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EP0437097A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Image forming apparatus

Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
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Filing: 1990-12-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-12-24
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Abstract

Abstract The invention provides an apparatus for forming an image. Components of which are classified into two groups in which a first group comprises a phoptoreceptor (1) on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a charger (48) for charging the photoreceptor (1), and a developing device (46) for developing the latent image into a toner image; and a second group comprises a transferring device (45) for transferring the toner image to a recording sheet, a sheet passage for passing the recording sheet through the transferring device, and a toner container (44) for storing toner. In the above constitution, the second group is arranged to dispose above the first group.

Inventors

  • 👤 Satoshi Haneda
  • 👤 Shizuo Morita
  • 👤 Masakazu Fukuchi
  • 👤 Shunji Matsuo

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-10 01:09
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/18; G03G21/1803; G03G21/1817; G03G21/1604; G03G21/1623; G03G21/1628; G03G21/1661; G03G21/168; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1606; G03G2221/1609; G03G2221/1612; G03G2221/1639; G03G2221/1651; G03G2221/1654; G03G2221/1672; G03G2221/1675; G03G2221/1678; G03G2221/1687; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/183; G03G2221/1853

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 93 words
An apparatus for forming an image, comprising: a first group comprising, a rotatable image carrying means on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a charging means for charging the image carrying means; and a developing means for developing the latent image into a toner image; and a second group compising, a transfer means for transferring the toner image to a recording sheet; a sheet passage for passing the recording sheet through the transfer means, and a toner container for storing toner therein, wherein the second group is disposed above the first group.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second groups are incorporated in a cartridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 59 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cartridge comprises an upper housing in which the transfer means and the toner container are detachablly installed and a lower housing in which the first group is installed, and wherein the upper housing is mounted on the lower housing and adapted to be pivotal between an open position and a closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 41 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein there is provided the sheet passage between the upper housing and lower housing so that, when the upper housing is pivotted to the open position, the sheet passage is exposed so as to become accessible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cartridge has an inlet and outlet of the sheet passage, and wherein there is provided protection cover means for opening or closing the inlet and outlet of the sheet passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 53 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cartridge is detachablly mounted in the apparatus, and wherein, when the cartridge is attached to the apparatus, the protection cover means automatically opens the inlet and outlet, and when the cartridge is dettached from the apparatus, the protection cover means automatically closes the inlet and outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an upper casing and a lower casing in which the upper casing is mounted on the lower casing and adapted to be pivotal between an open position and a closed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an upper unit in which the transfer means and the toner container are installed and a lower unit in which the first group is installed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the upper unit is mounted in the upper casing and the lower unit is mounted in the lower casing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 42 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein there is provided the sheet passage between the upper unit and the lower unit, and wherein, when the upper casing is pivotted to the open position, the sheet passage is exposed so as to become accessible.

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