Abstract: A photographic image outputting system of the present invention is equipped with: an order receiving apparatus for receiving orders for photographic image output and a desired completion time; an output processing apparatus for performing output processes; and a control apparatus (e.g., a server) for controlling the output processing apparatus. The control apparatus judges whether completion by the desired completion time is possible, based on the contents of a new order and the processing states of existing orders, then sends the judgment results to the order receiving apparatus. The order receiving apparatus has notifying means for displaying the judgment results of the control apparatus to users. The control apparatus generates schedules for orders, which are deliverable by the desired completion time, and controls each process such that the order is processed according to the schedules.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an intermediate transfer device capable of making a change in a degree of expansion and contraction of an intermediate transfer belt slow is provided. A position and a moving range of a cleaning roll are set in order to make a rear surface contact position on a rear surface of the intermediate transfer belt relative to the contact position where the cleaning roll comes in contact with the intermediate transfer belt, away from a cleaning backup roll while an intermediate transfer belt cleaner rocks and moves to a contact position of the cleaner. Because of the intermediate transfer belt being not sandwiched between the cleaning and backup rolls, the change in the degree of expansion and contraction of the intermediate transfer belt is made slow, and the intermediate transfer belt is kept to have the degree of expansion and contraction within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer device has: an intermediate transfer belt supported by a plurality of belt supporting mechanisms so as to be able to circulate, and having elasticity at least in a direction of circulating; a first bias applying mechanism applying a first bias voltage to toner on a toner carrier surface of the intermediate transfer belt; a layer thinning mechanism contacting the toner carrier surface and electrostatically attracting the toner which is on the toner carrier surface so as to thin a layer of the toner; a second bias applying mechanism applying a second bias voltage to the toner whose layer has been thinned; an image carrier carrying a visible image to be transferred onto the toner carrier surface, the toner on the toner carrier surface, to which the second bias voltage has been applied, being transferred onto the image carrier; and a toner removing mechanism removing the toner on the image carrier.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus including a photoreceptor, a charger having a charger member for charging the photoreceptor, a latent image write unit for writing an electrostatic latent image onto the photoreceptor charged by the charger, and a developing device having a developer support with a magnetic field production member, for rendering visible the electrostatic latent image written by the latent image write unit with a developer. Further, the charging member of the charger is disposed under effect of a magnetic field produced by the magnetic field production member of the developing device, and the charging member is made of a nonmagnetic material.

Abstract: A charger has a cylindrical rotation tube coming in contact with an image receptor on which a toner image is formed, the rotation tube to which a predetermined charge bias is applied, and drive means for driving the rotation tube at a predetermined peripheral speed, the charger for uniformly charging the surface of the image receptor. When the peripheral speed of the image receptor is V1 and the peripheral speed of the rotation tube is V2, the following relation is satisfied: 1.01<(V2/V1)≦1.10.

Abstract: A transfer device for transferring an image on an image carrier 1 to a recording material 2, the transfer device includes a transferring member 4 adapted to nip and convey the recording material 2 between the transferring member 4 and the image carrier 1, a guard resin layer 5 having a surface microhardness not smaller than surface microhardness corresponding to polyimide, the guard resin layer 5 provided on a surface of the transferring member 4, and an adjustment resistance layer 6 provided as a ground layer of the guard resin layer 5, the adjustment resistance layer 6 adapted to inhibit an accumulation of charge in the guard resin layer 5. Or, the guard resin layer 5 made of an epoxy resin is provided on the surface of the transferring member 4, the adjustment resistance layer 6 having a smooth interface with the guard resin layer 5, the adjustment resistance layer 6 adapted to inhibit accumulation of charge in the guard resin layer.

Abstract: A charging member 2a of a charger 2 is disposed under the effect of a magnetic field produced by a magnetic field production member 4b of a developing device 4 and is made of a nonmagnetic material. The charger 2 comprises the charging member 2a and a removal member 2b disposed in contact with an photoreceptor 1 in the upstream of the charging member 2a, the removal member 2b for removing a deposit on the photoreceptor 1 and the charging member 2a is disposed under the effect of a magnetic field produced by the magnetic field production member 4b of the developing device 4 and is made of a nonmagnetic material. On the other hand, the removal member 2b is disposed under the effect of a magnetic field produced by the magnetic field production member 4b of the developing device 4 and is made of a magnetic material.

Abstract: A charger has a cylindrical rotation tube coming in contact with an image receptor on which a toner image is formed, the rotation tube to which a predetermined charge bias is applied, and drive means for driving the rotation tube at a predetermined peripheral speed, the charger for uniformly charging the surface of the image receptor.

Abstract: A transfer device for transferring an image on an image carrier 1 to a recording material 2, the transfer device comprises a transferring member 4 adapted to nip and convey the recording material 2 between the transferring member 4 and the image carrier 1, a guard resin layer 5 having a surface microhardness not smaller than surface microhardness corresponding to polyimide, the guard resin layer 5 provided on a surface of the transferring member 4, and an adjustment resistance layer 6 provided as a ground layer of the guard resin layer 5, the adjustment resistance layer 6 adapted to inhibit an accumulation of charge in the guard resin layer 5. Or, the guard resin layer 5 made of an epoxy resin is provided on the surface of the transferring member 4, the adjustment resistance layer 6 having a smooth interface with the guard resin layer 5, the adjustment resistance layer 6 adapted to inhibit accumulation of charge in the guard resin layer.