Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet transport device for use in an image forming apparatus in which one surface of a guide member and one surface of a first counterpart member define a first sheet transport path, and the opposite surface of the guide member and one surface of a second counterpart member define a second sheet transport path. The second counterpart member is pivotally supported on a main body of the image forming apparatus to be selectively set to a closed position for defining the second sheet transport path and an opened position for exposing an interior of the second sheet transport path. The guide member is pivotally supported on the main body of the image forming apparatus to be selectively set to a closed position for defining the first sheet transport path and a closed position for exposing an interior of the first sheet transport path. The sheet transport device has retaining means for retaining the guide member at the closed position.

Abstract: A cleaning device according to the present invention has first seals and a second seal adhered so as to partly overlap each other for sealing a space between a housing of the cleaning device and the surface of a photoreceptive member. The first seals include seal bases and a flocked sheet layered on the seal bases. The portion of the seal base where the second seal overlaps is made smaller in thickness than the portion of the seal base where the second seal does not overlap. Therefore, no step is formed in the overlapped portion, thereby preventing toner leakage.

Abstract: A cleaning device according to the present invention has first seals 7 and a second seal 6 adhered so as to partly overlap each other for sealing a space between a housing 3 of the cleaning device and the surface of a photoreceptive member. The first seals 7 include seal bases 13, 14 and a flocked sheet 12 layered on the seal bases 13, 14. The portion of the seal base 14 where the second seal 6 overlaps is made smaller in thickness than the portion of the seal base 13 where the second seal 6 does not overlap. Therefore, no step is formed in the overlapped portion, thereby preventing toner leakage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet transport device for use in an image forming apparatus in which one surface of a guide member and one surface of a first counterpart member define a first sheet transport path, and the opposite surface of the guide member and one surface of a second counterpart member define a second sheet transport path. The second counterpart member is pivotally supported on a main body of the image forming apparatus to be selectively set to a closed position for defining the second sheet transport path and an opened position for exposing an interior of the second sheet transport path. The guide member is pivotally supported on the main body of the image forming apparatus to be selectively set to a closed position for defining the first sheet transport path and a closed position for exposing an interior of the first sheet transport path. The sheet transport device has retaining means for retaining the guide member at the closed position.

Abstract: A transfer belt unit in an image-forming machine comprising a transfer roller which is disposed being opposed to an image carrier with a transfer belt interposed therebetween and is rotatably supported at both ends by a support member, and a moving means which moves said transfer roller toward said image carrier up to a first position where said transfer belt is pushed onto said image carrier, and moves said transfer roller in a direction opposite to said image carrier up to a second position where said transfer belt is separated away from said image carrier.