Abstract: A toner transport device includes a toner transport path for passing toner, and a toner transport pipe disposed so as to have an up-and-down direction in which the toner transport path extends. Further, the toner transport device includes a pipe supporting member for supporting the toner transport pipe, which is supported so as to move up and down. This allows the toner transport pipe to vibrate up and down, thereby properly preventing retention and solidification of toner inside the toner transport path.

Abstract: A waste developer collecting device included in a color tandem image forming apparatus which forms an image using K (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) developers includes a collecting container which can be attached to a developing device storing the C developer, a developing device storing the M developer, and a developing device storing the Y developer at the same time and which collects the C, M, and Y developers discharged from the respective developing devices. With this, it is possible to efficiently discharge and collect the developers.

Abstract: A waste developer collecting device ejects and collects a waste developer used in a developing unit employing a two-component developing system in which a developer that contains toner and carrier is used. The waste developer collecting device includes: an opening and closing section for opening and closing a developer ejection opening formed on a bottom portion of the developing unit; an opening operation prohibiting section for prohibiting the opening operation of the opening and closing section; a collecting container for collecting the developer ejected through the developer ejection opening; and a collecting container fixing section for fixing the collecting container at a position where the developer ejected from the developing unit is collected. The opening operation prohibiting section prohibits the opening operation of the opening and closing section when the collecting container is fixed by the collecting container fixing section.

Abstract: By rotating a first and a second screw axle, developer is repeatedly cyclically carried from a first developer path, via an opening portion, a second developer path and an opening to return to the first developer path. While being recirculated and carried, the developer is stuck to an external peripheral face of a development roller, and is carried to a development region between the development roller and a photosensitive drum, wherein an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum is developed by the toner. Furthermore, a first cut-out portion is formed on the first screw axle, and a second and third cut-out portions are formed on the third screw axle, and thus by allowing the developer to back flow from the recycle transport path to the toner supply path, the developer can mix with the toner in the toner supply path, and it is possible to prevent solidification of the toner in the toner supply path.

Abstract: The process frame body has the guide portion, and the development device has the to-be-guided shaft. When the process frame body is unattached to the apparatus main body, the guide portion of the development device is absent, thus preventing proper attachment and positioning of the development device. The convex engagement portion is formed integrally with the development device so as to jut into the attachment path for the process frame body. This prevents attachment of the process frame body when the development device is attached first. If users try to attach the process frame body after attachment of the development device, the convex engagement portion interferes with the process frame body, thus preventing attachment of the process frame body.

Abstract: A particles supply apparatus is equipped with cylindrical particles discharge unit(s) provided with particles discharge outlet(s) at lower portion(s) thereof, and is equipped with cylindrical shutter cap(s) covering outside circumferential surface(s) of particles discharge unit(s). Shutter cap(s) is/are provided with opening(s) for opening and/or closing particles discharge outlet(s) of particles discharge unit(s), and shutter cap(s) is/are disposed so as to be capable of moving in substantially parallel fashion with respect to axial direction(s) of particles discharge unit(s) while rotating in helical fashion.

Abstract: A particles discharge apparatus comprising cylindrical particles discharge unit(s) having toner dispensing outlet(s) provided at upper portion(s) on one side of particles discharge unit(s), and particles discharge outlet(s) provided at lower portion(s) on the other side of particles discharge unit(s); and conveyor screw(s), provided at the interior of particles discharge unit(s), having rotatable shaft(s) and helical conveyor vane(s) secured to rotatable shaft(s); wherein conveyor vane(s) is/are divided into first vane segment(s) and second vane segment(s); and wherein there is/are vaneless region(s), where no portion of conveyor vane(s) is present, between first vane segment(s) and second vane segment(s).

Abstract: A pair of indentations is formed with a vertical spacing on a side wall of a toner cartridge, respective translucent windows are arranged on opposing upper and lower surfaces of the indentations protruding into the toner cartridge, and a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element of a remaining toner sensor are inserted to the indentations such that the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the remaining toner sensor face each other via the translucent windows of the indentations.

Abstract: A toner cartridge stored in a developer casing includes a biasing force generating device, an actuating rod that switches the biasing device between an active state and a non-active state by one movement of a release member. A developer casing swings by the movement of the actuating rod and presses a developing roller with appropriate pressure to a photosensitive drum. There is a lock member that is restrained from moving by the movement of the actuating rod. The structure recited is capable of inserting and fixing the developer casing to an image forming device. Also, by one restore movement of the release member, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated and the lock is released, thereby enabling removal/exchange of the developer casing.

Abstract: A use status detecting mechanism includes a cover having an edge portion, in a portion of which a notch is formed, a moving member having a rod member, a spring portion, protrusions and grooves, and a shaft having a driving gear and ribs. In the unused state of a developing unit, the rod member is maintained to be exposed by the contact of the protrusions with the edge portion from the outside. When the developing unit is started to be used and rotation is transmitted to the driving gear, the moving member is rotated by the engagement of the ribs and the grooves, and the moving member is moved to the shaft side by the elastic force of the spring portion when the protrusions are opposed to the notches. Thus, the rod member is retreated from the exposed position.

Abstract: Elastic members are fixed at one end to the housing of an image forming apparatus while their distal ends extend into the framework of the developing unit. When a toner cartridge is fitted to the framework of a developing unit, the distal ends of the elastic members abut the top surface of the toner cartridge, so that the elastic members are compressed to produce repulsive force, which in turn causes the developing unit to rotate clockwise about a support so as to bring the developer roller into pressing contact with a photoconductor.

Abstract: The process frame body has the guide portion, and the development device has the to-be-guided shaft. When the process frame body is unattached to the apparatus main body, the guide portion of the development device is absent, thus preventing proper attachment and positioning of the development device. The convex engagement portion is formed integrally with the development device so as to jut into the attachment path for the process frame body. This prevents attachment of the process frame body when the development device is attached first. If users try to attach the process frame body after attachment of the development device, the convex engagement portion interferes with the process frame body, thus preventing attachment of the process frame body.

Abstract: A toner cartridge stored in a developer casing comprises a biasing force generating means 7, an actuating rod 11 that switches the biasing means 7 between an active state and a non-active state by one movement of a release member 13, a developer casing that swings by the movement of the actuating rod and presses a developing roller with appropriate pressure to a photosensitive drum, and a lock member 15 that is restrained from moving by the movement of the actuating rod; the above-mentioned members capable of inserting and fixing the developer casing to an image forming device, and by one restore movement of the release member 13, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated and the lock is released, thereby enabling removal/exchange of the developer casing (toner cartridge).

Abstract: A use status detecting mechanism includes a cover having an edge portion, in a portion of which a notch is formed, a moving member having a rod member, a spring portion, protrusions and grooves, and a shaft having a driving gear and ribs. In the unused state of a developing unit, the rod member is maintained to be exposed by the contact of the protrusions with the edge portion from the outside. When the developing unit is started to be used and rotation is transmitted to the driving gear, the moving member is rotated by the engagement of the ribs and the grooves, and the moving member is moved to the shaft side by the elastic force of the spring portion when the protrusions are opposed to the notches. Thus, the rod member is retreated from the exposed position.

Abstract: Elastic members are fixed at one end to the housing of an image forming apparatus while their distal ends extend into the framework of the developing unit. When a toner cartridge is fitted to the framework of the developing unit, the distal ends of the elastic members abut the top surface of the toner cartridge, so that the elastic members are compressed to produce repulsive force, which in turn causes the developing unit to rotate clockwise about a support so as to bring the developer roller into pressing contact with the photoconductor.

Abstract: The length of a conveying sheet is set to be greater than the rotational radius of an agitating element so that the distal end of the conveying sheet will slide over the inner wall of the toner container. A slider element having a low frictional resistance is attached at the distal end of the conveying sheet. The slider element preferably has a low coefficient of dynamic friction and is preferably made of a soft resilient material having a thickness smaller than the conveying sheet. Cutouts or openings may be preferably formed at the distal part. A multiple number of ribs are attached to the wall surface of the toner container at the highest position at which the wall and the top plate meet. The ribs are arranged apart from each other in the direction parallel to the agitating shaft of the agitating element. Each rib is a plate-like element projected inward from the wall surface in the toner container with its width put in the direction of the spacing.

Abstract: A toner reserve container provided with a toner replenishing roller and a replenishing port which constitute a toner replenishing portion is arranged adjacent to a developing hopper and is provided with a toner conveying unit. The conveying unit includes an agitator rotated about a rotary shaft and a conveying sheet fixed to the agitator and scooping up and conveying toner to the toner replenishing roller. The conveying sheet has a plurality of slits formed close to the end portion where it is fixed to the agitator and extending in the direction from the end portion to the tip end of the conveying sheet. When the conveying sheet is rotated and deformed, the plurality of slits absorb rotational load to keep toner conveyed by the conveying sheet stable for a long period of time.

Abstract: A developing unit includes a developing hopper, a toner reserve container that incorporates a replenishing roller and a replenishing port forming a toner replenishing portion, arranged adjacent to the developing hopper in order to supply the toner to the developing hopper. The toner reserve container further includes an agitator rotatable about a rotary shaft and a conveying sheet attached to the agitator for conveying the toner to the replenishing roller. The conveying sheet has a bent portion where the conveying sheet is bent in the rotational direction of the agitator at a halfway point thereof with a predetermined angle &agr;. Deformation of the conveying sheet during rotation is absorbed around the position of the bent portion, so that the conveying sheet will not be plastically deformed at the attached part of the conveying sheet joined to the attachment edge of the agitator, whereby long stable toner conveyance by the conveying sheet can be maintained.

Abstract: A developing apparatus is equipped with a development casing, a development roller, and developer stirring shafts that rotate together with the development roller. In this developing apparatus, the developer stirring shafts are disposed adjacent to each other and are also disposed substantially in parallel with the development roller. Each developer stirring shaft has a rotational axis that rotates together with the development roller and has a plurality of stirring vanes of an approximately elliptic shape laid out at a predetermined angle with respect to the rotational axis. The rotational axis is provided substantially in parallel with the development roller. The stirring vanes are disposed substantially in parallel with each other, with the opposing stirring vanes between the adjacent developer stirring shafts having mutually different installation positions in the axial direction.