Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a toner container, a reader and writer, and a knock mechanism. To the toner container, an RFID tag is attached. The reader and writer opposes the RFID tag. The knock mechanism has a knock member and a rotor reciprocally moving in an attachment and detachment direction of the toner container. When the knock member has been pressed in conjunction with insertion of the toner container and the rotor in conjunction therewith has moved to the first tip position, the RFID tag is brought to approach the reader and writer to a range in which communication with the reader and writer is enabled, and when the rotor has separated from the first tip position and has moved to a locking position, the RFID tag is out of the range in which the communication with the reader and writer is enabled.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a drive mechanism, a rotating member, an urging member, and a retracting system. The retracting system includes first and second retracting mechanisms. The first retracting mechanism includes a first gap-maintaining member that maintains a gap between the image carrier and the rotating member, and cancels the retracted state at one end in an axial direction by moving the first gap-maintaining member and cancelling a gap-maintaining state established by the first gap-maintaining member. The second retracting mechanism includes a second gap-maintaining member that maintains a gap between the image carrier and the rotating member, and cancels the retracted state at the other end by enabling the rotating member to be rotated by the image carrier, moving the second gap-maintaining member, and cancelling a gap-maintaining state established by the second gap-maintaining member.

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 for an image forming apparatus includes a drum unit supporting a photosensitive drum; a developing roller; a driving roller for driving the roller; a drive receiving portion; a developing unit supporting the developing roller and the driving roller; and a connecting portion connecting the drum unit and the developing unit, the connecting portion being disposed below the driving roller. The developing unit is movable relative to the drum unit by rotating about the connecting portion between a contacting position in which the drum and the developing roller contact each other and a spacing position in which the drum and the developing roller are spaced from each other. A direction of the receiving portion is opposite to that of the developing roller, and is the same as the developing unit rotation from the spacing position toward the contacting position.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: an agitation member configured to be rotatable around a rotational shaft extending in a first direction and to agitate a developer; an agitation gear being fixed to the agitation member and including a first gear configured to receive driving force to be inputted and a second gear positioned on one side of the first gear in the first direction; a detection target unit including a detection target receiving portion configured to receive the driving force from the second gear and a detection target portion configured to be detected by an external detecting apparatus; and a gear cover configured to cover at least a part of the agitation gear and the detection target unit therewith. The detection target portion is configured to move between the second gear and the gear cover when being projected in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus include a door through which a tray carrying a cartridge passes, wherein in interrelation with the door closing operation, (i) movement of the tray from a movable position to an image forming position, (ii) movement of a drive transmission member, for transmitting a driving force to the cartridge from a main assembly, from a first spacing position to a drive-connecting position, (iii) movement of an urging member for urging the cartridge to the main assembly from a second spacing position to a contact position, and (iv) movement of an electric energy supply member, for supplying electric power to the cartridge from the main assembly, from a third spacing position to an electric energy supplying position, are carried out in the order named.

Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a cap for a toner cartridge. In one example, the cap may be configured to close a toner supply opening of the toner cartridge. According to one or more aspects, the cap may include a sealing or covering portion configured to cover the toner supply opening and a shaft portion for rotatably supporting a to-be-detected rotary member. The to-be-detected rotary member 56 is rotatably supported around and fitted onto the shaft portion. Therefore, even if a toner supply opening of a cartridge is provided in a sidewall of the housing on a side where the to-be-detected rotary member is provided, e.g., a left sidewall, the toner supply opening and the to-be-detected rotary member can be provided in such a manner as to overlap each other.

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 cartridge includes: a casing for accommodating developer; a rotatable body rotatably provided at the casing; a pivot member; and a biasing member. The rotatable body is rotatable about a rotational axis, the rotatable body having an outer circumference defining a rotational path during rotation. The pivot member is disposed at the rotatable body at a position offset from the rotational axis and is pivotable about a pivot fulcrum extending in a direction parallel to a tangential direction of the rotational path. The pivot member being pivotably movable between an erect position in which the pivot member erects to form a first angle relative to the rotatable body and a collapsed position in which the pivot member pivots toward the rotatable body to form a second angle smaller than the first angle relative to the rotational body. The biasing member biases the pivot member toward the erect position.

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: An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a substrate, an undercoat layer overlying the substrate, and a photosensitive layer overlying the undercoat layer. The undercoat layer includes a binder resin, a metal oxide particle and a compound having a thiol group.

Abstract: A cartridge including a housing, a driving receiving part, a rotary member configured to rotate, and move in an axis direction thereof while rotating, and a detected member configured to move in the axis direction by receiving a driving force from the rotary member, wherein the rotary member includes a main body part having a first surface facing the detected member in the axis direction and a second surface positioned at an opposite side of the first surface in the axis direction, an operating part arranged on the first surface and configured to apply a force for moving the detected member in the axis direction to the detected member, and an operated part arranged on the second surface and configured to receive a force for moving the main body part in the axis direction.

Abstract: An image forming device capable of providing precise positional relationship between an exposure unit and a photosensitive body. The exposure unit having an exposure head elongated in a longitudinal direction and having light emitting sections arrayed in the longitudinal direction. The light elements emit light in an optical axis direction. A frame supports the photosensitive body. A positioning protrusion protrudes in the optical axis direction from one of the frame and the exposure unit. A remaining one of the frame and the exposure unit is formed with a positioning part engageable with the positioning protrusion. A biasing unit provides a biasing force that ensures engagement between the positioning protrusion and the positioning part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a supporting member supporting multiple cartridges and movable between an inside position inside an apparatus main body and an outside position, in which the cartridges are supported arrayed in a direction of extracting the supporting member from the inside position to the outside position, with the multiple cartridges being detachably attachable at the outside position; a first cartridge; a second cartridge adjacent to the first cartridge; and a third cartridge adjacent to the second cartridge. The first cartridge has a greater protrusion amount from the supporting member compared to the second cartridge and the third cartridge, in a direction orthogonal to the extracting direction and to a longitudinal direction of the cartridges. When viewed from the orthogonal direction, the amount of overlapping between the first cartridge and the second cartridge is greater than the amount of overlapping between the second cartridge and the third cartridge.

Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.

Abstract: In a developing cartridge, a developing roller including a developing roller shaft is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis extending in predetermined extending direction and to carry developer thereon. The cartridge also includes a developing electrode formed of a conductive material and to be electrically connected to the developing roller shaft. The developing electrode includes a main part and a protrusion protruding from the main part in the extending direction. The protrusion has a first portion, which corresponds to a circumferential surface of the protrusion. The cartridge further includes a gear having gear teeth on circumferential portion of the gear. The gear rotates about the protrusion and includes a covering portion covering the first portion and being rotatable with the gear.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a plate-shaped scraping member that scrapes a liquid developer which remains on an outer circumferential surface of a holding member by contacting an edge portion with the outer circumferential surface, a first collecting member that collects the liquid developer scraped by the scraping member, and a second collecting member that collects the liquid developer which passes through the scraping member, is attached to an under surface of the scraping member, and falls.

Abstract: A nozzle receiver is to be arranged in a powder container used in an image forming apparatus. The nozzle receiver includes a nozzle receiving opening, in which a conveying nozzle for conveying powder supplied from the powder container is inserted in the image forming apparatus; an opening/closing member to open and to close the nozzle receiving opening; and a supporter to support the opening/closing member. The opening/closing member includes a sealing portion to seal the nozzle insertion opening. The supporter includes an end surface portion perpendicular to a moving direction of the opening/closing member. The projection area of the end surface portion in the moving direction of the opening/closing member is smaller than a projection area of the sealing portion in the moving direction of the opening/closing member.

Abstract: There is provided a developing unit capable of suppressing a memory to leave on a developing roller even when held under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions for a long period of time before the start of use. The developing unit has a developing roller and a toner regulating member in contact with each other with resin particles therebetween. The resin particles have a toluene absorbency of 20 g or more and 50 g or less per 40 g of the resin particles and a Martens hardness of 1.0 N/mm2 or more and 50.0 N/mm2 or less.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an intermediate transfer belt, a brush roller, a drive mechanism, a contact control mechanism, and an operation control unit. The image forming unit includes a photoconductor drum, and forms a toner image on an outer circumferential surface of the photoconductor drum. The operation control unit is configured to perform a cleaning mode including cleaning the brush roller while an image forming operation is not being performed, cause the contact control mechanism to set the photoconductor drum and the intermediate transfer belt to the non-contact phase in the cleaning mode, and cause the drive mechanism, in the non-contact phase, to drive the brush roller to rotate at a rotation speed higher than a rotation speed of the brush roller in the image forming operation, and drive the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: An image forming method satisfies the following Expressions: 0.01<Rmf<0.20??Expression (A1): 0.005<Rmf/Wh<5.000??Expression (B1): 0.002<Rmf/Wl<1.000??Expression (B2): 1.0<Whmax/Whmin<2.5??Expression (C1): 1.0<Wlmax/Wlmin<2.5??Expression (C2): wherein, when a content of the fatty acid metal salt particles with respect to the entire weight of the toner is set as Rmf, an average abrasion rate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is set as Wh, a maximum abrasion rate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is set as Whmax, and a minimum abrasion rate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is set as Whmin, and an average abrasion rate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is set as Wl, a maximum abrasion rate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is set as Wlmax, and a minimum abrasion rate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is set as Wlmin.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller; a first frame; and a second frame. The first frame includes: a first melt-bonding surface extending in a first direction; and a second melt-bonding surface positioned closer to the developing roller than the first melt-bonding surface. The second melt-bonding surface forms an obtuse angle with the first melt-bonding surface. The second frame is melt-bonded to the first frame. The second frame includes: a first wall having a third melt-bonding surface melt-bonded to the first melt-bonding surface and extending in parallel to the first melt-bonding surface; a second wall having a fourth melt-bonding surface melt-boned to the second melt-bonding surface and extending in parallel to the second melt-bonding surface; and a protruding portion having a surface intersecting the fourth melt-bonding surface and protruding in the first direction from the second wall toward the developing roller.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an image forming apparatus has an image carrier, a transfer unit, and a spacer. The image carrier has a toner image carrying surface. The transfer unit transfers a toner image from the toner image carrying surface to a recording medium. The transfer unit includes a transfer roller which forms a nip with the image carrying surface and a contact roller provided coaxially with the transfer roller. The spacer is detachably provided on the transfer unit to separate the image carrier and the transfer unit. The transfer roller forms the nip with the toner image carrying surface when the spacer is detached from the transfer unit.

Abstract: In a cartridge, a housing has a developer accommodating portion and includes a first side wall and a second side wall. A coupling member is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the first side wall. A detection body is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the second side wall. A first driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the coupling member with respect to the first side wall, and transmits driving force from the coupling member to a rotating member. A second driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the detection body with respect to the second side wall, and transmits driving force from the rotating member to the detection body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body casing, a pressing member, a process cartridge, and a drawer. The body casing includes a positioning member. The pressing member is disposed inside the body casing. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The drawer is configured to support the process cartridge and to move, in a sliding direction orthogonal to an axis direction of the photosensitive drum, between an inside position that is a position inside the body casing and an outside position that is a position outside the body casing. The process cartridge includes an engagement portion and a spring. The engagement portion is configured to be positioned by the positioning member. The spring is configured to be pressed by the pressing member such that the engagement portion is pressed toward the positioning member.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit that detects information about a used amount of a unit, and a control unit that outputs information indicating that the unit is required to be replaced when the information about the detected used amount reaches a first predetermined threshold value, wherein the control unit changes the threshold value to a second threshold value according to information about the used amount when the unit is replaced.

Abstract: A developing cartridge mountable in a main casing of an image forming apparatus in a mounting direction includes: a supply roller; a casing; a supply electrode; and a first protecting portion. The supply roller rotates about an axis extending in a first direction orthogonal to the mounting direction. The casing includes first and second wall portions orthogonal to the first direction. The supply electrode is electrically connected to the supply roller and disposed adjacent to the second wall portion in the first direction. The first protecting portion protects the supply electrode and is disposed downstream of the supply electrode in the mounting direction. The first protecting portion has a sloped surface having a first end and a second end upstream of the first end in the mounting direction. The sloped surface slopes away from the second wall portion in the first direction toward the second end.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a removable unit to be removably installed in the image forming apparatus, having a unit-side opening, a connectable device having an apparatus-side opening to be connected to the unit-side opening to send developer from one of the removable unit and the connectable device to the other, a receptacle disposed below the unit-side opening and the apparatus-side opening to receive and store developer dropping from above, and a drawer unit to be retractably drawn out from the image forming apparatus. The receptacle is united with the drawer unit to be drawn out from the image forming apparatus together with the drawer unit.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a force receiving member that is provided movably relative to a developing frame. The force receiving member includes a spacing force receiving portion configured to receive a spacing force for moving a developing roller when the force receiving member is in a projected position, and a retracting force receiving portion configured to receive a retracting force for moving the force receiving member toward a retracted position when the force receiving member is in the projected position. The retracting force receiving portion has a surface slanted with respect to the direction in which the spacing force receiving portion is capable of receiving the spacing force.

Abstract: A supplying device includes first and second bottles each including a bottle gear for inputting a driving force. A driving source drives a driving gear, and a swingable gear is in engagement with the driving gear. The swingable gear swings between a first drive transmitting position where the driving force is transmitted from the swingable gear to the first bottle gear in engagement with the first bottle gear, and a first retracted position, where the swingable gear is retracted from the first drive transmitting position. In addition, a movable gear is movable between a second drive transmitting position, where the driving force is transmitted from the swingable gear to the second bottle gear in engagement with both of the second bottle gear and the swingable gear located in the first retracted position, and a second retracted position where the movable gear is retracted from the second drive transmitting position.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member, comprising a support, a charge generating layer on the support and a charge transporting layer on the charge generating layer, wherein the charge generating layer comprises a gallium phthalocyanine crystal, a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound and a compound represented by Formula (1), wherein a nitrogen atom in a heterocyclic ring of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound has a substituent.

Abstract: A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a restricting member configured to prevent a cartridge, which is inserted through an opening portion of an apparatus main body, from being inserted to an image forming position, the opening portion being formed by opening of a door, a pressing member configured to press the cartridge in a direction in which the cartridge is mounted at the image forming position, and a driving unit configured to move the restricting member. The cartridge is fixed at a transportation position by the restricting member and the pressing member when the image forming apparatus is transported, and the restricting member is moved to a retracted position by the driving unit and the cartridge is movable to the image forming position when the image forming apparatus is used.

Abstract: Provided is an end member which allows appropriate transmission of rotary power, and smooth attachment and detachment with respect to an apparatus body. The end member includes a tubular bearing member and a shaft member that is held by the bearing member. The shaft member includes a turning shaft which moves in an axial line direction in accordance with turning about an axial line, a rotary power reception member which is arranged at one end of the turning shaft and includes an engagement member engaging with a drive shaft of an image forming apparatus body, and a regulation member which is pressed to engage with or be detached from the turning shaft or the rotary power reception member, whereby the engagement member switches between an engagement posture and a non-engagement posture with respect to the drive shaft.

Abstract: Provided is a contact member that comes in contact with an inner surface of a cylindrical member being rotated to press against the inner surface, is supported within the cylindrical member, is provided along the inner surface when viewed in an axial direction of the cylindrical member while being supported by the cylindrical member, has an arc shape in which both ends thereof face each other, and has first thin-wall regions which are respectively formed at both ends thereof in a circumferential direction to have thicknesses lower than thicknesses of other regions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus into the casing, and the exposure unit is disposed on the one side in the second direction of the includes a an image forming unit, the image forming unit including a toner accommodation portion. The image forming apparatus further includes a detachable sheet feed cassette that is disposed at a lower part of the casing, a pickup roller, a sheet conveying path, and a sheet discharge path. The pickup roller and the toner accommodation portion are positioned at heights that at least partially overlap one another (e.g., when viewed in a horizontal direction). In some arrangements, the sheet conveying path passes between the toner accommodation portion and the sheet feed cassette. Moreover, the image forming apparatus may include a scanner unit, wherein the toner accommodation portion and the scanner unit are arranged at positions where at least a part of the toner accommodation portion overlaps the scanner unit when viewed in horizontal direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process cartridge, which comprises a process cartridge housing, a photosensitive member, a driving force receiving opening, a retractable mechanism and a control mechanism, wherein the photosensitive member is arranged inside the process cartridge housing; the driving force receiving opening is connected with the photosensitive member and provides a driving force for the photosensitive member; the retractable mechanism allows the driving force receiving opening to extend or retract in the axial direction of the photosensitive member; and the control mechanism controls the extension and retraction of the retractable mechanism.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developing unit includes a first guide and a second guide. The second is movable with respect to the developing frame between a first position where the second guide is in continuous with the first guide and a second position where a continuous state of the second guide with the first guide is interrupted. The developer cartridge includes a developer frame that accommodates a developer and a first guided member movable with respect to the developer frame. The first guide and the second guide at the first position guide the first guided member in the course of attaching the developer cartridge to the developing unit. When an attachment of the developer cartridge to the developing unit completes, the first guide receives the first guided member, and the second guide is at the second position.

Abstract: A cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes coupling member that is provided for receiving a rotational force for rotating a developing roller, with a cylindrical member movably supporting one end portion of the coupling member inside of the cylindrical member, and a cylindrical member side force receiving portion being provided inside the cylindrical member for receiving the rotational force received by the coupling member. The cartridge further includes a first regulating portion for preventing one end portion of the coupling member from disengaging in an axial direction of the cylindrical member; and a second regulating portion for regulating deformation of the first regulating portion in a state in which one end portion of the coupling member is mounted to an inside of the cylindrical member with deformation of the first regulating portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a plurality of image forming portions configured to form different color images; a first support member movable with respect to a main body of the image forming apparatus while supporting cartridges; and a second support member movable with respect to the main body independently of the first support member while supporting a cartridge other than the cartridges supported by the first support member, wherein the cartridges supported by the first and second support members are used in the different image forming portions, each of the first and second support members is movable between an inside position inside the main body and an outside position outside the main body, and each of the cartridges supported by the first and second support members is removably mountable in a state in which the corresponding support member is located in the outside position.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a drum drive input member; a developing cartridge configured to be movably mounted to the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge comprising a developing roller disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum and a developing drive input member; a drum drive transmission member configured to engage with the drum drive input member and configured to transmit drum driving force to the drum drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the drum drive input member within a predetermined range; and a developing drive transmission member configured to engage with the developing drive input member and configured to transmit developing driving force to the developing drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the developing drive input member within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling an image forming apparatus, and a non-transitory recording medium storing a program for controlling an image forming apparatus are provided. Each of the image forming apparatus, the method, and the program obtains and stores image identifiers, obtains and stores a passing image identifier for identifying an image to be output to a recording medium to which failure has occurred, transfers a developer image to the recording medium, holds the developer image, presses the recording medium against the holding member, generates and obtains a trigger signal used for determining timing at which a developer image reaches a transfer unit, detects an error in conveyance of the recording medium, and creates a gap between a holding member and a pressing member disposed opposite the holding member when an error is detected in conveyance of the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly to which a cartridge is detachably mountable. The cartridge includes an image bearing member and a supporting member. The cartridge is mountable to the main assembly in the direction of the axis of the image bearing member. An opening is provided in the main assembly for receiving the supporting member and for positioning or regulating the supporting member, with the opening having a V-shaped portion. An urging member is provided for urging the supporting member in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the image bearing member.

Abstract: An imaging cartridge includes a photoconductive unit including a photoconductor on which an elastic latent image is formed; a development unit including a development roller that supplies toner to the photoconductor to develop the toner and a gap maintaining member that constrains an approach distance of the development roller with respect to the photoconductor; a first position determining portion provided in the development unit; a lateral bracket that is fixed to a side portion of the photoconductive unit and has a second position determining portion that guides the first position determining portion so as to movably support the development unit; and an elastic member that applies to the development unit an elastic force in a direction in which the development roller approaches the photoconductive unit.

Abstract: A transporting member includes multiple helical blades that helically extend around a rotation shaft and that have an upstream-side blade and a downstream-side blade, an end portion of the upstream-side blade and an end portion of the downstream-side blade overlapping in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotation shaft, the multiple helical blades transporting an object in the axial direction via rotation of the rotation shaft; a gap portion that divides the upstream-side blade and the downstream-side blade, the upstream-side blade and the downstream-side blade being arranged at a certain angular interval in a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft; and a regulating portion that regulates an amount of the object that passes through a space between the upstream-side blade and the downstream-side blade in a direction in which the object is transported.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transparent member disposed at a document pass position, an image reading unit configured to read an image of a passing document through the transparent member, and a rotating cleaning unit configured to rotate to clean a document pass surface of the transparent member. The rotating cleaning unit includes a main body rotatable centering on a rotational axis, a first cleaning member supported by the main body, and configured to scrape foreign matters on the document pass surface during rotation of the main body, and a second cleaning member supported by the main body, and configured to enable sweeping foreign matters on the document pass surface during rotation of the main body.

Abstract: A driving device includes: a plurality of vibrating members that vibrate when the vibrating members are driven; and a holding part that holds the vibrating members. The holding part includes a first member with which one or more of the vibrating members are brought into contact, and a second member with which one or more of the vibrating members are brought into contact. The first member and the second member are partially coupled to each other. A grounding member for electrically grounding a member held by the holding part is brought into contact with one of the first member and the second member that is more difficult to vibrate.

Abstract: When an operation member is moved in a state in which a cartridge is mounted to an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, a cartridge supporting member is rotated away from a transfer member so that the cartridge is rotated and enters a state in which the cartridge is inclined at an angle ?1 with respect to the transfer member, and an exposure device is rotated away from the transfer member and enters a state in which the exposure device is inclined at an angle ?2 higher than the angle ?1 with respect to the transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus (1) includes an image carrier unit (15) and a positioning member (30) configured to position the image carrier unit (15) to the apparatus main body (2). The image carrier unit (15) has a concentric circumference part (51L), (51R) formed on a concentric circle with a rotating shaft (9a) of the image carrier (9) and the apparatus main body (2) has an edge part (42L), (42R) facing the concentric circumference part (51L), (51R) at the attachment position. The positioning member (30) has an intervening part (37) formed with an edge side abutment face (37a) facing the edge part (42L), (42R) of the apparatus main body (2) and a unit side abutment face (37b) facing the concentric circumference part (51L), (51R) of the image carrier unit (15).