Abstract: A process kit is detachably mounted in the main body of an image forming apparatus and includes a housing in which a photosensitive member, a corona discharger and a developing device are mounted and held as a unit, the housing including an optical opening formed therein upstream of the corona discharger for conducting a homogeneous light to the photosensitive member to eliminate any remaining charge thereon and an opening of exposure for conducting a light of information to the photosensitive member, the exposure opening being located between the corona discharger and the developing device.

Abstract: This specification discloses a process unit and an image formation apparatus provided with the process unit. The process unit is detachable with respect to the body of the image formation apparatus, and is characterized by process means acting on an image bearing member, and a guide member in the form of a grip provided at a position capable of maintaining the process unit in substantially horizontal condition, along the direction in which the process unit is mounted or dismounted with respect to the apparatus body, the guide member also performing the function of a grip during transportation of the process unit. The image formation apparatus is characterized by the process unit and support means for detachably supporting the guide member of the process unit.

Abstract: Various components of image-forming means such as corona discharger, developing device and cleaning means are arranged around a photosensitive drum. These processing parts and the photosensitive drum are assembled together into a unit which can be detachably mounted into the main body of image-forming apparatus. Such a unit is called process kit. The process kit is provided with a driving connection member for receiving a driving force from the main body. The present invention provides safety means for effectively protecting said driving connection member from shock and impact thereby assuring the utility of the process kit for a long time.

Abstract: A process kit is detachably mounted in the main body of an image forming apparatus and includes a housing in which a photosensitive member, a corona discharger and a developing device are mounted and held as a unit, the housing including an optical opening formed therein upstream of the corona discharger for conducting a homogeneous light to the photosensitive member to eliminate any remaining charge thereon and an opening of exposure for conducting a light of information to the photosensitive member, the exposure opening being located between the corona discharger and the developing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus wherein an image is fixed by transporting through a nip of fixing rollers. The nip is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transfer material toward the fixing rollers. The inclination is such that the part of the nip engageable with that one lateral end of the transfer material which is acted on by the separating mechanism is upstream as compared with the part of the nip engageable with the other lateral end which is not acted on by the separating mechanism with respect to the movement of the transfer material toward the fixing rollers.

Abstract: A process kit containing consumable members is detachably mountable in the main body of an operating device and includes apparatus for indicating when the useful life of the process kit is about to expire and when it has expired.

Abstract: A transfer type image formation apparatus is of such a type that a transfer material is placed in close contact with an image bearing member in an image transfer station, and then separated from the image bearing member by separating means after the image on the image bearing member has been transferred onto the transfer material by transferring means, wherein a rotary member is located upstream of the separating means in the direction of movement of the transfer material, the rotary member being adapted to make a rolling contact with the image bearing member such that the image can stably be transferred onto the transfer material.

Abstract: This specification discloses a process kit removably mountable on the main body of an image formation apparatus and integrally having an image bearing member and a part or the whole of process device acting on the image bearing member, and an image formation apparatus using such kit. The image formation apparatus having an image bearing member, process device acting on the image bearing member, a process kit removably mountable on the main body of the apparatus and integrally having the image bearing member and the process device, and a cover movable to a first position for covering the surface of the image bearing member provided in the process kit and a second position retracted away from the first position.