Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: a body; a developing cartridge having a memory medium and a developer bearing member; a tray including a frame which is movable between a housed position and a drawn-out position and has side portions extending in the moving direction and to which the developing cartridge is attachable, an image bearing member that faces the developer bearing member when the developing cartridge is attached, a tray-side metal terminal provided on the side portion and electrically connected to the memory medium when the cartridge is attached, and a tray guide portion extending along the moving direction; a body-side metal terminal that faces the tray-side metal terminal when the tray is housed, wherein the tray-side metal terminal is provided below the tray guide portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first guide that is provided in an apparatus housing and configured to suspend and hold a first unit including an image holder so that the first unit is movable in an insertion and removal direction; a second guide that is provided in the apparatus housing and configured to suspend and hold a second unit including a developer holder so that the second unit is movable in an insertion and removal direction; and a pedestal that is disposed on a front side in the insertion and removal direction with respect to the first guide and the second guide, supports, from below in a gravity direction, the first unit and the second unit while the first unit and the second unit are inserted into the apparatus housing, and does not contact with the first unit and the second unit located in the apparatus housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a toner cartridge; a drum cartridge to which the toner cartridge is attachable; and a controller. The toner cartridge is configured to accommodate toner therein. The toner cartridge includes a toner memory. The drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; and a drum memory. The controller is configured to perform: a first determination process to determine whether communication with the drum memory is established; and after determining in the first determination process that the communication with the drum memory is established, a second determination process to determine whether communication with the toner memory is established.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing and a first process cartridge. The first process cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the housing. The first process cartridge includes a first photosensitive drum, a first developing roller, and a developing frame. The developing frame has a toner inlet opening. The toner cartridge has a toner supply opening. The toner cartridge is positioned above the developing frame such that the toner supply opening and the toner inlet opening face with each other in upward/downward direction. In the state where the first process cartridge to which the toner cartridge is attached is attached to the housing, the toner cartridge is incapable of being detached from the first process cartridge. In a state where the first process cartridge to which the toner cartridge is attached is detached from the housing, the toner cartridge is detachable from the first process cartridge.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge. The developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller rotatable about a developing axis extending in a first direction; and a development-side IC chip having a development-side electrical contact surface. The drum cartridge includes: a drum frame; a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis extending in the first direction; a drum-side IC chip having a drum-side electrical contact surface; and a lock lever configured to lock the developing cartridge to the drum frame. The development-side electrical contact surface and the drum-side electrical contact surface are positioned opposite to the lock lever with respect to the casing in the first direction in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a toner cartridge including a toner casing having a toner outlet for discharging toner in the toner cartridge and a toner shutter for opening and closing the toner outlet; a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a developing unit including a developing casing having a toner inlet for receiving the toner from the toner cartridge, a developing shutter for opening and closing the toner inlet, and a cushion member positioned between the developing casing and the developing shutter. When the developing casing is moved relative to the photosensitive drum while the drum cartridge and the toner cartridge are attached to the main casing, the developing shutter opens the toner inlet, and the toner shutter opens the toner outlet, the cushion member allows movement of the developing casing relative to the developing shutter while the developing shutter engages with the toner cartridge.

Abstract: The developing device includes a development container, a developer carrier, and a cover member. The development container has an opening. The developer carrier has a development area. The cover member, including a front face portion, an upper face portion, a lower face portion, a side face portion, and reinforcing ribs, is removably fitted to the development container such that the developer carrier is covered with at least the front face portion and the upper face portion. With the cover member fitted to the development container, a gap is formed between each reinforcing rib and the development container.

Abstract: A toner sealing system is described including a seal having first and second alignment features. The seal is selectably installable on one of a first toner container of a first type and a second toner container of a second type. The first alignment feature is matable with a first corresponding alignment feature on the first toner container when the seal is installed on the first toner container for aligning the seal to the first toner container. The second alignment feature is matable with a second corresponding alignment feature on the second toner container when the seal is installed on the second toner container for aligning the seal to the second toner container. Embodiments include those wherein the first alignment feature does not align the seal to the second toner container, and the second alignment feature does not align the seal to the first toner container.

Abstract: An image carrier unit includes an image carrier including a cylindrical main body portion and a pair of flange portions attached to both ends of the main body portion, a first cleaning member that rotates in contact under a prescribed pressure with an outer circumferential surface of the main body portion, a unit frame that rotatably supports the image carrier and the first cleaning member, and an image carrier protective cover that includes a cover main body extending in an axial direction of the image carrier and a side surface portion that is disposed on one end side of the cover main body. On the side surface portion, an image carrier holding portion is formed that performs positioning of the image carrier with respect to the unit frame and releases a pressure contact state between the image carrier and the first cleaning member.

Abstract: An attached portion of an image forming apparatus includes a rotating member of which at least a part is exposed outside the image forming apparatus when the developer container is attached, and a rotation restricting mechanism that is movable between a restricting position to restrict rotation of the rotating member and an allowable position to allow rotation of the rotating member, and includes a restricting member that is at the restricting position when the developer container is not attached. The developer container is attached to the attached portion so that the discharging portion engaging portion and the shutter engaging portions are engaged with the frame engaged portions and the rotating member engaged portions respectively when the container shutter is in the close state, and the restricting member moves from the restricting position to the allowable position when the developer container is attached to the attached portion.

Abstract: One of two walls apart from each other in a first direction has an opening. A drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis extending in the first direction when the drum cartridge is attached to a housing. The drum cartridge is movable through the opening between a first position at which an entirety of the drum cartridge is located inside the housing and a second position at which at least part of the drum cartridge is located outside the housing. The development cartridge includes a development roller rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction. The development cartridge is unattachable to and undetachable from the drum cartridge in a state where the drum cartridge is located at the first position. The development cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the drum cartridge in a state where the drum cartridge is located at the second position.

Abstract: An assembly for an image forming device includes an electrical connector movable relative to a frame of the image forming device between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the electrical connector is disengaged from a first corresponding electrical connector of a first replaceable unit and a second corresponding electrical connector of a second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical connector is engaged with the first corresponding electrical connector of the first replaceable unit and the second corresponding electrical connector of the second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes a body housing, a drawer movable between an accommodated position and a drawn position, a drum cartridge including a photoconductor drum, a developing cartridge including a developing roller, and a belt located above the photoconductor drum, and the drawer is located at the accommodated position. The drum cartridge includes a moving member movable, with respect to the photoconductor drum, between (i) a first position which is a position at which the moving member is not opposed to the developing cartridge mounted on the drum cartridge and is opposed to a circumferential surface of the photoconductor drum and (ii) a second position which is a position at which the moving member is not opposed to the circumferential surface of the photoconductor drum and is opposed to the developing cartridge mounted on the drum cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge including a portion-to-be-positioned, and an apparatus main body on which the cartridge is mounted in a mounting direction. The apparatus main body includes a positioning portion and a regulating portion. The positioning portion positions the cartridge by engaging with the portion-to-be-positioned. The regulating portion is provided on an upstream side of the positioning portion in the mounting direction. The cartridge includes a portion-to-be-regulated provided on an upstream side of the portion-to-be-positioned in the mounting direction. The portion-to-be-positioned engages with the regulating portion before engaging with the positioning portion, to regulate movement of the cartridge in the direction orthogonal to the mounting direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an attachment portion to which to attach a supply container for supplying a developer, a housing including a discharge portion for discharging a sheet in a discharging direction, a discharge tray including a first stack portion for stacking the sheet thereon, in which the first stack portion is configured to be movable between a closed position and an opened position, a top portion fixed to the housing, and a display portion and an operation portion arranged on the top portion. The top portion includes a first region, a first extension portion, and a second extension portion. As viewed along a vertical direction, the first extension portion and the second extension portion extend from the first region in the discharging direction, and at least a part of the first stack portion is located between the first extension portion and the second extension portion.

Abstract: The powder container includes a container body containing a powder for image formation, the powder being to be supplied to a powder replenishing device; a conveyor configured to convey the powder from one end in a longitudinal direction to the other end at which a cylindrical container opening is formed, the conveyor being provided inside the container body; a gear configured to rotate the conveyor with an external driving force; a container cover configured to cover the gear, the container cover having a gear exposing hole for partially exposing a gear tooth; and a nozzle receiver configured to guide the conveying nozzle inside of the container body, the nozzle receiver being provided on the container opening. The container cover includes a container engaged portion provided outer than the tooth of the gear in a radial direction.

Abstract: A developing cartridge may include a housing configured to hold toner. The cartridge may further include a developing roller including a developing roller shaft, a supply roller including a supply roller shaft, a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode and supply electrode may be configured to guide an electrical contact of an image forming apparatus in one or more directions. In some examples, the developing electrode and supply electrode may have angled surfaces that extend toward one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a developing cartridge, the developing cartridge comprises: a developer roller that can rotate about an axis extending in a first direction; a housing having a developer accommodating portion that can accommodate a developer, including a first side and a second side disposed opposite to the first side in the first direction; an input gear disposed on the first side of the housing; and a chip assembly comprising a chip, which is mounted on the housing and located on the second side of the housing; wherein a developer filling port and a cap are further provided on the second side of the housing, developer can be filled into the developer accommodating portion through the developer filling port, the cap is used to seal the developer filling port so as to prevent the developer from leaking from the developer filling port, and wherein projection of at least a part of the chip assembly along the first direction is overlapped with overlaps projection of a part of the cap along the firs

Abstract: A protection member for attachment to a replacement component before the replacement component is inserted into a body of an apparatus, to protect the replacement component, the replacement component being to be inserted into the body of the apparatus so as to act as a part of the apparatus, the protection member includes: a contact portion configured to come into contact with the body of the apparatus at a stage where a portion of the replacement component on a front side in an insertion direction is inserted into the body of the apparatus while the protection member is attached to the replacement component, in which the protection member is removed at the stage where the portion is inserted into the body of the apparatus, so as to allow further insertion of the replacement component.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drum unit, a development unit, a supporting part, and a biasing part. The supporting part supports the development unit so as to be shiftable in directions close to and separate from the drum unit. The biasing part biases a development housing of the development unit toward the drum unit. The drum unit is attachable to and detachable from a main housing. When the drum unit is not attached to the main housing, the development unit is biased by the biasing part and is positioned closer to the drum unit than a predetermined position of the development unit when the drum unit is attached. When the drum unit is attached to the main housing, a drum frame of the drum unit pushes away the development housing against a biasing force of the biasing part to shift the development unit to the predetermined position.

Abstract: A cartridge is mountable in and dismountable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, in which the main assembly includes an opening and an openable member including a discriminating portion. The cartridge includes a process unit including a rotatable photosensitive member and a developing roller configured to supply toner to the photosensitive member, and a developer storage unit configured to store a developer. The developer storage unit is provided with a discharge opening for permitting discharge of the stored developer to the process unit and is mountable to and dismountable from the process unit. The developer storage unit is provided with a portion-to-be-discriminated provided so as to be engaged with the discriminating portion of the openable member when the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly and the openable member is in a closed position.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is detachably attachable; a photosensitive drum; a transfer roller; and a conveying roller. The drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the frame in a second direction. The transfer roller is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction and in contact with the drum. The conveying roller is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and separated from the transfer roller in the second direction. A first opening of the frame is positioned between the transfer roller and the conveying roller in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is exposed to an outside through the first opening in a case where the developing cartridge is attached to the frame.

Abstract: A development cartridge which is mountable in an image forming apparatus includes a toner container portion to store toner and a toner refilling portion to receive, from a toner refill cartridge mountable to the toner refilling portion, toner to be stored in the toner container portion. The toner refilling portion includes an inlet shutter rotatable to an inlet position at which the toner is capable of being received by the toner refilling portion from the toner refill cartridge, and a shutter protrusion provided on a surface of the inlet shutter to, while the inlet shutter is rotated, contact an object and cause feedback indicating the inlet shutter is rotated to the inlet position.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a drawer movable in a first direction relative to the main casing; a process cartridge detachably mountable on the drawer; and a toner cartridge detachably mountable on the drawer. The drawer is movable between: an inner position where the drawer is accommodated in the main casing; and an outer position where a part of the drawer is located outside the main casing. The process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a second direction crossing the first direction when the process cartridge is mounted on the drawer; and a developing device configured to supply toner to the photosensitive drum. The toner cartridge is configured to store the toner.

Abstract: A drum cartridge is configured to be detachably mounted on an apparatus main body in a state where a toner cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge. A first shutter and a second shutter are configured such that: when the drum cartridge is mounted onto the apparatus main body in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the first shutter moves from a first closed position to a first open position and the second shutter moves from a second closed position to a second open position, and when the drum cartridge is detached from the apparatus main body in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the first shutter moves from the first open position to the first closed position and the second shutter moves from the second open position to the second closed position.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a first unit including an image bearing member configured to carry an electrostatic latent image, and a second unit including a developer bearing member configured to develop the electrostatic latent image carried on the image bearing member into a toner image, the second unit being capable of being mounted on the first unit in a mounting direction. The first unit includes a moving member that moves the second unit mounted on the first unit at a mounting position to a detachment position. The second unit includes a storage unit that stores information about the second unit. The moving member is disposed on a first side of the process cartridge in a longitudinal direction of the image bearing member. An electrode of the storage unit is disposed on a second side of the process cartridge in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developer container, a developing portion, a replenishment port configured to allow replenishment of one-component developer from a replenishment container, a conveyance portion configured to convey the developer accepted for replenishment through the replenishment port toward the developing portion, a developer remainder amount detection portion whose output value changes on a basis of an amount of developer accommodated in the developer container. A controller changes a developer conveyance speed of the conveyance portion in a conveyance operation on a basis of the output value of the developer remainder amount detection portion, the conveyance operation being an operation of conveying developer toward the developing portion by the conveyance portion and is performed before the image forming operation is started.

Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis extending in an axis direction; a drum cleaner including a cleaning member cleaning a circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning housing accommodating transfer residual toner removed from the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum by the cleaning member; a first drum side plate supporting a first end portion of the photosensitive drum; a second drum side plate located distant from the first drum side plate in the axis direction and supporting a second end portion of the photosensitive drum; a pipe located between the first drum side plate and the second drum side plate in the axis direction and extending in the axis direction; and a conveyor device conveying the transfer residual toner from the cleaning housing to the pipe.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including a mounting portion, a drive transmission member provided on the apparatus body, and a cover portion configured to cover the drive transmission member. The mounting portion is configured to accommodate a cartridge including an input coupling portion and an input gear portion. The drive transmission member includes an output coupling portion configured to engage with the input coupling portion, and an output gear portion configured to engage with the input gear portion. The cover portion is located between the mounting portion and the drive transmission member and includes a first opening configured to expose the output coupling portion, and a second opening configured to expose the output gear portion.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes a developing cartridge, a photosensitive drum, a drawer and a driving portion. The developing cartridge includes: a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a casing; a first cam positioned at one end of the casing in the first direction; and a pressing surface pivotable in accordance with pivotal movement of the first cam. The drawer includes: a drawer frame to which the developing cartridge is detachably attachable; and a depressed surface with which the pressing surface is contactable. The driving portion is configured to pivotally move the first cam about an axis extending in the first direction. The pressing surface is configured to contact the depressed surface to move the developing roller from a contacting position in contact with the photosensitive drum to a separated position in separation from the photosensitive drum by the pivotal movement of the first cam.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including a developer that performs development with toner, the image forming apparatus including a vibrator that applies vibrations to a vibrated portion of the developer, and a hardware processor that controls the vibrator. The hardware processor determines a toner leakage level based on a result of detecting toner leakage adhering to a sheet caused by the image forming apparatus, settles a vibrating condition of the vibrator in accordance with the toner leakage level, and causes the vibrator to perform a vibrating operation under the settled vibrating condition.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge. The drum cartridge may include a first handle positioned at a first end of a frame of the drum cartridge. The developing cartridge may include a second handle positioned at a first end of a developing casing the developing cartridge. The main casing may include a first edge surface in the axial direction and a second edge surface opposite the first edge surface in the axial direction. The second handle may extend farther from the second edge surface than the first handle extends from the second edge surface in the axial direction in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main casing.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum is rotatably supported in a main body. A developing cartridge is detachably mountable on the main body in a state where the photosensitive drum is supported in the main body. The developing cartridge includes a developing device and a frame. The developing device includes a developing roller disposed in confrontation with the photosensitive drum to supply developer to the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted in the main body, and a developer-accommodating portion configured to accommodate developer. The frame includes a waste-developer-accommodating portion configured to accommodate waste developer and supports the developing device that is movable relative to the frame. The frame is disposed on an opposite side of the developing roller from the photosensitive drum. An urging member is disposed between the frame and the developing device to urge the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first urging member including a first end portion and a second end portion positioned on an opposite side of the first end portion, the first urging member configured to urge a first pressing member to a first pressing position, and a second urging member including a third end portion and a fourth end portion, the second urging member configured to urge a second pressing member to a second pressing position. The second end portion is arranged more distant from the first pressing member than the first end portion and is arranged between the first pressing member and the second pressing member in an axial direction, and the fourth end portion is arranged more distant from the second pressing member than the third end portion and is arranged between the first pressing member and the second pressing member in the axial direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a photosensitive member, a developing device including a developing roller, pressing members configured to engage with the developing device and springs configured to urge the pressing members. In some examples, each of the pressing members may be configured to contact and move the developing device between various positions based on the urging of the springs. Additionally or alternatively, various ends of a contact surface of the developing roller configured to contact developer may be disposed relative to an axis line of the developing roller and pressing surfaces of the pressing members.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a tray movable between a housed position and a drawn-out position. The tray includes a frame having two side portions extending in a moving direction of the tray and to which a developing cartridge is detachably attachable, an image bearing member supported by the frame so as to face a developer bearing member when the developing cartridge is attached to the frame, a charging unit, a tray-side metal terminal electrically connected to a memory medium when the developing cartridge is attached to the frame, and a tray guide portion provided on the two side portions along a moving direction of the tray. A body-side metal terminal is provided in a body, which includes a rail portion to face the tray guide portion and enable the tray to move. The tray-side metal terminal contacts the body-side metal terminal at a position below the tray guide portion.

Abstract: An image forming device, including: a housing; a drawer movable between an inside position at which the drawer is located inside the housing and an outside position at which the drawer is located outside the housing; a drum cartridge including a photoconductive drum and a developer roller and mountable on the drawer; a toner cartridge storing toner to be supplied to the developer roller and mountable on the drawer, wherein the drawer includes a first guide that guides the toner cartridge in mounting the toner cartridge on the drawer, and wherein the drum cartridge includes a second guide connected to the first guide in a state in which the drum cartridge is mounted on the drawer, the second guide being configured to guide the toner cartridge in mounting the toner cartridge on the drawer in the state in which the drum cartridge is mounted on the drawer.

Abstract: A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus and settable in a developer receiving apparatus by a setting operation including at least a rotation toward a setting position, includes a containing portion for containing the developer; a rotatable discharging member for discharging the developer out of said containing portion; drive transmitting means, engageable with a driving gear provided in said developer receiving apparatus and rotatable in a direction opposite the setting direction, for transmitting a rotating force from said driving gear to said discharging member.

Abstract: A toner supplying apparatus used in an image forming apparatus is provided. The toner supply apparatus includes a plurality of toner containers, a plurality of fixing members, an operating member, and a driving force. Each of the plurality of toner containers includes a fixing recess. The plurality of fixing members are to be selectively coupled to the fixing recesses of the plurality of toner containers. The operating member is to slide with respect to the plurality of toner containers, and to operate at least one of the plurality of fixing members to separate the operated fixing members from the coupled fixing recess. The driving device is to move the operating member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor unit, a developing device, a space maintaining device, a pressing device, a securing device, and at least one connecting device. The photoconductor unit includes a photoconductor and a first part. The developing device includes a developing roller and a second part. The space maintaining device has a third part, is provided in the photoconductor unit or the developing device, and is brought into contact with the first part or the second part at the third part so as to maintain a space between the developing roller and the photoconductor. The pressing device presses the developing device toward the photoconductor unit. The securing device is removable. The at least one connecting device secures the photoconductor unit and the developing device by using the securing device so as to connect the photoconductor unit and the developing device to each other.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a container having an opening, a flexible bag in which toner is received, a sealing portion configured to seal the flexible bag, and an extension extending from an edge of the sealing portion, the flexible bag being accommodated in the container so that the sealing portion faces the opening, a rotatable member rotatably provided on the container, a movable member connected to the extension and being movable from a first position close to the opening to a second position far from the opening in a longitudinal direction of the container, a rope having a first end portion connected to the rotatable member and a second end portion connected to the movable member, and a bias member configured to elastically bias the rotatable member to rotate in a direction in which the rope is switched from an unwound state to a wound state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing; a drum cartridge; a developing cartridge; a drawer movable between an inner position and an outer position; and a lock member provided on the drawer and movable between a lock position at which the lock member locks the drum cartridge to the drawer, and a release position at which a lock between the drum cartridge and the drawer is released. The lock member includes an operation portion for moving the lock member between the lock position and the release position. The developing cartridge includes a cover member that covers at least a portion of the operation portion in a state in which the drum cartridge is mounted to the drawer, and the developing cartridge is mounted to the drum cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a first cartridge detachably attached to the apparatus body, a second cartridge detachably attached to the apparatus body in a state where the first cartridge has been attached to the apparatus body, a guide unit configured to guide the first cartridge, and a drawer member configured to be inserted to and drawn out of the apparatus body in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The drawer member is inserted to the apparatus body in a state supporting the second cartridge. The first cartridge includes an engagement portion and the second cartridge includes an engaged portion, and the second cartridge is supported by the first cartridge via engagement of the engagement portion and the engaged portion.

Abstract: A developing roller and a photosensitive drum are aligned in a second direction different from a first direction. A toner storage portion stores toner to be supplied to the photosensitive drum by the developing roller. A waste-toner storage portion stores toner conveyed through a conveyance pipe. The waste-toner storage portion has a main portion and a protruding portion protruding from the main portion in the first direction. A drum cartridge has a guide portion configured to guide the protruding portion of the waste-toner storage portion when a developing cartridge is being mounted on the drum cartridge. The guide portion includes first and second guides. The first guide extends in a third direction different from the first and second directions. The second guide continues from the first guide and is located closer to the photosensitive drum than the first guide is. The second guide extends in the second direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a first photosensitive drum, a first developing roller, a first shifting member movable between a contacting position and a separating position, a motor, a first joint, a first clutch operable in one of a transmittable condition and a discontinuing condition, a first shifting cam rotatable between a first position, in which the first shifting cam locates the first shifting member at the contacting position, and a second position, in which the first shifting cam locates the first shifting member at the separating position, and a first switching cam rotatable between a third position, in which the first switching cam places the first clutch in the transmittable condition, and a fourth position, in which the first switching cam places the first clutch in the discontinuing condition, alongside the first shifting cam rotating between the first position and the second position, is provided.

Abstract: A bearing component for rotatably receiving a rotating shaft on an end of a rotating unit includes a component body, an inner protrusion, and one or more outer protrusions. The component body has a recess into which the rotating shaft is rotatably inserted. The inner protrusion protrudes from a wall portion of the recess facing an end surface of the rotating shaft. The inner protrusion receives an axial load by the rotating shaft. The outer protrusions protrude from an outer surface of the component body opposite to the recess. The one or more outer protrusions are in contact with a holding unit. A contact portion between the outer protrusions and the holding unit is offset from a contact portion position between the inner protrusion and the end surface. The contact portion between at least one of the outer protrusions and the holding unit has a non-planar shape.

Abstract: To develop a conventional structure of a toner cartridge. The toner cartridge includes a container and an open/close member. The container includes an accommodating portion for accommodating toner, and a discharge opening. The open/close member includes a closing portion for closing the discharge opening, and a closing force receiving portion. The open/close member a movable relative to the container between a closing position for causing the closing portion to the close the discharge opening and an opening position for causing the closing portion to open the discharge opening. The open/close member including a leading end portion and a trailing end portion which are on downstream and upstream sides of the open/close member with respect to a closing direction in which the open/close member moves to close the discharge opening, respectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having first, second, and third photosensitive drums, a first developing cartridge including a first developing roller, a second developing cartridge including a second developing roller, a third developing cartridge including a third developing roller, an exposure device, a conveyer, and a moving mechanism, is provided. The first developing roller, the second developing roller, and the third developing roller are arranged in the recited order from upstream to downstream in a moving direction for the sheet to be conveyed. When the second developing roller is at the separated position thereof, the second developing cartridge coincides with a light path of the laser beam for scanning the first photosensitive drum. When the third developing roller is at the separated position thereof, the third developing cartridge coincides with a light path of the laser beam for scanning the second photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A container mounting structure includes a container, a container mounting portion, and a regulating section. The container has an opening, extends in one direction, and contains powder. When the container disposed at a predetermined temporarily placed position is rotated in a circumferential direction of the container, the container is mounted to the container mounting portion and the opening of the container is, with the container mounting portion, caused to be exposed. The regulating section regulates the rotation of the container in the circumferential direction in a case where the container is disposed at a position deviated from the temporarily placed position.

Abstract: A powder container is for use with an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus includes a driving protrusion that is rotatable and that protrudes toward an upstream side in an insertion direction in which the powder container is inserted. The powder container includes a container body to store powder, a cap attached to the container body, and a transmitted structure provided on the cap to contact the driving protrusion. The transmitted structure extends outward from an outer circumference of the powder container. The cap is rotatable relative to the container body in a predetermined angular range. The rotation of the cap relative to the container body is restricted so that the container body rotates along with the rotation of the cap when the rotation of the cap exceeds the predetermined angular range.