Abstract: A developer storage device that stores developer includes a frame having an internal space and an inlet, a partition portion for partitioning the internal space into first and second chambers, the partition portion including a communication port through which the first and second chamber communicate, a conveyance portion arranged in the internal space and configured to convey the developer, and a detection unit detecting an amount of the developer stored in the first chamber. When the amount of the developer in the first chamber is less than a predetermined value, the developer is conveyed to a far side portion of the first chamber by the conveyance portion. When the detection unit detects that the amount of the developer in the first chamber reaches the predetermined value or more, the conveyance portion conveys the developer to the second chamber.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of light sources, a light source control unit that controls turning on and off of the plurality of light sources, a first detection unit that detects an accumulated amount of waste toner with respect to the total capacity of the first waste toner container, and a second detection unit that detects an accumulated amount of waste toner with respect to the total capacity of the second waste toner container. The light source control unit turns on one of the plurality of light sources, based on detection results of the first detection unit and the second detection unit.

Abstract: A waste toner storage container includes a container body, a toner storage chamber, and a paddle. The toner storage chamber includes an introduction port, a first space, and a second space. The introduction port receives waste toner. The first space stores the introduced waste toner, and extends in a first direction. The second space is disposed in an end portion of the first space in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The paddle includes a shaft, a first plate, and a second plate. The shaft is disposed in the first space, extends along the first direction, and is elongated. The first plate is formed on an outer peripheral surface around a central axis of the shaft, and conveys the waste toner in the first direction. The second plate is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft, and conveys the waste toner toward the second space.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of an embodiment includes an image forming unit, a waste toner collection container, a paddle motor, and a controller. The controller acquires a replenishment amount for each toner cartridge, when the image forming component is replenished with the toner from the plurality of toner cartridges, sets a coefficient for each replenishment amount of the toner cartridges, at least one of each set coefficient is different from the others, each of the replenishment amount is corrected by each coefficient, and drives the paddle motor according to a cumulative amount of each corrected replenishment amount.

Abstract: A stored object detection device includes: a radar sensor which emits a radio wave and detects a reflected wave; a reflector which reflects the radio wave emitted from the radar sensor; and a detection target object storage amount detector which detects a storage amount of a detection target object in a container, based on a reflected wave of the radio wave that has been reflected on the container containing the detection target object, a reflected wave of the radio wave that has passed through the container and has been reflected on the detection target object, and a reflected wave of the radio wave that has passed through the container and has been reflected on the reflector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that carries an image; a developing device that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier into a visible image formed of powder; an intermediate transfer body to which the visible image is transferred from the image carrier and that temporarily transports the visible image; a transfer device that transfers the visible image on the image carrier to the intermediate transfer body; a first cleaning device that cleans the image carrier by collecting powder that remains on the image carrier; a first collection container that receives the powder collected by the first cleaning device; a second cleaning device that cleans the intermediate transfer body by collecting powder that remains on the intermediate transfer body; a second collection container that receives the powder collected by the second cleaning device; a feeding device that supplies a transfer-process bias to the transfer device; and a changing unit that changes the transfer-process bias sup

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a print engine, a detection circuit, a switch, and a processor. The print engine is located within the main body to form an image by using a toner. The print engine generates waste toner. A waste toner container is detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus and collects the waste toner. The detection circuit includes a toner amount detection sensor to output a voltage value associated with an amount of waste toner in the waste toner container and a switch to selectively output the voltage value depending on whether the waste toner container is mounted or detached. The processor determines whether printing is available based on the voltage value outputted from the detection circuit.

Abstract: A developer collecting container 1, mountable to and dismountable from an accommodating portion 10 provided in an apparatus, for collecting a collected matter which is powder or a fluid collected in the apparatus has a constitution in which a bonding portion 5 partially bonding opposing sides of sides forming an accommodating portion 3 for accommodating the collected matter is provided and in which at least a part of the bonding portion 5 is positioned below a height at which a volume of the accommodating portion 3 is half of a target collecting volume in a case that the volume is measured upwardly from a lowermost portion with respect to a direction of gravitation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developing device, a voltage applier, a current detector, a weight detector, and a control device. The control device acts as a first measurer, a second measurer, and an estimator. The first measurer acquires a toner use amount indicating weight per unit area, of the toner that has migrated from the developing agent carrier to the image carrier, according to a detection result provided by the weight detector. The second measurer acquires the developing current from the current detector. The estimator calculates a value of decision coefficient, obtained by dividing variance of an estimated value in a regression model between the toner use amount and the developing current, by variance of a sample value, and estimates deterioration status of the toner, according to the value of the decision coefficient.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises, a collecting member configured to collect waste toner adhered on a conveying belt, a cleaning voltage supplier configured to supply a cleaning voltage to the collecting member, a container having a first contact and configured to contain the collected waste toner, and an attachment part having a second contact configured to contact the first contact. The container is detachably attached to the attachment part. The image forming part further comprises a switch configured such that a switching state is switchable based on an amount of the waste toner in the container. The image forming apparatus generates a detection signal based on a voltage at the second contact to determine whether an amount of the waste toner in the container is greater than a particular amount.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an environmental sensor, a waste toner collection container, a paddle motor, a storage unit, and a control unit. The image forming unit is configured to forma toner image on a sheet using a toner that is replenished from a toner cartridge containing the toner. The environmental sensor is configured to acquire information regarding an environment around the image forming unit. The waste toner collection container is configured to contain a waste toner produced in the image forming unit. The paddle motor is configured to rotate a stirring paddle provided in the waste toner collection container. The storage unit is configured to store a correction factor corresponding to the information regarding the environment acquired by the environmental sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a printing unit; a bottle which is rotationally driven in a predetermined rotation direction, whereby a waste developer conveyed from the printing unit to an opening is accommodated inside and the waste developer inside is conveyed to a second end side in a longitudinal direction; and a capacitive sensor having a first detection electrode and a first ground electrode arranged in parallel, where a first detection surface of an electrostatic capacitance formed by the first detection electrode and the first ground electrode is arranged to directly face a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the bottle which is positioned obliquely upward with respect to a center line of rotation of the bottle in a region which moves from a bottom to a top when the bottle rotates in the predetermined rotation direction.

Abstract: A waste toner storage container includes a container body, a toner storage chamber, and a paddle. The toner storage chamber includes an introduction port, a first space, and a second space. The introduction port receives waste toner. The first space stores the introduced waste toner, and extends in a first direction. The second space is disposed in an end portion of the first space in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The paddle includes a shaft, a first plate, and a second plate. The shaft is disposed in the first space, extends along the first direction, and is elongated. The first plate is formed on an outer peripheral surface around a central axis of the shaft, and conveys the waste toner in the first direction. The second plate is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft, and conveys the waste toner toward the second space.

Abstract: A developing device develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum. A bottle rotation sensor detects rotation of a toner bottle that stores toner. A bottle motor drives the toner bottle for rotation to thereby discharge toner from the toner bottle. A hopper-internal toner sensor detects presence/absence of toner stored in a hopper that stores toner discharged from the toner bottle. A replenishment unit replenishes toner stored in the hopper to the developing device. Which of failure of the bottle rotation sensor and rotation failure of the toner bottle has occurred is determined based on a detection result of the bottle rotation sensor and a detection result of the hopper-internal toner sensor.

Abstract: A developer collecting container 1, mountable to and dismountable from an accommodating portion 10 provided in an apparatus, for collecting a collected matter which is powder or a fluid collected in the apparatus has a constitution in which a bonding portion 5 partially bonding opposing sides of sides forming an accommodating portion 3 for accommodating the collected matter is provided and in which at least a part of the bonding portion 5 is positioned below a height at which a volume of the accommodating portion 3 is half of a target collecting volume in a case that the volume is measured upwardly from a lowermost portion with respect to a direction of gravitation.

Abstract: A first waste-toner box includes a detection switch wherein a state of the detection switch changes depending on an amount of waste toner stored therein. A second waste-toner box without the detection switch is initially mounted on a housing. The first waste-toner box is mounted after replacement of the second waste-toner box. A sensor circuit detects the state of the detection switch. In a case where the second waste-toner box is mounted on the housing, a controller detects a full state of waste toner stored in the second waste-toner box based on a dot count that is a number of dots forming a toner image formed on a sheet; and in a case where the first waste-toner box is mounted on the housing, the controller detects a full state of waste toner stored in the first waste-toner box based on the state of the detection switch.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a toner container, a cleaner, a waste toner container, and a waste toner conveying pipe. The cleaner is configured to clean a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum after a toner image has been transferred to the printing medium. The waste toner container is configured to accommodate therein waste toner removed from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum by the cleaner. The waste toner conveying pipe is configured to convey the waste toner from the cleaner to the waste toner container. The cleaner is located between the photosensitive drum and the fixing device in a vertical direction. The developing device is located below the photosensitive drum. The waste toner container is located below the cleaner. The toner container covers at least a part of an upper surface of the waste toner container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is configured to output first information for urging arrangement of delivery of a container of toner based on a detection result of a toner sensor. When a first period from a detection of toner to an arrival at a first predetermined value of an accumulation value of a count portion is longer than a predetermined period, image formation is inhibited based on the accumulation value and second information for urging replacement of the container is outputted. When the first period is shorter than the predetermined period, the image formation is continued during the predetermined period until a detection result of a load sensor reaches a second predetermined value.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a main body; a toner cartridge having a first opening; a process cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a second opening; a positioning part; a transfer unit; and an urging member. The toner cartridge and process cartridge are attachable to and detachable from the main body in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The positioning part and transfer unit are positioned above the process cartridge attached to the main body. The positioning part fixes the attached process cartridge in position relative to the main body. The urging member urges the attached process cartridge toward the positioning part and urges the process cartridge such that the toner can be supplied from the toner cartridge to the process cartridge through the first opening and the second opening when the toner cartridge and the process cartridge are attached to the main body.

Abstract: A container includes a collecting portion in which toner discharged from an apparatus body is accumulated, a conveying member that conveys the toner in the collecting portion in a direction away from an intake portion provided in the collecting portion, and a movable member movable in accordance with an amount of toner in the collecting portion and that causes, when the movable member reaches a first position, a detecting portion to detect an amount of toner in the collecting portion. The movable member includes a guiding portion that guides the toner in a direction away from the first position while the toner is conveyed by the conveying member.

Abstract: In a waste toner collecting device, primary cleaning devices and a secondary cleaning device remove residual toner that has remained on photoconductor drums and an intermediate transfer belt, respectively. A conveyance path guides the residual toner in a downstream direction. A toner container stores, as waste toner, the residual toner discharged from a downstream end of the conveyance path. A toner amount sensor outputs a detection signal whose level changes in correspondence with an amount of the waste toner. A derivation portion derives an accumulated value of the residual toner based on image data each time an image formation is performed. A determination portion determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the waste toner collecting device based on the level of the detection signal and the accumulated value.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a driving mechanism rotates a bottle attached to a bottle attaching portion by engaging with a first end of the bottle. A cover member, positioned to face a second end of the bottle, is supported to be able to open and close an opening from which the bottle is inserted. An elastic member applies upwards elastic force to the bottle attaching portion. A level sensor detects a position of the bottle attaching portion in an up-down direction. A signal processing device executes a full-state notifying process when a detection signal of the level sensor during operation of the driving mechanism fails to satisfy an abnormality condition, and the position indicated by the detection signal is lower than a predetermined reference position. The abnormality condition includes either or both of an amplitude condition and a cycle condition for a rotation cycle of the bottle.

Abstract: A container includes a collecting portion in which toner discharged from an apparatus body is accumulated, a conveying member that conveys the toner in the collecting portion in a direction away from an intake portion provided in the collecting portion, and a movable member movable in accordance with an amount of toner in the collecting portion and that causes, when the movable member reaches a first position, a detecting portion to detect an amount of toner in the collecting portion. The movable member includes a guiding portion that guides the toner in a direction away from the first position while the toner is conveyed by the conveying member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage container, a detection portion, a determination portion, a first calculation portion, and a first notification processing portion. The storage container stores waste toner collected. The detection portion detects that an amount of waste toner stored in the storage container has reached a predetermined reference amount. The determination portion determines, after the detection portion detects that the amount of waste toner has reached the predetermined reference amount, whether the storage container is in a full state. The first calculation portion calculates a set time based on a waste toner increase speed at which the waste toner increases up to a point of time of the detection by the detection portion. The first notification processing portion, when the set time has elapsed since the point of time of the detection by the detection portion, makes a notification regarding a pre-full state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a collection container for collecting toner discharged from an image forming station, the collection container being movable between a mount position in which the collection container is mounted in the apparatus and a removable position in which the collection container is removable from the apparatus; and a door provided on the apparatus to permit access into the apparatus. A track of the collection container when the collection container is moved from the mount position to the removable position overlaps a track of the door when the door is opened and closed, and when the door is in its open position, the collection container is incapable of being removed from the main assembly, and when the door is in its closed position, the collection container is removable from the main assembly.

Abstract: A container includes a collecting portion in which toner discharged from an apparatus body is accumulated, a conveying member that conveys the toner in the collecting portion in a direction away from an intake portion provided in the collecting portion, and a movable member movable in accordance with an amount of toner in the collecting portion and that causes, when the movable member reaches a first position, a detecting portion to detect an amount of toner in the collecting portion. The movable member includes a guiding portion that guides the toner in a direction away from the first position while the toner is conveyed by the conveying member.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding a developer includes an accommodating member, a first helical feeding member including a first region having a first diameter and a second region having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter in a named order with respect to a first feeding direction, a second helical feeding member for feeding the developer in a second feeding direction crossing the first feeding direction, and a wall extending toward the second helical feeding member so that the wall is spaced from the first helical feeding member toward a downstream side of the first helical feeding member with respect to the first feeding direction to branch a flow path of the developer. With respect to the first feeding direction, the second region is provided between the first region and a position where the first and second helical feeding members cross each other.

Abstract: The present invention prevents a toner bottle from being erroneously determined to be empty and allows toner to be reliably refilled into a hopper and thus a developing unit in an image forming apparatus including the developing unit configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier, using toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus 1 includes a transfer belt unit 71 that is movable along a circumference of a roller rotation axis A2 and transfers an image held in a photosensitive drum 40 to paper P, a waste toner receiving container 73 that receives accumulated waste toner 72 collected from the transfer belt unit 71, and a full state detection unit FG including a waste toner amount detection unit 82, disposed inside the waste toner receiving container 73 to detect the amount of waste toner. The full state detection unit FG detects a full state in a loaded state switched from a non-buried state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a main body, a belt unit configured to accommodate a belt, a belt cleaning member and an accommodating unit. The belt cleaning unit is configured to remove waste toner adhered on the belt. The accommodating unit is configured to accommodate the toner removed by the belt cleaning unit. The apparatus further includes a drum unit having a drum cleaning member, and a waste toner conveying mechanism configured to convey the waste toner to the collecting unit. The conveying mechanism has a drum-side conveying unit configured to be connected with the drum cleaning member. Communication between the drum-side conveying unit and the collecting unit is enabled in association with movement of the drum unit from the outside position to the inside position, and disabled in association with movement of the drum unit from the inside position to the outside position.

Abstract: A waste toner collection container includes a housing main body, a detection chamber with an opening and a waste toner introduction inhibition member. The housing main body collects waste toner therein. The detection chamber engages with the housing main body and enables a sensor to determine whether the waste toner reaches a predetermined amount, by interrupting a light path of the sensor. The opening opens toward the housing main body. The waste toner introduction inhibition member seals the opening to inhibit the waste toner in the housing main body from being introduced into the detection chamber before the waste toner in the housing main body reaches the predetermined amount, and is fractured by a pressing force of the waste toner to permit the waste toner to be introduced into the detection chamber as the waste toner in the housing main body reaches the predetermined amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner container for containing toner recovered from a photosensitive drum and an intermediate transfer belt. The waste toner container has a stirring screw for conveying the toner in the waste toner container. The stirring screw is driven by a waste toner motor. A CPU determines whether the waste toner container is in need of replacement depending on a rotation speed or driving current of the waste toner motor. If the waste toner container is in need of replacement, the CPU displays such on a display unit to provide a notification to a user.

Abstract: A developer accommodating container, comprising: an accommodating portion provided with a falling inlet; an optical portion which forms a light path inside the accommodating portion; a space portion which is provided in the middle of the light path and capable of accumulating the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion; a casing portion which has a cover portion covering the space portion not to flow in the developer to the space portion except a surface of the opposite side which is formed the falling inlet seeing from the space portion, and that has a introducing inlet which can introduce the developer to the space portion from upper position than at least a bottom of the space portion, and that has a discharge outlet which can discharge the developer at a lower position than the space portion.

Abstract: The waste toner container includes: a waste toner detection unit configured to detect a state in which a toner surface of waste toner at that position is displaced up to a ceiling portion or near the ceiling portion. The waste toner detection unit includes: a flexibility member installed so as to cover an opening portion formed in the ceiling portion or a side wall and is configured to be deformed by a direct or indirect push by the waste toner; and a movable member formed so as to contact the flexibility member from outside of the container and so as to be displaced by the direct or indirect push by the waste toner interposing the flexibility member such that displacement thereof is detected by a detection unit. The displacement of the movable member is limited by a regulating member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner case, an optical sensor, a cover and a shading member. The waste toner case is attachably/detachably provided in an apparatus main body via an opening part. The waste toner case collects a waste toner ejected from an image forming part forming an image by a toner. The optical sensor detects whether or not the waste toner case is filled with the waste toner. The cover closes the opening part of the apparatus main body. The shading member is arranged between the cover and optical sensor. The shading member covers the optical sensor in a state where the cover is closed.

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: An image forming apparatus includes a condensation removal unit configured to perform condensation removal absorbing condensation with toner in the image forming apparatus, and a setting unit configured to set an amount of toner to be used for the condensation removal, wherein the condensation removal unit performs the condensation removal by using the mount of toner set by the setting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a waste toner accommodating unit, a movement member, and a driving mechanism. The image forming unit forms an image by using a toner. The waste toner accommodating unit accommodates a waste toner after being used in the image forming unit. The movement member is supported so as to move in a direction parallel with a falling direction of the waste toner in a toner falling path, through which the waste toner falls, of a movement path of the waste toner that moves from the image forming unit to the waste toner accommodating unit. The driving mechanism reciprocates the movement member in the direction parallel with the falling direction of the waste toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including multiple image forming units; a waste-toner container; and a waste-toner conveyance device including a common conveyance channel member disposed in an arrangement direction of the image forming units and provided with toner inlets to receive the waste toner from toner outlets of the cleaning units, communicating channel members identical in structure and respectively disposed between the toner outlets and the toner inlets of the common conveyance channel member, and a rotatable conveying member to transport the waste toner inside the common conveyance channel member linearly along a rotation axis thereof. The common conveyance channel member is shaped to equalize relative positions of each of the toner outlets and a corresponding one of the toner inlets of the common conveyance channel member among the multiple image forming units among which a distance from the toner outlet to the rotation axis differs.

Abstract: A circuit and system for sensing a capacitance of a capacitive sensor disposed in a toner container of an electrophotographic imaging apparatus. The circuit and system may include an AC signal generator and conversion circuitry, coupled to the capacitive sensor, for detecting an AC current appearing on the capacitive sensor and converting the detected AC current to a substantially DC voltage, relative to a local ground, the local ground serving as a ground reference for the conversion circuitry. The AC signal generator is coupled between the local ground and a system ground. Physically separating the AC signal generator from the capacitive sensor allows for parts of the capacitive sensor to be used to perform other functions in the toner container.

Abstract: A cleaning device, which is included in a process cartridge or an image forming apparatus, includes a cleaning member including a brush rotary body that is disposed in contact with an image carrier provided in an image forming apparatus and that removes toner on the image carrier and holds the toner thereon, a toner conveying rotary body to collect and convey the toner removed by the cleaning member, a flicker contacting the cleaning member to flick off the toner held on the cleaning member, and an agitator that has a free end contacting the toner conveying rotary body and vibrating due to rotation of the toner conveying rotary body. The agitator further has a trajectory being formed between the opening and the toner conveying rotary body by movement of the free end. Alternatively, the free end of the agitator is disposed facing the flicker.

Abstract: A motor control device supplies a drive control signal to a drive circuit that drives a motor at a constant period using a motor drive signal based on the drive control signal, and shuts off the motor drive signal when a count value counted by a counter that reset the count value if a state of the motor changes exceeds a threshold corresponding to a plurality of driving periods of the motor. The motor control device includes: a control unit that controls a setting unit to set a rotational direction of the motor to a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction reverse to the first rotational direction at the constant period alternately, when a drive mode of the motor is a position holding mode to drive the motor so as to hold a rotational position of the motor.

Abstract: A waste toner collector of the present invention includes: a container main body configured to collect and store waste toner; and a conveyance member configured to convey the waste toner in the container main body. The container main body is provided with, on one side wall, a plurality of protruding containing portions that protrude outward from the container main body and are disposed along a longitudinal direction of the container main body, and a plurality of recesses each positioned between adjacent ones of the protruding containing portions. The conveyance member extends along the longitudinal direction of the container main body and is rotatably disposed in the container main body. Waste toner conveyance force of the conveyance member in a rotary shaft direction varies in such a manner that, at border portions between the protruding containing portions and the recesses, the waste toner is pushed toward the protruding containing portions.

Abstract: A management server stores stock information on a toner collection box in an image forming apparatus and updates, if a notification received from the image forming apparatus indicates that the toner collection box is full or close to full, the stored stock information of the toner collection box.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a collecting container, provided detachably mountable to a casing of the image forming apparatus, capable of collecting a developer; a locked portion provided on the collecting container; a locking portion, provided on the casing, for locking the collecting container to prevent the collecting container from moving in a demounting direction by being locked with the locked portion when the collecting container is mounted in a main assembly of the image forming apparatus in an empty state; and a supporting portion for supporting the collecting container, the supporting portion being provided so as to be displaceable, by a weight of the developer collected by the collecting container, in a direction such that locking with the locking portion is released.

Abstract: A toner collection unit, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a collected toner container having an opening and storing collected toner, a flexible seal sealing the opening of the collected toner container, having a shape of a recess in an initial condition before toner is collected in the container, and being flexible to change the shape to inflate outwardly due to a pressing force exerted from the toner stored in the container, a moving unit disposed outside the flexible seal and movable both in a positive direction to approach the opening of the container and in an opposite direction to move away from the opening when contacting the flexible seal inflating outwardly, a detector detecting movement of the moving unit, and a regulator regulating the moving unit from coming into the recess of the flexible seal in the initial condition.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a control unit configured to: after an image is formed in a color mode, if an integrated supply amount is larger than or equal to a reference supply amount, cause a supply image with a first amount of developer, otherwise, cause a supply image with a second amount of developer larger that the first amount; and, after an image is formed in the monochrome mode, cause a supply image with a third amount of developer smaller than the first amount, and, to make an interval between recording materials when the supply image with the third amount is formed shorter than an interval between recording materials when the supply image with the first amount or larger is formed.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning portion and a pressing portion. The cleaning portion comes into contact with an image carrier that is adapted to carry a toner image. The pressing portion includes a clamping surface and a protruding portion and presses the cleaning portion against the image carrier. The clamping surface clamps the cleaning portion from both sides in cooperation with the image carrier. The protruding portion protrudes from the clamping surface toward the image carrier.

Abstract: A detection device for detecting a state of a waste toner container comprises an optical sensor and an actuation member. The optical sensor comprises an emitting unit emitting an optical signal and a receiving unit receiving the optical signal. A space is provided between the emitting and receiving units, and the optical signal travels along an optical path from the emitting unit to the receiving unit. The actuation member is movably disposed between the emitting and receiving units. The actuation member in a first position interrupts the optical path of the optical signal; and the actuation member is moved by the waste toner container to a second position when at least a part of the waste toner container is placed in the space. The actuation member in the second position allows a passage of the optical signal. An image forming apparatus using such a detection device is also provided.

Abstract: A collection device including: an accommodation part configured to accommodate therein collected adhering substance; and a detection part configured to detect an amount of the adhering substance in the accommodation part and including, a moving member configured to move from a first position to a second position, the accommodation part being capable of accommodating therein the adhering substance when the moving member is arranged at the first position and being full of the adhering substance when the moving member is in the second position, and a restraining member configured to restrain the moving member from moving from the first position to the second position when the moving member is arranged at the first position, and restrain the moving member from moving from the second position to the first position when the moving member is arranged at the second position.