Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrostatic chuck cleaner cleaning an adsorption face of an electrostatic chuck capable of attracting a reticle, and the cleaner includes: a plurality of substrates; adhesive layers provided on a major surface of each of the substrates, the adhesive layers being pressed against the adsorption face; and conductive layers provided on the major surface of each of the substrates, and the conductive layers being provided in a region other than a region where the adhesive layer being provided. The adhesive layers provided on the major surface of each of the substrates are disposed in different regions, and the entire adsorption face is pressed by the adhesive layers when the adhesive layers of the substrates are pressed against the adsorption face.

Abstract: A facet mirror device includes a facet element and a support element which supports the facet element. The facet element includes a curved support section. The support element includes a support section. The support section of the support element forms a support edge which contacts the curved support section of the facet element.

Abstract: A temperature adjusting apparatus of a mask substrate according to an embodiment is used in a mask drawing apparatus drawing a desired pattern by irradiating a charged particle beam to a mask substrate after a temperature of the mask substrate is adjusted in advance. The temperature adjusting apparatus includes a supporting member supporting the mask substrate; and first and second temperature adjusting plates facing each other with sandwiching the supporting member, the plates having a plurality of first and second regions respectively, and each temperatures of the first and second regions being capable to be independently adjusted.

Abstract: A reflector includes a reflecting surface or structure provided with a cap layer formed from Silicene or a Silicene derivative. The reflector may be provided in a lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: An electrophotographic member is provided in which conductivity barely reduces and sufficient conductivity is obtained even under a low temperature and low humidity environment, a reduction in resistance beyond necessity is readily suppressed even under a high temperature and high humidity environment, and the bleeding of the quaternary ammonium salt can be suppressed.

Abstract: The electrophotographic member includes an electro-conductive substrate and an electro-conductive resin layer as the surface layer on the substrate. The electro-conductive resin layer contains a binder and a bowl-shaped resin particle; the surface of electrophotographic member has a concavity derived from the opening of the bowl-shaped resin particle, a protrusion derived from the edge portion of the opening and the electro-conductive resin layer; and when the surface of the member is observed using a scanning electron microscope at an accelerating voltage (1 kV) and a magnification (×2000) while applying a DC voltage (50 to 100 V) between an electrode disposed opposite to the electrophotographic member and the substrate, the brightness of the protrusion, K1, the brightness of the bottom of the concavity, K2, and the brightness of the exposed surface of the electro-conductive resin layer, K3, satisfy K2<K1, K3<K1 and 0.8?K2/K3?1.2.

Abstract: A conductive layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a binder material, a first metal oxide particle, and a second metal oxide particle. The first metal oxide particle is a zinc oxide particle or tin oxide particle coated with tin oxide doped with phosphorus, tungsten, niobium, tantalum, or fluorine. The second metal oxide particle is an uncoated zinc oxide particle or tin oxide particle. The content of the first metal oxide particle is not less than 20% by volume and not more than 50% by volume based on the total volume of the conductive layer. The content of the second metal oxide particle is not less than 0.1% by volume and not more than 15% by volume based on the total volume of the conductive layer, and not less than 0.5% by volume and not more than 30% by volume based on the content of the first metal oxide particle.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a substrate, an undercoat layer overlying the substrate, and a photosensitive layer overlying the undercoat layer. The undercoat layer includes a binder resin, a metal oxide particle and a compound having a thiol group.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member that abuts with a charging member and/or a developer carrying member with an abutting member interposed therebetween, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive member has a first portion and a second portion abutting with the abutting member along the longitudinal direction thereof, the electrophotographic photosensitive member has a support, a charge generation layer containing a charge generating material and a polyacetal resin, and a surface layer in this order, the electrophotographic photosensitive member has, in the first portion, an undercoat layer containing a polymerized product of a composition including an electron transporting material and a cross-linking agent, the layer being adjacent to a surface of the charge generation layer, facing the support, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member has, in the second portion, an intermediate layer containing a metal oxide particle and a phenol resin, the layer being between and adjacent to the sup

Abstract: Clear toner compositions for use in offset lithography (or offset printing). Such clear toner compositions comprising a toner particle comprising a polyester resin, a highly crosslinked resin, a surface additive applied to a surface of the toner particle, which exhibit desirable properties, including for example, having low haze level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toner having a toner particle containing a binder resin containing a styrene acrylic resin and a block polymer, wherein the block polymer has a polyester segment and a vinyl polymer segment and has a melting point of 55° C. to 90° C., the polyester segment has a specific structure and a solubility parameter (SP) value of 9.40 to 9.85, and the vinyl polymer segment has a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 4000 to 15000.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetic carrier that has a magnetic carrier core and a resin coat layer, wherein the resin coat layer contains a coat resin A and a coat resin B, the coat resin A is a polymer obtained by polymerization of a (meth)acrylate ester monomer that has an alicyclic hydrocarbon group, the coat resin B is a polymer obtained by polymerization of (meth)acrylic monomer and has a polar group and an acid value of 4.0 to 50.0 mg KOH/g, the content of the coat resin A is 10 to 90 mass %, the content of the coat resin B is 10 to 90 mass %, and an acid value of the resin component in the resin coat layer is 1.0 to 10.0 mg KOH/g.

Abstract: An image forming device capable of providing precise positional relationship between an exposure unit and a photosensitive body. The exposure unit having an exposure head elongated in a longitudinal direction and having light emitting sections arrayed in the longitudinal direction. The light elements emit light in an optical axis direction. A frame supports the photosensitive body. A positioning protrusion protrudes in the optical axis direction from one of the frame and the exposure unit. A remaining one of the frame and the exposure unit is formed with a positioning part engageable with the positioning protrusion. A biasing unit provides a biasing force that ensures engagement between the positioning protrusion and the positioning part.

Abstract: Provided are a light scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the same. The light scanning apparatus includes a housing, which includes a space therein; a light source module, which is installed at the housing and emits a light beam; a light deflector, which is installed on the bottom surface of the housing and deflects the light beam emitted by the light source module; an image forming optical system, which is installed in the space inside the housing and forms an image of the light beam deflected by the light deflector on a surface to be scanned; a flow restricting unit, which is arranged in the space inside the housing and restricts air flows formed as the light deflector is driven; and a cover, which covers the housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member; a charging device; an exposure device; and a developer carrying member, wherein, when it is assumed that an image forming area, a printing portion and a non-printing portion are an area on the photosensitive member on which an image to be transferred onto a recording material is formed, an area in the image forming area to which the developer adheres and an area in the image forming area to which the developer does not adhere, respectively, the exposure device exposes the printing portion at a first laser power, exposes the non-printing portion at a second laser power smaller than the first laser power, and exposes a non-image forming area on the photosensitive member between two adjacent image forming areas at no laser power or a third laser power smaller than the second laser power.

Abstract: There are provided a developing device including a developing roller to develop an image carrier by use of a two-component developer and a developing bias power source, and an image forming apparatus using the developing device. The developing device further includes a variable resistance unit provided on a bias apply path to apply a bias from the developing power source to the developing roller, and a resistance controller to control a resistance value of the variable resistance unit based on a charge amount signal indicating a toner's charge amount in a developer layer on the developing roller. The resistance controller provides a low mode to lower the resistance of the variable resistance unit and a high mode to enhance the resistance. The low mode is set if the toner charge amount is low, and the high mode is set if the toner charge amount is high.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; an image forming unit configured to form, on the image carrier, an electrostatic latent image; a developing unit including a toner carrier configured to develop, on the image carrier, a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image; an application unit configured to apply a lubricant onto the image carrier; a calculation unit configured to calculate an image portion ratio representing a ratio of a toner sticking region to the electrostatic latent image or the toner image; and a control unit configured to cause the lubricant mixed into the developing unit to stick to the toner carrier, and change, depending on the image portion ratio, an amount of the lubricant caused to stick to a non-image-formation region which is a region on the image carrier and in which the electrostatic latent image or the toner image is not formed.

Abstract: A developing unit includes a developing container, a developing sleeve, a developer regulating member, and a magnetic field generating portion. The magnetic field generating portion includes a drawing-up pole and a cut pole. In addition, in a peak-to-peak area, the magnetic field generating portion includes at least one of an Fr flat area in which Fr is substantially constant and an Fr attenuation area in which Fr attenuates toward the cut pole side from the drawing-up pole side, and is configured that F? is oriented toward the same direction as a direction of rotation of the developing sleeve in the entire peak-to-peak area.

Abstract: An information storage device installed in a removable device configured to be removably installed in an image forming apparatus body, includes: an information storage unit that stores information communicated between the image forming apparatus body and the removable device; a terminal that comes in contact with a body side terminal; and a substrate that holds the information storage unit and the terminal and includes a hole configured to be engaged with a protruding section installed in the image forming apparatus body. The terminal includes a plurality of terminals each including one of a plurality of metallic plates arranged in a transverse direction thereof. An earth terminal, which comes in contact with a body side earth terminal formed in the protruding section, is formed in the hole. The hole is disposed at a position sandwiched between two metallic plates among the plurality of metallic plates.

Abstract: A powder transport member includes a rotary member that rotates around an axis inside a container in which powder is contained, a contact member that has one end secured to the rotary member and another end that is a free end, the contact member flexing upon contact of the other end with an inner wall of the container, the contact member having multiple cuts provided in an axial direction of the rotary member, the cuts extending from the other end obliquely with respect to the rotary member, and multiple projections that are provided on the rotary member in the axial direction, the projections projecting from the rotary member toward the inner wall of the container, the projections having a distal end portion that is located at a different position from a starting edge of the cuts with respect to the axial direction.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus which includes a main body, a driving unit and a detecting unit, includes: a housing that is configured to accommodate a developer therein, and includes a first side wall and a second side wall opposed to the first side wall in a longitudinal direction; a passive unit that is configured to receive a driving force from the driving unit, is mounted on the first side wall, and is rotatable around a first axis line parallel to the longitudinal direction; and a detected body mounted on the first side wall and including a detected part which is detected by the detecting unit. The detected body advances outwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first side wall and retracts inwards in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first side wall by the driving force received by the passive unit.

Abstract: A fixing portion 18c for suppressing movement of a developer bag 16 when the developer bag 16 is unsealed by moving a sealing member 19 is provided. By this, unsealing becomes easy.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device includes a toner channel having an outlet port positioned on a housing that includes a flexible member that allows the housing and the outlet port to move within the image forming device. A shutter is positioned on the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. A replaceable unit includes a toner reservoir and an inlet port. The inlet port is formed on an extension from the replaceable unit. Upon insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device, the extension is closely and matably received by the housing and the outlet port aligns with the inlet port permitting toner transfer from the toner channel to the replaceable unit. Insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device causes the shutter to open and removal of the replaceable unit from the image forming device causes the shutter to close.

Abstract: An accommodating container includes: an accommodating chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer; a seal member for unsealably sealing the opening; and a rotatable member rotatably supported inside the accommodating chamber. The seal member includes a sealing portion for sealing the opening, a connecting portion connected with the rotatable member, and at least one hole provided between the sealing portion and the connecting portion. The rotatable member includes a shaft portion and at least one projection extending in a direction of being spaced from the shaft portion. The hole and the projection are provided to establish a non-overlapping positional relationship with respect to a direction along the shaft portion.

Abstract: In the structure of a shutter moving mechanism, if the inclination angle of an elongated hole with respect to a sliding direction of a shutter is increased, it is necessary to increase the size of a movement plate for moving the shutter. On the other hand, if the inclination angle of the elongated hole with respect to the sliding direction of the shutter is decreased, an urging force with which a user urges the door against an image forming apparatus when shutting the door is increased. A shutter moving mechanism includes a rotation mechanism and moves the shutter by rotation of the rotation mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner image forming device to form a toner image on a rotatable toner image bearer, a looped belt to carry a recording medium, a support roller to rotate the belt, a pressing member to press the belt against the toner image bearer, a transfer electric field generator to form an electric field to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium, and a contact member to contact an end surface of the belt as the belt moves to one side in a belt width direction. The belt includes a first portion pressed against the toner image bearer by the pressing member and a second portion adjoining the first portion. A relative position of the support roller relative to the toner image bearer and the pressing member is determined such that the second portion of the belt contacts the toner image bearer.

Abstract: In an adjustment step, an adjustment purpose toner image is formed on an intermediate transfer belt, and the adjustment purpose toner image is removed from the intermediate transfer belt by a cleaning member contacting the intermediate transfer belt and through an electrostatic cleaning step. This adjustment step is executed in a state where a toner attachment amount on a charging member is switched from a first limit value, which is allowed in the image forming step to a second limit value, which is allowed immediately before executing the adjustment step. This switching is performed by the execution of a toner discharging step, where a power supply changes the state of applying voltage to the charging member from that in the electrostatic cleaning step, so that toner attached to the charging member is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: an opposite roller switching mechanism which switches an opposite roller forming a transfer nip to a second opposite roller of which the outer diameter is different from the outer diameter of a first opposite roller; a paper type information acquirer which acquires the type information of a recording medium used; and a controller which controls the opposite roller switching mechanism based on the type information acquired from the paper type information acquirer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer to bear a visible image, a transfer device to transfer the visible image from the image bearer onto a recording medium, a separator to separate the recording medium from the image bearer, a separation bias application device to apply a separation bias to the separator; and a controller to control the separation bias. When the recording medium fed in the image forming apparatus is either a black sheet or a metallic sheet, the controller sets the separation bias smaller than a predetermined separation bias value for a reference sheet type other than the black sheet and the metallic sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller including a primary heating control portion that determines a first amount of power supplied to a heater based on a temperature of a fixing rotator detected by a temperature detector and controls the heater to perform a primary heating to heat the fixing rotator with the first amount of power, a secondary heating control portion that controls the heater to perform a secondary heating to heat the fixing rotator with a preset second amount of power, and a switch portion that controls the heater to switch between the primary heating and the secondary heating during an identical print job without changing a target temperature of the fixing rotator.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier to carry a toner image. A transfer unit transfers the toner image to a sheet. A fixing unit fixes the toner image on the sheet. The sheet with the image is discharged to a sheet discharge tray. A circular conveyance path turns over the sheet past the transfer unit and the fixing unit and passes the sheet through the transfer unit and the fixing unit again. A heat amount setting section sets an amount of heat applied by the fixing unit when fixing of the sheet is executed. In duplex printing, a first heat amount for fixing the toner image on a first side of the sheet is smaller than a reference heat amount for simplex printing whereas a second heat amount for fixing the toner image on a second side of the sheet is larger than the reference heat amount.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing member that is rotatable and in an endless shape; a heat source that heats the fixing member; a nip forming member that is arranged inside the fixing member; and a pressurizing member that is pressurized to be in contact with the nip forming member through the fixing member, to form a fixing nip. The fixing device fixes an unfixed image on a recording medium by passing the recording medium that carries the unfixed image through the fixing nip. The nip forming member includes a base layer, and a high thermal-conductive layer that is arranged on a surface layer of the base layer on a fixing nip side, and that has higher thermal conductivity than the base layer, and in the high thermal-conductive layer, a low thermal-conductive portion is arranged near an end portion in an axial direction of the fixing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation and including a heated face and a heater including a contact face contacting the heated face of the fixing rotator. The contact face has a Vickers hardness not greater than about 600 Hv.

Abstract: An invented image forming apparatus has a fixing device for stably fixing developer on a medium. The fixing device includes a heating member, an endless belt member subject to heating provided from the heating member, a tension member tensioning the belt member, a pressure member forming a pressurized contact nipping portion via the belt member, a supporting member supporting the pressure member, a pushing member pushing the pressure member and the belt member, a fixing member pushing the pressure member and the belt member, a medium guide guiding move of the medium in a direction toward the pressurized contact nipping portion, and a pressure member moving mechanism for moving a position of the pressure member in the supporting member. The image forming apparatus further includes a controller controlling the position of the pressure member via the pressure member moving mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording material, a first detection unit including a transmission unit for transmitting an ultrasonic wave and a reception unit for receiving the transmitted ultrasonic wave, first and second conveyance units for conveying the recording material, and a control unit. The first and second conveyance units form a loop on the recording material by conveying the recording material at different speeds. The control unit controls an image forming condition for forming an image on the recording material by the image forming unit, based on the ultrasonic wave received via the recording material in a period in which no loop is formed on the recording material by the first and second conveyance units.

Abstract: The circuit substrate includes at least two lands formed on a substrate, wherein one electrode is to be mounted on the at least two lands, an electronic part having electrodes, one of the electrodes is soldered on the at least two lands with solders whose amounts are adjusted by a metal mask having at least two opening parts, positions of the at least two opening parts corresponding to the at least two lands when the solders are applied and melted, areas of the at least two opening parts being different with each other, wherein a height of one of the solders is different from a height of the other of the solders according to the difference of the areas of the at least two opening parts of the metal mask, whereby the electronic part is mounted on the circuit substrate in an inclined state.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described to determine authenticity of a consumable product. The determining of authenticity may include communicating with a listing engine that contains a list of identifiers for consumable products classified as non-authentic, installing a consumable product in a host device where the consumable product stores an identifier in memory, and determining whether the consumable product matches one of the identifiers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image bearer, a developing device, a supplier, and a controller. The controller controls the supplier according to a detection result of a toner density by the toner density sensor and a toner density target value to adjust the toner density of developer in the developing device. The controller is configured to correct the toner density target value and an imaging condition affecting a toner adhesion amount of an output image separately from the toner density, according to a component adhesion deterioration degree being a deterioration degree of carrier due to adhesion of a toner component, obtained based on at least an average image area ratio of the output image, and a coating abrasion deterioration degree being a progression degree of deterioration due to coating abrasion of the carrier, obtained based on at least the average image area ratio of the output image.

Abstract: When calculating a toner consumption amount that is based on a dot count value of raster data, the toner consumption amount can be estimated more accurately by taking into consideration density control as well as pulse width control, which are used as part of image formation processing.

Abstract: An image forming device includes: a main casing; a retaining unit; a feed tray; and a pickup roller. The retaining unit retains a plurality of photosensitive drums juxtaposedly arrayed and spaced away from each other in an array direction. The retaining unit is movable in the array direction between a mounted position in which the retaining unit is mounted in the main casing and a pulled-out position in which the retaining unit is pulled out of the main casing. The feed tray is configured to accommodate a first transferred medium. The pickup roller is configured to pick up the first transferred medium accommodated in the feed tray. The pickup roller is arranged to overlap with the retaining unit in the array direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process cartridge, which comprises a process cartridge housing, a photosensitive member, a driving force receiving opening, a retractable mechanism and a control mechanism, wherein the photosensitive member is arranged inside the process cartridge housing; the driving force receiving opening is connected with the photosensitive member and provides a driving force for the photosensitive member; the retractable mechanism allows the driving force receiving opening to extend or retract in the axial direction of the photosensitive member; and the control mechanism controls the extension and retraction of the retractable mechanism.

Abstract: The power supply apparatus includes a transformer, a switch element that drives a primary side of the transformer, and a control unit that controls a drive frequency of the switch element, wherein when a state of driving the switch element at a first drive frequency is shifted to a state of driving the switch element at a second drive frequency lower than the first drive frequency, the control unit turns on the switch element at a first timing in which a displacement amount of the transformer caused by the drive of the transformer becomes a first displacement amount and at a second timing in which the displacement of the transformer becomes a second displacement amount smaller than the first displacement amount.

Abstract: A roller is provided includes a cylindrical shaft supported by a main assembly of an image forming apparatus or a detachable cartridge. The cylindrical shaft includes a separation region on a circumference of the cylindrical shaft, where a pair of end portions of the cylindrical shaft oppose each other or are in contact with each other with respect to a circumferential direction relative to the circumference of the cylindrical shaft, and wherein the separation region extends in an axial direction of the cylindrical shaft. In addition, a rotatable cylindrical member is mounted around an outer circumference of the cylindrical shaft and is rotatable about the cylindrical shaft while an inner peripheral surface of the rotatable cylindrical member is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft in a region of the cylindrical shaft other than the separation region with respect to the circumferential direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly provided with an opening and a tray for placing thereon a cartridge for forming an image, wherein the tray is movable through the opening between an image forming position where the cartridge is used for image formation inside the main assembly and a mounting and demounting position where the cartridge is exposed to an outside of the main assembly and is mountable and demountable. In addition a door opens and closes the opening, and an accommodating member accommodates a sheet on which an image is formed. When the tray is in the mounting and demounting position, the door supports the tray and the accommodating member supports the door.

Abstract: A cartridge including a housing, a driving receiving part, a rotary member configured to rotate, and move in an axis direction thereof while rotating, and a detected member configured to move in the axis direction by receiving a driving force from the rotary member, wherein the rotary member includes a main body part having a first surface facing the detected member in the axis direction and a second surface positioned at an opposite side of the first surface in the axis direction, an operating part arranged on the first surface and configured to apply a force for moving the detected member in the axis direction to the detected member, and an operated part arranged on the second surface and configured to receive a force for moving the main body part in the axis direction.

Abstract: A cartridge including a housing configured to accommodate therein developer, a driving receiving part configured to rotate by receiving a driving force, and a detected member configured to move in an axis direction parallel with a rotational axis of the driving receiving part by receiving a driving force from the driving receiving part, wherein the detected member is configured to perform a reciprocating movement, in which the detected member moves outward in the axis direction to be separated from the housing and then moves inward in the axis direction to come close to the housing, for a plurality of times.

Abstract: A developer storage unit includes a receiving portion which is provided on a rotating shaft, and configured to receive a developer falling from a conveyance member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes a main assembly to which a cartridge including an image bearing member on which a latent image is formed and including a developing device for developing the latent image on the image bearing member is detachably mountable, and a transfer unit, detachably mountable to the main assembly separately from the cartridge, for transferring a developer image formed on the image bearing member. The developing device includes a developer carrying member and is movable between a contact position where the developer carrying member is contacted to the image bearing member and a spaced position where the developer carrying member is spaced from the image bearing member. The transfer unit includes a developing device contact-and-separation mechanism for moving the developing device between the contact position and the spaced position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a supporting member supporting multiple cartridges and movable between an inside position inside an apparatus main body and an outside position, in which the cartridges are supported arrayed in a direction of extracting the supporting member from the inside position to the outside position, with the multiple cartridges being detachably attachable at the outside position; a first cartridge; a second cartridge adjacent to the first cartridge; and a third cartridge adjacent to the second cartridge. The first cartridge has a greater protrusion amount from the supporting member compared to the second cartridge and the third cartridge, in a direction orthogonal to the extracting direction and to a longitudinal direction of the cartridges. When viewed from the orthogonal direction, the amount of overlapping between the first cartridge and the second cartridge is greater than the amount of overlapping between the second cartridge and the third cartridge.

Abstract: In the specification and drawings, a collinear holographic storage medium is described and shown with a recording layer, wherein the lateral linear thermal expansion coefficient of the recording layer is substantially the same as the linear thermal expansion coefficient of the material of the recording layer.