Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section, provided in an apparatus body, for forming an image on a sheet; a sheet transport path for transporting the sheet to the image forming section; a closing member, openably and closably mounted to the apparatus body, for exposing the sheet transport path in an opened state thereof; a first guide unit and a second guide unit, disposed along the sheet transport path, for guiding the sheet, the first and the second guide units being operable to shift between a proximate position where the first and the second guide units are close to each other, and an away position where the first and the second guide units are away from each other; and a position shifting mechanism for shifting the position of the second guide unit in association with a shifting operation of the first guide unit.

Abstract: A guide unit 24 includes an electrically conducting guide plate 25 disposed upstream of the transfer unit 20 that transports toner image transfer sheets between the image carrier 7 and the transfer unit 20, an electrically insulating support member 26 that supports the guide plate 25, an electrically conducting connecting member 30 installed on the support member 26, electrically connected to a ground plate 33, and a non-linear element 31 directly or indirectly electrically connected between the guide plate 25 and the connecting member 30. Further, if a voltage equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied between the guide plate 25 and the connecting member 30, the resistance value is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which comprises an intermediate transfer belt (15), and a plurality of image-forming units (11) to (14) disposed along the intermediate transfer belt (15) and adapted to form toner images of different colors and sequentially transfer the toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt (15) in a superimposed manner so as to form a color toner image. The intermediate transfer belt (15) is laid across a drive roller (16), a driven roller (17) and a tension roller (18), in a tensioned condition. A rotation speed of the tension roller (18) adapted to apply a tension to the intermediate transfer belt (15) is detected to obtain a linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt (15). In a process of color-misregistration correction, a write-start timing for each toner image of the colors is adjusted based on the linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt (15).

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which comprises an intermediate transfer belt (15), and a plurality of image-forming units (11) to (14) disposed along the intermediate transfer belt (15) and adapted to form toner images of different colors and sequentially transfer the toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt (15) in a superimposed manner so as to form a color toner image. The intermediate transfer belt (15) is laid across a drive roller (16), a driven roller (17) and a tension roller (18), in a tensioned condition. A rotation speed of the tension roller (18) adapted to apply a tension to the intermediate transfer belt (15) is detected to obtain a linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt (15). In a process of color-misregistration correction, a write-start timing for each toner image of the colors is adjusted based on the linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt (15).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer belt that is formed of an endless belt; a plurality of image forming units that are so arranged as to be aligned in a transfer belt conveyance direction; a plurality of toner supply containers that are detachably fitted, on one end side in the direction orthogonal to the transfer belt conveyance direction, in correspondence with the plurality of image forming units; an optical sensor that is provided in opposition to the transfer belt; and a cleaning member that is biased toward the one end side in the direction orthogonal to the transfer belt conveyance direction and that cleans a detection surface of the optical sensor in conjunction with replacement operation for one particular toner supply container among the plurality of toner supply containers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of developing units for developing toner images of different colors, an intermediate transfer belt for transferring the toner images of the respective colors onto a surface of the belt or onto a recording sheet transported over the belt surface, a first or drive roller for driving the belt while the belt is wound around the first roller, a second or driven roller and a tension roller, which is driven along with the driving of the belt driven by the first roller. The image forming apparatus satisfies a relation defined by the following equation: D2=N·D1 where D1 is a belt-inclusive outer diameter of the first roller where the belt is wound, including the thickness t of the belt, D2 is an outer diameter of the second roller, and N=n or 1/n where n is a positive integer.

Abstract: Information on current positions of a construction machine and a service car is transmitted from terminals 18, 28 of the construction machine and the service car, and the information is accumulated in a construction machine position information accumulation means 823 and a service car position information accumulation means 825. A service car search means 85 searches for a service car within a predetermined radius with the current position of a construction machine requiring maintenance as the center. Because the service car search means 85 can detects a service car near the subject construction machine, the need of searching for the service car on a map is eliminated and the service car can be easily found. Thus, construction machines and service cars can be appropriately managed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which comprises an intermediate transfer belt (15), and a plurality of image-forming units (11) to (14) disposed along the intermediate transfer belt (15) and adapted to form toner images of different colors and sequentially transfer the toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt (15) in a superimposed manner so as to form a color toner image. The intermediate transfer belt (15) is laid across a drive roller (16), a driven roller (17) and a tension roller (18), in a tensioned condition. A rotation speed of the tension roller (18) adapted to apply a tension to the intermediate transfer belt (15) is detected to obtain a linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt (15). In a process of color-misregistration correction, a write-start timing for each toner image of the colors is adjusted based on the linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt (15).

Abstract: A guide unit 24 includes an electrically conducting guide plate 25 disposed upstream of the transfer unit 20 that transports toner image transfer sheets between the image carrier 7 and the transfer unit 20, an electrically insulating support member 26 that supports the guide plate 25, an electrically conducting connecting member 30 installed on the support member 26, electrically connected to a ground plate 33, and a non-linear element 31 directly or indirectly electrically connected between the guide plate 25 and the connecting member 30. Further, if a voltage equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied between the guide plate 25 and the connecting member 30, the resistance value is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which comprises an intermediate transfer belt (15), and a plurality of image-forming units (11) to (14) disposed along the intermediate transfer belt (15) and adapted to form toner images of different colors and sequentially transfer the toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt (15) in a superimposed manner so as to form a color toner image. The intermediate transfer belt (15) is laid across a drive roller (16), a driven roller (17) and a tension roller (18), in a tensioned condition. A rotation speed of the tension roller (18) adapted to apply a tension to the intermediate transfer belt (15) is detected to obtain a linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt (15). In a process of color-misregistration correction, a write-start timing for each toner image of the colors is adjusted based on the linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt (15).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of developing units for developing toner images of different colors, an intermediate transfer belt for transferring the toner images of the respective colors onto a surface of the belt or onto a recording sheet transported over the belt surface, a first or drive roller for driving the belt while the belt is wound around the first roller, a second or driven roller and a tension roller, which is driven along with the driving of the belt driven by the first roller. The image forming apparatus satisfies a relation defined by the following equation: D2=N·D1 where D1 is a belt-inclusive outer diameter of the first roller where the belt is wound, including the thickness t of the belt, D2 is an outer diameter of the second roller, and N=n or 1/n where n is a positive integer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer belt that is formed of an endless belt; a plurality of image forming units that are so arranged as to be aligned in a transfer belt conveyance direction; a plurality of toner supply containers that are detachably fitted, on one end side in the direction orthogonal to the transfer belt conveyance direction, in correspondence with the plurality of image forming units; an optical sensor that is provided in opposition to the transfer belt; and a cleaning member that is biased toward the one end side in the direction orthogonal to the transfer belt conveyance direction and that cleans a detection surface of the optical sensor in conjunction with replacement operation for one particular toner supply container among the plurality of toner supply containers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which comprises an intermediate transfer belt (15), and a plurality of image-forming units (11) to (14) disposed along the intermediate transfer belt (15) and adapted to form toner images of different colors and sequentially transfer the toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt (15) in a superimposed manner so as to form a color toner image. The intermediate transfer belt (15) is laid across a drive roller (16), a driven roller (17) and a tension roller (18), in a tensioned condition. A rotation speed of the tension roller (18) adapted to apply a tension to the intermediate transfer belt (15) is detected to obtain a linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt (15). In a process of color-misregistration correction, a write-start timing for each toner image of the colors is adjusted based on the linear speed of the intermediate transfer belt (15).

Abstract: There is provided a composition for preventing fructose absorption, which contains an extract of a plant of the genus eucalyptus as an active ingredient. This extract does not prevent absorption of the glucose from intestines, but prevents absorption of fructose specifically, and therefore is useful in food, drugs, etc. Moreover, there is provided a composition for prevention or treatment of hyperlipidemia and fatty liver and for inhibition of accumulation of internal-organs fat, which contains an extract of a plant of the genus eucalyptus as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A developing device having a container including a pair of side walls disposed with spacing, an entry port and a delivery port defined between the side walls, and a main wall extending between the entry port and the delivery port. A rotating shaft is rotatably mounted between the pair of side walls of the container, and agitator/conveyor means is mounted on the rotating shaft. A blind hole circular in cross section is formed at an inner surface of one of the side walls, and one end portion of the rotating shaft is rotatably inserted into the blind hole. At least one discharge groove is formed at an outer peripheral surface of the one end portion of the rotating shaft. The agitator/conveyor means is composed of a flexible agitating/conveying member extending from the rotating shaft in a radial direction of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A device for recovering toner in an image-forming machine includes a cleaning mechanism for removing the toner that remains on an image carrier, a toner conveyer mechanism for conveying the toner removed by said cleaning mechanism, and a toner recovery container for containing the toner conveyed by said toner conveyer mechanism. The toner conveyer mechanism includes a toner conveying pipe connected at its one end to said cleaning mechanism and having, at its other end, a toner discharge port that faces a toner reception port formed in said toner recovery container, a toner conveying member in the form of a coil arranged in said toner conveying pipe and is coupled at its one end to a rotary member, and a toner-scraping member mounted on the other end of said toner conveying member and rotates together with said toner conveying member.

Abstract: A device for developing an electrostatic latent image includes a developing roller disposed in a developing housing and a developing agent-limiting device for limiting the amount of the developing agent held on the peripheral surface of the developing roller. The developing agent-limiting device includes a flexible blade brought into pressed contact with the peripheral surface of the developing roller, a flexible support plate that is mounted on the blade and supports the blade in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the developing roller, and a resilient urging device that is constituted by a plurality of spring members arranged on the back surface of the support plate at a distance in the direction of width thereof and pushes the blade in a direction in which it comes into pressed contact with the peripheral surface of the developing roller via the support plate.

Abstract: A device for developing an electrostatic latent image that includes a developing roller which is disposed in a developing housing, holds the developing agent on its peripheral surface, and conveys the developing agent that is held to a developing zone, a feeding roller for feeding the developing agent onto the peripheral surface of the developing roller, and seals that are disposed so as to be opposed to both ends of the developing roller from the downstream side of the developing zone to the upstream side of a developing agent-limiting zone. The device further includes seal lips that are formed in a protruding manner and which extend from one end on the side of the developing zone to an opposite end on the side of the developing agent-limiting zone. The feeding or replenishing roller is positioned so that its end surfaces are in contact with the inner end surfaces of the seals.

Abstract: A device for developing an electrostatic latent image includes a developing housing having a developing chamber and stirrer chamber, a replenishing device for feeding the developing agent onto the peripheral surface of the developing roller, a stirring device disposed in the stirrer chamber to stir the developing chamber, and a developing agent detecting sensor disposed in the developing housing under the stirring device. The stirring device has a rotary shaft, a cleaning member mounted on the rotary shaft at a position corresponding to a development agent detector unit of the developing agent detecting sensor, and a stirrer member mounted on the rotary shaft at the side of the cleaning member. The stirrer member is provided with tilted guide portions for sending the stirred developing agent toward the developing agent detecting sensor.

Abstract: A device for developing an electrostatic latent image including a developing housing having a developing chamber, a stirrer chamber, and a developing agent-feeding port communicating with the stirrer chamber. A developing roller is disposed in the developing chamber to hold, on the peripheral surface thereof, a developing agent in a developing agent-holding zone, and convey the thus held developing agent to a developing zone to apply it to the electrostatic latent image. A replenishing device feeds the developing agent onto the peripheral surface of the developing roller in the developing agent-holding zone. A stirring device disposed in the stirrer chamber stirs the developing agent that is fed through the developing agent-feeding port and sends the stirred developing agent to the developing chamber. A vibration plate having a plurality of developing agent-flow ports is disposed at the developing agent-feeding port of the developing housing, and the stirring device is caused to act on the vibration plate.