Abstract: The present invention comprises a step detecting section for detecting a micro-step smaller than the tolerance value on a construction plane of a shape model, which is set at a predetermined interval so as to be identical to a tolerance value set up in a shape model; a correction object detecting section for detecting an object portion to be corrected in the shape model based on a positional relationship between an end portion constituting the micro-step and intersection of reference lines disposed in a grid pattern; and a step eliminating section for eliminating the micro-step on construction planes of the shape model by changing the shape of the shape model relevant to the object portion to be corrected. By eliminating the micro-step in the shape model, the number of working steps for exchanging modeling data can be reduced while maintaining the quality of a product.

Abstract: A body has a configuration in which a first ellipse has a first and second focal points and a second ellipse having a third and fourth points are arranged such that the second and third focal points coincide. This body is equivalent to an optical system having an optical path in which light gathered to the first focal point passes through the first focal point, and is reflected by a first concave reflecting surface, being a part of the first ellipse, to go through the second focal point, and then reflected by a second concave reflecting surface, being a part of the second ellipse, to be gathered to the fourth focal point.

Abstract: A body has a configuration in which a first ellipse has a first and second focal points and a second ellipse having a third and fourth points are arranged such that the second and third focal points coincide. This body is equivalent to an optical system having an optical path in which light gathered to the first focal point passes through the first focal point, and is reflected by a first concave reflecting surface, being a part of the first ellipse, to go through the second focal point, and then reflected by a second concave reflecting surface, being a part of the second ellipse, to be gathered to the fourth focal point.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a toner circulating mechanism for recovering a residual toner scraped from a photosensitive drum to a developing device. The developing device includes a housing for defining a toner chamber, a developing roller rotatably mounted in the housing, an agitator rotatably mounted in the housing and provided in the toner chamber, and a partition member mounted to the housing to define a carrier chamber between the partition member and the developing roller. The toner circulating mechanism directly returns the residual toner scraped from the photosensitive drum to the toner chamber in the developing device. The toner chamber may contain a foreign matter removing device. The partition member may have various shapes.

Abstract: A developing apparatus is provided for developing an electrostatic latent image on a latent image carrier by supplying the latent image carrier with a developer. This developing apparatus includes a toner accommodating chamber for accommodating magnetic toners. The apparatus also includes a developing roller, having a plurality of fixed magnetic pole members and sleeves provided along peripheries of the fixed magnetic pole members and rotating thereabout, for feeding the developer composed of magnetic carriers and magnetic toners to the latent image carrier. The apparatus further includes a developing chamber having a partition wall formed along the developing roller and assuming a configuration adapted to a shape of the developing roller, and a toner supply port for supplying the magnetic toners to the developing chamber from the toner accommodating chamber.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which collects residual toners on a latent image carrier in a developing unit. The image forming apparatus have a rotary endless latent image carrier; an image forming unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier; a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier with a powdery developer and collecting residual toners on the latent image carrier at a same time; a transfer unit for transferring the developed image on the latent image carrier onto a sheet; a distribution member for distributing residual toners on the latent image carrier when in contact with the latent image carrier after image transfer; and a voltage supplying unit for supplying an AC voltage to the distribution member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, including a rotary endless latent image carrier, an image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on a latent image carrier, a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier with powdery developers and collecting residual toners on the latent image carrier at the same time, a transfer device for transferring a developed image on the latent image carrier onto a sheet, a distribution roller having independent foam perforations for distributing residual toners on the latent image carrier when in contact with the latent image carrier after image transfer, and a power supply for supplying an AC voltage to the distribution member. The distribution member is made of a conductive foam member having a pore at a surface contacting with the latent image carrier and the roller rotates in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the latent image carrier at a peripheral velocity of 1.1 to 1.