Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main casing; a photosensitive member; a process cartridge that can be installed or removed with respect to the main casing along a removal path; a pick-up roller located above a sheet accommodating portion; and a feed path along which a sheet can be conveyed from the sheet accommodating portion to a discharge port. At least a part of the feed path is substantially parallel to the removal path and located between the sheet accommodating portion and the process cartridge when the process cartridge is installed in the main casing; and an image forming position where an image is transferred from the photosensitive member to the sheet is located along the feed path at a position lower than an upper surface of the pick-up roller in a verticle direction.

Abstract: In a printer, a scanner unit is formed into a taper shape having a thinner thickness on a side of a pick-up roller in a removing direction of a process unit, to allow the process unit to be removed from the printer. A part of a sheet feeding path is formed in an area between the process unit and a sheet cassette. An image forming position on the sheet feed path is set lower than an upper end of the pick-up roller. Thus, removal of the process unit can be readily performed. Further, the height of the printer at a position of the pick-up roller can be reduced as compared with a case where the scanner unit is not formed into a taper shape.

Abstract: A fixing unit is disposed at a position closer to a rear side wall than to a front side wall of a casing. A top wall is formed with a depressed portion depressed toward inside the casing. The depressed portion serves as a sheet discharge tray for receiving a recording medium that has passed through the fixing unit. The sheet discharge tray includes a tray member detachably disposed at the top wall. The rear side wall is formed with an opening through which the fixing unit is removed. When the tray member is disposed at the top wall, the tray member is positioned above and adjacent to the fixing unit and overlaps the fixing unit when viewed through the opening, thereby preventing the fixing unit from being removed from the casing. The fixing unit is removable through the opening when the tray member is detached from the top wall.

Abstract: A fixing unit is disposed at a position closer to a rear side wall than to a front side wall of a casing. A top wall is formed with a depressed portion depressed toward inside the casing. The depressed portion serves as a sheet discharge tray for receiving a recording medium that has passed through the fixing unit. The sheet discharge tray includes a tray member detachably disposed at the top wall. The rear side wall is formed with an opening through which the fixing unit is removed. When the tray member is disposed at the top wall, the tray member is positioned above and adjacent to the fixing unit and overlaps the fixing unit when viewed through the opening, thereby preventing the fixing unit from being removed from the casing. The fixing unit is removable through the opening when the tray member is detached from the top wall.

Abstract: In a printer, a scanner unit is formed into a taper shape having a thinner thickness on a side of a pick-up roller in a removing direction of a process unit, to allow the process unit to be removed from the printer. A part of a sheet feeding path is formed in an area between the process unit and a sheet cassette. An image forming position on the sheet feed path is set lower than an upper end of the pick-up roller. Thus, removal of the process unit can be readily performed. Further, the height of the printer at a position of the pick-up roller can be reduced as compared with a case where the scanner unit is not formed into a taper shape.

Abstract: A plurality of helical groove sections are provided on outer peripheral surfaces of press rollers provided in a curl elimination mechanism. Each of the groove sections assumes a shape extending in the circumferential direction of the respective press rollers; that is, a direction oblique to a transport direction of paper. Hence, when compared with a case where the groove sections are aligned in the transport direction of the paper, the paper is less susceptible to traces of the groove sections. Since the groove sections are provided on the press rollers, an attempt can be made to enhance dimensional accuracy of or reduce the weight of the press rollers.

Abstract: A plurality of helical groove sections are provided on outer peripheral surfaces of press rollers provided in a curl elimination mechanism. Each of the groove sections assumes a shape extending in the circumferential direction of the respective press rollers; that is, a direction oblique to a transport direction of paper. Hence, when compared with a case where the groove sections are aligned in the transport direction of the paper, the paper is less susceptible to traces of the groove sections. Since the groove sections are provided on the press rollers, an attempt can be made to enhance dimensional accuracy of or reduce the weight of the press rollers.

Abstract: A fixing unit is disposed at a position closer to a rear side wall than to a front side wall of a casing. A top wall is formed with a depressed portion depressed toward inside the casing. The depressed portion serves as a sheet discharge tray for receiving a recording medium that has passed through the fixing unit. The sheet discharge tray includes a tray member detachably disposed at the top wall. The rear side wall is formed with an opening through which the fixing unit is removed. When the tray member is disposed at the top wall, the tray member is positioned above and adjacent to the fixing unit and overlaps the fixing unit when viewed through the opening, thereby preventing the fixing unit from being removed from the casing. The fixing unit is removable through the opening when the tray member is detached from the top wall.

Abstract: A fixing unit of an image-forming device having a heating roller, a pressure roller disposed in confrontation with the heating roller, and a case that rotatably supports the heating roller on both longitudinal ends thereof and covers the heating roller from the side opposite the pressure roller, while leaving the pressure roller exposed. A pair of pressure roller support plates, one end of which is supported on the case, rotatably supports both ends of the pressure roller. With this construction, a more compact fixing unit can be achieved than when the case is configured to cover the heating roller and pressure roller entirely. The fixing unit includes a temperature fuse for restraining abnormal temperature rises in the heating roller, and a temperature fuse cover that extends from an inner wall of the case to provide insulation between the temperature fuse and the heating roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main casing; a photosensitive member; a process cartridge that can be installed or removed with respect to the main casing along a removal path; a scanner unit located above the process cartridge when the process cartridge is installed in the main casing; a sheet accommodating portion located at a bottom portion of the main casing; a pick-up roller located above the sheet accommodating portion; and a feed path along which a sheet can be conveyed from the sheet accommodating portion to a discharge port.