Abstract: A toner-conveying device includes a movable plate. The movable plate is movable between a holding position such as to couple a cap of a toner container to a nozzle when the toner container is supported by a container holder, and a retreating position such as not to hinder loading and unloading of the toner container in the container holder. The movable plate is placed in the holding position by a cam when the nozzle is coupled to the cap, and is released and moved to the retreating position while the toner container is being loaded or unloaded. In this structure, the cap can be properly positioned in the conveyor device while ensuring the rigidity of a bag of the container within a practically preferable range, without reducing the convenience for the operator.

Abstract: A container holding device includes a container guide member (60) that holds a toner container (50). The toner container (50) can be detachably attached to the container guide member (60). The toner container (50) includes a soft, shrinkable bag (51) for storing contents such as toner. The container guide member (60) can move between a first position at which the toner container (50) is detachably attached and a second position at which the contents of the toner container (50) can be discharged. A moving unit moves the container guide member (60) between the first and second positions. An external pressurizing unit shrinks the bag (51) by applying external pressure, and applies a lower pressure when the container guide member (60) is at the first position than at the second position.

Abstract: A toner-conveying device includes a movable plate. The movable plate is movable between a holding position such as to couple a cap of a toner container to a nozzle when the toner container is supported by a container holder, and a retreating position such as not to hinder loading and unloading of the toner container in the container holder. The movable plate is placed in the holding position by a cam when the nozzle is coupled to the cap, and is released and moved to the retreating position while the toner container is being loaded or unloaded. In this structure, the cap can be properly positioned in the conveyor device while ensuring the rigidity of a bag of the container within a practically preferable range, without reducing the convenience for the operator.

Abstract: A developer container includes a cap controlling a flow of developer with a hole, the cap detachably engaged with a nozzle connecting to an image forming apparatus, and a developer case containing the developer with an outlet be connected to the hole. The developer case allows the developer to flow through the outlet in a direction different from the flow of developer through the hole.

Abstract: A toner-conveying device includes a movable plate. The movable plate is movable between a holding position such as to couple a cap of a toner container to a nozzle when the toner container is supported by a container holder, and a retreating position such as not to hinder loading and unloading of the toner container in the container holder. The movable plate is placed in the holding position by a cam when the nozzle is coupled to the cap, and is released and moved to the retreating position while the toner container is being loaded or unloaded. In this structure, the cap can be properly positioned in the conveyor device while ensuring the rigidity of a bag of the container within a practically preferable range, without reducing the convenience for the operator.

Abstract: A toner-conveying device includes a movable plate. The movable plate is movable between a holding position such as to couple a cap of a toner container to a nozzle when the toner container is supported by a container holder, and a retreating position such as not to hinder loading and unloading of the toner container in the container holder. The movable plate is placed in the holding position by a cam when the nozzle is coupled to the cap, and is released and moved to the retreating position while the toner container is being loaded or unloaded. In this structure, the cap can be properly positioned in the conveyor device while ensuring the rigidity of a bag of the container within a practically preferable range, without reducing the convenience for the operator.

Abstract: A toner-conveying device includes a movable plate. The movable plate is movable between a holding position such as to couple a cap of a toner container to a nozzle when the toner container is supported by a container holder, and a retreating position such as not to hinder loading or unloading of the toner container in the container holder. The movable plate is placed in the holding position by a cam when the nozzle is coupled to the cap, and is released and moved to the retreating position while the toner container is being loaded or unloaded. In this structure, the cap can be properly positioned in the conveyor device while ensuring the rigidity of a bag of the container within a practically preferable range, without reducing the convenience for the operator.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a development mechanism for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrying member into a visual image, a toner storage detachably installed and provided for storing toner therein, a toner transporting mechanism for transporting the toner from the toner storage to the development mechanism, and a supporting device for detachably supporting the toner storage therein and moving between a set position at which the toner storage is engaged with the toner transporting mechanism and a tilt position at which the toner storage is disengaged from the toner transporting mechanism.

Abstract: A container holding device includes a container guide member (60) that holds a toner container (50). The toner container (50) can be detachably attached to the container guide member (60). The toner container (50) includes a soft, shrinkable bag (51) for storing contents such as toner. The container guide member (60) can move between a first position at which the toner container (50) is detachably attached and a second position at which the contents of the toner container (50) can be discharged. A moving unit moves the container guide member (60) between the first and second positions. An external pressurizing unit shrinks the bag (51) by applying external pressure, and applies a lower pressure when the container guide member (60) is at the first position than at the second position.

Abstract: A developer container includes a cap controlling a flow of developer with a hole, the cap detachably engaged with a nozzle connecting to an image forming apparatus, and a developer case containing the developer with an outlet be connected to the hole. The developer case allows the developer to flow through the outlet in a direction different from the flow of developer through the hole.

Abstract: A toner-conveying device includes a movable plate. The movable plate is movable between a holding position such as to couple a cap of a toner container to a nozzle when the toner container is supported by a container holder, and a retreating position such as not to hinder loading or unloading of the toner container in the container holder. The movable plate is placed in the holding position by a cam when the nozzle is coupled to the cap, and is released and moved to the retreating position while the toner container is being loaded or unloaded. In this structure, the cap can be properly positioned in the conveyor device while ensuring the rigidity of a bag of the container within a practically preferable range, without reducing the convenience for the operator.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a recycle toner conveying device for returning toner collected in a cleaning step to a developing device as recycled toner. A waste toner conveying device conveys the collected toner to a waste toner container as waste toner. A switching device selects either one of the recycle toner conveying device and waste toner conveying device. Toner can therefore be efficiently recycled in accordance with the degree of color mixture of the collected toner. In addition, It is possible to estimate the amount of toner to enter due to reverse transfer and therefore to increase the proportion of toner recycling while reducing the influence of color mixture on the toner to be recycled.

Abstract: A developing device of the present invention includes an image carrier for forming a latent image thereon, and a developer carrier for depositing a developer thereon in the form of a magnet brush. The magnet brush is caused to contact the latent image to thereby develop it. The developer carrier includes a main magnetic pole for development and an auxiliary magnetic pole adjoining the main pole and helping the main pole exert a magnetic force. The developer carrier and said image carrier are spaced by a gap of 0.35 mm or above, but 0.5 mm or below. The developer carrier has a carrier packing ratio of 15% or above, but 45% or below, measured at the developing region.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a recycle toner conveying device for returning toner collected in a cleaning step to a developing device as recycled toner. A waste toner conveying device conveys the collected toner to a waste toner container as waste toner. A switching device selects either one of the recycle toner conveying device and waste toner conveying device. Toner can therefore be efficiently recycled in accordance with the degree of color mixture of the collected toner. In addition, It is possible to estimate the amount of toner to enter due to reverse transfer and therefore to increase the proportion of toner recycling while reducing the influence of color mixture on the toner to be recycled.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit implemented as a revolver or rotary unit driven by a revolver motor, which includes a motor case. A motor support member supports the surface of the motor case at a position beneath the center of gravity of the revolver motor. The motor support member reduces a moment acting on a motor mount about the apparent center of rotation of the revolver motor due the weight of the motor to substantially zero. This configuration enhances the durability of the motor mount or vibration preventing member and thereby protects the revolver from defective rotation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a developing roller accommodating a magnet roller therein. The magnet roller includes a main pole forming a magnetic flux whose attenuation ratio is 40% or above in the direction normal to the developing roller. The axis A of the developer carrier, the axis B of the image carrier and the peak C of the magnetic force of the main pole in the above direction are positioned such that an angle between a line AB and a line AC is substantially zero degree.

Abstract: A developing device of the present invention includes an image carrier for forming a latent image thereon, and a developer carrier for depositing a developer thereon in the form of a magnet brush. The magnet brush is caused to contact the latent image to thereby develop it. The developer carrier includes a main magnetic pole for development and an auxiliary magnetic pole adjoining the main pole and helping the main pole exert a magnetic force. The developer carrier and said image carrier are spaced by a gap of 0.3 mm or above, but 0.6 mm or below.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit implemented as a revolver or rotary unit driven by a revolver motor, which includes a motor case. A motor support member supports the surface of the motor case at a position beneath the center of gravity of the revolver motor. The motor support member reduces a moment acting on a motor mount about the apparent center of rotation of the revolver motor due the weight of the motor to substantially zero. This configuration enhances the durability of the motor mount or vibration preventing member and thereby protects the revolver from defective rotation.

Abstract: A developing device for an image forming apparatus of the present invention is capable of implementing double regulation on the amount of a developer with a first regulating member and second regulating members. The second regulating members, having inclined portions, are positioned upstream of opposite ends of the first regulating member in the direction of developer conveyance. It is therefore possible to obviate the adhesion of the developer at the opposite ends of the first regulating member. Further, a magnetic force is weakened at the opposite ends of a developer carrier adjoining the first regulating member for the same purpose.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, revolver or rotary developing unit and a revolver motor include a revolver gear and a motor gear, respectively. While a reaction acts from the revolver gear on the motor gear, a bracket bears the side surface or surfaces of the revolver motor in order to prevent the teeth of the motor bear and those of the revolver gear from skipping each other. The reaction acting on a motor mount is scattered in order to protect the characteristic of the motor mount from deterioration.