Abstract: A method of arranging a plurality of image forming sections, each of which includes a developing device and a cleaning device. The method includes arranging the plurality of image forming sections side by side along an inclined image carrier; and positioning the cleaning device above the developing device of other image forming sections in one of nearby ones of the plurality of image forming sections.

Abstract: A tandem image forming device for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of image forming means arranged side by side along an intermediate image transfer belt. The image forming means each include a developing device and a cleaning device arranged around an image carrier. One of nearby image forming means has its cleaning device positioned above the developing device of the other image forming means, e.g., an agitating section forming part of the image forming means. This configuration insures smooth circulation of a developer and therefore obviates an irregular developer distribution while reducing the overall size of the image forming device.

Abstract: A tandem image forming device for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of image forming means arranged side by side along an intermediate image transfer belt. The image forming means each include a developing device and a cleaning device arranged around an image carrier. One of nearby image forming means has its cleaning device positioned above the developing device of the other image forming means, e.g., an agitating section forming part of the image forming means. This configuration insures smooth circulation of a developer and therefore obviates an irregular developer distribution while reducing the overall size of the image forming device.

Abstract: A tandem image forming device for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of image forming means arranged side by side along an intermediate image transfer belt. The image forming means each include a developing device and a cleaning device arranged around an image carrier. One of nearby image forming means has its cleaning device positioned above the developing device of the other image forming means, e.g., an agitating section forming part of the image forming means. This configuration insures smooth circulation of a developer and therefore obviates an irregular developer distribution while reducing the overall size of the image forming device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to use a highly viscous, dense developing liquid including a carrier liquid and toner. The apparatus includes a developing unit with a developer carrier and a coating member for coating the developing liquid on the developer carrier. The developer carrier conveys the liquid to a developing zone where it faces an image carrier to develop a latent image on the image carrier. In the developing zone, the toner is caused to move toward the image by electrophoresis to form a toner layer in which the toner is present in the carrier liquid and a carrier layer in which the toner is absent. When the developer carrier and image carrier are moved from each other, the toner moves toward the image such that the developing liquid separates at the boundary between the toner and carrier layers.

Abstract: An excess toner removal area is made broader over the whole area with respect to a developer applied area that is broader than an image effective area. Thereby a liquid developer, that tends to spread slightly broader than the applied area after being applied to a photoreceptor drum, is removed by a sweep roller that can sweep excess toner present in an area broader than the original applied area and an excess toner remaining area is then prevented from being formed on the photoreceptor drum. Accordingly, the excess toner on the latent image carrier is removed as much as possible, and a transfer medium and peripheral members are prevented from being soiled due to residual excess toner.

Abstract: A removal nip having a predetermined width is formed by a sweep roller pressurizing mechanism, which adjusts the length of a tension spring by rotating an adjustment screw, and adjusting the size of an energizing force of a sweep roller with respect to a photosensitive drum. A pressurizing mechanism similar to the sweep roller pressurizing mechanism is also provided in a developing roller, to adjust the energizing force of the developing roller, to thereby form a developing nip having a predetermined width.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention uses a highly viscous, dense developing liquid consisting of a carrier liquid and toner dispersed therein. A developing unit includes a developer carrier and a coating member for coating the developing liquid on the developer carrier. The developer carrier conveys the liquid to a developing zone where it faces an image carrier to thereby develop a latent image formed on the image carrier with the liquid. In the developing zone, the toner in the liquid, which faces the image of the image carrier, is caused to move toward the image by electrophoresis to thereby form a toner layer in which the toner is present in the carrier liquid and a carrier layer in which the toner is absent in the same. When the developer carrier and image carrier moved away from the developing zone part from each other, the toner is caused to move toward the image over a degree at which the developing liquid can separate at the boundary between the toner layer and the carrier layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus using a highly viscous, dense developing liquid consisting of a carrier liquid and toner. A developing unit including a developer carrier and a coating member for coating the developing liquid on the developer carrier. The developer carrier conveys the liquid to a developing zone to develop a latent image formed on the image carrier with the liquid. In the developing zone, the toner in the liquid is moved toward the image by electrophoresis to form a toner layer in which the toner is present in the earner liquid and a carrier layer in which the toner is absent in the same. When the developer carrier and image carrier are moved away from the developing zone, the toner is moved toward the image over a degree at which the developing liquid can separate at the boundary between the toner layer and the carrier layer.

Abstract: An excess toner removal area is made broader over the whole area with respect to a developer applied area that is broader than an image effective area. Thereby a liquid developer, that tends to spread slightly broader than the applied area after being applied to a photoreceptor drum, is removed by a sweep roller that can sweep excess toner present in an area broader than the original applied area and an excess toner remaining area is then prevented from being formed on the photoreceptor drum. Accordingly, the excess toner on the latent image carrier is removed as much as possible, and a transfer medium and peripheral members are prevented from being soiled due to residual excess toner.

Abstract: An excess toner removal area is made broader over the whole area with respect to a developer applied area that is broader than an image effective area. Thereby a liquid developer, that tends to spread slightly broader than the applied area after being applied to a photoreceptor drum, is removed by a sweep roller that can sweep excess toner present in an area broader than the original applied area and an excess toner remaining area is then prevented from being formed on the photoreceptor drum. Accordingly, the excess toner on the latent image carrier is removed as much as possible, and a transfer medium and peripheral members are prevented from being soiled due to residual excess toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a casing, an image forming unit, and an air conditioning device. The image forming unit includes a case accommodating at least a photoconductive element therein and formed with an opening for image transfer via which the photoconductive element is partly exposed to the outside. The opening is the only opening that might allow substances harmful to image formation into the case when the image forming unit is mounted to the casing. The air conditioning device removes the harmful substances flowing into the image forming unit from the outside.

Abstract: A removal nip having a predetermined width is formed by a sweep roller pressurizing mechanism, which adjusts the length of a tension spring by rotating an adjustment screw, and adjusting the size of an energizing force of a sweep roller with respect to a photosensitive drum. A pressurizing mechanism similar to the sweep roller pressurizing mechanism is also provided in a developing roller, to adjust the energizing force of the developing roller, to thereby form a developing nip having a predetermined width.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention uses a highly viscous, dense developing liquid consisting of a carrier liquid and toner dispersed therein. A developing unit includes a developer carrier and a coating member for coating the developing liquid on the developer carrier. The developer carrier conveys the liquid to a developing zone where it faces an image carrier to thereby develop a latent image formed on the image carrier with the liquid. In the developing zone, the toner in the liquid, which faces the image of the image carrier, is caused to move toward the image by electrophoresis to thereby form a toner layer in which the toner is present in the carrier liquid and a carrier layer in which the toner is absent in the same. When the developer carrier and image carrier moved away from the developing zone part from each other, the toner is caused to move toward the image over a degree at which the developing liquid can separate at the boundary between the toner layer and the carrier layer.

Abstract: A tandem image forming device for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of image forming means arranged side by side along an intermediate image transfer belt. The image forming means each include a developing device and a cleaning device arranged around an image carrier. One of nearby image forming means has its cleaning device positioned above the developing device of the other image forming means, e.g., an agitating section forming part of the image forming means. This configuration insures smooth circulation of a developer and therefore obviates an irregular developer distribution while reducing the overall size of the image forming device.

Abstract: A tandem image forming device and method for an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming sections arranged side by side along an intermediate image transfer belt. The image forming sections each include a developing device and a cleaning device arranged around an image carrier. One of nearby image forming sections has its cleaning device positioned above the developing device of the other image forming sections, e.g., an agitating section forming part of the image forming section. This configuration ensures smooth circulation of developer and therefore obviates an irregular developer distribution while reducing the overall size of the image forming device.

Abstract: An excess toner removal area is made broader over the whole area with respect to a developer applied area that is broader than an image effective area. Thereby a liquid developer, that tends to spread slightly broader than the applied area after being applied to a photoreceptor drum, is removed by a sweep roller that can sweep excess toner present in an area broader than the original applied area and an excess toner remaining area is then prevented from being formed on the photoreceptor drum. Accordingly, the excess toner on the latent image carrier is removed as much as possible, and a transfer medium and peripheral members are prevented from being soiled due to residual excess toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to use a highly viscous, dense developing liquid consisting of a carrier liquid and toner. The apparatus includes a developing unit with a developer carrier and a coating member for coating the developing liquid on the developer carrier. The developer carrier conveys the liquid to a developing zone where it faces an image carrier to develop a latent image on the image carrier. In the developing zone, the toner is caused to move toward the image by electrophoresis to form a toner layer in which the toner is present in the carrier liquid and a carrier layer in which the toner is absent. When the developer carrier and image carrier are moved from each other, the toner moves toward the image such that the developing liquid separates at the boundary between the toner and carrier layers.

Abstract: A removal nip having a predetermined width is formed by a sweep roller pressurizing mechanism, which adjusts the length of a tension spring by rotating an adjustment screw, and adjusting the size of an energizing force of a sweep roller with respect to a photosensitive drum. A pressurizing mechanism similar to the sweep roller pressurizing mechanism is also provided in a developing roller, to adjust the energizing force of the developing roller, to thereby form a developing nip having a predetermined width.

Abstract: An excess toner removal area is made broader over the whole area with respect to a developer applied area that is broader than an image effective area. Thereby a liquid developer, that tends to spread slightly broader than the applied area after being applied to a photoreceptor drum, is removed by a sweep roller that can sweep excess toner present in an area broader than the original applied area and an excess toner remaining area is then prevented from being formed on the photoreceptor drum. Accordingly, the excess toner on the latent image carrier is removed as much as possible, and a transfer medium and peripheral members are prevented from being soiled due to residual excess toner.