Abstract: A post-processing device performs a first and a second folding processes on a sheet. The post-processing device comprises a pair of conveying rollers on a first conveying path, a first pair of folding rollers at a downstream side of the pair of conveying rollers on the first conveying path to perform a second folding process on the sheet, a second pair of folding rollers on a second conveying path branched from the first conveying path between the pair of conveying rollers and the first pair of folding rollers, to perform a first folding process on the sheet, and a guide at a closure position which shuts the first conveying path, to guide the sheet conveyed from the pair of conveying rollers to the first pair of folding rollers.

Abstract: A paper folding apparatus includes: a pair of folding rollers driven in a rotational manner; a carrying roller configured to carry paper in such a manner that the paper passes near a nip part of the pair of folding rollers; a unit configured to form, near the nip part, deflection of the paper carried by the carrying roller toward the nip part; a pushing member which is configured to push the paper, which is carried by the carrying roller, toward the nip part of the folding rollers, the pushing member being provided in a manner movable from a position retracted from a carrying path of the paper toward the nip part; a drive unit configured to generate driving force to move the pushing member; and an elastic member configured to transmit the driving force from the drive unit to the pushing member.

Abstract: A paper folding apparatus includes: a pair of folding rollers driven in a rotational manner; a carrying roller configured to carry paper in such a manner that the paper passes near a nip part of the pair of folding rollers; a unit configured to form, near the nip part, deflection of the paper carried by the carrying roller toward the nip part; a pushing member which is configured to push the paper, which is carried by the carrying roller, toward the nip part of the folding rollers, the pushing member being provided in a manner movable from a position retracted from a carrying path of the paper toward the nip part; a drive unit configured to generate driving force to move the pushing member; and an elastic member configured to transmit the driving force from the drive unit to the pushing member.

Abstract: A combination gear having a simple structure is provided at low cost without increasing a number of components. In at least two gears adjacent in an axial line direction and having a same rotation direction, three engaging portions arranged in a regular triangle are formed at an end of one of the adjacent gears and a regular triangle engaging hole is formed at an end of another gear. The engaging portions and the engaging hole fit together with play remaining, and when one of the gears rotates, the three engaging portions and three surfaces of the engaging hole engage such that the other gear rotates coaxially, and when rotation stops, the engaging portions and the engaging hole move in a direction orthogonal to the axial line by a play amount and become eccentric.

Abstract: An imaging cartridge has a process unit and a toner box unit formed by integrating a new toner box and a waste toner box. The toner box unit is attachable to and detachable from the process unit. Shutters which open and close a connecting section between the new toner box and a developing device included in the process unit can be opened by manual operation when the toner box unit is attached to the process unit. Shutters and which open and close a connecting section between a cleaning device included in the process unit and the waste toner box are opened when the imaging cartridge is in the process of being moved to a prescribed position in an apparatus body.

Abstract: An imaging cartridge includes an image carrier, a developing device, a cleaning device, a waste toner box, a communication section and transporter means. A communication section formed by positioning a first joint section of the cleaning device and a second joint section of the waste toner box in overlapping positions. Opposed faces of the first joint section and the second joint section are formed such that the first extended regions are gradually extended toward the image carrier and the second extended regions are gradually extended toward the opposed side of the image carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging cartridge in which a handle, which is used for mounting the imaging cartridge to either one of two image forming apparatuses in which the attachment/detachment directions of the imaging cartridge are different, does not obstruct the mounting operation of the imaging cartridge to the other image forming apparatus. The imaging cartridge can be attached to or detached from a main body of a first image forming apparatus in a first direction, while can be attached to or detached from a main body of a second image forming apparatus in a second direction that is different from the first direction by 90 degrees. The imaging cartridge includes a pair of handles gripped upon attaching or detaching the imaging cartridge to or from the main body of the first image forming apparatus in the first direction.

Abstract: Downsizing can be achieved even with simple structure. An imaging cartridge includes an image carrier 15, a developing device 17, a cleaning device 18, a new toner box 19 and a waste toner box 20. The image carrier 15, the developing device 17 and the cleaning device 18 are juxtaposed with the new toner box 19 and the waste toner box 20. The cleaning device 18 and the waste toner box 20 are placed adjacent to each other. A first joint section 31 of the cleaning device 18 and a second joint section 37 of the waste toner box 20 are positioned so as to overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to an adjoining direction and are communicated through a communication section 34. Opposed faces of the first joint section 31 and the second joint section 37 are formed in the state of being inclined with respect to the adjoining direction. The transportation means for transporting waste toner 28, 38 are housed in respective extended regions 32, 39 formed by inclining the opposed faces 31a, 37a.

Abstract: An imaging cartridge has a process unit and a toner box unit formed by integrating a new toner box and a waste toner box. The toner box unit is attachable to and detachable from the process unit. Shutters which open and close a connecting section between the new toner box and a developing device included in the process unit can be opened by manual operation when the toner box unit is attached to the process unit. Shutters and which open and close a connecting section between a cleaning device included in the process unit and the waste toner box are opened when the imaging cartridge is in the process of being moved to a prescribed position in an apparatus body.

Abstract: An imaging cartridge is detachably loaded into an image forming apparatus body. A process unit has a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor to form a toner image, and a cleaning device for collecting toner remaining on the image bearing body even after transfer of the toner image. A new toner box is detachably attached to the process unit and serves for storing therein unused toner fed to a developing device. A waste toner box is detachably attached to the process unit and serves for storing therein waste toner collected by the cleaning device. A support mechanism couples the new toner box and the waste toner box to each other so as to be supported each other in a manner allowing elastic relative displacement.

Abstract: A combination gear having a simple structure is provided at low cost without increasing a number of components. In at least two gears adjacent in an axial line direction and having a same rotation direction, three engaging portions arranged in a regular triangle are formed at an end of one of the adjacent gears and a regular triangle engaging hole is formed at an end of another gear. The engaging portions and the engaging hole fit together with play remaining, and when one of the gears rotates, the three engaging portions and three surfaces of the engaging hole engage such that the other gear rotates coaxially, and when rotation stops, the engaging portions and the engaging hole move in a direction orthogonal to the axial line by a play amount and become eccentric.