Abstract: An image forming apparatus transfers a toner image from a photoconductive image carrier to a recording medium with a transfer roller and senses the density of a particular toner pattern formed on the image carrier with an optical sensor. A voltage of a first polarity opposite the polarity of the toner is applied to the transfer roller when the toner image is to be transferred to the recording medium. A voltage of a second polarity identical to the polarity of the toner is applied to the transfer roller when the toner pattern is to be moved between the image carrier and the transfer roller. Thus, even when a toner pattern is brought to the transfer roller, the transfer roller is not released from the photoconductive element.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is disclosed which is provided within a cleaning device with a rotative conveying member for conveying a residual toner after removal thereof from a photoreceptor up to an inlet of a toner dropping path while rotating. Within the toner dropping path is disposed a toner bridge preventing member for preventing the formation of a toner bridge in the same path. The toner bridge preventing member is driven by the rotative conveying member so as to reciprocate substantially in parallel with the toner dropping direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a latent image forming device that forms a latent image on the image bearing member, a developing device that develops latent image on said image bearing member to a toner image with a two-component developer, and a toner density detecting device that detects toner density of the two-component developer in which the toner image is formed and outputted as a visible image onto a transfer member. A control device is provided for agitating the developer for a predetermined time period during an initial setting is performed for the developer, detecting a toner density of said developer after the predetermined agitation, and performing an abnormal process when a result of the detection is out of the predetermined range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, a latent image forming device which forms a latent image on the image bearing member, a developing device which develops the latent image using a two-component developer including a toner and a carrier and a toner supplying device which supplies toner into the developing device. A developer agitating device agitates developer in the developing device and a toner-density detecting device detects a toner density of developer in the developing device. A toner-density control device controls the toner density by operating the toner supplying device on the basis of a detected result according to the toner-density detecting device. A memory device stores resultant value of the toner density detected by the toner-density detecting device during image forming operations. The toner-density detecting device detects the toner density in a warm-up operation before starting the image forming operation by the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a latent image electrostatically formed on a photoconductive element is developed by a two-ingredient type developer consisting of toner and carrier. The photoconductive element has a life coincident with the life of the developer. When the photoconductive element and developer reach the end of their life, they are replaced at the same time.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a latent image electrostatically formed on a photoconductive element is developed by a two-ingredient type developer consisting of toner and carrier. The photoconductive element has a life coincident with the life of the developer. When the photoconductive element and developer reach the end of their life, they are replaced at the same time.

Abstract: In a developing device included in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a device for replenishing toner to the developing device has a toner container having a hollow cylindrical body. The body is formed with a toner outlet at the center of one end thereof. A holder arrangement holds the container such that the toner can be delivered to a toner inlet portion included in the developing device. A drive mechanism causes the container to rotate about its own axis. The holder arrangement is formed with an opening for feeding the toner flowing out via the toner outlet to the toner inlet portion. The opening is covered with an elastic member having a holed portion. The device is capable of replenishing a predetermined amount of toner to the developing device at all times.