Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an endless belt stretched over a plurality of rollers. The apparatus also includes a potential detecting device for detecting a potential of the endless belt. The detecting device is positioned downstream, along a sheet transport path, of a transfer position where the belt has direct contact with the image bearing member. The apparatus further includes a transferring member for transferring a toner image formed on the image bearing member to a sheet. An image forming process is halted when the potential detecting device does not detect a change in potential caused by presence of a sheet on the endless belt.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a belt for sequentially transferring toner images of different colors to a sheet one above the other. A plurality of image forming units face the belt, and each includes an image carrier and a developing device and a cleaning device arranged around the image carrier. The belt is inclined such that one of opposite runs thereof adjoining the image forming units has opposite ends positioned at different levels from each other. The cleaning device of each image forming units is positioned at a higher level than the developing device.

Abstract: A multi color image forming apparatus includes a plurality of stations arranged side by side for forming unique mono-color toner images using mono-color developers each having a different mono-color toner. Each of the plurality of stations includes an image bearing member for bearing a latent image, and a developing device for visualizing the latent image into the mono-color toner image. A conveying device is provided to convey a transfer medium. A transfer device is provided to transfer the mono-color toner images from the image bearing members to the transfer medium. Charge ability of prescribed mono-color toner included in the mono-color developer used in the upstream station is smaller than that used in the downstream station.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, including: a movable image bearing body; an image forming unit for forming a developer image on the image bearing body; a transferring unit for transferring the developer image formed on the image bearing body onto a moving transferring medium; and a control unit for controlling the image forming unit to form a predetermined image composed of a dot image with a predetermined density prior to formation of a normal image, in which a composite image is formed from the normal image and the predetermined image in an area where the normal image is to be formed, and the dot image is formed in a dot area having the normal image and the predetermined image overlapped with each other, with a density determined on the basis of a relationship between a density of the normal image and the predetermined density in the dot area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member having at least one short surface and two elongated surfaces and held so as to be substantially a flat shape, and an intermediate transfer member cleaner provided on the short surface of the intermediate transfer member for removing toner attached to the surface of the intermediate transfer member. The intermedaite transfer member cleaner includes a scraper provided on the upstream side of the intermediate transfer member in the direction of rotation and a brash roller 86 provided on the downstream side in the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic image-forming apparatus is provided including an anti-wraparound device having a bushing formed on both ends of a rotary shaft of a transfer backup roller to slide thereon, a shielding member installed on the bushing and contacting the transfer belt and the cleaning blade to prevent developer removed by the cleaning blade from flowing to the sides of the transfer belt, and an elastic member installed on both sides of the transfer backup roller for elastically biasing the bushing toward the transfer belt. Therefore, a wraparound phenomenon generated on the sides of the cleaning blade and transfer belt can be prevented, thus obtaining a higher image quality.

Abstract: Machine for transfer pattern printing of a textile web, said machine comprising a centre roller (1), at least one pressure roller (2), a tension roller (3), a reversing roller (4) and an endless belt (5) which is of a width substantially corresponding to the length of the pressure roller (2). The endless belt (5) extends about the tension roller (3) and the reversing roller (4), and a first portion (8) of the periphery of the pressure roller (2) abuts and exerts a pressure on the centre roller (1). While in continuous contact with one another, a pre-printed pattern-carrying web (6) and the textile web (7) can pass between the centre roller (1) and the pressure roller (2) and here be subjected to a local compression.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention having a transferring particle layer forming equipment which forms a transferring particle layer prior to forming a toner layer on a surface of an image recording member, whose coagulation force among the transferring particles in the transferring particle layer is smaller than adhesive force of the transferring particle layer to the image recording member, a development equipment which forms a toner layer on a surface of the image recording member according to image information with a liquid developer in a manner that a part of the toner layer is superimposed on the transferring particle layer and a transfer equipment which transfer the toner layer to a transfer medium together with a part of the transferring particle layer. As a result, high transfer efficiency can be obtained, and an image forming apparatus which realizes high image quality is provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and method for image transfer onto one of a plurality of a pad medium pages while the pages are aggregated together. A preferred embodiment for an image transfer system, including a housing; an image capture system, within the housing and coupled to a transfer engine, for producing an image; the transfer engine, within the housing, for transferring the image to a transfer medium when the transfer medium is located at a transfer position; a transfer medium registration system, coupled to the transfer engine, for positioning a pad including a plurality of transfer media releasably secured to one another, wherein the transfer registration system locates one of the transfer media at the transfer position.

Abstract: In order to prevent an imaging forming process of an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus from becoming contaminated with fuser release oil, a substantially uniform layer of pigmented marking particles from a development subsystem of the image forming process is deposited onto a photoconductive member of the image forming process during any non-imaging cycles of the process, including cycle down, non-imaging skip frames, or recovery from a receiver jam. The substantially uniform layer of pigmented marking particles acts as a barrier to block fuser release oil from the photoconductive member and as a vehicle to carry away contaminating fuser release oil.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image carrier on which a toner image is to be formed, and a sheet support member for conveying a sheet, carrying the toner image thereon, in cooperation with the image carrier. The image carrier and sheet support member are driven such that their surfaces move in the same direction, as seen at a contact position where the two surfaces face each other via the sheet. An electric field, forcing the toner image toward the image carrier, and an electric field, forcing it toward the sheet, are formed between the surface of the image carrier and that of the sheet at positions upstream and downstream, respectively, of the contact position in the direction of movement of the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer roller pressed against an image carrier for transferring an image from the image carrier to a recording medium being conveyed via a nip between the transfer roller and the image carrier. The transfer roller is positioned in an angular range of less than ±90° from the top of said image carrier in the direction of rotation of the image carrier. In addition, the transfer roller has a greater diameter at its opposite end portions than at its center portion in the axial direction thereof.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, including: a movable image bearing body; an image forming unit for forming a developer image on the image bearing body; a transferring unit for transferring the developer image formed on the image bearing body onto a moving transferring medium; and a control unit for controlling the image forming unit to form a predetermined image composed of a dot image with a predetermined density prior to formation of a normal image, in which a composite image is formed from the normal image and the predetermined image in an area where the normal image is to be formed, and the dot image is formed in a dot area having the normal image and the predetermined image overlapped with each other, with a density determined on the basis of a relationship between a density of the normal image and the predetermined density in the dot area.

Abstract: A color laser printer includes an intermediate transfer belt, a capture roller for capturing residual toner from the intermediate transfer belt, and a removing roller for removing the toner captured by the capture roller. The capture roller moves to contact and separate from the intermediate transfer belt, and rotates while in contact with the removing roller whether in contact with or separated from the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: An image formation device for forming an image on an image supporting member by an image formation unit. The device includes first and second transfer units that transfer an image formed on the same image supporting member to a recording medium having front and back sides, and an inverting unit that inverts the front and back sides of the recording medium by an inverting path while conveying the recording medium from the first transfer unit to the second transfer unit. The inverting unit includes a branched nail and conveyance rollers.

Abstract: The invention provides an image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, an intermediate transferring member for receiving a transfer of a toner image from the image bearing member, a cleaning unit which cleans the toner image on the intermediate transferring member, a first mode for transferring a toner image on the intermediate transferring member onto a transfer material, and a second mode for cleaning the toner image without transfer to the transfer material. It is thus possible to prevent image failures resulting when the intermediate transferring member is started to be used from a new state or when the image forming apparatus is started to be used after a prolonged pause.

Abstract: A latent image formed on a photosensitive member in exposure operations is developed into a toner image, which is then transferred onto an image bearing member in primary transfer operations. Afterward, the toner image is transferred onto a recording sheet in secondary transfer operations. A cleaning unit for cleaning the image bearing member by removing residual toner therefrom is brought into and out of contact with the surface of the image bearing member at a time when neither the exposure operations nor primary transfer operations are being performed.

Abstract: A junction/disjunction unit of a multicolored image forming apparatus joints/disjoints a transfer material holder with/from an image holder, to switch over between a monochromatic image forming mode which uses a specific image forming unit and a multicolored image forming mode which uses a plurality of image forming units. For switching the image forming mode, a driving unit for driving the junction/disjunction unit also drives an auger provided for conveying toner, which has been recovered by a transfer material holder cleaning unit for recovering toner remaining on the transfer material holder, into a recovery container. Accordingly, a driving force outputted from the driving unit can be effectively utilized, and thereby good cost performance can be realized.

Abstract: A photoconductive imaging member including an optional supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and a charge transport layer, and wherein said layer includes a charge transport component and a polysiloxane.

Abstract: A sheet re-feeding path (32) is disposed substantially horizontally at a location below a fixing unit (14) and an image forming unit. At a location below the sheet re-feeding path (32), sheet decks (3, 4) are disposed horizontally along a sheet conveying direction in the sheet re-feeding path (32). Also, a drawing path (37) for switchbacking the sheet is disposed substantially horizontally between the sheet re-feeding path (32) and the sheet decks (3, 4). A sheet feeding path (7) for feeding the sheet from the sheet deck (3) disposed at an upstream side crosses the drawing path (37) to join to the sheet re-feeding path (32). Accordingly, a space, which is occupied by component parts or devices related to the conveyance of the sheet, can be made compact, whereby sheet capacity can be increased.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes an electroconductive substrate. A charge generation layer overlies the electroconductive substrate. A first charge transport layer overlying the charge generation layer includes a first charge transport material (D1) and a first binder resin (R1). A second charge transport layer overlying the first charge transport layer includes a filler, a second charge transport material (D2) and a second binder resin (R2). The first and second charge transport layers have a total thickness of from 5 to 25 ?m. A weight ratio (D1/R1) of the first charge transport material (D1) to the first binder resin (R1) in the first charge transport layer is greater than a weight ratio (D2/R2) of the second charge transport material (D2) to the second binder resin (R2) in the second charge transport layer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprised of a charging component, a development component, a transport component, a photoconductive component, and a fusing component, and wherein the development component contains a toner comprising at least one binder in an optional amount of from about 85 to about 99 percent by weight, at least one colorant in an optional amount of from about 0.5 to about 15 percent by weight, and calcium stearate in an optional amount of from about 0.05 to about 2 percent by weight and wherein following triboelectric contact with carrier particles, the toner has a charge Q measured in femtocoulombs per particle diameter D measured in microns (Q/D) of from about ?0.1 to about ?1 fC/?m with a variation during development of from about 0 to about 0.25 fC/?m and wherein the distribution is substantially unimodal and possesses a peak width of from about 0.1 fC/?m to about 0.

Abstract: A cleaning device of this invention has a first cleaning member that is provided opposing to a developer image carrier for the scraping of the surface of the developer image carrier and a second cleaning member that is put over the first cleaning member and runs between the surface of the developer image carrier and the first cleaning member for the wiping of the surface of the developer image carrier simultaneously with the scraping of the surface of the developer image carrier by the first cleaning member. This cleaning device is used for cleaning of the developer image carrier of an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing device including a toner-developer unit, a lighting device, a developer drum, a photoconductor, a transfer unit and an earthed charging device. The substrate to be printed is placed on a transport device and moved along the transfer unit and the toner image of the transfer unit is transmitted to the substrate. A clear, sharp and shadow-free printed image is obtained by arranging the substrate on a non-earthed, electrically conductive layer which is insulated relative to the earthed transport device by means of an insulator extending along the charging device that is located above the substrate and the measurement of substrate that is to be printed and that is oriented in the direction of transport. The charging device can be charged at a potential, exciting voltage UF, of between 1 to 10 kV, more particularly 1.5 to 4 kV.

Abstract: A toner having a medium-resistance external additive, and an image forming apparatus which uses the toner. The medium-resistance external additive coating ratio of particles, of which mother particles have equivalent diameters smaller or larger than a diameter of a mother particle diameter, which is equal to the mean particle diameter of the toner, is set to be higher than a virtual reference curve in synchronous distribution of the particle diameters of synchronous medium-resistance external additive particles, relative to the diameters of mother particles. Further, the medium-resistance external additive coating ratios of particles in a range in which mother particles have diameters smaller than d1, and in a range in which mother particles have diameters larger than d2, are set to be higher than a virtual reference curve in synchronous distribution of the particle diameters of synchronous medium-resistance external additive particles relative to the diameters of mother particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus in which an increase in the service life is compatible with a reduction in apparatus size and cost and which provides high productivity in image formation. The image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; an image forming unit; an intermediate transfer device; a final transfer member; a potential gradient forming unit; and a cleaning unit; an upstream side cleaning roll, a downstream side cleaning roll which is in contact with the intermediate transfer member on the downstream side of the upstream side cleaning roll with respect to a feedback direction in which the residual toner is fed back from the final transfer position to the primary transfer position, and a cleaning brush which is in contact with the intermediate transfer member on the downstream side of the upstream side cleaning roll and on the upstream side of the downstream side cleaning roll.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes image forming device for forming an image on a first image bearing member, a transfer member, capable of contacting the first image bearing member, for transferring the image on the first image bearing member to a second image bearing member, a power supply for applying a bias to the transfer member, detection device for detecting a voltage value and a current value at the time of applying the bias to the transfer member, speed change member capable of changing a moving speed of the first image bearing member, environment detection element for detecting a temperature or a humidity, and control device for determining a transfer voltage value at the time of image transfer on the basis of an output of the detection device at the time of applying the bias to the transfer member other than the time of image transfer.

Abstract: A belt member is seamed to form an endless belt which is stretched by a plurality of roller members and circulated in a first direction. The belt member is provided with an electrode portion at a first end portion thereof in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A cleaning member is abutted against the belt member. A seam of the belt member extends obliquely relative to the first direction such that an end of the seam confronting the electrode portion is situated in an upstream side of the first direction.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic image-forming apparatus is provided including an anti-wraparound device having a bushing formed on both ends of a rotary shaft of a transfer backup roller to slide thereon, a shielding member installed on the bushing and contacting the transfer belt and the cleaning blade to prevent developer removed by the cleaning blade from flowing to the sides of the transfer belt, and an elastic member installed on both sides of the transfer backup roller for elastically biasing the bushing toward the transfer belt. Therefore, a wraparound phenomenon generated on the sides of the cleaning blade and transfer belt can be prevented, thus obtaining a higher image quality.

Abstract: A belt rotates and carries a plurality of images. A scale is provided along at least one side of entire of the belt. A sensor reads the scale on the belt to obtain scale information. An actual speed calculating unit calculates a speed of the belt from the scale information. A control unit provides a control to correct speed of the belt according to the speed calculated. The control unit includes a frequency-correcting unit that performs correction of only a frequency component that is fluctuating of low frequency that is smaller than a predetermined frequency that is developed due to a change in a speed of the belt, from among speed fluctuations of the belt to adjust the speed of the belt to a predetermined target speed.

Abstract: A printer includes modular printing units held in receptacles, such as by a snap action retainer to permit easy removal and replacement. The printer units each include a photoconductor on which is produced a toner image and multiple printer units are provided in the printer. The photoconductor may either transfer the toner image of each printer unit to the final image carrier, or may transfer the toner image to an intermediate carrier which transfers the toner to the final image carrier. A transfer apparatus effects the transfer of the toner image from the photoconductor to final image carrier, or to the intermediate image carrier depending on the embodiment. The printer units may provide layered toner of different colors on a single side of the final image carrier and may provide two sided printing of the final image carrier. A single toner fixing unit is provided to fix the toner to the final image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: an image forming portion for forming an image on an image bearing member, a first transfer portion for transferring the image on the image bearing member to an intermediate transfer body on a first transfer position, a second transfer portion which has a transfer member attachable and detachable to the intermediate transfer body and transfers the image on the intermediate transfer body to a transferring material on a second transfer position, and a cleaning portion which has a cleaning member attachable and detachable to the intermediate transfer body, brings the cleaning member into contact with a surface of the intermediate transfer body, and cleans the surface on a cleaning position, wherein control is performed so that a subsequent image forming area does not overlap the position which makes contact with the cleaning member and is not cleaned by the cleaning portion on the intermediate transfer body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a cleaning device for cleaning an intermediate image transfer body. A cleaning blade included in the image transfer body is formed of fluorocarbon resin or a thin layer of fluorocarbon resin is formed on the surface of the intermediate image transfer body. Further, wax is coated on the intermediate image transfer body or wax or lubricant powder is contained in toner. A moving mechanism holds the cleaning blade spaced from the intermediate image transfer body at least when image formation is not under way.

Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of reliably removing an untransferred residual toner from the surface of an intermediate transfer drum which is covered with an elastic layer, thereby enabling to form a recorded image having a high image quality with no ghost image, and capable of continuing to form recorded images having the high image quality over a long period of time without causing damage to the intermediate transfer drum. The intermediate transfer drum is structured such that the periphery of a metal base is covered with an elastic layer. As a toner discharging member for capturing a toner adhered to the intermediate transfer drum and discharging the toner as waste into a recovery box, there are provided a recovery roll that rotates while being in contact with the intermediate transfer drum and a scraper for scraping off a toner adhered to the surface of the recovery roll.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus reverses a sheet, on one side of which an image has been formed in an image forming section, transports the sheet back to the image forming section, and forms an image on the other side of the sheet, the apparatus has an inlet feed path for transporting a sheet, on one side of which an image has been formed; a switchback path for withdrawing the sheet transported from the inlet feed path; a plurality of reverse feed paths branching from the switchback path at plural positions, each of the reverse feed paths transporting a sheet while reversing the sheet; and a re-feed path for transporting the reversed sheet from any of the reverse feed paths back to the image forming section.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of image forming units each having an image bearing member and a developing unit; and a transfer member provided to be able to contact the plurality of image bearing members. The toner used in at least one of the plurality of developing units contains a toner particle group with a particle size of 12.7 &mgr;m or more, a ratio of the toner particle group to the entire toner being 1.0% or less. Accordingly, incomplete transfer can be prevented.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; an exposing unit for exposing the photosensitive drum so as to form latent images as to the respective colors of one print; a developing device for developing the latent images formed on the photosensitive drum; an intermediate transfer belt abutting against the photosensitive drum, for temporarily holding a toner image; a secondary transfer roller arranged in such a manner that the secondary transfer roller can be contacted/retracted with respect to the intermediate transfer belt so as to transfer the toner image to a document; and an intermediate transfer member cleaner arranged in such a manner that the intermediate transfer member cleaner can be contacted/retracted to/from the intermediate transfer belt 15 so as to remove residual toners left on the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: A belt driver includes a belt having a constant number of regions dividing the belt in the perimeter direction thereof. A plurality of marks have different widths in the perimeter direction and are formed in the respective regions of the belt. A sensor detects the marks on the belt. A storage part stores in advance the relationship between position information of the belt and speed variation of the belt for one rotation of the belt. Speed variation of the belt is reduced by correcting the drive speed of the belt based on the relationship. The position of the belt is detected from a time required for one of the marks to pass the sensor, and speed correction control of the belt is performed in accordance with the detected position.

Abstract: An electrophotographic color image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of image forming sections each including an image carrier and image transferring means. Toner images of different colors are sequentially transferred from the image carriers to a sheet being conveyed by an endless belt while electrostatically adhering to the belt, completing a color toner image. Assuming that the surface of each image carrier and that of the belt move at speeds of Vd and Vb, respectively, then a ratio of Vb/Vd can be varied by the user of the apparatus.

Abstract: A non-fixing type image receiving sheet to which toner particles are made adhere in a removable manner and an image forming apparatus. The image receiving sheet has a large number of concave portions accepting toner particles and a large number of convex portions protecting toner particles are formed on a surface of the image receiving sheet. The image forming apparatus has a sheet charging apparatus which charges the surface of the image receiving sheet to a polarity opposite to a charged polarity of toner particles, in advance of a transferring process.

Abstract: A belt unit includes a belt member, scale marks, a scale mark detector, a reference mark, and a reference mark detector. The belt member makes an endless movement while being stretched by stretching members. The scale mark detector detects the scale marks, and the reference mark is provided at a predetermined position on the surface of the belt member. The reference mark detector detects whether the reference mark is present at the predetermined position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a photoconductor for carrying a toner image; a transfer device, provided with a discharge wire, for transferring the toner image onto a transfer material through discharge in a transfer area, after a transfer material is superposed with the photoconductor; a transfer-exposure device for carrying out light exposure of a surface of the photoconductor superposed with the transfer material, in the transfer area; a separator for separating the transfer material from the photoconductor after the toner image is transferred ; and a controller for controlling the image forming apparatus. The controller controls such that light from the transfer-exposure device is applied to the photoconductor surface for the first time when the photoconductor surface superposed with the transfer material has reached the transfer area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of image forming means each including an image carrier, a charger for uniformly charging the surface of said image carrier, and a developing device for developing a latent image formed on the charged surface of the image carrier with toner to thereby produce a corresponding toner image. A primary image transferring device transfers such toner images from the image carriers to an intermediate image transfer body one above the other, thereby completing a composite toner image. A secondary image transferring device transfers the composite toner image from the intermediate image transfer body to a recording medium. The primary image transferring device includes the intermediate image transfer body including at least an elastic layer, a cleaning unit for cleaning the intermediate image transfer body, and a coating member for coating a lubricant on the intermediate image transfer body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a charging member for charging a surface of a member to be charged in an image-forming apparatus, and one aspect of the present invention provides a charging member having an outermost surface layer containing a conductive elastic material.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a primary transfer means for bringing one surface of an intermediate transfer body and/or transfer medium into contact with a photosensitive body surface and pressing the surface against the photosensitive body surface to transfer a toner image formed on the photosensitive body surface onto one surface of the intermediate transfer body and/or transfer medium.

Abstract: The invention provides an image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, an intermediate transferring member for receiving a transfer of a toner image from the image bearing member, a cleaning unit which cleans the toner image on the intermediate transferring member, a first mode for transferring a toner image on the intermediate transferring member onto a transfer material, and a second mode for cleaning the toner image without transfer to the transfer material. It is thus possible to prevent image failures resulting when the intermediate transferring member is started to be used from a new state or when the image forming apparatus is started to be used after a prolonged pause.

Abstract: Transfer component monitoring methods, image forming devices, data signals, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one aspect, a transfer component monitoring method includes counting a plurality of imaging operations performed by an image forming device to form a plurality of hard images and adjusting a result of the counting to determine wear of a transfer component of the image forming device, wherein the transfer component is configured to assist with a transfer of a developing material to form the hard images.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image carrier for carrying a toner image thereon while being driven to rotate. A conveyor conveys a recording medium, to which the toner image is to be transferred from the image carrier, to an image transfer position. An image carrier controller controls the linear velocity of the image carrier in rotation. A conveyance controller controls the linear velocity of the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyor. A main controller controls the image carrier controller and conveyance controller such that the mean linear velocity of the image carrier and that of the recording medium are different from each other.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, including: a movable image bearing body; an image forming unit for forming a developer image on the image bearing body; a transferring unit for transferring the developer image formed on the image bearing body onto a moving transferring medium; and a control unit for controlling the image forming unit to form a predetermined image composed of a dot image with a predetermined density prior to formation of a normal image, in which a composite image is formed from the normal image and the predetermined image in an area where the normal image is to be formed, and the dot image is formed in a dot area having the normal image and the predetermined image overlapped with each other, with a density determined on the basis of a relationship between a density of the normal image and the predetermined density in the dot area.

Abstract: A component for an electrophotographic device having an intermediate transfer device includes a hopper configured for association with a toner cartridge. The hopper is configured to store residual toner collected from the intermediate transfer device. The hopper includes an opening configured to receive the residual toner.