Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an area applied with a lubricant, i.e., an area of a lubricant layer having a uniform thickness, is obtained by spreading the lubricant by a lubricant smoothing blade. The area applied with a lubricant covers an area cleaned by a cleaning blade, i.e., a contact portion of the cleaning blade with a photoconductor.

Abstract: A pair of registration rollers align a leading edge of a recording medium having a transparent section and a non-transparent section. A boundary sensor detects a boundary between the transparent section and the non-transparent section. The boundary sensor is provided on a downstream side of a direction of conveying the recording medium by the registration rollers.

Abstract: A latent image carrier includes a thin-walled cylinder with a chargeable photosensitive layer. The latent image carrier is configured to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an optically written image. A cylindrical damper including an elastic body disposed inside the latent image carrier. A first end of the cylindrical damper includes a wall extending inward toward an axis of the damper. A second end of the damper, opposite the first end along the axis of the damper, includes an opening, which is open in an axial direction. The wall includes a through-hole connecting an internal cavity and an outside of the damper. An outer diameter of an outermost part of the first end of the damper along the axis of the damper is smaller than an outer diameter of an outermost part of the second end of the damper along the axis of the damper.

Abstract: A process cartridge including an image bearing member; a lubricant applicator, which includes a lubricant application member configured to apply a solid lubricant to the surface of the image bearing member; and a smoothing member configured to smooth the applied solid lubricant, and at least one of a charging device, a developing device and a cleaning device, wherein the amount of the solid lubricant present on a portion of surface of the image bearing member, which is located between the lubricant application member and the smoothing blade, is from 0.11 to 1.2 mg/m2. The smoothing member is preferably a blade having a JIS-A hardness of not less than 79°. The process cartridge is preferably assembled by a method including setting the lubricant smoothing member, the lubricant and the lubricant application member to a housing of the process cartridge; and then setting the image bearing member to the housing.

Abstract: A lubricant applying unit includes application mechanism that applies a lubricant from a solid lubricant on a surface of an image carrier that carries an image. The lubricant is a silicon-based-powder or a silicon-based-granule. Since the lubricant is less likely to adhere on a charging member that comes in contact with the image carrier, insufficient charge in the charging roller can be prevented, and a lifetime of the charging roller increases.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge, a toner storage, and a toner supplying unit. The process cartridge includes an image bearing member, a developer container, a developer bearing member, and a pair of side plates. The developer container includes a toner inlet mounted at a predetermined position on one of its top surface. The pair of side plates are arranged in parallel and separated by a predetermined distance which determines a predetermined longitudinal width of the process cartridge and configured to support the components in the process cartridge.

Abstract: A charging device including a charging member configured to charge an image bearing member while the charging member is contacted with or is located so as to be close to the image bearing member when the charging device is set in an image forming apparatus; and a cleaning member configured to clean a surface of the charging member while contacting the surface of the charging member, wherein the pressure A at which the cleaning member is contacted with the charging member when the charging device is set in the image forming apparatus is greater than the pressure B at which the cleaning member is contacted with the charging member before the charging device is set in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a frame, a photoconductive drum disposed in the frame, and an air conditioning device for removing moisture around the drum inside the frame. The drum has a wear-resistant, durable surface layer that wears by an amount of 0.05 ?m to 0.5 ?m for 100,000 rotations.

Abstract: A recording medium is conveyed through a conveyer path. A recording-medium selecting unit selects either one of a non-transparent recording medium and a transparent recording medium, and conveys a selected recording medium to the conveyer path. An image selecting unit selects an image to be formed on the recording medium from among an original image and a reversed image obtained by reversing the original image. A control unit controls, based on a control signal, the recording-medium selecting unit and the image selecting unit.

Abstract: A process cartridge of the present invention includes a photoconductive member with a rotatable axis, a cleaning member to contact on the photoconductive member, and plates to support both ends of the rotatable axis of the photoconductive member. The plates further support the supporting member, so that the process cartridge is improved accuracy between the photoconductive member and the cleaning member. Further, an image forming apparatus of the present invention can mount the same process cartridge inside.

Abstract: A cleaning member for cleaning an image carrier. The cleaning member includes a support plate having a planar face portion configured to be fixed to an object in a position adjacent to the image carrier, a plurality of reinforcement features configured to reinforce a strength of the support plate, at least one of the reinforcement features arranged on the planar face portion, and a blade connecting portion arranged on the planar face portion. The cleaning member further includes an elastic blade member connected to the blade connecting portion of the support plate such that the elastic blade extends toward the image carrier when the support plate is fixed to the object. The image cleaner may be positioned within an image forming apparatus or an image developing cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor belt formed by either a belt or a thin-walled cylinder. A charging unit that sets bias characteristics of the photoreceptor belt has an arrangement to approach towards the photoreceptor belt. A damper is provided on a side of the photoreceptor belt opposite to the side facing the charging unit. The damper absorbs vibrations in the photoreceptor belt through a supporting plate.

Abstract: A latent image carrier includes a thin-walled cylinder with a chargeable photosensitive layer. The latent image carrier is configured to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to an optically written image. A cylindrical damper including an elastic body disposed inside the latent image carrier. A first end of the cylindrical damper includes a wall extending inward toward an axis of the damper. A second end of the damper, opposite the first end along the axis of the damper, includes an opening, which is open in an axial direction. The wall includes a through-hole connecting an internal cavity and an outside of the damper. An outer diameter of an outermost part of the first end of the damper along the axis of the damper is smaller than an outer diameter of an outermost part of the second end of the damper along the axis of the damper.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a cleaning device, and a toner transporting device. The photoconductor has a toner image formed thereon. The cleaning device removes toner remaining on the photoconductor. The toner transporting device transports the toner removed by the cleaning device. The toner transporting device includes a first toner transport path forming member, a first toner transporting member, and a length control member. The first toner transporting member is partly provided in the first toner transport path forming member, expands and contracts in a length direction thereof, and transports the toner through the first toner transport path forming member. The length control member is provided at a downstream end of the first toner transport path forming member, and is pressed against the first toner transporting member to keep a constant length of the first toner transporting member. An image forming method is also described.

Abstract: A cleaning member for cleaning an image carrier. The cleaning member includes a support plate having a planar face portion configured to be fixed to an object in a position adjacent to the image carrier, a plurality of reinforcement features configured to reinforce a strength of the support plate, at least one of the reinforcement features arranged on the planar face portion, and a blade connecting portion arranged on the planar face portion. The cleaning member further includes an elastic blade member connected to the blade connecting portion of the support plate such that the elastic blade extends toward the image carrier when the support plate is fixed to the object. The image cleaner may be positioned within an image forming apparatus or an image developing cartridge.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an area applied with a lubricant, i.e., an area of a lubricant layer having a uniform thickness, is obtained by spreading the lubricant by a lubricant smoothing blade. The area applied with a lubricant covers an area cleaned by a cleaning blade, i.e., a contact portion of the cleaning blade with a photoconductor.

Abstract: A pair of registration rollers align a leading edge of a recording medium having a transparent section and a non-transparent section. A boundary sensor detects a boundary between the transparent section and the non-transparent section. The boundary sensor is provided on a downstream side of a direction of conveying the recording medium by the registration rollers.

Abstract: A cleaning member for cleaning an image carrier. The cleaning member includes a support plate having a planar face portion configured to be fixed to an object in a position adjacent to the image carrier, a plurality of reinforcement features configured to reinforce a strength of the support plate, at least one of the reinforcement features arranged on the planar face portion, and a blade connecting portion arranged on the planar face portion. The cleaning member further includes an elastic blade member connected to the blade connecting portion of the support plate such that the elastic blade extends toward the image carrier when the support plate is fixed to the object. The image cleaner may be positioned within an image forming apparatus or an image developing cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member configured to bear a toner image on a surface thereof. A charging mechanism is configured to uniformly charge the surface of the image bearing member. An intermediate transfer mechanism is configured to transfer the toner image from the image bearing member onto an image receiver. A cleaning mechanism is configured to clean the surface of the image bearing member after the toner image is transferred onto the image receiver. A lubricant supplying mechanism is configured to supply a lubricant contained therein onto the surface of the image bearing member and form a thin layer using a lubricating blade. The lubricant supplying mechanism is disposed between the cleaning mechanism and the charging mechanism.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge, a toner storage, and a toner supplying unit. The process cartridge includes an image bearing member, a developer container, a developer bearing member, and a pair of side plates. The developer container includes a toner inlet mounted at a predetermined position on one of its top surface. The pair of side plates are arranged in parallel and separated by a predetermined distance which determines a predetermined longitudinal width of the process cartridge and configured to support the components in the process cartridge.