Abstract: A toner collection unit, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a collected toner container having an opening and storing collected toner, a flexible seal sealing the opening of the collected toner container, having a shape of a recess in an initial condition before toner is collected in the container, and being flexible to change the shape to inflate outwardly due to a pressing force exerted from the toner stored in the container, a moving unit disposed outside the flexible seal and movable both in a positive direction to approach the opening of the container and in an opposite direction to move away from the opening when contacting the flexible seal inflating outwardly, a detector detecting movement of the moving unit, and a regulator regulating the moving unit from coming into the recess of the flexible seal in the initial condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retainer device capable of preventing a unit such as a transfer device from dropping when detached from an image forming apparatus. The retainer device includes a transfer device detachably attached to the image forming apparatus; a guide member to supportably guide the transfer device with respect to the image forming apparatus when the transfer device is detached from the image forming apparatus; and a stopper, disposed on the guide member, configured to contact the transfer device when the transfer device is moving in a direction separating from the image forming apparatus and stop the transfer device from dropping from the image forming apparatus. The guide member is switchable between a separation regulating state and a guidable state so that the transfer device is prevented from dropping when detached from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A powder transport device includes a first transport tube through which powder falls under gravity; a second transport tube having a transport member that transports the powder in a substantially horizontal direction; and a joint section having a ceiling, opposed side walls, an upstream wall, and a downstream wall. The joint section defines a first drop region, defined by the downstream wall and the side walls, continuous with and positioned directly under the first transport tube, to drop the powder dropped from the first transport tube; and a second drop region, defined by the ceiling, the upstream wall, and the side walls, displaced relative to and continuous with the first drop region, positioned adjacent to the second transport tube, to drop the powder transported from the second transport tube upstream from the first drop region in the direction in which the powder is transported through the second transport tube.

Abstract: A belt device includes: a belt that passes through a plurality of image forming units, each of the image forming units including a transfer member and an image carrier as a pair, the transfer member moves in a direction to contact with the belt and in a direction so as to be separated from the belt; a cleaning unit cleans an outer periphery of the belt after the belt passes through all the image forming units; and a pressing member is disposed between the cleaning unit and the image forming unit located on the most upstream side and that presses the outer periphery of the belt, wherein when the transfer member of at least one of the image forming units moves to be separated from the belt, the transfer member of the rest of the image forming units and the pressing member support the belt.

Abstract: A toner collection unit, which can be included in an image forming apparatus, includes a collected toner container having an opening and storing collected toner, a flexible seal sealing the opening of the collected toner container, having a shape of a recess in an initial condition before toner is collected in the container, and being flexible to change the shape to inflate outwardly due to a pressing force exerted from the toner stored in the container, a moving unit disposed outside the flexible seal and movable both in a positive direction to approach the opening of the container and in an opposite direction to move away from the opening when contacting the flexible seal inflating outwardly, a detector detecting movement of the moving unit, and a regulator regulating the moving unit from coming into the recess of the flexible seal in the initial condition.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: a main body; a cover configured to be provided so as to be capable of being opened and closed with respect to the main body; an attachment unit configured to be provided on the cover; a unit configured to be attached to the attachment unit; a positioning member configured to, on closing of the cover, position the unit with respect to a member attached to the main body or the main body; a guiding member configured to guide the unit to the positioning member; and a protrusion configured to be provided at the guiding member to protrude in an attaching direction of the unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retainer device capable of preventing a unit such as a transfer device from dropping when detached from an image forming apparatus. The retainer device includes a transfer device detachably attached to the image forming apparatus; a guide member to supportably guide the transfer device with respect to the image forming apparatus when the transfer device is detached from the image forming apparatus; and a stopper, disposed on the guide member, configured to contact the transfer device when the transfer device is moving in a direction separating from the image forming apparatus and stop the transfer device from dropping from the image forming apparatus. The guide member is switchable between a separation regulating state and a guidable state so that the transfer device is prevented from dropping when detached from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: To provide a toner, which contains a binder resin, a colorant, and a silicone oil-treated external additive, wherein the silicone oil-treated external additive contains free silicone oil, and a total amount of the free silicone oil is 0.2% by mass to 0.5% by mass relative to the toner, and wherein the toner has the average circularity of 0.96 to 1.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a rotatable transfer member rotatably driven while carrying a toner image thereon; a rotary transfer member to form a transfer nip for transferring the toner image to a recording medium; a housing rotatable about a first rotation center together with the rotary transfer member and switching between a closed state and an open state by the rotation about the first rotation center; a guide member to guide the recording medium conveyed through a conveyance path toward upstream in the direction of rotation of the rotatable transfer member than the transfer nip; a support frame to support the rotatable transfer member; a biasing member to bias the guide member; and a receiving part, disposed on the support frame, configured to contact the guide member biased by the biasing member and position the guide member in the closed state of the housing.

Abstract: A belt device includes: a belt that passes through a plurality of image forming units, each of the image forming units including a transfer member and an image carrier as a pair, the transfer member moves in a direction to contact with the belt and in a direction so as to be separated from the belt; a cleaning unit cleans an outer periphery of the belt after the belt passes through all the image forming units; and a pressing member is disposed between the cleaning unit and the image forming unit located on the most upstream side and that presses the outer periphery of the belt, wherein when the transfer member of at least one of the image forming units moves to be separated from the belt, the transfer member of the rest of the image forming units and the pressing member support the belt.

Abstract: A powder transport device includes a first transport tube through which powder falls under gravity; a second transport tube having a transport member that transports the powder in a substantially horizontal direction; and a joint section having a ceiling, opposed side walls, an upstream wall, and a downstream wall. The joint section defines a first drop region, defined by the downstream wall and the side walls, continuous with and positioned directly under the first transport tube, to drop the powder dropped from the first transport tube; and a second drop region, defined by the ceiling, the upstream wall, and the side walls, displaced relative to and continuous with the first drop region, positioned adjacent to the second transport tube, to drop the powder transported from the second transport tube upstream from the first drop region in the direction in which the powder is transported through the second transport tube.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a belt unit including: a belt that is formed in an endless shape; a first roller that supports the belt from an inner side of the belt; a second roller that supports the belt from the inner side of the belt; regulation walls that are disposed on both sides of the second roller and that each includes a boss protruding outwardly, the boss having a tapered portion; and plate frames that are disposed on both sides of the belt and that each includes: a first groove portion that supports the first roller; and a second groove portion that supports the second roller, the second groove portion having a rounded edge formed to be run on by the boss through the tapered portion.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a belt unit including: a belt that is formed in an endless shape; a first roller that supports the belt from an inner side of the belt; a second roller that supports the belt from the inner side of the belt; regulation walls that are disposed on both sides of the second roller and that each includes a boss protruding outwardly, the boss having a tapered portion; and plate frames that are disposed on both sides of the belt and that each includes: a first groove portion that supports the first roller; and a second groove portion that supports the second roller, the second groove portion having a rounded edge formed to be run on by the boss through the tapered portion.