Abstract: A cleaner assembly includes a cleaner blade having a cleaning edge in contact with a photoconductive drum for removing toner therefrom. An elongated seal extends along a length of the cleaner blade such that an opening for capturing toner removed from the photoconductive drum is formed between the cleaning edge and the elongated seal. The elongated seal includes a tab projecting across a longitudinal end section of the cleaner blade such that the tab is positioned between the cleaning edge and the photoconductive drum preventing contact between the cleaning edge and the photoconductive drum. A fabric seal is positioned in a portion of the opening formed between the cleaning edge and the elongated seal at the longitudinal end section of the cleaner blade. At least a portion of the fabric seal is positioned inboard of the tab of the elongated seal along the length of the cleaner blade.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with an image forming unit, including a photosensitive drum and an optical scanning device having a transparent window through which laser light that scans the photosensitive drum passes. The image forming apparatus further includes a cleaning mechanism configured to clean the transparent window and a controller unit configured to control the cleaning mechanism to clean the transparent window, wherein the controller unit controls the image forming unit to form an adjustment pattern on the photosensitive drum after the cleaning mechanism performs a cleaning operation for cleaning the transparent window.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly provided with an opening; a drawer movable while supporting an cartridge including a photosensitive drum between an inside position and an outside position; an optical unit in the main assembly to project light onto the drum a shutter member provided in the main assembly and movable between a closing position and an open position an operating portion to move the shutter member from the open position to the closing position in a process of movement of the drawer from the inside position to the outside position and to move the shutter member from the closing position to the open position in a process of movement of the drawer from the outside position to the inside position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a photoconductive member and a cleaning member arranged to face the photoconductive member at a cleaning position and configured to be applied with a cleaning bias to collect residual developing agent on the photoconductive member after the developed image is transferred. A controller of the image forming apparatus controls a transferring bias so that a transferring current representing a current flowing between the photoconductive member and a transferring member is controlled to become a target current value. Further, the controller calculates a cleaning position potential representing a surface potential of the photoconductive member at the facing position based on the transferring current and a charge potential representing a surface potential of the photoconductive member immediately after being charged by the charging device, and controls the cleaning bias based on the cleaning position potential as calculated.

Abstract: A protective layer forming device, including: a powdery image bearer protecting agent formed of a granulated product containing a fatty acid metal salt and an inorganic lubricant; and a roller-shaped protecting agent supplying member configured to supply the powdery image bearer protecting agent to a surface of an image bearer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a drawer accommodating a plurality of photosensitive drums. The photosensitive drums are arranged in an arrangement direction. A supporting member is configured to support the drawer, inside the casing, such that the drawer is movable, in the arrangement direction, between an accommodated position and an exposed position at which the drawer is partially protruded outside the casing. A belt is arranged to convey the sheet, and has a stretched surface extending in the arrangement direction and facing the photosensitive drums. A registration roller pair serves to adjust an orientation of the sheet conveyed from the sheet feed tray and conveys the sheet through a nip between the first registration roller and the second registration roller toward the stretched surface of the belt. The registration roller pair is integrally secured to the drawer so as to be movable in the arrangement direction together with the drawer.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaner, a plurality of cleaning sub-units, a sub-unit holder, a detachable transmission assembly, and a plurality of joint couplers. The cleaner scrapes off adhered material from a surface of a cleaning target while contacting the surface of the cleaning target. The cleaning sub-units each includes a holder to hold the cleaner and a drive-receive rotator to receive a driving force. The sub-unit holder holds the cleaning sub-units. The detachable transmission assembly includes a driving-force receive rotator to receive a driving force from an external unit and a plurality of drive transmission rotators to transmit the driving force received by the driving-force receive rotator to the drive-receive rotators of the cleaning sub-units. The joint couplers mounted on the drive-receive rotators and the drive transmission rotators couple the drive-receive rotators with the drive transmission rotators in a rotation axial direction.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressuring rotator, a pressing member, a heat source, a supporting member, and an end cap. The fixing belt is rotatably provided. The pressuring rotator is rotatably provided, and comes into pressure contact with the fixing belt to form a fixing nip between the fixing belt and the pressuring rotator. The pressing member presses the fixing belt from inside toward the pressuring rotator. The heat source is disposed outside of the fixing belt, and heats the fixing belt. The supporting member faces the heat source across the fixing belt, and supports the fixing belt from inside. The end cap is mounted to an end part in the direction of a rotation axis of the fixing belt, and is rotatably supported by the supporting member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a belt unit that includes a belt-shaped image carrier stretched around and driven to rotate by a plurality of rollers; a belt tensioning unit that includes a tensioning member that is brought into contact with an image carrying surface of the belt-shaped image carrier and applies tension to the belt-shaped image carrier; and a cleaning unit that includes a cleaning member that is brought into contact with the image carrying surface of the belt-shaped image carrier and cleans the image carrying surface. The cleaning unit is supported by the belt tensioning unit in an attachable and detachable manner.

Abstract: An improved laser print cartridge having a reduced defect rate. The improved laser print cartridge includes a printing assembly, a primary cleaning assembly, and a paper cleaning assembly. The printing assembly includes a drum, a primary charge roller, and a toner roller for applying toner to printer paper. The primary cleaning assembly includes a wiper blade for removing large debris particles from the drum into a large particle receiving volume. The paper cleaning assembly provides a wicking flange for removing smaller particles of debris not removed by the wiper blade. As such, the wicking flange is positioned in between the wiper blade and the primary charge roller and is mounted to the wiper blade. A cleaning portion of the wicking flange is pressed against the drum and either absorbs the debris or wipes the debris into a small particle receiving volume delineated by the drum, wicking flange, and wiper blade.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a belt unit having a belt and a belt cleaning unit; a waste toner container; and a supporting member supporting the waste toner container and a cartridge storing toner supplied to a photosensitive member. The supporting member in the main casing is movable between a contact position where the photosensitive member contacts the belt and a separation position where the photosensitive member separates from the belt. One of the waste toner container and the belt cleaning unit is movable between a connected position providing connection to each other and a disconnected position providing disconnection from each other when the support member is in the contact position. The supporting member moves between the contact position and the separation position when one of the waste toner container and the belt cleaning unit is in the disconnected position.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes an apparatus main body with a wall portion, a sheet conveyance path, a conveyor roller pair, an opening/closing unit and a cleaning unit. The conveyor roller pair includes a first roller and a second roller. The opening/closing unit is openable and closable relative to the apparatus main body. The opening/closing unit defines a part of the sheet conveyance path and brings the first roller into contact with the second roller in a closed state. The opening/closing unit separates the first roller from the second roller in an open state. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning member and a support frame. The cleaning member cleans a surface of the second roller. The support frame supports the cleaning member and moves the cleaning member toward and away from the surface of the second roller in association with the movements of the opening/closing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having a first opening on a first side, a cover, movable between an open position and a closed position, a plurality of photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a plurality of primary transfer members, a secondary transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is removably installed in the chassis through the first opening and settled in a position opposite from the plurality of photosensitive members across the intermediate transfer belt, to store residual toner collected by the cleaner device, a connector, a first feeding path, a second feeding path, and a second feed roller. The second feed roller is rotatably supported by the cover and movable along with the cover to yield the first opening to the waste toner container when the cover is in the open position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a lubricant applying member located opposite a contact portion of a cleaning blade with an image bearing member below in the vertical direction, an opposed position of the lubricant applying member opposite the contact portion of the cleaning blade with the image bearing member below in the vertical direction being located upstream of a contact position of the lubricant applying member with a cleaning member in the rotational direction of the lubricant applying member, and a carrying member configured to carry the toner removed from the lubricant applying member, the carrying member being disposed at a position on a tangent to an outer circumference of the lubricant applying member at a contact position with the cleaning member and on a vertical line extending from a contact position of the lubricant applying member with a solid lubricant member.

Abstract: A cleaning device, which is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, includes a fixing portion provided at a frame member, a cleaning member fixed to the fixing portion for removing a developer from an image bearing member, the cleaning member including a blade portion configured to contact the image bearing member and a flexible support member for supporting the blade portion, a container formed by the frame member and configured to contain the developer removed from the image bearing member, and a restricting member configured to engage with the support member and being capable of restricting the support member from being deformed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is movable along a predetermined direction to be removably installed in the chassis through the opening and stores residual toner, a connector, and a feed roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet in the feeding path. The feed roller is arranged in a position to at least partially fall within a vertical range of the waste toner container and to be aligned with the waste toner container along an axial direction of the second feed roller.

Abstract: A cleaning unit includes a cleaning member, a storage case, and a transport member. The cleaning member collects waste toner on a surface of the photoconductive drum. The storage case successively stores the waste toner collected by the cleaning member through an inlet. The transport member is provided in the storage case, and rotates to transport the waste toner in the storage case in a rotary axis direction. The transport member rotates with a central portion in the rotary axis direction protruding toward the inlet further than both side portions.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a housing, a cleaning member, a contact member, a torque limiter, and an urging member. The housing has an opening that opposes an image carrier and a waste toner receiver. The cleaning member includes a rotation member that is rotated in a forward rotation direction. The cleaning member is positioned near the opening in the housing and removes residual toner from the surface of the image carrier. The contact member is positioned so as to be in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the rotation member. The torque limiter is located on a rotation shaft of the rotation member and is capable of rotating independently of the rotation shaft when a torque that is greater than or equal to a predetermined torque is applied to the torque limiter. The urging member applies an urging force to the torque limiter in a reverse rotation direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is configured to form an image by using photosensitive drums. The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an endless belt, a drawing member which rotatably supports cartridges, and is movable to a mounting position at which the photosensitive drums oppose the endless belt and to a separation position at which the photosensitive drums are further spaced from the endless belt than at the mounting position, and a cleaning unit including a first housing having a collecting member which is configured to contact the endless belt to collect developer on the endless belt and a second housing having an accommodating part which is configured to accommodate the developer collected by the collecting member. The first housing is provided to the apparatus main body and the second housing is provided to the drawing member.

Abstract: A belt device incorporatable in an image forming apparatus includes an endless belt, multiple belt tension rollers disposed in contact with an inner surface of the endless belt, a rotary cleaning member to contact a belt wound area of the endless belt facing an opposing roller to form a cleaning nip between the rotary cleaning member and the endless belt and rotate the rotary cleaning member in a direction opposite the belt moving direction within the cleaning nip, and a voltage applier. The cleaning nip is formed by offsetting a center of the cleaning nip upstream from a center of the belt wound area of the endless belt in the belt moving direction and by at least contacting the rotary cleaning member in a range from the belt wound area to a tensioned belt area located upstream from the belt wound area in the belt moving direction.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes: a cleaning rotating body 160; a scraping member 130; a toner restriction face 141; and a downstream side restriction portion 140. The cleaning rotating body 160 is arranged in sliding contact with the surface of the image carrying body 2. A front end portion 131 of the scraping member 130 is arranged in contact with or in proximity to a surface of the cleaning rotating body 160. The scraping member 130 is a plate-like member and includes a toner receiving face 133 to which the toner is carried from the front end portion 131. The toner restriction face 141 is arranged to be orthogonal to the toner receiving face 133. The downstream side restriction portion 140 restricts movement of the toner to a downstream side in a rotational direction of the cleaning rotating body 166.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier configured to carry thereon a developer image, an endless belt configured to be rotated while contacting the image carrier, a first cleaning roller having an outer surface made of semiconductor material and configured to electrically remove attachments attached on the endless belt, and a backup roller made of metal and arranged to oppose the first cleaning roller with the endless belt being interposed therebetween. The endless belt has a nip portion at which both the backup roller and the first cleaning roller contact the endless belt while opposing each other, and the first cleaning roller contacts the endless belt at a more upstream side than the nip portion in a moving direction of the endless belt.

Abstract: In connection with movement of an opening-closing member when a toner accommodating container is attached to the image forming apparatus, the urging direction of an urging member relative to the opening-closing member changes from a direction that causes the opening-closing member to close an opening portion to a direction that causes the opening-closing member to open the opening portion. By using the urging force of the urging member that acts in the direction that causes the opening-closing member to open the opening portion, the toner accommodating container is pulled into the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is movable along a predetermined direction to be removably installed in the chassis through the opening and stores residual toner, a connector, and a feed roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet in the feeding path. The feed roller is arranged in a position to at least partially fall within a vertical range of the waste toner container and to be aligned with the waste toner container along an axial direction of the second feed roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of reducing a space required to install a transfer unit to achieve a compact body size. The image forming apparatus can include a body, a frame installed in the body, a transfer unit installed inside the frame, and a waste toner recovery device to recover waste toner collected from the transfer unit. The waste toner recovery device can include a first delivery unit to deliver the waste toner in a first direction, and a second delivery unit to deliver the waste toner, delivered from the first delivery unit, in a second direction. The second delivery unit can be movably installed to the frame and can be coupled to or detached from the first delivery unit via movement thereof.

Abstract: A developer layer thickness regulating device includes a blade member for regulating a thickness of a layer of a developer on a surface of a developing roller rotatably supported by a developing container for accommodating the developer and includes a supporting member for supporting the blade member. The supporting member is capable of being fastened to a part of the developing container by a fastening member, and a position of the supporting member relative to a part of the developer container is adjustable with respect to a widthwise direction of the blade member, when the supporting member is fastened to the developing container by the fastening member, so as to fasten the blade member at a predetermined position relative to the developing container. The supporting member has a biting portion which is capable of biting into the part of the developing container when the supporting member is fastened by the fastening member.

Abstract: A detachable unit includes a detachable unit body to be attached to an image forming apparatus body such as to be detachable in a predetermined detachment direction, a grip part provided in the detachable unit body, and a latch portion provided in the detachable unit body, the latch portion being latched in a latched portion provided in the image forming apparatus body to restrict detachment of the detachable unit body from the image forming apparatus body in a state in which the detachable unit body is attached to the image forming apparatus body, and withdrawing from a latch position in the latched portion in conjunction with a pull-out operation of pulling out the grip part from the detachable unit body in the detachment direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member having a surface layer A having a surface hardness of 200 N/mm2 or greater, the surface layer A containing fillers made of a metal oxide and a cleaning blade having a reed-like elastic blade having a front edge portion to remove toner from the surface layer A in motion while the front edge portion is in contact with the surface layer A, the front edge portion having a laminate structure formed of a substrate of the elastic blade, a mixed layer of the substrate and an acrylic and/or methacrylic resin, the mixed layer having a thickness of 1.0 ?m or greater, and a surface layer B having an acrylic and/or methacrylic resin, the surface layer B having a thickness of 0.1 ?m or greater.

Abstract: A developer-adhesive body unit is detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus. The developer-adhesive body unit includes a developer-adhesive body having a surface to which a developer adheres, a cleaning member that removes the developer from the surface of the developer-adhesive body, a developer storage portion storing the removed developer, and a contact portion contacting the surface of the developer-adhesive body at an upstream side of the cleaning member in a moving direction of the surface of the developer-adhesive body. A contact-and-separation unit causes the surface of the developer-adhesive body and the contact portion to separate from each other when the developer-adhesive body unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus and the surface of the developer-adhesive body moves. The contact-and-separation unit causes the surface of the developer-adhesive body and the contact portion to contact each other when the developer-adhesive body unit is not mounted to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an improved configuration to prevent foreign substances from accumulating on a space maintaining member used to maintain a constant distance between a photoconductor and a developer delivery member. The image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a developer delivery member to deliver and feed developer to the photoconductor, a cleaning member to remove the developer and foreign substances remaining on a surface of the photoconductor while coming into contact with the photoconductor, and a space maintaining member arranged to come into contact with the photoconductor so as to maintain a constant developing gap or developing nip between the photoconductor and the developer delivery member. The space maintaining member is located between both ends of the cleaning member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit having a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; an intermediate transfer belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to receive developer images formed on the photoconductor drums and to transfer the developer images onto a recording sheet; a cleaning unit comprising a cleaning member positioned in contact with the intermediate transfer belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the intermediate transfer belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the intermediate transfer belt; and a support member configured to support the image forming unit and the cleaning unit and to be pulled out from a main body.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a heated drum within a continuous web printer includes operating an actuator to rotate a drum that is heated to a first temperature. The drum rotates in a process direction of a media web contacting the drum and heats the media web as the media web moves over a portion of the drum. The method also includes stopping movement of the media web, heating the drum to a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature, and operating the actuator to rotate the drum against a portion of the stopped media web to transfer ink from the drum to the portion of the stopped media web.

Abstract: In an image-forming device, a first roller and a second roller are arranged in a first direction, the first roller being disposed upstream of the second roller in the first direction. An endless belt spanned between the first roller and the second roller forms a straight plane extending in the first direction. The straight plane moves in the first direction when the endless belt is circularly moved. Photosensitive members are arranged in the first direction and face the straight plane. A transfer member is opposed to the first roller across the endless belt. A cleaning unit includes: a cleaning member opposed to the straight plane at an upstream of an upstream most photosensitive member in the first direction; and a treating member disposed upstream of the cleaning member in the first direction to treat residual toner collected by the cleaning member. A conveying path formed between the transfer member and a fixing member passes between the cleaning member and the treating member.

Abstract: A belt conveyor member includes an endless belt and a cleaning blade. The cleaning blade is configured to remove residual toner remaining on a surface of the endless belt which is processed into a smooth surface. The endless belt has a first region and a second region. The first region is a region in contact with the cleaning blade which is located outside a region for a recording sheet of a maximum usable width to pass therethrough. The second region is located outside the first region. A contact surface between the cleaning blade and the first region is in a rough condition free from intimate contact.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a communication interface unit that receives printing data, an image forming unit that performs an ordinary printing to form an image on printing paper based on the printing data, a paper supplying unit that provides the printing paper to the image forming unit along with a paper supplying route, a determination unit that determines whether a functional printing may be performed on the paper supplying route in an interval section between sheets of the printing paper, and a controller that controls the image forming unit to perform a functional printing, wherein the ordinary printing is a printing performed on one or more sheets of printing paper, and the functional printing is a printing performed in an interval section between the sheets of printing paper.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit including a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; a conveyor belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to convey a recording sheet; and a cleaning unit including a cleaning member positioned in contact with the conveyor belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the conveyor belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member. The cleaning member is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the conveyor belt and upstream from the image forming unit as viewed in a sheet conveyance direction along which the recording sheet is conveyed on the conveyor belt, and the image forming unit and the cleaning unit are pulled out together from a main body of the image forming apparatus toward an upstream side of the sheet conveyance direction.

Abstract: There is provided a cleaning device for removing residual toner on an image carrier. The cleaning device includes a housing to cover a specified region of an image carrier. A first cleaning section and a second cleaning section are respectively placed in upper and lower parts of the housing partitioned by a partition member. The first cleaning section includes a first cleaning brush and a first regulating member. The second cleaning section includes a second cleaning brush and a second regulating member. The partition member substantially extends in a continuous manner with respect to a horizontal direction from the specified region to at least a position equivalent to an end portion on a housing sidewall side of the first or the second regulating member. A clearance exists between the housing sidewall and an end portion on the housing sidewall side of the partition member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a belt unit having a belt and a belt cleaning unit; a waste toner container; and a supporting member supporting the waste toner container and a cartridge storing toner supplied to a photosensitive member. The supporting member in the main casing is movable between a contact position where the photosensitive member contacts the belt and a separation position where the photosensitive member separates from the belt. One of the waste toner container and the belt cleaning unit is movable between a connected position providing connection to each other and a disconnected position providing disconnection from each other when the support member is in the contact position. The supporting member moves between the contact position and the separation position when one of the waste toner container and the belt cleaning unit is in the disconnected position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a compact size in height. The apparatus includes a main frame, a plurality of image forming components arrayed in the main frame in an array direction to form an image, a belt extending in the array direction and in contact with the plurality of image forming components, a first sheet accommodating portion configured to accommodate therein a recording sheet, and extending in the array direction and positioned below the belt, a collection member disposed in contact with the belt and configured to collect developing agent on the belt, and a container configured to hold the developing agent collected by the collection member. The container is positioned below the belt such that the container is juxtaposed with the first sheet accommodating portion in the array direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly; a door openable relative to the main assembly; an image bearing member for bearing a toner image; a cleaning member for removing toner remaining on the image bearing member; a transfer member for transferring the toner image onto a sheet; a fixing member for fixing the toner image, transferred by the transfer member, on the sheet; a discharging member for discharging the sheet, on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing member, from the main assembly. The sheet remaining in the main assembly without being discharged by the discharging member is capable of being removed from a space formed by opening the door. The image forming apparatus further includes a spacer unit capable of moving the cleaning member toward and away from the image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having a first opening on a first side, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt arranged to have a surface thereof facing the photosensitive members, primary-transfer members, a secondary-transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is removably installed in the chassis through the first opening and settled in a position opposite from the photosensitive members across the intermediate transfer belt, a connector, a first feeding path extending in a range between the first feed roller and the secondary-transfer roller, and a second feeding path being formed in clearance between the intermediate transfer belt and the waste toner container to convey a recording sheet being inserted through a sheet inlet and merging into the first feeding path in the vicinity of the first feed roller.

Abstract: There are provided a focus adjusting apparatus and method in which a look of an image plane can be improved when an object area to be focused in the image plane is judged and focused prior to image-taking preparation operation. A first operation for determining the object area to be focused is performed prior to the image-taking preparation operation, and a second operation for performing the focus adjusting operation is performed at the time of the image-taking preparation operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having a first opening on a first side, a cover, movable between an open position and a closed position, a plurality of photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a plurality of primary-transfer members, a secondary-transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is removably installed in the chassis through the first opening and settled in a position opposite from the plurality of photosensitive members across the intermediate transfer belt, to store residual toner collected by the cleaner device, a connector, a first feeding path, a second feeding path, and a second feed roller. The second feed roller is rotatably supported by the cover and movable along with the cover to yield the first opening to the waste toner container when the cover is in the open position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, primary-transfer members, a secondary-transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is movable along the predetermined direction to be removably installed in the chassis through a first opening and stores residual toner, a connector, a first feeding path, a second feeding path being a path for a recording sheet inserted through a sheet inlet and includes a sheet guide to guide the recording sheet, and a second feed roller. The second feed roller is movable along with at least a part of the sheet guide. The waste toner container is movable through space, which is occupied by the second feed roller in an upper position, and the first opening when the second feed roller is in a lower position.

Abstract: A cleaning device including: multiple cleaning members arranged consecutively in a direction of movement of a cleaning target to remove adhered substances from the cleaning target; multiple casings to individually hold and at least partially enclose the multiple cleaning members, respectively, the casings and the cleaning members together constituting multiple sub-units; and a sub-unit holder to hold the multiple sub-units, from which the sub-units are individually removable.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes photosensitive drums arranged parallel to each other and extending in a first direction; developing units corresponding to the photosensitive drums; a belt in contact with the photosensitive drums and moving in a second direction crossing the first direction; a cleaner for cleaning waste toner on the belt; a first conveying unit extending in the first direction; a second conveying unit extending in the first direction separately from the first conveying unit in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions; and a connecting unit connecting the first and second conveying units. The toner is conveyed by the first conveying unit to pass through the connecting unit, and conveyed by the second conveying unit. One of the developing units includes a toner container. The connecting unit is positioned on one end side of the photosensitive drums and overlaps the container in the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming device including an accommodating member, a moving section, a driving section, a transmitting section, and first and second switching sections. The accommodating member is movable between an accommodating position and a pulled-out position. A charger includes a charging wire and a wire cleaner movable therealong. The moving section is configured to move the wire cleaner. The driving section is configured to generate a drive force to move the moving section. The transmitting section is movable to one of a first path on which the transmitting section is drivingly connected to the driving section and a second path on which the transmitting section is disconnected from the driving section. The transmitting section is configured to transmit the drive force from the driving section to the moving section when the transmitting section is moved to the first path. The first switching section is configured to switch a position of the transmitting section from the second path to the first path.

Abstract: A cleaning blade mounting method includes the steps of: moving a toner image carrier on which a toner layer is formed so that the toner layer reaches a cleaning position by a cleaning device; after bringing a tip of a cleaning blade into contact with the toner layer, bringing the tip into contact with the toner image carrier, mounting the cleaning blade to a temporary position with a second load lower than a first load that is a contact load at a time of an image formation; moving the cleaning blade with the second load from the temporary position to a final position at which a cleaning operation is carried out; bringing the cleaning blade with the first load into contact with the toner image carrier; and mounting the cleaning blade to the final position at the time of the image formation.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus defined herein, in case the opening/closing member is rotationally moved from the opened position toward the normal position, when the detachable body main unit is at a restricted position between the attached position and the separated position, the restricting portion is contacted with the restricted portion to be moved between the opening/closing member and the detachable body main unit, so as to restrict a rotational movement of the opening/closing member to the normal position, and, when the detachable body main unit is at the attached position, the restricting portion and the restricted portion that is being rotated are separated from each other to enable the opening/closing member to be rotationally moved to the normal position, and, in case the opening/closing member is moved to the normal position, the restricted portion is housed in a space between the detachable body main unit and the opening/closing member.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum cartridge and an image forming apparatus including the photosensitive drum cartridge are provided. The photosensitive drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a primary cleaning roller which is configured to contact a surface of the photosensitive drum to remove an attached matter on the surface of the photosensitive drum; a first gear which is configured to rotate together with the photosensitive drum; a second gear which is configured to rotate together with the primary cleaning roller; and a third gear which is configured to mesh with the first gear and the second gear, and which has a rotation axis, a position of which is fixed such that a distance from a rotation axis of the first gear is constant.