Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage container in which toner is stored, a replenishment port configured to allow replenishment of toner from the replenishment container outside the image forming apparatus to the storage container therethrough, a replenishment restriction portion, a drive source configured to supply a driving force, and a drive transmission portion configured to take a first operation state, in which the drive transmission portion transmits the driving force of the drive source to the replenishment restriction portion to switch the replenishment restriction portion between a restricting state and an allowing state, and a second operation state, in which the drive transmission portion transmits the driving force of the drive source to a toner conveyance portion to cause the toner conveyance portion to convey toner.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a heater including a heating member, a heater holder configured to hold the heater, a detection element configured to detect a temperature of the heater and disposed at a position that faces the heater in a third direction, a first holding member configured to hold the detection element, an urging member configured to urge the first holding member, a flexible member extending in the first direction and configured to support the first holding member on a first end portion of the flexible member in the first direction, and a second holding member configured to hold a second end portion of the flexible member in the first direction. The flexible member is flexible such that the first holding member and the second holding member are movable relative to each other in the third direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage container in which toner is stored, a replenishment port configured to allow replenishment of toner from the replenishment container outside the image forming apparatus to the storage container therethrough, a replenishment restriction portion, a drive source configured to supply a driving force, and a drive transmission portion configured to take a first operation state, in which the drive transmission portion transmits the driving force of the drive source to the replenishment restriction portion to switch the replenishment restriction portion between a restricting state and an allowing state, and a second operation state, in which the drive transmission portion transmits the driving force of the drive source to a toner conveyance portion to cause the toner conveyance portion to convey toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage container in which toner is stored, a replenishment port configured to allow replenishment of toner from a replenishment container outside the image forming apparatus to the storage container therethrough, a replenishment restriction portion, and a drive source configured to supply a driving force A drive transmission portion is configured to take a first operation state, in which the drive transmission portion transmits the driving force of the drive source to the replenishment restriction portion to switch the replenishment restriction portion between a restricting state and an allowing state, and a second operation state, in which the drive transmission portion transmits the driving force of the drive source to a toner conveyance portion to cause the toner conveyance portion to convey toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage container in which toner is stored, a replenishment port configured to allow replenishment of toner from the replenishment container outside the image forming apparatus to the storage container therethrough, a replenishment restriction portion, a drive source configured to supply a driving force, and a drive transmission portion configured to take a first operation state, in which the drive transmission portion transmits the driving force of the drive source to the replenishment restriction portion to switch the replenishment restriction portion between a restricting state and an allowing state, and a second operation state, in which the drive transmission portion transmits the driving force of the drive source to a toner conveyance portion to cause the toner conveyance portion to convey toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a contact-separation mechanism that causes a photosensitive drum and a developer-bearing member to come into contact with each other or to separate from each other and a restricting member that restricts movement of a cartridge with the cartridge installed in a main body of the image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, the contact-separation mechanism causes the photosensitive drum and the developer-bearing member to separate from each other while the restricting member restricts the movement of the cartridge with the cartridge installed in the main body. The restriction of the movement of the cartridge by the restricting member is released in conjunction with operation of bringing the photosensitive drum and the developer-bearing member into contact with each other by the contact-separation mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a contact-separation mechanism that causes a photosensitive drum and a developer-bearing member to come into contact with each. other or to separate from each other and a restricting member that restricts movement of a cartridge with the cartridge installed in a main body of the image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, the contact-separation mechanism causes the photosensitive drum and the developer-bearing member to separate from each other while the restricting member restricts the movement of the cartridge with the cartridge installed in the main body. The restriction of the movement. of the cartridge by the restricting member is released in conjunction with operation of bringing the photosensitive drum and the developer-bearing member into contact with each other by the contact-separation mechanism.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus fixes an image formed on a recording material and includes a guiding member for guiding movement of the recording material, provided in a recording material passing opening of the apparatus, a rib projecting from a recording-material passing surface of the guiding member, for being contacted by the recording material, a shutter provided at a position opposing the guiding member and movable between a position for opening the passing opening and a position closing the passing opening, and a projection provided at a position of the shutter opposing a portion of the guiding member not having the rib with respect to a direction perpendicular to a recording material feeding direction. When the shutter takes the closing position, the clearance between the rib and the shutter is larger than the clearance between the guiding member and the projection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a plurality of sodium salts represented by the formula (I): wherein, m1, n1, m2 and n2 respectively and independently represent a positive number between 0 and 2, provided that m1+n1=2, m2+n2=2, 0<m1+m2<4 and 0<n1+n2<4, and a method for producing the same, and a method for inhibiting the decomposition of a sodium salt represented by general formula (IV): comprising: having the sodium salt represented by general formula (IV) in the presence of the sodium salts represented by formula (I), and according to the present invention the stability over time of the sodium salt represented by general formula (IV) is improved.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus for fixing an image formed on a recording material, the fixing device includes a guiding member for guiding movement of the recording material, provided in a recording material passing opening of the apparatus; a rib projecting from a recording material passing surface of the guiding member, for being contacted by the recording material; a shutter provided at a position opposing the guiding member and movable between a position for opening the passing opening and a position closing the passing opening, and a projection provided at a position of the shutter opposing a position of the guiding member not having the rib with respect to a direction perpendicular to a recording material feeding direction, wherein when the shutter takes the closing position, a clearance between the rib and the shutter is larger than a clearance between the guiding member and the projection.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sodium salt represented by the average formula (I) below, and a method for producing such a sodium salt. (In the formula, m1, n1, m2 and n2 independently represent 0 or a positive number not greater than 2, while satisfying m1+n1=2, m2+n2=2, 0<m1+m2<4 and 0<n1+n2<4.) Also disclosed is a decomposition suppression method which makes a sodium salt represented by average formula (I) coexist with a sodium salt represented by the general formula (IV) below. This method enables improvement of long-term stability of a sodium salt represented by general formula (IV).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sodium salt represented by average formula (I): (wherein, m1, n1, m2 and n2 respectively and independently represent a positive number of 0 0r 2 or less, provided that m1+n1=2, m2+n2=2, 0<m1+m2<4 and 0<n1+n2<4), a method for producing the same, and a method for inhibiting decomposition of a sodium salt represented by general formula (IV): [CHEMICAL 4] comprising: having the sodium salt represented by general formula (IV) in the presence of the sodium salt represented by average formula (I), and according to the present invention the stability over time of the sodium salt represented by general formula (IV) is improved.