Abstract: A space between side seals at both sides of a supplying roller becomes gradually wide by inclining the leading edges of the side seals for making a width W1 at a position immediately before the side seals are in contact with a developing roller larger than a printable width W2 (the minimum width between the side seals). Further, a width W3 of a cleaning roller is set to be larger than the width W2 and smaller than the width W1.

Abstract: A cleaning seal with a soft cleaning seal tip provides a seal between the cleaning housing and the photoconductive member in an electrophotographic machine. The cleaning seal is made of a relatively stiff material so that the cleaning seal can collect and support the toner removed from the photoconductive member. In the absence of the soft cleaning seal tip, the relatively stiff material of the cleaning seal contacting the photoconductive member excessively scratches the photoconductive member. The soft cleaning seal tip solves this problem by providing a relatively soft surface on the photoconductive member, resulting in fewer scratches on the photoconductive member. The composite cleaning seal provides the sufficient force to remove and support the toner removed from the photoconductive member while cushioning the force of the relatively stiff cleaning seal against the photoconductive member.

Abstract: A developer processing apparatus includes a rotary member provided rotatably in a container containing the developer, a sealing member provided at the rotary member and being brought into pressure contact with a portion supporting the rotary member and a sealing layer provided at the portion where the sealing member is brought into pressure contact, and formed of a material having lower hardness than the sealing member.

Abstract: A developing solution supplying system for a wet type developer includes an ink cartridge for storing ink, a carrier storage tank for storing liquid carrier, and a mixing tank located adjacent to the ink cartridge having a bulkhead therebetween for storing a developing solution. An actuator imparts interlocking rotation to a first agitating blade rotatably installed in the mixing tank and a second agitating blade rotatably installed in the ink cartridge opposite the first agitating blade to simultaneously agitate, by a single driving source, the solutions in the ink cartridge and the mixing tank.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a container, having an opening, for containing magnetic developer; a developer carrying member, rotatably disposed in the opening, for carrying the magnetic developer; a magnetic sealing member disposed spaced from a peripheral surface of the developer carrying member; and a guiding member for guiding the developer inwardly in a longitudinal direction of the developer carrying member, the guiding member being disposed adjacent an end, in a peripheral direction of the developer carrying member, of the magnetic sealing member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, and which has an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process device actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a first frame, a second frame and an elastic sealing member interposed between the first and second frames in order to prevent leakage of a toner from a space therebetween when the first and second frames are bonded by engagement between engagement portions, wherein the compression amount of the elastic sealing member interposed between both frames is increased away from the engagement portions.

Abstract: An image-forming machine has a developing device that includes a developing agent container for containing a developing agent with toner and carrier particles, and a developing agent application device for applying the developing agent onto an image carrier device. The developing device also includes a toner replenishing device for replenishing the developing agent container with toner, a toner concentration detection device for detecting toner concentration of the developing agent, and a toner replenish control device. The toner replenish control device controls the toner replenishing device by comparing a value detected by the toner concentration detection device with a threshold value.

Abstract: A developer replenishing apparatus includes a developer housing, a replenishing developer container accommodating a developer, an adapter to be mounted detachably on the replenishing developer container, and a tentative cap to be mounted detachably on an outlet portion of the adapter. The tentative cap has a top panel wall and a skirt wall formed so as to extend downwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the top panel wall. The skirt wall is composed of opposite side walls and a rear wall, and has an opening at its front part. A shielding plate covering the upper part of the developer housing is provided with a cap fitting portion and an adapter guide portion. On the shielding plate is mounted a sealing device adapted to cover the adapter guide portion and be caused to elastically open according to the movement of the adapter.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a frame; an image bearing member; a developing device; a toner accommodating device for accommodating toner to be supplied to said developing device; opening for supplying to said developing device the toner in said toner accommodating device; a toner seal removably mounted at said opening to close it; a gap in said frame to permit pulling of said toner seal; an elastic sealing member in contact with said toner seal to prevent leakage of the toner through the gap; wherein said toner seal is constructed such that said toner seal is out of contact with an end of said elastic sealing member upon pulling of said toner seal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrophotographic apparatus capable of producing a high-quality image free from image defects such as fine line dropouts. A photoconductor drum is used that has a magnet mounted therein in immovable fashion. After an electrostatic latent image is formed, the image is brought into contact with magnetic developer in a developer reservoir, causing the developer to be attracted to the photoconductor surface by magnetic force. When the photoconductor drum is rotated past an electrode roller to which an AC voltage is applied, toner is left only in image areas and the latent image is developed into a visible image. A sheet-like sealing member contacting the photoconductor is disposed on the upstream side of the developer reservoir in the rotating direction of the photoconductor drum. A conductive layer is provided on the surface of the sealing member opposite the surface thereof contacting the photoconductor.