Abstract: An optical unit includes a plurality of paraboloid mirrors configured to reflect light fluxes from a plurality of LDs and to guide them to a concave lens. The light fluxes from the paraboloid mirrors are a plurality of convergent light fluxes, and the paraboloid mirrors reflect the light fluxes from the LDs such that as the convergent light fluxes travel farther away from the paraboloid mirrors, distances therebetween become shorter.

Abstract: An optical configuration for a display system includes a front screen, a first microlens array, and a second microlens array. The front screen has optical properties to absorb ambient light and let image light through. The first microlens array is coupled to receive the image light from a pixel array of an image generation layer. The second microlens array is disposed between the front screen and the first microlens array. The second microlens array is offset from the first microlens array by approximately a focal length of microlenses in the first microlens array. The second microlens array is coupled to direct the image light received from the first microlens array through front screen. Each of the microlenses in the first microlens array is axially aligned with a corresponding microlens in the second microlens array.

Abstract: A film and method of forming a film provides an unmodified starting layer of a starting material, the starting layer having opposed first and second surfaces and an initial thickness, T1, and a modified surface layer of thickness T2 which is less than T1, formed in at least a portion of the second surface, wherein a portion of the modified surface layer is not supported by unmodified starting material removed from the first surface opposite the modified surface layer.

Abstract: An imprint mold that has, in a pattern region on a principal surface of a base material, a main pattern with an uneven structure and a dummy pattern with an uneven structure for assisting transfer of the main pattern, wherein at least one end portion of a concave structure or a convex structure of the dummy pattern reaches an outermost periphery of the pattern region, and a closed region that is surrounded with one or more concave structures or convex structures of the dummy pattern does not exist in the pattern region when the imprint mold is planarly viewed.

Abstract: A production process for an optically shaped product, including applying a photosensitive resin composition in a form of a dry film on to a substrate in which a hole opening to a surface thereof is formed so as to cover the hole and performing patterning to form an optically shaped product, wherein the photosensitive resin composition contains a resin comprising a tri- or higher functional epoxy resin and a bifunctional epoxy resin, the bifunctional epoxy resin has a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 5,500 to 60,000, the resin has a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from 4,500 to 11,000, and the mixing ratio by mass between the tri- or higher functional epoxy resin and the bifunctional epoxy resin satisfies (b)/(a)?1.5, where (a) is the mass of the tri- or higher functional epoxy resin, and (b) is the mass of the bifunctional epoxy resin.

Abstract: A method of forming a resist pattern, including: a step A in which a positive resist composition is applied to a substrate to form a positive resist film, the positive resist film is exposed and the positive resist film is subjected to an alkali development to form a first resist pattern; a step B in which a solution containing an acid or a thermoacid generator is applied to the substrate whereon the first resist pattern is formed, so as to cover the first resist pattern, to form a structure having the first resist pattern and a first layer covering the first resist pattern; a step C in which the structure is heated and the solubility of the first resist pattern in an organic solvent is changed under action of the acid or under action of acid generated from the thermoacid generator; and a step D in which the structure after heating is developed with the organic solvent to remove a region of the first resist pattern other than the region of the first resist pattern where the solubility in the organic solvent i

Abstract: A liquid photocurable resin composition contains a (meth)acrylate oligomer component, an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer component, and a photopolymerization initiator component. The (meth)acrylate oligomer component contains at least one oligomer selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, a polyisoprene (meth)acrylate oligomer, a polybutadiene (meth)acrylate oligomer, and a polyether (meth)acrylate oligomer that have a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 200,000. The photopolymerization initiator contains a molecule cleavage-type photoradical polymerization initiator and a hydrogen-abstracting photoradical polymerization initiator at a ratio by mass of 10:1 to 10:35. The cured resin that is obtained by photoradical polymerization of the photocurable resin composition has a glass transition temperature of ?40 to 20° C. when the composition is cured at a curing ratio of the outermost surface of more than 90%.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive polymer composition which contains (A) a polyaniline-based conductive polymer having a repeating unit represented by the general formula (1), (B) a polyanion, and (C) an amino acid, wherein RA1 to RA4 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a linear, branched, or cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and optionally containing a heteroatom; and RA1 and RA2, or RA3 and RA4 may be bonded to each other to form a ring. There can be provided a conductive polymer composition that has excellent antistatic performance and applicability, dose not adversely affect a resist, and can be suitably used in lithography using electron beam or the like.

Abstract: A conductive pattern can be formed using a polymeric layer that contains a reactive composition having a reactive polymer. This reactive polymer comprises pendant photosensitive 1,2-diarylethylene groups. The reactive composition can be patternwise exposed to suitable radiation to induce crosslinking within the reactive polymer. The reactive composition and reactive polymer in the non-exposed regions can be removed due to their aqueous solubility, but the exposed regions of the polymeric layer are contacted with electroless seed metal ions, which are then reduced, followed by electrolessly plating with a suitable metal to form the desired conductive pattern. Various articles can be prepared during this process, and the product article can be incorporated into various electronic devices.

Abstract: A drawing method is to draw a pattern on a substrate. First, cumulative exposure amount distribution data containing a cumulative exposure amount to be applied to each position on the substrate is read. Next, a region R11 and a region R12 on the substrate are specified based on the cumulative exposure amount distribution data. The region R11 is a region where the cumulative exposure amount does not exceed Ma corresponding to a maximum exposure amount capable of being applied to the substrate in one exposure scanning by an exposure apparatus. The region R22 is a region where the cumulative exposure amount exceeds Ma. Then, pattern data containing information about an exposure amount for each position in a region including the region R11 is generated. Further, pattern data containing information about an exposure amount for each position in a region including the region R12 is generated.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lithography system comprising a radiation source and an exposure tool including a plurality of exposure columns densely packed in a first direction. Each exposure column includes an exposure area configured to pass the radiation source. The system also includes a wafer carrier configured to secure and move one or more wafers along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, so that the one or more wafers are exposed by the exposure tool to form patterns along the second direction. The one or more wafers are covered with resist layer and aligned in the second direction on the wafer carrier.

Abstract: A maskless exposure device includes an exposure head that includes a digital micro-mirror device configured to reflect a source beam received from an exposure source to a substrate to scan an exposure beam to the substrate, and a system control part configured to control the digital micro-mirror device using a graphic data system file. The graphic data system file includes data of an align-key. The align-key includes an X-align-key that extends in a direction parallel to a scan direction of the exposure head, and has a bar shape in a plan view, and a Y-align-key disposed adjacent to the X-align-key that has a frame shape in a plan view.

Abstract: An objective lens system having a high numerical aperture, a large working distance, and low optical aberrations over a wide spectral band of wavelengths is disclosed. The objective lens system includes a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group. The first lens group includes first and second positive meniscus lenses that are positioned at a distance from each other along an optical axis of the objective lens system. The distance may be dependent on a focal length of the objective lens system. The second lens group includes first and second meniscus lenses and a bi-convex lens. The third lens group includes a bi-concave lens and a doublet lens.

Abstract: An optical assembly, in particular for a lithography system for imaging lithographic micro- or nanostructures, includes at least two optical elements arranged successively in a beam path of the optical assembly, an acquisition device designed to acquire radiation signals from marking elements on or at the at least two optical elements, and a control device coupled to the acquisition device and which is designed to determine the plurality of properties of the optically active surface of the at least two optical elements as a function of the information contained in the radiation signals originating from the marking elements. The disclosure also relates to a method for operating the optical assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to large-field high-resolution microscopy and photolithography setups operating with polychromatic light. It includes the use of a plurality of focusing micromirrors.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes: a projection optical system; an adjusting unit configured to adjust imaging characteristics of the projection optical system; and a controller configured to divide the plurality of shot regions into groups based on data of a shift in the pattern of each shot region and an order of the exposure, determine setting amounts of the imaging characteristics for each group, and control the adjusting unit to set the imaging characteristics to the setting amounts for each group. The setting amount is common to a plurality of shot regions in the group and varies among the groups. The controller performs the division such that the shot regions belonging to the same group have a sequential exposure order and all values of the shift in the shot regions belonging to the same group fall within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes an atmosphere maintaining unit which maintains an exposure chamber in an air atmosphere, a gas supply unit which supplies air or a mixed gas containing air and an inert gas to a local space, between a final surface of a projection optical system and a substrate, a detector which detects an alignment mark and a reference mark formed on the substrate stage, and a controller. The controller controls the gas supply unit not to supply the mixed gas to the local space when the detector detects the reference mark, and controls the gas supply unit to supply the mixed gas to the local space when an instruction to detect the alignment mark upon setting the local space in a mixed gas atmosphere, and expose the substrate based on the detection results of the reference mark and the alignment mark is issued from the recipe.

Abstract: A mask-mounting apparatus for an exposure machine, which comprises: a mask frame (8) for securing a mask (9); a gas cell (6, 7) provided beneath the mask frame (8), for supporting the mask frame (8); and a gas-supply unit communicating through a gas-supply pipeline with the gas cell (6, 7); the gas-supply pipeline is provided thereon with a pneumatic switch valve (10, 11). In the event of interruption of supply from the gas-supply unit, the pneumatic switch valve shuts off the gas-supply pipeline to prevent the gas cell from being deflated. With provision of a pneumatic switch valve on the gas-supply pipeline connected with the gas cell, it can be achieved that, after an interruption of the supply from the gas-supply unit, the pneumatic switch valve automatically switches to a non-energized state, thus sealing the gas in the gas cell, and avoiding the detachment of the mask frame caused by deflation of the gas cell.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for repairing an optical element disposed in a vacuum chamber while the optical element is in the vacuum chamber. An exposed surface of the optical element is exposed to an ion flux generated by an ion source to remove at least some areas of the surface that have been damaged by exposure to the environment within the vacuum chamber. The method and apparatus are especially applicable to repair multilayer mirrors serving as collectors in systems for generating EUV light for use in semiconductor photolithography.

Abstract: An image forming method satisfies the following Expressions: 0.01<Rmf<0.20??Expression (A1) 0.005<Rmf/Wh<5.000??Expression (B1) 0.002<Rmf/Wl<1.000??Expression (B2) 1.0<Whmax/Whmin<2.5??Expression (C1) 1.0<Wlmax/Wlmin<2.5??Expression (C2) wherein, when a content of the fatty acid metal salt particles with respect to the entire weight of the toner is set as Rmf, an average abrasion rate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is set as Wh, a maximum abrasion rate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is set as Whmax, and a minimum abrasion rate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is set as Whmin, and an average abrasion rate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is set as Wl, a maximum abrasion rate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is set as Wlmax, and a minimum abrasion rate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is set as Wlmin.

Abstract: A method of forming an overcoat layer. The method comprises providing a substrate having an imaging structure formed thereon, the imaging structure comprising (i) a charge transport layer and a charge generating layer, or (ii) an imaging layer comprising both charge generating material and charge transport material. An overcoat composition is deposited on the imaging structure, the overcoat composition comprising a charge transport molecule, a fluorinated building block, a leveling agent, a liquid carrier and optionally a first catalyst. The fluorinated building block is a fluorinated alkyl monomer substituted at the ? and ? positions with a hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl or aldehyde functional group or the anhydrides of any of those functional groups. The overcoat composition is cured to form an overcoat layer that is a fluorinated structured organic film, the curing comprising treating an outer surface of the overcoat composition with at least one cross-linking process.

Abstract: The invention provides an image forming apparatus and an electrophotographic photoreceptor, comprising: a conductive support; and at least a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer on the conductive support, wherein said charge generation layer contains a hydroxygallium phthalocyanine synthesized using a halogen solvent, said charge transport layer contains a polyester resin having a specific structural unit, and said charge transport layer is formed using a non-halogen solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a support, and a photosensitive layer formed on the support, wherein the photosensitive layer contains a phthalocyanine crystal in which a 4-piperidone compound represented by the following formula (1) is contained.

Abstract: A toner includes a polymeric resin, a colorant, and a small molecule crystalline aromatic monoester having a molecular weight less than 1,000 g/mol. The polymeric resin may be an amorphous resin and a mixture of the amorphous resin and the crystalline aromatic monoester may be characterized by a reduction in glass transition temperature from that of the resin and by the lack of a melting point for the crystalline aromatic monoester as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, the enthalpy of fusion for the crystalline aromatic monoester in the mixture being measured to be less than 10% of the enthalpy of fusion of the crystalline aromatic monoester in pure form. Furthermore, the toner may be configured to have a crease fix minimum fusing temperature (MFT) less than or equal to the crease fix MFT of a benchmark ultra-low-melt emulsion aggregation toner. Suitable crystalline aromatic monoesters may include 2-Naphthyl benzoate.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic toner in which enhancement of initial transfer efficiency and transfer efficiency that is stable during a long-term use are achieved by simultaneously suppressing the friction force between the toner and a drum and the cohesion between toners, and further the degradation in chargeability and fluidity caused by the deterioration of the toner. The magnetic toner includes: a magnetic toner particle; a first external additive; and a second external additive. The first external additive includes an organic-inorganic composite fine particle, a plurality of convexes derived from an inorganic fine particle being present on a surface of the organic-inorganic composite fine particle, and has a number-average particle diameter of 50 nm or more and 500 nm or less. The second external additive includes a silica fine particle and has a number-average particle diameter of 5 nm or more and 30 nm or less. A shear load calculated from a rotation torque is 0.50 kPa or more and 2.

Abstract: There is provided an electrostatic image-developing toner containing a toner particle containing a binder resin and a release agent and having a sea-island structure involving a sea part containing the binder resin and an island part containing the release agent, in which a mode value of the distribution of the eccentricity degree B represented by the specific formula of the release agent-containing island part is from 0.75 to 0.98 and a skewness of the distribution of the eccentricity degree B is from ?1.10 to ?0.50; and an external additive containing a silica particle having a volume average particle diameter of 80 nm to 200 nm; wherein a bulk density of the toner is from 0.33 g/cm3 to 0.40 g/cm3.

Abstract: An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes a binder resin containing an amorphous polyester resin and a crystalline polyester resin, wherein a ratio of the crystalline polyester resin to a total of the amorphous polyester resin and the crystalline polyester resin is from 12% to 40% by weight, and the toner satisfies the following equations (1) and (2), 30° C.?T1?45° C.??(1) 1.0×108 Pa?G?(X)?5.0×108 Pa??(2) wherein T1 represents a temperature at which a storage elastic modulus G? is 1.0×108 Pa, G?(X) represents a storage elastic modulus G?(B) at a temperature X?° C., and X?° C. represents a temperature at which a ratio of a storage elastic modulus G?(B) to a storage elastic modulus G?(A) has a maximum value.

Abstract: A toner includes a binder resin including a copolymer resin containing structural units derived from crystalline and non-crystalline resins, respectively. Spin-spin relaxation time (t50) of the toner at 50° C. measured by pulse NMR is ?0.05 msec., spin-spin relaxation time (t130) at 130° C. when warmed from 50° C. to 130° C. is >15 msec., and spin-spin relaxation time (t?70) at 70° C. when cooled from 130° C. to 70° C. is ?1.00 msec. A binarized image obtained by binarizing a phase image of the toner observed by a tapping mode AFM based on intermediate value between maximum and minimum phase difference values in the phase image includes first phase difference images constituted by large phase-difference portions and a second phase difference image constituted by a small phase-difference portion. The first phase difference images are dispersed in the second phase difference image. The dispersion diameter of the first phase difference images is 150 nm or less.

Abstract: Provided is a toner that uses a crystalline resin, and demonstrates favorable dispersibility of the crystalline resin in the toner, demonstrates superior low-temperature fixability, and is able to inhibit fogging. The toner has a toner particle comprising a resin A, which has a long-chain alkyl group having an average number of carbon atoms of 27 to 50, and a crystalline resin, wherein the SP value (cal/cm3)1/2 of the crystalline resin is 9.00 to 12.00, and in a GC/MS analysis of components that volatize when the toner is heated for 10 minutes at 200° C., the amount of volatile components of saturated hydrocarbons having 30 to 37 carbon atoms is 90 ppm to 260 ppm of toluene equivalent, based on mass.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, a method of forming an ultraviolet security toner for use in printing hardware originally designed to use chemically prepared toner includes melt-blending binder resin particles and optionally a charge-control agent, a colorant and a releasing agent. The fluorescent pigment is then admixed to the melt-blended particles to form a fluorescent pre-toner. A first inorganic material is then blended with the fluorescent pre-toner, coating the particles of the fluorescent pre-toner with the first inorganic material. A second inorganic material is then blended with the coated pre-toner, adding another layer of coating to the fluorescent pre-toner. The first inorganic material has an average particle diameter size that is less than the average particle diameter size of the fluorescent pigment particles and the second inorganic material has an average particle diameter size less than that of the first inorganic material.

Abstract: A drive receiving member for transferring rotational driving force from an image forming apparatus to components of an imaging cartridge is provided. A distal end of the member includes at least one substantially rigid drive lug for receiving rotational driving force from the imaging device. In some constructions the distal end also includes at least one catch member extending beyond the drive lug to facilitate movement of the coupling member from a retracted position to an extended position when the cartridge is installed in the imaging device. In other constructions, an actuator may be provided to initiate movement of the coupling member from the extended position to a retracted position during removal of the cartridge from the imaging device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station, an intermediate transfer body, a transfer device, a transfer pressure applicator, and a controller. The image forming station forms a toner image. The toner image formed by the image forming station is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body. The transfer device transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer body onto a recording medium. The transfer pressure applicator applies a secondary transfer pressure to the recording medium upon transfer of the toner image and to apply a lower secondary transfer pressure upon transfer of a toner image including a special color toner than that upon transfer of a toner image without the special color toner. The controller is operatively connected to the transfer pressure applicator to control the transfer pressure applicator.

Abstract: An exposing unit has a plurality of light emitters arranged in a main scanning direction. The exposing unit is configured to form a scanning line by exposing an image surface in the main scanning direction, and to form a plurality of pixels arrayed in the main scanning direction by sequentially forming a plurality of scanning lines shifted in a sub-scanning direction. A clock generator is configured to generate frequency-spread clocks having frequency that is spread with a particular modulation cycle. A driver is configured to drive the exposing unit to emit light during a lighting period based on the frequency-spread clocks. The driver sets an interval of exposure start time of the plurality of scanning lines. At least one interval is different from a reference period obtained by dividing a period for forming the pixels arrayed in the main scanning direction by a number of the plurality of scanning lines.

Abstract: There is provided an optical scanning device and an image forming apparatus including the optical scanning device. The optical scanning device includes an optical box containing light source units, a rotating polygon mirror, and a motor. In order to prevent the entire optical box from being deformed by deformation occurring in the installation region due to heat of the driving unit, the optical box includes a connection region between a second sidewall and an installation region where a driving unit is installed. The optical box further includes regions provided next to the connection region and having heights different from each other. A concave portion is formed in the connection region.

Abstract: A powder storage device includes a powder container that has an opening at one end, stores powder therein, and has, on an inner peripheral surface, a rib configured to transport the powder toward the opening with rotation of the powder container, a lid member that is configured to cover the opening, has an outflow opening through which the powder flows, and is held in a non-rotatable state, and a driving-force transmission member interposed between the powder container and the lid member and having a driving-force receiving portion penetrating the lid member in a rotation axis direction, the driving-force transmission member transmitting a rotating force to the powder container.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid consuming apparatus including: a tank having a liquid storing chamber, an erected wall through which the liquid inside the liquid storage chamber is visible from outside of the tank, and an inlet which is formed to penetrate through the erected wall and via which the liquid is poured into the liquid storage chamber; a liquid consuming section which consumes the liquid stored in the liquid storing chamber; and a cover. A transmitting section and a checking section are formed in an upper surface, of the cover, under a condition that the cover is in the exposure position, the transmitting section configured to transmit information optically to a user of the liquid consuming apparatus and the checking section configured to prevent the liquid moving on a particular surface of the cover from arriving at the transmitting section.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a developer container including a frame configured to define a developer containing portion, a first electrode, and a second electrode arranged on a surface of the frame and having a surface opposed to the first electrode, a developer amount in the developer containing portion being detected based on a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode, the method including: holding a conductive resin member constituting the second electrode on a mold configured to mold the frame, a surface of the conductive resin member being in contact with a surface of the mold configured to mold a surface of the frame on a side of the developer containing portion; injecting a resin to be formed into the frame, into the mold on which the conductive resin member is held; and curing the resin to form the frame to which the second electrode is fixed.

Abstract: A packing member for packing a cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus is molded with a thin resin material plate and includes: (i) a frame portion including an opening as an entrance for the cartridge, a first recessed portion for accommodating the cartridge, and a first limiting portion for limiting a position of the cartridge with respect to a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the cartridge; and (ii) a cap portion for openably covering the opening. The cap portion includes a second limiting portion for limiting movement of the cartridge, positionally-limited by the first limiting portion, in a direction in which the cartridge is spaced from the first limiting portion.

Abstract: A developing device usable with a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus which have image forming process speeds different from each other, includes a developer container configured to accommodate a developer; a feeding member configured to feed the developer in the developer container; a discharge opening provided in the developer container and configured to permit discharging of an excessive developer in the developer container produced with supply of the developer into the developer container; and a switching mechanism configured to selectively switch a condition of an opening area of the discharge opening or a level of a lower end of the discharge opening between a first condition and a second condition.

Abstract: A developer supply cartridge includes a developer supply container. The developer supply container includes a developer accommodation section, a developer in the developer accommodation section, a discharging port configured to discharge the developer toward a developer supply apparatus, a pump unit configured to perform an exhaust operation through the discharging port, a developer storage section configured to store a certain amount of developer before discharge, the developer storage section communicating with the developer accommodation section and being in contact with the discharging port, and a suppression part configured to control inflow and suppression of inflow of the developer from the developer accommodation section to the developer storage section and suppress the inflow of the developer during the exhaust operation of the pump unit. The developer has a compressibility Ct of 30.0% or more and 45.0% or less.

Abstract: A powder container device includes a powder container that contains powder and has an opening at one end, the powder container being installed in a substantially horizontal orientation and having a projection on an inner peripheral surface of the powder container, the projection transporting the powder toward the opening when the powder container rotates; and a lid member that covers the opening and has an outlet through which the powder flows, the lid member being held in a non-rotatable manner. The powder container device does not have a structure for scooping the powder, which has been transported by the rotation of the powder container, toward a rotational axis, and discharges the powder through the outlet.

Abstract: A collection roller and a developing sleeve rotate in the same direction at proximal portions thereof. A distal end of a magnetic brush formed of developer born on a surface of the developing sleeve by an importing magnetic pole of a magnet roller is set so as to make contact with the surface of the collection roller. A first gap is set between the collection roller and the developer-bearing region of the developing sleeve and a second gap larger than the first gap is set between the collection roller and the non-developer-bearing region of the developing sleeve.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a powder storage device including: a powder container that stores a powder, the powder container including an opening at one end, being horizontally installed and including a protruding line provided on an inner circumferential surface of the powder container; and a lid member that covers the opening, the lid member including an outflow opening for the powder and being held in an irrotational state, wherein the protruding line is capable of transporting the powder to the opening due to rotation of the powder container, a structure for scooping the powder transported through the rotation of the powder container toward near a rotation shaft is not provided, and the powder is made to flow out through the outflow opening.

Abstract: A cleaning unit includes a first accommodating chamber, a first conveyer, a cleaner, and a developing agent conveyer. The accommodating chamber is configured to accommodate therein developing agent. The accommodating chamber has one end portion and another end portion. The first conveyer is configured to convey the developing agent from the one end portion toward the another end portion. The cleaner is configured to collect developing agent from a belt in contact with a photosensitive member. The developing agent conveyer has a collection opening through which developing agent collected from a component other than the belt. The developing agent conveyer is configured to convey the developing agent from the collection opening toward the first accommodating chamber. The cleaner and the developing agent conveyer are positioned at the one end portion.

Abstract: A multipolar magnet is arranged inside a developer bearing member. A partitioning wall is arranged such that an apex position thereof is located between the developer bearing member and a first conveying member, and is extended up to a position which is located below an upper end position of a zero-gauss zone. A plurality of concaved portions is formed on the surface of the developer bearing member at an interval. Each of the plurality of concaved portions has such an opening shape that a maximum diameter of an inscribed circle is equal to or greater than a diameter of an average grain size of a carrier, and is formed such that the carrier with the average grain size is able to enter each of the concaved portions by a depth that is equal to or greater than a radius thereof.

Abstract: A development device including a plurality of development sleeves and conducting development sleeve end portion seal using magnet members, a second magnetic pole and a third magnetic pole of a magnet incorporated in a second developer bearing member form repulsive poles. A position on the magnet member facing a rotation direction downstream end of the second developer bearing member is configured to be included in a zero Gauss zone. As a result, developer leak in the development sleeve rotation direction from between two development sleeves is suppressed.

Abstract: A developer unit according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing a developer mix that includes toner and magnetic carrier beads. A magnetic roll includes a stationary core and a sleeve positioned around the core that is rotatable relative to the core. The stationary core includes at least one permanent magnet having circumferentially spaced magnetic poles. An upper and a lower magnetically permeable metal shunt are positioned at each axial end of the magnetic roll. Each upper shunt and each lower shunt is positioned axially outboard of the core and in close proximity to the outer surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: Relationships of LB1>LR1 and LN1<LN2 are satisfied, where LB1 is a length of a first contact area in which a first brush roller and an endless belt come into contact with each other. LR1 is a length of a second contact area in which the first roller and the endless belt come into contact with each other. LN1 is a length of an area in which the first contact area and the second contact area overlap with each other. A third contact area is an area in which the second brush roller and the endless belt come into contact with each other. A fourth contact area is an area in which the second roller and the endless belt come into contact with each other. LN2 is a length of an area in which the third contact area and the fourth contact area overlap with each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transferring member and a guiding part. The transferring member is configured to form a transferring nip with an image carrier and to transfer a toner image from the image carrier to a sheet at the transferring nip. The guiding part has an upper guiding member and a lower guiding member which are disposed oppositely to both faces of the sheet in a vertical direction along a sheet conveying path toward the transferring nip. The lower guiding member has a movable lower guiding plate and a plurality of elastic members. The movable lower guiding plate is made of a thin elastic material. The plurality of elastic members are disposed along a sheet width direction crossing the sheet conveying direction and supports the movable lower guiding plate to be displaceable in a direction apart from the image carrier.

Abstract: A controller measures a stop duration time when an intermediate transfer belt and a secondary transfer belt are stopped, and based on a measurement result, rotates and stops the intermediate transfer belt such that the stretched position by stretch rollers of the intermediate transfer belt is changed. At the same time, the controller rotates and stops the secondary transfer belt such that a stretched position by stretch rollers of the secondary transfer belt is changed. A time from starting to stopping the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt and a time from starting to stopping the rotation of the secondary transfer belt are overlapped with the other.