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EP0101325A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

A process unit and an image forming apparatus using the same

Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1983-08-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-08-17
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Abstract

Abstract process unit detachably mountable into an image forming apparatus has all or a part of image forming process means, and an image forming apparatus using the same. The process unit includes an image bearing member, process devices actable on the image bearing member a casing for containing the image bearing member and process devices, the casing being provided with an aperture for allowing the image bearing member to be exposed to light, and a cover movable between a closing position wherein the cover closes the aperture and a retracted position wherein the cover is retracted from the closing position, in response to mounting of the unit into, and demounting of the unit from the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus may have a device for moving the cover in response to the mounting or demounting of the unit.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hiroshi Ogawa
  • 👤 Mototada Toriumi
  • 👤 Shigeyoshi Onoda

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 07:33
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/18; G03G21/1803; G03G21/1828; G03G21/1832; G03G21/1604; G03G21/1623; G03G21/1628; G03G21/1661; G03G21/1671; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1606; G03G2221/1609; G03G2221/1612; G03G2221/1636; G03G2221/1651; G03G2221/1654; G03G2221/1669; G03G2221/1678; G03G2221/1687; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/183

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim 102 words
A process unit detachably mountable into an image forming apparatus in a predetermined place thereof, comprising: an image bearing member; process means actable on said image bearing member; a casing for containing said image bearing member and process means, said casing being provided with an aperture for allowing said image bearing member to be exposed to light; and a cover movable between a closing position wherein said cover closes the aperture and a retracted position wherein said cover is retracted from the closing position, in response to mounting of said unit into, and demounting of said unit from the image forming apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 102 words
A process unit detachably mountable into an image forming apparatus in a predetermined place thereof, comprising: an image bearing member; process means actable on said image bearing member; a casing for containing said image bearing member and process means, said casing being provided with an aperture for allowing said image bearing member to be exposed to light; and a cover movable between a closing position wherein said cover closes the aperture and a retracted position wherein said cover is retracted from the closing position, in response to mounting of said unit into, and demounting of said unit from the image forming apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
A unit according to claim 1, wherein said process means includes an electric charger and a developing device in said unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
A unit according to claim 1, wherein said process means includes an electric charger and a cleaning device in said unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 106 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member; process means actable on said image bearing member; a casing for containing said image bearing member, provided with an aperture for allowing said image bearing member to be exposed to light; a cover movable between a closing position wherein said cover closes the aperture and a retracted position wherein said cover is retracted from the closing position; and means for moving said cover in response to mounting of said casing with the image bearing member and process means in, and demounting of said casing with the image bearing member and process means from, the image forming apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 106 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member; process means actable on said image bearing member; a casing for containing said image bearing member, provided with an aperture for allowing said image bearing member to be exposed to light; a cover movable between a closing position wherein said cover closes the aperture and a retracted position wherein said cover is retracted from the closing position; and means for moving said cover in response to mounting of said casing with the image bearing member and process means in, and demounting of said casing with the image bearing member and process means from, the image forming apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 20 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said moving means includes a guide fixedly mounted in said image forming apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said moving means includes a spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 13 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said moving means includes a magnet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 29 words
A unit according to claim 1. or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cover is effective to shield said image bearing member from possible damage from outside.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 27 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cover is effective to shield said image bearing member from external light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 22 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cover is made of a rigid material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 38 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cover is effective to block light having a wavelength of 300 - 400 nm or a wavelength of not more than 400 nm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 24 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cover is made of a resin or a metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 18 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cover is black.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 23 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said process means further contains an image developing device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 32 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said process means includes an array of small diameter imaging elements each having a relatively small focal length.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 21 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said process means includes an electric charger.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 21 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said process means includes a cleaning device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 22 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said process means includes an image transferring charger.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 24 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said image bearing member has a layer of organic photoconductor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 24 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said image bearing member has a layer of zinc oxide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 18 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cover is rigid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 18 words
A unit according to claim 1 or an apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cover is flexible.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 125 words
In or for an image forming apparatus in which process means (L,2,4,5) is provided for image formation on an image recording member (3), a process unit (30) which is detachably mountable in a predetermined position in the apparatus, said process unit comprising a casing (30a) which contains said image recording member and which is formed with an aperture (27) for allowing said image recording member to be exposed to light in image formation, characterised by the provision of a cover (28) arranged to be displaced in response to mounting and demounting movement of the unit to and from said predetermined position, between a closed position in which said cover closes said aperture and an open position in which light can pass through said aperture (27).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 125 words
In or for an image forming apparatus in which process means (L,2,4,5) is provided for image formation on an image recording member (3), a process unit (30) which is detachably mountable in a predetermined position in the apparatus, said process unit comprising a casing (30a) which contains said image recording member and which is formed with an aperture (27) for allowing said image recording member to be exposed to light in image formation, characterised by the provision of a cover (28) arranged to be displaced in response to mounting and demounting movement of the unit to and from said predetermined position, between a closed position in which said cover closes said aperture and an open position in which light can pass through said aperture (27).

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