Abstract: An imaging system includes a transfer belt that is rotatable, a transfer roller that contacts the transfer belt, and a conductive device that contacts a surface of the transfer roller, to supply a bias to the transfer roller. The transfer roller has a hollow portion.

Abstract: A polycrystalline silicon manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention may comprise an electrode adapter that electrically connects a core wire holder and a metal electrode, wherein the electrode adapter may be non-conductive with respect to a screwing part formed in the metal electrode. A polycrystalline silicon manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention may comprise an electrode adapter that electrically connects a core wire holder and a metal electrode, wherein the electrode adapter may be fixed to the metal electrode by a fixing mechanism part, and the electrode adapter may be non-conductive with respect to the fixing mechanism part.

Abstract: An abnormality detection apparatus includes a transfer output unit configured to output a voltage for image transfer and a voltage having a first value for detection of an internal resistance thereof, which is within a first range, an electrification output unit configured to electrify drums that are included in each of a plurality of color stations at a predetermined potential, a plurality of abnormality detection units configured to output a plurality of abnormality detection signals that indicate existence or nonexistence of abnormality in the color stations, a voltage value output unit configured to output a voltage having a second value that represents signal levels of the plurality of abnormality detection signals, the second value being within a second range different from the first range, and an output circuit configured to output a voltage having the first or second value through a signal line.

Abstract: Image recording devices, such as electrophotographic devices, laser printers, copiers, and fax machines, often have a cartridge that utilizes a drive gear to transmit rotational force from the printer to the print cartridge. Also, it is desirable to remanufacture print cartridge both to reduce waste and to save resources. Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a drive gear mechanism that is easily replaced or reused when a print cartridge is remanufactured.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer supplying member for supplying developer; and a developer supporting member for supplying the developer supplied from the developer supplying member onto a static latent image supporting member. The developer supplying member includes an outer circumferential portion having an electrical resistivity between 1.2×104 and 1.0×108?.

Abstract: A limited ozone generator transfer device includes a ceramic substrate having conducting lines, a dielectric layer, and a top conducting layer with slots therein that align with the underlying conducting lines. Corona is generated in the slots by applying an AC voltage of about 2.5 kVp-p across the electrodes. This device is “green” in that it generates significantly less ozone than conventional transfer devices, thus reducing requirements on an ozone collection system.

Abstract: In a corotron device, a moving element moves via a guide unit. A corotron having a corotron element and a corotron shield is provided. The corotron element is arranged relative to the guide unit such that a distance from, and a parallel position of, the corotron element relative to the guide unit substantially do not change.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member for bearing a toner image; a belt for conveying the toner image; and a transfer device for rubbing the belt, and a surface of the transfer device, which is brought into contact with the belt includes linear concave portions or linear convex portions. The image forming apparatus of the present invention prevents a friction force between the belt and the transfer device rubbing the belt from increasing and brings a transfer member into a stable contact with the belt for conveying the toner image, thereby suppressing increase in drive torque of the belt which rubs the transfer device and suppressing occurrence of image failure.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member for bearing a toner image; a belt for conveying the toner image; and a transfer device for rubbing the belt, and a surface of the transfer device, which is brought into contact with the belt includes linear concave portions or linear convex portions. The image forming apparatus of the present invention prevents a friction force between the belt and the transfer device rubbing the belt from increasing and brings a transfer member into a stable contact with the belt for conveying the toner image, thereby suppressing increase in drive torque of the belt which rubs the transfer device and suppressing occurrence of image failure.

Abstract: A sliding cover of a Di-chorotron includes an electrode connected to an external circuit that simulates the impedance of media on a photoreceptor to maintain constant current density through media on the photoreceptor while blocking transfer current from passing to uncovered portions of the photoreceptor, thus reducing or eliminating paper edge ghosting effects in a xerographic machine's output.

Abstract: A corotron cleaning assembly includes a self-seating, spring-loaded locating pin drivingly connected to a drive unit that is used to drive a wire cleaning head that is located within a CRU. This assembly allows for easy separation of the drive unit from the cleaner when the CRU that contains the wire is replaced. The bullet shaped pin rides on a worm drive and when the pin is driven into the cleaner head, the bullet hits an inclined ramp and is biased downward until such a point that the pin hits a recessed receptacle. Once the pin is in the receptacle, the pin is capable of driving the wire cleaning head. When the cleaning head is removed, the act of removal separates the pin from the receptacle.

Abstract: An improved detack corotron reduces the likelihood of a paper jam arising from a curled paper edge getting caught in the corotron. The detack corotron includes an electrically conductive coronode having a plurality of field emitters, each field emitter having a terminating end, the terminating ends of the field emitters being spatially separated from one another, and a paper edge guide having a plurality of generally planar members, the generally planar members being perpendicular to the conductive coronode and the generally planar members having a height that extends above the terminating ends of the field emitters.

Abstract: This is a structure useful in electrostatic marking systems that prevents a charge from contacting a photoreceptor in areas not covered by paper. An automatically movable cover is positioned between a corona device and the photoreceptor to prevent the charge emitted by the corona from damaging the unprotected areas of the photoreceptor. The movement and positioning of the shutter or cover is automatically calibrated by the width of paper being used. Since a plurality of paper widths can be used in an electrostatic marking system, various portions of the photoreceptor will be exposed. The entire determination to move the cover or shutter and to the extent positioned is automatically determined minimizing the possibility of error if manual positioning of the cover was used.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include: a photoreceptor and a corona charging device or bias transfer roller that provides a charge to an image receiving medium. A cover may be disposed over a portion of the corona charging device or the bias transfer roller to shield the photoreceptor from exposure to the charge from the corona charging device when image receiving medium is charged and in contact with the photoreceptor.

Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to conduct a sufficient discharging operation for a toner image. The apparatus includes an image forming section, an image bearing member, an intermediate transfer belt, a part of which is supported in a state of a flat plane by supporting members, a primary transferring device to transfer a toner image from the image bearing member onto the intermediate transfer member, a secondary transferring device to transfer the toner image onto a transfer material, a scorotron discharging device that is disposed at an upstream side of the secondary transferring device, where the part of the intermediate transfer member is supported in the state of the flat plane, and includes a discharging electrode and a grid to discharge the toner image; and a conductive brush that opposes to the scorotron discharging device and contacts the rear surface of intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: A transfer device includes: a discharge type transfer element for transferring the developer to a sheet by discharging electric charge to a static latent image support through the sheet so as to form an image of an original thereon; and a transfer casing accommodating the transfer element, wherein the side on the sheet's entrance side is formed of an electrically insulating element, and is constructed such that the transfer element and transfer casing are arranged so as to be offset to the upstream side with respect to the rotational direction of the static latent image support, along the outer peripheral surface thereof and so that the upper end of the insulating element blocks up into the paper feed path, and the insulating element is adapted to be bent toward the sheet feed direction by virtue of an elastic member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a latent image recorded on an imaging member wherein said latent image is developed and transferred to a media substrate during successive printing cycles of successive print jobs, including a charging device for producing a voltage potential on the media substrate to transfer the developed latent image to the media substrate, said charging device including a coronode member and shield; a first voltage supply for apply a shield voltage to said shield; a second voltage supply for applying a wire voltage to said coronode member; a voltage monitor for measuring the voltage on the shield, said voltage monitor periodically polling the voltage during a cycle of a print job and generating a voltage measured signal as a function thereof; controller, responsive to a media type of each media substrate and said voltage monitor, for adjusting said wire voltage to said coronode member in respect to said shield voltage to said shield to compensate for process imped

Abstract: A transfer flow-in current which flows from a transferring device into an image carrier, a separation flow-in current which flows from a separating device into the image carrier, an aperture width in the recording member transporting direction of an aperture of the transferring device, and an aperture width in the recording member transporting direction of an aperture of the separating device are set so as to have the relationship: separation flow-in current=transfer flow-in current×(transfer aperture width/separation aperture width).

Abstract: A transfer device includes: a discharge type transfer element for transferring the developer to a sheet by discharging electric charge to a static latent image support through the sheet so as to form an image of an original thereon; and a transfer casing accommodating the transfer element, wherein the side on the sheet's entrance side is formed of an electrically insulating element, and is constructed such that the transfer element and transfer casing are arranged so as to be offset to the upstream side with respect to the rotational direction of the static latent image support, along the outer peripheral surface thereof and so that the upper end of the insulating element blocks up into the paper feed path, and the insulating element is adapted to be bent toward the sheet feed direction by virtue of an elastic member.

Abstract: Toner material is transferred from a locally charged imaging member to a printed material with a d.c. voltage applied onto an a.c. voltage having voltage peaks in the range of 6-8 kV with a duration of 0.5-1.5 &mgr;sec combined with it.

Abstract: A transfer flow-in current which flows from a transferring device into an image carrier, a separation flow-in current which flows from a separating device into the image carrier, an aperture width in the recording member transporting direction of an aperture of the transferring device, and an aperture width in the recording member transporting direction of an aperture of the separating device are set so as to have the relationship: separation flow-in current=transfer flow-in current×(transfer aperture width/separation aperture width).

Abstract: A device (2, 3) for charging and/or discharging of printing media (7) in printing presses and copiers, with at least one corona wire (5, 5′), as well as a guiding device (1) for printing media (7) with bridging members (11, 12, 13), which bridge the interior of the discharging device and/or charging device (2, 3) in the transport direction (10), whereby the guiding device (1) has, below the bridging members (11, 12, 13) on the side turned toward at least one corona wire (5, 5′), slim guide fingers (18, 18′), which extend into the border areas (14, 14′) of the device (1) parallel to at least one corona wire (5, 5′) and from the side outside the surfaces covered by the printing media suppress the thickest ion flow, which is directed to the printing media (7) for discharging of the printing media (7).

Abstract: The device for applying decorations and characters on glass, glass ceramic or ceramic products includes an image roller (5) provided with an electrostatically chargeable photoconductive layer; a photo-exposure assembly (6) for generating an electrostatic charge image corresponding to at least one of decorations and characters to be applied; a supply container (8) for a toner with a device (8a) for developing the electrostatic charge image with the toner; a dimensionally stable transfer roller (7) for receiving the toner image, which is in direct contact with the image roller on one side and with the product (2) on its other side; at least two coronas (9, 10) including a first corona (9) arranged on the transfer roller (7) and a second corona (10) arranged under the product near the transfer roller (7) and a heater for burning the toner image onto the product, after electrostatically transferring the toner image to the product by means of the coronas.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus which applies a curl to a transfer material to prevent the transfer material from winding around an image bearer. The apparatus comprises control means that reduces the transfer current to the rear end portion of the transfer material in order to curl the transfer material.

Abstract: A discharge device has a discharge wire for discharge in response to a voltage, a supporting block for supporting the discharge wire, an electric contact receiving an AC voltage, and a resistor element placed between the discharge wire and the electric contact. The discharge device serves particularly as a separation charger of an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A support and tensioning device for an elongated corona generating electrode includes a corona charger shield member that includes a first set of wall members for serving as a shield for a corona generating electrode. The shield member includes a second set of wall members shaped to define a recess formed at one end of the shield member for receiving therein a plunger member and a spring. The recess includes an inner positioned land for engaging a head end of the spring. The second set of wall members define the recess and include walls located to define a key slot opening which extends in a longitudinal direction of the shield member. A spring resides in the recess and engages the land to restrict movement of the spring within the recess. A hollow plunger member has a generally cylindrical sidewall for supporting the plunger for rotational movement in the recess and a land on or near a head end portion of the plunger member engages a tail end of the spring.

Abstract: A device and method of enhancing contact between a photoconductive member of a electrophotographic printing machine and the paper to which an electrostatic latent image is to be transferred uses an array of wiper blade segments mounted on a common shaft. Each segment is attached to the shaft for limited rotational movement on the shaft in opposition to a torsion spring. The torsion spring biases the blade segment towards the paper. Some of the blade segments are operatively associated with a stop mechanism to control the length of the wiper blade array in accordance with the size of the paper being processed. The stop mechanism prevents movement of the blade segment into engagement with the paper by restraining movement of the segment against its torsion spring.

Abstract: An inage forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing an image; a movable recording material carrying member for electrostatically carrying the recording material; transfer means for electrostatically transferring the image from the image bearing member onto the recording material carried on the recording material carrying member at a transfer position, the transfer means being located at a position across from a side of the recording material carrying member carrying the recording material; and control means for controlling timing of start of change of a current flowing through the transfer means in accordance with a kind of the recording material so that the current reaches a level effective to transfer the image from the image bearing member onto the recording material carried on the recording material carrying member within a period in which a non-image formation area of the recording material at its leading edge is passing the transfer position.

Abstract: A printer or copier has a transfer printing station for electrostatic transfer of toner from a photoconductor to the recording medium. A pressure contact element is provided on the recording medium guide elements to ensure contact of the recording medium with the photoconductor during transfer. Supporting rollers of a slightly greater diameter than the pressure contact element are provided at each end thereof bearing on the photoconductor as spacer elements to define a minimum spacing between the pressure contact element and the intermediate carrier. The contact pressure element(s) may also be mounted on pivotable levers movable by an eccentric.

Abstract: A printer including a photosensitive drum on which a toner image is formed, a plurality of transfer wires held in facing relation to the drum, and a static-eliminating wire located downstream from the transfer wires. Transfer currents are conducted through a selected one or more of the transfer wires in accordance with the thickness of recording paper used in the printer.

Abstract: A corona charger and integral latch member device includes a corona charger having a longitudinally ending wall and a corona generating electrode extending generally parallel with the longitudinally extending wall and spaced a predetermined distance therefrom. A latch member has a portion integrally molded with the wall proximate one end of the charger to define part of a bearing surface for engaging a first axially directed member of a roller. The bearing surface is spaced from the wall so as to determine a location of the corona-generating electrode relative to the axially directed member.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming units, a first attraction unit and a second attraction unit for attracting a recording sheet to a transport belt, and a controller for operating the first attraction unit when a first mode is set for forming a color image using all of the plurality of image forming units, and for operating the second attraction unit when a second mode is set for forming a single-color image using only one of the image forming units. In another embodiment, a controller sets a transfer pressure at a first pressure for each of the plurality of image forming units when the first mode is set and at a second pressure, which is higher than the first pressure, for the image forming units not being used to form the single-color image when the second mode is set.

Abstract: A copier includes a transfer charger for electrostatically transferring a toner image which is formed on a surface of a photoelectric drum to a sheet and a separation charger for separating the sheet with a toner image transferred thereto from the drum surface. A transfer guide is provided on a conveying path upstream of the transfer charger to guide the sheet toward a transfer point provided relative to the photosensitive drum. A separation supporter for supporting the sheet is provided above the separation charger.

Abstract: Shield members 9b-1 and 9b-2 constituting a transfer unit 9 for a transfer apparatus are inserted from the bottom of a transfer holder 40 fabricated by integrating a pre-transfer guide 31 and a post-transfer guide 34 together with wire fixing portions 41a and 41b for fixing a corona discharge wire 9a into one. Thereafter the shield members 9b-1, 9b-2 are positioned with respect to the transfer holder 40, and the assembly of the transfer apparatus is completed. The transfer apparatus is thus easily assembled, and the pre/post-transfer guides 31 and 34 can be positioned more accurately with respect to the transfer unit 9 and the corona discharge wire.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming body; an intermediate transfer body for carrying a toner image transferred from the image forming body and conveying a transfer material thereon; a first transfer device for transferring the toner image on the image forming body onto the intermediate transfer body or a front side of the transfer material; a second transfer device for transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer body onto a back side of the transfer material; and a fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred on the transfer material. The second transfer device includes a corona discharger having a discharging electrode and a shielding member for shielding an electric field when the discharging electrode discharges, and the shielding member has a circulation hole through which air flows along an outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer body in a conveyance direction from upstream to downstream of the transfer material.

Abstract: A film component having a) a haloelastomer with halogenated monomers, polyorganosiloxane monomers, or both halogenated and polyorganosiloxane monomers, and b) a doped metal oxide, preferably antimony doped tin oxide, dispersed therein, wherein the film component is useful as components in xerographic processes.

Abstract: An electrographic printer with a printing unit that comprises a photoconductor provided with a toner image during the printing process and which further comprises a corona device arranged at a distance from the photoconductor that generates an electrical field during the printing process for transferring the toner image onto an endless carrier material is provided. The printer, in a first operating mode, can print a first web section of the endless carrier material conducted along a transport path and, in a second operating mode, can simultaneously print a second web section conducted along a parallel transport path and arranged next to the first web section at a distance therefrom. The length of the electrical field generated by the corona device is adjustable according to whether a first web section or a first and second web section is transported along the transport path.

Abstract: In an electrostatic image forming apparatus, including a corona discharger located so as to face an image carrier on which a toner image is to be formed. When a paper or similar recording medium is brought between the image carrier and the discharger, the discharger effects corona discharge at the rear of the recording medium so as to charge the medium to a polarity opposite to the polarity of the toner image. The toner image is transferred from the image carrier to the recording medium. A polarity switcher allows a voltage of substantially the same polarity as the toner to be applied to a discharge wire included in the discharger. The apparatus is free from defective discharge and defective image transfer ascribable to the deposition of free or isolated toner on the discharger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving optimum noise control of multiple coronode wires in a copier/printer involves optimizing phase relationships of the voltage on the wires in such a way so as to steer the maximum part of the noise distribution profile in the direction best suited for absorption or dissipation. In a two corotron charging system, the coronodes are preferably charged to where the phase angle, charge frequency and spacing between wires are optimized. If desired, a sound absorption material could be added to the charging system.

Abstract: A color printer includes a conveyer belt for conveying a paper sheet to make the sheet pass through a plurality of photoconductive drums. A suction roller for sucking a supplied paper sheet on the conveyer belt is provided on the upstream side of the photoconductive drums in the conveying direction of the paper sheet, such that the suction roller is in rolling contact with the belt. Transfer chargers are provided at positions opposing the photoconductive drums, respectively, with the conveyer belt situated between the drums and the transfer chargers. The running distance L1 (mm) of the conveyer belt from a sheet peeling position corresponding to the photoconductive drum at the rearmost position to a suction position where the suction roller is provided, the volume resistance .rho. (.OMEGA..multidot.cm) of the belt, and the relative dielectric constant .epsilon. of the belt are set so as to satisfy a relation of L1/V.gtoreq.(.epsilon..multidot..epsilon..sub.0 .multidot..rho.).times.7.

Abstract: Charging devices which are used for charging and transfer and for charging and pretransfer in color electrophotographic printing. A charging device is used for charging a photoreceptor in preparation for exposure and also for pretransfer charging of a composite color image to ensure that all toner particles have the correct polarity. A subsequent charging device is used for charging the photoreceptor and for transferring a composite color image onto a substrate.

Abstract: A data reading apparatus for reading and/or scanning data from a first and second scanned medium comprising a first transportation path P1, along which the first scanned medium is conveyed and a second transportation path P2, along which the second scanned medium is conveyed and wherein the first and second transportation paths each have a common mutually shared middle transportation path through which both scanned media must pass and a common data reader reading data from each scanned medium respectively. Checks S are conveyed on the first transportation path P1, cards C are conveyed on the second transportation path P2 at a different transportation height from that of the first transportation path P1 with data read from the respective media as they are being conveyed. Because the transportation heights differ, scanned media can be transported on different transportation paths without involving special switching devices.