Patent ID: 6819897
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus, comprising:plural sets of image forming mechanisms, each set comprising: an image carrying member configured to carry an electrostatic latent image thereon; a development mechanism configured to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrying member into a visual image; and a toner storage detachably installed in the apparatus and configured to store toner therein, and an intermediate transfer member configured to sequentially receive toner images formed by the plurality of image forming mechanisms into a composite toner image and to transfer the composite toner image to a recording sheet, wherein a plurality of the toner storages have an approximately rectangular shape having a rectangular transverse section, at least one of the plurality of the toner storages has a greater toner capacity than others of the plurality of the toner storages, and a length of a short side of the rectangular transverse section of the at least one of the plurality of the toner storages having the greater toner capacity is approximately equal to lengths of long sides of the rectangular transverse sections of the others of the plurality of the toner storages.