Abstract: Disclosed an image forming apparatus including: a first input section to receive a setting instruction of an output cycle of sample output; a second input section to receive an instruction of immediate output of the sample output; an image forming section; an ejection section; a control section to count a number of the recording media, the control section judging timing of executing the sample output, based on a counted value of the number of recording media and an set output cycle, the control section ejecting sample output matter according to a judgment result, the control section simultaneously initializing the counted value, the control section allowing the image forming section to form an image and eject the sample output matter when the immediate output of the sample output is instructed with the second input section, the control section simultaneously initializing the counted value.

Abstract: A sheet-conveying apparatus and a method for detecting multiple-sheet feeding thereof are provided. The sheet-conveying apparatus includes a passageway, a sheet-transporting mechanism and a sheet-detecting device. The sheet-detecting device includes a first transmitter, a first receiver, a second transmitter and a second receiver. The first receiver is for receiving a first signal of a first intensity transmitted from the first transmitter. The second receiver is for receiving a second signal of a second intensity transmitted from the second transmitter. The second intensity of the second signal is not equal to the first intensity of the first signal. The sheet-detecting device further includes an analysis unit for determining if the multiple sheets are conveyed in the passageway, according to the intensities of the signals respectively received by the first receiver and the second receiver.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an output control unit to change an output of an optical sensor to collectively recognize a plurality of print processes for a print job. The output control unit includes a first actuator to recognize whether paper is present in a printing medium cassette and a second actuator to recognize whether paper is being conveyed. This makes it possible to recognize whether paper is present in a printing medium cassette and whether paper is being conveyed based on the output of the optical sensor, thereby reducing a financial burden and preventing a reduction in a task efficiency of an optical sensor installation.

Abstract: An image processor includes a main body and a consumable product which is replaceably installed to the main body is provided with a storage configured to store a table to which a record indicative of a usage status of the consumable product is to be successively added, an installation detection unit configured to detect that the consumable product is newly installed, a judging unit configured to judge whether the newly installed consumable product has been used in the main body continuously or discontinuously when the detection unit detects that the consumable product is newly installed. A usage status detection unit detects the usage status of the consumable product. A controller updates the latest record of the table if the consumable product has been continuously used, while creates a new record to be added to the table if the consumable product has been used discontinuously.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a developing device; a replaceable developing material container that contains developing material; a coupling member that couples the developing device to the developing material container; a controller that, when the developing material container is attached and an installation sequence to fill the coupling member with developing material is performed, calculates a value obtained by performing an operation to calculate replacement time of the developing material container, on a developing material amount obtained by subtracting a developing material amount filled in the coupling member from a developing material amount contained in the attached developing material container; and a display that displays information indicating the replacement time of the developing material container-based on the value calculated by the controller.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus has an organic CMOS image sensor mounted in a base, and a photoreceptive surface of the image sensor is exposed on a top side of the base. A subject is placed directly on the photoreceptive surface, and the subject and the photoreceptive surface are covered up with a cover light-tightly. Thus the image sensor detects only chemiluminescent light from the subject. As for a fluorochrome-labeled subject, the subject placed directly on the photoreceptive surface is irradiated with excitation light from a light source mounted in the cover. The image sensor is provided with a filter for blocking the excitation light from its photoelectric conversion layers, so the image sensor detects only fluorescent rays generated from the excited fluorochrome-labeled subject. The image scanning apparatus needs no redundant space in perpendicular direction to the photoreceptive surface.

Abstract: A fixing device of the invention detects a temperature of plural positions of a heat roller by a multiple non-contact temperature sensor at the same time and controls the temperature of plural heat source members The non-contact temperature sensor and a contact temperature sensor detect the temperature of the same position. According to the detection result, maintenance is performed or a temperature conversion table is corrected, the non-contact temperature sensor is maintained with high precision, and the heat roller is controlled the temperature with high precision.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a calculating device, a waiting time calculating device, and a print controlling device. The calculating device divides print data to be printed onto a recording medium into a plurality of zones along a conveyance direction of the recording medium. The calculating device calculates printing time and drying time per each divided zone based on a data amount in each zone. The waiting time calculating device calculates waiting time from completion of printing onto the recording medium until the recording medium has been dried, based on the printing time and the drying time per each zone in consideration of elapse of the drying time of the previously printed zone(s) during printing. The print controlling device configures settings for printing of the recording medium based on the waiting time and performs printing according to the settings.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller which sets fixing conditions in a fixing unit in accordance with the type of printing medium sensed by a sensor. An intermediate transfer member and sensor are configured as an intermediate transfer member unit. The intermediate transfer member unit is removably installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The intermediate transfer member unit has a storage unit which stores information used to determine the type printing medium by the sensor.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an information terminal device configured to edit image formation data with application software, an image forming device configured to form an image on a recording medium based on the image formation data edited by the information terminal device, a first detecting unit configured to detect size information of the recording medium, a registration unit configured to register the size information detected by the first detecting unit as setting information, and a reflecting unit configured to reflect desired one of setting information registered by the registration unit on the application software with which the information terminal device can edit the image formation data so as to conform to the size information.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes an image bearing member, a data providing unit, an image-forming unit, a detecting unit, a first calculating unit, a determining unit, and a second calculating unit. The image bearing member has a surface moving at a surface speed. The data providing unit provides pattern data indicative of a target test pattern to be formed on a target position of the surface in response to a test instruction. The image-forming unit forms an actual test pattern on an actual position of the surface in accordance with the pattern data provided from the data providing unit, and configure to form an image in response to an image-forming instruction. The detecting unit detects the actual position. The first calculating unit calculates a deviation of the actual position from the target position. The determining unit performs a first determination of whether the surface speed when the data providing unit receives the test instruction is stable or unstable.

Abstract: An image recording device includes a first detecting unit, a recording unit, and a control unit. The first detecting unit detects a position of a perforation pre-formed in a recording sheet. The recording unit records an image on the recording sheet based on printing data. The control unit is configured to imaginarily divide the recording sheet into a first region including a portion where the perforation is pre-formed, and a second region excluding the first region based on the position of the perforation detected by the first detecting unit. The control unit prohibits the recording unit from recording the image on the first region and controls the recording unit to record the image at least partially on the second region.

Abstract: An image forming system, in which a method of detecting a misregistration of a color image is performed, includes multiple image carriers, an optical writing unit, a transfer member extended by a drive roller and at least one driven roller, a rotation detector, a roller driving unit, a belt controller, an image detector configured to detect the images formed on the surface of the transfer member and obtain detection data, and a controller configured to calculate an amount of misregistration and correct relative misregistration of a scanning line between the image carriers based on a result of the calculation. In the image forming system, a distance from a transfer position to a detection position is an integer multiple of a travel distance of the transfer member during one revolution of the at least one driven roller.

Abstract: A developing method in an image-forming device is provided. The developing method includes the steps of charging a photoreceptor; exposing the photoreceptor to form a first latent image on the photoreceptor; developing the first latent image by a first developing unit having a first potential to form a first toner image; and discharging the photoreceptor having the first toner image, such that when the photoreceptor is charged again, the first toner image on the photoreceptor has a second potential, and the second potential is approximately the same as the first potential of the first developing unit.

Abstract: Provided is an exposure head controller that controls, via pulse width modulation control, the emission quantity of each light emitting element in an exposure head having a light emitting element array formed by arranging a plurality of light emitting elements in a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction orthogonal thereto, comprising: a data retention unit that retains dot gathering control data showing whether to emit each light emitting element at the starting point side, terminal point side or in the middle of an emission period corresponding to a 1 pixel pitch in the sub scanning direction, or to divide and emit each light emitting element at the starting point side and terminal point side, emission time data showing the emission time of each light emitting element, and skew data showing the skew quantity of each light emitting element; a dot gathering operation circuit provided to each light emitting element and which operates the time in which the light emitting element is to be retained i

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a development container, a developer bearing member, first and second carrying members that carry developer, a supply device that supplies developer for replenishment, a discharge opening that discharges the developer contained in the development container, a controller that selectively performs one of a first mode and a second mode, a drive device that changes speeds for driving the first and second carrying members, and a counter that measures the number of sheets in the second mode. The controller sets the speed of the drive device in the second mode to be slower than in the first mode, and suspends the second mode and executes a mode for changing the speed of the drive device to a speed faster than in the second mode and driving the first and second carrying members for a predetermined time if a measurement result reaches a reference value.

Abstract: To generate a toner cloud in a development system, a first potential is applied to a donor roll for a first pulse time to project toner from the donor roll toward a photoreceptor, a second potential is applied to the donor roll for a second pulse time to slow the speed at which the toner is projected toward the photoreceptor; a third potential is applied to the donor roll for a third pulse time to hold toner between the donor roll and the photoreceptor; and a fourth potential is applied to the donor roll for a fourth pulse time to urge undeveloped toner to the surface of the donor roll. Voltages may also be applied for selectivity removing toner from a donor roll.

Abstract: A developer device applies bias voltage including an alternating-current component equal to or larger than a value corresponding to a developing electric field of 9 V/?m to a developing roller. The bias voltage is set to apply developer to a latent image on a photosensitive element to develop the image in an image forming mode. The bias voltage is set so that a difference between an area central potential and a surface potential of the photosensitive element is shifted to a direction attracting the normally charged developer to a developer carrier, in relation to a difference between an area central potential and a surface potential of the image carrier in the latent image section in the image forming mode, and a supply amount of the developer to the photosensitive element is smaller than that in the latent image section in the image forming mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a toner replenishment control method according to the present invention are configured such that a concentration of toner in a developer detected by a toner concentration detection sensor is measured and the measured toner concentration value is stored. These are configured such that regions of image data corresponding to an electrostatic latent image on an image bearing member to be developed by the developer are specified and an amount of toner to be consumed in the developer is predicted based on the image data of the specified regions, then a post-development concentration value of toner in the developer is estimated based on the measured toner concentration value and the predicted toner consumption amount, and control of replenishment of toner to the developer is carried out based on the estimated post-development toner concentration value and a toner setting concentration value that has been set in advance.

Abstract: Image transfer quality in an electrophotographic image forming device is improved by preconditioning a media sheet prior to transferring a toner image thereto at an image transfer station. The media sheet is preconditioned by applying a static charge to it. In a color DTM type device, the charge reduces the transfer voltages required at downstream image transfer stations to account for charge accumulated on the media sheet as a result of the image transfer process at upstream image transfer stations. The charge may be applied to the media sheet at a media sheet preconditioning element positioned upstream of an image transfer station. Alternatively, an initial charge may be applied to the media sheet at an image transfer station, without transferring a toner image to the sheet, and returning the sheet via a duplex path to positioned upstream of an image transfer station prior to an image transfer operation.

Abstract: In a method for determining the degree of hardening or drying of one or more printed ink and/or coating film(s) on a substrate, for instance, paper, cardboard, plastic film or composite materials, a faster and more efficient measuring method can be found that furthermore supplies secure and easily interpreted results. The method is to be used in the mass production printing processes comprising intaglio printing, flexographic printing, screen printing or offset printing. The degree of hardening or drying is determined indirectly by way of the change in the mechanical and/or viscoelastic properties of the ink and/or coating films on the substrate that result from the hardening or drying process. The detection of acoustic waves by means of a piezoelectric sensor is used as the measuring method.

Abstract: For more efficient and energy-saving drying of ink and/or coating films in printing machines, the drying or hardening process must be better monitored. Therefore a method is proposed for determining the degree of hardening of one or more printed ink and/or coating films on a substrate that was coated in an intaglio, flexographic or offset printing process. The degree of hardening or drying due to the hardening or drying process is determined indirectly via the change of mechanical and/or viscoelastic properties of the ink and/or coating films on the substrate. An ultrasound measurement is used for this purpose.

Abstract: A developing roller supplies the toner to an image on an image bearing body, the image being formed in accordance with image data. A toner supplying member supplies the developer material to the developer bearing member. A computing section computes a dot population density in corresponding one of a plurality of sub data areas. The plurality of sub data areas is obtained by dividing the image data such that the plurality of sub data areas are aligned in a printable area of a print medium in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the print medium. A controller performs a developer material removing process based on the dot population density. The developer material removing process is such that the toner deposited on the developing roller is removed from the developing roller in an area corresponding to a low dot population density of image data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for reducing time required for adjusting the image forming conditions and transport conditions and minimizing the number of recording material used for the adjustment. Image forming conditions and transport conditions for the recording material are adjusted according to the characteristic properties of the recording material. Associated data including an adjustment value obtained from the adjustment of the image forming conditions and transport conditions made by the adjustment unit and the characteristic properties of the recording material associated with the adjustment value is generated. The associated data stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the data collection/delivery apparatus. Delivery data regarding the adjustment of the image forming conditions and transport conditions is received from the data collection/delivery apparatus.

Abstract: A method of controlling a job interruptible image forming device in which job interrupting is enabled, includes a step of storing contents of respective job settings of an interrupted first job and an interrupting second job respectively, a step of causing a display to indicate that the respective job settings of the first job and the second job coexist, and a step of activating job setting windows for respective job settings selectively on the display in response to a selection entry of a user.

Abstract: A cooling system for an electrical component, comprises: a substrate having a mounting surface on which an electrical component is mounted; an air sucking section that takes in air for cooling the electrical component; a first guide member comprising a first guide surface that leads the air taken into the air sucking section in such a direction as to be separated from the mounting surface of the substrate; and a second guide member comprising a second guide surface that leads, to the mounting surface of the substrate, the air led to the first guide surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: an image forming section that forms a toner image and transfers the toner image to a recording material at a predetermined transfer position; a fixing unit that heats the toner image on the recording material at a predetermined fixing position and fixes the toner image to the recording material; a transporter that transports the recording material along a transportation path including a path extending from the transfer position to the fixing position; a heat absorber that is located on the transportation path at a place downstream of the fixing position and absorbs a heat from the recording material; a pre-heater that is located on the transportation path at a pre-heating position upstream of the transfer position and pre-heats the recording material passing through the pre-heating position; and a heat transfer unit that transfers a heat energy obtained by the heat absorber absorbing the heat to the pre-heater.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with an image forming unit for applying an image transferring process to a sheet-like recording material, a fixing unit for applying a heat fixing process to the recording material after the image transferring process by the image forming unit, a first conveyance path for conveying the recording material via the image forming unit and the fixing unit, a second conveyance path for returning the recording material after the fixing process by the fixing unit to an upstream side of the image forming unit from a side of the first conveyance path downstream of the fixing unit in the case of applying the image transferring process to both sides of the recording material, and a fan disposed between the first and second conveyance paths for taking air across the first conveyance path and exhausting air across the second conveyance path to form an air stream.

Abstract: A sealing structure is incorporated in an image forming unit. A rotatable body is supported in a housing body. A sealing member extends in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the rotatable body, providing a seal against the surface of the rotatable body. The sealing member includes a first widthwise end portion fixed to the housing body and a second widthwise end portion in contact with rotatable body, having a larger width at a longitudinally middle portion than at longitudinally end portions. The second widthwise end portion includes a widthwise free edge describing an arc such that the width is larger nearer the longitudinally middle portion. The sealing member may include longitudinally end portions and a longitudinally middle portion between the longitudinally end portions, the longitudinally middle portion having a constant width and the longitudinally end portions having a width smaller nearer the longitudinal ends.

Abstract: A powder container that is detachably installed in a container housing unit of an image forming apparatus includes a container body including an opening located at a head of the container body, and an engaging part located at a bottom of the container body, the engaging part being engaged with an engagement receiving part of the container housing unit; a drive transferring member that rotates integrally with the container body; and a lid including a discharge outlet that further discharges powder discharged from the opening of the container body, and a shutter that opens and closes the discharge outlet. A position of the powder container in the container housing unit is determined by engaging the engaging part with the engagement receiving part, and operating the lid such that the shutter opens the discharge outlet.

Abstract: A toner cartridge (20) includes a main cartridge body (30) having a housing formed with an opening (350) and also having a rotary shaft (41) supported by the housing for rotation about an axis thereof, a detachable member (60) mounted to the opening (350) and having a toner outlet (610) through which the toner (T) is discharged and a sealing film (70) having a first end so attached to the detachable member (60) as to close the toner outlet (610) and a second end attached to a part of the main cartridge body (30), the first end of the sealing film (70) being peeled off from the detachable member (60) by the rotation of the rotary shaft (41).

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, the apparatus, includes (a) a plurality of mounting portions for detachably mounting process cartridges, respectively, the process cartridges each including, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer for use by the developing roller to develop the electrostatic latent image, a developer supply opening for supplying the developer to the developing roller from the developer accommodating portion, a sealing member for unsealably sealing the developer supply opening, and unsealing means for unsealing the developer supply opening by removing the sealing member from the developer supply opening; (b) a motor; and (c) driving force transmitting means for selectively transmitting a driving f

Abstract: An image forming device according to an aspect of the invention comprises: a main body; and a first cartridge capable of accommodating a developer and detachably attached to the main body. The first cartridge comprises: a rotation body rotatably provided in the first cartridge; a memory device configured to store information concerning the first cartridge; and a first terminal electrically connected to the memory device. The main body comprises: a driver configured to rotate the rotation body; and a second terminal connected to the first terminal. The first terminal is provided at a position where a rotation moment produced by rotation of the rotation body acts in the first cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge, an auger, and an image forming apparatus are provided. The cartridge includes a housing including supporting members and a conveying member, at least a portion of the conveying member rotating in an eccentric manner, the conveying member including a main body portion; a pair of supported portions provided at both ends of the main body portion and rotatably supported by the supporting members; and a spiral blade portion that conveys developer. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body including the cartridge. The auger includes a cylindrical main body comprising a spiral blade portion that conveys developer and shaft portions having rotational centers that coincide with each other, one of the shaft portions provided at each end of the main body, a center of gravity of the main body being displaced from the rotational centers of the shaft portions.

Abstract: A cartridge according to one aspect of the invention is detachably attachable to a main body including a first terminal. The cartridge comprises: a case; a memory device configured to store information concerning the cartridge; a cover member configured to cover a part of the case and movably supported on the case to allow a relative movement to the case; and a second terminal provided at the cover member and electrically connected to the memory device. In a state where the cartridge is attached to the main body, the second terminal contacts with the first terminal of the main body.

Abstract: A photosensitive medium supporting apparatus includes a supporting shaft to rotatably support a photosensitive medium and to have a fixing groove or a fixing projection formed at one portion of the supporting shaft that projects from one end of the photosensitive medium, a first shaft supporting member to support the one portion of the supporting shaft that projects from one end of the photosensitive medium and to have a fixing projection or a fixing groove that is inserted into the fixing groove or the fixing projection of the supporting shaft, and a second shaft supporting member to support an other portion of the supporting shaft that projects from the other end of the photosensitive medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of one aspect of the invention comprises: an image carrier; a developing device configured to hold a developer carrier to supply developer to the image carrier, the developing device movable to a contacting position where the developer carrier contacts the image carrier and to a spaced position where the developer carrier is spaced from the image carrier; and a memory element disposed in the developing device. The developing device comprises: a pressing force input portion configured to receive pressing force to make the developer carrier contact the image carrier; and a spacing force input portion configured to receive spacing force to make the developing device move from the contacting position to the spaced position. At least one of the pressing force input portion and the spacing force input portion comprises a terminal electrically connected to the memory element.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer storage portion for storing developer. The image forming apparatus further includes a developer supply portion for supplying developer through an opening portion of the developer storage portion. When a closing member is attached to the developer storage portion for closing the opening portion, the developer supply portion is separated from the developer storage portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body; an opening and closing unit disposed so as to be openable and closable for the main body; a fixing unit fixing the opening and closing unit to the main body; a structure including a component for realizing an image forming function and/or a transfer medium-conveying function, the structure being supported movably for the main body; a bias unit disposed between the opening and closing unit and the structure, the bias unit biasing the structure so as to be pushed to a member mounted within the main body; a constraining unit constraining the opening and closing unit and the structure against a bias force of the biasing unit when the fixing unit does not fix the opening and closing unit; and a releasing unit releasing the opening and closing unit and the structure from being constrained when the fixing unit fixes the opening and closing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and methods of supporting and adjusting a position of a fixing unit thereof. The apparatus includes a frame having a first side plate and a second side plate opposing the first side plate, a first unit holding member engaged with the first side plate by a combination of a guide groove and a guide protrusion, a second unit holding member attached to the second side plate, a detachable unit located between the first and second side plates and held by the first and second unit holding members, and a position adjustment member to move the first unit holding member in a longitudinal direction of the guide groove to adjust a position of the detachable unit. The position adjustment member engages the first unit holding member at a position vertically aligned with a center of gravity G of the detachable unit.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming device including: a sheet number control part for controlling a maximum processable sheet number set on a paper attribute basis for a finisher for finishing a printed sheet; an automatic tray switching part for switching an initially selected tray part to another tray part when paper runs out in the midst of print processing on sheets fed from the initially selected tray part to continue the print processing, the initially selected tray part being initially selected from a plurality of tray parts holding sheets of different paper attributes; and a tray switch determining part for, when a feeding tray part runs out of paper in the midst of print processing set to execute finishing, determining whether to actuate the automatic tray switching part on the basis of maximum processable sheet numbers and a paper attribute of paper of a selectable tray part candidate.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling toner transfer during the formation of a toner image within an image forming device is described herein. One exemplary image forming device includes a toner reservoir that stores toner of a first color, a developer member that receives toner from the toner reservoir, a photoconductive member proximate the developer member that receives toner from the developer member, and a driver. While rotating the photoconductive member, the driver selectively rotates the developer member based on a color content of the image. For example, the driver does not rotate the developer member while rotating the photoconductive member when the toner image being formed lacks the first color. Alternatively, the driver lows the rotational speed of the developer member while rotating the photoconductive member when the toner image being formed lacks the first color.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus and an image forming unit thereof, the color image forming apparatus including: photosensitive bodies; a transfer drum to rotate while contacting the photosensitive bodies; a transfer device to transfer visible images overlapped on the transfer drum from the photosensitive bodies onto a printing medium; a photosensitive body driving gear to rotate with the transfer drum, and having a radius smaller than the transfer drum and having a same rotational center as the transfer drum; and photosensitive body gears coupled to the respective photosensitive bodies to be engaged with the photosensitive body driving gear, each of the photosensitive body gears having a radius larger than that of the photosensitive bodies. Accordingly, a size of each of the photosensitive body gears can be larger than that of each of the photosensitive bodies, and thus the photosensitive bodies can rotate stably.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus comprises: a plurality of light sources; a first condensing unit, arranged to contact a light emitting surface of each of the light sources, that condenses the lights emitted from the plurality of light sources; and a second condensing unit that condenses the lights from each of the light sources, which are emitted from the first condensing unit, wherein the first condensing unit is configured so that a center of curvature of an output surface, to emit the light from the light source, of the first condensing unit is positioned near the side of the second condensing unit rather than an arrangement position of the light source.

Abstract: An optical unit includes an optical element having a first combining surface and a second combining surface that applied an adhesive that is cured when exposed to a curing light respectively and that have different transmittance of the curing light; and a mount member combined with the optical element by the adhesive. The adhesive is cured when exposed to the curing light.

Abstract: An image forming method is provided to attain a higher security for preventing forgery and falsification of information by using an optical diffraction structure. In a body (10) whereupon a layer is to be transferred, printing information (2) is recorded. On the body (10), a layer (20d) including a hologram and a diffraction lattice provided on an optical diffraction structure transfer sheet (20) is transferred, and an image including recorded printing structures (3, 4, 5) is formed. The layer (20d) including the optical diffraction structure is transferred so that the diffraction lattice (5) to be transferred forms diffraction lattice information (5) showing a prescribed regularity in a corresponding relationship between the printing information (2).

Abstract: A xerographic system and method use a tri-level development process in which at least one xerographic imaging unit includes a photoreceptor and a pair of developer units. A first developer unit includes a full strength toner of a given color and a second developer unit includes a reduced strength toner of the same or substantially the same color. By use of the tri-level process, excellent color-to-color registration can be achieved for each processed color separation. Moreover, by use of two strengths of the same colorant, a tighter control of the tone reproduction curve can be achieved. Additional xerographic imaging units can include a developer unit that provides spot color, custom color or specialty color capabilities. Additional benefits and gamut expansion can be achieved through use of a tandem architecture. A preferred implementation uses a four drum, eight color tandem architecture with full strength and reduced strength toners formulations of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CYMK) colorant.

Abstract: A rotator for powder conveyance includes a substantially linear rotary supporting shaft and plural stirring/conveying pieces. The plural stirring/conveying pieces are separated from each other and arranged in a longitudinal direction along the rotary supporting shaft, are placed at positions separated from a central axis of the rotary supporting shaft in a radial direction of the rotary supporting shaft, have a spiral configuration along an outer peripheral surface of the rotary supporting shaft, and are respectively connected to the rotary supporting shaft via a connecting piece at plural points.

Abstract: A developing device and a developer cartridge are provided. The developing device includes a first housing that receives a developing roller; a second housing that is disposed adjacent to and detachable from the first housing and stores developer; first and second communication paths that allow an inside of the first housing to communicate with an inside of the second housing and an agitator that is provided within the second housing and conveys the developer from the first communication path toward the second communication path. The developing cartridge includes a housing that stores developer and an agitator including a rotational shaft that is disposed in one direction and a first blade that is provided at a midpoint in the axial direction of the rotational shaft and conveys the developer from the midpoint in the axial direction of the rotational shaft to both end portions of the rotational shaft.

Abstract: A developer mixing apparatus, comprising: a housing including a chamber that holds developer, a first ribbon blender disposed within the chamber and elongate along a first longitudinal axis; and, a second ribbon blender disposed within the chamber and elongate along a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second ribbon blenders move developer in different directions.