Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame body, a frame cover supported by the frame body so as to be capable of opening and closing, an image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image carrier, a cleaning unit that removes and collects residual toner from the image carrier, and a toner container for accumulating the toner collected by the cleaning unit. The toner container is supported by the frame cover.

Abstract: A conductive member forming a charging roller having high durability which maintains a stable gap with respect to an abutting member, comprising a long conductive supporting body, an electrical resistance adjusting layer, and gap maintaining members, wherein, taking X2 to be the thickness of the portions of the gap maintaining members which oppose the end faces of the electrical resistance adjusting layer, the relationship 1 mm?X2?3 mm is satisfied, taking X3 to be the interval between the end faces of the electrical resistance adjusting layer and the gap maintaining members which oppose these end faces, the relationship 0.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame body, a frame cover supported by the frame body so as to be capable of opening and closing, an image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image carrier, a cleaning unit that removes and collects residual toner from the image carrier, and a toner container for accumulating the toner collected by the cleaning unit. The toner container is supported by the frame cover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of image forming include a process cartridge detachably mounted therein. The process cartridge includes a photoconductive element and a housing storing the photoconductive element and including a guide portion guiding the process cartridge. The guide portion faces an inner wall of the image forming apparatus or another process cartridge adjoining thereto and guides the adjoining process cartridge. The guide portion slidably engages with a portion of the process adjoining cartridge. The guide portion varies in shape according to its position in the image forming apparatus. The guide portion may be separately formed from or integrated with the housing. A method and apparatus of an image forming includes an image transfer mechanism and a plurality of process cartridges arranged in parallel. Each of the process cartridges includes photoconductive elements and a housing, and forms an image for a single separated color.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of controlling a charge voltage including the steps of applying, charging, detecting, and determining. The applying step applies an application voltage having a direct-current voltage and an alternating-current voltage superimposed onto the direct-current voltage to a charge-applying member to charge a charge carrier. The changing step charges the alternating-current voltage of the application voltage. The detecting step detects an alternating current flowing through the charge carrier when the charge-applying member applies the application voltage to the charge carrier. The determining step determines a value of the alternating-current voltage of the application voltage based on at least two alternating currents detected by the alternating-current detector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a sheet affixed at one edge portion and including a flat surface in the other edge portion. The flat surface is formed with a plurality of grooves each extending over the image forming range of a photoconductive drum perpendicularly to the direction in which the surface of the drum moves. The sheet is deformed such that the flat portion contacts the surface of the drum. In this condition, the downstream edges of the grooves in the above direction shave off the surface of the drum a plurality of times during one rotation of the drum, thereby obviating filming on the drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a container configured to contain two-component developer including toner particles and carrier beads. The image forming apparatus further includes a developer carrying member configured to carry thereon the two-component developer and having a magnetic field generating member and a plurality of grooves having a generally V-like shape satisfying h?50+R/2+{(R/2)/sin(?/2)}, in which h represents a depth of the grooves, ? represents an opening angle of the grooves, and R represents a volume-average diameter of the carrier beads.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably attached to an image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, at least one image forming process device, a case that integrally accommodates the image carrier and the at least one image forming process device, and a first non-slip holding portion provided on a partial surface of the case. The process cartridge is configured to move in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the image carrier. When the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, an operator of the image forming apparatus holds the process cartridge by grasping the first non-slip holding portion and a rear surface of a part of the case located on a side opposite from the first non-slip holding portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor belt formed by either a belt or a thin-walled cylinder. A charging unit that sets bias characteristics of the photoreceptor belt has an arrangement to approach towards the photoreceptor belt. A damper is provided on a side of the photoreceptor belt opposite to the side facing the charging unit. The damper absorbs vibrations in the photoreceptor belt through a supporting plate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of process cartridges, and a guide mounted to the frame. The guide mounted to the frame includes a plurality of guide portions having supporting surfaces arranged at predetermined different heights and on which the plurality of process cartridges are detachably placed, and is configured to guide the plurality of process cartridges placed on the supporting surfaces along a path between respective first positions and respective second positions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor belt formed by either a belt or a thin-walled cylinder. A charging unit that sets bias characteristics of the photoreceptor belt has an arrangement to approach towards the photoreceptor belt. A damper is provided on a side of the photoreceptor belt opposite to the side facing the charging unit. The damper absorbs vibrations in the photoreceptor belt through a supporting plate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a sheet affixed at one edge portion and including a flat surface in the other edge portion. The flat surface is formed with a plurality of grooves each extending over the image forming range of a photoconductive drum perpendicularly to the direction in which the surface of the drum moves. The sheet is deformed such that the flat portion contacts the surface of the drum. In this condition, the downstream edges of the grooves in the above direction shave off the surface of the drum a plurality of times during one rotation of the drum, thereby obviating filming on the drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame body, a frame cover supported by the frame body so as to be capable of opening and closing, an image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image carrier, a cleaning unit that removes and collects residual toner from the image carrier, and a toner container for accumulating the toner collected by the cleaning unit. The toner container is supported by the frame cover.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a sheet affixed at one edge portion and including a flat surface in the other edge portion. The flat surface is formed with a plurality of grooves each extending over the image forming range of a photoconductive drum perpendicularly to the direction in which the surface of the drum moves. The sheet is deformed such that the flat portion contacts the surface of the drum. In this condition, the downstream edges of the grooves in the above direction shave off the surface of the drum a plurality of times during one rotation of the drum, thereby obviating filming on the drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an endless transfer member and a plurality of image forming units. The endless transfer member is arranged at a transverse position in the image forming apparatus, and has a circulatory rotating surface declining at a predetermined angle to a horizontal plane. Each of the plurality of image forming units includes a first surface facing the endless transfer member and a second surface opposite to the first surface and angled in a similar direction to the endless transfer member. The plurality of image forming units perform an image forming operation and are arranged next to one another facing the endless transfer member such that, in any two adjacent image forming units of the plurality of image forming units, one of the any two adjacent image forming units has a portion overhanging the other one of the any two adjacent image forming units.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame body, a frame cover supported by the frame body so as to be capable of opening and closing, an image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image carrier, a cleaning unit that removes and collects residual toner from the image carrier, and a toner container for accumulating the toner collected by the cleaning unit. The toner container is supported by the frame cover.

Abstract: A developing unit includes a developer container that includes an opening and holds a developer; a first screw that stirs and conveys the developer, and that supplies the developer to a developing roller; a second screw that stirs the first developer, and that conveys the developer to a direction opposite to a direction to which the first screw conveys the developer; and a partition wall that partitions between the first screw and the second screw. The partition wall includes a guiding member that guides, to a position within a range in which rotation of the first conveying unit reaches, a part of the developer that is supplied to the developing roller and is returned after being used for development from the developing roller, and at least a part of the guiding member is an adhesion surface to which a sealing member for sealing the opening is adhered.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes at least one process cartridge removably mounted on the apparatus body and including at least an image carrier on which a toner image is to be formed and a cleaning device configured to remove toner left on image transfer with a cleaning blade. A hole for passing a light beam emitted from an optical writing unit toward the image carrier therethrough is formed in part of the case bottom wall of the process cartridge higher in level than part of the case bottom wall below the cleaning blade.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame body, a frame cover supported by the frame body so as to be capable of opening and closing, an image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image carrier, a cleaning unit that removes and collects residual toner from the image carrier, and a toner container for accumulating the toner collected by the cleaning unit. The toner container is supported by the frame cover.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably attached to an image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, at least one image forming process device, a case that integrally accommodates the image carrier and the at least one image forming process device, and a first non-slip holding portion provided on a partial surface of the case. The process cartridge is configured to move in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the image carrier. When the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, an operator of the image forming apparatus holds the process cartridge by grasping the first non-slip holding portion and a rear surface of a part of the case located on a side opposite from the first non-slip holding portion.