Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus comprises a mounting portion on which an ink jet cartridge is detachably mounted, the cartridge having a connector and a recording head portion for discharging ink to perform image recording. The mounting portion has a body connector associated therewith for electrically connecting the connector of the cartridge to the apparatus. A recording head positioner positions the recording head portion of the cartridge on the mounting portion. An operation device displaces the cartridge and the body connector relative to each other to connect the body connector to the cartridge connector.

Abstract: The improvement is in the driving mechanism and positioning mechanism between an image bearing member and a main assembly of an image forming apparatus using the image bearing member. The image bearing member has a shaft receiving portion adjacent the center thereof to receive a positioning shaft of the main assembly when the image bearing member is mounted in said main assembly. By the receiving engagement, the image bearing member is correctly positioned with respect to the main assembly. The image bearing member is also provided with a driving force receiving portion where the image bearing member is engaged with a driving member of the main assembly so that the image bearing member can be driven from the main assembly. In such an arrangement, the shaft receiving portion and the driving force receiving portion are radially overlapped, at least in part, with each other as seen from a rotational axis of the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image reading device capable of reading a projected image has a lens array for forming an image from the projected light. Upbeam of the lens array is disposed a diffusion member which diffuses the luminous flux of the projected light. Preferably, a Fresnel lens is disposed to receive the projected light, and the diffusion member is a lower surface of the Fresnel lens which has been subjected to a surface-roughening treatment.

Abstract: The improvement is in the driving mechanism and positioning mechanism between an image bearing member and a main assembly of an image forming apparatus using the image bearing member. The image bearing member has a shaft receiving portion adjacent the center thereof to receive a positioning shaft of the main assembly when the image bearing member is mounted in said main assembly. By the receiving engagement, the image bearing member is correctly positioned with respect to the main assembly. The image bearing member is also provided with a driving force receiving portion where the image bearing member is engaged with a driving member of the main assembly so that the image bearing member can be driven from the main assembly. In such an arrangement, the shaft receiving portion and the driving force receiving portion are radially overlapped, at least in part, with each other as seen from a rotational axis of the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an intermediate guide device which is disposed at an intermediate portion between a transfer section and a fixing section for the purpose of guiding a transfer medium while imparting breadthwise tension thereto. This intermediate guide device prevents any wrinkle occurring in the transfer medium near the fixing section from being moved toward the transfer section. In addition, the toner on the transfer medium is prevented from being transferred onto upper-surface rollers of the guide device when the electric charge of the toner leaks to the rollers.

Abstract: An image bearing member which is detachably mounted into a main assembly, and which is to be electrically connected with the main assembly. The image bearing member has a conductive drum member having an insulating flange. Adjacent an inside end of the insulating flange, a conductive member is provided in the manner it is electrically connected to an inner surface of the conductive drum member. The conductive member is electrically connected with a conductive member of a main assembly when the image bearing member is mounted in the main assembly.

Abstract: A process cartridge containing as a unit a photosensitive drum and processing elements for repetitive image formation on the photosensitive drum. The process cartridge is mountable into an image forming machine. The process cartridge is provided with a helical gear for driving the photosensitive drum. The helical gear is engaged with another helical gear in the image forming machine, when it is mounted into the image forming machine. The helical gears are twisted in such directions that when the photosensitive drum is driven, the photosensitive drum is urged toward a rear side of the apparatus, whereby during an image forming operation, the process cartridge and/or the photosensitive member is correctly positioned. More particularly, the helical gear of the process cartridge is twisted in a direction which is the same as the direction of rotation of the photosensitive drum during the image forming operation.

Abstract: This invention provides a sheet feeding device suitable for use as a paper feeding device in an image forming apparatus such as a copying apparatus. The feeding device is provided with a sheet receiving portion for supporting thereon a number of sheets in superposed relationship, and means for passing therethrough the endmost one of the sheets supported on the sheet receiving portion. The feature of the invention resides that a control member vertically movable as viewed in the direction of superposition of the sheets to direct only the endmost sheet to the means is provided between the leading end edge of the superposed sheets and the means.