Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording material supporting member for supporting and transporting a recording material, an image forming device for forming an image on the recording material supported by the recording material supporting member, and a polishing device, having polishing particles provided on the surface thereof and a holding portion for holding the polishing particles, for polishing the recording material supporting member.

Abstract: A paper dust removal device detachably mountable to a frame of an image forming apparatus through an opening formed on the frame to remove paper dusts from an outer surface of a roller in the image forming apparatus, the opening of the frame being opposing to the outer surface of the roller, the paper dust removal device includes: a base member; a paper dust holding member fixedly attached to the base member adapted to press contact with the outer surface of the roller; and engaging member engageable with the frame when the paper dust removal device is rotated in an engaging direction due to a friction force generated on the outer surface of the roller by a contact of the paper dust holding member with the outer surface of the roller.

Abstract: In an image scanning system, a deflector is contained in a casing having a cover glass which transmits a scanning light beam deflected by the deflector. An air flow is formed in front of the cover glass to prevent dust adhesion.

Abstract: A toner container has an opening through which toner is dispensed. It is covered by a web seal which is removable by an operator to dispense the toner. A cleaning edge is positioned to engage the seal as it is removed and clean toner off the seal to prevent its soiling the hands or clothing of an operator removing it.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus has an image forming device for forming a toner image, an image transfer device for transferring a toner image to a sheet, a toner fixing device for fixing the toner on the sheet and a conveying device for conveying the sheet from the image transfer device to the toner fixing device. A toner removing device is positioned in a conveyance path of the sheet from the image transfer device to the toner fixing device for removing toner from back of the sheet. The toner removing device assumes an electrical bias having a polarity opposite that of the toner.

Abstract: A dust-collecting padding is placed at the leading edge of the scan window of a scanner. When this dust-collecting padding is in contact with the document to be scanned, the dust particles on the document are collected by the dust-collectng padding, thus maintaining the cleanliness of the document and the scan window. The focal point of the scanning light, where the document is read, can be adjusted to be located away from the surface of the glass window, and thus any dust particles lying on the glass surface are off focus and do not adversely affect the quality of scanning much.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is provided with a developing device having a rotatable developing member opposite to a rotatable photoreceptor at a developing region for transporting a developer to bring the developer into contact with the photoreceptor at the developing region, and a paper particle removing member provided at a downstream side from the developing region with respect to a rotational direction of the developing member for removing paper particles from the developer held on the developing member.

Abstract: A semi-automatic exit window cleaner which includes a wiper for contacting an exit window. The wiper attaches to a wiper operation mechanism which swipes the wiper across the exit window when an operator accessed compartment or drawer is moved. Beneficially, the wiper mechanism is comprised of a cable which is spaced between two pulleys, one of which also connects to a gear or other rotation train.

Abstract: A channel for recirculating a stream of air located adjacent a stream of marking particles exiting substantially tangentially from a marking particle transport member within a developer unit is provided. The stream of marking particles defines an inner boundary thereof extending tangentially from a first position adjacent to the transport member and defines an outer boundary thereof spaced from the transport member and the inner boundary. The channel includes a first member positioned outside the stream of marking particles. At least a portion of the first member is positioned substantially adjacent the outer boundary of the stream of marking particles and is spaced from the transport member. The channel also includes a second member connected to the first member and a third member connected to the second member. The second member is positioned adjacent the transport member and is spaced from the stream of marking particles.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, including a rotary endless latent image carrier, an image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on a latent image carrier, a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier with powdery developers and collecting residual toners on the latent image carrier at the same time, a transfer device for transferring a developed image on the latent image carrier onto a sheet, a distribution roller having independent foam perforations for distributing residual toners on the latent image carrier when in contact with the latent image carrier after image transfer, and a power supply for supplying an AC voltage to the distribution member. The distribution member is made of a conductive foam member having a pore at a surface contacting with the latent image carrier and the roller rotates in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the latent image carrier at a peripheral velocity of 1.1 to 1.

Abstract: A mechanism for cleaning the back side of an image bearing dielectric support web used in an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus, the dielectric support web, having a front side movable into operative association with a plurality of electrographic processing stations to form a transferable marking particle image thereon. The back side cleaning mechanism have a catch tray for collecting debris removed from the back side of the dielectric support web. A cleaning blade is attached to the catch tray so as to engage the back side of the dielectric support web at a predetermined angle to wipe such back side thereof. A magnetic scavenger is attached to the catch tray, in spaced relation with the cleaning blade, so as to remove magnetic particles from the back side of the dielectric support web.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating a photoconductive surface. The apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber and an open end. An imaging device is placed in the housing chamber. The imager transmits light rays through the open end of the housing to the photoconductive surface. An air pump is coupled to the housing. The air pump maintains an outwardly directed flow of air from the open end of the housing so as to move particles away from the open end. Electrically biased electrodes are located between the imaging device and the photoconductive surface. They attract the particles so as to prevent the particles from contaminating the imaging device.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a conveying unit for conveying a recording sheet in a predetermined direction, a light-exposure unit for forming an image on an image-holding body by using light, which image-holding body rolls on the recording sheet by rotating around an axis parallel to the predetermined direction, so that the image on the image-holding body is transferred onto the recording sheet, and an adjustment unit for adjusting an angle of the light-exposure unit relative to the axis, so that the image on the image-holding body can be aligned with the axis.

Abstract: A developing unit having a pair of semicircular first sealing members longitudinally formed on a cylindrical portion of both ends of a toner conveying roller along an outer peripheral surface of a toner conveying roller such that a gap is set between the sealing members and a toner layer thickness determining plate in a frictional state. A pair of second sealing members are provided close to a position where the toner layer thickness determining plate faces the roller and at a position, opposite to a side facing the toner conveying roller. Each of the first and second sealing members applies predetermined pressure to the toner conveying roller, and each of the sealing members includes lubricating fine grains.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a printer or copier includes a photoreceptor for holding a latent image; a charger for charging the photoreceptor; an exposure unit such as an LED array for exposing the photoreceptor with light so as to form a latent image on the photoreceptor; and a developer placed in the vicinity of the photoreceptor, for developing the latent image with a developing agent so as to form a developing agent image on the photoreceptor. The developer includes a developing sleeve for holding the developing agent on its surface and a transferor for transferring the developing agent image on the photoreceptor to a recording medium. A cleaner is provided for cleaning a residual developing agent on the photoreceptor after the developing agent image is transferred to the recording medium and a purge control unit is provided for purging foreign matter from the developing agent on the developing sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for trapping a contaminant is provided. The apparatus includes a first member having a plurality of apertures in the first member and a second member having a plurality of apertures in the second member. The second member is in juxtaposition with the first member. A space between the first member and the second member is smaller than a maximum length of the contaminant.

Abstract: A developing apparatus including a developer container for accommodating a developer having magnetic particles; a rotatable developer carrying member, provided in a opening of the the developer container for carrying the developer; a magnet in the developer carrying member; a magnetic member, provided at a end portion of the developer carrying member, being subjected to magnetic force of the the magnet; wherein the magnetic member is positioned with a gap relative to the developer carrying member, along a circumference of the developer carrying member; a regulating member for regulating the developer on the the developer carrying member; wherein magnetic confining force for the developer by the magnetic member is weaker toward a regulation portion of the regulating member in a circumferential direction of the developer carrying member.