| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 399114000 | Including cover | 60 |
| 20080205930 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, an exposing unit, a developing unit, an intermediate transfer unit, and a cleaning unit, arranged opposite to each other along a rotating direction of the photosensitive drum in an enclosure that has an opening opposite to a developing roller of the developing unit. An extended line connecting a tangent line to an outer circumference of the developing roller and a wall of a first end of the enclosure in an axial direction of the developing roller does not intersect with a wall of a second end of the enclosure. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080219696 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a holding member and a supporting member coupled to the holding member. The holding member includes photosensitive drums and is configured to hold toner cartridges disposed in association with the photosensitive drums in a detachable manner and to move between a storage position in which the holding member is accommodated in the apparatus body and a replacement position. The supporting member is configured to support light source arrays in association with the photosensitive drums, to cover the holding member, to move between a retaining position where the light source arrays are positioned relative to the photosensitive drums and a withdrawn position where the light source arrays are withdrawn from the photosensitive drums, and to move to the withdrawn position in a different direction than the direction in which the holding member is moved to the replacement position. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080219697 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus has a holding member having a plurality of photosensitive drums and configured to hold a plurality of toner cartridges in a detachable manner. The holding member is coupled to an apparatus body in a tiltable manner between a storage position where the holding member is disposed in the apparatus body substantially horizontally and a replacement position where the holding member is raised from the apparatus body substantially vertically. A top cover supports a plurality of light source arrays in association with the photosensitive drums and is coupled to the apparatus body in a tiltable manner between a closed position where the light source arrays are positioned with respect to photosensitive drums and an open position where the light source arrays are withdrawn from the photosensitive drums. The top cover tilts in a different direction from a direction that the holding member tilts. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080226339 | Image Forming Apparatus and Cartridge for the Use Therewith - An image forming apparatus and a cartridge for use therewith are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body; a cartridge that stores a developer; and a supporting member that receives the cartridge, the supporting member being rotatably supported by the main body. The supporting member pivots between a reception position at which the cartridge is received into the main body and an exposure position at which the cartridge is exposed from the main body. The cartridge includes an inner chassis; an outer chassis comprising a shutter member; a first protrusion provided at one of the inner and outer chassis; and a second protrusion provided at the other chassis, wherein the first and second protrusions engage with the image forming apparatus, such that one is moved and the other is regulated, based on a position of the cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080232846 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a case comprising an opening for feeding a recording sheet into an interior of the case; a cover comprising an actuator unit, the cover capable of being moved between a closed state in which the cover closes the opening, and an open state in which the cover is displaced forward in a conveying direction of the recording sheet so as to open the opening to the interior of the case, and the actuator unit indicating a displacement of the cover; and a detection unit which detects whether the cover is in the open state or the closed state based on the displacement of the actuator. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080232847 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus has an image bearing member and a main body with an internal conveyance path for conveying a transfer material. An opening/closing member is attached to the main body and is displaceable between a closed position and an opened position where the conveyance path is exposed. A cover is set to cover a part of the image bearing member facing the conveyance path when the opening/closing member is open and is retracted from the conveyance path when the opening/closing member is closed. A moving mechanism slides the cover. Front and rear frames are held movably by the moving mechanism and are attached respectively to front and rear edges of the cover in a sliding direction. A tension applying mechanism acts on the frames to apply tension to the cover in the sliding direction during a sliding movement of the cover. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080240776 | Cartridge and Image Forming Device - A cartridge according to one aspect of the invention is detachably attachable to a main body including a first terminal. The cartridge comprises: a case; a memory device configured to store information concerning the cartridge; a cover member configured to cover a part of the case and movably supported on the case to allow a relative movement to the case; and a second terminal provided at the cover member and electrically connected to the memory device. In a state where the cartridge is attached to the main body, the second terminal contacts with the first terminal of the main body. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080253802 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a sheet conveyor and a main body that houses the image forming unit and the sheet conveyor. An operating unit is mounted to a front cover that can move between a closed position to cover an anterior side of the main body and an open position to expose a part of the main body. A retention mechanism retains the front cover at the closed position. The retention mechanism has a lock and a release. The lock is supported by one of the apparatus main body and the front cover and is selectively engageable with and detachable from the other. The release releases engagement of the lock, and is installed posterior to the operating unit in a region facing a back surface as viewed from an opening and closing direction of the front cover. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080253803 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a drum unit having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a developing unit rotatably connected with the drum unit at a center of rotation, the developing unit including a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer, a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer, a supply opening, extending in an axial direction of the developing roller, for supplying the developer to the developing roller from the developer accommodating portion; wherein the rotation axis is within a width of the sealing member as seen in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the sealing member. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080260421 | Developer Cartridge, Developing Device and Image Forming Apparatus - A developer cartridge includes a cartridge cabinet that accommodates developer and includes an opening for enabling communication between an inside of the cartridge cabinet and an outside of the cartridge cabinet, a shutter that opens and closes the opening, and a cover that is arranged outside the cartridge cabinet and is movable between a closed position for closing the opening and an opened position for opening the opening, the opened position being located lower than the closed position, wherein the cover is movable such that a first end of the cover is in intimate contact with the cartridge cabinet while a second end of the cover is separated from the cartridge cabinet, the first end being farthest from the opening in the cover located in the opened position, and the second end being nearest to the opening in the cover located in the opened position. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080286002 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided with a box-shaped apparatus main body internally including an image forming assembly and a sheet feeding assembly, an apparatus front cover located on the front surface of the apparatus main body and having a plurality of unit cover members that can be opened forward and are vertically arranged one above the other, and grips provided on the respective cover members and used to open the unit cover members. The apparatus front cover has a rectangular shape when the front surface of the apparatus main body is viewed from front, and includes a projecting flat surface projecting forward from the peripheral edges of the apparatus front cover and inclined surfaces formed to extend from the left, right and upper sides of the projecting flat surface toward the peripheral edges of the apparatus front cover. The grips are vertically arranged on the projecting flat surface. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080298835 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND DETACHABLE BODY - An image forming apparatus includes a detachable-body mounted member, a detachable body and a sealing portion. The detachable-body mounted member includes a first opening and a first opening-and-closing member that opens and closes the first opening. The detachable body includes a second opening and a second opening-and-closing member. When the detachable body is attached, the second opening allows developer to flow into the first opening. The second opening-and-closing member opens and closes the second opening. When the detachable body is being attached or detached, the sealing portion seals a gap between (i) a front end face of the second opening forming member and (ii) a rear end face of the first opening-and-closing member. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080310882 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit, comprising a first image bearing member, detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus; a second image forming unit, comprising a second image bearing member, detachably mountable to the apparatus main assembly; a transfer device for transferring a toner image formed on the first image bearing member and a toner image formed on the second image bearing member onto a transfer medium; an opening through which the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit are passable during mounting and demounting operations; an openable member movable to an open position and a close position; and a guide portion for guiding at least one of the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit to be mounted in and demounted from the apparatus main assembly when the openable member is located in the open position. The guide portion is provided so that at least a part thereof enters a space between the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit when the openable member is located in the open position. The guide portion is provided so that at least a part thereof enters a space between the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit when the openable member is located in the close position. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080317500 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A process cartridge unit and an image forming apparatus having the same. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, a process cartridge unit removably mounted in the main body, an opening provided in the main body to permit the process cartridge unit to be installed or removed, and a cover rotatably mounted to the main body so as to expose or shield the opening. The process cartridge unit includes a container to store a developer and at least one knob coupled to the container. When the cover is closed, the knob is folded by the cover, and when the cover is opened, the knob is unfolded. Accordingly, since the position of the knob is changed, a mounting space of the process cartridge unit can be decreased, and a user can easily grasp the knob. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090047038 | Medium supply device and image forming apparatus - A medium supply device includes a placing portion for placing a medium; a medium supply unit for picking up at least one medium urged against the medium supply unit from the placing portion; a cover member disposed to be movable; and a regulating member attached to the cover member for separating the placing portion from the medium supply unit when the cover member moves. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090060570 | IMAGING CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An imaging cartridge has a process unit and a toner box unit formed by integrating a new toner box and a waste toner box. The toner box unit is attachable to and detachable from the process unit. Shutters which open and close a connecting section between the new toner box and a developing device included in the process unit can be opened by manual operation when the toner box unit is attached to the process unit. Shutters and which open and close a connecting section between a cleaning device included in the process unit and the waste toner box are opened when the imaging cartridge is in the process of being moved to a prescribed position in an apparatus body. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090080935 | Protection cover, and process cartridge and image forming apparatus using the same - A protection cover includes a cover base that covers and protects an external exposure portion of a photosensitive member and that comes into contact with an image forming apparatus housing body to movably guide a process cartridge; an extrusion member that is disposed in the cover base on a side opposite to an insertion direction of the process cartridge to the image forming apparatus housing body and that moves in the insertion direction of the process cartridge to extrude the process cartridge from the cover base; and a restriction portion that is disposed in the extrusion member to restrict the process cartridge in the cover base in a state where the process cartridge is located in the cover base and to release the process cartridge from the cover base in a state where the process cartridge is inserted and mounted to the image forming apparatus housing body. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090142095 | OPERATIONS-UNIT ANGLE ADJUSTING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is an operations-unit angle adjusting device having an operations unit supported so as to freely move in a vertical direction and an adjusting mechanism that changes the vertical angle of the operations unit. The adjusting mechanism has a shaft part that supports the operations unit so as to freely move in the vertical direction, an operating lever that is supported so as to freely move in the vertical direction, and an opening/closing piece that operates simultaneously with vertical movements of the operating lever to perform an opening/closing operation. The opening/closing piece has an engaging part that is engaged with an engaged part provided in the apparatus main body to restrict vertical movements of the operations unit when the opening/closing piece is closed and that is disengaged from the engaged part to allow the vertical movements of the operations unit when the opening/closing piece is opened. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090162095 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090169249 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes: a housing including a photosensitive member and having an opening at an upper portion of the housing; an upper cover connected to the housing at one end of the upper cover via a hinge and configured to move between an opened state and a closed state; an exposure unit supported by the upper cover and configured to face the photosensitive member when the upper cover is in the closed state; and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism is releasable by lifting the upper cover so that the upper cover becomes to the opened state. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090269100 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a casing, a photosensitive unit removably mountable in the casing, and a protective member. The photosensitive unit includes a plurality of photosensitive members. The protective member is removably attached to the photosensitive unit and includes: a covering plate which opposes the plurality of photosensitive members to cover the plurality of photosensitive members when protecting the photosensitive members; a written part arranged on the covering plate, and including operation information related to the image forming apparatus written thereon; and a support part which supports the photosensitive unit so that the photosensitive members and the covering plate are separated by an interval when protecting the photosensitive members. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090269101 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a main body having an opening; a photoconductor unit including a photoconductor and removably mountable to the main body through the opening by moving the photoconductor unit in a first direction; an exposure member; and a moving mechanism configured to move the exposure member to and away from the photoconductor The moving mechanism includes: a fixed shaft having an axial line thereof fixed relative to the main body; a first arm comprising one end portion thereof which is supported rotatably around the axial line of the fixed shaft; a movable shaft having an axial line thereof which is movable relative to the main body; and a second arm comprising: one end portion supporting the exposure member; and another end portion connected to the first arm via the movable shaft, and the second arm being swingable around the axial line of the movable shaft. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090297219 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A member for performing separation holding of a developing roller of a process cartridge is provided at a position opposite from a photosensitive drum with respect to a swing center. A detachably mountable protective cover is mounted to the process cartridge and a projection of the protective cover is inserted between the photosensitive drum and a developing device frame which supports the developing roller. The projection of the protective cover is inserted in a non-contact state with the photosensitive drum and the developing device frame. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20100003050 | COVER OPENING/CLOSING STRUCTURE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In an image forming apparatus, a cover opening/closing structure includes a first cover and a second cover which are rotatably attached to a main body. A rotation locus of an end part of the second cover interferes with a rotation locus of an end part of the first cover. At least one of the first cover and the second cover includes an operating surface which, when the second cover is rotated from a closed position toward an open position in a half-opened state of the first cover in which the end part of the first cover interferes with the rotation locus of the end part of the second cover, receives a pressing force in a direction causing the first cover to become either one of an open position and a closed position by the end part of the first cover contacting the end part of the second cover. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100021202 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to perform printing and an initializing process, a casing formed with an opening and accommodating the image forming unit, a cover configured to open and close the opening, a detecting unit configured to detect whether the cover is in an opened state or a closed state, a measuring unit configured to measure an opening degree of the cover in the opened state, and a controller configured to control, when the detecting unit detects that the cover is changed from the closed state to the open sate and returned to the closed state, an initializing process of the image forming unit according to the opening degree of the cover in the opened state. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100034558 | RECORDING APPARATUS - An apparatus includes a carriage on which a head is removably mounted, a cover on the carriage configured to be movable to a first position where the head is fixed to the carriage and to a second position where the head can be removed from the carriage, and a lever configured to press the head mounted on the carriage by rotating with the cover pushed by a part of the cover when the cover is moved from the first position to the second position, wherein a rotational axis of the lever and a rotational axis of the cover are coaxial with each other. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100054799 | COVERING MEMBER AND CARTRIDGE - 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. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054800 | Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge - An image forming apparatus includes: a main body; a process frame that is removably installed into the main body; and a process cartridge that is detachably installed in the process frame; the process cartridge including: a photosensitive member; and a shutter member that is configured to be movable between a closed position where the photosensitive member is covered and an open position where the photosensitive member is exposed, wherein the shutter member moves from the closed position to the open position as the process frame is operated to be installed into the main body. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100054801 | Image forming apparatus having a single device for detecting when covers of the apparatus are all closed - An image forming apparatus employs a device that detects the opening and closing of covers. Two covers are pivotally mounted to a body of the image forming apparatus, each of the two covers being movable either to its opening position to open with respect to the image forming apparatus or to its closing position to close with respect to the image forming apparatus. A movable member is positioned at a first position when both the two covers are at their opening positions. A micro switch detects whether the two covers are closed or opened with respect to the image forming apparatus. When one of the two covers has moved to its closing position causing the movable member to move to a second position and the other of the two covers is at its closing position, the detector detects that the two covers are closed. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100080620 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus which forms an image with an image forming section includes: a casing in which the image forming section is arranged; a cover which is displaceably attached to the casing; a first elastic portion which is elastically deformable, and which is provided on one of the casing and the cover, the first elastic portion having an engage-objective portion which is engageable with an engaging portion provided on the other of the casing and the cover; and a second elastic portion which is elastically deformable, and which applies, to the first elastic portion, a force in a direction returning the first elastic portion to an original state when the first elastic portion is deformed. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100080621 | Process Cartridge - A process cartridge includes a cylindrical image carrier, a developing roller, a process case, and a cover removably fitted to the process case. The image carrier and the developing roller are relatively movable in the process case between a contact position in which the image carrier contacts the developing roller and a separated position in which the image carrier is separated from the developing roller. A releasing member is provided at the cover. The releasing member can be interposed into a released position between an end portion of the image carrier and an end portion of the developing roller. In a state in which the cover is fitted to the process case and covers the image carrier, the releasing member is movable from an unreleased position, in which the contact between the image carrier and the developing roller is not released, to a released position. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100092210 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus body that includes an image forming unit forming an image; a switching mechanism that switches a state of members between a contacting state and a non-contacting state, the members related to image formation by the image forming unit in the apparatus body; a covering unit that is supported in the apparatus body so as to be freely opened and closed, and that covers a part of the apparatus body when being closed; and a connection unit that is provided to the covering unit, that is not connected to the switching mechanism when the covering unit is opened while being connected to the switching member when the covering unit is closed, and that causes the switching mechanism to operate in conjunction with an operation by an operator any one of to open and to close the covering unit. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100098459 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes an opening provided to a main assembly of the apparatus; a first openable member movable between a closed position in which a first portion of the opening is closed and an open position in which the first portion of the opening is opened; a second openable member movable between a closed position in which a second portion of the opening is closed and an open position in which the second portion of the opening is opened; and a movable member, movable between a set position inside the main assembly and an outward position in which the movable member having passed through the first portion of the opening is located at an outermost position in a movable range of the movable member, capable of supporting a plurality of cartridges, side by side, each including at least one of an image bearing member on which a latent image is to be formed and developing means for developing with a developer the latent image formed on the image bearing member. The first openable member located at the open position is located below the movable member located at the outward position. An outermost end of the movable member located at the outward position is vertically aligned with or located inside an outermost end of the first openable member located at the open position. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100166456 | Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming Unit - An image forming apparatus comprises a photosensitive drum, a charged wire which long 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 extractably from a side surface of the frame and also a cleaning member for cleaning the charged wire is disposed. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100178075 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - 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. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20110170906 | CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a frame having an opening for exposing the image bearing member; a movable shutter member movable between a closing position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening; and a holding portion for abutting to the shutter member to hold the shutter member at the closing position, wherein the shutter member is elastically deformable to ride over the holding portion to permit the shutter member to move from the closing position to the open position. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110217075 | Image Forming Apparatus - 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. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110222905 | IMAGE FORMING CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - 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. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110229198 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a holding part that holds a detachable constituent component so that the detachable component is displaced to a detachment operating position and primary and secondary mounting completed positions as a result of link with opening/closing operations of an opening/closing part, and a connection part that is provided on the opening/closing part and in which a guide groove is formed which guides a projecting portion provided on the holding part. The guide groove of the connection part includes a narrow portion through which the projecting portion is caused to pass while the detachable constituent component is being displaced from the detachment operating position to the primary or secondary mounting completed position. The narrow portion has a groove width which is narrower than an outer dimension of the projecting portion. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110286765 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - 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. When the shutter is located at the closed position, the spacer member is movable to a spacing position in which the spacer member is between the photosensitive member and the developer carrying member to provide a spacing between the photosensitive member and the developer carrying member, and a retracted position in which the opening is covered with the spacer member. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20120008981 | Image Forming Apparatus and Cartridge for the Use Therewith - An image forming apparatus and a cartridge for use therewith are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body; a cartridge that stores a developer; and a supporting member that receives the cartridge, the supporting member being rotatably supported by the main body. The supporting member pivots between a reception position at which the cartridge is received into the main body and an exposure position at which the cartridge is exposed from the main body. The cartridge includes an inner chassis; an outer chassis comprising a shutter member; a first protrusion provided at one of the inner and outer chassis; and a second protrusion provided at the other chassis, wherein the first and second protrusions engage with the image forming apparatus, such that one is moved and the other is regulated, based on a position of the cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120099894 | METHOD FOR PREVENTING DAMAGE TO A PHOTOCONDUCTOR - A method for in situ replacement of a cartridge for an electrophotographic printer includes providing a photoreceptive member enclosed in a housing where the housing includes a retractable shield. The housing and photoreceptive member is inserted into the printer and the shield is retracted. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099895 | APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING DAMAGE TO A PHOTOCONDUCTOR - 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. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120134711 | Photosensitive Conductor Unit and Image Forming Apparatus - 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. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120183328 | COVER AND CARTRIDGE - An electrophotographic image forming apparatus detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, includes a rotatable image bearing member on which a latent image is to be formed; charging means for contacting said image bearing member to charge a surface of said image bearing member; a frame supporting said image bearing member and said charging means; a covering member, demountably mounted to said frame, for protecting the surface of said image bearing member; and a spacer member including a spacing portion, movably provided on said covering member, for entering between said image bearing member and said charging means to space them therebetween, and a retaining portion, contacting said covering member when said spacing portion is not between said image bearing member and said charging means, for preventing said spacer member from disengaging from said covering member. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120237254 | COVERS OPENING/CLOSING SEQUENCE REGULATION SYSTEM AND METHOD AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS USING SAME - A covers opening/closing sequence regulation system includes a first cover and a second cover openably and closably attached to a housing. The first and second covers are provided in a way that the first cover becomes openable and closable while the second cover is in a fully-closed state, and that the second cover becomes unable to be fully-closed from an opened state while the first cover is in a fully-closed state. A regulation mechanism is configured to stop the first cover in a spaced-out position, which is spaced out from a fully-closed position of the first cover, in an operation of closing the first cover toward the fully-closed position with the second cover being in an opened state. The second cover is openable and closable while the first cover is in the spaced-out position. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120237255 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a casing, a photosensitive member, a developing unit, an exposure member including a light emitting element array, a covering member, and a cover operation mechanism. The developing unit includes a developer carrying member configured to carry a developer supplied to the photosensitive member. The exposure unit is configured to expose the photosensitive member to form a latent image on the photosensitive member. The covering member is configured to move between a cover position where the covering member covers the exposure member between the photosensitive member and the exposure member and a retracted position where the covering member is retracted from between the photosensitive member and the exposure member. The cover operation mechanism is configured to hold the covering member in the retracted position at least when the exposure member forms the latent image on the photosensitive member. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120243906 | IMAGE HOLDING MEMBER UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image holding member unit includes an image holding member having a rotation shaft rotatably supported by a support member and holding a developer image on an outer circumferential surface thereof, a protective member moving between a first position and a second position, and a guide structure including a first link member of which an end is rotatably linked to the rotation shaft and the other end of which is rotatably linked to an end of the protective member in a circumferential direction of the image holding member and a second link member of which an end is rotatably linked to the other end of the protective member in the circumferential direction and the other end of which is rotatably linked to the support member and guiding the protective member between the first position and the second position. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120294648 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In an image forming apparatus including a door | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120301183 | ARTICLE OF CONSUMPTION AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - 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. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20130045025 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - 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. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130136495 | Process Cartridge Having Cover for Protecting Photosensitive Drum - 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. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20140037331 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE CAPABLE OF PREVENTING ERRONEOUS ATTACHMENT OF CARTRIDGE - 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. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140270846 | Transfer Roll Assembly for an Electrophotographic Image Forming Device - An image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having an access door manually movable between a closed position and an open position. A carriage is mounted on an inner portion of the access door. A first roll is rotatably mounted to the carriage and forms a nip with a second member positioned in the interior of the housing when the access door is closed. The first roll is spaced away from the second member when the access door is open. The carriage is free to move relative to the access door and is biased away from the access door toward the second member. A clamping assembly is configured to clamp the first roll against the second member to form the nip as the access door is closed and unclamp the first roll from the second member as the access door is opened. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20150063867 | IMAGE CARRIER UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image carrier unit includes an engage mechanism configured to attach a protection cover slidably to a unit casing in a rotational axis direction of an image carrier. The engage mechanism includes first and second engage mechanisms. The first engage mechanism includes a first engage portion provided at a first end portion in a width direction orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the protection cover and a first engaged portion provided in the unit casing and engaged with the first engage portion, and is configured such that the first engage portion engages with the first engaged portion in orientation to one side in the width direction. The second engage mechanism is also configured such that a second engage portion engages with a second engaged portion in orientation to the one side in the width direction. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150117902 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus that can prevent a protection cover from being detached from an apparatus main body when the attaching of a process cartridge is completed, with a simple structure includes a biasing portion that can bias the process cartridge. The biasing portion applies biasing force in such a manner that a distal end portion of the protection cover is sandwiched between the apparatus main body and the process cartridge when the process cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body. This structure can prevent the protection cover from being detached from the apparatus main body at a time when the attaching of the process cartridge is completed. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150338822 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes process units arranged in a predetermined direction to form a process-unit row, each having a photosensitive body and a developer container; a casing accommodating the process units and having a cover opening and closing an opening formed at one side in the predetermined direction, and an exposure member exposing the photosensitive body, and having a laser source, a deflector, and an optical element, and the exposure member is arranged facing the developer container of each process unit in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The process units are detachable from the casing, through the opening of the casing, and the developer container of one process unit arranged at one end of the process-unit row has a protruding portion protruding toward the exposure member to overlap with the exposure member in the orthogonal direction. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20160139557 | Image Forming Apparatus Having Spacing Configuration for Process Cartridge - An image forming apparatus may include: a process cartridge, an apparatus body and a spacing member. The process cartridge may be detachably mountable to the apparatus body and include a photosensitive unit having a photosensitive member, a developing unit having a developing roller, and a driving input part into which a driving force from the apparatus body is configured to be inputted. The apparatus body may include a driving input member which is configured to input the driving force. Additionally or alternatively, the spacing member may be attached to the process cartridge and configured to space the photosensitive member and the developing roller. The spacing member may include a first cover part which is located between the driving input part and the driving input member and covers at least a portion of the driving input part. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160154370 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160378056 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position. | 12-29-2016 |
