Abstract: Disclosed are a method of controlling moisture in an electrophotographic apparatus having a fuser assembly, and corresponding electrophotographic apparatus. The method includes measuring a cavity temperature of an inner portion of the electophotographic apparatus, measuring a cavity relative humidity of an inner portion of the electophotographic apparatus, calculating a cavity dewpoint temperature using the measured cavity temperature and the measured cavity relative humidity, determining a difference between the cavity temperature and the cavity dewpoint temperature, and if the difference between the cavity temperature and the cavity dewpoint temperature drops below a predetermined threshold, turning on a heater device in the fuser assembly to control moisture in the electrophotographic apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including an image forming section which conducts image formation on a sheet based on an image data, a tray which accommodates the sheets to be supplied to the image forming section, a humidity detecting unit which detects humidity inside the tray, a dehumidifying device which conducts dehumidification inside the tray; and a control section which controls the image forming section to prohibit image formation when the humidity inside the tray is higher than a predetermined value, the control section further controls the dehumidifying device to conduct the dehumidification inside the tray when the humidity inside the tray is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, and the control section still further controls the image forming section to conduct the image formation on the when the humidity inside the tray has been equal to or lower than the predetermined value.

Abstract: An image forming system, comprises an image forming section to form an image on a sheet; a fixing section to fix the image formed on the sheet; a sheet conveying passage to convey the fixed sheet; a humidifying roller arranged on the sheet passage and to humidify the sheet; a water supplying tank to feed water to the humidifying roller; an electric component; and a waterproofing member to protect the electric component from water.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including an image forming section which forms image on a recording sheet based on image data, plural trays which accommodate the sheets to be supplied to the image forming section, a humidity detecting unit which detects humidity inside the paper tray, a dehumidifying device which dehumidify inside the paper tray, and a control section which controls the dehumidifying device and management of jobs, and controls the image forming section to execute the jobs, wherein if the humidity inside the paper tray to be used for a first priority job is higher than a predetermined value, the control section suspends execution of the first priority job, and the control section controls the image forming section to execute a reserved job which is executable from among reserved jobs with low priority order, before executing the first priority job.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor, a cleaning unit, an exposing unit, a developing unit, and a control section. On a circumferential surface thereof, the photoreceptor has an image area to have contact with a record medium in an image forming process, and a non-image area. The cleaning unit has a blade in contact with the image and non-image areas. The exposing unit forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface by irradiating the surface along a fast scanning direction with light modulated according to image data supplied by the control section. The data includes primary image data for modulating light to irradiate the image area with. The developing unit develops the latent image by applying developer to the surface. The control section performs an image addition processing in which secondary image data for modulating light to irradiate the non-image area with is added to the primary image data.

Abstract: A reference developing image is formed on a photoreceptor drum under an image forming condition measured in advance, and the density of this reference developing image is detected. A development bias voltage is corrected based on the detection result, and when a correction value of the development bias voltage exceeds a predetermined range, a reference output voltage of an ATC sensor for detecting the density of toner in a developing device is corrected based on the detected value of humidity around the developing device, the frequency of use of the apparatus, and the agitation stress of developer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of developing devices each including a developing member carrying and transferring developer toward a developing region and a charging member charging developer carried by the developing member, a development bias applying device applying an AC development bias voltage to the developing member, and a charge bias applying device applying to the charging member an AC charge bias voltage having a phase synchronized with the AC development bias voltage and representing a charge bias voltage value causing an offset potential difference with respect to the AC development bias voltage in a phase on one of positive and negative sides. The charge bias voltage applied by the charge bias applying device provided for each of the developing devices has the same voltage value as the charge bias voltages applied by the charge bias applying devices of the other charge bias applying devices.

Abstract: An air heating mechanism for heating the air which is blown from a loosening/separating nozzle toward the top sheet attracted to an attracting and conveying unit is provided. A control unit controls the air heating mechanism based on moisture content information from a sensor for detecting a moisture content of a sheet supported by the tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a feed interval control section that sets feed intervals of the recording materials, for a defined period from immediately after completion of the warm-up operation for a fixing-side rotor and the pressure-side rotor determined by a warm-up completion determination section, to be longer than feed intervals of the recording materials posterior to the defined period in a high-humidity and low-temperature state. Thereby, the image forming apparatus prevents elongation of a warm-up time while achieving both reduction of the back curl and maintenance of fixability in the high-humidity and low-temperature state.

Abstract: An improved color EP (laser) printer is provided for use in high humidity conditions. A humidity sensing circuit determines if the print quality might be degraded due to environmental conditions, using a resistivity sensing circuit, or a humidity sensor. If the print quality would likely be degraded, the invention is able to enhance toner transfer by printing supplemental process black toner dots underlaying standard black toner dots at predetermined pixel locations in the bitmap of a print job. This assumes that the black printing station is the “last” station along the travel of the intermediate transfer member. Other colors could be used for the supplemental toner dots.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a moisture feeding unit which supplies moisture to a sheet when the sheet passes through a nip portion of a pair of porous rollers, which has a lower roller absorbing water and an upper roller absorbing water in contact with the lower roller, and comprises a water supplying unit which supplies water to the pair of porous rollers, after the sheet onto which a toner image has been formed by and image forming unit passes through a fixing unit. A contact of a contact member in contact with each of a circumference surface of the upper roller and the lower roller is released when a sheet jam occurs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an image forming section, a sheet storage space, and a dehumidifier device which dehumidifies the sheet storage space includes the dehumidifier device which has a dehumidifier member of a heating regeneration type, a dry space being dehumidified by the dehumidifier member, a regeneration space regenerating the dehumidifier member, a heating section provided in the regeneration space and heating to regenerate the dehumidifier member, a driving section transferring the dehumidifier member in a route between the dry space and the regeneration space, and a partition member dividing the dehumidifier member into a plurality of parts and enabling to partition the dry space and the regeneration space.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a transfer part that transfers a toner image to a sheet; a fixing part that heats a sheet to which a toner image is transferred by the transfer part to a temperature at which the toner on the sheet melts, and ejects the sheet; a vibrating part that vibrates a member positioned near and/or above the fixing part at a frequency higher than audible frequencies.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a water content determination apparatus that can precisely determining a water content in a medium regardless of an environment where the image forming apparatus is installed. The water content determination apparatus has a detection device that outputs a first signal while the medium is absent in an electrostatic capacitance region formed in a path where the medium is conveyed and outputs a second signal while the medium is present in the electrostatic capacitance region. The temperature in the image forming apparatus is determined based on the first signal. The water content in the medium is determined based on the second signal and the temperature determined by the temperature determination device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus which prevents the rusting of metallic components and paper jams and improves the cooling capability of a heat pipe by ensuring that water droplets do not become adhered to the heat pipe, thereby reducing thermal resistance. A fixing apparatus and a printer engine are shielded from each other by a heat receiving plate, a thermal insulation member, and a heat radiating plate. A heat pipe is provided in the shielding member. One end side of the heat pipe is disposed between the fixing apparatus and printer engine to serve as a heat receiving portion, and the other end side of the heat pipe is disposed in a higher position than the one end side to serve as a heat radiating portion. The thermal insulation member covers the periphery of an intermediate portion of the heat pipe between the two end sides of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus is provided with a sheet stacking device for stacking sheets thereon, a sheet feeding device for feeding the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device, and a heating device for heating the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device. The heating device is designed such that of the heat generating areas of the heating device, the heating value of the heat generating area for the central portion of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device is greater than the heating values of the other heat generating areas.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus is provided with a sheet stacking device for stacking sheets thereon, a sheet feeding device for feeding the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device, and a heating device for heating the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device. The heating device is designed such that of the heat generating areas of the heating device, the heating value of the heat generating area for the central portion of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device is greater than the heating values of the other heat generating areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling conditions in a printer that includes a print engine that is operative upon an article to print marks upon the article. Sensors are provided for detecting relative humidity and temperature within a moving air stream in the printer. A controller in the printer determines if the detected relative humidity within the apparatus falls within a range of acceptable relative humidities and the detected temperature within the apparatus falls within a range of acceptable temperatures. The range of acceptable relative humidities and acceptable temperatures defines a predetermined target area. When outside the range of the predetermined target area a determination is made of needed minimal adjustments to bring the temperature and humidity within the target area. Subject to such a determination, mist and/or heating of the air stream are provided to implement the needed adjustments.

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 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 humidification system, associated with the reservoir, for maintaining the supply of developer material at a predefined humidity.

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: A sheet feeding apparatus is provided with a sheet stacking device for stacking sheets thereon, a sheet feeding device for feeding the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device, and a heating device for heating the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device. The heating device is designed such that of the heat generating areas of the heating device, the heating value of the heat generating area for the central portion of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device is greater than the heating values of the other heat generating areas.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a charging device having a charging mechanism positioned to face the circumference of a photoconductive drum and a casing member surrounding the charging means. A solid, high-molecular electrolytic film is mounted on the casing member with one surface facing the inside of the casing member and the other surface facing the outside of the same. A porous cathode is mounted on one surface of the electrolytic film, which faces the inside of the casing member, and connected to the cathode of a power supply. A porous anode is mounted on the other surface of the electrolytic film, which faces the outside of the casing member, and connected to the anode of the power supply.

Abstract: A moisture-reducing paper tray including a desiccant that absorbs moisture from the environment of the paper tray and consequently the paper supply itself. As a result, the desiccant may become saturated as moisture is adsorbed. In one embodiment of the invention, the desiccant may be changed for a fresh desiccant. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the moisture-reducing paper tray may also include a drying mechanism which includes a heating element, a blower and a humidity sensor. The humidity sensor is positioned to sense a humidity level in the paper tray. When a pre-selected humidity level in the paper tray is equaled or exceeded, the heating element and blower are energized and warm air passes into the paper tray drying the desiccant.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a charging device including charging means positioned to face the circumference of a photoconductive drum and a casing member surrounding the charging means. A solid, high-molecular electrolytic film is mounted on the casing member with one surface facing the inside of the casing member and the other surface facing the outside of the same. A porous cathode is mounted on one surface of the electrolytic film, which faces the inside of the casing member, and connected to the cathode of a power supply. A porous anode is mounted on the other surface of the electrolytic film, which faces the outside of the casing member, and connected to the anode of the power supply.

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 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 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 humidification system, associated with the reservoir, for maintaining the supply of developer material at a predefined humidity.

Abstract: A moisture-reducing paper tray including a desiccant that absorbs moisture from the environment of the paper tray and consequently the paper supply itself. As a result, the desiccant may become saturated as moisture is adsorbed. In one embodiment of the invention, the desiccant may be changed for a fresh desiccant. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the moisture-reducing paper tray may also include a drying mechanism which includes a heating element, a blower and a humidity sensor. The humidity sensor is positioned to sense a humidity level in the paper tray. When a pre-selected humidity level in the paper tray is equaled or exceeded, the heating element and blower are energized and warm air passes into the paper tray drying the desiccant.

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: The present invention relates to a method for improving a print quality of an image forming apparatus. The invention provides a method for improving the print quality of an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the deterioration of the print image according to the change of the environment condition around the image forming apparatus by controlling the print speed of the image forming apparatus in case that the environment condition is at a low temperature and low humidity when checked at the non-image stage of the apparatus. According to the present invention, it is checked whether or not the environment condition around the image forming apparatus is at a low temperature and low humidity at a non-image period prior to the beginning of print after the print data received externally are stored at a memory of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A printer system comprises a communication interface and printer components. The communication interface receives a humidity value from a toner cartridge. The printer components control printing operation based on the humidity value. To control printing operation, the printer components may configure a dither matrix based on the humidity value. The toner cartridge comprises a humidity sensor and a communication interface. The humidity sensor detects a humidity level and generates the humidity value to correspond to the humidity level. The communication interface transfers the humidity value from the humidity sensor to the printer system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which voltage is applied to an intermediate transfer body when a toner image is transferred from an image bearing body to the intermediate transfer body, and a controller controls variably a potential of a shadow portion of an electrostatic image so that a potential difference between the potential of the shadow portion and the voltage can be variable on the basis of a detected result of a detecting circuit.

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: A media input tray for an imaging device such as a laser printer is configured to heat media disposed in the tray in order to reduce potential curl of the media caused by image processing in the imaging device. In a preferred embodiment, the input tray is configured with a flexible printed circuit having conductive traces for dissipating heat in response to an electric current. The flexible circuit is coupled to a power supply in the imaging device to enable a continuous warming of media in the tray, independent of any imaging operations by the imaging device. A method of image processing includes providing a heating device in a media input tray of an image processing device, and heating the media disposed in the input tray with the heating device such that media curl, caused by image processing operations, is reduced.

Abstract: A transfer-conveyance device for transferring a visible image on an image bearing member in an image forming apparatus onto a transfer sheet and to convey the transfer sheet. The transfer-conveyance device includes a contact member that contacts the image bearing member, a bias applying device to apply a transfer bias to the contact member, a resistance detecting device to detect a resistance of the contact member, and a transfer bias control device to determine an amount of variation in the resistance of the contact member and control the transfer bias. The transfer bias is controlled on the basis of the amount of variation in the resistance of the contact member.

Abstract: An anti-condensation baffle unit having two members which correspond to each other, which copied paper is transferred between the two members by at least one idler roller, and at least one muffin fan attached to the baffle unit to cool the area surrounding the baffle unit and the paper that passes through the baffle unit. The baffle unit further includes a plurality of slots, positioned such that the edge of the paper will not be caught by and consequently jam, which allow the air blown from fan to contact the paper and allows ventilation throughout the copying procedure.

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: 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: In an image forming apparatus of the type including a movable belt and a cleaning blade for cleaning the belt, a toner image on the form of an exclusive line is formed on an image carrier between sheets and the transferred to the belt so as to feed toner to the edge of the cleaning blade. The toner prevents the edge of the cleaning blade from being turned over by the belt. The toner is fed to the cleaning blade in amounts different in the widthwise direction of the belt and can therefore be controlled in amount in the above direction.

Abstract: A sheet repository having multiple trays and including a fan supported in a housing for receiving ambient air from outside the housing, a heating device within the housing for raising the temperature of the air conveyed by the fan, and a duct system at the outlet of the heating device for channeling the heated air. The duct system includes outlets for directing heated air onto the selected trays, and a humidity sensor provides suitable signals to shut off the heating device in order that the sheets in the trays are maintained at a uniform reduced moisture content.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling sheet moisture and cooling rate for reducing curl in sheets includes the steps of providing a fuser with the fuser being heated at a predetermined temperature; providing a moisturizer; positioning the moisturizer a predetermined distance downstream of the fuser as indicated in accordance with the predetermined temperature of the fuser; and controlling ambient relative humidity around the moisturizer.

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: To provide an electrophotographic printer which can satisfy regulations for exhaust gas emission easily, a printer is provided with a circulation line for taking out and returning gas generated in a casing of the printer, and a heat exchanger, for cooling the gas and for recovering solvent, is provided midway on the circulation line. The heat exchanger lowers a concentration of the gas. A detection sensor detects a temperature and humidity of the gas in the casing and a heater, provided downstream of the heat exchanger, adjusts a humidity of the gas which is then returned into the casing, upon receiving an output of the detection sensor.

Abstract: A power supply controller for use in an image formation apparatus includes a first control circuit for controlling the image formation apparatus to form an image, a second control circuit for controlling electric power supplied to the image formation apparatus, a first power supply for supplying electric power to the first control circuit, a second power supply for supplying electric power to the second control circuit, and a third power supply for supplying electric power to a load in the image formation apparatus. The apparatus further includes a dew protection switch operable in an on-state and an off-state. The on-state sets an operation mode of the image formation apparatus to prevent dew condensation inside the image formation apparatus. Finally, the apparatus includes a low power consumption mode setting device for setting a low power consumption mode of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus, printing machine and method for replenishing an aquatron liquid reservoir in an aquatron charging device. The print media (e.g. paper, vellum, etc.) releases liquid from the print media during fusing. A condenser creates condensate from the liquid released by the print media which is collected in a conduit and transported using air flow into a collection container. This collection container can be the aquatron liquid reservoir, or a separate collection container that pumps liquid to the aquatron liquid reservoir, thus, enabling replenishing the liquid supply of the aquatron liquid reservoir within the printing machine. Sensing devices measuring liquid concentration resistance in the aquatron liquid reservoir and/or the collection container control the liquid level of the reservoir and/or collection container.

Abstract: A substantial change in charge on toner in a development station due to a reduction in relative humidity as the station warms up is compensated for by applying heat from an externaI source to the station when the station has not been warmed up. For example, when the station is turned off or in a condition of idle. This feature is particularly usable in a station having a rotating magnetic core.

Abstract: Two lowermost heating members and one intermediate heating member are provided for a plurality of paper feeding trays disposed in the paper feeding portion of an image forming apparatus and the temperature in the whole paper feeding portion is controlled by supplying power to each of the heating members. The heating member is provided with a heat reflective plate and a heat insulating plate side by side to insulate the heat of a heating element. The heating member is placed close to the tray and the temperature in the whole paper feeding portion is controlled under a convection current of the heat emanated from the heating element in the paper feed. Moreover, a humidity sensor may be installed on the side or within the image forming apparatus to control the power supplied to each heating member.