which transfer device is separated from the photoconductor when the pressing member disengages the transfer device therefrom. In this transfer unit, if a printing sheet is large, the pressing member disengages the transfer device after a given transfer operation. As a result, the transfer device separates from the photoconductor under its own weight, with the distance separating the transfer device from the photoconductor being regulated by the regulative member. Then, the transfer device idles in the separated state, wherein preparation for a subsequent transfer operation is made.

Abstract: A nipping device is provided in a transfer unit having a fixed support and rotating element rotatably supported by the fixed support. The nipping device retains a printing sheet against the circumferential surface of the rotating element, and separates the printing sheet from the transfer unit. The nipping device includes a nipper, a pivoting lever device and a drive device. The nipper is disposed pivotally on the circumferential surface of the rotating element, and retains the feed-leading edge of the printing sheet. The levers of the pivoting lever device are disposed within the rotating element, pivotal on an axes intersecting the circumferential surface of the transfer unit, and functions therein to open and close the nipper by which the printing sheet is nipped against and separated from the transfer unit. The drive device is disposed in the fixed support, and functions to turn the pivoting levers.

Abstract: A supporting apparatus for optical unit having an optical unit to expose an original set on a contact glass, a reciprocatingly movable supporting frame body equipped with the optical unit, a sliding member provided on both ends of the supporting frame body, and an eccentric cam mechanism provided on one end of the supporting frame body to vertically adjust one of the sliding member. By operating the eccentric cam mechanism, one end of the supporting frame body can be adjusted to a desired height so as to enable to adjust horizontality of the optical unit mounted on the supporting frame body. Furthermore, because a large gap is provided between a pair of sliding members provided on one end of each supporting frame body and the ends of the two supporting frame bodies where the sliding members are mounted are mutually disposed at reverse side, both supporting frame bodies can be caused to come as close at their home positions as possible.

Abstract: A copying machine, including a photosensitive drum; a corona charger; an exposure device for exposing the photosensitive drum to an optical image of an original; a developing unit for developing a toner image on the photosensitive drum; a transfer corona charger for transferring the developed toner image to copy paper; a device for mechanically separating the imaged copy paper from the photosensitive drum; and a system for cleaning the drum after the image transfer, which includes an eraser lamp disposed adjacent the copy paper delivery side of the transfer corona charger at a position for illuminating copy paper from the rear side thereof upon image transfer thereto, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the transfer corona charger and the eraser lamp, thereby assuring smooth separation of copy paper after image transfer and efficient transport of the paper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a driving apparatus for the optical systems of a photocopier comprising 1st and 2nd optical systems, 1st and 2nd wires stretched out facing with each other through the wire-fixed ends of the 1st optical system, moving pulleys of the 2nd optical system, fixed pulleys of both systems and a common wire drum for both wires. The common wire drum has two wire drum bodies with a shallow and smooth dented portion, and a screw for pressing and fixing the approximate center of the wires against the bottom surface and/or side surface of the dented portion.