Abstract: A main body includes a second movable member that is movable and that has a first recess portion. The second movable member is moved from a first position where a first projecting portion of a first cartridge can enter the first recess portion to a second position by a movement of the first projecting portion, thereby allowing a second cartridge to be moved to an attachment position of the main body. The second movable member also allows a third projecting portion of the second cartridge to enter the first recess portion at the first position. The second movable member is moved to the second position when the third projecting portion enters the first recess portion, thereby allowing the second cartridge to be moved to the attachment position.

Abstract: Provided is a two-component developer for developing an electrostatic latent image incorporating: toner particles each containing a toner mother particle having an external additive on a surface of the toner mother particle; and carrier particles each having a core material particle and a covering layer containing a resin on a surface of the core material particle, wherein the external additive contains inorganic particles; the inorganic particles are subjected to surface modification with silicone oil; a carbon content remained on a surface of the inorganic particle after the surface modification is within 3.0 to 10.0 mass %; a free carbon ratio on the surface of the inorganic particle is 70.0% or more; the carrier particles have a resistance in the range of 1.0×109 to 5.0×1010 ?·cm; and the resin in the covering layer contains a resin formed from a monomer containing an alicyclic methacrylic acid ester monomer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a photosensitive drum, an intermediate transfer belt located at a lower position with respect to the photosensitive drum to contact the photosensitive drum, a secondary transfer roller contacting the intermediate transfer belt, a first sheet tray located at a lower position with respect to the intermediate transfer belt to store a sheet, and a sheet guide to guide the sheet stored in the first sheet tray to a position between the intermediate transfer belt and the secondary transfer roller, is provided. The sheet guide is located between the intermediate transfer belt and the first sheet tray with regard to a vertical direction and has a curved section. A contact area between the secondary transfer roller and the intermediate transfer belt is located at a lower position with respect to an upper end portion of the curved section.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum is rotatably supported in a main body. A developing cartridge is detachably mountable on the main body in a state where the photosensitive drum is supported in the main body. The developing cartridge includes a developing device and a frame. The developing device includes a developing roller disposed in confrontation with the photosensitive drum to supply developer to the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted in the main body, and a developer-accommodating portion configured to accommodate developer. The frame includes a waste-developer-accommodating portion configured to accommodate waste developer and supports the developing device that is movable relative to the frame. The frame is disposed on an opposite side of the developing roller from the photosensitive drum. An urging member is disposed between the frame and the developing device to urge the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: In a developing cartridge, a developing roller extends in a first direction. A developing roller gear, a coupling, and first and second idle gears are positioned at an outer surface of a casing. An agitator gear has an end face in the first direction facing the outer surface. A first protrusion is positioned between the end face and the outer surface, and at a position outside of addendum circles of the developing roller gear, coupling, and first and second idle gears. The first protrusion is pivotally movable about an axis extending in the first direction between a first position and a second position. A first protruding portion has, at the first position, a first length in a second direction connecting the developing roller and the first protruding portion, and has, at the second position, a second length different from the first length in the second direction.

Abstract: A waste toner container is attachable to and detachable from a housing of an image-forming apparatus through an opening of the housing. The waste toner container includes a casing and a guide pipe connected to the casing. The casing has a first end and a second end positioned opposite to the opening with respect to the first end in a state where the waste toner container is attached to the housing. The guide pipe is pivotally movable relative to the casing between a first position and a second position. The guide pipe extends in a first direction connecting the first end to the second end at the first position, while extending in a second direction crossing the first direction at the second position. The guide pipe at the first position has a length in the second direction smaller than a length thereof in the second direction at the second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting unit configured to mount a development unit including a developing member, a pressing member configured to press the development unit mounted on the mounting unit to separate the developing member from a photosensitive member or bring the developing member into contact with the photosensitive member, and an urging member configured to urge the pressing member, wherein, when mounting the development unit on the mounting unit, the development unit moves in a first direction from the pressing member toward the development unit, parallel to a direction in which the pressing member and the development unit are arranged side by side, wherein the pressing member is movable in the first direction, and wherein the urging member urges the pressing member to move the pressing member in the first direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a developing cartridge, detachably mounted on a photosensitive drum cartridge which is detachably mounted inside an image forming apparatus and includes a drum holder and a photosensitive drum. At least one sidewall of the drum holder is provided with a supporting part. The developing cartridge includes a frame and a developing roller. At least one side-end surface of the frame is provided with a supported element. When the developing cartridge and the photosensitive drum cartridge are mounted, the supported element receives a force applied by a force-applying component of the image forming apparatus, such that the developing roller is maintained pressed against the photosensitive drum. The angle between the direction of the force and the normal direction of the contact interface between the supported element and the supporting part is larger than or equal to the friction angle between the supported element and the supporting part.

Abstract: A support member that supports an elastic member constituted of an elastic body contacting the surface of an image bearing member has a first surface that extends in a rotation axis direction of the image bearing member, and a second surface that includes a normal vector, which intersects with a normal vector of the first surface, and extends in the rotation axis direction. In the rotation axis direction, the first surface is fixed to two fixed portions of the frame, and a first vibration absorbing member is disposed between the two fixed portions so as to contact the frame and the first surface.

Abstract: A cartridge that can be inserted in an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus by moving along an axial direction of an image bearing member includes the image bearing member, a frame configured to support the image bearing member, a storage member configured to store therein information on the cartridge, and include an electrical contact, and a first pressed section and a second pressed portion configured to be pressed by the apparatus main body. The electrical contact is disposed between the first pressed section and the second pressed section, and is configured to be in contact with the main body contact on a lower side in a state where the cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body.

Abstract: A toner is provided, where good cleanability is exhibited, abrasion variations of the photo conductor surface is reduced, and contamination of a charge member is reduced. The toner includes toner particles and organic-inorganic composite fine particles on the toner particle surfaces, wherein each of the organic-inorganic composite fine particles is a particle in which inorganic fine particles are exposed at the surfaces of vinyl based resin particles in such a way that convex portions derived from the inorganic fine particles are formed on the surfaces, the average circularity of the toner is 0.960 or more, and the absolute value Q of the amount of triboelectricity of the toner measured by a two-component method and the electrostatic adhesion F of the toner satisfy 0.003?F/Q2?0.040.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an authentication system includes a supply device having a data storage chip with identification (ID) bit memory cells. The ID bit memory cells comprising a measured cell, pointer cells to store address information that points to the measured cell, and analog cells that store factory-measured analog information about the measured cell.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a cartridge including a supported portion, a moving member configured to move to the apparatus main body and thereby move the cartridge, the moving member moving to the apparatus main body so as to be in an external position and an internal position, a main body side positioning portion provided on the apparatus main body and configured to, when the moving member is in the internal position, support the supported portion, and an upward inclination portion provided on the apparatus main body and inclined upwardly from a movement direction in which the moving member moves from the external position to the internal position. The upward inclination portion causes the cartridge to move upward with respect to the moving member in a process in which the moving member moves from the external position to the internal position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion for mounting a process cartridge, the process cartridge including a first unit having an image bearing drum, and a second unit having a developing roller, the second unit being movable between a contact position in which the roller contacts the drum and a spaced position in which they are mutually spaced; an engageable member engageable with a force receiving portion provided on the second unit; wherein the engageable member is movable between a first position for maintaining the second unit in the spaced position by engaging with the force receiving portion, a second position for permitting movement of the second unit from the spaced position to the contact position; and a third position for permitting the process cartridge to be mounted, by being pressed by the process cartridge to retract, when the process cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.

Abstract: A replaceable imaging unit according to one example embodiment includes a photoconductor unit positioned at the front of a housing of the imaging unit. First and second alignment guides extend outward at the same height from first and second sides of the housing, respectively, on the photoconductor unit and run parallel to each other along a front-to-rear dimension of the housing. Each of the first and second alignment guides includes a front contact member at a front end thereof and a rear contact member at a rear end thereof. The front contact members are positioned further outward sideways than the rear contact members. Bottom surfaces of the front and rear contact members are unobstructed to permit the bottom surfaces of the front and rear contact members to sit on top of corresponding guide rails in the image forming device to control a vertical position of the imaging unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developer carrier disposed so as to face the image carrier, a transfer body disposed so as to face the image carrier, and a contact-separation mechanism. The contact-separation mechanism brings the developer carrier and the image carrier into contact with each other and separates the developer carrier and the image carrier from each other, and brings the image carrier and the transfer body into contact with each other and separates the image carrier and the transfer body from each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container attaching unit to which a toner container is to be attached, the toner container attaching unit including an apparatus-side terminal that comes into contact with a container-side terminal of the toner container and an apparatus-side coupling that engages with a container-side coupling of the toner container, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to execute a first process to acquire information of the toner container via the apparatus-side terminal, and cause the apparatus-side coupling to be rotated based on a result of the first process.

Abstract: In a state where a first drum cartridge is mounted on a drawer unit located at an external position, a first exposure head moves from a first position through a second position to a third position. The first position is a position where the first exposure head is adjacent to a first photosensitive drum and a first drum cartridge is prevented from being removed from the drawer unit. The second position is a position where the first exposure head is farther away from the first photosensitive drum than at the first position and the first exposure head is slidably moved from the first position. The third position is a position where the first exposure head is farther away from the first photosensitive drum than at the second position, the first exposure head is rotatably moved from the second position, and the first drum cartridge is allowed to be removed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developing roller, a biasing member, and a fluctuation preventing member. A latent image is formed on the image carrier. The developing roller is provided to face the image carrier and develops the latent image on the image carrier. The biasing member is provided on an outside of an end portion of the developing roller and biases the image carrier and the developing roller in a direction where the image carrier and the developing roller approach each other. The fluctuation preventing member is interposed between the image carrier and the developing roller and prevents, along with the biasing member, a fluctuation in a distance between a surface of the developing roller and a surface of the image carrier in a region where the image carrier and the developing roller face each other.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably attached to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus includes: a restriction member provided on a toner cartridge, the restriction member being movable between a restriction position, at which relative movement between (1) the toner cartridge attached to the attachment portion of the process cartridge and (2) the process cartridge is restricted by an engagement of the restriction member and the process cartridge, and a non-restriction position, at which the relative movement is not restricted; and a driving transmission unit for transmitting a driving force from the apparatus body to the toner cartridge by engaging with the apparatus body. The restriction member moves from the restriction position to the non-restriction position when a driving force reception unit receives the driving force from the driving transmission unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a toner storage container that stores a toner includes an integrated cover that includes a top part configured to be fixed to an upper surface of the toner storage container and a cover part for a front surface of the toner storage container. The top part and the front cover part are integral with each other. The integrated cover is held by the toner storage container during fixing of the top part of the integrated cover to the toner storage container.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is detachably attachable; a photosensitive drum; a transfer roller; and a conveying roller. The drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the frame in a second direction. The transfer roller is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction and in contact with the drum. The conveying roller is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and separated from the transfer roller in the second direction. A first opening of the frame is positioned between the transfer roller and the conveying roller in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is exposed to an outside through the first opening in a case where the developing cartridge is attached to the frame.

Abstract: A cartridge that can be mounted in and detached from main body of an apparatus of an image forming apparatus includes: a rotating member that rotates upon reception of driving force from main body of the apparatus; a coupling member that includes a force receiving portion for receiving the driving force from main body of the apparatus via a drive shaft, transmits the driving force to the rotating member by rotating, and is capable of moving relative to the rotating member; and a wire-shaped biasing member for biasing the coupling member, wherein the coupling member includes a groove that is contacted by the biasing member, and an opening width of the groove is wider than a wire diameter of the biasing member.

Abstract: A first supporting member includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that respectively engage with a first engaged portion and a second engaged portion that are provided in a second supporting member. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are configured to apply force in directions opposite to the directions in which the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion move when an opening opens.

Abstract: A toner cartridge disassembly machine for at least partially disassembling a toner cartridge. The toner cartridge includes a toner hopper and a waste hopper coupled to the toner hopper via a first pin and a second pin. The first pin is removably coupled within a first connection joint and the second pin is removably coupled within a second connection joint. The disassembly machine includes a base, a docking station supported by the base and capable of receiving the toner cartridge, and a carrier frame movably coupled to the base. The disassembly machine further includes a pin removal arm supported by the carrier frame. The pin removal is movable into a position between the first connection joint and the second connection joint. The pin removal arm includes a first push-out pin configured to interact with the first pin and a second push-out pin configured to interact with the second pin.

Abstract: A developing apparatus, a cartridge, and an image forming apparatus in which, in a longitudinal direction, an edge portion of a carrying portion is disposed so as to be positioned outside an inner edge portion of an edge portion sealing member, and inside an outer edge portion of the edge portion sealing member. An edge portion of the restricting member is disposed so as to be positioned outside the edge portion of the carrying portion, and inside the outer edge portion of the edge portion sealing member.

Abstract: A driving force receiving module includes: a power receiving component which engages with the engaging component of the driving head of the image forming apparatus; a driving cooperating component which cooperates with the driven rotating component; The driving force receiving module is engaged with the driving head in that the minimum of L, which represents the distance between any two points on the projected area of the two symmetrically arranged power receiving components on the plane perpendicular to the assembly direction of the process cartridge, ranges between D/2 and D+H, including end values; where D is the maximum outer diameter of the rotating head perpendicular to the rotating axis of the driving head, and H is the height of the most outer point on the contour of driving head protruding out of the assembly location of the engaging component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a development cartridge attachable/detachable to/from a main body of an image forming apparatus. The development cartridge includes at least a photosensitive drum to form an electrostatic latent image thereon or a developer roller to develop the electrostatic latent image by supplying a developer to the photosensitive drum, a housing to support the at least one photosensitive drum or the developer roller. A developer roller gear may be provided on a rotation shaft of the developer roller to connect to a driving gear of the main body when the development cartridge is attached to the main body, and a driven coupler provided at an end of the photosensitive drum to couple to a driving coupler located coaxially with the driving gear in the main body, based on shaft coupling when the development cartridge is attached to the main body.

Abstract: A first guide guides a first cartridge when the first cartridge is mounted onto a main casing. A second guide guides a second cartridge when the second cartridge is mounted onto the main casing. The first and second guides are located in the main casing. A third guide is located at an upstream side of the first guide in a first mounting direction that is a direction in which the first cartridge is guided by the first guide when the first cartridge is mounted onto the main casing. The third guide guides the first cartridge toward the first guide when the first cartridge is mounted onto the main casing. The third guide moves relative to the second guide between a first protruding position at which the third guide protrudes to outside the main casing and a first accommodated position at which the third guide is accommodated in the main casing.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes an apparatus body and a process cartridge attachable to and detachable from the apparatus body. The apparatus body includes a sheet-feed roller and a body wall. The process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum frame; a developing roller; a cleaner; a conveying pipe and a waste-toner container for storing waste toner removed from the photosensitive drum by the cleaner and conveyed by the conveying pipe. The waste-toner container is detachably mountable on the drum frame. The waste-toner container mounted on the drum frame is positioned opposite to the photosensitive drum with respect to the developing roller. The body wall of the apparatus body and a container wall of the waste-toner container constitute a part of a sheet-conveying guide for guiding conveyance of a sheet from the sheet-feed roller toward the photosensitive drum when the process cartridge is attached to the apparatus body.

Abstract: A developing device, detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, includes a developing frame containing a developer, a developing roller performing developing using the developer, and a plurality of electric contact points disposed at one end in an axial direction of the developing roller, on a face that intersects the axial direction. The developing device is pivotably centered on a pivot axis parallel to the axial direction of the developing roller, and electrically conducts with the image forming apparatus main body via the plurality of electric contact points when mounted to the image forming apparatus main body. In a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the developing roller, a position of the pivot axis is within a polygon having a greatest area formed of outer shapes of the plurality of electric contact points and straight lines connecting the outer shapes of the multiple electric contact points.

Abstract: A developer cartridge according to one aspect described herein is attachable to a photoconductor unit that comprises a photoconductive drum. The developer cartridge may comprise a main body having an opening, the main body comprising an electric circuit, a front cover configured to move to an opening position in which the opening of the main body is exposed and to a closing position in which the opening of the main body is closed, a first terminal electrically connected to the electric circuit, a photosensitive drum, and a developer cartridge comprising a developing roller, developing frame having a pressed portion, memory unit and second terminal. The front cover may include a pressing portion configured to press the pressed portion of the developing frame in a direction from the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum, and wherein the second terminal faces to the front cover when the front cover is in the closed position.

Abstract: A toner container includes: a containing unit that contains a toner; a storage device that stores information; and an attachment unit. The attachment unit includes a cover member, a supporting member, and an insertion member. The cover member has a first projection and an insertion opening. The first projection extends in a first direction. The insertion opening is provided on the first projection and extends in a second direction. The supporting member has a first depression and a through opening. The first depression extends in the first direction and allows the first projection to be inserted into the first depression. The through opening extends in the second direction and is in communication with the first depression. The insertion member is inserted into the through opening and the insertion opening in a state where the storage device is positioned between the cover member and the supporting member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting unit configured to mount a cartridge including a developing member by moving the cartridge in the insertion direction, and a pressing member having a first pressing portion configured to press the cartridge mounted on the mounting unit to separate the developing member from a photosensitive member. The pressing member has a second pressing portion configured to press the cartridge mounted on the mounting unit to bring the developing member into contact with the photosensitive member, and the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion integrally moves with the movement of the pressing member. The image forming apparatus also includes an elastic member configured to press the pressing member so that the second pressing portion presses the cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge has a surface to be biased which is connected to a first surface extending in an intersecting direction that intersects with an insertion direction from an upstream side to a downstream side in the insertion direction, and an engaging portion engaging with a support member that supports the cartridge inside a main body and has a biasing member that biases an engaged portion to be engaged with the engaging portion in the intersecting direction. The engaged portion has a biasing surface extending in the intersecting direction from the upstream side to the downstream side in the insertion direction. Movement of the support member in the intersecting direction by the closing operation of an opening and closing member, the surface to be biased is biased by the biasing surface, the cartridge contacts with a positioning portion, and positioning of the cartridge is performed.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a rotatable developer carrying member, a first chamber to supply developer to the developer carrying member, and a second chamber to collect the developer from the developer carrying member. A first conveyance screw in the first chamber conveys the developer in a first conveyance direction, and a second conveyance screw conveys the developer in the second chamber. The second conveyance screw includes a rotary shaft, a first vane portion, and a second vane portion provided downstream of the first vane portion. A developer discharge portion is disposed upstream of the second vane portion in the first conveyance direction and discharges excess developer. The developer discharge portion is disposed in a predetermined area of the second chamber in which the developer is deliverable to a communication portion, and is provided in a bottom portion in the predetermined area of the second chamber.

Abstract: A developing cartridge may include a housing configured to hold toner. The cartridge may further include a developing roller including a developing roller shaft, a supply roller including a supply roller shaft, a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode and supply electrode may be configured to guide an electrical contact of an image forming apparatus in one or more directions. In some examples, the developing electrode and supply electrode may have angled surfaces that extend toward one another.

Abstract: A process cartridge having a drum cartridge and a toner cartridge is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a cleaner, a conveyer tube, a developing roller, and a developing device. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge and is located on a side of the developing roller opposite to the photosensitive drum in an attaching direction. The toner cartridge includes a waste toner container to store the toner conveyed through the conveyer tube and a toner container to store the toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum. The toner container communicates with a developing chamber in the developing device and is located at least partly between the waste toner container and the developing chamber. The conveyer tube extends in the attaching direction and is arranged to overlap the photosensitive drum, the toner container, and the waste toner container in a view along an axial direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body and a processing apparatus. The processing apparatus includes a first processing unit and a second processing unit. The main body has a manual-feed tray at one lateral face. The first processing unit and the second processing unit are stacked in the vertical direction on the same lateral face side of the main body as the manual-feed tray provided. The second processing unit is slidable in a toward-away direction between a connecting position and a separate position, and has a hollow to insert the manual-feed tray therein at the connecting position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a frame; a plate including first and second electrical contact portions; and a developing cartridge detachably mountable to the frame. At least a portion of the first electrical contact portion is movable relative to the plate and separated farther from the plate than the second electrical contact portion The developing cartridge includes: a storage medium and a pressing portion. The storage medium includes first and second electrical contact surfaces. The pressing portion is configured to press the first electrical contact surface toward the first electrical contact portion to bring the first electrical contact surface into contact with the first electrical contact portion and to press the second electrical contact surface toward the second electrical contact portion to bring the second electrical contact surface into contact with the second electrical contact portion in a state where the developing cartridge is mounted to the frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a photosensitive drum assembly, an exposure head, and a bearing, is provided. The photosensitive drum assembly includes a photosensitive drum and a flange disposed at an end of the photosensitive drum in an axial direction of an axis of the photosensitive drum. The flange contacts an inner surface of the photosensitive drum. The exposure head includes a plurality of light emitters aligned along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a lens array focusing light from the light emitters on the photosensitive drum, and a head frame to support the light emitters and the lens array. The bearing has a first contact face to contact the exposure head to define a distance between the lens array and the photosensitive drum along a direction of an optical axis of the light.

Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes an electrical contact positioned on a first side of a housing of the replaceable unit for contacting an electrical contact in the image forming device. A guide on the first side of the housing is positioned closer to a front of the housing than the electrical contact and leads rearward toward the electrical contact. The guide includes an inside surface that faces inward sideways toward a second side of the housing. At least a portion of the inside surface is angled inward sideways from front to rear permitting contact between the inside surface and an electrical connector in the image forming device to draw the electrical connector in the image forming device inward sideways relative to the replaceable unit during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one embodiment includes a housing having first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the housing, respectively, and that run along a front-to-rear dimension of the housing. Third and fourth alignment guides extend outward from the first side of the housing. The third alignment guide is spaced toward the front of the housing from the fourth alignment guide. Bottom surfaces of the third and fourth alignment guides are unobstructed to sit on top of a corresponding guide surface in an image forming device to control a vertical position of the toner cartridge in the image forming device. The bottom surfaces of the third and fourth alignment guides are aligned with each other in a vertical dimension of the housing and are positioned higher than the first and second alignment guides.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner supply pipe and a first shutter. The toner supply pipe has a toner supply opening. When the toner cartridge is mounted onto a main unit, the toner supply pipe moves through an insertion opening from an outside position at which the toner supply opening is located outside a developing frame to an inside position at which the toner supply opening is located inside the developing frame. The first shutter is provided at the toner supply pipe. The first shutter moves relative to the toner supply pipe between an open position at which the toner supply opening is opened and a closed position at which the toner supply opening is closed. The first shutter moves relative to the toner supply pipe from the closed position to the open position in a state where the toner supply pipe is located at the inside position.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a lever movable between a first position and a second position; an urging member urging the lever toward the first position; a gear; and a first and a second protrusions that are rotatable together with the gear. During rotation of the gear from a first rotational position to a second rotational position, the first protrusion moves the lever to the second position against urging force of the urging member and then the lever moves to the first position at a first speed while contacting the first protrusion. During rotation of the gear from the second rotational position to a third rotational position, the second protrusion moves the lever to the second position against the urging force. When the gear reaches the third rotational position, the urging force moves the lever to the first position at a second speed higher than the first speed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is described. An image forming apparatus may include an image forming apparatus body and a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable with respect to the body, wherein the unit includes: a frame; a plurality of photosensitive bodies; a plurality of developer cartridges, including developer carriers, detachably mountable on the frame; and a pressing portion provided on the frame for pressing each of the cartridges so that the developer carrier thereof is directed toward the corresponding photosensitive body, each of the cartridges is pivoted to be movable to an imaging position pressed by the pressing portion and a detached position released from the pressing by the pressing portion, and the body is provided with an abutting portion abutting the cartridge located on the detached position thereby pivoting the cartridge and moving the same to the imaging position when the unit is mounted on the body.

Abstract: A charging device has a charging member, a pair of bearing members, and a frame. The charging member makes contact with an image carrying member to electrostatically charge the surface of the image carrying member. The bearing members rotatably support both end parts of the rotary shaft of the charging member. The frame supports the bearing members movably in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The bearing members are arranged selectively at a first position where they are arranged to keep the charging member in contact with the image carrying member or at a second position where they are arranged to keep the charging member apart from the image carrying member. In the bearing members, a restricting portion is formed which, at the second position, makes contact with the inner face of the frame to restrict the movement of the charging member in the axial direction.

Abstract: It is an object to suppress yellowing of a binder resin while obtaining an image with a high degree of whiteness and to suppress occurrence of image defects when printing at a high temperature and a high humidity. A toner for developing an electrostatic image, the toner including: white toner base particles containing a binder resin and titanium oxide having an average particle size of from 130 to 600 nm; and an external additive including strontium titanate.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including an image carrier on which a latent image is developed, a developing roller that is provided to face the image carrier to perform development for the latent image of the image carrier, an urging unit that urges the image carrier and the developing roller so that the image carrier and the developing roller approach each other, and a distance regulating unit that includes a viscoelastic body that is deformed according to a change of a distance between the image carrier and the developing roller, and regulates at least one of a maximum value of the distance between the image carrier and the developing roller and a minimum value of the distance between the image carrier and the developing roller so that the distance between the image carrier and the developing roller falls within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A process cartridge including a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and a waste toner container, is provided. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum including a photosensitive layer and a rotation axis extending in an axial direction, a drum cleaner arranged to contact the photosensitive drum, a cleaner frame configured to accommodate the drum cleaner therein, and a waste toner conveyer tube connected with the cleaner frame. The developing cartridge is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge and includes a developer roller. The waste toner container is movable to be attached to and detached from the drum cartridge. When the developing cartridge and the waste toner container are attached to the drum cartridge, the waste toner container is connected with the waste toner conveyer tube and is located on an opposite side of the developing cartridge to the photosensitive drum.