Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an attaching portion including an operation member configured to be movable together with a container shutter, a toner storage portion configured to store toner received from a receiving port, an actuator configured to regulate a movement of the operation member, and a control unit configured to control the actuator. The operation member is configured to open and close the container shutter from an outside in a state in which the toner container is attached to the attaching portion. In a case where a predetermined condition is met, the control unit controls the actuator to release a regulation of the movement of the operation member.

Abstract: A pull-in apparatus configured to pull in a unit toward a predetermined position in an apparatus body includes an arm member, a restriction member, a first action portion and a second action portion. The restriction member is movable between a lock position at which the restriction member restricts movement of the arm member in a first direction and a lock-release position at which the restriction member allows the movement of the arm member in the first direction. Movement of the restriction member from the lock position toward the lock-release position is restricted in a state in which the arm member is at a stand-by position, and is allowed in a state in which the arm member has been moved from the stand-by position in a second direction.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a drum frame and a photosensitive drum rotatably supported by the drum frame. The cartridge also includes a developing frame connected to the drum frame, with the developing frame being movable between a first frame position relative to the drum frame and a second frame position relative to the drum frame. A developing roller is rotatably supported by the developing frame. The developing roller is positioned at (i) a first developing roller position when the developing frame is in the first frame position, with the developing roller being spaced apart from the photosensitive drum, and (ii) a second developing roller position when the developing frame is in the second frame position, with the developing roller being positioned closer to the photosensitive drum in the second developing roller position than when the developing roller is in the first developing roller position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a support member to which a cartridge is detachably attached and which is movable, a detection portion configured to output a signal and configured such that the signal changes in a case where the support member on which the cartridge is supported is moved from the second position toward the first position, a drive source configured to move the support member, and a controller configured to, in a case where the support member at the second position and not being moved by the drive source is moved toward the first position and the signal changes, cause the drive source to move the support member toward the first position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an attaching portion including an operation member configured to be movable together with a container shutter, a toner storage portion configured to store toner received from a receiving port, an actuator configured to regulate a movement of the operation member, and a control unit configured to control the actuator. The operation member is configured to open and close the container shutter from an outside in a state in which the toner container is attached to the attaching portion. In a case where a predetermined condition is met, the control unit controls the actuator to release a regulation of the movement of the operation member.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive member, a charging member capable of charging the photosensitive member, and a developing member for depositing toner onto the photosensitive member. A unit includes the developing member and is movable between a developing position in which the toner is capable of being deposited onto the photosensitive member from the developing member and a spaced position in which at least a part of the developing member is spaced from the photosensitive member. The cartridge further includes a contact force receiving portion for receiving a contact force for moving the unit to the developing position when the unit is in the spaced position. The cartridge also includes a spacing force receiving portion for receiving a spacing force for moving the unit to the spaced position when the unit is in the developing position.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum being rotatable in a rotational direction about a rotational axis. The cartridge also includes a coupling operatively connected to the photosensitive drum The coupling includes a first projecting surface that extends in a direction away from the photosensitive, a second projecting surface that is downstream of the first projecting surface in the rotational direction, the second projecting surface extending in a direction that is away from the photosensitive drum, an inclined portion at least a part of which extends about the rotational axis and in the rotational direction between a position upstream of the first projecting surface in the rotational direction to a position adjacent to the first projecting surface, and a third projecting surface projecting outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which can be replenished with toner using a replenishment cartridge and communicates with a memory device of the replenishment cartridge via a first electric contact portion and a second electric contact portion after a replenishment cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus in an installation portion. The replenishment cartridge is prevented from being detached by a regulation unit when it is in the replenishment position.

Abstract: [Task] To further develop prior art technique. [SOLUTION] A cartridge includes a first unit, a second unit, a holding portion and a contact force receiving portion. The contact force receiving portion is capable of taking a stand-by position, a first operating position and a second operating position. The holding portion is moved from the first position to the second position, by the contact force receiving portion receiving the contact force and moving to the second operating position in the predetermined direction, in a state in which the second unit is in the separated position, the holding portion is in the first position, and the contact force receiving portion is in the first operating position.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a casing, a photosensitive drum, and a coupling operatively connected to the photosensitive drum. The coupling includes a guiding portion, an engaging portion, and a visor portion. The visor portion projects outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the coupling. The visor portion covers a space downstream of the engaging portion in the rotational direction of the coupling or the visor portion is positioned upstream of the guiding portion in the rotational direction of the coupling and adjacent to the guiding portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a toner storage portion, a developing roller including a toner bearing portion, and a cyclonic separating portion including an intake port, a first discharge port communicating with an interior of the toner storage portion, and a second discharge port communicating with an outside of the toner storage portion. The cyclonic separating portion includes a conical portion formed in a conical frustum shape whose radius decreases as the conical frustum shape extends downward. The first discharge port is disposed at a lower end portion of the conical portion. At least a portion of the conical portion projects downward with respect to an inner upper surface of the toner storage portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forming an image on a sheet conveyed in a sheet conveyance direction includes a frame including a first side plate and a second side plate disposed in parallel in a width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, an intake unit disposed on an outer side of the frame in the width direction and configured to draw air into an interior of the frame, an exhaust unit disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate and configured to discharge air outside of the frame, and a cooling object unit disposed on a path of the air which is drawn into the interior of the frame by the intake unit and moves toward the exhaust unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including an opening portion, and an opening-and-closing member, a process unit detachably attached to and supported by the apparatus body, the process unit including an image bearing member, a toner storage portion, and a supply portion, a sheet supporting portion, and a rotary feeding member. When viewed in a gravity direction, the supply portion is disposed on a same side as a side on which the sheet supporting portion is disposed with respect to the image bearing member, and the opening portion is disposed on a side opposite to the side on which the sheet supporting portion is disposed with respect to the image bearing member. In a case where the opening-and-closing member is positioned at an opening position, the process unit is configured to be attached to and detached from the apparatus body through the opening portion.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a first unit including a photosensitive member and a first frame; a second unit including a developing member and a second frame; a holding portion movable between a first position for holding the second unit at the separated position and a second position for holding the second unit at the developing position; a movable member; and an urging portion. the movable member is movable to a contact force receiving position, a separating force receiving position separating force receiving portion, a first retracted position, and a second retracted position. The urging portion urges the movable member placed at the first retracted position in a direction of moving the movable member toward the contact force receiving position, and urges the movable member placed at the second retracted position in a direction of moving the movable member toward the separating force receiving position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first unit having a first container and a first roller; a second unit having a second container and a second roller; a first section to which a first container is attachable and having a first frame with a first inlet; a second section to which a second container is attachable and having a second frame with a second inlet; a first receptacle provided below the first mount section and communicating with the first inlet; a second receptacle provided below the second mount section and communicating with the second inlet; a first passage extending from the first receptacle to the first container; first means for conveying toner through the first passage; a second passage extending from the second receptacle to the second container; and second means for conveying toner through the second passage.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a holding portion movable, by movement of a developing member in an axial direction of the developing member, between a first position for stably holding a second unit at a spaced position and a second position for stably holding a second unit at a developing position. The cartridge also includes an urging portion for urging the holding portion in a direction from the second position toward the first position in the axial direction of the developing member. At least one of the first gear portion and the second gear portion is a helical gear. When the second gear portion is driven and rotated by the first gear portion, the holding portion is moved from the first position to the second position by the second gear portion receiving a force from the first gear portion. When the second gear portion is not driven by the first gear portion, the holding portion is moved from the second position toward the first position by an urging force of the urging portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including an opening portion, and an opening-and-closing member, a process unit detachably attached to and supported by the apparatus body, the process unit including an image bearing member, a toner storage portion, and a supply portion, a sheet supporting portion, and a rotary feeding member. When viewed in a gravity direction, the supply portion is disposed on a same side as a side on which the sheet supporting portion is disposed with respect to the image bearing member, and the opening portion is disposed on a side opposite to the side on which the sheet supporting portion is disposed with respect to the image bearing member. In a case where the opening-and-closing member is positioned at an opening position, the process unit is configured to be attached to and detached from the apparatus body through the opening portion.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] To further develop a prior art cartridge. [Solution] A cartridge includes a holding movable between a first position for stably holding a second unit in a spaced position by a first unit and a second position, and a contact force receiving portion capable of receiving a contact force for moving the holding portion from the first position toward the second position to move the second unit to a developing position, when the second unit is in the spaced position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forming an image on a sheet conveyed in a sheet conveyance direction includes a frame including a first side plate and a second side plate disposed in parallel in a width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction, an intake unit disposed on an outer side of the frame in the width direction and configured to draw air into an interior of the frame, an exhaust unit disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate and configured to discharge air outside of the frame, and a cooling object unit disposed on a path of the air which is drawn into the interior of the frame by the intake unit and moves toward the exhaust unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is configured to allow a replenishment container to be detachably attached thereto. The image forming apparatus includes a drum unit including a photosensitive drum, and a development unit. The development unit includes a development roller, a reception portion configured to receive the replenishment container. The development unit is movable relative to the drum unit. The image forming apparatus further includes a housing including an opening/closing member movable between a cover position, at which the opening/closing member covers the reception portion, and an exposing position, at which the reception portion is exposed, and a support member configured to be movable between a support position, at which the support member supports the development unit, and a retracted position, at which the support member is retracted from the support position, in conjunction with the movement of the opening/closing member.