Abstract: In liquid-developing image formation, a ghost image caused by the contact between a photosensitive member and an absorbing roller to collect a surplus liquid developer is prevented by preventing occurrence of a speed difference (relative speed) between a photosensitive member and a porous member (an absorbing roller) and by keeping an optimum pressing force from a porous member to a visible image on a photosensitive member.

Abstract: When superimposing toner images of a plurality of colors on an image supporting member to form a color image, a free phase ion in a precedent image is removed without distorting the toner image precedently formed on the image supporting member, thereby improving reproducibility of image dots of the toner images having second and subsequent colors to obtain a high-definition color image with high contrast.

Abstract: A liquid developer imaging system comprising a developing container for receiving a quantity of developing solution, a sensing system for maintaining a predetermined processing level of developing solution within the container, a developer roller connected to a first power supply source that biases the developer roller to a development voltage, and a skiving element for plating the developing solution onto the developer roller and scraping excess developing solution from the developer roller to a predetermined thickness, wherein the skiving element is connected to a second power supply source for biasing the skiving element to a skiving voltage, wherein the skiving voltage is greater than the development voltage.

Abstract: To remove a carrier liquid from a toner image before transfer on a photosensitive drum, a wet electrophotographic device of the present invention includes a first slit nozzle which blows airflow of a first velocity onto a surface of the photosensitive drum after image formation, a second slit nozzle which is positioned on a downstream side more than the first slit nozzle and which blows airflow of a second velocity higher than that of the airflow supplied from the first slit nozzle onto the surface of the photosensitive drum, and an aperture portion which introduces a reverse airflow generated by the airflow from the second slit nozzle to the first slit nozzle side between both nozzles.

Abstract: An electrostatic transfer type liquid electrophotographic printer which has a photoreceptor web having a charged surface and opposing back surface, at least one exposing unit for forming a latent electrostatic image onto the charged surface of the photoreceptor web, and at least one development unit for developing the latent electrostatic image on the photoreceptor web into a toner image, wherein each development unit has a developer roller, a toner removal roller, and a squeeze roller, and a backup roller corresponding to at least one of the developer roller, toner removal roller, and squeeze roller, and wherein the photoreceptor web is arranged to provide at least 1 degree of contact wrap around at least one of the backup rollers. The printer further includes an electrostatic transfer unit for transferring the toner images formed in each development unit from the photoreceptor web to a print medium by electrostatic force.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to use a highly viscous, dense developing liquid including a carrier liquid and toner. The apparatus includes a developing unit with a developer carrier and a coating member for coating the developing liquid on the developer carrier. The developer carrier conveys the liquid to a developing zone where it faces an image carrier to develop a latent image on the image carrier. In the developing zone, the toner is caused to move toward the image by electrophoresis to form a toner layer in which the toner is present in the carrier liquid and a carrier layer in which the toner is absent. When the developer carrier and image carrier are moved from each other, the toner moves toward the image such that the developing liquid separates at the boundary between the toner and carrier layers.

Abstract: An excess toner removal area is made broader over the whole area with respect to a developer applied area that is broader than an image effective area. Thereby a liquid developer, that tends to spread slightly broader than the applied area after being applied to a photoreceptor drum, is removed by a sweep roller that can sweep excess toner present in an area broader than the original applied area and an excess toner remaining area is then prevented from being formed on the photoreceptor drum. Accordingly, the excess toner on the latent image carrier is removed as much as possible, and a transfer medium and peripheral members are prevented from being soiled due to residual excess toner.

Abstract: A liquid-developer drying device includes a covering wall which has a facing surface covering and facing to part of an image-carrying body with a drying air passage between them. The image-carrying body carries developed image in a first direction along the drying air passage. The developed image includes liquid developer having toner particles and carrier liquid. The covering wall has a plurality of slits formed therein. The slits are distributed in a region with substantially less than half length along the facing surface covering the image-carrying body so as to blow dry air to the drying air passage in a second direction parallel to the first direction. Each of the slits extends across the drying air passage. The liquid-developer drying device also includes an air source supplying drying air to the slits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for measuring the density of an image in regard to a liquid test patch. The device has: a fan for drying a test patch by blowing air to the test patch disposed on at least one of a photosensitive medium, a photosensitive belt and printing paper; a sensor for projecting infrared light to the dried test patch and measuring the density of the test patch based on the reflected light of the infrared light reflected from the test patch; and an adjustment unit for adjusting the mixing ratio of a toner and a carrier in accordance with the measured density. The device measures the amount of light reflected from the dried liquid test patch, thus allowing the density of the image to be measured accurately.

Abstract: A liquid-development electrophotographic apparatus forms on a toner-image-bearing body a plurality of color images developed by a plurality of developing units, one for each color, that use liquid toner. One or more carrier-removing units for removing excessive carrier from a toner layer that forms a toner image are disposed downstream of each developing unit and upstream of the next developing unit disposed upstream of the former developing unit with respect to a process progress direction. Each carrier-removing unit includes two or more conductive collection rollers to which a bias voltage is applied in such a direction as to press toner against the toner-image-bearing body and which is brought into contact with the toner-image-bearing body. The upstream roller is rotated in the same direction as the direction of surface movement of the toner-image-bearing body, whereas the downstream roller is rotated in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic imaging apparatus contains at least one drying sheet for removing excess carrier liquid from an intermediate transfer member or an intermediate image on the intermediate transfer member. The drying sheet comprises a flexible substrate having a first surface and second surface, at least one carrier liquid absorptive layer on the first surface of the flexible substrate, and the first surface facing the intermediate transfer member or image.

Abstract: A method of drying carrier liquid from a toner image on a photoreceptor or from a photoreceptor after transfer to a final substrate comprises providing an electrophotographic apparatus comprising at least a) a photoreceptor, b) a continuous absorbent drying sheet having a beginning and an end, the beginning attached to a take-up roll or spool and the end attached to a supply roll or spool, the intermediate portion thereof coiled around the supply spool with at least a portion of the sheet contacting the photoreceptor. The process includes providing a toned image on the photoreceptor; contacting the continuous absorbent drying sheet to the toned image on the photoreceptor, or to the photoreceptor itself after the image is transferred away, creating a used portion of the continuous absorbent drying sheet; and simultaneously disbursing fresh length of the continuous absorbent drying sheet and taking-up the used portion of the continuous drying sheet.

Abstract: A device for coating a developing liquid included in an developing device of the present invention includes a coating member rotatable with the developing liquid deposited thereon in a preselected amount. An intermediate member has a surface contacting the surface of the coating member and is movable at the same speed and in the same direction as the surface of the coating member. Also, the surface of the intermediate member contacts the surface of a developing roller to be coated with the developing liquid and is movable in the opposite direction to the surface of the developing roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus using a highly viscous, dense developing liquid consisting of a carrier liquid and toner. A developing unit including a developer carrier and a coating member for coating the developing liquid on the developer carrier. The developer carrier conveys the liquid to a developing zone to develop a latent image formed on the image carrier with the liquid. In the developing zone, the toner in the liquid is moved toward the image by electrophoresis to form a toner layer in which the toner is present in the earner liquid and a carrier layer in which the toner is absent in the same. When the developer carrier and image carrier are moved away from the developing zone, the toner is moved toward the image over a degree at which the developing liquid can separate at the boundary between the toner layer and the carrier layer.

Abstract: A drying belt for electrophotographic imaging process comprising: (a) a seamless substrate; and (b) an absorbent layer on the seamless substrate wherein the absorbent layer comprising an absorbing material for carrier liquid of an electrophotographic toner.

Abstract: An excess toner removal area is made broader over the whole area with respect to a developer applied area that is broader than an image effective area. Thereby a liquid developer, that tends to spread slightly broader than the applied area after being applied to a photoreceptor drum, is removed by a sweep roller that can sweep excess toner present in an area broader than the original applied area and an excess toner remaining area is then prevented from being formed on the photoreceptor drum. Accordingly, the excess toner on the latent image carrier is removed as much as possible, and a transfer medium and peripheral members are prevented from being soiled due to residual excess toner.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic imaging apparatus contains at least one drying sheet for removing excess carrier liquid in a liquid toner toned latent image on a photoconductor surface. The drying sheet comprises a flexible substrate having a first surface and second surface; at least one oleophilic carrier liquid absorptive layer on the first surface of the flexible substrate; and the first surface of the flexible substrate facing said photoconductor surface, latent image or liquid toned latent image.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic imaging apparatus contains at least one drying element for removing excess carrier liquid in a liquid toner toned latent image on an intermediate transfer member surface or from the intermediate transfer member surface itself. The drying sheet includes a flexible substrate having a first surface and second surface; at least one oleophilic carrier liquid absorptive layer on the first surface of the flexible substrate; and the first surface of the flexible substrate facing the intermediate transfer member surface, latent image or liquid toned latent image.

Abstract: A squeezing device of a wet printer for separating a liquid carrier element that is not used for forming an image from ink supplied to the photosensitive belt, includes a squeezing roller mounted to be opposite to the photosensitive belt, a bias applying unit for biasing the squeezing roller with a certain potential, and a plurality of backup rollers mounted side by side to be opposite to the squeezing roller across the photosensitive belt placed between the plurality of backup rollers and the squeezing roller, in order to extend a contact width between the photosensitive belt and the squeezing roller. A printer to which the squeezing device of a wet printer is applied secures a sufficient charging time of the photosensitive belt and lowers a voltage for generating a townsend discharge, to thereby enhance charging performances and printing qualities.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for a liquid type printer includes a developing tank in which ink with a high density supplied from an ink supplying unit is received up to a predetermined level. The developing apparatus also includes a developing roller which is positioned to rotate in the developing tank and keep a predetermined developing gap from a photosensitive medium, and to supply the ink to the photosensitive medium. The developing apparatus includes a metering unit which is rotated in the ink in the developing tank to control an amount of the ink conveyed to the developing roller and moved to the developing gap, and a cleaning roller which cleans the ink remaining after the ink is conveyed from the developing roller to the photosensitive medium.

Abstract: A system includes at least one movable image bearing member transporting a latent image in an electrophotographic printing system. A developer station associated with the at least one image bearing member deposits a developed image on the latent image. The developed image includes toner particles and carrier liquid. A transfer station associated with the at least one image bearing member transfers the developed image to a receiving medium. A liquid removal station disposed between the developer station and the transfer station includes a source of high fluid pressure emitting an open-air jet of fluid for directly and/or indirectly removing at least a portion of the carrier liquid from the developed image.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring a developed image from an image bearing member to a receiver substrate in a Contact Electrostatic Printing (CEP) system may be provided according to the present invention. The developed image is formed of a development material having a mixture of carrier fluid and pigmented polymeric particles, the composition of such mixture being selected for its characteristic behavior at an elevated temperature for transitioning to a substantially single phase. The method includes the steps of developing an image onto an image bearer using the aforementioned development material; concentrating the developed image; heating the developed image to a temperature at which the polymeric particles and the carrier fluid achieve a substantially single phase condition, so as to form a transferable image; and transferring the transferable image to a receiver substrate such as a paper sheet.

Abstract: A liquid image forming apparatus. A developing unit of the liquid image forming apparatus includes a developing container in which a developer is received, a developing roller having a portion which is dipped in the developer of the developing container, which is installed to be opposite to a photosensitive body, a cleaning roller which cleans the developer remaining on the surface of the developing roller after an electrostatic latent image is developed, and a squeeze roller which squeezes the cleaning roller before the developing roller is cleaned, and passes the air passing through the cleaning roller to the outside. The air passing through the cleaning roller does not pass into the developer and thus bubbles are not generated in the developer, thereby solving a problem of non-uniform developer attachment.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to use a highly viscous, dense developing liquid consisting of a carrier liquid and toner. The apparatus includes a developing unit with a developer carrier and a coating member for coating the developing liquid on the developer carrier. The developer carrier conveys the liquid to a developing zone where it faces an image carrier to develop a latent image on the image carrier. In the developing zone, the toner is caused to move toward the image by electrophoresis to form a toner layer in which the toner is present in the carrier liquid and a carrier layer in which the toner is absent. When the developer carrier and image carrier are moved from each other, the toner moves toward the image such that the developing liquid separates at the boundary between the toner and carrier layers.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic imaging apparatus contains at least one drying sheet for removing excess carrier liquid from an intermediate transfer member or an intermediate image on the intermediate transfer member. The drying sheet comprises a flexible substrate having a first surface and second surface, at least one carrier liquid absorptive layer on the first surface of the flexible substrate, and the first surface facing the intermediate transfer member or image.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic imaging apparatus contains at least one drying sheet for removing excess carrier liquid in a liquid toner toned latent image on a photoconductor surface. The drying sheet comprises a flexible substrate having a first surface and second surface; at least one oleophilic carrier liquid absorptive layer on the first surface of the flexible substrate; and the first surface of the flexible substrate facing said photoconductor surface, latent image or liquid toned latent image.

Abstract: A method of drying carrier liquid from a toner image on a photoreceptor or from a photoreceptor after transfer to a final substrate comprises providing an electrophotographic apparatus comprising at least a) a photoreceptor, b) a continuous absorbent drying sheet having a beginning and an end, the beginning attached to a take-up roll or spool and the end attached to a supply roll or spool, the intermediate portion thereof coiled around the supply spool with at least a portion of the sheet contacting the photoreceptor. The process includes providing a toned image on the photoreceptor; contacting the continuous absorbent drying sheet to the toned image on the photoreceptor, or to the photoreceptor itself after the image is transferred away, creating a used portion of the continuous absorbent drying sheet; and simultaneously disbursing fresh length of the continuous absorbent drying sheet and taking-up the used portion of the continuous drying sheet.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic imaging apparatus contains at least one drying element for removing excess carrier liquid in a liquid toner toned latent image on an intermediate transfer member surface or from the intermediate transfer member surface itself. The drying sheet comprises a flexible substrate having a first surface and second surface; at least one oleophilic carrier liquid absorptive layer on the first surface of the flexible substrate; and the first surface of the flexible substrate facing said intermediate transfer member surface, latent image or liquid toned latent image.

Abstract: A liquid-development electrophotographic apparatus forms on a toner-image-bearing body a plurality of color images developed by a plurality of developing units, one for each color, that use liquid toner. One or more carrier-removing units for removing excessive carrier from a toner layer that forms a toner image are disposed downstream of each developing unit and upstream of the next developing unit disposed upstream of the former developing unit with respect to a process progress direction. Each carrier-removing unit includes two or more conductive collection rollers to which a bias voltage is applied in such a direction as to press toner against the toner-image-bearing body and which is brought into contact with the toner-image-bearing body. The upstream roller is rotated in the same direction as the direction of surface movement of the toner-image-bearing body, whereas the downstream roller is rotated in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus as described in the embodiments of the present invention comprises a latent image forming unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface; a developing device which supplies liquid developer containing toner particles and carrier liquid to the electrostatic latent image, and forms a developed image on the latent image forming unit; a transferring device which transfers the developed image on the latent image forming unit onto a recording medium, a conveying path of the developed image being formed from the developing device to the recording medium; and a blowing unit equipped with a guide wall to cover at least a part of the conveying path, the guide wall providing a gap of more than 0.5 mm and less than 5 mm, and an air current generating source which generates an air current in the gap, and thoroughly dries and removes excess carrier liquid by exposing a developed image to the air current for a long time.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic printer employs a continuously circulating photoreceptor web having a non-image region with a potential higher than an image region. A laser scanner forms a latent electrostatic image in the image region, and a development unit develops the latent image using an ink having toner particles dispersed in a liquid carrier. The development unit includes a developer roller with a surface potential in between that of the image and non-image region for forming the toner image by attaching the toner particles to the image region; a toner removal roller with a surface potential between that of the image and non-image regions after they pass through the developer roller, for removing toner particles remaining in a liquid carrier film in the non-image region; and a squeeze roller with a surface potential higher than any of the foregoing, for squeezing the liquid carrier out of the toner image by compression.

Abstract: An excess toner removal area is made broader over the whole area with respect to a developer applied area that is broader than an image effective area. Thereby a liquid developer, that tends to spread slightly broader than the applied area after being applied to a photoreceptor drum, is removed by a sweep roller that can sweep excess toner present in an area broader than the original applied area and an excess toner remaining area is then prevented from being formed on the photoreceptor drum. Accordingly, the excess toner on the latent image carrier is removed as much as possible, and a transfer medium and peripheral members are prevented from being soiled due to residual excess toner.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrophotographic printing apparatus for printing an image on a print medium with use of a liquid developer which contains a liquid carrier and a toner being dispersed in the liquid carrier. It has an image printing system having a circulative imaging surface on which a toner image is formed from the liquid developer, and transferring the toner image from the circulative imaging surface to the print medium: A collection member which is capable of absorbing or adsorbing vapor of the liquid carrier is provided to be disposed in a place which is surrounded by the circulative imaging surface, and a vapor directing system directs air containing the vapor of the liquid carrier vaporizing from the imaging surface, to the collection member.

Abstract: An electro-photographic image forming apparatus forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive belt and develops the electrostatic latent image with liquid toner composed of particle toners and a liquid solvent. With absorption means, whose surface is a liquid-solvent absorption layer, in pressure contact with the photosensitive belt, only the liquid solvent is recovered from the liquid toner image developed on the photosensitive belt. A dried toner image is transferred from the photosensitive belt to paper to fix the toner image thereon. The absorption means is heated by a heat source controlled by a temperature control method, which differs between the standby time and the print time, to vaporize the liquid solvent absorbed in the absorption layer. In addition, the electro-photographic image forming apparatus has means for moistening all part of the absorption means with the liquid solvent before the first image is written on the photosensitive belt.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic developing apparatus including a developing unit and a plurality of air transport members. The developing unit has an elongated opening disposed adjacent to a moving image-bearing surface of a photoreceptor, and it is used for converting an electrostatic latent image into a toner image. Electrodes formed within the elongated opening provide an electric field to charge toner particles in a liquid developer. The air transport members are provided around the elongated opening of the developing unit, and airflow therein has a predetermined air pressure to transport unused developer away from the image-bearing surface while permitting toner particles in the liquid developer deposited on the image-bearing surface to be retained by the image-bearing surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid carrier removing system which efficiently removes liquid carrier from a liquid developed image on a latent image bearing member, and reduces disturbance of a visible image formed with toner particles. The liquid carrier of the liquid developed image on the latent image bearing member is sucked by an absorbing cylinder, the surface of which is formed by a porous layer and pressed to the bearing member. A vacuum system is coupled to the absorbing cylinder to make the inside of the cylinder be negative pressure. The liquid carrier taken in the absorbing cylinder is sucked and collected inside the cylinder. In order that the pressed region of the absorbing cylinder may not be subjected to the sucking action by the negative pressure, a shield, which covers a part of the inside wall of the absorbing cylinder, is provided. Sucking and removing the liquid carrier of the liquid developed image and collection of the sucked liquid carrier are carried out separately.

Abstract: A development system is provided that extends the functionality of liquid developer to produce custom colors and combines it with a powder development engine to enable custom color printing. This invention provides a apparatus and method, control scheme, hardware, and software, necessary for enabling custom color printing using an electrophotograpic hybrid technology.

Abstract: An image forming process wherein a latent image-bearing surface of a supporting member is contacted with a toner-containing liquid developer to develop the latent image with the liquid developer and to form a toner image covered with a layer of the liquid developer. The toner image-bearing surface is treated with a squeezing member to squeeze the liquid developer layer therefrom. The toner image-bearing surface is then treated with a voltage impressing member to impart a bias voltage to the toner image. The toner image is transferred from the surface to an intermediate transfer medium and then to a transfer medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for printing an image on a print medium with a liquid developer which comprises a liquid carrier and a toner dispersed in the liquid carrier. The printing method has: forming a toner image probably containing the liquid carrier, from the liquid developer; removing the liquid carrier from the toner image; transferring the toner image to the print medium; projecting light radiation on the toner image to be transferred, to measure the optical reflection from the toner image to be transferred; and estimating transfer suitability of the toner image to be transferred, by means of the measured optical reflection from the toner image to be transferred, for appropriately controlling the extent of the removing of the liquid carrier. The printing apparatus has an optical instrument which projects light radiation on the toner image to be transferred and measures the optical reflection from the toner image to be transferred, in order to appropriately control the carrier remover.

Abstract: An electrostatic transfer type liquid electrophotographic printer using a photoreceptor web circulating around a continuous path as a photoreceptor medium is provided. The photoreceptor web is charged to a predetermined potential by a main charger and a plurality of latent electrostatic images is sequentially formed thereon by a plurality of laser scanning units (LSUs). A plurality of developer units are arranged in series in the circulation direction of the photoreceptor web, and sequentially develops the plurality of latent electrostatic images into multi-color toner images with inks containing a liquid carrier and charged toner, thereby forming overlapping multi-color toner images on the photoreceptor web. A concentration control unit controls the concentration of the multi-color toner images to be suitable for electrostatic transfer by adjusting the amount of the liquid carrier applied to the overlapping toner images formed on the photoreceptor web.

Abstract: An operational sequence including a cleaning of a processing device shifting to the standby state in the process of shifting from a printing operation to a standby state of a liquid electro-photographic device of a tandem type is performed well. A processing device has a squeeze roller for performing removal of residual liquid developer from an image formed on a photoconductive belt 2 and for forming an image into a film and is removed in order that the squeeze roller 6 shifts from the state having a clearance from the photoconductive belt 2 to the state being pressed against the photoconductive belt 2 for performing a removal of the liquid developer remaining on the squeeze roller 6 to the photoconductive belt 2 in sequence when the image forming operation is finished after cleaning the liquid developer adhered on the squeeze roller 6, and the removal proceeds sequentially from a processing device on a downstream side of a traveling direction of the photoconductive belt 2.

Abstract: In an electrostatic recording apparatus, a recording medium is transported to a vaporized solvent supply unit where a vaporized organic solvent is given to the recording surface of the recording medium. Then, the recording medium is transported to an electrostatic recording head where an electrostatic latent image is formed on the recording medium. Next, the recording medium is transported to a development processing unit where the development process of the electrostatic latent image using a liquid toner is performed.

Abstract: In an electrostatic recording apparatus, a recording medium is transported to a vaporized solvent supply unit where a vaporized organic solvent is given to the recording surface of the recording medium. Then, the recording medium is transported to an electrostatic recording head where an electrostatic latent image is formed on the recording medium. Next, the recording medium is transported to a development processing unit where the development process of the electrostatic latent image using a liquid toner is performed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a developing device that can deposit a developing liquid on a liquid carrier in a form of a thin layer, causing the thin layer to contact an image carrier of the image forming apparatus. A liquid carrier is in contact with the image carrier to carry the thin layer of the developing liquid to the image carrier. A thin layer contact member contacts the thin layer formed on the liquid carrier at a position upstream of where the liquid carrier and the image carrier contact each other in a direction in which the liquid carrier is movable, to apply a shearing force to the thin layer. Further, the thin layer contact member includes a rotary member with a movable surface that rotates, at a position where the rotary member faces the liquid carrier, in a rotating direction opposite to the rotation direction in which the liquid carrier is movable.

Abstract: Method of a liquid process type electrophotographic apparatus forming a multicolor visible image on a surface of a photosensitive drum, which prevents the visible image after the second color from being disturbed. After a visible image of the first color has been formed with a development unit on a surface of a photosensitive drum, a part of liquid carrier existing on the surface of the photosensitive drum is removed by using a squeeze roller and an air blower. When an electrostatic latent image is formed with a charger 1 and an exposing unit on the photosensitive drum where the visible image of the first color has been formed, disturbance of the electrostatic latent image caused by a large amount of liquid carrier or lack of liquid carrier can be reduced by reserving a predetermined very small amount of liquid carrier, and disturbance of a visible image of the second color to be developed by a development unit can be reduced.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic developing apparatus capable of preventing image drift and reducing the load in the squeezing process. A developing roller faces a photoreceptor belt with a predetermined spacing to supply a liquid developer to the photoreceptor belt while rotating at a peripheral velocity in the opposite direction to that of the photoreceptor belt in a developing region thereon. A peripheral velocity ratio of the peripheral velocity to a moving velocity of the photoreceptor belt is determined so as to maximize a solid component ratio of a developed toner layer on the photoreceptor belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a spacer that maintains a given clearance between a cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the squeezing roller and a cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the cleaning roller.

Abstract: A liquid-development electrophotographic apparatus using a liquid toner is disclosed. A nonvolatile, high-viscosity, high-concentration liquid toner is used as a liquid developer. A developing section is in contact with photosensitive drums 11-14, on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, so that the liquid developer is supplied onto photosensitive drums 11-14. Toner particles contained in the liquid developer are caused to adhere to the photosensitive drums 11-14 according to an electric field established between the developing section and the photosensitive drums 11-14 to thereby form toner images. An intermediate transfer section includes an intermediate transfer roller 15 and an intermediate transfer belt 16. The toner images are transferred from the photosensitive drums 11-14 to the intermediate transfer section according to an electric field established between the intermediate transfer section and the photosensitive drums 11-14.

Abstract: A toner image is transferred from a photosensitive member 10 onto an intermediate transfer belt 24. Toner particles transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 24 are melted through application of heat, and the molten toner is transferred onto a printing medium. A carrier-removing roller 29 is disposed downstream of a position where a toner layer on the intermediate transfer belt 24 is melted through application of heat. Through utilization of a phenomenon that toner particles (resin component) are melted and integrated in a heating process and a phenomenon that the carrier solvent (liquid component) is isolated in the heating process, the carrier solvent is removed efficiently. Also, there is disposed at the position of the heating process a carrier-removing roller 28 for removing the carrier solvent from the intermediate transfer belt 24 while the toner layer on the intermediate transfer belt 24 is being melted through application of heat.

Abstract: A developing device of the type using a developing liquid and applicable to an image forming apparatus includes a developing roller and a sweep roller. The developing roller is pressed against a photoconductive drum to thereby form a nip. The sweep roller is positioned downstream of the nip in the direction of rotation of the drum and pressed against the drum in such a manner as to sandwich a developed toner layer. The surface of the sweep roller moves at substantially the same speed as the surface of the drum. A bias voltage (250 V) close to the surface potential (100 V to 200 V) of the toner layer formed on the drum is applied to the sweep roller. The bias causes the sweep roller to attract stray excess toner present on the background of the drum after development, thereby preventing a toner image from being blurred.