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AssigneeBrother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorKoji Abe
Estimating the term…
In an image forming apparatus, photosensitive bodies are mounted in a first frame. Developing units are detachably mounted in the first frame. A second frame is movable relative to the first frame. Each developing unit is movable relative to the first frame between a separate position, at which a developing roller is separate from a photosensitive body, and a contact position, at which the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive body. The second frame moves relative to the first frame, thereby moving the developing units relative to the first frame between the separate positions and the contact positions. The second frame positions each developing unit relative to the first frame in a direction to move the developing roller toward the corresponding photosensitive body when the developing unit is in the contact position.
An image forming apparatus, comprising:
A process unit, comprising:
An image forming apparatus, comprising:
A process unit, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Using more than one reusable electrographic recording member, e.g. one for every monocolour image: primary transfer to the final recording medium
Arrangement or disposition of the entire apparatus: frame structures
Means for handling parts of the apparatus in the apparatus: for the developer unit
Primary transfer to a recording medium carried by a transport belt: the linear arrangement being horizontal
About 6 years of term left · ends 27 Oct 2032 (estimated)
This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-120498 filed May 30, 2011. The entire content of this priority application is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that uses an electrophotographic method, and a process unit for being mounted in the image forming apparatus.
There is known a tandem-type color laser printer of an electrophotographic type. This color laser printer is provided with a plurality of photosensitive bodies and a plurality of developing units in one to one correspondence with the photosensitive bodies. The photosensitive bodies are in correspondence with toners of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The photosensitive bodies are juxtaposed with one another and are arranged in a predetermined direction. The developing units are for supplying toner of corresponding colors to the photosensitive bodies.
The particular features and advantages of the invention as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a color laser printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, seen from an upper left side, of a first frame constituting a process unit shown in FIG. 1;
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a color laser printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a direct tandem color printer of a horizontal type.
The terms “upward”, “downward”, “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below”, “beneath”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “rear” and the like will be used throughout the description assuming that the color laser printer 1 is disposed in an orientation in which it is intended to be used. In use, the color laser printer 1 is disposed as shown in FIG. 1.