Abstract: To improve the user maintainability and cost performance with respect to replacing replaceable components in an image forming apparatus using a tandem type intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming device in which even if spherical toner made by the polymerization method is used, the toner can be preferably cleaned with a cleaning blade. The image forming device includes a process unit having a photoconductive member and a drum cleaning device that removes toner remaining after transfer from the surface of the photoconductive member, and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the photoconductive member to an intermediate transfer belt. A plate shaped cleaning blade that contacts the surface of the photoconductive member to scrape off the toner on the surface of the photoconductive member is used as the drum cleaning device. A photoconductive member having a static coefficient of friction with a sheet as measured by the Euler belt type coefficient of friction measurement method of 0.5 or greater is used as the photoconductive member. Also, a cleaning blade having a static coefficient of friction with a polytetrafluoroethylene tape in the range 1.0 to 2.

Abstract: A destaticizer which is adapted to remove electric charges from the surface of a photoreceptor by exposing the photoreceptor surface to light. The destaticizer includes a light source, and a light guide member for generally uniformly guiding light from the light source to a light exposure area on the photoreceptor. In accordance with one embodiment, the light guide member is an elongated member, which has an end face serving as a light receiving face for receiving the light emitted from the light source, a light transmitting path for transmitting the light received by the light receiving face, and a plurality of reflecting portions arranged along the length of the light guide member for reflecting the light transmitted through the light transmitting path in a direction intersecting the length of the light guide member.

Abstract: A developing apparatus is used for developing a photoconductive drum in a copying machine. The developing apparatus comprises a following developing roller for developing said photoconductive drum, an opposing developing roller for developing a photoconductive drum before the following developing roller, a supply mechanism for supplying developer to the developing rollers, a developer-quantity-regulator plate disposed between the following developing roller and the supply mechanism, and a limiting plate for limiting the length of the magnetic brush formed on the following developing roller. The distance between the photoconductive drum and the opposing developing roller is larger than the distance between the photoconductive drum and the following developing roller. The regulator plate is disposed apart from the developing rollers at a distance longer than the length of their magnetic brushes.