Abstract: An image forming method for improving developer recirculation capability within a developer unit includes the steps of magnetically adsorbing a developer having magnetism onto a developer carrier by the action of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating member to form a magnetic lobe, regulating the amount of developer in the magnetic lobe in accompaniment with rotation of the developer carrier about a longitudinal central axis by a developer regulating member disposed in a developer carrier rotating angular region extending from a position of a normal magnetic flux density inflection point, at which a component of the magnetic field normal to the developer carrier becomes zero, to a position of a normal magnetic flux density peak, at which the component of the magnetic field normal to the developer carrier exhibits a maximum value, in a direction in which the developer carrier is rotated, and developing a latent image on an image carrier using the magnetic lobe having a regulated amount of d

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a developing unit for forming an image by use of a two-ingredient type developer, i.e., toner and carrier mixture includes a container for replenishing fresh toner and for replacing carrier deteriorated due to aging or a developer including such carrier. By rotating the container in one direction, both fresh toner and a two-ingredient developer can be supplied to the developing unit. Initially when a container is mounted, the developer is fed in an amount less than an amount for image formation to start and only when a second container is mounted and rotated is the developer amount sufficient for image formation to start.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus is provided with a toner stirring member, which is mixed in with the toner in the toner cartridge. Blocking of the toner is prevented and fluidity of the toner is improved by the movement of the toner stirring member in the toner cartridge, and stable toner flow to a developing device of is accomplished. The toner stirring member is provided with toner scratching portions for scratching off the toner from the internal surface of the cartridge, and thereby a quantity of toner remaining in the toner cartridge is reduced.

Abstract: A developing unit using a bicomponent developer and capable of collecting only carrier included in the developer and deteriorated due to aging while recycling toner, and a method of collecting the developer from the developing unit. The developing unit separate the developer into toner and carrier before the collection of the developer.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a toner collection mode is executed when a series of image formation modes ends and when the image formation mode is continuously repeated a preselected number of times. A toner image sensing mode for sensing a reflection density from a reference toner image is executed every time the image formation mode is repeated a preselected number of times. The apparatus is capable of surely and efficiently removing toner left on an image carrier after image transfer, and collecting the reference toner image with a developing unit. The reference toner image is prevented from contaminating an image transferring unit and a cleaning unit.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, during the course of recording, a cleaning roller is rotated together with an image carrier. The roller frictionally charges toner left on the image carrier after image transfer to the same polarity. A cleaning member electrostatically collects the charged toner. At the same time, a voltage is applied to the cleaning member by a voltage applying device in order to cause it to attract the charged toner, thereby cleaning the image carrier. Hence, even when the toner remaining on image carrier is charged partly to the positive polarity and partly to the negative polarity, the toner can be entirely transferred to the cleaning member by a simple construction.

Abstract: A cartridge for replenishing a two-ingredient developer to an image forming apparatus, and a developer replenishing device using it are disclosed. The cartridge is made up of two containers each storing a content of particular kind. One of the containers has an annular portion and a bore formed at the center by the annular portion. The other container has a cylindrical configuration and coaxially mates with the above container to form a single unit. Coaxial openings are respectively formed in the containers. Spiral grooves inclined in opposite directions to each other are respectively formed on the inner peripheries of the containers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the type collecting a toner remaining on the surface of an image carrier after image transfer and returning it to a developing unit to use it again. The apparatus separates the toner from paper dust and other impurities before returning the toner to the developing unit on the basis of differences in charge, weight and volume between the toner and the impurities. The toner is returned via an eletrostatic conveyor.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus and a cleaning device therefor are disclosed. Toner of different colors left on a photoconductive element image transfer are sequentially collected by respective cleaning units. A recycling mechanism, including conveyor screws, returns the collected toners from the cleaning units to corresponding developing units for reuse.

Abstract: A developing unit incorporated in an image forming apparatus and capable of transporting a developer or a toner deposited on a developing roller in a predetermined direction without rotating the developing roller, or developer carrier. The developing roller has an unrotatable base roller, a stationary body provided on the base roller and made of an insulating material, and a plurality of drive electrodes buried in the stationary body. The drive electrodes are divided into three electrode groups. Voltages whose polarities change at predetermined intervals are applied to the three electrode groups, causing the toner to be transported by the coaction of the charge of the toner and the charges of the drive electrodes. The drive electrodes are arranged at a pitch which is substantially one-third of the particle size of the toner, so that the toner may be deposited on the developing roller substantially without any clearance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has two units which are engageable with a photoconductive element and provided with a substantially identical configuration. Various electrophotographic process devices including a developing device and a cleaning device and to be arranged around the photoconductive element are selectively arranged in the two units. The photoconductive element is passed over two rollers such that part of the element forms parallel flat portions. The two units and the photoconductive element are rotatable integrally with each other.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator for forming an electric field for transporting the particles of a developer having a predetermined charge in a predetermined direction. A plurality of stripe-like drive electrodes are continuously formed on only one of opposite sides of a substrate in parallel. Pins are affixed to three electrode terminals and contact every third drive electrode selected in matching relation to the electrode terminals. The three terminals are held on an electrode connector which is fitted on one edge of the substrate. The portions of the pins contacting the drive electrodes are thinner than the portions connected to the electrode terminals.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a developing device which includes a developing roller. A developer or a toner is transported on and along the developing roller without the roller being rotated. The developing roller has a shaft and ultrasonic transport members provided on the shaft. The ultrasonic transport members are made up of a plurality of electrodes, a piezoelectric member surrounding the electrodes and made of, for example, piezoelectric ceramic, and an elastic member surrounding the piezoelectric member and made of, for example, copper alloy or similar alloy. A plurality of standing waves are caused to flow through the electrodes with the result that the piezoelectric member waves. The toner is transported on the waving surface of the elastic member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having various process units at least one of which is removable for replacement. The apparatus has a mode selecting a device accessible for selecting desired one of a plurality of image modes. A photoconductive element, developing unit, image transferring unit and other replaceable process units each is provided with a storage for storing image forming conditions which match an image mode selected on the mode selecting device. A copy process and other conditions are set up on the basis of the conditions stored in the storage. Another storage is loaded with data associated with the service life of a replaceable process unit.

Abstract: A developing apparatus has a developer cartridge having a first developer storage room for storing an unused new developer, a second developer storage room for storing a used old developer, and shutter members for opening and closing openings of the first and second developer storage rooms; and a device for detachably attaching the developer cartridge to a section for exchanging the old developer for the new developer on a body side of the developing apparatus. The developer cartridge may be attached and detached from the developer exchanging section after deterioration of the developer in use is displayed, and the used developer is collected within the second developer storage room and the new developer is supplied into the developer cartridge after the collection of the used developer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has two units which are engageable with a photoconductive element and provided with a substantially identical configuration. Various electrophotographic process devices including a developing device and a cleaning device and to be arranged around the photoconductive element are selectively arranged in the two units. The photoconductive element is passed over two rollers such that part of the element forms parallel flat portions. The two units and the photoconductive element are rotatable integrally with each other.