Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an openable cover capable of opening and closing an opening, an image forming portion for forming a toner image on a sheet, and a cam member provided in the image forming portion for moving a contact member toward and away from an opposing member. A controller controls the image forming portion and rotation of the cam member. The controller stops an operation of the image forming portion when a detecting unit detects opening of the openable cover, and then controls rotation of the cam member at least one full turn when the detecting unit detects closing of the openable cover.

Abstract: A developer transporting device includes a transporting device body including a transporting portion having an inlet, a developer container including a container portion having an outlet connected to the inlet and a cover member that is movable between positions for opening and closing the outlet, a first contact portion supported by the cover member, a guide portion including a passage portion and an inclined portion that is connected to the passage portion and that comes into contact with the first contact portion to move the cover member, and a second contact portion that is provided on the passage portion and extends toward the position for closing the outlet. The second contact portion comes into contact with the first contact portion and moves the cover member toward the position for closing the outlet when the first contact portion passes the second contact portion.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a drum, first and second guidable portions guidable by first and second guides when the cartridge enters or advances in the main assembly, first and second regulatable portions provided at leading and trailing sides of the cartridge with respect to the advancing direction and regulated by a first main assembly regulator when the process is advancing in the main assembly, and first and second positionable portions to be positioned at first and main assembly second positioners, respectively, by the urging force of a main assembly urging member after the first and second regulatable portions pass the first and second regulators, respectively. The cartridge is mounted to the main assembly with the first and second positionable portions at the first and second positioners, respectively, by the urging force of the urging member.

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: Disclosed herein is an image forming apparatus including a main body; a developing unit detachably mounted on the main body and having a photoconductive medium; and a cover pivotably mounted on the main body to cover and support an outer end of the developing unit. The cover may have a latch engaged with the main body by one end thereof so that the cover supports the developing unit. A member that supports a shaft of the photoconductive medium may also be included. Because the member operates in association with the latch, opening and closing of the cover may be facilitated, accordingly also facilitating separation of the developing unit from the main body.

Abstract: A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a cartridge tray supporting a plurality of cartridges is movable through a plurality of opening portions to respective outside positions outside an apparatus main body. In the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the plurality of cartridges are removably mounted to the apparatus main body to form an image on a recording medium. The color electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cartridge tray, which is movable, while supporting the plurality of cartridges, between an inside position positioned inside the apparatus main body and the outside positions, a plurality of opening portions provided in the apparatus main body, through which the cartridge tray is movable between the inside position and the outside positions, and doors for opening and closing the plurality of opening portions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly; a door member which supports one of roller members constituting a feeding nip for a recording material and which is rotatable about an axis parallel with said roller members in a sidewise direction of said main assembly to open said feeding nip; a pair of urging mechanisms which are provided at opposite end portions of said door member with respect to a front-rear direction of said main assembly and which fix said door member to said main assembly so as to be capable of opening and closing said door member, said urging mechanism urging said door member toward said main assembly in a state that said door member is closed; and an operating member provided with a grip for manual opening of said door member, said grip being disposed in a position nearer to a front side than a center portion position of said door member with respect to the front-rear direction, and said operating member being rotatably supported in a position nearer to a rear side than a center

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable belt, a detection unit configured to detect, at a detecting position, an object on the belt, a cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from a main body of the apparatus independently of the belt, and an openable and closable member that is openable and closable relative to the body to attach and detach the cartridge to and from the body. When the detection unit is at the detecting position, at least a part of the detection unit is located in a space used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge, and, when the detection unit is at a retracted position, which is outside of a space used for attachment and detachment of the cartridge, at least a part of the detection unit is located in a space that is formed by opening the openable and closable member relative to the body.

Abstract: In an image forming device, a process cartridge is detachably insertable in a process frame. The developing coupling is provided in the one end of the developing unit for transmitting an external rotation force to the developing unit. The developing coupling has: a rotation axis; and a drum shutter to be pivotally moved between a first position at which the drum shutter covers the photosensitive drum and a second position at which the drum shutter does not cover the photosensitive drum. A shutter portion covering the part of the photosensitive drum at the first position. The shutter portion is in direct confrontation with the developing unit at the second position. When the process cartridge is inserted in the process frame, the drum shutter is positioned at the second position whereas when the process cartridge is not inserted in the process frame, the drum shutter is positioned at the first position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes plural cartridges and a cartridge holder which integrally supports cartridges and is movable in an alignment direction of the cartridges between an outer position and an inner position relative to the apparatus main body. Each cartridge includes a developer carrier, a handle member which is displaceable between a protrusion position of protruding upward and a retreat position below the protrusion position, and a cover member which is displaceable between a close position of covering an upper part of the developer carrier and an open position of opening the upper part of the developer carrier. At least the cartridges are provided with an interlocking mechanism which is configured to displace each of the handle members and the cover members in conjunction with moving the cartridge holder with respect to the apparatus main body.

Abstract: A processing structural member has a processing housing for supporting a processing portion, a locking lever, a cover and a holding portion. The locking lever changes the posture thereof between a locking posture of locking the position of the processing housing, and a releasing posture of releasing the locking. The cover is mounted on the processing housing to be pivotally movable between a covering position of covering the locking lever, and an opening position of exposing the locking lever to be visually recognizable. The holding portion is mounted on the processing housing to be pivotally movable with the cover. The cover has an interference member which is inoperable to interfere with the locking lever in the locking posture and is operable to interfere with the locking lever in the releasing posture in shifting the cover from the opening position to the covering position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a photosensitive body unit having an improved structure capable of disposing a developing unit at a correct position to supply developer to a photosensitive body, and an image forming apparatus including the photosensitive body unit. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, a photosensitive body housing mounted in the main body, a photosensitive body rotatably coupled to the photosensitive body housing, and a developing unit detachably mounted in the main body to supply developer to the photosensitive body. The photosensitive body housing includes a guide portion to determine a mounting position of the developing unit when the developing unit is mounted in the main body.

Abstract: A roller cover, which is to be attached to a housing, the roller cover comprising: a protecting portion, which faces the circumference of the roller when the roller cover is attached to the housing; a first end portion, which is provided at one side of the protecting portion in an orthogonal direction; a second end portion; a first opposite portion, which is formed continuously with the first end portion, wherein the first opposite portion is fitted to one side of the housing in the orthogonal direction; and a second opposite portion fitted to the other side of the housing, wherein a first distance between the first opposite portion and the second opposite portion increases during an attachment operation, and wherein, when the attachment operation is completed, a final distance between the first opposite portion and the second opposite portion is less than maximum value of the first distance.

Abstract: The photosensitive conductor unit includes a casing, and a protective cover, wherein: the casing includes an engaging portion on an insertion-side end and a guide portion slidably guiding the protective cover in proximity to an opposite end to the insertion-side end of the photosensitive conductor unit; the protective cover includes a hook portion engaging with the engaging portion, a positioning portion determining the position of the protective cover, a side wall covering an exposed portion of the surface by extending along an axial direction of the photosensitive conductor drum, and a rail portion extending in the insertion direction of the photosensitive conductor unit in proximity to both ends of the side wall in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the photosensitive conductor drum and engaging with the guide portion such that the guide portion slidably guides the protective cover.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material, and detachably mounts process cartridges having photosensitive drums. The apparatus includes a main assembly, a rotatable openable member, a belt receiving an image or carrying the recording material, supporting members supporting the process cartridges at different levels and movable between drum-contacting and retracted positions, and a connecting member moving the supporting member when the openable members moves to position the supporting member at the drum-contacting position when the openable member is closed, and position the supporting member at the retracted position when the openable member is opened, and including a shaft whose axis crosses the openable member rotational axis, first connecting portions rotatably connected with respective supporting members, and a second connecting portion engaging the openable member and fixed to the shaft closer to the openable member than the first connecting portions are fixed to the shaft.

Abstract: An image forming device includes: a main casing; a support member; cartridges; and cover members. The support member is movable between an accommodated position within the main casing and a pulled-out position outside the main casing, the support member being formed with cartridge accommodating sections. Each cartridge is accommodated in the corresponding cartridge accommodating section so as to be detachable from the corresponding cartridge accommodating section when the support member is located at the pulled-out position, the cartridges being of different types. Each cover member is movable between an opening posture and a closing posture. The cover members are provided in correspondence with the cartridge accommodating sections, respectively. Each cover member is provided with a preventing unit that prevents any cartridges of types different from a type corresponding to the corresponding cartridge accommodating section from being accommodated into the corresponding cartridge accommodating section.

Abstract: A cover opening and closing mechanism, including: a housing; a cover; a first locking mechanism having a first stopper portion and a first receiving portion which are brought to a locked state when the cover is in the closed position; and a second locking mechanism having a second stopper portion and a second receiving portion which are brought to a locked state when the cover is in the closed position, and wherein, when the cover is moved to the closed position, the first stopper portion and the first receiving portion move with respect to each other in a first direction, move with respect to each other in a second direction, and thereafter are brought to the locked state, and the second stopper portion moves in the second direction in connection with movement of the first stopper portion so that the second locking mechanism is brought to the locked state.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a first cartridge and a second cartridge. The first cartridge includes a first wall having a first opening, a first shutter configured to open and close the first opening, and a first operating portion configured to operate together with the first shutter. The second cartridge is mountable onto and demountable from the first cartridge and contains a developer. The second cartridge includes a. second wall facing the first wall and having a second opening corresponding to the first opening, a second shutter configured to open and close the second opening, and a second operating portion configured to operate together with the second shutter. The first cartridge further includes a third operating portion. When the second cartridge is mounted onto the first cartridge, the first operating portion and the third operating portion operate together through the second operating portion.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a first frame for supporting the photosensitive member; a developer carrying member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member; an opening, provided in the first frame, through which the photosensitive member is exposed; a shutter, provided on the first frame, movable between an open position in which the opening is uncovered and a closed position in which the opening is covered; and a spacer member movably provided on the shutter.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a plural image-holding members, each image-holding member holding an image and being rotatable around a rotation shaft; a frame member that at least partially defines a space for accommodating the plural image-holding members therein; a cover provided to the frame member to open and close the space with respect to an outside, an inner side of the cover being formed with rotation shaft insertion holes each for receiving an end portion of the rotation shaft of a corresponding one of the image-holding members accommodated in the space; a supporting shaft that supports the cover such that the cover is pivotable with respect to the frame member, the supporting shaft being inserted into a supporting shaft insertion hole provided to the frame member or to the cover, the supporting shaft insertion hole being elongated in a direction having a vertical component when the cover closes the space; and a positioning mechanism that positions the cover with respect to the frame member whe

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a housing body in which a first end is rotatably connected with an apparatus main body, a link member in which the second end can reciprocate in a first direction, a suspended portion positioned at a restricted position when the housing body is positioned at the closed position or the intermediate open position, and positioned at a non-restricted position when the housing body is positioned at the fully open position, and a tension spring in which one end is connected to the link member and the second end is connected to the suspended portion, and when the housing body is positioned at the closed position, and the tension spring is in an extended state, when the housing body is positioned at the intermediate open position or the fully open position, and the tension spring is in a free-length state.

Abstract: A multi-function apparatus includes a body, an image reading unit, a document cover and a locking member. The image reading unit is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The document cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking member is movable to a first position and a second position and includes a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. In response to a movement of the document cover to the opened position, the locking member moves to the first position and locks the image reading unit to the closed position. In response to a movement of the image reading unit to the opened position, the locking member moves to the second position and locks the document cover to the closed position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a lateral cover, which is an external covering to cover a lateral side of the image forming apparatus, and a connector member having at least one protrusion, by which the lateral cover is connected to the connector member. The lateral cover is formed to have an inwardly-dented handgrip, which has an open end and a closed end, and at least one opening on an upper section of the handgrip. The at least one protrusion protrudes downwardly from a surface of the connector member. The at least one protrusion is inserted in the at least one opening of the lateral cover to penetrate the connector member and to protrude downwardly from the upper section of the handgrip.

Abstract: An information processing device includes an opening and closing member that is configured to be movable between open and closed positions, and an interference member that is positioned in a middle of an opening and closing trajectory of the opening and closing member. The opening and closing member takes the open position after the opening and closing member moves in a direction away from the interference member and takes the closed position after the opening and closing member moves in a direction toward the interference member.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a casing, a holder member, and a plurality of toner boxes. The holder member moves between an accommodated position in which it is accommodated in an accommodation space in the casing and a pull-out position in which at least part of the holder member is outside the accommodation space. Each toner box comprises a toner container formed with an opening and a shutter for opening and closing the opening. The operation member moves between a first position and a second position for closing and opening the shutter, respectively. When the holder member is on its way to the accommodated position from the pull-out position, a stop member prevents the holder member from moving while the operation member is at the first position and permits the holder member to move while the operation member is at the second position.

Abstract: An enclosure for use with a gravity fed fluid dispensing system includes a housing with a base member and a cover member that is movably connected with the base member. The base member and cover member define an interior chamber for receiving a bottle. An actuator is movably connected with the housing and arranged to rotate the bottle within the housing.

Abstract: A system for in situ replacement of a cartridge for an electrophotographic printer includes a photoreceptive member in the cartridge; a retractable shield enclosing the photoreceptive member; and a retraction mechanism in the cartridge for retracting the retractable shield when the cartridge is inserted into the printer.

Abstract: A positioning guide is configured to guide a rotational axis of a photosensitive body when a process cartridge is mounted on a main body, and to determine a position of the rotation axis of the photosensitive body with respect to the main body in a mounting state in which the process cartridge has been mounted on the main body. A photosensitive body drive gear is configured to be capable of rotating in a forward and reverse direction and to transmit a rotational drive force to the photosensitive body in the mounting state. A regulating member is configured to be in a lock state and an unlock state. In the lock state, the regulating member prohibits the rotational axis of the photosensitive body from moving in the mounting/removing direction. The rotational axis of the photosensitive body is released from the regulating member in the unlock state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion with a plurality of image bearing members and a plurality of developing devices, a plurality of cartridges, a maintenance door allowing access to the image forming portion for a maintenance operation, a plurality of first doors, remainder detecting means for detecting information relating to amounts of the developers in the cartridges, locking means for locking the first doors, a controller, a moving mechanism, and a second door capable of opening and closing to cover the first doors. The first doors open and close respective openings for insertion of the cartridges into the main assembly independently from each other, without access via the maintenance door. The controller controls the locking means to release a locking of a first door corresponding to a cartridge which requires exchange, on the basis of a detection result of the remainder detecting means.

Abstract: An color image forming apparatus 1 has photosensitive units 5 and developing units 6 that can be drawn out of an apparatus main body along a direction of a photosensitive drum 15 and has an intermediate transfer unit 7 that can be drawn out of the apparatus main body along a moving direction of an intermediate transfer belt 10. The color image forming apparatus 1 includes a pressing release mechanism 41 that releases pressing against the photosensitive drum 15 by a primary transfer roller 8 in conjunction with an operation required at a time of drawing out any of the photosensitive unit 5, the developing unit 6, and the intermediate transfer unit 7.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, process means actable on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first cartridge side portion-to-be-guided, a second cartridge side portion-to-be-guided, a first cartridge side portion-to-be-regulated, a second cartridge side portion-to-be-regulated, a first cartridge side portion to be positioned, and a second cartridge side portion to be positioned. The process cartridge is mounted to a main assembly with a first cartridge side portion to be positioned at a first main assembly side positioning portion by the urging force of an urging member and with the second cartridge side portion to be positioned at a second main assembly side positioning portion by the urging force of the urging member.

Abstract: A developing unit is pivotally supported by a pivot pin so as to be swingable, and a forcing lever forces a developing roller towards a photosensitive drum so that an outer circumferential surface of a DS roller makes contact with an outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. This maintains, at a specified value, a developing gap between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller. A sympathetic vibration prevention member in which an elastic member is provided on an upper surface of the base member is inserted between a lower portion of a housing of the developing unit and a guide rail provided under the lower portion. This prevents the developing unit from vibrating in sympathetic with vibration during the transportation of the image forming apparatus, which prevents the toner from spilling out.

Abstract: A cover opening/closing unit includes a cover body, a plurality of first hinge portions, a handle portion, and a second hinge portion. The cover body is attached to a side surface of an apparatus body. The first hinge portions are provided on both ends of a lower end portion of the cover body so as to rotatably support the cover body. The handle portion is provided between the first hinge portions. The second hinge portion is provided on a back of the cover body and between the first hinge portions so as to rotatably support the cover body.

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: A process cartridge includes: a photosensitive member unit having a photosensitive member; a developing unit detachably mountable on the photosensitive member unit and having a developing roller; a movable member configured to move between a first position and a second position when the developing unit is mounted on the photosensitive member unit, the movable member at the first position permitting the photosensitive member and the developing roller to be in contact with each other and the movable member at the second position permitting the photosensitive member and the developing roller to be in separation from each other; and a covering member configured to cover the photosensitive member, the movable member being at the second position in a state where the covering member covers the photosensitive member.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is a protective sheet including: a protective portion that can be inserted between a charging member which is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of a latent image carrier and the latent image carrier, and that can cover an image forming area formed on the outer peripheral surface of the latent image carrier; and a high friction portion that is connected to an end portion of the protective portion, that can be inserted between a pressing portion for being pressed against a background area formed on the outer peripheral surface of the latent image carrier and the background area of the latent image carrier, and whose dynamic frictional force when pulled out from the latent image carrier is higher than that of the protective portion.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a first device body, a second device body attached to the first device body, a photoconductive body provided in the first device body, an exposure unit provided to the second device body, the exposure unit having an exposure surface that exposes the photoconductive body and forms a latent image on the photoconductive body, the exposure unit being movable between an exposure position and an evacuation position, and a cleaning unit cleaning the exposure surface of the exposure unit. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning member cleaning the exposure surface, a supporting member supporting the cleaning member, and a guide member movably guiding the supporting member. The exposure unit is disposed such that the exposure surface is cleaned by the cleaning unit when the exposure unit is moved to the evacuation position.

Abstract: An image forming cartridge includes a photoconductor; a charger with a charging member contactable with the photoconductor; a case that accommodates the photoconductor and the charger; a cover which is detachably attached to the case and covers at least a part of the photoconductor; and a separating member which is located, on the cover, between a region other than the region of the photoconductor where an image is formed and the charger and separated them from each other.

Abstract: When closing a front cover opened in a case where a fixing lever is placed in a fixing position, a guide plate portion formed on the front cover raises the fixing lever together with a support shaft. When a connection pin of the fixing lever enters a cam groove provided in the front cover, the fixing lever obtains a closed state in which the fixing lever is connected to the cam groove.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image forming apparatus including a main body; a developing unit detachably mounted on the main body and having a photoconductive medium; and a cover pivotably mounted on the main body to cover and support an outer end of the developing unit. The cover may comprises a latch engaged with the main body by one end thereof so that the cover supports the developing unit. A member that supports a shaft of the photoconductive medium may also be included. Because the member operates in association with the latch, opening and closing of the cover may be facilitated, accordingly also facilitating separation of the developing unit from the main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus detects whether a cover is opened or closed in each of a general power mode and a power saving mode. The image forming apparatus includes a cover opening/closing sensor to detect opening or closing of a cover, a cover opening/closing sensing power-supply input unit to provide or not to provide a voltage different from an operation voltage of the image forming apparatus, to the cover opening/closing sensor according to the opening or closing of the cover, and an interlock switch to connect or not to connect the cover opening/closing sensor to the cover opening/closing sensing power-supply unit according to the opening or closing of the cover.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided. The image reading apparatus includes a main unit and a conveyer unit swingably coupled to the main unit via a hinge. The conveyer unit includes a lower cover with an opening, which extends orthogonally to a swing axis of the conveyer unit, and an attachable member. The attachable member includes a main part and an auxiliary part and is fixed to the lower cover by the main part and to a rotatable fixing section of the hinge by the auxiliary part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a photosensitive drum, a charged wire which extends in a shaft direction of the photosensitive drum and charges the photosensitive drum by electric discharge, a frame disposed so as to surround the charged wire, the frame in which a cover side opening is formed in the side opposite to the photosensitive drum with respect to the charged wire, and a cover member disposed so as to cover the cover side opening while forming a blow path in communication with the cover side opening between the frame and the cover member. The cover member moves along the charged wire and is constructed detachably from a side surface of the frame and also a cleaning member for cleaning the charged wire is disposed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a power interrupting structure and a cover opening and closing structure. The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a first cover and a second cover to open and close the apparatus body, a switch configured to be turned on/off according to an opening and closing operation of the first cover, and a safety device, operatively connected to the second cover, to selectively restrict the switch from being turned on by the first cover.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an image bearing member; a frame; process means contactable to and actable on the image bearing member; a covering member detachably mounted to the frame to protect a surface of the image bearing member; and a spacing portion provided on the covering member and inserted between the image bearing member and the process means to space the image bearing member and the process means from each other, the spacing portion being movable relative to the covering member while being interposed between the image bearing member and the process means when the covering member is removed from the frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a consumable detachably installed in the main body is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a main body having a first opening, a consumable which is detachably installed in the main body, a door mounted on the main body to open and close the first opening, and locking members operable in association with the movement of the door to secure the consumable in place as the door is closed. Possible damages due to the movement of the consumable such as a photosensitive cartridge during shipping and/or transporting of the image forming apparatus can be prevented by the locking members.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image forming apparatus including a main body; a developing unit detachably mounted on the main body and having a photoconductive medium; and a cover pivotably mounted on the main body to cover and support an outer end of the developing unit. The cover may comprises a latch engaged with the main body by one end thereof so that the cover supports the developing unit. A member that supports a shaft of the photoconductive medium may also be included. Because the member operates in association with the latch, opening and closing of the cover may be facilitated, accordingly also facilitating separation of the developing unit from the main body.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a door 10 openable with respect to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, a drum cartridge 8 detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus main assembly, and detachably mountable developing cartridges 4k-4y provided above the drum cartridge 8, wherein the door 10 includes a positioning urging portion 26 contacting the developing cartridges in a state in which the door 10 is closed, the door 10 includes drum cartridge mounting and demounting guides 28R and 28L for regulating the drum cartridge 8 so as to pass along a non-interference path with the positioning urging portion 26 in contact to the drum cartridge 8 when the drum cartridge 8 is demounted from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is a protective sheet including: a protective portion that can be inserted between a charging member which is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of a latent image carrier and the latent image carrier, and that can cover an image forming area formed on the outer peripheral surface of the latent image carrier; and a high friction portion that is connected to an end portion of the protective portion, that can be inserted between a pressing portion for being pressed against a background area formed on the outer peripheral surface of the latent image carrier and the background area of the latent image carrier, and whose dynamic frictional force when pulled out from the latent image carrier is higher than that of the protective portion.