Abstract: At least one developing device applies toner onto a latent image formed on an image supporter to form a toner image thereon. A belt member is stretched and circulated by a plurality of roller members. The toner image, which is to be secondarily transferred onto a recording medium, is primarily transferred onto the belt member. A fixing device heats the recording medium to fix the secondary transferred toner image thereon. A casing accommodates the image supporter, the developing device, the roller members, the belt member and the fixing device, such that the developing device and the fixing device are partitioned by the belt member, and such that one of the roller members is located at a corner portion of the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a movable imaging surface, including: a reservoir for storing a supply of developer material including toner particles, the reservoir including a developer material mixing and transport area; a donor member being arranged to receive toner particles from the reservoir and to deliver toner particles to the image surface at locations spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the imaging surface thereby to develop the latent image thereon; and a climate system, associated with the reservoir, for maintaining the supply of developer material at a predefined temperature, the climate system includes a cooling element for supplying cool air to the developer material mixing and transport area, and a heating element positioned within air path for heating air to predefined temperature.

Abstract: An electrophotographic marking device includes a xerographic marking module and an environmental control module which controls temperature and relative humidity inside the marking module. The environmental module has a main plenum chamber and a divided or split plenum chamber to create and supply two air streams with different temperatures and/or different humidities and/or different airflow volumes and/or airflow rates to a marking engine. A primary air stream plenum chamber is closed loop controlled by input from one or more temperature and/or humidity sensors in the xerographic module. A secondary air stream plenum chamber is open loop controlled by means of one or more temperature and/or humidity sensors in one or mode developer housings. Heating of the secondary air stream is achieved by heat generated in the developer housing(s) and/or one or more heaters distinct from the developer unit elements. The system achieves balanced, thermodynamically adjusted, air flows.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a movable imaging surface, including: a reservoir for storing a supply of developer material including toner particles, said reservoir including a developer material mixing and transport area; a donor member being arranged to receive toner particles from said reservoir and to deliver toner particles to the image surface at locations spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the imaging surface thereby to develop the latent image thereon; and a climate system, associated with said reservoir, for maintaining said supply of developer material at a predefined temperature, said climate system includes a cooling element for supplying air to said developer material mixing and transport area, and a heating element positioned in said developer material mixing and transport area, said heating element includes a first heat unit associated with heating an inboard area of said developer material mixing and transport area and a second heat unit assoc

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device that forms a toner image on a recording medium, a heat fixing device provided adjacent to the image forming device to fix the toner image onto the recording medium by heat, and a heat shielding device that shields the image forming device from the heat radiated from the heat fixing device. The heat shielding device includes a heat shielding member interposed between the image forming device and the heat fixing device to receive the heat radiated from the heat fixing device, a heat transferring member attached to the heat shielding member to transfer the heat received by the heat shielding member to one end portion thereof, a heat radiating fin device provided at the one end portion of the heat transferring member to radiate the transferred heat, and a fan that supplies air to the heat radiating fin device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming section configured to develop a latent image to thereby produce a corresponding toner image. An endless image transfer body directly or indirectly supports the toner image and conveys it while a fixing unit fixing the toner image. A module frame covers part of the image transfer body to thereby prevent heat generated by the fixing unit from being transferred to the image transfer body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a casing, an image forming unit, and an air conditioning device. The image forming unit includes a case accommodating at least a photoconductive element therein and formed with an opening for image transfer via which the photoconductive element is partly exposed to the outside. The opening is the only opening that might allow substances harmful to image formation into the case when the image forming unit is mounted to the casing. The air conditioning device removes the harmful substances flowing into the image forming unit from the outside.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of image carriers arranged along a first intermediate image transfer belt. Toner images of different colors formed on the image carriers are sequentially transferred to the first intermediate image transfer belt one above the other to complete a first image. The first image is transferred to a second image transfer belt and then transferred to one side of a sheet. At the same time, a second image completed on the first image transfer belt is directly transferred to the other side of the same sheet. First and second control means are respectively disposed in the loop of the first intermediate image transfer body and the loop of the second intermediate image transfer body. The apparatus of the present invention can form color images on both sides of the recording medium rapidly in accurate register.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a movable imaging surface, including a reservoir for storing a supply of developer material including toner particles; a donor member being arranged to receive toner particles from the reservoir and to deliver toner particles tothe imaging surface at locations spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the imaging surface thereby to develop the latent image thereon; and a climate system, associated with the reservoir, for maintaining the supply of developer material at a predefined temperature.

Abstract: A developer includes a development roller which supplies a developing solution to a photosensitive body, transport screws which stir and transport the developing solution, and the like. A high heat conductivity member which serves as a partition is provided between the transport screws, and a radiator which is led to an outside of the developer and which includes a plurality of radiation fins is constituted in an upper portion of the developer. To increase a heat receiving area for receiving heat from the developing solution, a second high heat conductivity member which is formed out of a graphite sheet is bonded to an inner wall surface of a lower casing, and the second high heat conductivity member contacts with the high heat conductivity member.

Abstract: In a belt device passed over a plurality of rollers one of which is adjacent to a heat source, the temperature of part of a belt moving in the vicinity of the heat source varies little relative to the temperature of the other part of the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a movable imaging surface, including a reservoir for storing a supply of developer material including toner particles; a donor member being arranged to receive toner particles from said reservoir and to deliver toner particles to the image surface at locations spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the imaging surface thereby to develop the latent image thereon; and a climate system, associated with said reservoir, for maintaining said supply of developer material at a predefined temperature.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having an original base unit on which an original is placed, a light source for illuminating the original on the original base unit, a light-receiving unit for receiving light reflected from the original, air blasting unit for sending air in the direction away from the light source, and a wall surface for allowing air sent from the air blasting unit toward the light source.

Abstract: By using a duct, an image forming device in which an upper portion of a thermal fixing mechanism and an optical mechanism can be cooled. A fixing unit is disposed on the left side of the duct. A first auxiliary plate, which supports a scanner unit having a drive motor, is disposed above an upper opening of the duct. A process cartridge is disposed with its end next to the right side of the duct, and a second auxiliary plate is disposed below the duct. A power source is placed under the second auxiliary plate. Accordingly, cooling air from an intake fan is directed to four directions: between an upper portion of the fixing unit and the first auxiliary plate, to the underside of the first auxiliary plate, to the end of the process cartridge, and to the power source.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming section configured to develop a latent image to thereby produce a corresponding toner image. An endless image transfer body directly or indirectly supports the toner image and conveys it while a fixing unit fixing the toner image. A module frame covers part of the image transfer body to thereby prevent heat generated by the fixing unit from being transferred to the image transfer body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to control the atmosphere inside of a xerographic control module of an image forming device so that a dew point condition is not reached. The parameters of the atmosphere within the xerographic chamber which are controlled include pressure, temperature and humidity.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a display device of an image forming apparatus capable of displaying information that the user wants to obtain in a visually easy-to-recognize manner. In a complex image forming apparatus provided with: one of original reading means for reading image information from an original, image receiving means for receiving image information from a terminal connected to a network and a line image receiving means for receiving image information from a telephone line; image forming means for forming an image based on the image information obtained by the means; and a display portion for displaying the condition of the apparatus, a display condition control portion is provided that changes the display condition of the display portion to a visually easy-to-recognize condition when the condition of the complex image forming apparatus is changed.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having a suction type fan, a thermistor is disposed in a vicinity of the suction type fan and the outside air (outside air intake port), and the forced convection by the fan is utilized, whereby it is made possible to detect the outside air temperature with good accuracy (accurately and with good response) and obtain the information thereof.

Abstract: An air quality management apparatus for use in a modular electrostatographic color printer. For air quality management a non-air-conditioned open-loop portion is provided for managing quality of air in a first interior volume, and an air-conditioned recirculation portion is provided for managing quality of air in a second interior volume. The first interior volume includes a fusing station for fusing color images on receiver members. The second interior volume includes a number of tandemly arranged image-forming modules, as well as an auxiliary chamber associated with, yet isolated from, each module, such that air-conditioned air flowing through each module does not mix with air-conditioned air supplied to the modules and to devices within the modules. The second interior volume is differentiated from the first interior volume by at least one separating member. The air-conditioning device is for controlling temperature and relative humidity of air included in the second interior volume.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device that forms a toner image on a recording medium, a heat fixing device provided adjacent to the image forming device to fix the toner image onto the recording medium by heat, and a heat shielding device that shields the image forming device from the heat radiated from the heat fixing device. The heat shielding device includes a heat shielding member interposed between the image forming device and the heat fixing device to receive the heat radiated from the heat fixing device, a heat transferring member attached to the heat shielding member to transfer the heat received by the heat shielding member to one end portion thereof, a heat radiating fin device provided at the one end portion of the heat transferring member to radiate the transferred heat, and a fan that supplies air to the heat radiating fin device.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus of the present invention includes a fixing roller arranged opposite to a heating roller in a spaced-apart relation, a fixing belt spanned between the fixing roller and the heating roller and adapted to be run in a continuous manner to transmit heat from the heating roller to the fixing roller, a pressure applying roller set in pressure contact with the fixing roller through the fixing belt to heat a to-be-fixed material, by the fixing roller under pressure, and blocking members for blocking openings at those opposite sides of a space defined by the fixing roller, heating roller and fixing belt.

Abstract: a developing solution to a photosensitive body, transport screws which stir and transport the developing solution, and the like. A high heat conductivity member which serves as a partition is provided between the transport screws, and a radiator which is led to an outside of the developer and which includes a plurality of radiation fins is constituted in an upper portion of the developer. To increase a heat receiving area for receiving heat from the developing solution, a second high heat conductivity member which is formed out of a graphite sheet is bonded to an inner wall surface of a lower casing, and the second high heat conductivity member contacts with the high heat conductivity member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention is capable of protecting a sheet or recording medium from defective fixation and creases and enhancing image quality. These advantages are achievable even when the operator of the apparatus switches the kind of sheets to use or selects, e.g., a special sheet needing a particular fixing condition.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus is provided with a plurality of support legs having height-adjusting screws for providing a substantially horizontal support on an inclined installation surface, whereby a flow path is formed to exchanged atmosphere and heat through a gap formed between a lower surface portion and an installation surface.

Abstract: A combined printer/scanner is provided with a passive heat shield between the printer's fuser unit and the scanner's scanning cavity.

Abstract: A facsimile machine performs a printing operation in an optimum environment by detecting the environment of the facsimile machine when it receives a facsimile signal from a remote device. A control circuit assembly (1) of the facsimile machine includes a scanner unit (15), a printing unit (20) and a transmission and reception unit (25). All of them are operated by commands from a main controller (2). A memory (5) that accumulates image information is associated with the main controller (2). If the image information is input into the transmission and reception unit (25), a fan (11) and a heater (12) are operated in accordance with control information stored in a table (31) prepared in the memory (5) until attainment of the operation-assured environment. After that, the printing unit (20) prints the information on sheets of paper. By pressing a button (8), the printing is forcibly output at whatever time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wet electrophotographic apparatus, including a temperature measuring device configured to measure the temperature of the image holding surface of an electrophotographic photoconductor and/or the temperature of a liquid developer in a reservoir, a cooler configured to cool the liquid developer in the reservoir, and a controller. The controller controls the operation of the cooler based on the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an electrostatic image on an image carrier, by applying light from an exposure unit to the image carrier. The image forming apparatus also includes a developer unit for developing the electrostatic latent image by applying liquid toner to the image carrier, to form a toner image. The image forming apparatus further includes an image transferring unit for transferring the toner image to an intermediate transfer medium and to transfer the toner image from the intermediate transfer medium to a recording medium. The image forming apparatus also includes a cooling unit for maintaining a surface of the image carrier at a temperature lower than a glass transition temperature of the liquid toner.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus that is capable of detecting an outside air temperature with high precision, which is capable of controlling the setting of an image forming condition to improve an image quality. A suction fan 10 and a thermistor 14 in the vicinity of an outside air (outside air intake) are disposed, and an enforced convection due to the fan 10 is utilized to detect the outside air temperature with high precision (high accuracy and high response), thereby being capable of obtaining that information.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that has image forming device for forming an image on a moving recording material, and a fan for taking in air from outside to cool the interior of the apparatus, wherein the fan is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to a moving direction of the recording material.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having a suction type fan, a thermistor is disposed in a vicinity of the suction type fan and the outside air (outside air intake port), and the forced convection by the fan is utilized, whereby it is made possible to detect the outside air temperature with good accuracy (accurately and with good response) and obtain the information thereof.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus comprising: a housing; a photosensitive member electrified by an electrification device; an exposure device for forming an electrostatic latent image onto the photosensitive member; a developing device for forming a toner image onto the photosensitive member; an intermediate transfer body to which the toner image is to be transferred; a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body onto a paper; a fixing device for heating the toner image on the paper; device for ejecting the paper outside the housing; device for exhausting the heat derived from the fixing device outside the housing; a cover provided on an upper portion of the fixing device; and an airflow path extending in a longitudinal direction of the fixing device and being provided by the cover and the housing, wherein the heat exhausting device is provided in an end portion of the airflow path.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wet electrophotographic apparatus, including a temperature measuring device configured to measure the temperature of the image holding surface of an electrophotographic photoconductor and/or the temperature of a liquid developer in a reservoir, a cooler configured to cool the liquid developer in the reservoir, and a controller. The controller controls the operation of the cooler based on the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixing apparatus that as a fixing member for fixing an unfixed image on a recording material, a containing portion for containing releasing agent, applying device for applying the releasing agent in the containing portion on the fixing member, heating device for heating the releasing agent in the containing portion, and detection device for detecting a temperature of the releasing agent in the containing portion, wherein heating by the heating device is controlled according to a detected temperature from the detection device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling the operation of a fan in an electronic photo device including a developing device, a fan for keeping the temperature in the electronic photo device uniformly, and an output sensor for sensing output of a printed paper. According to the method, when a printable medium to be printed with print data is located between a transferring roller and an OPC drum of the developing device, the sort of the printable medium is determined. If it is determined that the printable medium is a first printable medium, the fan is stopped and a fixing process is performed. Otherwise, if it is determined that the printable medium is a second printable medium, the fixing step is performed under the condition that the fan is not stopped.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus for document production of reproduction which includes a plurality of paper feed trays T1-T4 placed in overlapped relation at multiple stages from top to bottom wherein the length of the top-stage paper feed tray T1 in the paper feed direction is formed shorter than the length of each of the paper feed trays T2-T4 at lower stages in the paper feed direction, an image support 16, an intermediate transfer body B, and a secondary transfer device 31 placed in a tray upward paper feed side space Sa above the paper feed tray T1, a fuser T placed in a top-stage tray side space Sb1 on the side of the top-stage paper feed tray T1 and an upward side space Sb2 above the space Sb1, and a developing unit D placed in the upward side space Sb2.

Abstract: There is provided a fixing device heat shield apparatus in a printer having a fixing device and a developing device. A plurality of air holes are formed on a side surface of a body frame of the printer over the fixing device, for discharging heated air to the outside of the printer, and a heat shielding plate is located between the fixing device and the developing device, for blocking heat transfer from the fixing device.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member that fixes a toner image to a recording sheet by heat, a cover to accommodate the fixing member, at least one partition member provided inside the cover so as to form a gap between the partition member and an internal circumferential surface of the cover, and an opening formed at a part of the cover above the gap.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes of an image bearing member, an image forming unit for forming a toner image onto the image bearing member, a transfer charging unit for transferring the toner image from the image bearing member to a transfer material at a transfer position, a guide member for guiding the transfer material to the transfer position, a sensor for detecting an ambient environment of the image forming apparatus, and a switch for switching whether the guide member is connected to a constant voltage element or is connected to the ground in accordance with a detection result of the sensor.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus for document production or reproduction which includes a plurality of paper feed trays T1-T4 placed in overlapped relation at multiple stages from top to bottom wherein the length of the top-stage paper feed tray T1 in the paper feed direction is formed shorter than the length of each of the paper feed trays T2-T4 at lower stages in the paper feed direction, an image support 16, an intermediate transfer body B, and a secondary transfer device 31 placed in a tray upward paper feed side space Sa above the paper feed tray T1, a fuser T placed in a top-stage tray side space Sb1 on the side of the top-stage paper feed tray T1 and an upward side space Sb2 above the space Sb1, and a developing unit D placed in the upward side space Sb2.

Abstract: An image fixing device is disclosed comprising a heating roll installed with a heater, a pressure roll rotatably pressing against the heating roll, and a thermistor for sensing the surface temperature of the heating roll, wherein a CPU is provided for controlling the surface temperature of the heating roll to an initial fixing control temperature of 1.1 times a normal fixing temperature, when the surface temperature of the heating roll sensed by the thermistor is below one-third of the normal fixing temperature.

Abstract: In the picture quality stabilizer for a color laser printer, changes in the gray level characteristic and the color balance caused by changes in temperature and humidity are compensated in order to stabilize the reproduced image. The apparatus includes a temperature and humidity sensor, an upper-bound correction table, a gamma correction table and a mixed color correction table, each optimized with respect to a reference environment, interpolation means for those tables, and a gray level correction means for correcting the gray level with correction coefficients obtained by the interpolation means and the mixed color correction means for compensating any failure of the color balance with the linear transformation. With this configuration, the correction coefficients are so modified as to establish a stable gray level characteristic and color balance, and a stable reproduced image can be obtained.

Abstract: An exhaust mechanism for use in an image development apparatus exhausts air from within the apparatus, taking advantage of an air flow generated by the heating of a fixing unit without the need for an air blower. The apparatus includes a transport path for allowing a recording medium, to which a toner image formed on a photoconductive body, is transferred, to pass therethrough, a transfer unit disposed below the photoconductive body for transferring the toner image to the recording medium, the fixing unit having a heater, and a partitioning plate which separates a space formed below the transfer unit from a space that accommodates the photoconductive body, a toner image forming unit, and the fixing unit, and which is provided with an opening for permitting air to flow near the transfer unit.

Abstract: An infrared thermal sensor assembly for sensing the temperature of a target, the sensor assembly including a heat sink having a bore therethrough; a thermopile housed in the bore; and a heater operative to heat the heat sink.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus suppresses a thermal deterioration of toner. The image forming apparatus has a toner box containing toner for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum, and at least one electric circuit, for example, a drive circuit for a polygon motor or a toner sensor, disposed near the toner box. The image forming apparatus judges, based on predetermined conditions, whether supplying electric power to the electric circuit is necessary. If the judgment is affirmative, electric power is supplied to the at least one electric circuit. Alternatively, if the judgment is negative, electric power is not supplied to the at least one electric circuit. By so doing, it is possible to suppress the rise in temperature of the toner, which deteriorates the toner quality. Thus, the image forming apparatus obviates a negative influence that degrades the image quality.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising a recording material bearing member for bearing and conveying a recording material, an image forming means for forming an image on the recording material born on the recording material bewaring member, and a drive rotary member for driving the recording material bearing member to convey the recording material by means of the recording material bearing member. A rotational speed of the drive rotary member is controlled in accordance with information regarding a temperature of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A fixing device including a heat roller for heating a sheet, a press roller, pressed against the heat roller, for pressing the sheet on the heat roller, an aluminum plate provided along the outer circumference of the press roller, so as to surround the press roller, a mold member, provided away from the aluminum plate to face thereto, for supporting the aluminum plate, and a frame, interposed between the aluminum plate and the mold member, for defining a closed space for heat insulation, between the aluminum plate and the mold member.

Abstract: Developer material, in a machine that has been idle in a cold, high relative humidity environment, is moved into an acceptable operating temperature/RH realm by warming the developer as it comes into contact with heated mixing augers. The augers are heated internally with a plurality of resistors.

Abstract: A cooling fan is rotated to cool an irradiation lamp and a read sensor during the reading operation and the standby period both. Although an airflow from the cooling fan is maximized during the reading operation, the airflow is reduced to the extent that a temperature rise originating from the self-generation of heat on the part of the read sensor in the standby condition is suppressed. Thus the temperature of the read sensor is kept constant and the characteristics of the read sensor are prevented from fluctuating. The airflow from the cooling fan can also be regulated by controlling the operating voltage to be applied to a motor for rotating the cooling fan and placing movable airflow regulating plates in the passage of the wind blown from the cooling fan. Thereby, accurate reading can be conducted in any color image reading apparatus since it is possible to minimize variation in the temperature of a read sensor for a certain time after the image reading operation is started.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus comprises a first control unit for controlling communication processing of image data and an overall apparatus, a laser beam printer for feeding a record sheet through a heater mounted on a fixing unit to fix an image to the record sheet, a temperature detection unit for detecting temperatures in an area of the heater through which the record sheet is fed and an area of the heater through which the record sheet is not fed, and a second control unit for restricting the communication processing of the image data from the first control unit to the laser beam printer when the result of detection of the temperature of the area through which the record sheet is not fed by the temperature detection unit exceeds a predetermined temperature. The second control unit sends to the first control unit a flag when the result of detection of the temperature in the area through which the record sheet is not fed by the temperature detection unit exceeds a predetermined temperature.