Abstract: Offset print apparatus comprises: a blanket to receive print agent; a non-contact temperature sensor to monitor electromagnetic radiation from a measurement location of the blanket and generate a respective output; and a controller to: receive the output from the non-contact temperature sensor; determine coverage information relating to a print agent coverage of the blanket at the measurement location; and calculate a temperature of the blanket at the measurement location taking into account both the output from the non-contact temperature sensor and the determined coverage information.

Abstract: An example method of collecting liquid carrier from a vapour in a printing system includes: heating a vapour carrying a liquid carrier and passing the heated vapour carrying liquid carrier through a volume of liquid carrier. Liquid carrier carried in the heated vapour condenses into the volume of liquid carrier as it passes through the volume of liquid carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for draining liquid droplets from a surface is described. The apparatus comprises an array of oleophilic channels substantially interspersed with oleophobic material, wherein a width of an oleophilic channel is arranged to move liquid associated with said droplets along the oleophilic channel by capillary action and wherein a distance between two successive oleophilic channels is less than a critical droplet diameter, the critical droplet diameter corresponding to a droplet that will separate from the surface. The oleophilic channels act to preferentially attract condensed oil and the oleophobic material acts to repel condensed oil such that formation of droplets is restricted by the oleophilic channel. By selecting an appropriate channel width, the size of droplets is prevented from exceeding a critical size, at which the droplets can no longer be held by surface tension to the condensing surface and drip away from the condensing surface.

Abstract: In an electrographic printing apparatus, a charge image carrier has charge images generated thereon of images to be printed. A developer station develops the charge images into an image film with carrier fluid and embedded toner images. A transfer unit receives the image film from the charge image carrier and transfers the image film onto a printing substrate. A fixing station fixes the image film on the printing substrate. A carrier fluid recovery device is arranged between the fixing station and the transfer unit, and recovers carrier fluid from carrier fluid vapor occurring in the fixing station and supplies the recovered carrier fluid to the transfer unit.

Abstract: An ink carrier oil and water are separated from condensate. One embodiment includes first and second chambers for the separation. The first chamber receives the condensate and has an upper discharge outlet and a lower discharge outlet. The second chamber has an inlet connected to the lower outlet and a second chamber outlet below the upper discharge outlet such that separated carrier oil is discharged through the upper outlet. Separated water is discharged through the second chamber outlet. An interface between the separated carrier oil and water extends between the upper discharge outlet and the lower discharge outlet. In another embodiment, the carrier oil includes at least one of a high molecular weight oil, a lubricating oil and a defoamer. An additive having a lower concentration of the at least one of the high molecular weight oil, the lubricating oil and the defoamer is added to the carrier oil.

Abstract: A system for separating a mixture of two fluids of different specific gravities comprising: a first chamber having an inlet for receiving said mixture; a second chamber having a connection for receiving the fluid with the higher specific gravity of said mixture from said first chamber, said connection being situated between a portion of the two chambers below the inlet; and a waste outlet in said first chamber to drain residue situated at an interface between the two fluids.

Abstract: A system for separating a mixture of two fluids of different specific gravities comprising: a first chamber having an inlet for receiving said mixture; a second chamber having a connection for receiving the fluid with the higher specific gravity of said mixture from said first chamber, said connection being situated between a portion of the two chambers below the inlet; and a waste outlet in said first chamber to drain residue situated at an interface between the two fluids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid absorbing member for absorbing excessive ink components from an ink image formed on a recording medium by an ink jet recording method, in which the liquid absorbing member contains fibrous matter, and the fiber thickness of fibers composing the fibrous matter is in a range of about 0.01 to 100 dtex. The fibrous matter preferably contains fibers having a fiber diameter in a range of about 0.5 to 10 ?m, and fibers composing the fibrous matter are preferably polyester fibers. The invention also provides an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a printhead and the liquid absorbing member.

Abstract: Various embodiments relating to reusing an ink carrier oil separated from water of a condensate are disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid separator is a device for separating and extracting a dispersoid and a dispersion medium from a liquid sample containing the dispersoid and the dispersion medium. The liquid separator is provided with a liquid storage container capable of storing the liquid sample; an electrode roller including a rotary shaft, arranged to touch the liquid sample in the liquid storage container, capable of conveying the liquid sample along the outer circumferential surface thereof and rotatable about the rotary shaft; and a separating member held in contact with the electrode roller for separating the dispersion medium from the liquid sample being conveyed along the outer circumferential surface of the electrode roller. The liquid storage container includes a first container positioned at a specified distance to the electrode roller and a second container detachably attachable to the first container.

Abstract: A delivery unit and method for removing carrier vapor in a wet-type printer. The delivery unit includes a delivery guide, delivery rollers and a duct for collecting carrier vapor generated from a paper by the latent heat on the paper passing through the delivery guide in order to prevent the carrier vapor from leaking outside of the printer. The carrier vapor collection duct includes upper and lower housings connected to each other to form a predetermined space therein. The upper housing has a vent on one side thereof and an air inlet on the opposite side. A fan is mounted on the vent. The carrier vapor is collected in the duct of the delivery unit and then sent to the catalyst unit by the fan to be oxidized. Accordingly, the delivery unit can prevent the white carrier vapor generated from the paper passing through the delivery unit from leaking outside the printer.

Abstract: Hard imaging device vapor removal systems, hard imaging devices, and hard imaging methods are described. According to one embodiment, a hard imaging device vapor removal system includes a supply path configured to supply air to an imaging region of a hard imaging device configured to use a liquid ink marking agent to form a plurality of hard images using media, wherein the air of the supply path is supplied to remove a carrier vapor of the liquid ink marking agent resulting from imaging operations of the hard imaging device, an exhaust path configured to remove at least some of the carrier vapor externally of the imaging region using the supplied air, and a bypass path configured to supply supplemental air to the supplied air exhausting the carrier vapor of the liquid ink marking agent.

Abstract: The electrophotographic apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention is an elelctrophotographic apparatus having an electrostatic latent image holding device, an image forming device which forms an electrostatic latent image on the latent image holding device and developing the electrostatic latent image by a liquid developer having a carrier liquid and toner particles dispersed in the carrier liquid, a cabinet for housing the electrostatic latent image holding device and image forming device, and a carrier liquid removal device for removing a carrier liquid evaporation component vaporized and generated in the cabinet and the carrier liquid removal device has an atomizer for spraying a cyclodextrin solution into gas containing the aforementioned carrier liquid evaporation component as a removal agent for removing the carrier liquid evaporation component.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting carrier liquid utilizes thermal energy generated above a surface from which the carrier liquid is being extracted. The thermal energy can be generated by a heating element positioned over the surface. The thermal energy is used to evaporate the carrier liquid on the surface so that the evaporated carrier liquid can be condensed for collection.

Abstract: A liquid-development electrophotographic apparatus utilizes a nonvolatile, high-viscosity, high-concentration liquid toner 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 adhere to the photosensitive drums 11-14 according to an electric field established between the developing section and the photosensitive drums 11-14 to form toner images. The toner images are transferred from the photosensitive drums 11-14 to an intermediate transfer section. A transfer-and-fixation section includes a heater to melt-transfer the toner images onto the printing medium. A development section is disposed at a lower portion of the apparatus to prevent smudging of the printing medium and the intermediate transfer section even when the liquid toner spills.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting carrier liquid utilizes thermal energy generated above a surface from which the carrier liquid is being extracted. The thermal energy can be generated by a heating element positioned over the surface. The thermal energy is used to evaporate the carrier liquid on the surface so that the evaporated carrier liquid can be condensed for collection.

Abstract: A method for processing carrier vapor for an image forming apparatus using liquid developer. The method includes the step of sucking gas containing vapor of a carrier liquid vaporized in a cabinet of the image forming apparatus from one end of a pipe and ejecting the gas from another end of the pipe. The method further includes liquifying vapor of the vaporized carrier liquid using a liquifying device connected to the another end of the pipe, and ejecting the vapor not liquefied by the liquifying device using an ejection port.

Abstract: The electrophotographic apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention is an elelctrophotographic apparatus having an electrostatic latent image holding device, an image forming device which forms an electrostatic latent image on the latent image holding device and developing the electrostatic latent image by a liquid developer having a carrier liquid and toner particles dispersed in the carrier liquid, a cabinet for housing the electrostatic latent image holding device and image forming device, and a carrier liquid removal device for removing a carrier liquid evaporation component vaporized and generated in the cabinet and the carrier liquid removal device has an atomizer for spraying a cyclodextrin solution into gas containing the aforementioned carrier liquid evaporation component as a removal agent for removing the carrier liquid evaporation component.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus having a development unit for forming a toner image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed at a surface of a latent image holding member by liquid developer, a drying unit for vaporizing a portion of liquid carrier included in the developer by supplying drying gas to the liquid developer at the surface of the latent image holding member, a heating unit for heating the toner image formed on the surface of the latent image holding member and a transfer unit for transferring the heated toner image from the surface of the latent image holding member to a recording medium, further including a cover for a gas flow path guiding the supplied drying gas to a heated area of the surface of the latent image holding member heated by the heating unit along the latent image holding member and having liquid carrier recovery unit for recovering the drying gas guided to the heating area thereby to prevent vapor of the liquid carrier produced at plural locations from leaking out and

Abstract: A method for processing carrier vapor for an image forming apparatus using liquid developer. The method includes the step of sucking gas containing vapor of a carrier liquid vaporized in a cabinet of the image forming apparatus from one end of a pipe and ejecting the gas from another end of the pipe. The method further includes liquifying vapor of the vaporized carrier liquid using a liquifying device connected to the another end of the pipe, and ejecting the vapor not liquefied by the liquifying device using an ejection port.

Abstract: The electrophotographic apparatus of the present invention is an electrophotographic apparatus having an electrostatic latent image holding device, an image forming device which forms an electrostatic latent image on the latent image holding device and developing the electrostatic latent image by a liquid developer having a carrier liquid and toner particles dispersed in the carrier liquid, a cabinet for housing the electrostatic latent image holding device and image forming device, and a carrier liquid removal device for removing a carrier liquid evaporation component vaporized and generated in the cabinet and the carrier liquid removal device has an atomizer for spraying a cyclodextrin solution into gas containing the aforementioned carrier liquid evaporation component as a removal agent for removing the carrier liquid evaporation component.

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 image forming apparatus using liquid developer of an embodiment of the present invention has a rotary latent image holding device, on the surface of which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing device for feeding a liquid developer containing toner particles and a carrier liquid to the electrostatic latent image, thereby forming a visible image on the latent image holding device, a transfer device for transferring the visible image to a transfer material, a cabinet for storing the latent image holding device, developing device, and transfer device, a pipe for sucking gas containing vapor of the carrier liquid vaporized in the cabinet from one end thereof and ejecting it from the other end, and a liquifying device which is connected to the other end of the pipe and has a sectional area 50 times or more of that of the pipe in the perpendicular direction to a moving direction of the vapor ejected from the pipe.

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 comprising an imaging surface on which a toner image is formed from the liquid developer, and transferring the toner image from the imaging surface to the print medium, and an air treatment system having a cleaning member. The cleaning member has a holding member having a plurality of passages in rows, and a particulate material which is capable of absorbing or adsorbing vapor of the liquid carrier and which is held in the passage with room for the particulate material to move in the passages.

Abstract: A wet type electrophotographic image forming apparatus is capable of indicating timing of replacement of filter due to influence of solvent used in the process of image formation whereby to cause degradation of image quality or fatigue of parts and to restrict discharged vapor concentration of collected solvent. The image forming apparatus employing an ink containing a solvent includes a liquefying device for cooling the solvent evaporated during an image forming process and collecting liquefied solvent, an air pump sucking vapor left unliquefied by the liquefying device and maintained in a vapor state, a pressure sensor detecting a suction pressure of the air pump, and alarm device for comparing an absolute value of a pressure data generated by the pressure sensor and indicative of the suction pressure and a predetermined pressure range and generating an alarm when the absolute value of the pressure data is output of the pressure range.

Abstract: In one aspect, a carrier recovery apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a drying unit, a cooling unit for cooling and condensing carrier vapor evaporated by the drying unit, a condenser for condensing the carrier vapor which has not been condensed by the cooling unit, and a carrier recovery container. In another aspect, a carrier recovery apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a drying unit, a first cooling unit for cooling and condensing carrier vapor evaporated by the drying unit, a second cooling unit for cooling the carrier which has passed through the first cooling unit, a condenser for condensing the carrier vapor which has not been condensed by the first and second cooling units, and a carrier recovery container. Accordingly, the efficiency of condensing carrier vapor is improved. As a result, the recovery percentage of a carrier increases, and the duration of a filter is extended.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a latent image carrier which is rotatable, a developing unit which supplies a liquid developer to the latent image carrier and develops a latent image formed on the latent image carrier, the liquid developer containing solvent and toner particles, a collecting unit which collects solvent vapor of the liquid developer, a separating unit which separates the solvent vapor from air collected by the collecting unit, a sensor which measures a density of solvent vapor in the separating unit, and a control unit which controls a rotational speed of the latent image carrier in accordance with the density of solvent vapor measured by the sensor or number of pages to be printed per unit time. A further embodiment includes two separating units and selecting between them in accordance with the density of solvent vapor or number of pages to be printed per unit time.

Abstract: In one aspect, a carrier recovery apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a drying unit, a cooling unit for cooling and condensing carrier vapor evaporated by the drying unit, a condenser for condensing the carrier vapor which has not been condensed by the cooling unit, and a carrier recovery container. In another aspect, a carrier recovery apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a drying unit, a first cooling unit for cooling and condensing carrier vapor evaporated by the drying unit, a second cooling unit for cooling the carrier which has passed through the first cooling unit, a condenser for condensing the carrier vapor which has not been condensed by the first and second cooling units, and a carrier recovery container. Accordingly, the efficiency of condensing carrier vapor is improved. As a result, the recovery percentage of a carrier increases, and the duration of a filter is extended.

Abstract: A carrier collection device having an absorption belt, a heat source, a vapor collection tube, an absorption device, a condenser, a foaming member. The absorption belt absorbs a carrier from a developer, including a toner and the carrier, after being used for developing an electrostatic latent image on a photo-conductor. The heat source generates a carrier vapor from the absorption belt. The vapor collection tube surrounds the absorption belt. The absorption device absorbs the carrier vapor from the vapor collection tube. The condenser is arranged between the vapor collection tube and the absorption device. The condenser stores a coolant carrier in advance, includes a foaming member for foaming the carrier from the carrier vapor. Further, the condenser receives the carrier vapor from the vapor collection tube, condenses the received carrier vapor through the coolant carrier and the foaming member, and stores the condensed carrier together with the coolant carrier.

Abstract: A capacitor base and a partition plate laminated thereon are fixed to the bottom of a capacitor column. Openings in the partition plate are filled with air stones that are solidified ceramics. A predetermined amount of developer medium is stored in the capacitor column. Hot vaporized developer medium and water vapor are sucked through a suction port from an image drier of an electrophotographic device, and are passed through a channel of the capacitor base. Then, the vapor is discharged toward the bottom of the partition plate having no air stones, generating bubbles after being passed through the air stones, and is then cooled and liquefied. By cooling to an appropriate temperature with a Peltier element, only the vaporized developer medium is selectively liquefied without liquefying the water vapor. The developer medium that is liquefied from vapor is returned to the developing process of the electrophotographic device for reuse.

Abstract: The electrophotographic apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention is an electrophotographic apparatus having an electrostatic latent image holding device, an image forming device which forms an electrostatic latent image on the latent image holding device and developing the electrostatic latent image by a liquid developer having a carrier liquid and toner particles dispersed in the carrier liquid, a cabinet for housing the electrostatic latent image holding device and image forming device, and a carrier liquid removal device for removing a carrier liquid evaporation component vaporized and generated in the cabinet and the carrier liquid removal device has an atomizer for spraying a cyclodextrin solution into gas containing the aforementioned carrier liquid evaporation component as a removal agent for removing the carrier liquid evaporation component.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an absorption roller 8 for absorbing a solvent from a toner image developed on a photosensitive belt 1, a drying roller 9 for drying and vaporizing the absorbed solvent, a liquefaction device 11 for cooling, liquefying and collecting the dried and vaporized solvent, and further, an air pump 10 for circulating a gas that has not been liquefied by the liquefaction device 11 from the liquefaction device 11 to vicinity of the drying roller 9, and wherein the gas is mixed with a newly dried and vaporized solvent, and the mixed gas is liquefied and collected by the liquefaction device 11.

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 au image printing system comprising an imaging surface on which a toner image is formed from the liquid developer, and transferring the toner image from the imaging surface to the print medium, and an air treatment system having a cleaning member. The Cleaning member has a holding member having a plurality of passages in rows. and a particulate material which is capable of absorbing or adsorbing vapor of the liquid carrier and which is held in the plurality of passages. The particulate material is held In the passage with room for the particulate material to move in the passages.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus having a development unit for forming a toner image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed at a surface of a latent image holding member by liquid developer, a drying unit for vaporizing a portion of liquid carrier included in the developer by supplying drying gas to the liquid developer at the surface of the latent image holding member, a heating unit for heating the toner image formed on the surface of the latent image holding member and a transfer unit for transferring the heated toner image from the surface of the latent image holding member to a recording medium, further including a cover for a gas flow path guiding the supplied drying gas to a heated area of the surface of the latent image holding member heated by the heating unit along the latent image holding member and having liquid carrier recovery unit for recovering the drying gas guided to the heating area thereby to prevent vapor of the liquid carrier produced at plural locations from leaking out and

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 on 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: 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: A capture device which captures developer, after used for developing image, from a wet electronic developing device includes a drying belt, a nip roller, a regeneration roller, and a cleaning roller. An absorption layer absorbing solvent is arranged over the outer circumference of the drying belt. The surface of the absorption layer contacts the surface of an organic photo-conductor belt in a predetermined adjacent area. The absorption layer rotates in an opposite direction of the rotational direction of the organic photo-conductor belt, thereby to absorb the solvent and some toner which are included in the developer. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the organic photo-conductor belt and developed using the developer. The nip roller rotates and supports an adjacent section of the drying belt which is adjacent to the organic photo-conductor belt, from the inside of the drying belt.

Abstract: A drying unit and method of drying for a liquid electrophotographic printing apparatus, the drying unit that is equipped in the printing apparatus comprising a developing unit that develops an image on an photosensitive medium using a liquid carrier as a mediator and a transfer unit that transcribes the developed image on a printing paper, so that the liquid carrier remaining on the photosensitive medium can be dried. The drying unit for the liquid electrophotographic printing apparatus is positioned near the photosensitive medium and includes a manifold having an inlet and an outlet; an inlet-outlet channel being between the inlet and the outlet and connecting them; a gas flowing unit by which the gas in the manifold is discharged through the outlet and gas flows in the manifold through the inlet; a condenser that condenses the evaporated carrier discharged through the outlet; and a heater that heats the gases flowing in the manifold through the inlet.

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 vapor capture subsystem, which improves capturing efficiency of a carrier solvent, is provided. The vapor capture subsystem provides a ring shaped drying belt which absorbs the carrier solvent in a developing material that is developed on the surface of an organic photoconductor belt by a developer, a regeneration roller which makes the carrier solvent absorbed at the ring shaped drying belt vapor, a condenser which captures the carrier solvent vaporized at the regeneration roller and makes the vaporized carrier solvent liquid by cooling, tubes which lead the carrier solvent vaporized at the regeneration roller to the condenser, an air pump which leads the carrier solvent vaporized at the regeneration roller to the condenser, and a manifold which covers one end side of the ring shaped drying belt and the regeneration roller in order that the vapor generated at the regeneration roller does not leak to the outside.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a latent image carrier which is rotatable, a developing unit which supplies a liquid developer to the latent image carrier and develops a latent image formed on the latent image carrier, the liquid developer containing solvent and toner particles, a collecting unit which collects solvent vapor of the liquid developer, a separating unit which separates the solvent vapor from air collected by the collecting unit, a sensor which measures a density of solvent vapor in the separating unit, and a control unit which controls a rotational speed of the latent image carrier in accordance with the density of solvent vapor measured by the sensor.

Abstract: An color image forming apparatus is disclosed which forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum with the use of a charger and laser beam for light exposure, develops the electrostatic latent image into a visible image by a developing unit with the use of a liquid developer with a coloring material of very fine particles mixed in an insulating solvent and transfers the visible image to a recording sheet with the use of a transfer roller with a heater reincorporated therein.

Abstract: A carrier collection device comprises an absorption belt, a heat source, a vapor collection tube, an absorption device, a condenser, a foaming member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus using a liquid developer, which can be used for a long time without considering a swelling of a photoconductor material caused by the liquid developer and a heating characteristic of the photo-conductor material, is provided.

Abstract: An ink delivery system of a liquid electrophotographic color printer which supplies liquid developers of predetermined concentration, each of which is a mixture of a toner and a liquid carrier, to a plurality of respective developing units, and which recovers the carrier using a drying/condensing unit which absorbs and evaporates the carrier remaining on the photosensitive medium after development. A plurality of circulation tanks store respective developers to be supplied to a corresponding developing unit. Respective concentration measuring devices measure the concentration of the developers. A waste tank receives waste developer produced in the plurality of circulation tanks, and includes a waste developer agitating device for agitating the waste developer. A plurality of ink storage tanks store concentrated inks of predetermined colors to be supplied to the respective circulation tanks, and include respective ink agitators driven by a single driving source.

Abstract: A wet type electrophotographic image forming apparatus is capable of indicating timing of replacement of filter due to influence of solvent used in the process of image formation whereby to cause degradation of image quality or fatigue of parts and to restrict discharged vapor concentration of collected solvent. The image forming apparatus employing an ink containing a solvent includes a liquefying device for cooling the solvent evaporated during an image forming process and collecting liquefied solvent, an air pump sucking left unliquefied by the liquefying device and maintaining in a vapor state, a pressure sensor detecting a suction pressure of the air pump, and alarm means for comparing an absolute value of a pressure data generated by the pressure sensor and indicative of the suction pressure and a predetermined pressure range and generating an alarm when the absolute value of the pressure data is output of the pressure range.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a developing liquid collected from an image carrier and/or an intermediate transfer body is caused to migrate through a gap between two electrodes to each of which a particular electrode is applied. An electric field formed between the electrodes sequentially increases in strength in the direction of migration of the developing liquid, so that toner and other solids contained in the developing liquid are retained by electrodeposition. One or more foam blocks each having continuous cells absorb the collected liquid under the action of the electric field and thereby retain the solids therein. As a result, only a carrier liquid is recovered from the collected liquid and reused for development.

Abstract: A carrier recovery apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a drying roller rotating in contact with a photoreceptor belt, for absorbing a liquid carrier from the photoreceptor belt, a heating roller for heating the drying roller, in contact therewith, and evaporating the absorbed liquid carrier, a manifold surrounding the drying roller and the heating roller, for accommodating the evaporated gas carrier, a sealing blade disposed in a gap between the drying roller and the manifold, a condenser for receiving the gas carrier from the manifold and condensing the same, a supply line for supplying the gas carrier in the manifold to the condenser, and a return line for supplying again residual gas carrier which is not condensed in the condenser to the manifold, wherein the gas carrier is condensed while circulating in a closed loop formed by the manifold, the supply line, the condenser and the return line.

Abstract: The carrier recovery apparatus includes a water/carrier separating unit with a level sensor installed at a predetermined level on a purge tank. The level sensor detects the level of the liquid carrier in the purge tank and generates a signal representing the level of the liquid carrier.

Abstract: A carrier recovery apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer including a dry roller which contacts a photoreceptor belt, for absorbing a liquid carrier therefrom, a heating roller for heating the dry roller and evaporating the carrier, a manifold for hermetically sealing and surrounding the dry roller and the heating roller so as to accommodate the evaporated gas carrier, a circulation line for connecting an outlet and an inlet formed in the manifold to form a closed loop, along which the gas carrier accommodated in the manifold circulates, a driving fan for supplying a driving force which allows the gas carrier to circulate, and a condensing means installed in the circulation line, for cooling and condensing the circulating gas carrier and transmitting the condensed carrier to a cartridge.