Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking portion on which a sheet is stacked, a drive source configured to generate a driving force, a pick-up member rotatable with the driving force and configured to rotate in contact with the stacked sheet to feed the sheet, a feed member configured to feed the sheet fed by the pick-up member, an elevating unit configured to raise and lower the stacking portion with the driving force to bring the sheet and the pick-up member into contact with each other, and a control unit configured to control the elevating unit, when a trailing edge of a first sheet fed to the pick-up member is upstream of the feed member and downstream of the pick-up member, to bring a second sheet stacked on the stacking portion and to be fed subsequently to the first sheet and the pick-up member into contact with each other.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking plate configured to stack sheets, a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the sheets by contacting the sheets stacked on the stacking plate, an elevating unit configured to elevate the stacking plate by a drive transmitted from a drive unit, a drive transmission unit configured to transmit the drive from the drive unit to drive the sheet feeding unit, and a clutch mechanism configured to cause the drive transmission unit to transmit the drive from the drive unit to the sheet feeding unit after the elevating unit urges the sheets stacked on the stacking plate toward the sheet feeding unit by elevating the stacking plate.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking plate configured to stack sheets, a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the sheets by contacting the sheets stacked on the stacking plate, an elevating unit configured to elevate the stacking plate by a drive transmitted from a drive unit, a drive transmission unit configured to transmit the drive from the drive unit to drive the sheet feeding unit, and a clutch mechanism configured to cause the drive transmission unit to transmit the drive from the drive unit to the sheet feeding unit after the elevating unit urges the sheets stacked on the stacking plate toward the sheet feeding unit by elevating the stacking plate.

Abstract: Provided is a small sized belt conveying apparatus provided with a separating unit configured to move a transfer member and an image forming apparatus provided with the belt transfer apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a drive unit configured to transmit a drive force from a drive source provided in an apparatus body, and a drive transmitting unit configured to transmit the drive force branched and transmitted from the drive unit. The separating unit is configured to move the transfer member by a drive force transmitted by the drive transmitting unit via the drive unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable belt, a detection unit configured to detect, at a detecting position, an object on the belt, a cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from a main body of the apparatus independently of the belt, and an openable and closable member that is openable and closable relative to the body to attach and detach the cartridge to and from the body. When the detection unit is at the detecting position, at least a part of the detection unit is located in a space used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge, and, when the detection unit is at a retracted position, which is outside of a space used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge, at least a part of the detection unit is located in a space that is formed by opening the openable and closable member relative to the body.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a supporting member that supports a plurality of electrophotographic photosensitive drums and is movable between an image forming position and a retracted position, a driving unit for driving the electrophotographic photosensitive drums, an intermediary transfer belt onto which images formed by developing the electrostatic latent images formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drums are transferred, and a controller for controlling execution of image formation. The controller controls the image formation so as to provide, on the electrophotographic photosensitive drums, areas having a lowered absolute value of surface potential, and so as to stop driving of the electrophotographic photosensitive drums by the driving unit in a state that the areas are opposed to the intermediary transfer belt.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking plate configured to stack sheets, a sheet feeding unit configured to feed the sheets by contacting the sheets stacked on the stacking plate, an elevating unit configured to elevate the stacking plate by a drive transmitted from a drive unit, a drive transmission unit configured to transmit the drive from the drive unit to drive the sheet feeding unit, and a clutch mechanism configured to cause the drive transmission unit to transmit the drive from the drive unit to the sheet feeding unit after the elevating unit urges the sheets stacked on the stacking plate toward the sheet feeding unit by elevating the stacking plate.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, in which a plurality of cartridges each including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, includes an exposure device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the drum; a cartridge supporting member capable of demountably supporting the cartridges and movable between an inside position and an outside position; a driving device for driving the drum; an intermediary transfer belt onto which an image provided by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum is transferred; and a controller for controlling execution of image formation in response to print jobs received by the apparatus. The controller causes the exposure device to expose the drum to light after completion of a last print job, and the controller stops drive of the drum by the driving device in a state that the exposed area is opposed to the intermediary transfer belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable belt, a detection unit configured to detect, at a detecting position, an object on the belt, a cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from a main body of the apparatus independently of the belt, and an openable and closable member that is openable and closable relative to the body to attach and detach the cartridge to and from the body. When the detection unit is at the detecting position, at least a part of the detection unit is located in a space used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge, and, when the detection unit is at a retracted position, which is outside of a space used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge, at least a part of the detection unit is located in a space that is formed by opening the openable and closable member relative to the body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an intermediary transfer member receiving the toner image on the image bearing member, a transfer unit for transferring the toner image from the intermediary transfer member onto a sheet, and a rotatable cleaner for cleaning the intermediary transfer member. The cleaner is downstream of the transfer unit with respect to a sheet conveyance direction and rotates in an opposite direction to the intermediary transfer member during image formation. The cleaner separates a sheet wound about the intermediary transfer member from the intermediary transfer member.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a plurality of each including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, the apparatus includes an exposure device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the drum; a cartridge supporting member capable of demountably supporting the cartridges and movable between an inside position and an outside position; a driving device for driving the drum; an intermediary transfer belt onto which an image provided by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum is transferred; and a controller for controlling execution of image formation in response to print jobs received by the apparatus, wherein the controller causes the exposure device to expose the drum to light after completion of a last one of the print jobs, and the controller stops drive of the by the driving device in a state that the exposed area is opposed to the intermediary transfer belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store a recording medium, an image forming unit configured to form an image on the recording medium, a paper feed unit configured to supply the recording medium from the storage unit, a conveying unit configured to convey the recording medium supplied by the paper feed unit to the image forming unit, and a control unit configured to control the paper feed unit and the conveying unit in conveying the recording medium. In accordance with a conveyance state in which the recording medium supplied from the storage unit by the paper feed unit is conveyed to the conveying unit, the control unit controls the conveying speed of the next recording medium supplied by the paper feed unit.