Abstract: A remaining amount of toner in an image forming apparatus is determined. The amount of toner remaining determines whether the image forming apparatus may be in a low toner state or a no toner state. An estimate of the amount of toner remaining is obtained by accurately estimating the amount of toner consumed. Latent patch images formed on a photoconductive member 1 by an exposure unit 3 are developed by developing device to obtain patch images. Densities of the patch images are measured by a patch sensor 22, and the contents of a weighting coefficient LUT 44 are changed. Meanwhile, the amount of toner developed, which corresponds to the changed weighting coefficient, is calculated by a development toner weight calculating unit 45 for each pixel on the basis of an exposure signal. This amount of toner developed is summed by a development toner weight summing unit 46. The amount of toner consumed is calculated as a function of the density measured by the patch sensor and the amount of toner developed.

Abstract: In a contact transfer device which applies a bias to a transfer member to transfer a toner on a latent image carrier to a recording member and image forming equipment which includes such contact transfer device and forms an image at a given process speed, the characteristics and conditions of various elements concerned with the operation of the contact transfer device are stipulated. The resistance value of each member, other than the transfer member, contactable to the recording sheet during transfer is expressed as R'.gtoreq.2.4.times.10.sup.10 Vp where Vp is the process speed.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a rotary member is provided including employing a pair of opposed spaced sheet members. First and second supporting structures are respectively formed at opposed locations on the sheet members, the supporting structures each being one of a projecting part and a barring part. The rotary member is formed with one of an axial shaft or an axial bore on each side thereof for engagement with and support by a corresponding opposed pair of supporting structures. The support structures may be either projecting parts, or barring parts. An image forming apparatus is also provided employing this improved structure for mounting a rotary member. The support structures are formed on frame portions of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a transfer member contactable to the image carrier for transferring toner to a recording member and a bias source connected to the transfer member. The toner includes resin particles and external additives added thereto. The transfer member satisfies the following relationship, R.gtoreq.0.350+(0.001H) where R represents the aerated bulk density of the toner and H represents the hardness (JISA) of the transfer member. Also, the transfer member satisfies 4.gtoreq.W.gtoreq.16.0-3.52.times.R+0.2.times.R.sup.2, where R represents the logarithmic value of the resistance of the transfer member and W (wt %) represents the amount of external additives added to the resin particles of the toner. In addition, where the resistance of the transfer member is expressed as R(.OMEGA.) and a current value of the transfer bias is expressed as It (.mu.A), the following relationship is satisfied: 1.32.times.10.sup.-4 LV.sub.p .ltoreq. It.ltoreq.2.66.times.10.sup.-3 (log(R)-3.

Abstract: A wire dot printer having a plurality of ink applicators for separately applying inks of different colors to the ends of printing wires disposed in separate groups in the ink applicators. The ink applicators are supplied respectively with inks of different colors for effecting multicolor printing on a recording paper. The wire groups are separately housed in a plurality of compartments extending longitudinally of the wires and are separated by partitions. The ends of the wires in each group are arranged in an array. The printer may include a cleaning mechanism for removing deposited paper dust and ink from the distal end of the print head while preventing mixing of ink colors.

Abstract: A wire dot printer comprises a plurality of wires for carrying ink respectively on the ends thereof, and ink applicator mechanism applying the ink to the wire, and an ink heater unit disposed adjacent to the wire ends for heating the ink to a controlled temperature level. The ink is applied to the side surfaces of the wires and is drawn to the wire ends by capillary attraction.