Abstract: A color image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing units for containing different color toners to form a color image, a plurality of photo-receptor units including photo-receptors on which electrostatic latent images to be developed by said developing units are to be formed, and an intermediate transfer body unit including a tensionally provided belt with upper and lower surfaces to which toner images are transferred from said photo-receptors, an intermediate transfer body unit cartridge integrally holding said intermediate transfer body unit, the cartridge being detachably attached to the color image forming apparatus through the jamming-removal opening.

Abstract: A developer is carried to a developing region by a developer carrier and develops a static latent image formed on a latent image carrier. The developer to be supplied to the developer carrier is circulated in a first circulating path while being stirred. The developer also is circulated in a second circulating path. Here, at least a part of the first circulating path and at least a part of the second circulating path are common, intersect or contact each other. In a portion where both of the circulating paths are common, intersect or contact each other, a part of the developers in both of these paths are interchanged. In this manner, an image whose image density is uniform and stable can be obtained. Further, it is possible to achieve a small developing device that includes a long-life developer.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing units for containing different color toners to form a color image, a plurality of photo-receptor units including photo-receptors on which electrostatic latent images to be developed by said developing units are to be formed, and an intermediate transfer body unit including a tensionally provided belt with upper and lower surfaces to which toner images are transferred from said photo-receptors, an intermediate transfer body unit cartridge integrally holding said intermediate transfer body unit, the cartridge being detachably attached to the color image forming apparatus through the jamming-removal opening.

Abstract: A developer is carried to a developing region by a developer carrier and develops a static latent image formed on a latent image carrier. The developer to be supplied to the developer carrier is circulated in a first circulating path while being stirred. The developer also is circulated in a second circulating path. Here, at least a part of the first circulating path and at least a part of the second circulating path are common, intersect or contact each other. In a portion where both of the circulating paths are common, intersect or contact each other, a part of the developers in both of these paths are interchanged. In this manner, an image whose image density is uniform and stable can be obtained. Further, it is possible to achieve a small developing device that includes a long-life developer.

Abstract: An image forming device including a toner holder 10 and a toner passage control device 4 including a plurality of toner passage holes 14 for controlling the passage of a toner 3, wherein a spacer member 22 arranged between the toner holder 10 and the toner passage control device 4 for maintaining the distance therebetween to be substantially constant has a predetermined surface roughness and a predetermined hardness while having a rigidity such that irregularities on the surface of the toner passage control device 4 are not transferred onto a toner layer 3a, so as to prevent the toner layer 3a on the toner holder 10 from being scratched and to form a high-quality image both in an initial stage of a recording operation and in a long-term use.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of removing a toner remaining on the transfer belt (toner supporting member) with a simple configuration. The image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt that moves with charged toner supported on the surface thereof; a cleaner roller that is rotated while being pressed onto the intermediate transfer belt; a power source for supplying potential for electrically attracting the toner to the cleaner roller from the intermediate transfer belt; and a pretreatment roller that is pressed onto the intermediate transfer belt upstream from the cleaner roller in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: This invention relates to a color image recording apparatus, which once records an image on an intermediate sheet by means of a recording means, and then transcribe the recorded image on any desired recording sheet. Where, in the step of recording on the dye depositing layer of intermediate sheet, the color image is recorded for a length longer than that the sheet holding body can hold the intermediate sheet at one time by repeating the process cycle of multi color-recording with the intermediate sheet held sticking fast on the sheet holding body and releasing of the intermediate sheet from the tight holding; and then the dye depositing layer carrying the recorded image is transcribed on any desired recording sheet.In doing this way, snaking motion and slipping of the intermediate sheet are prevented, heat shrinkage of the intermediate sheet is curtailed to produce a quality color image having precise alignment of color positioning on any desired recording sheet.

Abstract: A bet unit provides an intermediate transfer belt where primary transfer is performed at a part stretching between a drive roller and a tension roller, and a cleaner roller separated from and brought into contact with a part of the intermediate transfer belt stretching between an opposed roller and the drive roller in the downstream side of the opposed roller. The belt unit is detachably attachable to the body with the opposed roller on the operator's side. The tangential line of the opposed roller is substantially vertical at a secondary transfer position. The cleaner roller is disposed in a range enclosed by the intermediate transfer belt, the tangential line of the drive roller parallel to the common tangential line of the peripheries of the tension roller and the opposed roller, and the vertical tangential line of the secondary transfer side of the opposed roller.