Abstract: A duct for guiding air outside an image forming apparatus to a charging device includes: a first flow passage; a second flow passage bent from the first flow passage and extending in a direction orthogonal to a rotational direction and a rotational axis direction of a photosensitive drum, the second flow passage being provided with an outlet; and a plurality of flow dividing plates provided in the second flow passage, the plurality of flow dividing plates being disposed in parallel along the rotational axis direction and forming a third flow passage between the flow dividing plates adjacent to each other, in which a relationship between a length in the orthogonal direction and a length in the rotational axis direction of the third flow passage is a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A second duct 50 for guiding air outside an image forming apparatus A to a charging device 2 includes: a first flow passage 50c; a second flow passage 50d bent from the first flow passage 50c and extending in a direction orthogonal to a rotational direction and a rotational axis direction of a photosensitive drum, the second flow passage 50d being provided with an outlet 50b; and a plurality of flow dividing plates 60 provided in the second flow passage 50d, the plurality of flow dividing plates 60 being disposed in parallel along the rotational axis direction and forming a third flow passage between the flow dividing plates 60 adjacent to each other, in which a relationship between a length in the orthogonal direction and a length in the rotational axis direction of the third flow passage is a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a transport guide that is included in a first transport path along which a sheet is to be transported and a flapper that selectively guides the sheet, which is transported by passing through the first transport path, to a second transport path and a third transport path. The transport guide has an air-blowing hole that is positioned further upstream than the flapper in a transport direction of the sheet. The sheet transport apparatus further includes an air-blowing fan that blows air to the flapper from outside the first transport path via the air-blowing hole.

Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus includes a transport guide that is included in a first transport path along which a sheet is to be transported and a flapper that selectively guides the sheet, which is transported by passing through the first transport path, to a second transport path and a third transport path. The transport guide has an air-blowing hole that is positioned further upstream than the flapper in a transport direction of the sheet. The sheet transport apparatus further includes an air-blowing fan that blows air to the flapper from outside the first transport path via the air-blowing hole.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes: first and second rotatable member configured to heat-fix, at a nip therebetween, an unfixed toner image formed on a sheet by using a toner containing a parting agent; a casing, configured to accommodate the first and second rotatable member, including a sheet introducing opening and a sheet discharging opening; and a suppressing portion configured to suppress diffusion, toward the sheet discharging opening, of particles having a predetermined diameter resulting from a parting agent in the neighborhood of the sheet introducing opening, wherein the suppressing portion is provided in a position of 0.5 mm or more and 3.5 mm or less from a surface of the first rotatable member in a space in the casing from the sheet introducing opening to the sheet discharging opening.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: a sheet stacking portion on which a sheet discharged from a sheet discharge port is stacked; a cover portion configured to move to a closed position for covering the sheet discharge port and the sheet stacking portion and an open position for allowing taking out of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion; a sheet pressing portion configured to move to a press-down position for pressing the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion and an apart position that is distant from the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion; and a movement-linking portion configured to cause the sheet pressing portion to move from the apart position to the press-down position upon an opening movement of the cover portion.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus comprising: a sheet stacking portion on which a sheet discharged from a sheet discharge port is stacked; a cover portion configured to move to a closed position for covering the sheet discharge port and the sheet stacking portion and an open position for allowing taking out of the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion; a sheet pressing portion configured to move to a press-down position for pressing the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion and an apart position that is distant from the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking portion; and a movement-linking portion configured to cause the sheet pressing portion to move from the apart position to the press-down position upon an opening movement of the cover portion.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes: first and second rotatable member configured to heat-fix, at a nip therebetween, an unfixed toner image formed on a sheet by using a toner containing a parting agent; a casing, configured to accommodate the first and second rotatable member, including a sheet introducing opening and a sheet discharging opening; and a suppressing portion configured to suppress diffusion, toward the sheet discharging opening, of particles having a predetermined diameter resulting from a parting agent in the neighborhood of the sheet introducing opening, wherein the suppressing portion is provided in a position of 0.5 mm or more and 3.5 mm or less from a surface of the first rotatable member in a space in the casing from the sheet introducing opening to the sheet discharging opening.

Abstract: An engraving processing apparatus includes a laser engraving unit configured to perform engraving processing for forming a recessed portion on a sheet by irradiating a laser beam onto the sheet, and a controller configured to control an engraving processing operation of the laser engraving unit.

Abstract: A first air blowing portion including an upper duct and a first fan blows air along a first surface of a sheet passing through a sheet conveying path in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction, and a second air blowing portion including a lower duct and a second fan blows air along a second surface opposed to the first surface of the sheet passing through the sheet conveying path in a direction reverse to the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction of the first air blowing portion, so that both surfaces of the sheet are cooled.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus configured to bind a sheet bundle includes a folding portion configured to fold the sheet bundle, a sheet processing portion provided upstream of the folding portion and configured to form a groove at a fold position of at least one sheet of the sheet bundle, and a controller configured to control an operation of the sheet processing portion. The controller controls an operation of the sheet processing portion such that a width of a groove formed on a sheet located on an outer side of the folded sheet bundle is larger than that of a groove formed on a sheet located on an inner side of the folded sheet bundle.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus configured to bind a sheet bundle includes a folding portion configured to fold the sheet bundle, a sheet processing portion provided upstream of the folding portion and configured to form a groove at a fold position of at least one sheet of the sheet bundle, and a controller configured to control an operation of the sheet processing portion. The controller controls an operation of the sheet processing portion such that a width of a groove formed on a sheet located on an outer side of the folded sheet bundle is larger than that of a groove formed on a sheet located on an inner side of the folded sheet bundle.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus configured to bind a sheet bundle includes a folding portion configured to fold the sheet bundle, a sheet processing portion provided upstream of the folding portion and configured to form a groove at a fold position of at least one sheet of the sheet bundle, and a controller configured to control an operation of the sheet processing portion. The controller controls an operation of the sheet processing portion such that a width of a groove formed on a sheet located on an outer side of the folded sheet bundle is larger than that of a groove formed on a sheet located on an inner side of the folded sheet bundle.

Abstract: A first air blowing portion including an upper duct and a first fan blows air along a first surface of a sheet passing through a sheet conveying path in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction, and a second air blowing portion including a lower duct and a second fan blows air along a second surface opposed to the first surface of the sheet passing through the sheet conveying path in a direction reverse to the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction of the first air blowing portion, so that both surfaces of the sheet are cooled.

Abstract: A sheet feeding unit according to the invention includes a sheet stacking tray on which the sheet is stacked, a sheet feeding device which feeds the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking tray, and a unit frame which supports the sheet stacking tray and the sheet feeding portion and is attached to a apparatus main body. In the sheet feeding unit, the sheet feeding device is pivotable on the unit frame to change a sheet feeding direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image, formed on an image-bearing member, with toner; a developer supply container which contains developer containing toner and a carrier and is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus; developer supply means for supplying the developer contained in the developer supply container to the developing device; and developer discharge means for permitting discharge of the developer in the developing device to the outside of the developing device. To the image forming apparatus, one of plural kinds of developer supply containers containing developers having different carrier ratios in the developers is selectively mountable. The image forming apparatus further comprises notification means for providing notification of the kind of the developer supply container to be selected on the basis of information on deterioration of the carrier when the developer supply container is replaced.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus configured to bind a sheet bundle includes a folding portion configured to fold the sheet bundle, a sheet processing portion provided upstream of the folding portion and configured to form a groove at a fold position of at least one sheet of the sheet bundle, and a controller configured to control an operation of the sheet processing portion. The controller controls an operation of the sheet processing portion such that a width of a groove formed on a sheet located on an outer side of the folded sheet bundle is larger than that of a groove formed on a sheet located on an inner side of the folded sheet bundle.

Abstract: An engraving processing apparatus includes a laser engraving unit configured to perform engraving processing for forming a recessed portion on a sheet by irradiating a laser beam onto the sheet, and a controller configured to control an engraving processing operation of the laser engraving unit.

Abstract: A sheet feeding unit according to the invention includes a sheet stacking tray on which the sheet is stacked, a sheet feeding device which feeds the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking tray, and a unit frame which supports the sheet stacking tray and the sheet feeding portion and is attached to a apparatus main body. In the sheet feeding unit, the sheet feeding device is pivotable on the unit frame to change a sheet feeding direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image, formed on an image-bearing member, with toner; a developer supply container which contains developer containing toner and a carrier and is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus; developer supply means for supplying the developer contained in the developer supply container to the developing device; and developer discharge means for permitting discharge of the developer in the developing device to the outside of the developing device. To the image forming apparatus, one of plural kinds of developer supply containers containing developers having different carrier ratios in the developers is selectively mountable. The image forming apparatus further comprises notification means for providing notification of the kind of the developer supply container to be selected on the basis of information on deterioration of the carrier when the developer supply container is replaced.