Patent ID: 8208829

Claim:
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a photoconductive drum for bearing a toner image while rotating; a developing device including a developing roller for supplying toner to a surface of the photoconductive drum and a pair of gap rollers held in contact with opposite end portions of the photoconductive drum to define a specified gap between the developing roller and the surface of the photoconductive drum; and a lubricant applicator for applying a lubricant to parts of the opposite end portions of the photoconductive drum where the gap rollers are in contact, the lubricant being solid at ordinary temperature, the lubricant applicator including a pair of side sealing members for sealing toner leakage by being respectively held in sliding contact with the surfaces of the opposite end portions of the photoconductive drum, and each of the side sealing members retaining the lubricant while holding the lubricant in contact with each of the surfaces of the opposite end portions of the photoconductive drum, each sealing member including an arcuate edge surface extending along the outer circumferential surface of the photoconductive drum and a mount hole perforated in the arcuate edge surface and into which the lubricant is to be fit.