Abstract: A developing apparatus contains a developer for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier. The developing apparatus includes a developer carrier disposed opposite to the image carrier; a developer regulating member regulating an amount of the developer carried by the developer carrier; and a developer circulating unit transporting the developer in a circulating path. The developer circulating unit includes a rotatable first transport member supplying the developer to the developer carrier while transporting the developer in a horizontal direction, a shielding member preventing the developer separated from the developer carrier from flowing back toward the first transport member, and a rotatable second transport member collecting the developer separated from the developer carrier while transporting the developer in the horizontal direction. A distance between the second transport member and the developer carrier is greater than a distance between the first transport member and the developer carrier.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a developing roller incorporating a fixed magnet body having a plurality of magnetic poles in a circumferential direction; a regulating member for regulating an amount of toner on the developing roller by means of a magnetic field formed by the regulating member and the fixed magnet body; and a magnetic-field generating member for scraping off, on an upstream of the regulating member in a rotational direction of the developing roller, toner which is not used for development on the developing roller. A relation Bm/Br>1 is satisfied, where Br represents a magnetic flux density of a distal end portion of the regulating member facing a surface of the developing roller and Bm represents a magnetic flux density of a distal end portion of the magnetic-field generating member facing the surface of the developing roller.

Abstract: A method for recirculating carrier back into a printer developer station by forming a horizontal slot in the face of the scavenger electrode. The carrier is urged through the slot and into the developer station by magnetic force to prevent the build up of carrier on the scavenger.

Abstract: The purpose is to provide, in a development apparatus using a two-component developer, a compact development apparatus, image forming apparatus and development method that prevents carrier deterioration and that can carry out good image formation over a long time period. In a development apparatus using a developer in which are mixed a toner, a carrier, and opposite polarity particles that are charged to a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner, the surface charge density of the opposite polarity particles should be in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 times the surface charge density of the carrier.

Abstract: A suction duct that sucks air is provided downstream from a magnet roller that applies a developer to a photoconductor while rotating, in a direction of rotation of the photoconductor, and upstream of a surface potential sensor that measures surface potential of the photoconductor. Moreover, ribs for adjusting an air flow are arranged within the suction duct in such a manner that a width of an air flow passage formed by a rear end in a direction of air flow and a forward end of a nearest rib in the direction of air flow is narrowed from a rib installed upstream in the direction of air flow toward a rib installed downstream. The collection duct collects a floating developer by using a negative pressure.

Abstract: A developing system includes a first developer carrier to carry and supply two-component developer including toner and carrier to a latent image formed on an image bearer. A first magnetic field generator having plural first magnetic poles is rotatably installed in the first developer carrier and causes the two-component developer to put forth ears and conveys the two-component developer on the developer carrier. A cross-sectional center of the first magnetic field generator is deviated from that of the first developer carrier toward the image bearer by a prescribed length. A developer peel-off device including a second magnetic field generator is provided in the vicinity of the surface of the first developer carrier to peel off the developer not supplied to the image bearer and remaining on the surface of the first developer carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) that detects blade deflection from a print assembly contact surface is disclosed. The apparatus can include a print assembly (110) rotationally supported in the apparatus, where the print assembly can have a print assembly contact surface (112) and a print assembly conductor (114). The apparatus can include a blade (120) configured to be coupled to the print assembly contact surface and a blade conductive layer (130) coupled to the blade. The apparatus can include a sensor (140) configured to measure a capacitance between the blade conductive layer and the print assembly conductor.

Abstract: A device for metering developer material to a predefined developer material bed height on a donor member, including a trim bar being mounted a predefined spacing from the donor member; and a magnetic member positioned adjacent and along the length of the trim bar, the magnetic member coacting with the trim bar to obtain the predefined developer material bed height on the donor member.

Abstract: The object is to provide a resin film capable of retaining a predetermined bent shape, so that the resin film may be employed in a handy and effective manner in the image forming apparatus as such a component as a guide, a cover, etc. The resin film formed product includes a plurality of resin films bonded to each other. Each resin film is bonded with having a bent portion.

Abstract: A developing unit includes: a developer carrying member that visualizes an electrostatic latent image held on an image carrying member using magnetic developer; a peeling member that peels off the magnetic developer held on the developer carrying member by a magnetic force; and a movement controller that controls movement of the peeling member, when the peeling member peels off the magnetic developer, the movement controller moving the peeling member to a position close to the developer carrying member, and when the peeling member has peeled off the magnetic developer, the movement controller moving the peeling member to a position away from the developer carrying member.

Abstract: There is provided a separation member for separating a first conveying path formed by a first conveying member from a second conveying path formed by a second conveying member. There is also provided an opposed member facing a magnetic pole H4 at an upstream side of two magnetic poles H4 and H6 that forms a developer-releasing magnetic pole H5.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container for accommodating a two-component developer; a developer bearing member for bearing and conveying the developer, a fixed magnet including a release pole for releasing the developer from the developer bearing member, being fixed to the inside of the developer bearing member; and a backflow prevention member that is a sheet-shaped member disposed along the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the developer bearing member so as to be upstream in the direction of rotation of the developer bearing member as viewed from the release pole, the backflow prevention member being disposed so that a proximal end portion thereof is fixed to an inside surface of the developing container, and a distal end portion thereof is in contact with or adjacent to the developer bearing member and facing downstream in the direction of rotation of the developer bearing member.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for a self-cleaning toner roller device adjacent a toner roller. The cleaning device having one or more shields to capture the toner debris from the toner roller, a toner debris receptacle to collect the toner debris, and a controller to move the applicator from an operational mode to a self-cleaning mode.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a developing housing having a developer accommodating chamber; a developer bearing member which is supported rotatably inside a developing housing, and which holds on a circumferential surface thereof a two-component developer composed of a magnetic carrier and toner; a toner bearing member which is supported rotatably with respect to the developer bearing member inside the developing housing, and to which the toner in the developer held on the developer bearing member adheres electrostatically; and a toner recovery tray which has an opening in an upper end thereof, and which is installed removably in the developing housing below the developer bearing member and the toner bearing member.

Abstract: A development apparatus that performs development by forming a magnetic brush using a two-component developer is provided with a developer tank that stores developer; a developer bearing member provided with a development sleeve that carries the developer stored in the developer tank on the outer circumferential face and transports the developer to a development area where the electrostatic latent image on the image bearing carrier is developed, the development sleeve being provided with at least a main pole magnet in which a main pole is formed that faces the development area, and an interpole magnet in which an interpole is formed adjacent to the main pole on the downstream side in a developer transport direction; and a carrier recovery means in which a pushing/bending magnetic pole of the same polarity as the interpole is formed such that magnetic force lines of the interpole in the developer bearing member are pushed/bent to the inside of the developer tank.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrying member, a two-component developer carrying member holding on an outer surface a developer containing carrier beads and toner particles, the two-component developer carrying member having a first magnetic element mounted therein, a toner carrying member carrying a thin toner layer on an outer surface, a toner collecting roller for collecting the toner particles scattered and suspended in the vicinity of the two-component developer carrying member and the toner carrying member, the toner collecting roller having a second magnetic element mounted therein, and a housing accommodating the two-component developer carrying member, the toner carrying member and the toner collecting roller. The toner collecting roller is located face to face with the two-component developer carrying member with the first and second magnetic elements disposed to face each other with oppositely directed polarities.

Abstract: A developing unit using a two-component developer intended to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming a high-quality image for a long period of time. A developing unit using a developer contains toner, carrier and opposite polarity particles having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of toner includes separation means for separating the toner or opposite polarity particles, and control mechanism for controlling opposite polarity particle separation ratio in response to the image area ratio and the number of prints.

Abstract: A development apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of minimizing deterioration of a carrier for a long time, even in a case of continuous formation of images of a smaller image area ratio. The charging of toner is assisted by using a developer composed of a mixture of toner and the carrier, to the surface of which is added a reverse polarity particle having a polarity reverse to that of a charged toner. Separation of the toner or reverse polarity particle of the developer prior to a process of development prevents the reverse polarity particle from being consumed in a developing area, whereby an effect thereof is maintained for a long time.

Abstract: In a developing unit including a collecting roller for collecting the developer falling from a developing roller and a developer removing device for removing the developer collected by the collecting roller from the collecting roller, the developer removing device includes a casing for supporting the collecting roller, a scraper for removing the developer adhering to the collecting roller and a scraper supporter for supporting the scraper, and the scraper is supported by pressing it against the casing by the scraper supporter.

Abstract: A layer-thickness restriction member, including: an abutting surface that is for abutting against a developer-bearing body in order to restrict a layer thickness of developer borne by the developer-bearing body; and a flash that is located on a side close to a non-abutting surface that is located on an opposite side from the abutting surface in a thickness direction of the layer-thickness restriction member.

Abstract: A first bias Vslv is applied to a development roller 22 and a second bias Vmag is applied to a magnetic roller 23 to perform development; after completion of development, without changing the setting of Vslv, of the AC component Vpp2 of Vmag, the peak voltage value Vpp2 (max) at the side with the same polarity as toner is made lower than during a development period and development-residual toner on the development roller 22 is collected to prevent a lateral streak formed on photoconductor drums 1a to 1d during a non-development period.

Abstract: One embodiment of a development apparatus includes a developer carrier that transports a two-component developer and a scraper that detaches the two-component developer transported by the developer carrier from a surface of the developer carrier. Also, a front end of the scraper is formed so as not to have an edge that is less than 90 degrees. Further, the development apparatus includes a scraper pedestal having rigidity, and the scraper is fixed on the scraper pedestal.

Abstract: In a method or device for operation of an electrographic printing or copying device, at least toner particles are accumulated on a surface of a first carrier element. After a transfer of toner particles onto a further carrier element, toner particles still remaining on the first carrier element are removed by generating a traveling field between the first carrier element and the cleaning device which transports the toner particles.

Abstract: A developing unit includes: a developer carrying member that visualizes an electrostatic latent image held on an image carrying member using magnetic developer; a peeling member that peels off the magnetic developer held on the developer carrying member by a magnetic force; and a movement controller that controls movement of the peeling member, when the peeling member peels off the magnetic developer, the movement controller moving the peeling member to a position close to the developer carrying member, and when the peeling member has peeled off the magnetic developer, the movement controller moving the peeling member to a position away from the developer carrying member.

Abstract: A developer unit for a color imaging system includes a housing, a developer roll, and a magnetic stripping roll. The housing defines a chamber for holding developer material, which includes toner particles. The developer roll is mounted in the housing and rotates to attract developer material to flow on its surface. The developer roll carries the developer material into proximity to a latent image to create a toner image. The magnetic stripping roll is mounted in the housing and rotates between a functional and a non-functional position in proximity to the developer roll to strip developer material from the surface of the developer roll, cleaning the developer roll. The magnetic stripping rolls may include a magnet assembly with a functional position for activating the magnetic stripping roll and a non-functional position for deactivating the magnetic stripping roll. The magnetic stripping roll may be mounted to shift between two positions.

Abstract: Gap among a leaf spring member of a layer-thickness regulating blade, a back-side member of a blade holder and a blade opposed portion of an upper seal is filled with grease. An internal seal is disposed laterally inward of the grease with a portion thereof sandwiched between the back surface of the leaf spring member and the blade opposed portion of the upper seal. This can prevent the grease from overflowing laterally inward from the gap among the back-side member, the leaf spring member and the upper seal, and can also prevent a toner from entering into a gap among the back-side member, the leaf spring member and the upper seal, thereby preventing the oil content of the grease from mixing into the toner.

Abstract: Provided are a developing device and an image forming apparatus, the developing device which employs a two-component developer wherein development hysteresis (ghost) is reduced and deterioration of a carrier is stably suppressed, and high-quality images are thus realized for a long period of time. The developing device, which uses a developer including toner, carrier and reverse polarity particles which are charged to have a polarity reverse to that of the toner, performs a collecting operation for collecting the reverse polarity particles at a timing in which image formation is not affected by a collecting operation, where the reverse polarity particles are accumulated in the area enclosed by a toner carrying member, a developer carrying member for toner supply and developer carrying member for collecting toner are collected into a developer container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of collecting residual toner from the donor roller by means of a plurality of magnetic rollers and consequently, reducing the occurrences of possible ghost phenomenon caused by the toner residue. The image forming apparatus includes an image receiving member having an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface thereof, a donor roller to receive a toner and form a layer of toner on an outer circumferential surface thereof, the donor roller being arranged to oppose the image receiving member so as to develop with toner the electrostatic latent image of the image receiving member, and a plurality of magnetic rollers each to support magnetic brushes of carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for a self-cleaning toner roller device adjacent a toner roller. The cleaning device having one or more shields to capture the toner debris from the toner roller, a toner debris receptacle to collect the toner debris, and a controller to move the applicator from an operational mode to a self-cleaning mode.

Abstract: A developing apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus may include a magnetic roller having disposed therein at least one magnet, and a developing roller rotatably disposed to face the magnetic roller and having a magnetic portion to contain a magnetic material that can be magnetized by a magnet of the at least one magnet disposed nearest to the developing roller.

Abstract: A developing apparatus, comprises an endless belt shaped donor member; a developer supporting member to carry developer including toner and magnetic carrier and to form a toner layer on the donor member; a first supporting member arranged in the inside of the donor member with a predetermined gap against the developer supporting member and to strain the donor member; a second supporting member arranged in the inside of the donor member with a predetermined gap against the developer supporting member and to strain the donor member; a toner supply bias applying section to apply onto the first supporting member a toner supply bias for supplying toner from the developer supporting member to the donor member; and a toner recovery bias applying section to apply onto the second supporting member a toner recovery bias for recovering toner from the donor member to the developer supporting member.

Abstract: A development apparatus that performs development by forming a magnetic brush using a two-component developer is provided with a developer tank that stores developer; a developer hearing member provided with a development sleeve that carries the developer stored in the developer tank on the outer circumferential face and transports the developer to a development area where the electrostatic latent image on the image bearing carrier is developed, the development sleeve being provided with at least a main pole magnet in which a main pole is formed that faces the development area, and an interpole magnet in which an interpole is formed adjacent to the main pole on the downstream side in a developer transport direction; and a carrier recovery means in which a pushing/bending magnetic pole of the same polarity as the interpole is formed such that magnetic force lines of the interpole in the developer bearing member are pushed/bent to the inside of the developer tank.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of developing devices each provided with a developing roller structured with a developing sleeve and a fixed magnetic pole member, an agitating member, a recovering and feeding member, a regulating member and a developing device casing member, at least one of the plurality of developing devices has a different developer storing capacity and a different outer diameter of the recovering and feeding member for the other developing devices and has the same angle allocation values among the plurality of fixed magnetic poles in the fixed magnetic pole member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and devices for cleaning the surfaces of applicator rollers, photoconductor drums, transfer belts, and photoconductor belts using magnetic roller systems. The invention also relates to methods and systems for cleaning magnetic rollers to whose surfaces toner particles adhere. In a first embodiment, a squeegee/scraper is disposed at a distance to the surface of the roller. In another embodiment, a magnetic stator configuration with two spaced apart magnetic elements is used whose poles have substantially the same active direction.

Abstract: An image forming method, comprising the steps of: agitating a mixture of toner particles and carrier particles so as to electrically charge the toner particles; forming a charged toner layer on a toner conveying roller by extracting the charged toner particles from the mixture; forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrying member; and conveying the charged toner layer by the toner conveying roller so as to develop the electrostatic latent image on the image carrying member with charged toner; wherein the carrier particles are carrier particles each formed by dispersing magnetic fine powder in a binder resin and have a shape coefficient SF-1 of 1.0 to 1.2, a shape coefficient SF-2 of 1.1 to 2.5, and a volume-based median size of 10 to 100 ?m.

Abstract: A developing device and an image forming apparatus equipped with the developing device are provided to suppress the deterioration in picture quality of an image formed on a sheet due to toner-clump created in a developer vessel. The developing device, comprising: a developing roller adapted to hold toner thereon while rotating and to supply the toner onto a photosensitive surface of a photosensitive body; a toner recovery vessel adapted to accommodate the developing roller therein with facing an opening portion thereof and to supply the toner to be held on the developing roller onto the developing roller while recovering residual toner remaining on the developing roller; and the toner vessel including a protrusion portion protruded toward a roller surface of the developing roller, the protrusion portion being provided at an inner wall part which confronts the roller surface of the developing roller and where the residual toner begins to drop from the developing roller.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a developing roller; a magnet provided in the roller and having a plurality of local maximum magnetic flux density positions on the peripheral surface of the magnet; a developing container supporting the roller; a seal member for preventing a developer from leaking out of the container; and a developer regulating member having a scraping member abutting the roller for collecting the developer on the surface of the roller toward the inside of the container in the axial direction. When viewing the developing device in the axial direction, the scraping member abuts the roller between a first position where the surface of the roller is crossed by a line which connects the supporting portion and a local maximum magnetic flux density position that is nearest to the supporting portion, and a second position where the roller develops the latent image.

Abstract: In a development apparatus of the hybrid method using a component developer, a development apparatus and a development method that prevent the reduction of density or the occurrence of residual images (ghost images) and can carry out good image forming over a long period. A development apparatus having the feature that the surfaces of the toner supporting member and the developer supporting member move in a mutually opposite direction at the part that they are opposite to each other, and the electric field in the closest part applied in a direction to recover the toner from the toner supporting member to the developer supporting member is in the range from 2.5×106 V/m to 5×106 V/m, and the share (PD) of the developer in the space of the closest part of the opposing portion satisfies the following relationship. 0.

Abstract: A developing device and an image forming apparatus equipped with the developing device are provided to suppress the deterioration in picture quality of an image formed on a sheet due to toner-clump created in a developer vessel. The developing device includes a developing roller adapted to hold toner thereon while rotating and to supply the toner onto a photosensitive surface of a photosensitive body and a toner recovery vessel adapted to accommodate the developing roller therein with facing an opening portion thereof and to supply the toner to be held on the developing roller onto the developing roller while recovering residual toner remaining on the developing roller. The toner vessel including a protrusion portion protruded toward a roller surface of the developing roller. The protrusion portion is provided at an inner wall part which confronts the roller surface of the developing roller and where the residual toner begins to drop from the developing roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image by developing a latent image formed on an image carrier, using a developer including a toner and a carrier. The image forming apparatus comprises: a developer conveying member that conveys the developer; a first collecting unit that collects, by generating a first electric field, the toner from the developer at a first position that is set halfway through a route of conveyance of the developer by the developer conveying member; and a second collecting unit that collects, by generating a second electric field, residual toner from the developer at a second position that is downstream of the first position in the route of conveyance of the developer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cleaning patch and method thereof for cleaning a residual toner in a developing unit. The cleaning patch is composed of a plurality of cleaning regions. Each cleaning region includes a plurality of cleaning toner point alternately arranged in a row, which may reduce the absorbed toner in each cleaning region to improve the image quality.

Abstract: A system for printing a liquid toner is provided comprising a liquid electrographic toner composition comprising a liquid carrier having a Kauri-Butanol number less than about 30 mL and a plurality of charged toner particles dispersed in the liquid carrier, wherein the toner particles comprise a polymeric binder. The system also comprises a charge control adjuvant having limited solubility in the liquid carrier. The charge control adjuvant preferably is present in the liquid carrier in an amount in excess of the solubility of the adjuvant in the liquid carrier. Alternatively, the charge control adjuvant may be dispersed in a matrix having limited solubility in the liquid carrier or encapsulated within a matrix to form microcapsules having limited solubility in the liquid carrier. The charge control adjuvant in any of the above forms may be provided in a number of formats for release into the toner composition as needed.

Abstract: In a device and method for lifting magnetizable carrier particles from a mixture of toner particles, a cover of a collecting element interface device is arranged such that it can be rotated around a stator with a magnet. The cover comprises a spiral that, given rotation of the cover, conveys the carrier particles in an axial direction.

Abstract: In a device for transporting toner in an electrophotographic printing or copying device, a rotatable cylinder has a cylinder sheath. The cylinder such includes a metallic layer having a surface with a roughness search that at least one of peaks and columns are provided along with recesses. The recesses of the surface are filled with plastic. Also, the cylinder sheath may include a layer of a porous ceramic material having a roughness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a developing apparatus comprising a developer bearing member for bearing developer, a spacer provided on a surface at an end portion of the developer bearing member along a longitudinal direction, for maintaining a constant gap between the developer bearing member and an image bearing member for supplying the developer from the developer bearing member, a seal member for regulating leakage of the developer toward the end portion of the developer bearing member along the longitudinal direction, and a developer scraping member provided at a portion overlapping with the seal member along the longitudinal direction of the developer bearing member, contacting the developer bearing member, and wherein the developer bearing member contacts a surface of the spacer.

Abstract: A developing device developing a latent image on a latent image carrier with a developer, and including a casing having an opening facing the latent image carrier and a developer carrier. Also included is a magnetic field generating device including a first magnetic pole generating a magnetic field causing the developer to rise on the developer carrier in a form of a magnet brush in a developing region, and a second magnetic pole generating a magnetic field at a downstream side of the first magnetic pole in a rotating direction of the developer carrier. Further, a toner-scattering restraining device is provided on an end portion of the casing at the downstream side of the developing region, and a magnetic member provided on a side of the toner-scattering restraining device facing the latent image carrier. A peak of a magnetic flux density set by the second magnetic pole in its normal direction is located outside of the opening.

Abstract: A development system optimized for efficient development of an electrostatic latent image on an imaging surface. The development system includes a development material sump, a magnetic developer roll including a rotatable sleeve having located therein a rotatable magnetic core, and a developer material delivery system for providing a metered supply of developer material to the rotatable sleeve. One or more stationary magnetic shunts are located with respect to the magnetic core, sleeve, and/or developer material delivery system so as to block the magnetic field effective for attracting developer material to the sleeve, thus allowing disengagement of the developer material therefrom at a drop-off zone.

Abstract: A development system having a magnetic developer material that features novel coated carrier particles. In embodiments of the invention, the coated carrier particles incorporate a coating of sufficiently resilient characteristic so as to maintain the encapsulation of the respective carrier core while withstanding the mechanical action of a development material stripping device which would otherwise cause fragmentation of the carrier particles. Preferably, the carrier coating is of a sufficiently thick and/or a resilient nature such that the desired encapsulation is maintained.

Abstract: In a device and method for lifting magnetizable carrier particles from a mixture of toner particles, a cover of a collecting element interface device is arranged such that it can be rotated around a stator with a magnet. The cover comprises a spiral that, given rotation of the cover, conveys the carrier particles in an axial direction.

Abstract: A method of forming an image includes causing a material, that increases a viscosity of liquid drops by contact with the liquid drops, to adhere to a transfer medium, causing a liquid drop to contact the material according to an image signal such that an image is formed with the liquid drop having been increased in viscosity by contact with the material, and transferring the image to a recording medium. The viscosity of the liquid drop when increased on the transfer medium by contact with the material is set such that the liquid drop adheres to the recording medium without being divided into a part remaining on the transfer medium and another part being transferred to the recording medium. By the above-described image forming method, good image transfer is realized and thereby an image having no blotting is obtained.