Abstract: In an image formation apparatus having a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and a developing unit for storing toner supplied to the photoconductor, the developing unit is displaceably placed in an apparatus main unit, and then, the photoconductor unit is detachably placed in the apparatus main unit and is positioned at a predetermined position, thereby the displaceable developing unit previously placed is positioned relative to the photoconductor unit.

Abstract: In an image formation apparatus having a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and a developing unit for storing toner supplied to the photoconductor, the developing unit is displaceably placed in an apparatus main unit, and then, the photoconductor unit is detachably placed in the apparatus main unit and is positioned at a predetermined position, thereby the displaceable developing unit previously placed is positioned relative to the photoconductor unit.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing units for containing different color toners to form a color image, a plurality of photo-receptor units including photo-receptors on which electrostatic latent images to be developed by said developing units are to be formed, and an intermediate transfer body unit including a tensionally provided belt with upper and lower surfaces to which toner images are transferred from said photo-receptors, an intermediate transfer body unit cartridge integrally holding said intermediate transfer body unit, the cartridge being detachably attached to the color image forming apparatus through the jamming-removal opening.

Abstract: To keep a toner (1) deposited on a transportation belt (21) from contact with a printhead (4) and prevent the clogging of toner passage holes (6) of the printhead (4), the toner (1) on a toner holding member (2) is ejected toward the transportation belt (21) through the toner passage holes (6) after the movement of the transportation belt (21) is initiated such that the cleaning of the toner passage holes (6) is initiated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a toner carrier and a toner passing control having a plurality of toner passing holes for controlling passage of a toner. The toner passing control has upstream side secured, the downstream side extended by a spring, and is contacted with a stay on the downstream side of the contact point with the toner carrier, so that corrugation deformation is prevented. A vibrating plate and an ultrasonic vibration generator are coupled through a coupling portion, thereby relative displacement between the vibrating plate and the ultrasonic vibration generator is allowed. A detachable toner cartridge is formed by integrating a developing roller and a toner storing container.

Abstract: In an image formation apparatus having a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and a developing unit for storing toner supplied to the photoconductor, the developing unit is displaceably placed in an apparatus main unit, and then, the photoconductor unit is detachably placed in the apparatus main unit and is positioned at a predetermined position, thereby the displaceable developing unit previously placed is positioned relative to the photoconductor unit.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a toner holding element 10 and a toner passage controller 4 having a plurality of toner passage holes 14, for controlling passage of toner 3. In order to prevent shortage of toner supply from the toner holding element 10 and form a high-quality image at a sufficient image density without producing thin white lines in such an image forming apparatus, the traveling speed of the toner holding element 10 is preset based on the traveling speed of an image receiving means 7 and at least one of the weight per unit area or the length in the scanning direction of the toner 3 that is applied to an image receiving means 7, the weight per unit area of the toner 3 held on the toner holding element 10 or the length of a toner-less region in the main scanning direction, and the number of pixels successively formed at different positions in the main scanning direction through the same toner passage hole 14.

Abstract: An image forming device including a toner holder 10 and a toner passage control device 4 including a plurality of toner passage holes 14 for controlling the passage of a toner 3, wherein a spacer member 22 arranged between the toner holder 10 and the toner passage control device 4 for maintaining the distance therebetween to be substantially constant has a predetermined surface roughness and a predetermined hardness while having a rigidity such that irregularities on the surface of the toner passage control device 4 are not transferred onto a toner layer 3a, so as to prevent the toner layer 3a on the toner holder 10 from being scratched and to form a high-quality image both in an initial stage of a recording operation and in a long-term use.

Abstract: To keep a toner (1) deposited on a transportation belt (21) from contact with a printhead (4) and prevent the clogging of toner passage holes (6) of the printhead (4), the toner (1) on a toner holding member (2) is ejected toward the transportation belt (21) through the toner passage holes (6) after the movement of the transportation belt (21) is initiated such that the cleaning of the toner passage holes (6) is initiated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for use in a printer for computers and the like includes an image forming head (7) between a developing sleeve (2) and an opposing electrode. (6). Control electrodes (19) are provided around respective openings (16) of the head (7), so that the openings (16) are electrostatically opened and closed by controlling a voltage applied to the respective control electrodes (19). In order to prevent the openings (16) of the head (7) from being clogged with toner (5), the percentage of the area of the opening (16) to the sum of the area of the extent of the control electrode (19) around the opening (16) and the area of the opening (16) is set to 8% or more.

Abstract: Device and method for fixing an image in which a vibrator, which generates ultrasonic waves by applying a voltage, and a horn connected thereto are arranged opposite a pressure roller with an endless belt passing between the horn and the pressure roller. Recording paper is carried between the belt and the pressure roller so that an image surface thereof is brought into contact with a rubber layer on the endless belt. Ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the image surface of the traveling recording paper via the belt, thereby directly heating and melting toner so that the image is fixed on the recording paper.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus of the present invention, image signal electrodes are provided on a flexible printed circuit base in opposing relation to a developer carrying member such that they are disposed around the openings of developer passage holes, different voltages are applied thereto during dot formation and during non-dot formation, a throttle electrode is provided on the flexible printed circuit base in opposing relation to a counter electrode, a voltage always lower than the voltage applied to the image signal electrodes is applied to the throttle electrode when a developer of negative polarity is applied, and a voltage always higher than the voltage applied to the image signal electrodes is applied to the throttle electrode when a developer of positive polarity is applied.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a toner carrier (1) for holding and conveying charged toner (2), and a toner passage controller (3) including a plurality of holes (4) through which toner (2) is passed and control electrodes (10) disposed surrounding the holes. The control of passing of the toner (2) through the holes is effected by applying voltage to the control electrodes in accordance with image signals. The holes (4) have an elongated shape, with the length along a direction in which the toner carrier (1) moves being longer than the width orthogonal to the lengthwise direction, so that the consumption areas of toner (2) on the toner carrier (1) do not interfere with each other while the open area of the holes (4) is sufficiently secured.

Abstract: A vibrator for generating ultrasonic waves by applying a voltage, and a horn connected thereto are disposed as opposed to a pressure roller via an endless belt. Recording paper is carried between the belt and the pressure roller so that an image surface thereof is brought into close contact with a rubber layer on the endless belt. Ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the image surface of the traveling recording paper via the belt, thereby directly heating and melting toner so that the image is fixed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming method are characterized in that charged particle jumping can be controlled by applying signals having a small potential difference, and that low-voltage type switching devices can be used as switching devices for the power source. Control electrodes 16 are provided to move charged particles detached from a development roller 2 and to control the movement amount of the charged particles by generating a transfer electric field directly or indirectly between the development roller 2 and a rear electrode 8. A bias electrostatic field is generated between the development roller 2 and the control electrodes 16 by applying a voltage under a jumping start voltage, which is a voltage having the polarity opposite to the polarity of the charged particles and is lower than the jumping start voltage for detaching the charged particles from the development roller 2.

Abstract: This invention relates to a color image recording apparatus, which once records an image on an intermediate sheet by means of a recording means, and then transcribe the recorded image on any desired recording sheet. Where, in the step of recording on the dye depositing layer of intermediate sheet, the color image is recorded for a length longer than that the sheet holding body can hold the intermediate sheet at one time by repeating the process cycle of multi color-recording with the intermediate sheet held sticking fast on the sheet holding body and releasing of the intermediate sheet from the tight holding; and then the dye depositing layer carrying the recorded image is transcribed on any desired recording sheet.In doing this way, snaking motion and slipping of the intermediate sheet are prevented, heat shrinkage of the intermediate sheet is curtailed to produce a quality color image having precise alignment of color positioning on any desired recording sheet.

Abstract: In an image forming device wherein printing is accomplished such that passing of charged toners fed from a developer roller 2 through a plurality of openings 14 is controlled by control electrodes 16 of an aperture electrode 12 in accordance with image signals, toners held on the developer roller 2 are caused to reach the vicinity of the openings 14, by inputting a predetermined signal to the control electrodes 16 of the aperture electrode 12, at least once during the period when no image forming action in accordance with the prescribed image signals is performed.

Abstract: A coating apparatus comprising a support assembly, a support moving mechanism for pivotally moving the support assembly about a horizontal axis, an applicator supported by the support assembly upwardly and downwardly movably, a position detector for detecting the raised or lowered position of the applicator, a pair of distance sensors attached to the support assembly and arranged one above the other at a distance for detecting the distance from the work surface to be coated, and a control unit connected to the position detector and to the distance sensors for causing the support moving mechanism to pivotally move the support assembly in response to detection signals from one of the distance sensors closer to the applicator to hold the applicator at a substantially constant distance from the work surface. Even when curved in the direction of the height, the work surface can be coated uniformly because the substantially constant distance is maintained between the applicator and the work surface.