Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing an electrostatic image, and a charging device for charging the image bearing member mixed into the magnetic brush. The charging device includes a magnetic brush sliding in contact with the image bearing member and has magnetic particles. The image forming device forms the electrostatic image on the image bearing member charged by the charging device. A developing device develops the electrostatic image on the image bearing member with the toner. A replenishing device replenishes the electrostatic image on the image bearing member with a toner. A replenishing device replenishes the charging device with the magnetic particles in accordance with a consumption amount of the toner.

Abstract: A developing device mounted on a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and adapted to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a developer container having a developing portion with a developer bearing member for containing a developer and feeding the developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a hopper portion for containing the developer and supplying the developer to the developing portion, in order to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developer residual amount detecting electrode pair having first and second electrodes disposed to interpose said developing portion and the hopper portion therebetween in order to detect the residual amount of developer by the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the developer residual amount detecting electrode pair are shaped such that a space region defined between the fi

Abstract: A replenisher material of toner particles and carrier particles, wherein a replenisher ratio of the toner particles to the carrier particles in the replenisher is determined as a function of at least one property of the developer and at least one operational property of an apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image recorded on an image receiving member, and wherein the apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber having a supply of developer comprised of toner particles and carrier particles therein, a donor member spaced from the image receiving member and adapted to transport toner particles of the developer from the chamber to a development zone adjacent the image receiving member, at least one wire positioned in the development zone between the image receiving member and the donor member, a voltage supply for electrically biasing the at least one wire during a developing operation with a current to detach toner particles from the donor member, forming a cloud of toner particles in the devel

Abstract: A developer detection apparatus includes a detection member for detecting the developer contained in the developer container detachably mountable on a main body of an image forming apparatus. A biasing member biases the detection member to the developer container side. An interlocking mechanism interlocks with open and close operations of the opening and closing cover for attaching the developer container to or detaching the developer container from the main body of the apparatus. In this developer detection apparatus, when the opening and closing cover is in the open state, the detection member is positioned by the interlocking mechanism in a location so not as to be in contact with the developer container against the biasing force of the biasing member, and when the opening and closing cover is in the closed state, the detection member is positioned so as to be in contact with the developer container by the biasing force of the biasing member.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a development member for conveying developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member to develop the latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developer storing portion for storing the developer used by the development member to develop the latent image; a developer supplying opening for supplying the developer stored in the developer storing portion, to the development member; and a developer remainder amount reporting member disposed within the developer storing portion, away from the internal surface of the developer storing portion, for reporting the developer remainder amount within the developing apparatus on the basis of the electrostatic capacity between the developer remainder amount reporting member and the development member.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus which includes a developing device, and the developing device includes a developer containing container, a developing container having a developer bearing member, a removable seal member for covering the opening portion, and a detecting portion for detecting an amount of the developer within the developing container, and the main body of the image forming apparatus detecting whether the seal member is removed or not by detecting the detecting portion by the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an improved developer density detecting device for detecting density of a liquid type developer without using an optical sensor. Density of the liquid type developer is detected based upon viscosity of the liquid type developer, which is obtained by sensing pressures, for example, of the liquid type developer sent by a pump and flowing through a developer circulating pipe and applying pressure data obtained by sensing pressures to a predetermined formula. The viscosity can also be obtained by dropping a steel ball, or moving a steel ball, through the liquid type developer and measuring an induced current in a coil based on movement of the steel ball. The viscosity can also be obtained by measuring torque of a device rotating with the liquid type developer.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a developing unit operable with a one- or two-ingredient type developer and a device for replenishing toner to the developing unit included in the apparatus are disclosed. A plurality of toner bottles are accommodated in the toner replenishing device, so that the toner is replenished from one toner bottle to the developing unit. A rotating mechanism causes all the toner bottles to rotate during toner replenishment. A device is provided for determining the frequency of use of the individual toner bottle. The toner discharged from each toner bottle is fed to a toner transport portion via a respective passageway.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member and a charging unit having magnetic particles that are contactable with the image bearing member. An electrostatic image forming unit forms an electrostatic image on the charged image bearing member. A developing device develops an electrostatic image on the image bearing member with toner that includes toner and magnetic carrier. A detecting unit detects the toner content of the developer and a toner supply unit supplies the toner into the developing unit when the detected toner content is lower than a predetermined level. A calculating unit calculates the changing rate of the toner content from an output of the detecting unit and a warning unit warns that a changing rate of the toner content is larger than a predetermined level.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a digital imaging system. More specifically, the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for calculating toner age using a toner concentration sensor and mass sensor to ensure image quality by anticipating or diagnosing problems in image quality, which may be caused by toner age. These problems include low developability, high background, and halo defects appearing on sheets of support material.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on recording medium, includes a mounting portion capable of detachably mounting a developing unit including a developing member for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing agent containing portion for containing developing agent to be supplied to the developing member and a signal output member for outputting a signal corresponding to a remaining amount of developing agent contained in the developing unit, and a remaining amount detecting portion for detecting the remaining amount of the developing agent contained in the developing unit when the developing unit is mounted to the mounting portion. The remaining amount detecting portion detects a pre-signal outputted from the signal output member prior to image formation, to detect the remaining amount of the developing agent on the basis of a detected result.

Abstract: A method for detecting a toner concentration of a liquid developer including toner particles and carrier liquid is disclosed. The carrier liquid is separated from the liquid developer and a developer electrical conductivity and a carrier liquid electrical conductivity are detected. The toner concentration is detected based on a difference of the developer electrical conductivity and a carrier liquid electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A concentrate sense window which defines a variable thickness flow path area is provided for sensing the concentration levels of inks having varying levels of luminance. Sensor window panels are configured in relationship to each other such that an area defined therebetween varies from a first area to a second area. An emitter/detector pair are located on opposite sides of the sensor window. The emitter transmits a signal through the sensor area and at least part of the signal is sensed by the detector. The emitter/detector pair are designed so as to be movable along the surface of the sensor window whereby ink of varying illuminance may be sensed without the need of separate windows or multiple emitter/detector pairs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner bank that is configured to hold a large-volume of toner that is ultimately used to develop a latent image formed on a latent image carrier. A developing apparatus develops the latent image into a visible image. The toner is supplied to the toner bank, which need not be located adjacent to the developing apparatus, using a mechanism that prevents the toner from becoming clogged while being transported to the developing apparatus from the toner bank. In the toner bank, more than one toner bottles are vertically set. The toner bottles are individually opened and closed at respective opening portions thereon with an opening/closing mechanism and are rotated so as to discharge toner therefrom. Toner discharged from the toner bottles is dropped into the toner bank and is supplied to a developing apparatus by a flexible toner delivering mechanism having a powder pump unit and a flexible toner supplying pipe.

Abstract: A concentration measuring device, in an electrographic printer, for measuring the concentration of developer liquid supplied from a mixing container to a development device. The concentration measuring device includes a variable thickness body installed between the mixing container and the development device for changing the thickness of a developer liquid passage for light to transmit; a light emitting device installed a predetermined distance from one side of the variable thickness body for emitting light; and a light detector installed a predetermined distance from the other side of the variable thickness body for detecting the light from the light emitting device and measuring the concentration of developer liquid according to the amount of received light.

Abstract: In an imaging machine including an imaging member, operating components including a toner dispense system including a source of toner material and a dispenser for transferring toner material from the source to a developer device to replenish the developer device with toner material, and a control to provide images on copy sheets, a smart sensor system including a sensor, a toner concentration reference, and a filter. The sensor provides signals representing the toner concentration and the filter interconnected to the sensor and to the toner concentration reference reduces error in the signals representing the toner concentration. A comparator responding to the toner concentration reference and the filter signals provides an error signal to the control system in turn providing a toner dispense signal.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring the toner concentration and the amount of electric charge, capable of simultaneously measuring the toner concentration and the amount of electric charge easily and maintaining high precision using a simple device.

Abstract: A toner monitor particularly suited for monitoring toner concentration in a two-component development mixture includes an electrically conductive probe mounted in a wall of a development apparatus but the probe does not extend substantially into the developer mixture. A square wave generator or other multifrequency signal source generates a first signal so that electromagnetic energy is carried along the probe and into the mixture. A second signal is generated in response to an impedance mismatch between the mixture and the probe. In response to the second signal, a third signal is generated relating to adjustment of composition content of the development mixture.

Abstract: A latent electrostatic image developing device. A developer agitating/conveying mechanism is disposed in a development housing and has an agitating/conveying member for conveying a developer, while agitating it, along a developer application. A toner concentration detector is disposed in the bottom wall of the development housing to oppose the agitating/conveying member. The upper surface and the side surface of a detector portion of the toner concentration detector are connected by an arcuate surface or a chamfered surface. The toner concentration detector is fitted into an opening formed in the bottom wall of the development housing, and the upper surface of the detector portion protrudes from the inner surface of the bottom wall of the development housing by an amount nearly corresponding to the radius of the arcuate surface or the height of the chamfer of the chamfered surface.

Abstract: A liquid developing material replenishment system wherein an apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image with a liquid developing material includes a liquid developing reservoir for providing a supply of operative liquid developing material to the developing apparatus, and a liquid developing material supply is coupled to the liquid developing material reservoir for providing a supply of liquid developing concentrate to the liquid developing material reservoir for replenishing the supply of operative liquid developing material in the liquid developing reservoir. A predetermined amount of operative liquid developing material is periodically and/or systematically discharged from the liquid developing material reservoir to remove contaminated liquid developing material from the reservoir.

Abstract: A toner level detecting device on a toner fillable box includes first and second toner detecting portions formed of a light transmissive material and a toner fillable aperture formed between the first and second toner detecting portions, wherein the toner fillable aperture has a non-uniform width. The toner fillable aperture is cleaned using a cleaning blade mounted to rotate within the toner fillable aperture to clean toner from the inside surfaces thereof, thereby providing more accurate toner level detection. The toner fillable aperture is a generally V-shaped or U-shaped member having smooth transitions such that toner does not collect or accumulate in corners where a cleaning blade cannot reach after possible being deformed during use. Furthermore, the material of at least a portion of the toner fillable aperture and/or the toner detecting portions is formed of a semi-transparent material that absorbs latent light that might otherwise cause inaccurate toner level measurement.

Abstract: A filming attenuation correcting toner concentration sensor assembly and method of controlling in a container, a concentration of a mixture that includes a light absorbing substance and a clear liquid carrier in solution, while correcting the effects of container filming.

Abstract: A developing unit including a developer container for accommodating a developer, a first window portion which is formed in an upper portion of the developer container and through which light passes, a second window portion which is formed in a lower portion of the developer container and through which light passes, a first wiping member for wiping the first window portion, a second wiping member for wiping the second window portion, and a holding member for holding the first wiping member and the second wiping member at opposite ends of said holding member, wherein the holding member performs a reciprocating operation with respect to a supporting point.

Abstract: A residual recording material amount detector for a laser printer of the present invention is provided with a continuous dot number detecting device for counting a number of continuous video signals for modulating a laser light source, a toner consumption data storage device for storing a toner consumption per number of continuous dots, and an integrated toner consumption storage device implemented by a nonvolatile memory for storing an integrated value of toner consumptions at the time of forming a series of dots calculated by the continuous dot number detecting device and the toner consumption data storage device. According to the residual recording material amount detector for the laser printer of the present invention, the toner consumption can be detected correctly irrespective of the kind of data to be printed.

Abstract: A developing apparatus has a rotatable developing unit having a plurality of developing devices each provided with a containing portion for containing a developer and a carrying member carrying the developer, a light emitting element for applying light toward the containing portion, and a light receiving element provided discretely from the developing unit and common to the plurality of developing devices and for receiving the light transmitted through the containing portion.

Abstract: In a liquid toner chamber (2) of a copier or printer a top plate (5) is moved upward and allowed to fall. The capacitance between the plates is used to define their separation and the time for the plates to move between predetermined locations is used to define the concentration of the liquid toner. This is accurate and inexpensive, while other measurement systems are not suitable to measure the high concentrations with which this invention functions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, includes a frame of the image forming apparatus, and a toner container mounting for removably mounting a toner container for containing toner removed from an image bearing member provided in the frame. The toner container mounting is removably mounted to the frame. An opening/closing member openable with respect to the frame is adapted to be opened and closed to dismount and mount the toner container with respect to the frame, and a regulating devise for regulating the closing of the opening/closing member when the toner container is not mounted to the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing multiple process parameters with a single sensor in a printing machine. The sensor senses the photoreceptor belt seam to insure that the latent image is not formed on the belt seam; the toner density is used to control the toner dispenser, photoreceptor charging, developer bias, image exposure and image processing systems; registration marks which are used to control registration of multiple images; presence of copysheets in a paper transport which is used to indicate timing and paper jams or faults; and copysheet type which is used to control the fusing process time. In order to measure all of these parameters, the sensor is uniquely located in printing parameter sensing relationship to the photoreceptor and along the paper path of the printing machine.