Abstract: In an image forming apparatus configured to form a toner image on a photoconductive element and transfer it to a recording medium of the present invention, the photoconductive element and an image transferring member pressed thereagainst are constructed into an image transferring unit. The image transferring unit is removable from the casing of the apparatus independently of image forming devices arranged around the photoconductive element other than the image transferring member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame body, a frame cover supported by the frame body so as to be capable of opening and closing, an image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image carrier, a cleaning unit that removes and collects residual toner from the image carrier, and a toner container for accumulating the toner collected by the cleaning unit. The toner container is supported by the frame cover.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that transfers a toner image on a photosensitive element to a recording medium includes a transfer unit that includes a transfer member in a form of an endless belt pressed against an outer surface of the photosensitive element, and that is detachable from a main unit of the image forming apparatus; a first cleaning unit that cleans residual toner on the transfer member; and a waste toner receptacle that collects the residual toner cleaned by the first cleaning unit. The waste toner receptacle is arranged in an inner circumference of the transfer member. The waste toner receptacle is held inside the main unit, so that the transfer unit is detachable from the main unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes at least one process cartridge removably mounted on the apparatus body and including at least an image carrier on which a toner image is to be formed and a cleaning device configured to remove toner left on image transfer with a cleaning blade. A hole for passing a light beam emitted from an optical writing unit toward the image carrier therethrough is formed in part of the case bottom wall of the process cartridge higher in level than part of the case bottom wall below the cleaning blade.

Abstract: There is provided a cleaning device for an image-forming device configured so as to be capable of preventing the image quality from deteriorating by being able to prevent the deterioration of the charging state caused by deposits of foreign matter without increasing costs. There is also provided a cleaning member that can make contact with the cleaning target-members. The cleaning member has a portion composed of melamine resin foam for making contact with at least the cleaning target members, and the melamine resin foam has an Asker F hardness of 5 to 25 points and a hardness variation of 5 points or less, and is used on the cleaning target members in a state obtained by heat compression from the original shape. The pressing member is furthermore disposed in contact with the cleaning member.

Abstract: A highly reliable developing device, process cartridge, device unit, and image forming apparatus in which a developer is not spattered to the outside of the developing device even when the developing device where a developer is preset is included with shipment in an image forming apparatus main body. This developing device comprises a developer container for containing a developer, and a toner replenishing portion which is connected with a toner conveyance portion installed in the image forming apparatus main body and which is communicated with the developer container via an opening portion. Such a developing device is provided with a sealing member for sealing the opening portion until use of the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body is started.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming section configured to develop a latent image to thereby produce a corresponding toner image. An endless image transfer body directly or indirectly supports the toner image and conveys it while a fixing unit fixing the toner image. A module frame covers part of the image transfer body to thereby prevent heat generated by the fixing unit from being transferred to the image transfer body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming section configured to develop a latent image to thereby produce a corresponding toner image. An endless image transfer body directly or indirectly supports the toner image and conveys it while a fixing unit fixing the toner image. A module frame covers part of the image transfer body to thereby prevent heat generated by the fixing unit from being transferred to the image transfer body.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is for removing a toner from a surface of an endless belt. The cleaning apparatus includes a blade, a blade holding structure, and an abutment maintaining structure. The blade abuts on the endless belt that is supported on a tension roller. The blade holding structure holds the blade with its rotation restricted, in a movable manner in the direction of motion adjustment to adjust tension on the endless belt, and causes the blade to abut on a winding area of the endless belt with respect to the tension roller. The abutment maintaining structure allows the blade to follow up movement of the tension roller to thereby maintain abutment of the blade on the endless belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame body, a frame cover supported by the frame body so as to be capable of opening and closing, an image forming unit that forms a toner image on an image carrier, a cleaning unit that removes and collects residual toner from the image carrier, and a toner container for accumulating the toner collected by the cleaning unit. The toner container is supported by the frame cover.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably attached to an image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, at least one image forming process device, a case that integrally accommodates the image carrier and the at least one image forming process device, and a first non-slip holding portion provided on a partial surface of the case. The process cartridge is configured to move in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the image carrier. When the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, an operator of the image forming apparatus holds the process cartridge by grasping the first non-slip holding portion and a rear surface of a part of the case located on a side opposite from the first non-slip holding portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of process cartridges, and a guide mounted to the frame. The guide mounted to the frame includes a plurality of guide portions having supporting surfaces arranged at predetermined different heights and on which the plurality of process cartridges are detachably placed, and is configured to guide the plurality of process cartridges placed on the supporting surfaces along a path between respective first positions and respective second positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of image forming include a process cartridge detachably mounted therein. The process cartridge includes a photoconductive element and a housing storing the photoconductive element and including a guide portion guiding the process cartridge. The guide portion faces an inner wall of the image forming apparatus or another process cartridge adjoining thereto and guides the adjoining process cartridge. The guide portion slidably engages with a portion of the process adjoining cartridge . The guide portion varies in shape according to its position in the image forming apparatus. The guide portion may be separately formed from or integrated with the housing. A method and apparatus of an image forming includes an image transfer mechanism and a plurality of process cartridges arranged in parallel. Each of the process cartridges includes photoconductive elements and a housing, and forms an image for a single separated color.

Abstract: A packaged ocular irrigating solution bag, which comprises a gas-permeable plastic multiple compartment bag and a gas-impermeable plastic packaging member for packaging the bag and in which an oxiglutatione-containing solution or solid preparation is enclosed in one compartment and a bicarbonate ion solution is enclosed in another compartment and the space between the bag and the packaging member has a carbon dioxide gas atmosphere.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a Mylar sheet affixed at one edge portion and including a flat surface in the other edge portion. The flat surface is formed with a plurality of grooves each extending over the image forming range of a photoconductive drum perpendicularly to the direction in which the surface of the drum moves. The Mylar sheet is deformed such that the flat portion contacts the surface of the drum. In this condition, the downstream edges of the grooves in the above direction shave off the surface of the drum a plurality of times during one rotation of the drum, thereby obviating filming on the drum.

Abstract: A packaged ocular irrigating solution bag, which comprises a gas-permeable plastic multiple compartment bag and a gas-impermeable plastic packaging member for packaging the bag and in which an oxiglutatione-containing solution or solid preparation is enclosed in one compartment and a bicarbonate ion solution is enclosed in another compartment and the space between the bag and the packaging member has a carbon dioxide gas atmosphere.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus configured to form a toner image on a photoconductive element and transfer it to a recording medium of the present invention, the photoconductive element and an image transferring member pressed thereagainst are constructed into an image transferring unit. The image transferring unit is removable from the casing of the apparatus independently of image forming devices arranged around the photoconductive element other than the image transferring member.

Abstract: Preparing a bottom grounding layer eliminates grounding pins, thereby the number of signal pins can be increased in a multilayer board that includes a grounding layer, a signal layer, a power supply layer, a grounding via, a signal via, a power supply via and the like in the insulation material of the multilayer board, the bottom grounding layer being electrically connected to the grounding layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming section configured to develop a latent image to thereby produce a corresponding toner image. An endless image transfer body directly or indirectly supports the toner image and conveys it while a fixing unit fixing the toner image. A module frame covers part of the image transfer body to thereby prevent heat generated by the fixing unit from being transferred to the image transfer body.

Abstract: A multilayer wiring substrate includes differential signal wires placed within a first insulating layer between a first power-supply plane and a first ground plane; and general signal wires placed within a second insulating layer between a second power-supply plane and a second ground plane. In the multilayer wiring substrate, the differential signal wires are placed in a different plane from a plane having each of the general signal wires so that the different plane includes a first area having the differential signal wires, and a second area having one of the second power-supply plane and the second ground plane. The general signal wires are placed in a vertical direction of the second area in a laminated state so that each of the general signal wires is placed between the second power-supply plane and the second ground plane.