Abstract: An image forming method is disclosed. The method comprises processes in which a latent image on an electrophotographic photoreceptor is developed employing a developer material, and after transferring the visualized toner image to a recording material, the remaining toner on said photoreceptor is removed employing an elastic body cleaning blade. The electrophotographic photoreceptor comprises a surface layer containing a large transportable polysiloxane hardenable resin, and said developer material comprises a fatty acid metal salt.

Abstract: A light scanning apparatus includes a deflector for deflecting a light beam emitted from a laser. A rotating reflector is provided in the deflector, and a reflecting surface is formed on the rotating reflector by cutting away a portion of the rotating reflector diagonally with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis thereof. The light scanning apparatus further includes a control device for controlling a stopping position of the rotating reflector such that the rotating reflector stops rotating in a state in which the reflecting surface faces a predetermined direction. A magnet, an electromagnet, or a gear mechanism may be used as the control device.

Abstract: An improved cleaning system adapted to be incorporated into an image forming device, the improved cleaning system having a roller cartridge having an upper cleaning roller rotatably and removably coupled to a cartridge frame, a lower cleaning roller rotatably and vertically movably coupled to the cartridge frame for cleaning printable media, an elastic mechanism coupled to the cartridge frame for pressing the upper cleaning roller against the lower cleaning roller, a magnetic mechanism for holding the improved cleaning system firmly inside the image forming device, a latch mechanism for latching the improved cleaning system to the image forming device, a drive mechanism for driving the printable media between the drive mechanism and the lower cleaning roller, the improved cleaning system being adapted to clean dust deposited on the surface of the printable media.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a first substrate and a second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate includes a polymer wall formed of transparent resin, the liquid crystal layer includes a plurality of liquid crystal regions partitioned by the polymer wall, and liquid crystal molecules in the plurality of liquid crystal regions are aligned in axial symmetry, with respect to an axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the first substrate.

Abstract: A cleaning frame used in a process cartridge which is detachably mountable to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cleaning member for removing developer adhered to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the process cartridge including a drum attaching portion for attaching the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a cleaning member attaching portion for attaching the cleaning member, one end wall provided at one longitudinal end of the cleaning frame, the other end wall provided at the other longitudinal end of the cleaning frame, an exposure opening for receiving information light to be illuminated onto the electrophotographic photosensitive drum attached to the drum attaching portion when the process cartridge is mounted to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a reinforcing member provided between the one end wall and the other end wall along the longitudinal direction of

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed with a cleaner assembly for removing toner remaining on the surface of the image bearing body that includes a rotating paddle for conveying toner to a collector. The image forming apparatus includes a developer for developing a static latent image on an image bearing body using toner, a transfer unit for transferring a developed image on a transfer member, a cleaner assembly in sliding contact with the surface of the image bearing body, a rotating paddle having a toner-conveying face, and a toner scraping sheet in contact with the rotating paddle conveying face. The tips of the rotating paddle may be angled to reduce friction and wear.

Abstract: A light scanning apparatus includes a deflector for deflecting a light beam emitted from a laser. A rotating reflector is provided in the deflector, and a reflecting surface is formed on the rotating reflector by cutting away a portion of the rotating reflector diagonally with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis thereof. The light scanning apparatus further includes a control device for controlling a stopping position of the rotating reflector such that the rotating reflector stops rotating in a state in which the reflecting surface faces a predetermined direction. A magnet, an electromagnet, or a gear mechanism may be used as the control device.

Abstract: A transfer roller cleaning apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer for removing toner particles and foreign matter remaining on a transfer roller for transferring a toner image formed on a photoreceptor belt. The transfer roller includes a cleaning roller for cleaning the surface of the transfer roller while rotating in contact with a transfer surface of the transfer roller.

Abstract: A toner-guiding sheet for guiding toner removed from an image carrying member. The sheet includes a free end portion for contacting a surface of the image carrying member, and a fixed portion, fixable on a fixing member, for fixing the toner-guiding sheet in a state in which the free end portion contacts the surface of the image carrying member. The toner-guiding sheet includes a film having a creep-deformation resisting property such that, when the film, fixed on the fixing member so that a distance &bgr; from a central portion in a longitudinal direction of the fixed portion of the sheet to a central portion in a longitudinal direction of the free end portion of the sheet is substantially 3.

Abstract: In a cleaning apparatus, a film as a guide plate for guiding cleaned toner into the apparatus is bonded to a holder, which is screwed to a housing. The screwing is loosened by a predetermined amount for providing a gap between the holder and the housing. If the housing and the seal member are thermally expanded by heat from a fuser during the operation of a image formation apparatus and a difference occurs between the expansion amounts of the housing and the holder, the gap absorbs the expansion amount difference and a force of warp, distortion, etc., does not act on the holder. Therefor, deformation of the film held by the holder can be prevented and trouble such as toner not being guided into the apparatus and scatters can be prevented.

Abstract: A bet unit provides an intermediate transfer belt where primary transfer is performed at a part stretching between a drive roller and a tension roller, and a cleaner roller separated from and brought into contact with a part of the intermediate transfer belt stretching between an opposed roller and the drive roller in the downstream side of the opposed roller. The belt unit is detachably attachable to the body with the opposed roller on the operator's side. The tangential line of the opposed roller is substantially vertical at a secondary transfer position. The cleaner roller is disposed in a range enclosed by the intermediate transfer belt, the tangential line of the drive roller parallel to the common tangential line of the peripheries of the tension roller and the opposed roller, and the vertical tangential line of the secondary transfer side of the opposed roller.

Abstract: A cleaning sheet comprises a sheet-shaped base and an adhesive layer formed on at least one surface of the sheet-shaped base member. The adhesive layer has an adhesive strength in the range of 0.1-0.5 gf 125 mm according to a 180-degree peel-off method provided by JIS Z-0237. Or the adhesive layer has a tackiness degree in the range of 1-5 according to a J DOW method provided by JIS Z-0237.

Abstract: A cleaning system for increasing the packing density of a cleaner sump that uses magnetic toner, by filling unused sump space. The cleaning system uses a magnetic force to attract the magnetic waste toner to the sump area not filled by gravity assistance alone. The magnetic force is created by a magnet. The magnet can be either internal to the sump or external thereto.

Abstract: The process cartridge has a rotatable member having an electrophotographic photosensitive layer, a cleaning member for removing any residual toner from the electrophotographic photosensitive layer, and a conveying member for conveying the residual toner removed by the cleaning member. The rotatable member and the conveying member each have a drive force receiving portion for directly receiving a drive force from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus using a cleaner/toner magazine (CTM) which has a waste toner tank and a fresh toner tank formed integrally with each other, a cleaning device has a cleaning blade which scrapes off toner left on a photoconductive element with an edge thereof. The toner removed by the cleaning blade is magnetically deposited on a rotatable magnet member whose outer periphery is magnetized. A scraper member contacts the magnet member in the waste toner tank and scrapes off the toner from the magnet member which is in rotation. As a result, the toner is collected in a collection space defined in the waste toner tank.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for attaching a sheet for receiving toner removed from an image bearing member to a frame. The method includes the steps of adhering the sheet to the frame, using an adhesive, while bending the frame and releasing the frame after the sheet is adhered to the frame. A toner-guiding sheet for guiding toner removed from an image bearing member to a toner-receiving unit is also disclosed. The sheet is widened near a central portion in a longitudinal direction so that the sheet edge will conform to the bent shape of an attachment surface. A cleaning device is also disclosed. The cleaning device may include a frame and a sheet attached to the frame by an adhesive in a condition that a tension force is applied to the sheet.

Abstract: In a device for removing toner or similar substance deposited on a recording sheet or similar sheet, projections are formed on a back-up member and located at portions on which the rear of a separating member slide. While a sheet is passed through a pressing portion in contact with the separating member, the projections raise the rear of the separating member toward the surface of the sheet carrying the toner. Hence, even solitary particles of the substance adjoining relatively thick and large masses of the substance can contact the front of the separating member. Hence, the solitary particles are prevented from remaining on the sheet.

Abstract: An image-forming machine including a photosensitive drum which is rotatably disposed and successively passes through a charging zone, a developing zone and a transfer zone; a charger for charging the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum into a predetermined polarity; a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum into a toner image; a transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum onto a transfer paper; and a foreign matter-recovering means which is disposed between the transfer zone and the charging zone and comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, and removes foreign matter adhered onto the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, the foreign matter-recovering means having a foreign matter-recovering brush brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, an elastic holding member made of an elas

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively positioning a plurality of components in a printing machine is provided. The mechanism includes a lever for controlling the mechanism, a first linkage operably connecting the lever to a first component, and a second linkage operably connecting the lever to a second component, so as to simultaneously reposition the first component and the second component by actuating the lever.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for vacuuming toner waste from a toner sump in a xerographic printing machine. A xerographic module in the machine contains a photoconductor, charging devices, a cleaning unit and the toner sump. When the toner sump approaches a full condition, the toner waste must be removed in order to prevent failure of the xerographic module seals. This is accomplished by removing the xerographic module from the machine, opening a sealed toner sump port and attaching a vacuum source to the toner sump port so that the toner waste can be removed with the vacuum source. A disposal adaptor tool sealingly engages the vacuum source to the toner sump at the toner sump port, allowing the toner to removed in a clean glove environment. Once the toner waste is removed from the toner sump, a new toner seal is placed over the toner sump port and the xerographic module is returned to the machine for further use.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image-bearing member, latent image-forming unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the first image-bearing member, developer for developing the electrostatic latent image with a toner to form a toner image, an intermediate transfer member for receiving the toner image by primary transfer and transferring the toner image onto a second image-bearing member by secondary transfer, a charging member for charging a residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the secondary transfer, and a recovery member for recovering the charged residual toner at a recovery position by voltage application. The intermediate transfer member exhibits a charging characteristic such that it has a surface potential of at most 500 volts as an absolute value at the recovery position.

Abstract: A paper dust removal device detachably mountable to a frame of an image forming apparatus through an opening formed on the frame to remove paper dusts from an outer surface of a roller in the image forming apparatus, the opening of the frame being opposing to the outer surface of the roller, the paper dust removal device includes: a base member; a paper dust holding member fixedly attached to the base member adapted to press contact with the outer surface of the roller; and engaging member engageable with the frame when the paper dust removal device is rotated in an engaging direction due to a friction force generated on the outer surface of the roller by a contact of the paper dust holding member with the outer surface of the roller.

Abstract: A compact cleaning apparatus capable of having a good cleaning function is provided with an image forming apparatus. The cleaning apparatus of the image forming apparatus is pivoted inside this image forming apparatus and cleans an intermediate transfer belt or photosensitive drum. This cleaning apparatus is arranged by a casing having an opening for collecting toner stripped from the surface of the object; a cleaning member mounted on one side edge of the opening of the casing and depressed against the surface of the object; and a drive mechanism having a fulcrum located below the opening of the casing, for pivoting the casing in a direction along which the casing is separated from the object. Three shafts cooperate to perform an engagement or removal operation.

Abstract: In a cleaning device and a developing device installed in an electrophotographic device, a cleaner and toner magazine (CTM) has a cleaning unit including a cleaning blade for removing a toner left on a photoconductive element after image transfer and a waste toner tank for collecting it, and a developing unit accommodating a fresh toner tank storing a fresh toner. The waste toner tank and fresh toner tank are constructed integrally with each other and connected together such that the fresh toner tank is movable to the developing device.

Abstract: In a device for recycling a recording medium by removing a film-like image forming substance from the medium, a separating member contacts one side of the medium carrying the substance. The separating member is durable because its surface contacting the medium is provided with a measure against deterioration. Anticorrosion means reduces the deterioration rate of the separating member.

Abstract: Residual toner is removed from a belt-type paper support by means of a brush roll and blade. The removed toner is guided to a waste toner storage vessel by means of a screw member. A sensor indicates when the toner storage vessel is full.