Abstract: A process cartridge which can detachably be mounted to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and which includes a cartridge frame, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process device acting on the photosensitive member, a shutter for covering a portion of the photosensitive member exposed from the cartridge frame, a support member for supporting one longitudinal end of the shutter to the cartridge frame for shifting movement between an operation position where the photosensitive member is covered by the shutter and a retract position retracted from the operation position, a support member engagement portion provided on the support member to attach the support member to the cartridge frame, and a frame engagement portion provided on the cartridge frame to attach the support member engagement portion to the cartridge frame.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable within an image forming system, including an image bearing member, a processing device for acting on the image bearing member, a housing for supporting the image bearing member and the processing device, and a cover shiftable between a protecting position where the image bearing member is protected and a retard position where the cover is retarded from the protecting position. The cover is spaced apart from the housing at least in the retard position and contacts a housing guide member. An image forming system includes a mounting device for mounting such a process cartridge, an air flow generating device for generating an air flow passing between the housing guide member and the cover, a transfer device for transferring a developed image formed on the image bearing member onto a recording medium, and a conveying device for conveying the recording medium.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a process cartridge actable on the photosensitive member; a cartridge frame; a first projection for positioning the process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the first projection being outwardly projected from a first frame of the cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of the photosensitive member; a second projection for positioning the process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the second projection being outwardly projected from a second frame of the cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of the photosensitive member; a confining contact portion, in the cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of the main assembly and cooperating with the first projection and second projection to correctly position the process cartridge

Abstract: An image forming apparatus employs an image carrier (photoreceptor) cartridge having protective covers of which surface is coated with conductive shield in order to prevent frictional charging that will bring on sparking between a photoreceptor and covers. Further, the photoreceptor cartridge is equipped on its surface with an elastic member which is a foam body having a plurality of foam cells for catching foreign matter such as paper particles in order to prevent the foreign matter from damaging the surface of the photoreceptor. Moreover, the photoreceptor cartridge is also equipped with a flick member for flicking off toner deposited on a conductive brush in order to prevent the brush from becoming dirty. Owing to the above-mentioned construction, the image forming apparatus can avoid degradation in image quality.

Abstract: A shutter for a developing cartridge for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing cartridge being detachably mountable relative to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the improvement being that the shutter is movable between a covering position for covering a portion through which a developing member is exposed from a cartridge frame and a retracted position for exposing the developing member from the cartridge frame; and the shutter includes a developing cartridge discriminating portion which is capable of entering a main assembly side discriminating portion provided in the main assembly to discriminate the developing cartridge when the developing cartridge discriminating portion is aligned with the main assembly side discriminating portion, upon mounting of the developing cartridge to the main assembly.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a cartridge frame, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a processor actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cartridge shutter capable of taking a closing position for covering an exposed portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member exposed from the cartridge frame and an open position for exposing a part of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The cartridge shutter has a first portion and a second portion which are swingable relative to each other, with the first portion being disposed downstream of the second portion with respect to a movement direction of the shutter toward the open position. The cartridge shutter takes a position above the cartridge frame when the process cartridge is mounted to a mounting position of the main assembly of the apparatus and the shutter takes the open position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an open/close member is provided to be movable to a main frame between an open position and a closed position. A sensitive image forming element is provided to be placed in an exposed condition when the open/close member is moved to the open position. A protection unit is provided to be movable to the sensitive image forming element between an active position and a retracted position, the protecting unit being moved to the active position when the open/close member is set at the open position, so that the protection unit protects the sensitive image forming element so as to prevent the sensitive image forming element from being erroneously touched, and the protection unit being moved to the retracted position when the open/close member is set at the closed position, so that the protection unit does not restrain an operation of the sensitive image forming element.

Abstract: A cover for protecting from undesired exposure a photoconductive member assembled to the housing of a printing cartridge for use in a printing machine is provided. The housing includes an aperture periphery defining an aperture therein for communication of illumination from an illumination source with the photoconductive member. The cover includes a first portion positionable adjacent the housing, a second portion operably associated with the first portion and at least partially extendible between the illumination source and the photoconductive member for protecting a substantial portion of the photoconductive member from exposure, a third portion operably associated with the second portion, the third portion removably securable to the housing, and a fourth portion operably associated with the third portion. The fourth portion is utilized for removal of the cover. As the third portion is pulled from the housing the third portion is directed along a path spaced from the photoconductive member.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cartridge frame, an electrophotographic photosensitive member supported by the cartridge frame, a process device supported by the cartridge frame to act on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a shutter member for protecting a portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member exposed from the cartridge frame. It further includes a first connection member to connect the cartridge frame and the shutter member. The first connection member is rotatable with respect to the cartridge frame and is detachably attached to the cartridge frame. Also provided is a second connection member to connect the cartridge frame and the shutter member. It is rotatable with respect to the cartridge frame and is attached to the cartridge frame while regulating an axial movement of the second connection member during rotation of the second connection member.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printhead protective cover (50) which includes a shutter blade (60), an actuator (70) for moving the shutter blade (60), and a light trap (54) to prevent light from the printhead (12) from passing around the shutter blade (60). In one embodiment, a sensor detects a position of the shutter blade (60) and sends a signal to shutoff the actuator (70) when the shutter blade (60) is in an open position, or the shutter blade (60) is in a closed position. In yet another embodiment, the actuator (70) closes the shutter blade (60) in response to a tear in a web or failure of a dryer. In a further embodiment, the shutter blade (60) slides on a base plate coated with a low friction, non-volatile, non-liquid material, and the shutter blade (60) slides at an oblique angle on the base plate.

Abstract: A method of assembling a process cartridge which includes a photosensitive-body case having a photosensitive drum stored therein and a development-body case having a development roller stored therein is proposed. The method includes the steps of positioning a rotation center of the photosensitive drum relative to a rotation center of the development roller by use of a fixture, and fixing relative positions of the photosensitive-body case and the development-body case while the fixture is in place.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a frame of an image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a process device actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a drum flange provided on an end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and having a gear portion, the gear portion serving to transmit a driving force acting on the process cartridge when the process cartridge is mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a cleaning frame for rotatably supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The side surfaces, the upper surface, the lower surface and the front surface of the gear potion of the drum flange in a process cartridge mounting direction are covered. The process cartridge is mounted to the main body of the image forming apparatus from a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, when the process cartridge is mounted to the frame of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable within an image forming system, includes an image bearing member, a processing device for acting on the image bearing member, a housing for supporting the image bearing member and the processing device, and a cover shiftable between a closed position where the image bearing member is protected and an open position where the cover is retracted from the protecting position. The cover is spaced apart from the housing at least in the retracted position and is provided with a protruded portion at its inner surface. An image forming system includes a mounting device for mounting a process cartridge, an air flow generating device for generating an air flow passing between the protruded portion and the cover, a transfer device for transferring a developed image formed on the image bearing member onto a recording medium, and a conveying device for conveying a recording medium.

Abstract: A process cartridge case including a toner hopper, and a discharged toner box disposed at both sides of a drum housing accommodating a photoconductive drum. The process cartridge case is separable into first and second parts at a border in a region of the drum housing. Legs are provided on an outer surface of the toner hopper so that the process cartridge can be placed in an upright position during a refilling operation.An agitator extends beyond a side wall in a cantilever fashion to allow a box with a bearing member to rotatably support the agitator shaft. An elastic member is included in the box to hermetically seal the agitator shaft and prevent toner leakage.

Abstract: A fixed frame includes a photosensitive drum and a developing unit, and a movable frame is openable with respect to the fixed frame. The developing unit, which has two pairs of protrusions thereon, is detachably mounted to the fixed frame by engaging the protrusions with two pairs of guides provided on the fixed frame. One pair of guides includes a portion for momentarily catching one pair of the protrusions as the developing unit is being mounted to the apparatus, and each of the other pair of guides includes a inclined portion having the shape of an arc centered on the momentarily catching portion, whereby an impact to the developing unit is alleviated. The developing unit has a shutter which moves to a position for covering a peripheral surface of a developing sleeve when the developing unit is being dismounted, and which retracts from the developing sleeve covering position and moves to a position for covering the photosensitive drum when the developing unit is being mounted.

Abstract: A process unit including a photoconductor unit having a photoconductor drum, a developing unit having a developing roller disposed in a development housing, and a support shaft means for supporting the developing unit pivotably relative to the photoconductor unit. The developing roller is disposed such that its surface is pressed against the surface of the photoconductor drum in a developing zone. The photoconductor drum and the developing roller are rotationally driven such that their respective surfaces move from below to above in the developing zone.

Abstract: A toner cartridge (1) has a single molded element, molded of polystyrene, which is heat sensitive. The molded element forms front handles (3a, 3b) and a cleaner chamber (27) mounts a photoconductor drum (49). A toner hopper (61) is located generally under the handles. A developer roller (43) receives toner from the hopper and applies it to the photoconductor drum. A lower shutter (7) of polycarbonate, which is heat resistant, is mounted on actuating links (13a, 13b). When the cartridge is installed in the printer the actuating links are moved to rotate the shutter to a position covering the lower surface of the cleaner chamber, where it serves as an effective heat shield protecting the cleaner from fixing heat of the printer.

Abstract: A process cartridge removably mountable with respect to a body of an image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic art is provided. The process cartridge has an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process service for acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a casing holding the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the process device, a bearing rotatably holding the shaft of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cover member mounted on a lengthwise end portion of the casing.

Abstract: A shutter for a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a processing device acting on the photosensitive member, a frame, an exposure opening for permitting exposure of the photosensitive member to image information light, an image transfer opening for permitting transfer of image from the photosensitive member to a recording material, the process cartridge that being detachably mountable to main assembly of an image forming apparatus, one shutter includes an engaging portion for engaging the shutter with the frame; a first shutter member for opening and closing the exposure opening; a second shutter member for opening and closing the transfer opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming multi color toner images includes a photoreceptor drum which has an opening at a first end through which an inside of the photoreceptor drum is accessible, and which has an outer surface on which multi color toner images are formed. A supporting member is provided which is capable of being inserted into the inside of the photoreceptor drum through the opening thereof. A cover member is provided on a first end of the supporting member for covering the opening. A plurality of exposing devices are mounted on the supporting member so that the plurality of exposing devices and the supporting member are incorporated inside the photoreceptor drum when the cover member is fixed so as to cover the opening. A plurality of charging devices are provided around the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum for charging the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a developing unit which is removably installed in a body of the image forming apparatus, a shutter covering a developing region of the photosensitive member when the developing unit is removed from the body of the image forming apparatus and a cleaning member capable of cleaning the surface of the photosensitive member in accordance with rotation of the photosensitive member by making contact with the photosensitive member in conjunction with the shutter covering operation, but which does not contact the photosensitive member when the shutter is open. During a control operation, foreign matter such as used developer adhered to the photosensitive member is removed when the photosensitive member is rotated with the shutter closed.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable relative to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a process device actable on the image bearing member; an elastic device; a receptor for receiving a force against an elastic force of the elastic device in contact with the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus; where when the process cartridge is to be taken out of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, the elastic device displaces the process cartridge by the elastic force of the elastic device.

Abstract: A toner accommodation container for containing toner to be used for developing a latent image formed on a electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the toner accommodation container is supplied with toner from a toner supply container includes a toner accommodating portion for accommodating the toner; a toner supply opening for supplying toner; a cover member for covering the toner supply opening, wherein the cover member is movable between a closing portion for covering the toner supply opening and an open position for permitting supply of the toner therethrough; a blocking member, provided inside the covering member, for preventing the toner from scattering from the toner accommodating portion to outside, the blocking member is locked by a first locking member and a second locking member; wherein the blocking member is movable to the open position by the first locking member being released by the toner supply container and the second locking member being released by the cover member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an air flow structure capable of generating an airflow along a direction substantially perpendicular to a photosensitive drum through a charging device in order to prevent contamination of a corona wire (i.e., discharge wire). The image forming apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present invention includes a main frame having parallel side walls with a side wall having an air intake port. A cover is pivotally connected at one end of said main frame so as to allow closing and opening of the image forming apparatus and an image carrier is installed in the main frame so as to form a latent image. A ventilation fan installed at the port in the side wall generates an air flow through an air duct installed to guide the air flow.

Abstract: A toner cartridge mountable to a cartridge mount of a main assembly of an image forming apparatus comprising an electrostatic latent image bearing member, and a toner container for containing toner for developing an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member, wherein the cartridge is disposable in a mounting position, where the toner cartridge can be mounted on or dismounted from the cartridge mount, and a toner supply position, where toner can be supplied into the container from the toner cartridge. When toner is to be supplied into the container, the toner cartridge is rotated in a predetermined direction from the mounting position to the supply position, and when the toner cartridge is to be dismounted from the cartridge mount, the toner cartridge is rotated in the opposite direction. The toner cartridge includes a container body for containing the toner, and a toner discharge opening is provided in the container body for discharging toner from the container body.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus light emitting means and light receiving means cooperative with the light emitting means to detect amount of toner in a part of the process cartridge, the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member; process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a toner container, adapted for being mounted in the part, for containing the toner to be used for developing a latent image formed in the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a light transmitting member, provided in the toner container, for transmitting light emitted from the light emitting means to permit detection of the amount of the toner in the toner container when the process cartridge is mounted to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus; a cover member movable between a protecting position for protecting the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a retracted position wherein the co