Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer portion, a fixing portion, a first sheet feeding portion including a first belt portion for forming a first feeding surface, a second sheet feeding portion including a second belt portion for forming a second feeding surface, a height detecting portion for outputting a signal depending on a height of a sheet from the first feeding surface at a detecting position, and a controller for receiving the signal outputted from the height detecting portion and for controlling the fixing portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer portion, a fixing portion, a first sheet feeding portion including a first belt portion for forming a first feeding surface, a second sheet feeding portion including a second belt portion for forming a second feeding surface, a height detecting portion for outputting a signal depending on a height of a sheet from the first feeding surface at a detecting position, and a controller for receiving the signal outputted from the height detecting portion and for controlling the fixing portion.

Abstract: A layer thickness regulating member includes: an opposing portion having an opposing surface to a peripheral surface of a developer carrying member; and a layer thickness regulating portion, projected from the opposing surface toward the developer carrying member, for regulating a layer thickness of a developer carried on the developer carrying member. The layer thickness regulating portion is integrally molded with the opposing portion. The layer thickness regulating member is, after being molded in a metal mold, separated by being pushed from a side opposite from the opposing portion of the layer thickness regulating member when the layer thickness regulating member is separated from the metal mold.

Abstract: A layer thickness regulating member includes: an opposing portion having an opposing surface to a peripheral surface of a developer carrying member; and a layer thickness regulating portion, projected from the opposing surface toward the developer carrying member, for regulating a layer thickness of a developer carried on the developer carrying member. The layer thickness regulating portion is integrally molded with the opposing portion. The layer thickness regulating member is, after being molded in a metal mold, separated by being pushed from a side opposite from the opposing portion of the layer thickness regulating member when the layer thickness regulating member is separated from the metal mold.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus, including: a first oblique-feed unit and a second oblique-feed unit each configured to convey a sheet by imparting to the sheet a force in a direction inclined relative to a sheet conveyance direction so that the sheet approaches an abutment surface in a width direction as the sheet proceeds downstream in the sheet conveyance direction, the second oblique-feed unit being closer to the abutment surface than the first oblique-feed unit; a sheet conveyance unit disposed downstream of the first and second oblique-feed units; and a first changeover unit configured to change over a state of the first oblique-feed unit between a pressure state for nipping the sheet and a released state released from the pressure state, wherein the first changeover unit sets the first oblique-feed unit in the released state before a downstream edge of the sheet arrives at the sheet conveyance unit.

Abstract: A sheet discharge device includes: a conveying portion which conveys the sheet in a conveying direction with the sheet interposed between a first roller and a second roller; a first conveying guide; a second conveying guide; a rotating portion which is disposed on a shaft of the first roller and has an outer diameter larger than that of the first roller; and a guide portion which is provided in the first conveying guide and in which an interval between the guide portion and the opposite second conveying guide becomes narrower toward a downstream side in the conveying direction, the guide portion being located at a position corresponding to the rotating portion in a sheet width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes first and second conveyance rollers, a holding member configured to rotatably hold the second conveyance roller, and an urging member to urge the holding member in a pressing direction. In addition, a reduction portion reduces a force applied to an openable member by the urging member when the openable member is opened or closed. The reduction portion includes a swingable member swingably supported by the openable member and movable to a first position, at which the swingable member causes the second conveyance roller to be pressed against the first conveyance roller, and a second position at which the swingable member causes the second conveyance roller to be separated from the first conveyance roller. The urging member is disposed between the swingable member and the holding member and urges the swingable member to swing toward an abut portion.

Abstract: A sheet discharge device includes: a conveying portion which conveys the sheet in a conveying direction with the sheet interposed between a first roller and a second roller; a first conveying guide; a second conveying guide; a rotating portion which is disposed on a shaft of the first roller and has an outer diameter larger than that of the first roller; and a guide portion which is provided in the first conveying guide and in which an interval between the guide portion and the opposite second conveying guide becomes narrower toward a downstream side in the conveying direction, the guide portion being located at a position corresponding to the rotating portion in a sheet width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus including an openable member, a first conveyance roller, a second conveyance roller, a holding member, an urging member, and a reduction portion is provided. The first conveyance roller is provided in an apparatus body, and the second conveyance roller is provided in the openable member. The holding member rotatably holds the second conveyance roller, and the urging member urges the holding member in a pressing direction. The reduction portion includes a swingable member provided in the openable member and an abut portion provided in the apparatus body, and reduces a force applied to the openable member by the urging member when opening or closing the openable member.

Abstract: A layer thickness regulating member includes: an opposing portion having an opposing surface to a peripheral surface of a developer carrying member; and a layer thickness regulating portion, projected from the opposing surface toward the developer carrying member, for regulating a layer thickness of a developer carried on the developer carrying member. The layer thickness regulating portion is integrally molded with the opposing portion. The layer thickness regulating member is, after being molded in a metal mold, separated by being pushed from a side opposite from the opposing portion of the layer thickness regulating member when the layer thickness regulating member is separated from the metal mold.

Abstract: A layer thickness regulating member includes: an opposing portion having an opposing surface to a peripheral surface of a developer carrying member; and a layer thickness regulating portion, projected from the opposing surface toward the developer carrying member, for regulating a layer thickness of a developer carried on the developer carrying member. The layer thickness regulating portion is integrally molded with the opposing portion. The layer thickness regulating member is, after being molded in a metal mold, separated by being pushed from a side opposite from the opposing portion of the layer thickness regulating member when the layer thickness regulating member is separated from the metal mold.

Abstract: A layer thickness regulating member includes: an opposing portion having an opposing surface to a peripheral surface of a developer carrying member; and a layer thickness regulating portion, projected from the opposing surface toward the developer carrying member, for regulating a layer thickness of a developer carried on the developer carrying member. The layer thickness regulating portion is integrally molded with the opposing portion. The layer thickness regulating member is, after being molded in a metal mold, separated by being pushed from a side opposite from the opposing portion of the layer thickness regulating member when the layer thickness regulating member is separated from the metal mold.

Abstract: A sheet detecting device has a light emitting and receiving unit having a light emitting element for emitting detection light and a light receiving element for receiving the detection light, and a reflecting member for reflecting the detection light emitted from the light emitting element and making the reflected light incident to the light receiving element, and is constructed in a configuration wherein the light emitting and receiving unit and the reflecting member are placed with a sheet transport path between. The sheet detecting device is configured to detect a sheet on the basis of interruption of the detection light by the sheet transported through the sheet transport path.

Abstract: A sheet detecting device has a light emitting and receiving unit having a light emitting element for emitting detection light and a light receiving element for receiving the detection light, and a reflecting member for reflecting the detection light emitted from the light emitting element and making the reflected light incident to the light receiving element, and is constructed in a configuration wherein the light emitting and receiving unit and the reflecting member are placed with a sheet transport path between. The sheet detecting device is configured to detect a sheet on the basis of interruption of the detection light by the sheet transported through the sheet transport path.