Abstract: An image forming apparatus including at least one image bearing member configured to bear a toner image on a surface thereof, and a transferring member arranged close to or in contact with the at least one image bearing member and configured to rotate in substantially synchronism with the at least one image bearing member to transfer the toner image born on the at least one image bearing member onto a recording medium. The apparatus further includes at least one first motor rotating the at least one image bearing member, a second motor rotating the transferring member, and a control mechanism configured to control a rotation number of at least one of the at least one first motor and the second motor during at least one of rise and fall time periods with a command clock signal and a feedback signal in accordance with a predetermined velocity curve.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a work record acquisition system, a work record acquisition server, and a work record acquisition program that can accurately acquire a work record. In the work record acquisition system of the present invention, respective worker's terminals are connected to a work record acquisition server common to a plurality of workers through a network. A data input screen, through which at least a type of work, a work start time, and a finish of business operation can be designated under the control of the work record acquisition server, is displayed on each of the worker's terminal, and the type of work and the work start time of a new work can designated in real time making use of the data input screen. The work record acquisition server determines working hours from the start time of an immediately previous work and the start time of a new work received and stores a work record.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that holds its detachably attached constituent units at predetermined positions for operations, and releases the hold when exchanging and inspecting the constituent units. The image forming apparatus includes a main body having an opened portion on one side, one or more devices detachably attached to the main body through the opened portion, and a holding unit that is capable of being opened and closed relative to the opened portion. The holding unit is engaged with the devices and holds the devices at the predetermined positions when the holding unit is closed relative to the opened portion. A fixing unit arranged on the holding unit fixes the holding unit when the holding unit is closed.

Abstract: A developer container has a main part accommodating a developer therein and is detachably attached to a main part of an image forming apparatus. The developer container comprises an outlet provided at a side of the developer container to discharge the developer from the developer container. An input unit is provided adjacent to the outlet and has a small-diameter portion an inside diameter of which is smaller than a diameter of the container main part wherein, when the developer container is attached to the image forming apparatus, the input unit is engaged with a drive motor of the image forming apparatus to receive a rotating force of the drive motor. A developer guiding unit causes the developer inside the developer container to be moved to the outlet beyond the small-diameter portion of the input unit by rotation of the developer container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed, that includes multiple imaging units, a loading unit formed on the top face of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a discharging unit disposed at the operation side of the main body. The image forming apparatus further includes multiple developer containing members disposed in the main body for providing the corresponding imaging units with developer, the developer containing members being arranged in a direction extending from the operation side of the main body. The developer containing members are detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and can be handled in a space above the image forming apparatus, the space being limited to the width of the main body.

Abstract: An electrode of an image bearing unit and an electrode of a power supply are positioned in the front, rather than far inside of the main body of the image forming apparatus. A holder opposes these electrodes in an openable/closable manner. The holder includes an electric conductor that electrically connects the electrode of an image bearing unit and an electrode of a power supply when the holder is closed. The image bearing unit can be detached or attached when the holder is open.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus using a tandem-drum development, an indirect image-transfer method, and a vertical sheet supply path. An intermediate image-transfer member is angled relative to a horizontal line such that a rear side of the intermediate image-transfer member away from a recording sheet is lifted and a front side of the intermediate image-transfer member closer to the recording sheet is lowered. Further, image creating mechanisms of the tandem-drum development are aligned and arranged in parallel to a moving image transfer bed of the intermediate image-transfer member, such that one of the image creating mechanisms firstly forming an image faces the rear side of the moving image transfer bed and another one of the image creating mechanisms lastly forming an image faces the front side.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a paper cassette loaded with a stack of papers and a paper stacking device for stacking papers carrying images thereon is disclosed. The apparatus has an upper casing part rotatable away from a lower casing part. When the upper casing part is rotated away from the lower casing part, the apparatus successfully prevents the upper casing part from interfering with a tray or similar paper stacking means and prevents papers stacked on the tray from dropping without having its overall length increased. The tray is arranged in the rear portion of the apparatus opposite to the front portion where a control panel is located, thereby reducing the widthwise dimension of the apparatus. Even in such a position, the tray allows papers stacked thereon to be easily picked up.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes an air grille having a right side grille, a left side grille and a sub grille disposed between the right side and left side grilles. At the start of the heating operation, the right side and left side grilles and the sub grille are at a downward air flow position at which heating air flows downwardly. A prescribed time after the start of the heting operation, or when the difference between the tempeature of the wall on which the apparatus is installed and a desired room temperature has come into a prescribed range, the right side and left side grilles are rotated to a diagonally-downwardly air flow position at which a portion of the heating air flows diagonally-downwardly while the sub grille is maintained at the downward air flow position.