Abstract: An image forming device including a photosensitive body and a support. The support supports the photosensitive body in a rotatable condition by supporting the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive body.

Abstract: An image forming device including a photosensitive body and a support. The support supports the photosensitive body in a rotatable condition by supporting the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive body.

Abstract: An ink jet printer head of hot-melt type for heating and melting solid ink and then discharging the melted ink onto a recording medium is provided with: a cavity plate prescribing (i) an ink flow path through which the melted ink is supplied, (ii) a plurality of ink storing chambers, each of which is connected to the ink flow path in which the supplied ink is temporarily stored, and (iii) a plurality of ink discharge holes which are connected to respective one of the ink storing chambers though which the temporarily stored ink is discharged; a piezoelectric element member, which is opposed to the cavity plate and has a plurality of piezoelectric elements for selectively changing capacities of the ink storing chambers; and a base member for supporting the piezoelectric element member. The piezoelectric element member is interposed and fixed between the cavity plate and the base member.

Abstract: A hot melt ink jet print head in which ink can be circulated without an ink level difference between a main chamber and a sub chamber. The main chamber and the sub chamber of an ink tank is connected via a channel. The main chamber is connected to a nozzle head via an outgoing channel. Also the sub chamber is connected to the nozzle head via a returning channel. Two valves are provided inside of the sub chamber, each for closing either one of the channel and the returning channel. Normally, the returning channel is closed by the valve, and the channel is opened, so that ink can flow from the sub chamber to main chamber and further to the nozzle head. However, during the purging operation, the channel is closed with the valve, and the returning channel is opened, so that the ink can flow from the main chamber to the sub chamber via the nozzle head.

Abstract: To start up an ink jet recording device in a short period of time, an AC heater section is energized to melt hot melt ink so that a solid state ink becomes a molten state ink, and a DC heater section is used to maintain hot melt ink in a molten state. The AC heater section is connected a socket that is provided in a recording head movable in a main scanning direction. A plug connected to an AC power source is provided in the lower cover. The socket engages the plug when the recording head is in a home position where the recording head is disposed when the device is powered. The DC heater section is connected to a DC power source at all times when the device is in use. High thermal output generated by the AC heater section melts the ink and heats up to the temperature suitable for printing in a short period of time. The DC heater section maintains the ink at the temperature suitable for printing.

Abstract: Front ends of the frames of a plurality of print units can be supported by a support member. At the rear end of each frame a fitting member having screw holes is attached. A fixing member is provided on the back side of the fitting members. Screws are inserted into screw holes in the fitting members through holes in the fixing member, so that each fitting member is detachable fixed onto the fixing member. Therefore, as occasion demands, one print unit, including the fitting member, can be detached from the unit and exchanged.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically loading a printer with a recording medium, having a medium feeding motor, a carriage with a print head, a medium guide pivotable between a first position for urging the medium against a medium support, and a second position away from the support, a release member actuated by the motor, for pivoting the guide to the second position, a clutch operable between an operated position for transmitting a motion of the motor to the release member, a non-operated position in which the motion is not transmitted to the release member, and an intermediate position, a switching device operable by a movement of the carriage to a loading standby position, for operating the clutch from the non-operated position to the intermediate position in which a movement of the carriage away from the loading standby position toward the printing area permits the clutch to return to the non-operated position unless the motor is activated, and a controller for controlling the medium loading operation, by movin