Seiko Epson Corporation

Takayuki Shiraki

Yoichi Yamada

Hiroshi Tanaka

Kaneo Yoda

Kazutoshi Fujisawa

Tatsuro Osawa

Naoyuki Okumura

Kenjiro Yoshioka

Nobumasa Abe

Tahei Ishiwatari

Yoshiro Koga

Katsumi Okamoto

An image forming apparatus comprises an image bearing member on which a latent image is formed, a plurality of developing devices for developing the latent image, each of the developing devices containing developer, and a turnable turning member on which the plurality of developing devices are mounted. The turning member is caused to turn based on a turn history of the turning member.

Image forming apparatus, method for forming an image, computer-readable storage medium, and computer system

A color image forming apparatus has a plurality of developing devices. Each developing device has developer that includes a predetermined ratio, in volume of developer particles having a diameter of a predetermined value or less, with respect to an entire volume of toner. Each developing device is capable of developing a latent image using the developer. A color image is formed by successively performing development operations so as to superimpose different kinds of developer.

An image forming apparatus with an image bearing member on which a latent image is formed, with a plurality of developing devices for developing the latent image, each of the developing devices containing developer, and with a turnable turning member on which the plurality of developing devices are mounted. The turning member is caused to turn based on a turn history of the turning member.

A developing device includes: a developer container for containing developer; a developer bearing body for bearing the developer; a charging member for charging the developer bore by the developer bearing body by abutting against the developer bearing body; a supporting member for supporting the charging member; and a sealing member that is for preventing the developer from spilling from the developer container and that is provided in a state in which the side of one end thereof is compressed by the developer container and the charging member and the side of the other end thereof is compressed by the developer container and the supporting member, wherein a degree of compression of the sealing member on the side of the other end is smaller than a degree of compression of the sealing member on the side of one end.

Developing device, image forming apparatus, image forming system, sealing member, and method for manufacturing sealing member

An image-forming apparatus includes a photoconductor on which a latent image can be formed, and a moving member having attaching/detaching sections to/from each of which one of developing units can be attached/detached. Each of the developing units has a developer container for containing developer that is capable of developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor. The developer in the developer container is stirred by moving the moving member when none of the developing units attached to each of the attaching/detaching sections is developing a latent image formed on the photoconductor, and a timing for moving the moving member to stir the developer in the developer container is variable.

Image-forming apparatus and computer system

An image forming apparatus which is able to form either single or double sided copies on a recording medium while achieving an excellent image quality in either a matted or glossy finish. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing portion in which a first roller includes a first temperature and hardness for forming a matted image, whereas a second roller includes a higher temperature and hardness for forming a glossy image. Alternatively, or in addition, to different hardness and temperatures, the recording medium can be conveyed at a first speed to form a matted image, and a slower speed to form a glossy image. The image forming apparatus further includes an inverse and re-fixing sub-mode, which utilizes an inverting and returning passage, for reducing the curl in a recording medium, and thus also reducing the instances in which clogging takes place. The inverting and returning passage has a length sufficient to accommodate a plurality of recording mediums. Moreover, the image forming apparatus is provided with first and second discharge passages so that if one passage is clogged, the other can be used to discharge recording mediums. A switching means selects, based on detection sensors, through which discharge passage a recording medium is fed. The operations of the image forming apparatus are coordinated by a control unit.

Image forming apparatus having independent recording media discharge passages

Image forming apparatus having an inverse and re-fixing sub-mode

A fixing apparatus including a heat roller having a heat source therein; and first and second pressing rollers arranged to be pressed sequentially against the heat roller beginning with a more upstream pressing roller in a direction of rotation of the heat roller, wherein when the hardness of the heat roller is Hh, the hardness of the first pressing roller is Hp1 and the ratio of the hardness of the two rollers satisfies Hr1=Hh/Hp1, the heat roller and the first pressing roller are structured in such a manner that the following condition is satisfied: Hr1.gtoreq.1.5.

Growing community of inventors

Nagano-ken, Japan

Takayuki Shiraki