Patent · US Expired

Image forming apparatus and process cartridge removably mounted thereto

US7212767B2 · kind B2 · utility

15Cited by
14References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 8, 2003
Grant dateMay 1, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 8, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G2221/1884
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an apparatus body, an image carrier for carrying a latent image on its surface, and a developing device for developing the latent image to thereby produce a corresponding toner image. A removable member is removably mounted to the apparatus body and positioned in the apparatus body such that a distance between the removable member and a surrounding member around it varies when the removable member is being mounted to or dismounted from the apparatus body. A frame surrounds at least one of the removable member and surrounding member. A contact member contacts, when the removable member is being mounted to or dismounted from the apparatus body, the frame to thereby determine a distance between the removable member and the surrounding member.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.