Source: http://www.docstoc.com/documents/legal/patents/photography/3
Timestamp: 2014-12-21 20:58:39
Document Index: 412106402

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 2007', 'Application No. 2007', 'Application No. 2007', 'application No. 2008', 'Application No. 2009', 'Application No. 2008', 'Art 1', 'Art 2']

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Rinsing Method, Developing Method, Developing System And Computer-read Storage Medium - Patent 8147153
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rinsing method of rinsing a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer, carrying thereon an exposed pattern processed by a developing process by a rinsing process, a developing method including such a rinsingprocess, a developing system capable of carrying out the developing method, and a computer-read storage medium storing control programs for controlling those methods. 2. Description of the Related Art In a semiconductor device fabricating process, for example, a resist pattern as a mask for forming a predetermined pattern is formed on a surface of a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter referred to simply as "wafer") by a photolithographic methodincluding the steps of forming a resist film on the surface of the wafer by discharging a liquid resist onto the surface of the wafer, processing the resist film formed on the surface of the wafer by an exposure process to form a predetermined pattern inthe resist film and developing the exposed pattern. The developing process among those steps of the photolithographic method discharges a developer onto the wafer to form a developer puddle of the developer over the entire surface of the wafer, lets the developer circulate by natural convectionto make the developing process progress, discharges a rinsing liquid, such as pure water, onto a central part of the wafer while the wafer is being rotated to rinse out the developer remaining on the wafer from the wafer, and rotates the wafer at a highrotating speed to dry the wafer by shaking the developer and the rinsing liquid off the wafer. Such a developing process is disclosed in, for example, JP-A 2001-057334 (Patent document 1). The reduction of the thickness of lines forming circuit patterns, the miniaturization of circuit patterns and the increase of the number of components of semiconductor devices have made a rapid progress in recent years. Consequently, furtherimprovement of exposure resolution has been desired
Rinsing method, developing method, developing system and computer-read storage medium, Takeguchi, et al., Hirofumi Takeguchi, Junji Nakamura, Kousuke Yoshihara, Application number 12 913-420, Photography
Micro Shutter Having Iris Function, Method For Manufacturing The Same, And Micro Camera Module Having The Same - Patent 8147150
1. Field of the Invention Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention relate to an optical shutter, and more particularly, to a micro shutter having an iris function, a method for manufacturing the same, and a micro camera module having the same. 2. Description of the Related Art As digital technologies advance, portable digital devices such as cell phones, portable game machines, personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal multimedia players (PMPs), digital camcorders, etc. generally have a camera function. A camera unit disposed in the portable digital devices generally includes a shutter to take a picture as a general camera. For improving portability thereof, the portable digital devices are required to have as small size as possible. Therefore, the camera unit usable with the portable digital devices generally has an electronic shutter. However, the camera unit is required to use a mechanical shutter to take a picture having as good quality as the general cameras. There is a leaf shutter as the mechanical shutter usable with a small camera unit such as the camera unit used in the portable digital devices. However, the related art leaf shutter is limited to reduce a size thereof, and has a slow operatingspeed. Therefore, it is disadvantages to use the related art mechanical shutter in the portable digital devices due to manufacturing cost and technical problems such as miniaturizing, etc. Also, when using an iris, an iris unit formed separately from the shutter needs to be disposed in the camera unit so as to limit miniaturizing the camera unit.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a micro shutter, which can be formed in a micro size, operate in a high speed, and function as an iris, a method for manufacturing the same, and a micro camera module having thesame. Additional aspects and features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in par
Micro shutter having iris function, method for manufacturing the same, and micro camera module having the same, et al., Che-heung Kim, Woon-bae Kim, Jong-oh Kwon, Kyu-Dong Jung, Application number 13 270-723
Lens-interchangeable Camera Body And Camera System Capable Of Changing Communication Method With Selected Shooting Mode - Patent 8147148
The present invention relates to lens-interchangeable digital camera systems each including an interchangeable lens and a camera body that can communicate with each other, in which the method of communication between the camera body and theinterchangeable lens is suitably changed with a plurality of selectable shooting modes, whereby communication in the camera system is performed.BACKGROUND ART With the transition from film cameras to digital cameras including image pickup devices in recent years, cameras have become capable of not only shooting still images but also shooting simple moving images, just as video cameras can. Some ofso-called single-lens reflex cameras with interchangeable lenses employ a movie shooting mode, in addition to a still image shooting mode. Single-lens reflex cameras described herein mean camera bodies in which subjects are observed through observationoptical systems including so-called reflex mirrors, and camera bodies in which images are displayed on liquid crystal display monitors through which the images are observed. When the still image shooting mode is selected, the camera body performs an operation of shooting a still image. When the movie shooting mode is selected, the camera body performs a continuous shooting operation. In the movie shooting mode,unlike in the still image shooting mode, actuators included in the interchangeable lens that are provided for focusing and aperture moving operations also need to operate continuously. To control driving of such actuators, it is important that the stateof the interchangeable lens, including the focus and aperture states, are frequently monitored. Monitoring of the state of the interchangeable lens and drive control of the actuators are realized by communication between the interchangeable lens and the camera body. However, known communication methods, in which only still image shootingis considered and therefore the speed of communication is low, are not suitable for continuous
Lens-interchangeable camera body and camera system capable of changing communication method with selected shooting mode, Kawanami, Akihiro Kawanami, Application number 12 988-626, Photography
Barrier Unit - Patent 8147149
The present invention relates to a barrier unit to be opened and closed in front of the lens of a still camera or a video movie camera to protect that lens.BACKGROUND ART Recently, as the sizes and thicknesses of still cameras and video movie cameras have been further reduced, the size and thickness of a barrier unit, which is used to protect their lens, have also been reduced year by year. Hereinafter, a conventional barrier unit will be described as an example with reference to FIGS. 6 through 9. FIGS. 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views respectively illustrating the upside and downside of respective members of a conventional barrier unit. The conventional barrier unit includes a cap 1, first and second blades 2 and 3, a base 4, first and second rings 5 and 6, and first and second springs 7 and 8. The first and second blades 2 and 3 are pivoted to the base 4 by fitting pivots 9 and 10 on the base 4 into pivot holes 15 and 16, respectively. By getting hooks 11, which are elastic members that form integral parts of the cap 1, engaged withhook stoppers 12 of the base 4, the cap 1 is fitted to the base 4 so as to sandwich the first and second blades 2 and 3 between them and to leave a predetermined clearance that is wide enough to let those barrier blades 2 and 3 rotate freely there. The cap 1 has a window 13. The first and second rings 5 and 6 are fitted rotatably to the cylindrical portion 14 of the base 4. The cam pins 19 and 20 of the first ring 5 are engaged into elongate holes 17 and 18 of the first and second bladesto turn the blades. The first spring 7 is extended between respective spring hooks 21 and 22 of the first and second rings 5 and 6. Likewise, the second spring 8 is extended between respective spring hooks 23 and 24 of the second ring 6 and the base 4. The second ring 6 has a ring projection 25, which is fitted into a notched portion 26 of the first ring 5, thereby assembling the first and second rings 5 and 6 together. The base 4 also has a
Barrier unit, Hirabayashi, et al., Koichiro Hirabayashi, Akio Konishi, Application number 12 866-266, Photography, Optical: Systems And Elements
Shutter Device - Patent 8147151
BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field The present disclosure relates to imaging technologies, particularly, to a shutter device. 2. Description of Related Art Shutter devices are widely used in image capturing devices, such as cameras or mobile phones having an image capturing function, to allow light to pass through for a determined duration, for the purpose of exposing photographic film or an imagesensor to light, thereby capturing an image of a scene. Generally, the shutter device includes a motor, such as a step motor, and a shutter blade. The motor drives the shutter blade to move to make the shutter device open or close. However, the step motor occupies too much space, thus addingsubstantially to the size of the shutter device. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a shutter device, which can overcome or at least alleviate the above-mentioned problems. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Many aspects of the present shutter device can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating theprinciples of the present shutter device. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. FIG. 1 is a schematic, isometric view of a shutter device, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the shutter device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic, isometric view of a cover of the shutter device of FIG. 2, but viewed from another aspect. FIG. 4 is a planar view of the shutter device of FIG. 1, showing the shutter device in an open state. FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, but showing the shutter device in a closed state.DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a shutter device 100, according to an exemplary embodiment, includes a support 10, a rotating member 20, a shutter blade 30, a coil 40, a first magnetic member 50, a second magnetic member 60, and a
Shutter device, Chou, Tai-Hsu Chou, Application number 12 873-276, Photography
Image Forming Apparatus Having A Process Cartridge Removable From A Main Body Of The Apparatus Having Improved Usability - Patent 8145096
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method such as an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, and a light emitting diode (LED)printer), a facsimile machine, and a word processor. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus of which a process cartridge is configured to be removable from a main body of the apparatus. 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-220824 is configured such that a process cartridge can be withdrawn from a main body of the apparatus. In this conventional image forming apparatus, thecartridge is supported on an elevating plate which moves back/forth and up/down in synchronization with a side cover, via a two-staged retractable guide member. When a side cover is opened, the cartridge is elevated from an image forming position to awithdrawing position, which allows a user to withdraw the cartridge directly from the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, attachment/detachment of various equipments and removal of a jammed paper sheet have become possible by moving the cartridge to aspecific position including a stop position. However, in the above-described art, since the cartridge is supported on an elevating plate, even when placed at the image forming position, the cartridge is not precisely positioned, so that a precise positioning of the cartridge in imageformation has been demanded with respect to a main body having high rigidity.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an image forming apparatus improved in a usability in exchanging a process cartridge, which achieves highly precise positioning of the process cartridge in image formation. According to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes two side-plates configured to be opposed t
Image forming apparatus having a process cartridge removable from a main body of the apparatus having improved usability, Kawanami, et al., Takeo Kawanami, Tomio Noguchi, Chikara Imaizumi, Hiromi Sakurai, Application number 12 271-474, Electrophotography
Digital Manufacture Of A Microfluidic Device - Patent 8145114
This application relates to commonly assigned, copending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/608,047, filed Oct. 29, 2009, entitled: "DIGITAL MANUFACTURE OF AN GAS OR LIQUID SEPARATION DEVICE."FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates electrographic printing and more particularly to printing a three-dimensional microfluidic device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One common method for printing images on a receiver member is referred to as electrography. In this method, an electrostatic image is formed on a dielectric member by uniformly charging the dielectric member and then discharging selected areasof the uniform charge to yield an image-wise electrostatic charge pattern. Such discharge is typically accomplished by exposing the uniformly charged dielectric member to actinic radiation provided by selectively activating particular light sources inan LED array or a laser device directed at the dielectric member. After the image-wise charge pattern is formed, resin particles are given a charge, substantially opposite the charge pattern on the dielectric member and brought into the vicinity of thedielectric member so as to be attracted to the image-wise charge pattern to develop such pattern into a patterned image. Thereafter, a suitable receiver member (e.g., a cut sheet of plain bond paper) is brought into juxtaposition with the marking particle developed image-wise charge pattern on the dielectric member. A suitable electric field is applied totransfer the marking particles to the receiver member in the image-wise pattern to form the desired print image on the receiver member. The receiver member is then removed from its operative association with the dielectric member and the markingparticle print image is permanently fixed to the receiver member typically using heat, and/or pressure and heat. Multiple layers or marking materials can be overlaid on one receiver, for example, layers of different color particles can be overlaid onone receiver member to form
Digital manufacture of a microfluidic device, Tutt, et al., Lee W. Tutt, Donna P. Suchy, Application number 12 608-040, Electrophotography
Electrostatographic Apparatus Having Improved Transport Member - Patent 8145116
The present invention relates to electrostatographic image reproduction and, more particularly, to an electrostatographic apparatus that includes a transport web provided with a release oil-absorbing layer.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Electrostatographic printers produce images by transferring polymeric toner particles from a photoreceptor to a receiver and fixing the toner particles to the receiver with heat and pressure. Various additives and oils are used to aid thetransfer of the particles. Silicone oil is commonly used as a release oil because it is thermally stable and incompatible with the toner particles and other polymers in the printer; unfortunately, however, it tends to spread throughout the machine asprints are made. Release oil spread is exacerbated by duplex printing, which entails the application of images to both sides of a receiver sheet. Oil provided to the receiver during application of the first image on one side of a receiver is carriedinto the printer on the paper transport web in the course of applying the second image to the opposite side, leading to objectionable image artifacts such as non-uniform density and differences in gloss. Details of fuser oil application are given inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,157,445 and 5,512,409, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Ink-jet printers produce images by ejecting droplets of ink onto receivers that absorb ink. Porous coatings of inorganic particles on the receivers improve the image quality by, for example, causing more rapid drying of the ink, reducing imagespread, and producing more uniform ink coverage. Silica and alumina particles incorporated into binder polymers are used for coatings on paper and coatings on clear plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate sheets. While larger particles can be usedto produce opaque coatings on paper substrates, smaller particles are required for coatings that are transparent in a binder, which is also desirably transparent and color
Electrostatographic apparatus having improved transport member, Ferrar, et al., Wayne T. Ferrar, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Douglas E. Garman, Dennis R. Fronheiser, Edward T. Miskinis, Application number 11 842-235, Electrophotography
Image-forming System, Paper Curl Correction Apparatus, Image-forming Apparatus, Post-processing Apparatus, And Computer-readable Medium For Controlling Paper Curl Correction - Patent 8145118
S This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-060217 filed on Mar. 9, 2007.BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field The present invention relates to an image-forming system, a paper curl correction apparatus, an image-forming apparatus, a post-processing apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for controlling paper curl correction. 2. Related Art There are known post-processing apparatuses which perform a post process such as stapling, binding, and stacking on a sheet which is output from an image-forming apparatus such as a printer or a copier. As is well known, a curl arises on a sheet as a result of a process such as fusing in an image-forming apparatus. In recent years, due to an increase in variation of paper types or the like, various types of curling arise on sheets. The mannerof curl of the sheet which is input to the post-processing apparatus may adversely affect the quality of the post process. In consideration of this, in the related art, the curl of the sheet which is output from the image-forming apparatus is correctedwith a paper curl correction apparatus (also known as a decurler) and the sheet is then input to the post-processing apparatus. The post-processing apparatuses include various types, such as a stapling apparatus and a stacker. In some of these various post-processing apparatuses, quality may be improved when the input printed sheet is appropriately curled. The optimummanner of curl of the input paper depends on the post-processing apparatus. Because the variations of the post-processing apparatuses are increasing, it may be impossible to know in advance what type of a post-processing apparatus will be connected downstream of the paper curl correction apparatus. The paper curlcorrection apparatus can apply a paper curl correction suitable for the post-processing apparatus if the characteristics of the post-processing apparatus are known, but cannot handle a post-processing appa
Image-forming system, paper curl correction apparatus, image-forming apparatus, post-processing apparatus, and computer-readable medium for controlling paper curl correction, Seto, Tsuyoshi Seto, Application number 11 876-946, Electrophotography, Sheet Feeding Or Delivering
Image Forming Apparatus With Sheet Detection Unit Which Accurately Detects Sheet - Patent 8145117
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-328320, which was filed on Dec. 20, 2007, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD Apparatuses and devices consistent with the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of detecting an ejected sheet with superior accuracy.BACKGROUND A sheet discharge sensor 4 has hitherto been provided in the vicinity of a pair of vertically-arranged discharge rollers 2, and the sensor is used for the purpose of detecting a trailing end of a sheet 1, and the like. FIG. 10A is adiagrammatic view of a related-art sheet detection mechanism, and FIG. 10B is a diagrammatic view of the sheet detection mechanism when viewed from the front in FIG. 10A. In the related art, when the sheet 1 is ejected from the front, the sheet 1 isconveyed, while deflected, under the influence of heat stemming from a heating roller 3; hence, there arises a problem of a decrease in the detection accuracy of the sheet discharge sensor. Meanwhile, Japanese unexamined patent application publication No. JP-A-2003-76111 (Hereinafter, Patent Document 1) describes a related art image forming apparatus. In the related art image forming apparatus, when a toner pattern on a transferbelt is detected by means of a sensor, the sensor is disposed opposite the surface of a conveyor roller, thereby correcting surface waviness in the belt and performing detection. According to this configuration, it is possible to realize a stabledetection of a toner pattern with superior accuracy.SUMMARY However, the discharge rollers 2 located downstream of the heating roller 3 discharge the sheet 1 while the sheet is nipped between the discharge rollers 2. Therefore, it is impossible to place the sensor opposite the rollers as described inPatent Document 1. Accordingly, an object of the invent
Image forming apparatus with sheet detection unit which accurately detects sheet, Matsuno, Takuji Matsuno, Application number 12 335-603, Electrophotography, Typewriting Machines
Fusing Device And Image Forming Apparatus Having The Same - Patent 8145111
This application claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 from Korean Patent Application No. 2007-104248, filed on Oct. 16, 2007 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fusing device which fuses a toner image on a printable medium and an image forming apparatus having the same, and more particularly, to a fusing device which electrifies a printable medium to enhance fusingefficiency to a toner image and an image forming apparatus having the same. 2. Description of the Related Art In general, an image forming apparatus of an electro-photographic type forms an electrostatic latent image on an image support, such as, a photosensitive body, electrified at a predetermined electric potential through exposure, develops such alatent image with toner, and transfers and fuses a toner image onto a printable medium to form an image. A fusing device is typically provided in a printing path of such an image forming apparatus, to fuse a toner image on the printable medium under heat and pressure, i.e., toner is melted and bonded to the printable medium by heat and pressurerollers. FIG. 1 illustrates a fusing device 10 of a typical image forming apparatus. Referring to FIG. 1, the fusing device 10 includes a fusing roller 20 in which a heat source (not shown) is provided, and a pressing roller 30 which is disposedopposite to the fusing roller 20 and is elastically pressed toward the fusing roller 20 by an elastic member 31 to fuse a toner image on a printable medium. Generally, a surface of the fusing roller 20 is heated by heat from the heat source 21. When a printable medium M on which a toner image T is transported to the fusing device 10, the printable medium M passes a fusing nip N1 which is formedbetween the fusing roller 20 and the driving roller 30. Here, the toner image T is fused onto the printable me
Fusing device and image forming apparatus having the same, Sea-chul Bae, Application number 12 207-613, Electrophotography
Fixing Device And Image Formation Apparatus - Patent 8145113
This application is based on application No. 2008-160575 filed in Japan, thecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image formation apparatus comprising a fixing device, and in particular to technology for, when performing thermal fixing on a small-sized recording sheet by using an induction heating method, suppressing anexcessive temperature increase in portions of a heat generation member that do not come into contact with the small-sized recording sheet. (2) Description of Related Art In recent years, fixing devices that utilize compact heat sources of an induction heating type having a relatively high heat conversion efficiency have been used in some image formation apparatuses of an electrophotographic type, or anelectrostatic recording type. Such fixing devices draw great attention due to their abilities to conserve energy, save space, reduce a warm-up period, and so on. In a case where magnetic flux, which is generated by supplying an alternating electric current to an excitation coil, is guided to a conductive heat generation layer by core members (e.g., ferrite cores) so that a specific part of a heatgeneration member is heated, the heat generation member can be constructed with a significantly small heat capacity. Use of such a heat generation member reduces the warm-up period to a great extent. With the above structure, however, only a small area of the heat generation member is in contact with other components, with the result that the heat cannot easily be transferred. In this case, if a print job to print on a recording sheethaving a small width (hereinafter, "small-sized sheet") is repeated continuously, the temperature of portions of the heat generation member that do not come into contact with the recording sheets (hereinafter, "contactless portions") will be abnormallyincreased, the contactless portions being outer edges of the heat generation me
Fixing device and image formation apparatus, Murakami, et al., Masanori Murakami, Fumio Masuda, Application number 12 485-092, Electrophotography
Image Formation Method - Patent 8145115
This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-145120, filed on Jun. 18, 2009 in Japanese Patent Office, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image formation method of forming an image given a stereoscopic effect.TECHNICAL BACKGROUND Conventionally, as a method of forming an image given a stereoscopic effect in the commercial printing field, there is, for example, a so-called barco printing method which increases a thickness of a printed ink layer or of a transparent varnishlayer in an image to form a rugged printed image, thereby giving a stereoscopic effect to the printed image. Particularly, a thick transparent varnish layer exhibits a lens effect to an image of an under layer, whereby a good stereoscopic effect isgiven to the image. Further, there has been realized a so-called lenticular printing method in which a semicircular convex lens sheet is laminated on an image to give a 3D effect to the image. In recent years, in the commercial printing field, a POD (print on demand) apparatus according to an electrophotographic process, which can provide a small volume of prints according to a plateless printing process at a short period and at lowcost, has been widely applied. It is required also in such a POD apparatus to realize an image with a stereoscopic appearance. In order to meet such a requirement, there is proposed, for example, a technique which forms a stereo image by forming atexture pattern on an image employing clear toner (see, for example, Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 2008-532066). Further, there is proposed a technique which expands a toner image formed employing toner containing a foaming agent. As a technique to apply such a technique, there is a technique disclosed for example in Japanese Patent O.P.I. PublicationNo. 2007-93699 in which a stereo image is formed employing clear toner or white toner. Furthermore, there is propo
Image formation method, Yamanouchi, et al., Takao Yamanouchi, Kazue Nakamura, Ryuichi Hiramoto, Michiyo Fujita, Application number 12 797-817, Electrophotography
Sheet Separator And Fixing Unit Using The Same And Image Forming Apparatus Incorporating The Fixing Unit - Patent 8145109
S This patent application is based on and claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-118735 filed on Apr. 30, 2008 in the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Exemplary aspects of the present invention generally relate to an image forming apparatus, such as a copier, a facsimile machine, a printer, or the like, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus including a sheet separation mechanismthat separates sheets of a recording medium from a transport member using air. 2. Description of the background Art Conventionally, a generally known image forming apparatus employs a fixation method using a heating roller. In such a fixation method, heat and pressure are applied to a unfixed toner image on a recording sheet in a nip portion where a pressureroller and a fixing roller including a halogen heater and so forth meet and press against each other while the recording sheet is carried in the nip and transported. Such a fixation method is widely used. Alternatively, there is another known fixation method, known as a belt fixation method, in which an endless fixing belt is wound around and stretched between the heating roller including the halogen heater or the like and the fixing roller. In this method, the fixing roller is pressed by a pressure roller through the fixing belt, forming the fixing nip. Heat and pressure are applied to the unfixed toner image on the recording sheet in the nip portion where the pressure roller andthe fixing belt meet and press against each other while the recording sheet is transported therebetween. This configuration allows the heat capacity of the fixing belt to be relatively small so that time for warming up can be reduced, resulting in power saving. With the foregoing configurations, the toner image fused on the recording sheet contacts the fixing roller/belt. For thi
Sheet separator and fixing unit using the same and image forming apparatus incorporating the fixing unit, Ishikawa, Chuuji Ishikawa, Application number 12 385-785, Electrophotography
Developing Device, Process Cartridge, Image Forming Apparatus And Developer Discharge Device Having A Discharge Port - Patent 8145102
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copier, printer, facsimile device or a combination machine thereof that uses an electrophotographic system, and to a developing device and process cartridge installed therein,and more particularly relates to a developing device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus of a premix developing system that suitably supplies new carrier into the developing device. 2. Description of the Related Art Disclosed in the past (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-183893 (Prior Art 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-112238 (Prior Art 2)) was technology (called a premix developing system) to suitablysupplement new carrier into a developing device of an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer housing two-component developer comprising toner and carrier (this shall include developers to which additives are added). In developing devices that use two-component developer, toner is suitably supplemented into the developing device from a toner supplement port provided on one part of the developing device corresponding to the consumption of toner in thedeveloping device. The supplemental toner is agitated and mixed with the developer in the imaging apparatus by a transport member (agitating member) such as a transport screw. Part of the agitated and mixed developer is supplied to a developing roller. The developer supported on the developing roller is restricted to a suitable amount by a doctor blade, and then, in a position opposite a photosensitive drum, the toner in that two-component developer adheres to a latent image on the photosensitive drum. In this way, carrier degrades over time because the carrier in the two-component developer housed in the developing device remains in the developing device without being consumed in the normal developing process. In more detail, this generatesthe "film scraping phenomenon", in whi
Developing device, process cartridge, image forming apparatus and developer discharge device having a discharge port, Tateyama, et al., Susumu Tateyama, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Tatsuya Kubo, Application number 12 204-337, Electrophotography