Abstract: A developer supplying device includes: a substantially cylindrical developer container having on its peripheral surface a spiral groove, and being rotatable to transport a developer therein by the groove; a supplying element in a form of an opening provided at the peripheral surface of the container to supply the developer therethrough; and a regulating device provided in the container, regulating an amount of the developer supplied from the supplying element, and being so formed to reduce a sectional area between the regulating device and an inner surface of the container in the vicinity of the supplying element. The supplying device can have a container-supporting device having a guide device for guiding the developer supplied by the supplying element; and a supplying element-covering device provided at the peripheral surface of the container, and being opened to uncover the supplying element when the latter confronts the guide device for supplying the developer.

Abstract: A detachable imaging unit is provided in an image forming device. The detachable unit includes an image bearing member, one of a pair of registration rollers and a developing device. A relative position between the image bearing member and the one of the pair of registration rollers is provided so as to permit precise transport of a recording sheet against the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a developing unit for making a visible image out of an electrostatic latent image with use of developer. The apparatus has a determination unit for making a determination as to whether the developer is stored or not in the developing unit, a supply unit for supplying the developer from a bottle detachably provided to body of the apparatus to the developing unit, and a control unit for actuating supply operation by the supply unit when it is determined by the determination unit that no developer is stored in the developing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having replaceable or exhaustible component parts is provided with a security system to determine the authenticity and remaining service life of the component parts. The component part can be provided with an identifiable code, for example, stored in a RAM that can be checked with predetermined identification codes in a computer system in the image forming apparatus. Verification of the authenticity of the replaceable component part can govern the operation of the copying apparatus. The component part, for example, can be provided with a manufacturer code and a confidential identity code. This manufacturer code can be compared with the stored manufacturer code, and a determination can be made as to whether the product is authentic and the remaining useful life of the product. If the product is not authentic, the copying apparatus can be disabled. Also, if the product has been rebuilt or has come to the end of its useful life, the copying apparatus can be disabled.

Abstract: A developer supplying device includes: a substantially cylindrical developer container having on its peripheral surface a spiral groove, and being rotatable to transport a developer therein by the groove; a supplying element in a form of an opening provided at the peripheral surface of the container to supply the developer therethrough; and a regulating device provided in the container, regulating an amount of the developer supplied from the supplying element, and being so formed to reduce a sectional area between the regulating device and an inner surface of the container in the vicinity of the supplying element. The supplying device can have a container-supporting device having a guide device for guiding the developer supplied by the supplying element; and a supplying element-covering device provided at the peripheral surface of the container, and being opened to uncover the supplying element when the latter confronts the guide device for supplying the developer.

Abstract: A developing device includes a casing having a sleeve chamber, an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a developing sleeve housed within the sleeve chamber with a portion of the outer peripheral surface spaced a distance from a photoreceptor drum to define a developing station, and a screw feeder operatively housed within each of the upper and lower chambers. A partition wall separates the upper and lower chambers from each other and has a port defined in a downstream end with respect to the direction of conveyance of the developing material within the lower chamber for placing the upper and lower chambers in communication with each other. A plurality of magnets are accommodated inside the developing sleeve so as to extend in a direction longitudinally of the developing sleeve while positioned circumferentially of the developing sleeve.

Abstract: An improved cleaning apparatus for removing toner particles remaining on an electrostatic latent image bearing member which is so arranged to include a first removing device for removing the toner particles by contacting the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing member, a rotatable collecting member to collect the removed toner particles, an accommodating member disposed adjacent to said rotatable collecting member, a second removing device for removing the toner paticles from the surface of the rotatable collecting member and for guiding the toner particles into the accommodating device, and a supply member for supplying non-volatile material onto the rotatable collecting member wherein said non-volatile material has an affinity for the toner particles.

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image developing apparatus includes a rotatable developing sleeve, multiple fixed magnets provided in the developing sleeve and a brush-height regulating member provided opposite to the developing sleeve. One of the multiple magnets, which is provided opposite to the brush-height regulating member, is magnetized so that the region corresponding to 80% and more of the peak value in the magnetic force distribution curve of the magnet has a spread with a central angle of 20.degree. or greater on the exterior surface of the developing sleeve.

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image developing apparatus has a developing sleeve, an agitating roller rotatable in the same direction as the developing sleeve and a magnetic device fixedly provided within the developing sleeve and having a plurality of N and S poles which include auxiliary poles of the same polarity adjacent to each other circumferentially of the sleeve and opposed to the agitating roller. A developer restraining plate between the developing sleeve and the agitating roller has a first guide surface for guiding the developer supplied by the agitating roller and a second guide surface for limiting the developer used from moving toward the sleeve portion to which the developer is supplied by the agitating roller.