Abstract: A collection container is divided by a divider plate into waste developer collection chambers in communication with waste developer reception ports for each color developer and a single waste toner collection chamber in communication with waste toner reception ports for each color toner. Further, the divider plate is a part of the inner wall of the collection container and the part is installed extending in the vertical direction to define a clearance between the divider plate and the bottom plate of the collection container. This makes it possible to collect color waste toner and color waste developer with a simple configuration.

Abstract: A drive transmission mechanism which transmits a rotational driving force to a roller to be shifted in directions of a rotational axis thereof is equipped with a rotary drive transmission member which is driven to rotate in a predetermined rotational direction, a holder which holds the roller in such a manner that the roller can slide freely in the rotational axis directions while rotating about the rotational axis, and a one-way clutch interposed between the rotary drive transmission member and the holder. The one-way clutch is configured to transmit a rotational driving force from the rotary drive transmission member to the holder, and also to permit the holder to rotate in the predetermined rotational direction relative to the rotary drive transmission member.

Abstract: A collection container is divided by a divider plate into waste developer collection chambers in communication with waste developer reception ports for each color developer and a single waste toner collection chamber in communication with waste toner reception ports for each color toner. Further, the divider plate is a part of the inner wall of the collection container and the part is installed extending in the vertical direction to define a clearance between the divider plate and the bottom plate of the collection container. This makes it possible to collect color waste toner and color waste developer with a simple configuration.

Abstract: In a developer conveyance device, a spiral screw is arranged inside a spiral coil such that the spiral coil and the spiral screw are both rotated. Accompanied by rotation of the spiral coil, even if waste toner tries to pass through the spiral coil and move in a vertical direction, movement of the waste toner in the vertical direction is blocked by the spiral screw, such that the waste toner is conveyed by the spiral screw. Since the waste toner hardly passes through the spiral coil in the vertical direction, the waste toner is also conveyed by the spiral coil.

Abstract: A waste toner detection mechanism includes a transmission member and a flag member. The transmission member transmits the rotation of a rotation transmission member to a stirring shaft. The transmission member can move between the farthest position and the closest position to the rotation transmission member in the axial direction of the stirring shaft and moves from the farthest position to the closest position with an increase in difference in rotation between the rotation transmission member and the stirring shaft. The transmission member has a locking portion elastically engaged with the rotation transmission member in the closest position and restricts movement of the transmission member to the farthest position. The flag member moves from a retracting position of being stored in the waste toner container to an exposing position of being exposed from the waste toner container with the transmission member moving from the farthest position to the closest position.

Abstract: A collection container is divided by a divider plate into waste developer collection chambers in communication with waste developer reception ports for each color developer and a single waste toner collection chamber in communication with waste toner reception ports for each color toner. Further, the divider plate is a part of the inner wall of the collection container and the part is installed extending in the vertical direction to define a clearance between the divider plate and the bottom plate of the collection container. This makes it possible to collect color waste toner and color waste developer with a simple configuration.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process unit, an exhaust path, and a positioning member movable between (i) a positioning position for positioning the process unit and (ii) a releasing position for releasing the process unit, the positioning member having an air path, the air path and the exhaust path being connected in a case where the positioning member is in the positioning position, and the air path and the exhaust path being disconnected in a case where the positioning member is in the releasing position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process unit, an exhaust path, and a positioning member movable between (i) a positioning position for positioning the process unit and (ii) a releasing position for releasing the process unit, the positioning member having an air path, the air path and the exhaust path being connected in a case where the positioning member is in the positioning position, and the air path and the exhaust path being disconnected in a case where the positioning member is in the releasing position.

Abstract: In a developer conveyance device, a spiral screw is arranged inside a spiral coil such that the spiral coil and the spiral screw are both rotated. Accompanied by rotation of the spiral coil, even if waste toner tries to pass through the spiral coil and move in a vertical direction, movement of the waste toner in the vertical direction is blocked by the spiral screw, such that the waste toner is conveyed by the spiral screw. Since the waste toner hardly passes through the spiral coil in the vertical direction, the waste toner is also conveyed by the spiral coil.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process unit, an exhaust path, and a positioning member movable between (i) a positioning position for positioning the process unit and (ii) a releasing position for releasing the process unit, the positioning member having an air path, the air path and the exhaust path being connected in a case where the positioning member is in the positioning position, and the air path and the exhaust path being disconnected in a case where the positioning member is in the releasing position.

Abstract: An electrostatic charger includes a discharge electrode which has a long shape and a housing. The housing has a U-shaped cross section in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the discharge electrode, receives the discharge electrode and supports the discharge electrode in a direction such that a tip portion thereof is disposed on an open face side. The housing includes a first member and a second member separated from each other at a border that includes an electrode-supporting section supporting the discharge electrode, and the first member and the second member are attachable to and detachable from each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process unit, an exhaust path, and a positioning member movable between (i) a positioning position for positioning the process unit and (ii) a releasing position for releasing the process unit, the positioning member having an air path, the air path and the exhaust path being connected in a case where the positioning member is in the positioning position, and the air path and the exhaust path being disconnected in a case where the positioning member is in the releasing position.

Abstract: A shutter device includes a main body and a seal member. The main body is an annular body fitted around an outside of one end of a cylindrical tube which includes a discharge outlet in a part of the circumferential face near the end in the axial direction, and includes a first opening having a same shape as the discharge outlet and a second opening having a first opening end and a second opening end. The seal member has a length equal to a distance from a vicinity of the first opening end on an outer circumferential face of the main body, passing across the first opening, the second opening end and the first opening on an inner circumferential face of the main body in the stated order, to a vicinity of the second opening end.

Abstract: An electrostatic charger includes a discharge electrode which has a long shape and a housing. The housing has a U-shaped cross section in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the discharge electrode, receives the discharge electrode and supports the discharge electrode in a direction such that a tip portion thereof is disposed on an open face side. The housing includes a first member and a second member separated from each other at a border that includes an electrode-supporting section supporting the discharge electrode, and the first member and the second member are attachable to and detachable from each other.

Abstract: This toner recovery unit is detachable installed to an image forming device, and includes a waste toner storage tank, a frame, opening/closing members, and a shift member. The frame is formed with discharge outlets and with a discharge passage which communicates those discharge outlets to the waste toner storage tank. The opening/closing members are rotated to opened positions in which they communicate the discharge outlets to the discharge passage, and to closed positions in which they interrupt such communication. And, along with the shift member shifting from an engagement release position in which its end portion does not engage with a fixing knob to an engagement position in which it engages the fixing knob, it rotates the opening/closing members from their opened positions to their closed positions.

Abstract: A processing unit according to this invention includes a photosensitive drum, an initial detection gear, a rotation stop, and a stopper arm. The photosensitive drum forms an electrostatic latent image on a surface thereof. The initial detection gear is a member which is rotatable in a manner linked to rotation of the photoreceptor for identifying the processing unit as a new one or an old one. The rotation stop is provided on the photosensitive drum. The stopper arm is engageable with the rotation stop.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cleaning portion for collecting waste toner from various locations within the image forming apparatus. Waste toner collected by the cleaning portion is routed to a waste toner collecting container. The waste toner collecting container includes a waste toner receptacle for storing the waste toner, a waste toner collector for leading the waste toner collected by the cleaning portion into the waste toner receptacle, and a flexible joint that couples the waste toner collector and the waste toner receptacle. The waste toner collecting container is removably mounted to the image forming apparatus. The flexible joint has the function of extending and contracting itself to enable the waste toner receptacle to move relative to the waste toner collector. A detector may be provided to detect an amount of waste toner collected in the container.

Abstract: A shutter device includes a main body and a seal member. The main body is an annular body fitted around an outside of one end of a cylindrical tube which includes a discharge outlet in a part of the circumferential face near the end in the axial direction, and includes a first opening having a same shape as the discharge outlet and a second opening having a first opening end and a second opening end. The seal member has a length equal to a distance from a vicinity of the first opening end on an outer circumferential face of the main body, passing across the first opening, the second opening end and the first opening on an inner circumferential face of the main body in the stated order, to a vicinity of the second opening end.

Abstract: A grid electrode is attached to a case and a serrated electrode holder by engaging an opening of the grid electrode with a pair of engaging claws formed in the case and engaging another opening of the grid electrode with an engaging claw of the serrated electrode holder. Then, in the condition where the grid electrode has been attached to the case and serrated electrode holder, the grid electrode and the serrated electrode holder are fixed to the case by rotating them until engaging projections of the serrated electrode holder engage the engaging holes of the case.

Abstract: A processing unit according to this invention includes a photosensitive drum, an initial detection gear, a rotation stop, and a stopper arm. The photosensitive drum forms an electrostatic latent image on a surface thereof. The initial detection gear is a member which is rotatable in a manner linked to rotation of the photoreceptor for identifying the processing unit as a new one or an old one. The rotation stop is provided on the photosensitive drum. The stopper arm is engageable with the rotation stop.