Abstract: A developing device is provided for an image forming apparatus that has a photoreceptor. The developing device has a housing with upper and lower housing pieces that are snap fit together. A developer opening is formed in an upper portion of the upper housing piece for supplying a developer and a bottom opening is formed in a bottom part of the upper housing piece. A developer carrier and a developer agitating member are supported rotatably in the upper housing so that an axis of the developer agitating member is below an axis of the developer carrier and below the developer opening. The lower housing piece is configured to seal the bottom opening of the upper housing piece. However, the snap fit housings can be separated for cleaning as necessary.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a conveyer that conveys a developer image or a transfer medium to which the developer image is transferred; an image carrier that carries the developer image transferred to the conveyer or the transfer medium which the conveyer conveys; a latent image forming unit that forms the latent image on the image carrier; a developing unit that develops the latent image formed on the image carrier and forms the a developer image; a transfer unit that transfers the developer image formed on the image carrier; and a restricting unit that restricts the movement of the image carrier and the latent image forming unit in at least two directions and a rotational direction of the image carrier.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus for forming a color image on a sheet includes a plurality of cartridge mounting portions for demountably mounting a cartridge each of which includes a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum into a developed image and a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be used for development of the electrostatic latent image; a single intermediary transfer member which is provided opposed to the drums and onto which the developed images are transferred from the drums; an image forming unit containing the cartridge mounting portions and the intermediary transfer member and movable between a first position for transferring, onto the sheet, the developed images transferred onto the intermediary transfer member from the drums and a second position for permitting mounting and demounting of the cartridges relative to the cartridge mounting portion; an opening for permitting mounting and demounting of the cartridge

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a developer frame portion and a photosensitive member frame portion, wherein when the photosensitive member frame portion is attached to the developer frame portion, a first extension portion and a second extension portion are positioned in a substantially overlapping configuration and the first extension portion engages the second extension portion so as to urge a developer carrying member toward a photosensitive member.

Abstract: An image forming device according to an aspect includes: a main body; and a first cartridge configured to accommodate a developer and detachably attached to the main body. The first cartridge includes: a rotation body rotatably provided in the first cartridge; a memory device configured to store information concerning the first cartridge; and a first terminal electrically connected to the memory device. The main body includes: a driver configured to rotate the rotation body; and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal. The first terminal is provided at a position where a torque produced by rotation of the rotation body acts in the first cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a developing cartridge includes a lower main body, and a developing cartridge installed in the lower main body and including a photosensitive medium. An upper main body may be separably installed on an upper side of the lower main body and includes an upper pressing member to press the developing cartridge downward. A lower pressing member, installed in the lower main body, is positioned to press the developing cartridge upward. In the case where a rotation axis of the photosensitive medium of the developing cartridge is set as a rotation center, a moment of force is applied to the developing cartridge by the upper pressing member and an opposing moment of force being is applied to the developing cartridge by the lower pressing member in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge for use with an image-forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and a cartridge case comprising an upper wall, a bottom wall, a right side wall, and a left side wall. An outer surface of the upper wall faces upwards when the photosensitive member cartridge is installed in the image-forming apparatus. The right side wall extends upwardly from a right side of the bottom wall, and the left side wall extends upwardly from a left side of the bottom wall. The upper wall connects upper edges of the right side wall and the left side wall. A light-entrance portion is formed in the upper wall and is configured to allow a laser beam to pass through the upper wall and reach the photosensitive drum when the photosensitive member cartridge is installed in the image-forming apparatus.

Abstract: The toner cartridge is provided with: a toner storing container of a rectangular shape having a toner feeding opening in an angular portion of the toner storing container; a stirring conveying member that is disposed so as to rotate in a predetermined rotation direction in the toner storing container and stirs and conveys toner in the toner storing container toward the toner feeding opening; a waste toner storing container that stores reclaimed toner; and a partition member that is held by the toner storing container, partitions between the toner storing container and the waste toner storing containers and has a bearing portion axially supporting a rotating shaft of the stirring conveying member and extending into inside of the waste toner storing container. The toner stored in the toner storing container has an average value of a shape factor (SF1) of about 130 or less.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usable with a process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The apparatus includes a transfer member contactable to the photosensitive member to transfer a toner image from the photosensitive member thereonto, a tray carrying the cartridge and movable between a contact position where the photosensitive member contacts the transfer member and a spaced position spaced from the transfer member, a supporting member supporting the tray for movement parallel with a tangent line between the photosensitive member and the transfer member between a first position positioning the tray at the contact position and a second position retracted from the first position away from the transfer member in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the photosensitive-member axial direction and to the tangent line to position the tray at the spaced position, and engageable and engaging portions engageable with each other.

Abstract: A drum unit includes a photoconductor drum, a charger, a cleaning brush, and a drum unit case. The charger and the cleaning brush are disposed in such a manner as to face the circumferential surface of the photoconductor drum. The charger and the cleaning brush are fixed to a charger support portion of the drum unit case. The charger support portion has a filler protrusion. The filler protrusion is provided so as to fill the space between the charger and the cleaning brush.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a photosensitive unit rotatably supporting the drum, and a protecting cover mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, for protecting the drum exposed to the outside of the photosensitive unit. The protecting cover includes a guide for guiding the cartridge to an inside of the main body along a longitudinal direction of the drum, a positioned portion at a leading end of the cover so as to be abutted against a positioning portion of the main body, for positioning the cover in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction, and an engaged portion at the leading end so as to be engaged with an engaging portion of the main body in the inserting direction, for regulating detachment of the protecting cover from the apparatus main body from an upstream side thereof in the insertion direction.

Abstract: A communication unit has a first conveyance part connected to a toner cartridge and provided with a feed port for a toner from the toner cartridge, and a second conveyance part connected to a developing device and provided with a replenishment port for a toner to the developing device. In a state locked by the lock mechanism, the first conveyance part and the second conveyance part are connected to each other, and the feed port of the first conveyance part and the replenishment port of the second conveyance part are opened, allowing for a toner replenishment. In a lock-released state, the feed port of the first conveyance part and the replenishment port of the second conveyance part are closed by a circular arc-shaped shutter member and a rotary shutter member, allowing the first conveyance part and the second conveyance part to be separable from each other.

Abstract: A developing unit is detachably mounted on a photosensitive unit to form a combined unit called a process unit. In use, the process unit is loaded into an electrophotographic image forming device. A rotational shaft of a photosensitive drum projects out from the photosensitive unit. When the process unit is loaded into the image forming device from a top open space, both ends of the rotational shaft are engaged with a pair of guides formed in side walls of the image forming device and guided down along the guides. The process unit is accommodated in an accommodating section when both ends of the rotational shaft have been brought into abutment with stops at the ends of the guides and a trailing end of the process unit is rotated downward about the rotational shaft.

Abstract: An image developing apparatus includes an upper case; a lower case disposed on a lower side of the upper case, and internally housing a developing agent, and having an opening. A photoconductive drum is disposed on the upper case for forming an electrostatic latent image on a surface thereof. A charging roller is disposed on one side of an outer circumference of the photoconductive drum for charging the photoconductive drum. A developing roller having one part is exposed through the opening of the lower case to cooperate with the photoconductive drum for developing the electrostatic latent image. A scattering preventing unit disposed between the photoconductive drum and the developing roller, to prevent scattering of the developing agent supplied by the developing roller. The scattering preventing unit includes a blocking curtain which covers a part of the opening and having one side in contact with the outer circumference of the photoconductive drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is described. An image forming apparatus may include an image forming apparatus body and a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable with respect to the body, wherein the unit includes: a frame; a plurality of photosensitive bodies; a plurality of developer cartridges, including developer carriers, detachably mountable on the frame; and a pressing portion provided on the frame for pressing each of the cartridges so that the developer carrier thereof is directed toward the corresponding photosensitive body, each of the cartridges is pivoted to be movable to an imaging position pressed by the pressing portion and a detached position released from the pressing by the pressing portion, and the body is provided with an abutting portion abutting the cartridge located on the detached position thereby pivoting the cartridge and moving the same to the imaging position when the unit is mounted on the body.

Abstract: Provided is a printer cartridge equipped with a magnetic wastebin-hopper coupling. A combination of magnets and magnetically attractive materials are mounted on the wastebin assembly (or photoconductor unit) and hopper assembly of the printer cartridge in order to bias the two assemblies together. This allows an end user to remove the hopper assembly from the wastebin assembly (or photoconductor unit) and replace the expelled hopper assembly without having to latch or unlatch any mechanisms.

Abstract: A developing cartridge is attachable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus and is received by a developing cartridge receiving member. The developing cartridge includes: a developer carrier including a rotational shaft; a case that rotatably supports the developer carrier, the case being capable of being supported by the developing cartridge receiving member; and a conductive member electrically connected to the rotational shaft of the developer carrier, at least a part of the conductive member is positioned at an opposite side of the case to the developing cartridge receiving member in a substantially vertical direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include an apparatus body, and a photosensitive-member unit slidably attached to the apparatus body and retaining a plurality of photosensitive members. The apparatus body includes side wall portions opposing each other with a unit receiving section sandwiched therebetween, and a plurality of apparatus-body-side electrode members provided on the side wall portions, and each urged inward in an opposing direction of the side wall portions. The photosensitive-member unit includes a plurality of unit-side electrode members each protruding outward in the opposite direction and a guide path comprising a flat surface formed in a flat shape so that each of the apparatus-body-side electrode members slidably contacts to the flat surface during attachment of the photosensitive-member unit with respect to the unit receiving section, and that each of the apparatus-body-side electrode members slidably contacted maintains a constant inward and outward position in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a movable member movable from an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus to an inside thereof while carrying the process cartridge. The cartridge includes a drum, charging and developing rollers, rotatably connected first and second frames supporting different rollers, drum and developing roller driving force receiving portions, first and second portions-to-be-supported, on one and the other ends of the first frame, first and second portions-to-be-positioned, on one and the other ends of the first frame positioned to first and second main assembly side positioning portions during a lowering movement of the movable member toward a transfer belt, charging and developing bias contacts exposed at the other end, and a portion-to-be-urged, on the first frame upper surface for receiving an elastic force to position the process cartridge relative to the main assembly.

Abstract: A developing unit and image formation device in which a developer carrier is reliably pressed towards and separated from an image carrier is described. A separation and pressing mechanism is provided for separating and pressing the developer carriers of developing cartridges installed in a drum unit onto image carriers. This separation and pressing mechanism has a pair of direct cam members. Each direct cam member has a release action portion that engages with the releasing projection of a developing cartridge when the developer carrier is to be separated from the image carrier. Each direct cam member may also have a pressing action portion that engages with the pressing projection of the developing cartridges when the developer carrier is to be pressed onto the image carrier.

Abstract: A method for dismounting a coupler from an electrophotographic photosensitive drum flange whose drum is usable with a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The coupler receives a force rotating the drum from the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted and includes force receiving and spherical portions. The method includes the steps of inclining the coupler relative to a flange rotational axis, pushing a pin from one end to the other end thereof, both of which project from the spherical portion when the inclining step inclines the coupler, making part of the pin ride on a surface of a regulator inside the flange, and dismounting the coupler from the flange by applying a force to a free end of the coupler toward the part of the pin riding on the regulator surface.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes: a drum cartridge, detachably mountable to the apparatus main assembly, for holding a drum; developing cartridges, each including a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the drum, demountable from the cartridge; a main assembly guide for guiding the cartridge from the main assembly; a drum cartridge guide for guiding the developing devices independently demountably from the cartridge; and a drum cartridge preventor for preventing movement of the cartridge. When the developing cartridge is demounted while drum cartridge is mounted in the main assembly, the preventor is movable between a first position preventing the cartridge from moving in a demounting direction and a second position permitting such movement. The apparatus includes a grip for facilitating demounting of the drum cartridge by facilitating a change of the preventor's position from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a first unit to be attached inside the apparatus main body, a rotatable part attached to the apparatus main body and rotatable between an open position for opening the apparatus main body and a closed position for closing the apparatus main body, and a second unit removably attached to the rotatable part. When the rotatable part is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the first unit is allowed to be attached to or removed from the apparatus main body by being moved horizontally. By removing the second unit from the rotatable part, the first unit is attached to or removed from the apparatus main body without coming into contact with the second unit.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.

Abstract: An image forming unit includes a first image forming member; a second image forming member; a first unit for supporting the first image forming member to be freely rotatable; a second unit for supporting the second image forming member to be freely rotatable; and an image forming member urging member attached to one of the first unit and the second unit for urging the second image forming member toward the first image forming member when the first unit is connected to the second unit.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum frame, a movable developing frame taking a position where the roller contacts the drum, and a force receiver having first and second force receivers for receiving first and second external forces. The second force receiver moves relative to the developing frame. The second force receiver takes a stand-by position retracted from an operating position when the first force receiver receives the first external force, and moves from the stand-by to the operating position for moving the developing frame from the contacting position to the spacing position. The distance the second force receiver moves from the stand-by to the operating position is larger than the distance the first force receiver moves by the first external force.

Abstract: A toner conveyance unit is provided that can reliably prevent a toner from leaking and scattering. And an image forming apparatus is also provided having the toner conveyance unit. When a circular arc-shaped shutter member and a rotary shutter member are closed, a first conveyance part and a second conveyance part are adapted to separate from each other. When the circular arc-shaped shutter member and the rotary shutter member are open, the circular arc-shaped shutter member and the rotary shutter member rotate integrally so as to be enclosed in the tubular cylinder part, and to move a through hole to a position such as to constitute a portion of a second toner conveyance path, whereby the first conveyance part and the second conveyance part are adapted to be connected to each other so that a first toner conveyance path and the second toner conveyance path communicate with each other.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image carrier carrying an image; a charging roll charging the image carrier; a cleaning member configured to be brought into contact with the charging roll for cleaning the charging roll; a first holding portion detachably provided in an apparatus main body for holding the image carrier; and a second holding portion provided within the apparatus main body independently from the first holding portion, for holding the cleaning member.

Abstract: A developing cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body having main body side guide portions and a cartridge mounting portion, including: a developer containing portion; a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on a photosensitive member with developer; first cartridge side guide portions provided at one end and the other end in a longitudinal direction of the roller, for engaging with the main body side guide portions to regulate a movement locus of the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted to the main body; and protruding portions provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction, wherein the cartridge is mounted to the main body in a mounting direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction with the roller being a leading edge, and the protruding portions protrude on a downstream side further than the roller in the mounting direction.

Abstract: A support stand includes: scanner attachment portions to which one end portion and the other end portion of a scanner along a scanning direction are attached; a scanner fixing structure that fixes the one end portion of the scanner to the scanner attachment portions; and a scanner attachment structure that attaches the other end portion of the scanner to the scanner attachment portions such that the other end portion of the scanner is movable along the scanning direction.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a movable member movable from an outside of the main assembly of the apparatus to an inside thereof while carrying the cartridge. The cartridge includes a drum, charging and developing rollers, rotatably connected first and second frames supporting different rollers, drum and developing roller driving force receiving portions, first and second portions-to-be-supported, on one and the other ends of the first frame, first and second portions-to-be-positioned, on one and the other ends of the first frame positioned to first and second main assembly side positioning portions during a lowering movement of the movable member toward a transfer belt, charging and developing bias contacts exposed at the other end, and a portion-to-be-urged, on the first frame upper surface for receiving an elastic force to position the process cartridge relative to the main assembly.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes a casing, a process unit, a first shutter, a toner cartridge, a second shutter, and a wall. The process unit is detachably mounted in the casing and formed with a first opening, the process unit having a developer roller carrying a toner. The first shutter opens and closes the first opening. The toner cartridge is detachably mounted in the casing, accommodates the toner, and is formed with a second opening, the second opening being in alignment with the first opening. The second shutter opens and closes the second opening. The wall is disposed between the developer unit and the toner cartridge and is formed with a third opening, the third opening being in alignment with the first opening and the second opening. By providing the wall, the process unit and toner cartridge can be detachably mounted in the casing, thereby avoiding a drop in precision for positioning the process unit and toner cartridge relative to the casing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has: a photosensitive cartridge; a development cartridge detachably mounted to the photosensitive cartridge; a main body in which the photosensitive cartridge is detachably mounted; a first sensor; a second sensor; and a control unit. Where the second sensor is brought into a second state after being temporarily brought into a first state, it is determined that the development cartridge is a new one. Where the second sensor is in the first state and the first sensor receives light within a predetermined period of time, it is determined that both the development cartridge and the photosensitive cartridge are not mounted Where the second sensor is in the first state, and the first sensor does not continuously receive the light for a predetermined period of time, it is determined that the photosensitive cartridge is mounted and the development cartridge is not mounted.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly detachably mounted on a main casing of an image forming device includes a first cartridge, a second cartridge, and a lock member. The first cartridge has a first handle. The second cartridge has a second handle. The first handle and the second handle are configured to provide a relative position capable of realizing simultaneous access to the first handle and the second handle in case of an assembled state between the second cartridge and the first cartridge for integral attachment to or detachment from the main casing. The lock member has a lock section and an operation section. The lock section is movable between a lock position and an unlock position. The operation section is configured to move the lock section between the lock position and the unlock position.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main casing, a cartridge accommodating portion, a detection unit and a determination unit. The cartridge accommodating portion is configured to detachably accommodate a first cartridge and a second cartridge that is able to be detachably combined with the first cartridge, the first cartridge being provided with a pressing member movable between a first position and a second position, the pressing member being in the first position when the second cartridge is removed from the first cartridge, the pressing member being in the second position when the second cartridge is combined with the first cartridge. The detection unit is provided on the main casing and is configured to perform non-contact position detection of the pressing member. The determination unit is configured not to start image forming operations until the detection unit detects that the pressing member is in the second position.

Abstract: An image forming device has a cartridge accommodating portion in which a combined unit of a first cartridge and a second cartridge can be loaded. The first cartridge is provided with a pressing member movable between a first position and a second position and is in the first position when the second cartridge is removed from the first cartridge, and in the second position when the second cartridge is perfectly combined with the first cartridge. A moving member is supported on the main casing of the image forming device to be movable between a third position and a fourth position, and is in the third position when the combined unit is unloaded from the main casing and in the fourth position when the combined unit is loaded in the main casing. The pressing member disposed in the second position presses the moving member to move to the fourth position. A position detector is provided on the main casing and is configured to perform position detection of the moving member.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a developer frame portion and a photosensitive member frame portion, wherein when the photosensitive member frame portion is attached to the developer frame portion, a first extension portion and a second extension portion are positioned in a substantially overlapping configuration and the first extension portion engages the second extension portion so as to urge a developer carrying member toward a photosensitive member.

Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge for use with an image-forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and a cartridge case comprising an upper wall, a bottom wall, a right side wall, and a left side wall. An outer surface of the upper wall faces upwards when the photosensitive member cartridge is installed in the image-forming apparatus. The right side wall extends upwardly from a right side of the bottom wall, and the left side wall extends upwardly from a left side of the bottom wall. The upper wall connects upper edges of the right side wall and the left side wall. A light-entrance portion is formed in the upper wall and is configured to allow a laser beam to pass through the upper wall and reach the photosensitive drum when the photosensitive member cartridge is installed in the image-forming apparatus.

Abstract: A photosensitive unit is described. The photosensitive unit may include a developer cartridge including a developing agent carrier and a casing, a photosensitive member, and a side wall. The casing is provided with a pivoting member including a pressuring portion applied with an external pressing force and a fitting projection fitted to the side wall. The pivoting member is configured to be pivoted along a pressing direction for pressing the developing agent carrier toward the photosensitive member when a pressing force is applied to the pressuring portion, or along a pressure releasing direction opposite to the pressing direction. The side wall is formed with a fit portion to which the fitting projection is loosely fitted so that a movement of the fitting projection along a pivoting direction of the pivoting member is allowed.

Abstract: A printer cartridge fastener comprising a curved portion adapted to grasp a printer cartridge overhang; a main body connected to the curved portion, the main body comprising a first side connected to the curved section; and a second side positioned opposite the first side; and an elongate portion connected to the second side of the main body, the elongate portion configured to abut to a printer cartridge portion positioned substantially perpendicular to the overhang.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a developing cartridge including a developer carrier, a fitting part, and a pressed part, and a photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted. The photosensitive cartridge includes a photosensitive member, a positioning part which is fitted into the fitting part for positioning the developing cartridge, and a pressing part which contacts the pressed part for pressing the developing cartridge toward the photosensitive member, wherein the positioning part and the pressing part are provided longitudinally in an area in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive member corresponding to an area on the photosensitive member in which a developer image is formed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a tray, which is able to be drawn out of the apparatus and on which a plurality of cartridges of different sizes can be mounted. A cartridge, being the largest in size among a plurality of process cartridges, is detachably arranged at a location at which it is first exposed to outside when a cartridge tray is drawn out. A developer storage portion of the largest cartridge has the largest capacity and stores a developer of a black color.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes an organic photo conductor, an OPC frame part to support the organic photo conductor, a developing roller to develop a latent image formed on the organic photo conductor by supplying a developer, a developing roller frame part to support the developing roller, a developer storing part to store the developer and provided with a supplying opening through which the developer is supplied to the developing roller, a spacer removably interposed between the OPC frame part and the developing roller frame part and spacing the OPC frame part from the developing roller frame part such that the organic photo conductor and the developing roller do not contact each other, a leakage preventer removably attached to and sealing the supplying opening, and a connecting part to connect the spacer with the leakage preventer. Thus, the spacer and the leakage preventer are capable of being removed simultaneously.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which can be switched between states in which a developing roller is attached to an image carrier body by applying a pressing force to a developing cartridge and a state in which the developing roller can be released from attachment from the image carrier body. When an operation part of a toner cartridge is arranged at an installation position a pressing force can be applied to a developing cartridge by protruding parts fitting with spring parts, and a developing roller can be attached to a photoconductor drum by the applied pressure. When the operation part is arranged at a removal position, the fitting can be undone, causing the applied pressure to be released.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a drum unit having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a developing unit rotatably connected with the drum unit at a center of rotation. The developing unit includes a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer, a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer, and a supply opening, extending in an axial direction of the developing roller, for supplying the developer to the developing roller from the developer accommodating portion. The rotation axis is within a width of the sealing member as seen in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the sealing member.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing roller, two units, a movable member, and a cover. The roller can contact the photosensitive member to develop an image formed thereon. One unit supports the photosensitive member with a part thereof exposed. The other unit supports the roller and moves between positions for contacting the roller and the photosensitive member with each other and spacing these elements from each other. The movable member moves the roller-supporting unit between the contact and spaced positions. The cover covers the exposed part and engages the movable member to regulate movement thereof with the developing unit positioned in the spaced position.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit including a transfer member for transferring a developed image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum onto the recording material, and mounting portions for demountably mounting cartridges arranged substantially in a vertical direction, the unit being movable, in a state that the cartridge is demountably mounted to the mounting portions, between a transfer position for transferring the developed image from the transfer member onto the recording material in a main assembly of the apparatus, and a mounting and demounting position, different from the transfer position, for mounting and demounting the cartridges relative to the mounting portion; a first path for mounting and demounting the cartridge relative to such a mounting portion of the mounting portions as is provided at a topmost position; and a second path, different from the first path, for mounting and demounting the cartridge relative to the mounting portio

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus has: an apparatus body; and a replacement part that is detachably mounted in the apparatus body, wherein the replacement part includes: a replacement part body; and a storage medium that is separably mounted on the replacement part body, and wherein the apparatus body includes a separation mechanism that separates the storage medium from the replacement part body when the replacement part body is mounted in the apparatus body.

Abstract: A developing unit is detachably mounted on a photosensitive unit to form a combined unit called a process unit. In use, the process unit is loaded into an electrophotographic image forming device. A rotational shaft of a photosensitive drum projects out from the photosensitive unit. When the process unit is loaded into the image forming device from a top open space, both ends of the rotational shaft are engaged with a pair of guides formed in side walls of the image forming device and guided down along the guides. The process unit is accommodated in an accommodating section when both ends of the rotational shaft have been brought into abutment with stops at the ends of the guides and a trailing end of the process unit is rotated downward about the rotational shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus main body; plural developer image forming parts provided in the image forming apparatus main body that form a developer image; and a discharged developer recovery container that recovers developer discharged from at least two of the plural developer image forming parts. At least one of the plural developer image forming parts has an image forming structure having an image holder that holds the developer image, and the image forming structure in the at least one developer image forming part and the discharged developer recovery container are attached/removed, integrally with each other, in/from the image forming apparatus main body.