Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a moving member, a cleaning device that removes toner attached onto a surface of the moving member, and a lubricant applying device that is provided at the outside of the cleaning device and applies a lubricant onto the surface of the moving member to decrease the coefficient of friction between the surface of the moving member and a substance in contact with the surface of the moving member. The lubricant applying device includes a casing having an opening facing the surface of the moving member and having an inner wall surface. A closed space is formed by being surrounded by the inner wall surface of the casing and the surface of the moving member, and the lubricant applying device accommodates the lubricant in the closed space and applies the lubricant to the surface of the moving member in the closed space.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably attached to an image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, at least one image forming process device, a case that integrally accommodates the image carrier and the at least one image forming process device, and a first non-slip holding portion provided on a partial surface of the case. The process cartridge is configured to move in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the image carrier. When the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, an operator of the image forming apparatus holds the process cartridge by grasping the first non-slip holding portion and a rear surface of a part of the case located on a side opposite from the first non-slip holding portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a contact charging member which contacts a surface of an image carrier member in order to charge the surface of the image carrier member, and a cleaning member which contacts and slides on a surface of the contact charging member in order to clean the surface of the contact charging member. The image forming apparatus performs a function in such a way that after an electrostatic latent image is produced on the image carrier member which is in a charged state, toner powder is supplied to the image carrier member by a developing device in order to make the electrostatic latent image visible and then a visualized image is transferred to a transfer member. In the image forming apparatus, a maximum height of concavities and convexities formed on the surface of the contact charging member is equal to or less than an average particle diameter of the toner powder supplied by the developing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a single driving source to move a charging roller and a transfer roller to be in contact with and separated from a photoreceptor to place the charging member and the transfer member in various states in relation to the photoreceptor as the image forming apparatus demands. The single driving source includes first and second cams having a common axis of rotation. One cam is used to move the charging member and the other cam is used to drive the transfer member. The control system is provided with a device for recognizing the current positions of the charging member and the transfer member in relation to the photoreceptor and a device for prescribing future positions of the charging member and the transfer member in relation to the photoreceptor after having been driven. The apparatus further includes a controller which operates the driving source until the charging member and the transfer member come to a state prescribed as the state to reach after from the current position.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a charge inducing member comprising a cleaning element for establishing relative lineal as well as rotary movement between the cleaning element and charge inducing member. Embodiments include various mechanisms for imparting axial reciprocal motion to the cleaning element and for disabling reciprocation of the cleaning element or separating the cleaning element and charging member from each other during sensitive portions of a photoduplication cycle.