Abstract: A detachable container includes: a container body configured to be detachably attached to a receiving portion of an apparatus housing; a joining unit provided on the container body, the joining unit being configured to be rotatably joined with a joined unit provided on the apparatus housing; an operation unit having a rotation center coaxial with the joining unit, the operation unit being configured to perform a rotational operation for the joining unit; and a restraint unit provided coaxially with the rotation center of the operation unit, the restraint unit being configured to, when the container body is attached to the receiving portion of the apparatus housing, allow a rotation of the operation unit, and when the container body is not attached, to restrain the rotation of the operation unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first guide that is provided in an apparatus housing and configured to suspend and hold a first unit including an image holder so that the first unit is movable in an insertion and removal direction; a second guide that is provided in the apparatus housing and configured to suspend and hold a second unit including a developer holder so that the second unit is movable in an insertion and removal direction; and a pedestal that is disposed on a front side in the insertion and removal direction with respect to the first guide and the second guide, supports, from below in a gravity direction, the first unit and the second unit while the first unit and the second unit are inserted into the apparatus housing, and does not contact with the first unit and the second unit located in the apparatus housing.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a housing in which a developer is contained; a cover member configured to cover an upper opening of the housing; a developer holder that is supported by the housing and holds the developer on an outer surface and rotates; and a regulating member that faces the developer holder and is configured to regulate an amount of the developer on the outer surface. The device also includes a first exit path inclined toward an inside of the housing which is configured to exit air from the inside of the housing to an outside of the cover member. A second exit path connects the first exit path and a filter member provided on the cover member, in which the filter member prevents passage of the developer and allows for passage of air.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first guide that is provided in an apparatus housing and configured to suspend and hold a first unit including an image holder so that the first unit is movable in an insertion and removal direction; a second guide that is provided in the apparatus housing and configured to suspend and hold a second unit including a developer holder so that the second unit is movable in an insertion and removal direction; and a pedestal that is disposed on a front side in the insertion and removal direction with respect to the first guide and the second guide, supports, from below in a gravity direction, the first unit and the second unit while the first unit and the second unit are inserted into the apparatus housing, and does not contact with the first unit and the second unit located in the apparatus housing.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a housing in which a developer is contained; a cover member configured to cover an upper opening of the housing; a developer holder that is supported by the housing and holds the developer on an outer surface and rotates; a regulating member that faces the developer holder and configured to regulate an amount of the developer on the outer surface; a first exit path inclined toward an inside of the housing and configured to exit air from the inside of the housing to an outside of the cover member; and a second exit path that connects the first exit path and a filter member provided on the cover member, the filter member preventing passage of the developer and allowing passage of the air.

Abstract: A powder transporting device includes: a circulation path that receives and accommodates a developer from multiple toner cartridges filled with the developer, and along which the accommodated developer is transported while circulating; a first supply port that allows the developer to be fed onto the circulation path; a transport path that merges with the circulation path at a portion of the circulation path upstream from the first supply port to allow the developer to be transported therealong into the circulation path; a second supply port through which the developer is fed to the transport path; a detector that detects the developer accommodated in the circulation path; a first transporter that transports the developer in the circulation path at a first transport speed; and a second transporter that extends along the transport path in the circulation path, and that transports the developer into the circulation path at a second transport speed higher than the first transport speed.

Abstract: A detachable container includes: a container body configured to be detachably attached to a receiving portion of an apparatus housing; a joining unit provided on the container body, the joining unit being configured to be rotatably joined with a joined unit provided on the apparatus housing; an operation unit having a rotation center coaxial with the joining unit, the operation unit being configured to perform a rotational operation for the joining unit; and a restraint unit provided coaxially with the rotation center of the operation unit, the restraint unit being configured to, when the container body is attached to the receiving portion of the apparatus housing, allow a rotation of the operation unit, and when the container body is not attached, to restrain the rotation of the operation unit.

Abstract: A detachable container includes: a container body; and operation units on both sides of the container body attaching and detaching the container body. Each operation unit includes an outer gripping unit at an outer side of a respective one of both side walls of the container body, an inner gripping unit at an inner side of the respective one of both side walls of the container body in the width direction in an attachment and detachment operation side surface of the container body, and a cover projecting in an eave shape laterally from a respective one of both sides of the attachment and detachment operation side surface of the container body in the width direction, the cover covering the gap between the respective one of both side walls of the container body and a projecting end of the outer gripping unit when viewed from the attachment and detachment operation side.

Abstract: A detachable container includes: a container body; and operation units on both sides of the container body attaching and detaching the container body. Each operation unit includes an outer gripping unit at an outer side of a respective one of both side walls of the container body, an inner gripping unit at an inner side of the respective one of both side walls of the container body in the width direction in an attachment and detachment operation side surface of the container body, and a cover projecting in an eave shape laterally from a respective one of both sides of the attachment and detachment operation side surface of the container body in the width direction, the cover covering the gap between the respective one of both side walls of the container body and a projecting end of the outer gripping unit when viewed from the attachment and detachment operation side.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a removable-body receivable member and a container member. The removable-body receivable member removably supports a removable body containing a developer. The removable-body receivable member has an opening at a near portion in an insertion/removal direction in which the removable body is inserted into or removed from the removable-body receivable member. The container member is connected to the opening to contain the developer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a removable-body receivable member and a container member. The removable-body receivable member removably supports a removable body containing a developer. The removable-body receivable member has an opening at a near portion in an insertion/removal direction in which the removable body is inserted into or removed from the removable-body receivable member. The container member is connected to the opening to contain the developer.

Abstract: A container for powder detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus body includes a discharge channel and a wall member. The discharge channel has an upper end. Powder is discharged through the discharge channel. The wall member is disposed such that a gap is formed between the wall member and the upper end of the discharge channel. A transport part that transports the powder toward the discharge channel is provided in the container.

Abstract: A container for powder detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus body includes a discharge channel and a wall member. The discharge channel has an upper end. Powder is discharged through the discharge channel. The wall member is disposed such that a gap is formed between the wall member and the upper end of the discharge channel. A transport part that transports the powder toward the discharge channel is provided in the container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with an image holder that holds an electrostatic latent image, a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image of the image holder, a biasing unit that biases the developing unit toward the image holder; and a holding member that holds the biasing unit and is disposed so that a part which is opposite to a biasing direction of the biasing unit is in contact with an image forming apparatus main body directly or via another member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with an image holder that holds an electrostatic latent image, a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image of the image holder, a biasing unit that biases the developing unit toward the image holder; and a holding member that holds the biasing unit and is disposed so that a part which is opposite to a biasing direction of the biasing unit is in contact with an image forming apparatus main body directly or via another member.

Abstract: A developer transport device includes a cylinder member including first and second cylinders in which a transport path, through which a developer is transported, is formed, a transport member disposed in the transport path so as to transport the developer by rotating, a to-be-fastened member that is formed on one of the first and second cylinders and that has a first surface formed in a downstream end portion thereof in a direction in which the second cylinder is fastened to the first cylinder and a second surface extending in the direction, and a fastening member that is formed on another one of the first and second cylinders and is to be fastened to the to-be-fastened member, the fastening member having first and a second fastening surfaces that respectively face the first and second surfaces when the fastening member is fastened to the to-be-fastened member.

Abstract: A container for developer detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus body includes a container body, a discharge member, a resistive member, and a resistance reduction mechanism. The container body contains developer and is rotated when drive is transmitted from the image forming apparatus body. The discharge member supports the container body rotatable relative to the discharge member and has a discharge port through which the developer is discharged. The resistive member is brought into contact with the container body so as to apply resistance to the rotation of the container body. The resistance reduction mechanism changes a contact state between the resistive member and the container body so as to reduce the resistance between the resistive member and the container body when the container is mounted to the image forming apparatus body.

Abstract: Provided is a developing device insertion/extraction structure, including a developing device that is inserted to and extracted from an apparatus main body along a longitudinal direction, and includes a first restriction target section formed on a lower portion and a second restriction target section formed on a side portion, a first restricting section that is formed in the apparatus main body, and restricts displacement of the first restriction target section in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction according to insertion or extraction of the developing device with respect to the apparatus main body, and a second restricting section that is formed in the apparatus main body, and restricts displacement of the second restriction target section in a vertical direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction according to the insertion or the extraction of the developing device with respect to the apparatus main body.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing housing, a developer holding body, and a discharge channel forming member. The developing housing includes a container member which contains developer. The developer holding body is rotated while holding the developer on an outer surface thereof. The discharge channel forming member forms a discharge channel between the discharge channel forming member and an inner wall surface of the developing housing along the outer surface of the developer holding body so as to discharge air to the outside of the container member. The developing housing has a developer discharge portion through which excess developer is discharged to an outside on a one end side of the container member. The discharge channel has at least one first region and another region. The discharge channel is narrower at least in the at least one first region than in the other region.

Abstract: A container for powder detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus body includes a discharge channel and a wall member. The discharge channel has an upper end. Powder is discharged through the discharge channel. The wall member is disposed such that a gap is formed between the wall member and the upper end of the discharge channel. A transport part that transports the powder toward the discharge channel is provided in the container.