Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a unit in which at least an expendable component is incorporated. The unit is reusable by periodically replacing the expendable component. An indicator for indicating a record on use of the unit is attached to a given position on the unit. The record on use can be associated, for example, with one or more of the number of times of re-using the unit, a period lapsed from start of use of the unit, and the total number of times of using the unit with respect to image formation.

Abstract: In a developing device according to the present invention, a developing roller 8 has a fixed shaft 12 and a sleeve 13. The length of a draw-up magnetic pole N3 provided in the fixed shaft 12 is made shorter than the length of a main magnetic pole N1. Accordingly, the amount of a developer adhering to both ends of an outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 13 is reduced, so that the density of the developer at both the ends of the sleeve 13 is maintained in suitable conditions in a state where the developer is over the main magnetic pole N1.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including a liquid-permeable top material layer, a liquid-impermeable back material layer, and an absorbent body that is narrower than the top material layer and the back material layer and disposed between the top material layer and the back material layer such that longitudinally extending side edges of the absorbent body are individually inwardly spaced apart from corresponding side edges of the top material layer and the back material layer. Along the individual side edges of the absorbent body, the top material layer is embossed to have compressed portions that are formed in a substantially continuous, longitudinally extending pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a colored absorbent article to be attached to an inner side of an undergarment matching in color with the article. The absorbent article has a body surface for facing the skin of a wearer and a garment surface for facing the inner side of the undergarment. The absorbent article includes a topsheet appearing on the body surface. The topsheet is a nonwoven fabric formed of only colored fibers that are at least one kind of fibers selected from synthetic resin fibers, semi-synthetic fibers and regenerated fibers. When measured for the body surface of the absorbent article, a Munsell value is in a range of 5.7 to 9.3.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a unit in which at least an expendable component is incorporated. The unit is reusable by periodically replacing the expendable component. Indication means for indicating a record on use of the unit is attached to a given position on the unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a colored absorbent article to be attached to an inner side of an undergarment matching in color with the article. The absorbent article has a body surface for facing the skin of a wearer and a garment surface for facing the inner side of the undergarment. A color given to the absorbent article is visually recognizable from the side of the body surface. When measured for the body surface of the absorbent article, a Munsell value is in a range of 5.7 to 8.7.

Abstract: In a developing device according to the present invention, a developing roller 8 has a fixed shaft 12 and a sleeve 13. The length of a draw-up magnetic pole N3 provided in the fixed shaft 12 is made shorter than the length of a main magnetic pole N1. Accordingly, the amount of a developer adhering to both ends of an outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 13 is reduced, so that the density of the developer at both the ends of the sleeve 13 is maintained in suitable conditions in a state where the developer is over the main magnetic pole N1.

Abstract: In a copying machine 1 which is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, an air fan 11 and an air duct 12 on the downstream side thereof are provided in a housing 10, to lead an air current to an opening 55a of an image forming unit 5 through the air duct 12. The opening 55a is for passing a light beam from a light irradiating unit 4, and is also used for blowing off air, to lead the air current to the photosensitive drum 51. A rib 10g is provided in the vicinity of the opening 55a in the housing 10, to efficiently guide the air current to the opening 55a without varying the air current. The air current disperses ozone or the like in an area surrounding the photosensitive drum 51.

Abstract: In a copying machine 1 which is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, an air fan 11 and an air duct 12 on the downstream side thereof are provided in a housing 10, to lead an air current to an opening 55a of an image forming unit 5 through the air duct 12. The opening 55a is for passing a light beam from a light irradiating unit 4, and is also used for blowing off air, to lead the air current to the photosensitive drum 51. A rib 10g is provided in the vicinity of the opening 55a in the housing 10, to efficiently guide the air current to the opening 55a without varying the air current. The air current disperses ozone or the like in an area surrounding the photosensitive drum 51.

Abstract: An alkaline dry cell includes an anode inside a cathode. The anode includes a metal anode current collector inside an gel anode, which has zinc alloy powder as an active material. The cathode includes a cathode depolarizing mixture, which has electrolytic manganese dioxide as an active material, in a closed-end metal cathode can. Small amounts of the active materials can be used economically. A theoretical capacity ratio (NE/PE) between the anode and the cathode is in a range of 1.0 to 1.20. A contact area ratio (PA/NA) between an anode-opposed area of the cathode depolarizing mixture and a contact area of the anode current collector against the gel anode is in a range of 1.82 to 8.24. A short charge-up time makes the alkaline dry cell suitable to power the flash of a camera.

Abstract: An image-forming machine has a sheet member conveying passage extending through a transfer zone and a fixing zone, a sheet member-feeder for feeding a sheet member to the sheet member conveying passage, and a sheet member conveyor for conveying the sheet member through the sheet member conveying passage. A housing of the image-forming machine has a lower surface defined by an intermediate lower wall and an upper surface defined by an intermediate upper wall, and has a space of which the front surface is opened. The downstream end portion of the sheet member conveying passage extends along one side portion of the intermediate lower wall on the lower side thereof. That one side portion of the intermediate lower wall is defined by an opening/closing member which is brought to the open position to open the downstream end portion of the sheet member conveying passage. The sheet member conveyer includes a pair of register rollers.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is readily provided with an additional function besides its principal function and therefore is adupted for function expansion. A control operation for the additional function is enabled on condition that a component required for the actuation of the additional function is attached to the image forming apparatus. The principal function may be a copying function, and the additional function may be a facsimile function. The component for the function expansion is preferably constructed so as to be snap attached to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image-forming machine comprises a sheet member conveying passage extending through a transfer zone and a fixing zone, a sheet member-feeding means for feeding a sheet member onto the sheet member conveying passage, and a sheet member conveying means for conveying the sheet member through the sheet member conveying passage. A housing of the image-forming machine has a lower surface defined by an intermediate lower wall and an upper surface defined by an intermediate upper wall, and forms a space of which the front surface is opened. The downstream end portion of the sheet member conveying passage extends along a one side portion of the intermediate lower wall on the lower side thereof. The one side portion of the intermediate lower wall is defined by the opening/closing member, and opening/closing member is brought to the open position to open the downstream end portion of the sheet member conveying passage. The sheet member conveying means includes a pair of register rollers.

Abstract: An image forming machine having a transfer roller comprises a rotatably disposed photoconductor drum, a transfer roller disposed opposite the photoconductor drum with a predetermined gap provided therebetween, a register roller pair for feeding a transfer sheet toward a transfer area where the photoconductor drum and the transfer roller are opposed to each other, transfer sheet guide means disposed between the register roller pair and the transfer area, and a fixing roller pair for fixing a toner image transferred to the transfer sheet passing through the transfer area. The transfer sheet guide means comprises an inner guide plate and an outer guide plate, and the inner guide plate has a linear guide portion extending toward a predetermined position on the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum. The predetermined position is set in an angular range (.theta.) covering 12.degree. to 23.degree.

Abstract: An imaging unit includes a developer unit which is supported rotatably about a predetermined rotation axis thereof by means of a drum unit. Spacing regulation sleeves are respectively fitted around opposite ends of a support shaft of a developer roller for regulating a spacing between the photoreceptor drum and the developer roller. A driven gear is engaged with one end of the support shaft of the developer roller for integral rotation thereof, and adapted to be driven by a drive transmission gear. By utilizing a driving force applied to the driven gear, the developer unit is biased about the rotation axis to press one spacing regulation sleeve fitted around one end of the support shaft of the developer roller against the photoreceptor drum. The other spacing regulation sleeve fitted around the other end of the support shaft of the developer roller is resiliently pressed against the photoreceptor drum by means of a resilient member.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for use with an image-forming apparatus, and includes a binder receiving portion for receiving a binder having papers and an adhesive therein, and a heating member for causing heating and melting of the adhesive in the binder when the binder is fully inserted in the binder receiving portion in order to adhere the papers in the binder. The heating member includes a contact element mounted in a bottom portion of the binder receiving portion and adapted to be contacted against by a contact portion of the binder. A power supply is provided to operate the heating member. A paper supply table is mounted to the binder receiving portion for use in feeding paper into the image-forming apparatus, and the paper supply table includes paper regulating guides which are adjustable in their relative positions to guide different sized papers into the image-forming apparatus.

Abstract: Near a discharge device (48) for discharging paper (P) with an image formed thereon, there is provided a punch (7) for punching holes. The drive of the discharge device (48) is controlled so that the punch punches the punch holes in the trailing portion of the paper (P), without causing creasing or tearing or change in the quality of the paper (P). The punch (7) includes punching cutters (72) and a punching die (74). The punching cutters (72) and the punching die (74) are provided in a unit (U) which can be drawn out of a casing (1) covering the punch (7). With the unit (U) drawn out of the casing (1), jam recovery can be easily executed. The unit (U) is movable in the width direction of the paper (P), thereby making it possible to adjust the position of punched holes. A collecting box (76) for collecting paper scraps (P1) is disposed in the unit (U). If the collecting box (76) is pivoted or the opening (76a) thereof is lifted up when the unit (U) is pivoted, the paper scraps (P1) therein will not fall out.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is provided with a bookbinding device having a binder receiving portion. The binder receiving portion is provided with a heat source for heating an adhesive or with an electrode for electrifying the electric heating member on a bottom portion thereof so that a plurality of papers disposed in a binder can be adhered to the inner surface of the back cover of the binder by heating and melting the adhesive with the heat source or the electric heating member. The heat source or electrode is swingably mounted in the binder receiving portion for movement between a bookbinding position and a retracted position. An operating mechanism is provided for moving the heat source or electrode from the retracted position to the bookbinding position upon insertion of the binder into the binder receiving portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main part for image formation, a printing unit, a supporter, a pressing member and a punching unit. The main part for image formation includes an image processor, and a case for containing the image processor which has a door. The printing unit prints onto a sheet processed by the image processor. The printing unit includes a thermal head and a cleaning device. The supporter supports the printing unit such that the printing unit is able to rotate between a printing position, at which the printing unit is contained in the main part, and a replacing position, at which the printing unit is located near the door. The printer unit is formed such that the cleaning device cleans the thermal head when the printer unit is moved to the replacing position. The pressing member is provided on the door in order to move the printing unit into the printing position by pressing the supporter in cooperation with the door's closing.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is provided with a bookbinding device having a binder receiving portion. The binder receiving portion is provided with a heat source for heating an adhesive or with an electrode for electrifying the electric heating member on a bottom portion thereof so that a plurality of papers disposed in a binder can be adhered to the inner surface of the back cover of the binder by heating and melting the adhesive with the heat source or the electric heating member. The binder receiving portion is provided with a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the heat source or electrode, and an operating mechanism for causing the cleaning mechanism to clean the heat source or electrode either when the binder receiving portion is pivoted from a non-use position to a use position or when a binder is inserted into the binder receiving portion.