Abstract: A developer supply container for use with an image forming apparatus includes a shell having an air passage and a discharge nozzle, a developer storage pouch storing developer contained inside the shell, and a discharging nozzle for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer storage pouch to outside of the developer supply container. In addition, an air passage allows air to communicate between inside and outside of the shell, and a seal attached to the shell seals the air passage to maintain a pressure inside the shell in a negative pressure state which is lower than a pressure outside the shell. The developer storage pouch is deformed to discharge the developer by peeling the seal off the shell to permit air to enter the shell through the air passage.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes: a tip end holding portion configured to hold a tip end of the fed sheet at a first position on the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction in relation to a separation portion; a guide portion configured to guide the sheet; a movement unit configured to move the tip end holding portion and the guide portion between the first position and a second position closer to a feeding portion in relation to the first position; a release portion configured to release the sheet held by the tip end holding portion when the tip end holding portion moves from the first position to the second position; and a conveying portion configured to convey the sheet released from the tip end holding portion at the second position and convey the sheet in an area near the feeding portion in relation to the first position.

Abstract: Provided are a sheet feeding device capable of preventing the occurrence of failure in sheet feeding and degradation in quality of printed matter with downsizing achieved and an image forming apparatus provided with the sheet feeding device. The sheet feeding device includes a sheet storing portion 55 in which sheets are stored, a feeding roller 51 placed above the sheet storing portion, a flexible member 53 placed along part of the peripheral surface of the feeding roller with one end of the flexible member fixed to the sheet storing portion at a position below the stored sheets, and a pulling-up portion 300 that is connected to the other end of the flexible member above the sheet storing portion and that pulls up the flexible member to press the sheet on the feeding roller.

Abstract: A developer supply container includes: a developer accommodating bag, having an elastic restoring force, for accommodating the developer; and a developer discharging path for discharging, when the developer accommodating bag is mounted in a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating bag to the main assembly. When the developer accommodating bag is mounted in the main assembly, the developer accommodating bag is expandable by pressure generating means provided in the main assembly. An amount of the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating bag is such that by accommodation of the developer, a volume of the developer accommodating bag is not less than a volume when a contraction pressure of the developer accommodating bag has a maximum value.

Abstract: A developer supply container for an image forming apparatus includes a container shell; a developer accommodation bag contained in the container shell; a developer discharging path for discharging the developer from the bag an outside of the developer supply container; an air fluid communication path for fluid communication between inside and outside of the container shell; and a maintaining portion sealing the air fluid communication path to maintain a pressure inside the container shell in a negative pressure state, wherein the developer accommodation bag deforms to discharge the developer, by the maintaining portion opening the air fluid communication path to permit air to enter the container shell through the air fluid communication path.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sheet feeding apparatus including a sheet feeding unit capable of feeding sheets stacked on a sheet stacking face of a sheet stack tray, wherein the sheet feeding unit includes a feeding roller configured to feed the sheets, a driving motor configured to rotate the feeding roller, a lifting member configured to move at least edges of the sheets in a direction of the feeding roller, a sheet-shaped member connected to a front end of the lifting member at the downstream side, and a counter member disposed opposite to the feeding roller to pinch the sheet-shaped member, wherein, when the feeding roller is rotated, the sheet-shaped member is moved to the downstream side to cause the lifting member to move, and when the sheets are brought into contact with the feeding roller, the contacted uppermost sheet is fed by the feeding roller.

Abstract: Provided are a sheet feeding device capable of preventing the occurrence of failure in sheet feeding and degradation in quality of printed matter with downsizing achieved and an image forming apparatus provided with the sheet feeding device. The sheet feeding device includes a sheet storing portion 55 in which sheets are stored, a feeding roller 51 placed above the sheet storing portion, a flexible member 53 placed along part of the peripheral surface of the feeding roller with one end of the flexible member fixed to the sheet storing portion at a position below the stored sheets, and a pulling-up portion 300 that is connected to the other end of the flexible member above the sheet storing portion and that pulls up the flexible member to press the sheet on the feeding roller.

Abstract: A developer supplying unit of the present invention includes a first driving mechanism which transmits rotational driving to a drive shaft by rotating a first rotational shaft in a normal direction and a second driving mechanism which reciprocates a bottle holding member as a support member to support a toner replenishment unit between a first position within an apparatus main body and a second position being different from the first position by rotating the first rotational shaft in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A developer supplying unit of the present invention includes a first driving mechanism which transmits rotational driving to a drive shaft by rotating a first rotational shaft in a normal direction and a second driving mechanism which reciprocates a bottle holding member as a support member to support a toner replenishment unit between a first position within an apparatus main body and a second position being different from the first position by rotating the first rotational shaft in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus in which a sheet on which a toner image is fixed in a first heating portion is conveyed to a second heating portion through a first conveying path, the conveyed sheet is re-fixed in the second heating portion, and the re-fixed sheet is conveyed through a second conveying path having a curved guide surface. The first conveying path, the second heating portion, and the second conveying path are arranged from above downward in order of mention, and the sheet re-fixed in the second conveying path is allowed to pass so that a surface opposite to a surface on which the image is fixed moves along the guide surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording material, a first image heating unit having a first rotary member and a second rotary member forming a first nip therebetween, and a second image heating unit provided with a third rotary member forming a second nip between it and the first rotary member. The first rotary member, second rotary member and third rotary member respectively has a heater and an introducing unit introduces the recording material heated in the first nip into the second nip. A recording material separation temperature of the second image heating unit is lower than the recording material separation temperature of said first image heating unit, and when the toner image is heated in the second nip, the second rotary member heats the first rotary member.

Abstract: A coupling member of a toner supply container in a toner supply system detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes a rotatable engagement portion provided with a hook portion which is hook-engageable with an engagement member provided in the image forming apparatus to receive a rotational force for discharging the developer in the container; a release portion for receiving a force, for displacing the hook portion inwardly in a radial direction, from a hollow release member provided in the image forming apparatus so as to release engagement of the hook portion with the engagement member; and a regulation portion provided with a hollow cylindrical portion in which a regulation shaft provided in the image forming apparatus is insertable to regulate an inclination of the coupling member by contact with the regulation shaft when the coupling member is moved away relative to the engagement member in an axial direction of the engagement portion in a state in which the release portion receives the fo

Abstract: An image forming apparatus operable in high-gloss and low-gloss image forming modes and which has an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording material; an image heating unit for heating the toner image on the recording material in a nip portion, the image heating unit having a rotary member contacting with the front surface of the recording material in the nip portion, and a belt contacting with the rear surface of the recording material in the nip portion; a unit for reversing the front surface and rear surface of the recording material heated in the nip portion, and reintroducing the recording material into the nip portion; and a cooling unit for cooling the recording material after reintroduced moving while keeping contact with the belt before the recording material is separated from the belt.

Abstract: The present invention has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus which can well perform both-side image forming for forming an image of high gloss on one side of a recording sheet and forming an image of non-gloss or low gloss on the other side thereof, and for this purpose, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has: an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording material; an image heating unit for heating the toner image on the recording material in a nip portion, the image heating unit having a rotary member contacting with the front surface of the recording material in the nip portion, and a belt contacting with the rear surface of the recording material in the nip portion; a unit for reversing the front surface and rear surface of the recording material heated in the nip portion, and reintroducing the recording material into the nip portion; and a cooling unit for cooling the recording material after reintroduced moving while keeping contact with the b

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a developing device containing therein a developer including a toner and a carrier, the developing device having a first chamber for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member, and a second chamber constituting a developer circulating route between it and the first chamber, a carrying member rotatably provided in the second chamber for carrying the developer, a rotary member holding the developing device and rotatable in a route including a developing position, a supplying device for supplying the developer to the developing device when at the developing position, an opening provided in the second chamber for outwardly discharging therethrough any excess developer resulting from the supply of the developer, and a wall portion provided in the second chamber for suppressing the developer flowing out through the opening with the rotation of the rotary member.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus in which a sheet on which a toner image is fixed in a first heating portion is conveyed to a second heating portion through a first conveying path, the conveyed sheet is re-fixed in the second heating portion, and the re-fixed sheet is conveyed through a second conveying path having a curved guide surface. The first conveying path, the second heating portion, and the second conveying path are arranged from above downward in order of mention, and the sheet re-fixed in the second conveying path is allowed to pass so that a surface opposite to a surface on which the image is fixed moves along the guide surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device, a supply tube, a feeding screw and a magnetic member. The developing device develops an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member with a magnetic developer. The supply tube supplies the magnetic developer into the developing device. The feeding screw feeds the magnetic developer in the supply tube. The magnetic member confines the magnetic developer in a clearance between the supply tube and the feeding screw. The magnetic member is provided at a substantially radially outermost portion of the feeding screw.

Abstract: By a conventional mechanism for detecting a position of a knob of a toner bottle, the detection of the presence or absence of the toner bottle could not be effected. So, by providing an optical sensor on the inner surface of an interchange door opposed to the knob of the toner bottle, it is possible to effect the detection of the presence or absence of the toner bottle, and the detection of the position of the knob, i.e., the opening and closing of a shutter of the toner bottle.

Abstract: It has sometimes been the case that when a developing device becomes inverted with the rotation of a rotary, a developer in the developing device flows out in a great deal through a discharge port. So, the height of the ceiling of an agitating chamber is made great in an area near the discharge port, it has become possible to prevent the excessive discharge of the developer from the developing device.

Abstract: The present invention has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus which can well perform both-side image forming for forming an image of high gloss on one side of a recording sheet and forming an image of non-gloss or low gloss on the other side thereof, and for this purpose, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has: an image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording material; an image heating unit for heating the toner image on the recording material in a nip portion, the image heating unit having a rotary member contacting with the front surface of the recording material in the nip portion, and a belt contacting with the rear surface of the recording material in the nip portion; a unit for reversing the front surface and rear surface of the recording material heated in the nip portion, and reintroducing the recording material into the nip portion; and a cooling unit for cooling the recording material after reintroduced moving while keeping contact with the b