Abstract: Provided is a remanufacturing method of a developer accommodating unit including a frame member configured to accommodate a flexible container for accommodating developer. The remanufacturing method includes taking out the flexible container from the inside of the frame member, and refilling the developer into the flexible container.

Abstract: There is provided a cleaning apparatus including a cleaning member configured to collect developer on an image bearing member, and a storage chamber configured to store the developer, wherein cross-sectional areas of a lengthwise center and an end portion of the storage chamber in a lengthwise direction of the storage chamber are different, the cross sections being orthogonal to the lengthwise direction.

Abstract: Provided is a remanufacturing method of a developer accommodating unit including a flexible container provided with an opening and configured to accommodate developer, and a frame member configured to accommodate the flexible container. The remanufacturing method includes refilling the developer into the flexible container.

Abstract: Provided is a remanufacturing method of a developer accommodating unit including a flexible container provided with an opening and configured to accommodate developer, and a frame member configured to accommodate the flexible container. The remanufacturing method includes refilling the developer into the flexible container.

Abstract: Provided is a remanufacturing method of a developer accommodating unit including a frame member configured to accommodate a flexible container for accommodating developer. The remanufacturing method includes taking out the flexible container from the inside of the frame member, and refilling the developer into the flexible container.

Abstract: A developer container includes a frame, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer; a sealing member, including a folded-back portion, for sealing the opening; and a sandwiching portion for sandwiching the folded-back portion of the sealing member. In a plane perpendicular to the opening, the sealing member is nonwelded in the sandwiching portion.

Abstract: Provided is a remanufacturing method of a developer accommodating unit including a frame member configured to accommodate a flexible container for accommodating developer. The remanufacturing method includes taking out the flexible container from the inside of the frame member, and refilling the developer into the flexible container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a rotatable image bearing member; a developing unit configured to supply a developer onto the image bearing member; a transfer unit configured to transfer the developer on the image bearing member to a recording medium by a transfer voltage being applied to the transfer unit by a voltage applying unit; and a cleaning unit configured to remove the developer on the image bearing member, wherein when the apparatus stops an image forming operation halfway, the apparatus executes a recovery operation in which the image bearing member is rotated while the voltage applying unit applies a voltage to the transfer unit so that a part of the developer remaining on the image bearing member is once transferred from the image bearing member to the transfer unit, transferred again from the transfer unit to the image bearing member, and then removed by the cleaning unit.

Abstract: Provided is a remanufacturing method of a developer accommodating unit including a flexible container provided with an opening and configured to accommodate developer, and a frame member configured to accommodate the flexible container. The remanufacturing method includes refilling the developer into the flexible container.

Abstract: Provided is a remanufacturing method of a developer accommodating unit including a frame member configured to accommodate a flexible container for accommodating developer. The remanufacturing method includes taking out the flexible container from the inside of the frame member, and refilling the developer into the flexible container.

Abstract: There is provided a cleaning apparatus including a cleaning member configured to collect developer on an image bearing member, and a storage chamber configured to store the developer, wherein cross-sectional areas of a lengthwise center and an end portion of the storage chamber in a lengthwise direction of the storage chamber are different, the cross sections being orthogonal to the lengthwise direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which executes, after an image forming operation is stopped, a cleaning operation in which toner that remains on an intermediate transfer belt is transferred to a photosensitive drum and is removed by a cleaning blade while the image forming apparatus causes the intermediate transfer belt to move for circulation, causes a charging roller or a laser scanner to change the surface potential of the photosensitive drum such that the toner to be transferred from the intermediate transfer belt to the photosensitive drum is part of the toner that is to remain on the intermediate transfer belt, when the cleaning operation is executed.

Abstract: A developing device usable with an image forming apparatus includes a developer carrying member for carrying a developer, a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, and a guiding member having an inclined surface contacting the developer carrying member. The inclined surface guides a developer to a contact portion where the inclined surface contacts the developer carrying member to cause the developer to be carried on the developer carrying member. A regulating member regulates an amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying member. An inclination angle of the inclined surface is in a range not less than an angle of rest of the developer and less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing device, a holding unit, and a detection device. The image bearing member supports an electrostatic latent image. The developing device includes a developer bearing member having a first electrode member and supporting a developer to develop the electrostatic latent image. The developing device includes a supply member having a second electrode member and supplying the developer to the developer bearing member at a nip portion. The holding unit holds and change the developing device to a first posture and to a second posture where the deposited developer falls off the first posture. The detection device detects a remaining developer amount in the developing device based on a capacitance C1 between the first and second electrode members in the first posture and a capacitance C2 between the first and second electrode members in the second posture.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: at least one image bearing member; a developing device for forming a developer image by developing a latent image formed on a surface of the image bearing member; a cleaning device, including a cleaning blade for collecting a developer on the image bearing member; a discriminating portion for discriminating whether or not a cleaning sequence in which an amount of the developer to be conveyed to the cleaning device is adjusted is to be performed; and a stop detecting portion for detecting the stop of an operation of the image forming apparatus. When the operation of the image forming apparatus is resumed after the stop detecting means detects stop of the operation of the image forming apparatus, the discriminating means discriminates, before the image bearing member is operated, whether or not the cleaning sequence is to be performed.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, when no image is being formed, an image bearing member is rotated at least one rotation, in a state in which a transfer bias is controlled such that a potential on a surface of the image bearing member on the upstream side in the rotational direction of a cleaning apparatus is a polarity opposite to that of a developer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a holding unit configured to change a developing device to first and second orientations. Whether a developer in the developing device is unevenly distributed in a longitudinal direction of the developing device is detected based on a capacitance C1 between first and second electrode members in the first orientation and a capacitance C2 between the first and second electrode members in the second orientation.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for carrying an electrostatic latent image, a plurality of developing devices for developing the electrostatic latent image, a supporting member for moving the developing devices sequentially to a developing position opposing the image bearing member, and a detecting device for detecting developer remainder in the developing device. In addition, a determining portion determines the developer remainder. In the developing device in which the detecting operation is effected after the developing operation, the determining portion determines the developer remainder from the information relating to the detected developer remainder. In the developing device of the developing devices for which the detecting operation is effected before the developing operation, the determining portion determines the developer remainder from the information relating to the detected developer remainder and a deduced consumption amount.

Abstract: A developing device usable with an image forming apparatus includes a developer carrying member for carrying a developer; a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer; a guiding member having an inclined surface contacting the developer carrying member, the inclined surface being effective to guide a developer to a contact portion where the inclined surface contacts the developer carrying member to cause the developer to be carried on the developer carrying member; and a regulating member for regulating an amount of the developer carried on the developer carrying member, wherein an inclination angle of the inclined surface is in a range not less than an angle of rest and less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for developing operation on an image bearing member, includes a rotatable developer carrying member for carrying a developer; a rubbing member for rubbing the developer carrying member with the developer therebetween to cause the developer to be carried on the developer carrying member; wherein the rubbing member includes a free end portion extending toward a downstream with respect to a rotational moving direction of the developer carrying member, the free end portion rubs the developer carrying member, and wherein the rubbing member is provided with a reinforcing portion for reinforcing the free end portion.