Abstract: A combination gear having a simple structure is provided at low cost without increasing a number of components. In at least two gears adjacent in an axial line direction and having a same rotation direction, three engaging portions arranged in a regular triangle are formed at an end of one of the adjacent gears and a regular triangle engaging hole is formed at an end of another gear. The engaging portions and the engaging hole fit together with play remaining, and when one of the gears rotates, the three engaging portions and three surfaces of the engaging hole engage such that the other gear rotates coaxially, and when rotation stops, the engaging portions and the engaging hole move in a direction orthogonal to the axial line by a play amount and become eccentric.

Abstract: An imaging cartridge has a process unit and a toner box unit formed by integrating a new toner box and a waste toner box. The toner box unit is attachable to and detachable from the process unit. Shutters which open and close a connecting section between the new toner box and a developing device included in the process unit can be opened by manual operation when the toner box unit is attached to the process unit. Shutters and which open and close a connecting section between a cleaning device included in the process unit and the waste toner box are opened when the imaging cartridge is in the process of being moved to a prescribed position in an apparatus body.

Abstract: An imaging cartridge includes an image carrier, a developing device, a cleaning device, a waste toner box, a communication section and transporter means. A communication section formed by positioning a first joint section of the cleaning device and a second joint section of the waste toner box in overlapping positions. Opposed faces of the first joint section and the second joint section are formed such that the first extended regions are gradually extended toward the image carrier and the second extended regions are gradually extended toward the opposed side of the image carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging cartridge in which a handle, which is used for mounting the imaging cartridge to either one of two image forming apparatuses in which the attachment/detachment directions of the imaging cartridge are different, does not obstruct the mounting operation of the imaging cartridge to the other image forming apparatus. The imaging cartridge can be attached to or detached from a main body of a first image forming apparatus in a first direction, while can be attached to or detached from a main body of a second image forming apparatus in a second direction that is different from the first direction by 90 degrees. The imaging cartridge includes a pair of handles gripped upon attaching or detaching the imaging cartridge to or from the main body of the first image forming apparatus in the first direction.

Abstract: An imaging cartridge has a process unit and a toner box unit formed by integrating a new toner box and a waste toner box. The toner box unit is attachable to and detachable from the process unit. Shutters which open and close a connecting section between the new toner box and a developing device included in the process unit can be opened by manual operation when the toner box unit is attached to the process unit. Shutters and which open and close a connecting section between a cleaning device included in the process unit and the waste toner box are opened when the imaging cartridge is in the process of being moved to a prescribed position in an apparatus body.

Abstract: Downsizing can be achieved even with simple structure. An imaging cartridge includes an image carrier 15, a developing device 17, a cleaning device 18, a new toner box 19 and a waste toner box 20. The image carrier 15, the developing device 17 and the cleaning device 18 are juxtaposed with the new toner box 19 and the waste toner box 20. The cleaning device 18 and the waste toner box 20 are placed adjacent to each other. A first joint section 31 of the cleaning device 18 and a second joint section 37 of the waste toner box 20 are positioned so as to overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to an adjoining direction and are communicated through a communication section 34. Opposed faces of the first joint section 31 and the second joint section 37 are formed in the state of being inclined with respect to the adjoining direction. The transportation means for transporting waste toner 28, 38 are housed in respective extended regions 32, 39 formed by inclining the opposed faces 31a, 37a.

Abstract: An imaging cartridge is detachably loaded into an image forming apparatus body. A process unit has a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor to form a toner image, and a cleaning device for collecting toner remaining on the image bearing body even after transfer of the toner image. A new toner box is detachably attached to the process unit and serves for storing therein unused toner fed to a developing device. A waste toner box is detachably attached to the process unit and serves for storing therein waste toner collected by the cleaning device. A support mechanism couples the new toner box and the waste toner box to each other so as to be supported each other in a manner allowing elastic relative displacement.

Abstract: A combination gear having a simple structure is provided at low cost without increasing a number of components. In at least two gears adjacent in an axial line direction and having a same rotation direction, three engaging portions arranged in a regular triangle are formed at an end of one of the adjacent gears and a regular triangle engaging hole is formed at an end of another gear. The engaging portions and the engaging hole fit together with play remaining, and when one of the gears rotates, the three engaging portions and three surfaces of the engaging hole engage such that the other gear rotates coaxially, and when rotation stops, the engaging portions and the engaging hole move in a direction orthogonal to the axial line by a play amount and become eccentric.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an image forming apparatus capable of securing rotation transmission accuracy among input/output axes without giving stress to a holding portion despite shaft misalignment and without using material of high strength. A color printer 1 comprises a main body 2 and an image forming unit 30 removable from the main body 2. The main body 2 includes a gear 43 for receiving rotary driving force to the image forming unit 30 and a joint 45 and the image forming unit 30 has a coupling 36 for receiving rotary driving force from the main body 2. Furthermore, a joint holder section 43a for the gear 43 and the coupling 36 has a contact hole 47, and contact hole 36a, respectively and both ends of the joint 45 are inserted in those holes. The contact holes 47 and 36a are in not-twisted triangle pole shape and the joint 45 is in twisted triangle pole shape.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an image forming apparatus capable of securing rotation transmission accuracy among input/output axes without giving stress to a holding portion despite shaft misalignment and without using material of high strength. A color printer 1 comprises a main body 2 and an image forming unit 30 removable from the main body 2. The main body 2 includes a gear 43 for receiving rotary driving force to the image forming unit 30 and a joint 45 and the image forming unit 30 has a coupling 36 for receiving rotary driving force from the main body 2. Furthermore, a joint holder section 43a for the gear 43 and the coupling 36 has a contact hole 47, and contact hole 36a, respectively and both ends of the joint 45 are inserted in those holes. The contact holes 47 and 36a are in not-twisted triangle pole shape and the joint 45 is in twisted triangle pole shape.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of image holding components set along a transportation path of a recording sheet, each image holding component being operable at a full-color mode and a monochrome mode and an image holding component used for forming a black image being located nearest to the driving source.