Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a developer unit seal is described. The seal includes a first sealing member to contact an end cap of the developer unit. The first sealing member has ports to align with rollers that are to protrude into the end cap. The seal includes a second sealing member to contact the first sealing member. The second sealing member has ports to align with the rollers. Channels are disposed between the first sealing member and the second sealing member to direct print fluid to each of the ports.

Abstract: A cartridge is configured to be attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus and configured to receive toner supplied from a supply container. The cartridge includes a supply port configured to receive the toner supplied from the supply container, a shutter member configured to cover the supply port, and a locking member. The locking member is moved from a lock position to an unlock position to allow movement of the shutter member by using electric power supplied from the main body.

Abstract: A seal member includes a seal surface that comes into contact with and slides with an end portion of an outer circumferential surface of a developing roller. The seal surface includes a first seal region configured of a plurality of first fiber bundles including a first fiber having a charge property that repels a developer, and a second seal region configured of a plurality of second fiber bundles including a second fiber having a charge property that attracts the developer, both extending in an inclined direction such that a portion thereof closer to an opening portion of a frame body of a developing unit is located further downstream in a rotating direction of the developing roller, and being alternately disposed in the rotating direction, and a proportion of a portion occupied by the second fiber bundles on the seal surface is at least 5% and not more than 60%.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus includes a developing frame, a rotatable developing member, a regulation blade to regulate developer borne on a developing member surface, and a seal member to prevent developer from leaking outside the developing frame. The regulation blade includes a support plate, a plate-shaped member, and a regulation member. The seal member is fixed to a facing surface of the plate-shaped member, is arranged at a plate-shaped member end portion, is arranged side by side with the regulation member in a rotational axis direction, contacts an end surface of the regulation member, and is disposed between the plate-shaped member and the developing member in a direction intersecting with the rotational axis direction. The plate-shaped member is welded to a region of the support plate excluding a region outside the end surface of the regulation member in the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: A developing device includes a development casing, a developer carrying member, a regulating blade, a pair of pressing members, and a blade seal member. The development casing has an opening part. The developer carrying member has a developing area. The blade seal member includes a first layer material and a second layer material. The development casing has facing surfaces. The second layer material has positioning protrusions protruding from the first layer material in a rotation axis direction at positions inside both ends of the first layer material in the rotation axis direction, so as to contact the facing surfaces and be positioned in the rotation axis direction. When the second layer material is positioned in the rotation axis direction, the first layer material is pressed in contact with the pressing members in the rotation axis direction.

Abstract: A developing device includes a development casing, a developer carrying member, and a regulating blade. The development casing has an opening part. The developer carrying member has a developing area. The development casing has a blade facing part. The regulating blade includes a fixed part and a regulating part, and a space between the regulating part and the blade facing part is larger than a space between the fixed part and the blade facing part. The developing device further includes a blade seal member. The blade seal member is disposed between the regulating blade and the blade facing part, and is glued to an upstream side surface of the regulating part in the rotation direction, so as to seal a gap between the regulating blade and the blade facing part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an image carrier, a development device, a main body opening, and a guide rail. The main body opening is formed on an upper surface of the apparatus main body. The development device is movable along the guide rail between the main body opening and an attachment position. The development container has a container opening and a blocking member. The container opening is opened to a downstream side in an attachment direction of the development device. The blocking member is provided on the downstream side of the container opening in the attachment direction and stands upward from a lower end portion of the container opening. When the development container is disposed in a position where an inclination of the guide rail is largest, an inclination angle of the blocking member with respect to a horizontal plane is 80° to 130°.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a housing in which a developer is contained; a cover member configured to cover an upper opening of the housing; a developer holder that is supported by the housing and holds the developer on an outer surface and rotates; and a regulating member that faces the developer holder and is configured to regulate an amount of the developer on the outer surface. The device also includes a first exit path inclined toward an inside of the housing which is configured to exit air from the inside of the housing to an outside of the cover member. A second exit path connects the first exit path and a filter member provided on the cover member, in which the filter member prevents passage of the developer and allows for passage of air.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container, a developer carrier, a seal member, and a pair of pressing members. The developing container has an opening. The seal member includes a contact end part that makes contact with an entire region of an outer circumferential surface of the developer carrier in its rotary shaft direction and is one of end edges of the seal member in a longitudinal direction thereof on a side near the developer carrier and an interposed end part that is interposed between each of both end parts of the developer carder and a corresponding one of the pressing members and is an end edge of the seal member orthogonal to the contact end part, and a chamfered shape is formed at a corner between the contact end part and the interposed end part.

Abstract: An electronic equipment enclosure includes a frame structure at least partially enclosed by a plurality of panels defining a compartment in which one or more electronic components are mounted and an exhaust air duct that is adapted to segregate hot air being exhausted from the compartment from cool air entering the compartment, thereby improving thermal management of the enclosure. The exhaust duct includes a lower duct section extending upward from the top panel of the compartment and an upper duct section telescoping upward from an upper end of the lower duct section. Each duct section includes four panels connected together by hinged corner fittings such that the section is collapsible. The upper duct section includes an outwardly flared portion.

Abstract: A drum cleaner in a drum unit removes toner from a photosensitive drum. A waste-toner conveyance pipe has a waste-toner discharge port and conveys toner removed from the photosensitive drum by the drum cleaner. A toner accommodation chamber accommodates toner to be supplied to a developing roller. A waste-toner accommodation chamber accommodates toner removed from the photosensitive drum. A toner cartridge rotatably moves relative to the drum unit between: a first position at which a waste-toner receiving port is separated from the waste-toner discharge port in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum unit; and a second position at which an internal space of the waste-toner accommodation chamber is in communication with an internal space of the waste-toner conveyance pipe through the waste-toner discharge port and the waste-toner receiving port in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum unit.

Abstract: A cartridge is configured to be attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus and configured to receive toner supplied from a supply container. The cartridge includes a supply port configured to receive the toner supplied from the supply container, a shutter member configured to cover the supply port, and a locking member. The locking member is moved from a lock position to an unlock position to allow movement of the shutter member by using electric power supplied from the main body.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing having a groove recessed inward; a developing roller having an outer circumferential surface; a blade; and a blade holder having a first plate and a second plate. The developing roller is rotatable about a rotational axis extending in a first direction. The blade regulates a thickness of toner layer on the outer circumferential surface. The blade has one end portion and another end portion in a second direction. The another end portion of the blade is positioned farther from the outer circumferential surface than the one end portion of the blade is from the outer circumferential surface. The first plate extends in the second direction and supports the another end portion of the blade. The second plate extends from the first plate in a third direction crossing the second direction to have a distal end portion positioned within the groove.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container, a bearing, a stirring transport member, and a seal member. The bearing is inserted and fixed to a through hole provided to the developing container. The bearing includes a bearing side engaging part formed on outer periphery surface of the bearing to have outer diameter different from that of other part in the axial direction of the bearing, a first outer periphery part positioned inside the bearing side engaging part in the axial direction, and a second outer periphery part positioned outside the same in the axial direction. A container side engaging part engaging with the bearing side engaging part is formed on inner periphery surface of the through hole at the same position in the axial direction as the bearing side engaging part, to have inner diameter different from that of other part in the axial direction of the through hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a development cartridge detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus. The development cartridge includes a lateral waste toner sealing member contacting an end portion of a photosensitive drum in a lengthwise direction of the photosensitive drum to prevent a waste toner from leaking through the end portion of the photosensitive drum, and a photosensitive frame including a waste toner container to contain the waste toner, a first attachment surface, to which the lateral waste toner sealing member is attached, and a side wall to form a boundary at an upstream side of the first attachment surface with respect to a rotation direction of the photosensitive drum. The lateral waste toner sealing member includes an opposite surface facing the side wall, and a protrusion protruding towards the side wall is provided on the opposite surface.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus includes a developing frame, a rotatable developing member, a regulation blade to regulate developer borne on a developing member surface, and a seal member to prevent developer from leaking outside the developing frame. The regulation blade includes a support plate, a plate-shaped member, and a regulation member. The seal member is fixed to a facing surface of the plate-shaped member, is arranged at a plate-shaped member end portion, is arranged side by side with the regulation member in a rotational axis direction, contacts an end surface of the regulation member, and is disposed between the plate-shaped member and the developing member in a direction intersecting with the rotational axis direction. The plate-shaped member is welded to a region of the support plate excluding a region outside the end surface of the regulation member in the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container, a first stirring member and a second stirring member, and a developing roller. The developing container includes a first stirring chamber, a second stirring chamber, and a communication portion. The first stirring member includes a reverse spiral vane that conveys a developer in a direction reverse to a circulation direction. An air discharge duct is formed on a wall portion of the first stirring chamber opposed to the reverse spiral vane and in an area excluding the communication portion and discharges air from the first stirring chamber to an outside of the developing container via an air discharge port at a distal end of the air discharge duct. A filtration portion is disposed in the air discharge duct adjacently to the air discharge port and restricts leakage of the developer through the air discharge port.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member unit including a photosensitive drum; a sheet configured to remove a deposited matter from a surface of the drum, the sheet being in contact with the surface of the drum at an end portion of the drum with respect to a rotational axis direction of the member; and a developing unit detachably mounted to the member unit, the developing unit including a developing roller configured to supply toner to the drum, and a storage portion configured to store the deposited matter removed from the surface of the drum by the sheet.

Abstract: A drum cleaner in a drum unit removes toner from a photosensitive drum. A waste-toner conveyance pipe has a waste-toner discharge port and conveys toner removed from the photosensitive drum by the drum cleaner. A toner accommodation chamber accommodates toner to be supplied to a developing roller. A waste-toner accommodation chamber accommodates toner removed from the photosensitive drum. A toner cartridge rotatably moves relative to the drum unit between: a first position at which a waste-toner receiving port is separated from the waste-toner discharge port in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum unit; and a second position at which an internal space of the waste-toner accommodation chamber is in communication with an internal space of the waste-toner conveyance pipe through the waste-toner discharge port and the waste-toner receiving port in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum unit.

Abstract: Conventionally, when a developer is supplied into a developer receiving apparatus from a developer supply container using the air, a filter is provided in the developer receiving apparatus side, but the pressure feeding type wherein a mixture of the air and the developer is continuously fed from the developer supply container into the developer receiving apparatus side involves a problem of filter clogging. The developer supply container side is provided with a pump portion which effects a suction operation for moving the air from inside of the developer receiving portion to the developer accommodating portion side and a discharging operation for moving the air from the inside of the developer accommodating portion to the developer receiving portion side. By this, a back washing effect of dusting the developer from the filter is applied to the filter portion during the suction operation, so that the clogging of the filter is suppressed.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing roller to rotate in a predetermined direction of rotation and opposed to or in contact with an image bearer to form a development range, a cover to cover the developing roller downstream from the development range in the predetermined direction of rotation, a sheet member cantilevered by the cover to contact the developing roller with a flat face of the sheet member while trailing along the predetermined direction of rotation at a position downstream from the development range. The cover includes a large gap portion to form a first gap in a first predetermined range in the predetermined direction of rotation and a small gap portion disposed adjacent to and downstream from the large gap portion in the predetermined direction of rotation to form a second gap smaller than the first gap in a second predetermined range in the predetermined direction of rotation.

Abstract: A seal member includes a first seal portion abutting an end portion of a rotating body to seal a gap between a storage container and the end portion, and a second seal portion abutting an end portion of a blade to seal a gap between the storage container and the end portion. The second seal portion has a tip contacting portion to contact a tip portion of the blade and a non-tip contacting portion to contact a portion of the blade except for the tip portion. The non-tip contacting portion is recessed to form a step between the non-tip contacting portion and the tip contacting portion. The tip contacting portion includes a base portion to contact with the storage container, an abutting portion configured to abut the blade, and a connecting portion which connects the base portion and the abutting portion to each other.

Abstract: A developing device includes first and second chambers, a developing roller, first and second mixers, and one or more removable seals. The developing roller is in the first chamber. The first mixer is in the first chamber and configured convey developer in a first direction along a rotational axis of the developing roller. The second chamber is connected to the first chamber via a first port and a second port that are spaced apart from each other in the first direction. The second mixer is in the second chamber and configured to convey developer in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The one or more removable seals cover the first and second ports. A developer is contained in one of the first or second chambers. A developer discharge port is provided on the other one of the first or second chambers.

Abstract: A unit includes: a conveying member that conveys developer; a frame that stores the developer and includes a first chamber storing the conveying member, a second chamber, a first opening connecting the first chamber and the second chamber, and through which the developer is passed, and a second opening connecting the interior of the second chamber and the exterior of the frame in an orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to a direction of a rotation axis line of the conveying member; and a filter that allows air to pass the second opening and restricts the developer from passing the second opening, and is fixed to the frame, wherein the frame is displaceable with respect to an apparatus main body in a state where the unit is attached to the apparatus main body, and the filter is displaced with respect to the apparatus main body by the displacement of the frame.

Abstract: A developer unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a developer roll rotatably mounted on a housing. The developer roll includes a shaft defining a rotational axis and a roll body cylindrically disposed around the shaft to form an outer circumferential surface of the developer roll. An end seal includes a curved rotary seal portion sandwiched between a pocket portion of the housing and the outer circumferential surface of the developer roll, such that an outer circumferential surface of the curved rotary seal portion contacts the pocket portion of the housing and an inner circumferential surface of the curved rotary seal portion contacts the outer circumferential surface of the developer roll. The pocket portion of the housing includes protrusions that contact the outer circumferential surface of the curved rotary seal portion to restrict movement of the end seal along an operative rotational direction of the developer roll.

Abstract: A developing device according to an embodiment includes a housing, a developing roller, a gap forming member, and a guide section. The gap forming member forms a first gap between the gap forming member and the developing roller. The gap forming member forms a second gap between the gap forming member and the housing. The second gap includes an upstream side opening on a rotating direction upstream side of the developing roller. The guide section directs an air current discharged from the second gap via the upstream side opening to the first gap. A relation of H1/H2<5 is satisfied, where H1 is a minimum interval between the developing roller and the gap forming member in the first gap and H2 is a minimum interval between the housing and the gap forming member in the second gap when viewed from an axial direction of the developing roller.

Abstract: A drum cleaner in a drum unit removes toner from a photosensitive drum. A waste-toner conveyance pipe has a waste-toner discharge port and conveys toner removed from the photosensitive drum by the drum cleaner. A toner accommodation chamber accommodates toner to be supplied to a developing roller. A waste-toner accommodation chamber accommodates toner removed from the photosensitive drum. A toner cartridge rotatably moves relative to the drum unit between: a first position at which a waste-toner receiving port is separated from the waste-toner discharge port in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum unit; and a second position at which an internal space of the waste-toner accommodation chamber is in communication with an internal space of the waste-toner conveyance pipe through the waste-toner discharge port and the waste-toner receiving port in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum unit.

Abstract: A supporting unit for supporting a rotatable member to feed a developer includes a frame including a first surface extending in a direction crossing an axis of the rotatable member and a second surface extending in a direction crossing the first surface, and a fixed member. The fixed member includes (i) a first opposing surface opposing and contacting the first surface, (ii) a second opposing surface opposing the second surface, and (iii) a first front side surface opposite from the second opposing surface. The second opposing surface is welded to the second surface by ultrasonic spot welding such that a first recess is formed on the first front side surface.

Abstract: A developing device includes a housing including a development opening and a containing unit that contains a developer, a developer carrier that rotates to pass through the development opening while holding the developer in the containing unit of the housing, an inlet portion of a flow path located in the housing at a portion including a downstream edge portion of the development opening on a downstream side in a rotation direction of the developer carrier, the inlet portion taking in part of an airflow caused by a rotation of the developer carrier to allow the part of the airflow to flow over an outer surface of the housing, and a guide member extending toward the developer carrier from a portion of the housing on a side of the inlet portion opposite to the development opening to guide the part of the airflow to the inlet portion.

Abstract: A developing device includes a toner holding member that rotates while holding a toner on an outer peripheral surface of the toner holding member and develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier, a control member that controls a thickness of a layer of the toner formed on the outer peripheral surface of the toner holding member, a suppression member that has an end pressed against the image carrier and that suppresses leakage of the toner, a collecting member that is provided above the control member and that does not allow the toner flowing in a direction from the control member toward the collecting member to pass through the collecting member while allowing a gas to pass through the collecting member, and a containing chamber that contains the toner falling from the collecting member.

Abstract: The developing device includes a developer bearer, a conveyor, a casing including a ceiling, and a seal. The developer bearer is configured to bear a developer and develop a latent image. The conveyor is configured to convey and stir the developer. The casing is configured to contain the developer, the developer bearer, and the conveyor. The seal is configured to seal the inside of the casing to form a closed space that encloses the developer in the developing device. The conveyor is configured to be partially or entirely buried in the developer enclosed in the closed space in both of a normal posture and an upside-down posture of the developing device. A cross-sectional area of the closed space in a horizontal plane gradually increases from a top of the ceiling of the casing toward a bottom of the developing device in the normal posture of the developing device.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a container for accommodating developer, the container having an exhaust port; and a merging section where airflows directed from the interior of the container to the exhaust port join together.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image carrier to rotate, a developer carrier to rotate, a container to contain the developer carrier, and a developer retainer separated from the rotatable developer carrier by a first gap of closest proximity, separated from the rotatable image carrier by a second gap of closest proximity, and separated from the container by a third gap of closest proximity. The first gap is less than the second gap and the third gap.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing roller and a layer thickness regulating member. The developing roller includes a fixed magnet and a sleeve. The layer thickness regulating member includes a regulating body portion and an upstream regulating portion, and the upstream regulating portion includes an upstream magnetic member and a nonmagnetic member. Developer is hardly strongly jammed in an area between a first magnetic field concentration point of the regulating body portion and a second magnetic field concentration point of the upstream regulating portion. Thus, even if the sleeve of the developing roller is rotated at a higher speed than before, the developer is stably regulated by the layer thickness regulating member.

Abstract: A developing device includes a rotatable developer bearing member, a regulation member configured to regulate a thickness of the developer borne on the surface of the developer bearing member, a frame configured to support the developer bearing member, the frame including a recess in an opposed surface opposed to the regulation member, the recess being recessed in a direction away from the regulation member and extending from a center portion toward both end portions in the rotation axis direction, a width, in the orthogonal direction, of the recess in both the end portions increasing gradually as distance from the center portion in the rotation axis direction increases, and a sealing member provided in the recess to seal a gap between the regulation member and the frame, the sealing member being formed by ejecting thermally molted resin into the recess.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearing member, a developer container, a regulating blade including a plate-like elastic portion, and an elastic seal sealing, and a pressing member pressing the elastic seal, wherein the plate-like elastic portion includes a metal plate, a second projection projecting from a second surface of the metal plate facing the developer bearing member, and a first projection projecting from a first surface opposite to the second surface of the metal plate, and wherein a projecting amount of the first projection is greater than a projecting amount of the second projection, wherein a top surface of the second projection contacts the surface of the developer bearing member, and an end surface of the first projection contacts an end surface of the elastic seal in the rotation axis direction.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer bearing member bearing and feeding developer including toner and carrier, a first feeding screw arranged in a first chamber and feeding the developer in a first direction, and a second feeding screw arranged in a second chamber and including a first blade portion feeding the developer in a second direction, a second blade portion arranged downstream of the first blade portion and feeding the developer in the first direction, and a third blade portion arranged downstream of the second blade portion. A sealing sheet is arranged upstream of a developer discharging portion and seals initial developer contained in a developing container; and an unsealing mechanism unseals the sealing sheet sealing the initial developer, wherein the sealing sheet is arranged downstream of the second blade portion and upstream of the third blade portion in the second direction.

Abstract: A drum cleaner in a drum unit removes toner from a photosensitive drum. A waste-toner conveyance pipe has a waste-toner discharge port and conveys toner removed from the photosensitive drum by the drum cleaner. A toner accommodation chamber accommodates toner to be supplied to a developing roller. A waste-toner accommodation chamber accommodates toner removed from the photosensitive drum. A toner cartridge rotatably moves relative to the drum unit between: a first position at which a waste-toner receiving port is separated from the waste-toner discharge port in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum unit; and a second position at which an internal space of the waste-toner accommodation chamber is in communication with an internal space of the waste-toner conveyance pipe through the waste-toner discharge port and the waste-toner receiving port in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum unit.

Abstract: A cleaning unit includes a cleaning frame, a drum, a sheet member coming in contact with a surface of the drum, and an adhesive sealing member compressed between the cleaning frame, the drum, and the sheet member. The cleaning unit includes an end seal portion that is integrally molded with the cleaning frame by injection molding of a resin material, and the end seal portion is compressed and deformed between the cleaning frame and the adhesive sealing member and between the cleaning frame and the sheet member.

Abstract: A process unit includes a drum frame supporting a photoconductor drum and a development frame supporting a development roller. The development cartridge is swingably supported by the drum frame at a coupling joint provided at a first side of the development frame and a support portion provided at a second side of the development frame. A center of rotation of the development roller is located in a position shifted from a line segment connecting a center of rotation of the coupling joint and a center of rotation of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in an axial direction of the development roller, such that the development roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum by the action of the rotatory force received by the coupling joint.

Abstract: A developer supply container is detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus, which includes a developer receiving portion for receiving a developer, and a filter for permitting venting of the developer receiving portion in and out. The developer supply container includes a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, a discharge opening for permitting discharging of the developer from the developer accommodating portion toward the developer receiving portion, a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force from the developer receiving apparatus, and a pump portion capable of being driven by the driving force received by the driving force receiving portion to alternate repeatedly a discharging operation and a suction operation through the discharge opening while venting into and out of the developer receiving portion through the filter.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes: a developing roller; a frame configured to support the developing roller at each of two end portions of the developing roller in a longitudinal direction of the developing roller; and a sealing member configured to seal a space between the frame and each of the two end portions of the developing roller. A first lubricant having an average particle size smaller than a predetermined surface roughness Ra is applied to a first region that is located at each end portion of the developing roller in the longitudinal direction and is in contact with the sealing member. A second lubricant having an average particle size larger than the surface roughness Ra is applied to a second region that is located on an inner side of the first region in the longitudinal direction and is separated from the sealing member and has the surface roughness Ra.

Abstract: A developer unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a developer roll rotatably mounted on a housing. The developer roll includes a roll body cylindrically disposed around a shaft and forming an outer circumferential surface of the developer roll. An axial end of the roll body includes an undercut forming a hollow region in the axial end of the roll body. An elastomeric end seal has a curved rotary seal portion that is sandwiched between a portion of the housing and the outer circumferential surface of the developer roll at the axial end of the developer roll. An interference between the curved rotary seal portion of the end seal and the outer circumferential surface of the developer roll decreases along an axial dimension of the developer roll in a direction from an axially outboard edge of the end seal toward an axially inboard edge of the end seal.

Abstract: A process cartridge of an image forming apparatus includes a seal member to seal a first gap between an end portion of a developer bearing member and a frame, and a sealing portion that seals a second gap between the frame and an end portion of the seal member. The frame includes an injection inlet through which elastomer has been injected into the second gap for forming the sealing portion, a storage portion that is a space surrounded by a second surface of the frame and a wall protruding from the second surface and in which elastomer spilling out of the second gap is stored, and a protruding portion that protrudes, from the second surface of the frame, further than the wall of the storage portion. The protruding portion contacts a conveyed recording medium when the process cartridge is mounted in an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A seal member 14 which seals a gap among a rotating body 9 provided in an opening of a frame body 13, a blade 18a, and the frame body 13 in an end region in an axial direction of the rotating body 9, the seal member 14 including: a first seal portion 14b which comes into contact with the rotating body 9; a second seal portion 14e which comes into contact with the blade 18a; and a third seal portion 14f which is constituted by a surface formed in a stair shape and sequentially arranged between the first seal portion 14b and the second seal portion 14e and which is capable of reducing a gap formed between the rotating body 9 and the blade 18a due to rotation of the rotating body 9.

Abstract: A toner container includes containing chambers, a shaft member, rotary members, and stirring members. The containing chambers are arrayed in a first direction and partitioned from each other. The containing chambers contain respective toners of different colors. The shaft member extends in the first direction, passes through the containing chambers, and is rotatable about a rotational axis extending in the first direction. The rotary members are disposed in the respective containing chambers and each have a through-hole extending in the first direction. The rotary members are rotatable in response to rotation of the shaft member in an inserted state of the shaft member in the through-holes. The stirring members are supported by the respective rotary members and each extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The stirring members are pivotable in response to rotation of the respective rotary members. The stirring members have different pivoting positions upon pivoting.

Abstract: A control unit of an image forming apparatus controls, in an image forming mode, a potential difference obtained by subtracting the voltage applied to the developer bearing member from the voltage applied to the regulating member so that the potential difference is set to the polarity of the developer, and the control unit controls, in a lubricant discharge mode, the potential difference obtained by subtracting the voltage applied to the developer bearing member from the voltage applied to the regulating member so that the potential difference is set to the polarity of the lubricant or “0”.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container, a rotatable developer carrying member, and a magnetic field generator. Magnetic members are provided at end portions of the developer carrying member with a gap to an outer peripheral surface of the developer carrying member, and magnet members are provided opposed to the magnetic members so as to magnetize the magnetic members. The outer peripheral surface of the developer carrying member includes a first region including a developing region corresponding to an image forming region and a second region outside and adjacent to the first region and having lower developer feeding power than the first region or having substantially no feeding power. The first region is larger than a region between outside surfaces of the magnetic members and is smaller than a region between inside surfaces of the magnet members.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a seal member is a non-conductive, flexible member supported by a developing device. The seal member is formed to project from an edge part of the developing device that faces an image carrying member, along a longitudinal direction of the image carrying member. The seal member fills a part of a gap between the developing device and an outer circumferential surface of the image carrying member. An electrode film is adhered to a surface of the seal member. The electrode film is a conductive film. A potential detecting device detects a potential of the electrode film. A charging controller controls a charging voltage based on a result of comparison between a predetermined reference potential and the potential detected by the potential detecting device.

Abstract: A developing device includes a casing to contain developer, a developer bearer, an upper and lower developer conveyors to convey the developer to one side in an axial direction of rotation shafts thereof, a communicating portion disposed on a first end side on which an input gear is disposed, to fall the developer from the upper developer conveyor to the lower developer conveyor, bearings to receive end portions the upper and lower developer conveyors, and first and second end seals to seal gaps in the bearings on the upper and lower developer conveyors, respectively. The first end seals and the second end are disposed on the first end side and a second end side, respectively. A sliding friction between the rotation shaft and at least one of the first end seals is smaller than a sliding friction between the rotation shaft and the second end seal.