Author: claimsbot

1. A cosmetic composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium,
at least one agent exhibiting a cosmetic activity and
particles comprising a core and a solid shell bonded to the core via a noncovalent bond, wherein the core comprises at least one metal, the solid shell comprises at least one inorganic material, and the size of the particles is less than or equal to 500 nm.
2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one agent exhibiting a cosmetic activity is chosen from:
saccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, which may be optionally hydrolyzed andor modified,
amino acids, oligopeptides, peptides, proteins, which may be optionally hydrolysed andor modified, poly(amino acid)s and enzymes,
branched and unbranched fatty acids and alcohols,
animal, vegetable and mineral waxes,
ceramides and pseudoceramides,
hydroxylated organic acids,
UV screening agents,
antioxidants and agents for combating free radicals,
chelating agents,
antidandruff agents,
seborrhoea-regulating agents,
soothing agents,
cationic surfactants,
cationic and amphoteric polymers,
organomodified and nonorganomodified silicones,
mineral, vegetable and animal oils,
polyisobutenes and poly(\u03b1-olefin)s,
esters,
soluble and dispersed anionic polymers,
soluble and dispersed non-ionic polymers,
reducing agents,
coloring agents and coloring materials,
foaming agents,
film-forming agents,
particles, other than the particles comprising the core and the solid shell bonded to the core via a noncovalent bond,
and mixtures thereof.
3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the coloring agents and coloring materials are chosen from hair dyes.
4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one agent exhibiting a cosmetic activity is present in an amount ranging from 0.001% to 10%, by weight relative to the total weight of the cosmetic composition.
5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the at least one agent exhibiting a cosmetic activity is present in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 5%, by weight relative to the total weight of the cosmetic composition.
6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the size of the particles ranges from 1 nm to 500 nm.
7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein the size of the particles ranges from 1 nm and 100 nm.
8. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the size of the particles ranges from 1 nm to 50 nm.
9. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the particles have a shape chosen from spheres, flakes, fibers, tubes, polyhedra, and random shapes.
10. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the core of the particles comprises at least 80% by weight of the at least one metal.
11. The composition according to claim 10, wherein the core of the particles comprises at least 90% by weight of the at least one metal.
12. The composition according to claim 11, wherein the core of the particles comprises 100% by weight of the at least one metal.
13. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one metal is chosen from aluminium and elements with an atomic number ranging from 21 to 82 and in Groups 3 to 13 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and alloys thereof.
14. The composition according to claim 13, wherein the core of the particles comprises a mixture of at least two of the metals andor alloys thereof.
15. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the core of the particles is a composite core comprising at least two regions, and adjacent regions comprise different metals, alloys andor mixtures thereof.
16. The composition according to claim 15, wherein the composite core is a multilayer composite core comprising an inner core comprising at least one of metals, alloys and mixtures thereof, the inner core is at least partially covered by a first layer comprising at least one of metals, metal alloys and mixture thereof which is different from that of the inner core and optionally by at least one other layer, wherein each of these layers at least partially covering the preceding layer and each of these layers comprising at least one of metals, alloys and mixtures thereof, which is different from the following layer and from the preceding layer.
17. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the core of the particles further comprises at least one stabilizer.
18. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the core of the particles further comprises at least one metal oxide.
19. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one metal is chosen from transition metals, rare earth metals, and their alloys.
20. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one metal is chosen from aluminium, copper, silver, gold, indium, iron, platinum, nickel, molybdenum, titanium, tungsten, antimony, palladium, zinc, tin, and their alloys.
21. The composition according to claim 20, wherein the at least one metal is chosen from gold, silver, palladium, platinum, and their alloys.
22. The composition according to claim 21, wherein the at least one metal is silver.
23. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the solid shell is in direct contact with the at least one metal.
24. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the core is modified at the surface by a treatment wherein the treatment modifies the properties of the core.
25. The composition according to claim 24, wherein the treatment comprises stabilizing the surface of the core by an adsorbed or covalently bonded monolayer.
26. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inorganic material is chosen from materials comprising at least one metal oxide and organometallic polymers.
27. The composition according to claim 26, wherein the at least one metal oxide is chosen from silicon, titanium, aluminium, zirconium, zinc, boron, lithium, magnesium, sodium and cerium oxides, mixed oxides of sodium and cerium oxides, and mixtures of sodium and cerium oxides, and mixed oxides thereof.
28. The composition according to claim 27, wherein the metal oxide is chosen from silica, titanium oxide and alumina.
29. The composition according to claim 26, wherein the organometallic polymers are chosen from the condensation products of alkoxysilanes.
30. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the solid shell has a thickness ranging from 2 nm to 300 nm.
31. The composition according to claim 30, wherein the solid shell has a thickness ranging from 5 nm to 250 nm.
32. The composition according to claim 31, wherein the solid shell has a thickness ranging from 10 nm to 100 nm.
33. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the solid shell is formed by a physicochemical process chosen from phase separation, and coacervation and controlled precipitation.
34. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the solid shell is formed by a chemical process chosen from interfacial polycondensation, in situ polycondensation, and emulsion polymerization.
35. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inorganic material is chosen from inorganic materials capable of being obtained by a sol-gel process.
36. The composition according to claim 35, wherein the at least one inorganic material is chosen from metal oxides and organometallic polymers capable of being obtained by a sol-gel process from at least one precursor.
37. The composition according to claim 35, wherein the at least one inorganic material is chosen from at least one of metal oxides and organometallic polymers capable of being obtained by polycondensation of at least one metal alkoxide precursor.
38. The composition according to claim 37, wherein the at least one metal alkoxide precursor is chosen from silicon, aluminium, boron, lithium, magnesium, titanium and zirconium alkoxides.
39. The composition according to claim 36, wherein the organometallic polymers are chosen from organometallic polymers capable of being prepared by polycondensation of alkoxysilanes comprising at least one silicon atom and at least two functional groups chosen from hydroxyl and hydrolysable functional groups, and optionally comprising at least one additional functional group that renders compatible with the physiologically acceptable medium andor contributes an affinity with keratinous substances or fibers.
40. The composition according to claim 39, wherein the hydroxyl and hydrolyzable functional groups are chosen from methoxy, ethoxy, and propoxy.
41. The composition according to claim 39, wherein the at least one additional functional group is chosen from functional groups that improve the oragnometallic polymers solubility in water.
42. The composition according to claim 41, wherein the at least one additional functional group is chosen from alkyl amine, alkyl alcohol, alkyl thiol, alkyl acid, alkyl polyamine, alkyl polyol and alkyl polycarboxyl functional groups.
43. The composition according to claim 39, wherein the alkoxysilanes are chosen from 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, (3-aminopropyl)methyldiethoxysilane and {3-bis(hydroxyethyl)aminopropyl}triethoxysilane.
44. The composition according to claim 36, wherein the precursor of the sol-gel process is tetraethyl orthosilicate.
45. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the particles are capable of being prepared by a process comprising condensing, in an aqueous medium, water-soluble organic silicon compounds, which are optionally polymerized to a slight extent and chosen from organosilanes comprising a silicon atom and organosiloxanes comprising at least two silicon atoms, to form the core, and the organic silicon compounds are neutralized in an amount ranging from 11000 to 99100, by a neutralizing agent.
46. The composition according to claim 45, wherein the organic silicon compounds further comprise at least one basic chemical functional group and at least two hydrolyzable andor hydroxyl groups per molecule.
47. The composition according to claim 45, wherein the organic silicon compounds are neutralized in an amount ranging from 0.2100 to 70100, by the neutralizing agent.
48. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the particles are capable of being prepared by a process comprising condensing, in an aqueous medium, water-soluble organic silicon compounds, which are optionally polymerized to a slight extent and chosen from organosilanes comprising a silicon atom and organosiloxanes comprising at least two silicon atoms, to form the core, and the organic silicon compounds further comprise, per molecule, at least two hydroxyl groups or two hydrolysable functional groups and at least two non-hydrolysable functional groups, at least one of the non-hydrolysable functional groups has a functional group having a cosmetic effect and at least one other of these non-hydrolysable functional groups has a solubilizing functional group.
49. The composition according to claim 48, wherein the cosmetic effect is at least one function chosen from coloring, UV screening, bactericidal and fungicidal, and reducing functions.
50. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the particles are capable of being prepared by a process comprising condensing, in an aqueous medium, water-soluble organic silicon compounds, which are optionally polymerized to a slight extent and are chosen from organosilanes comprising a silicon atom and organosiloxanes comprising two or three silicon atoms, to form the core, and the organic silicon compounds further comprise at least one non-basic solubilizing chemical functional group and at least two hydrolysable groups per molecule.
51. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the particles are prepared by a process comprising:
a) preparing a mixture of
(i) a dispersion in a liquid medium, the liquid medium chosen from aqueous, alcoholic, and oily medium, optionally in the presence of a dispersant, of particles comprising at least one metal wherein the core is formed, and
(ii) a solution of a crosslinked hybrid organicinorganic material, wherein the crosslinked hybride material is obtained by a sol-gel route from a premix comprising:
(A) at least one compound chosen from metal and organometallic compounds, and
(B) at least one polymer chosen from functionalized organic polymer and a precursor thereof and at least one functionalized silicone polymer and a precursor thereof, the latter being different from (A), and
b) contacting the mixture with water when the dispersion of the particles is in the liquid medium chosen from alcoholic and oily medium.
52. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the particles have an outer surface that is covalently modified by at least one chemical group that is capable of improving the adsorption of the particles on a keratinous substance.
53. The composition according to claim 52, wherein the keratinous substance is hair.
54. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the particles have an outer surface that is covalently modified by at least one chemical group that is capable of reacting chemically with a keratinous substance.
55. The composition according to claim 54, wherein the keratinous substance is hair.
56. The composition according to claim 52, wherein the at least one chemical group is chosen from:
carboxylic acids and salts thereof,
primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary amines,
phosphates,
sulphur oxides, and
aromatic rings.
57. The composition according to claim 56, wherein the sulphur oxides are chosen from sulphones, sulphonic, sulphoxides, and sulphates.
58. The composition according to claim 56, wherein the aromatic rings are chosen from phenyl, triazine, thiophene, and imidazole.
59. The composition according to claim 56, wherein the at least one chemical group is chosen from:
epoxides,
vinyl and activated vinyl,
earboxylic acids and derivatives thereof,
acetals, hemiacetals,
aminals, hemiaminals,
ketones and \u03b1-hydroxyketones, \u03b1-haloketones,
lactones, thiolactones,
isocyanates,
thiocyanates,
imines,
imides,
pyridyidithio,
N-hydroxysuccinimide esters,
imidates,
oxazine and oxazoline,
oxazinium and oxazolinium,
groups of formula R1X wherein R1 is chosen from C1-C30 alkyl groups, C6-C30 aryl groups, and C7-C30 aralkyl groups with the alkyl group chosen from C1-C30 alkyl groups and X is a leaving group,
groups of formula R2X wherein R2 is chosen from C3-C30 carbon ring and unsaturated heterocycles with 3 to 20 ring members comprising at least one heteroatom chosen from N, S, O and P, and X is a leaving group,
groups of formula R3SO2X, wherein R3 chosen from C1-C30 alkyl groups, C6-C30 aryl groups, and C7-C30 aralkyl groups with the alkyl group chosen from C1-C30 alkyl groups and X is a leaving group,
lactones,
thiolactones, and
siloxanes.
60. The composition according to claim 59, wherein the vinyl and activated vinyl are chosen from acrylonitrile, acrylic and methacrylic esters, crotonic acid and esters, cinnamic acid and esters, styrene and derivatives, butadiene, vinyl ethers, vinyl ketones, maleic esters, maleimides, and vinyl sulphones.
61. The composition according to claim 59, wherein the carboxylic acids and derivatives thereof are chosen from anhydride, acid chloride, and esters.
62. The composition according to claim 59, wherein the imides are chosen from succinimides and glutimides.
63. The composition according to claim 59, wherein the leaving group in the groups of formulae R1X, R2X, and R3SO2X is chosen from I, Br, Cl, OSO3R, wherein R is chosen from H and C1-C30 alkyl groups, \u2014SO2R\u2032, wherein R\u2032 is chosen from H and C1-C30 alkyl groups, a tosyl group, N(R\u2033)3, wherein R\u2033 is C1-C30 alkyl groups, and OPO3R\u2032\u20332, wherein R\u2032\u2033 is chosen from H and C1-C30 alkyl groups.
64. The composition according to claim 59, wherein the groups of formula R1X are chosen from alkyl, aryl and aralkyl halides.
65. The composition according to claim 59, wherein groups of formula R2X are halides of unsaturated rings chosen from chlorotriazine, chloropyrimidine, chloroquinoxaline, and chlorobenzotriazole.
66. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the solid shell of the particles comprises at least one reactive organometallic polymer that is capable of creating interparticle covalent bonds.
67. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the particles are present in an amount ranging from 0.0001% to 50%, by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
68. The composition according to claim 67, wherein the particles are present in an amount ranging from 0.01% and 5%, by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
69. The composition according to claim 68, wherein the particles are present in an amount ranging from 0.05% and 2%, by weight relative of the total weight of the composition.
70. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the physiologically acceptable medium comprises at least one solvent.
71. The composition according to claim 70, wherein the at least one solvent is chosen from organic solvents, water, and mixtures thereof.
72. The composition according to claim 71, wherein the organic solvents are chosen from at least one of C1 to C4 aliphatic alcohols, polyols, aromatic alcohols, alkanes, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl acetate, butyl acetate, alkyl acetate, dimethoxyethane, and diethoxyethane.
73. The composition according to claim 72, wherein the C1 to C4 aliphatic alcohols are chosen from ethanol and isopropanol.
74. The composition according to claim 72, wherein the polyols are chosen from glycerol and propylene glycol.
75. The composition according to claim 72, wherein the aromatic alcohols are benzyl alcohol.
76. The composition according to claim 72, wherein the alkanes are chosen from C5 to C10 alkanes.
77. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cosmetic additive chosen from reducing agents, oxidizing agents, thickening agents, softeners, antifoaming agents, direct and oxidation dyes, fragrances, peptizing agents, preservatives, and anionic and amphoteric surfactants.
78. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition is chosen from a cosmetic treatment composition for contributing sheen to keratinous substances.
79. The composition according to claim 78, wherein the composition is a hair composition for contributing sheen to the hair.
80. The composition according to claim 78, wherein the composition is in a form chosen from lotions, sprays, foams, lacquers, conditioners, and shampoos.
81. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition is packaged in an aerosol device.
82. A cosmetic process for the treatment of keratinous substances, comprising applying to keratinous substances a composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium,
at least one agent exhibiting a cosmetic activity and
particles comprising a core and a solid shell bonded to the core via a noncovalent bond, wherein the core comprises at least one metal, the solid shell comprises at least one inorganic material, and the size of the particles is less than or equal to 500 nm.
83. The composition according to claim 82, wherein the keratinous substance is hair.
84. The composition according to claim 82, wherein the process is for contributing sheen to the keratinous substances.
85. The composition according to claim 84, wherein the keratinous substances is hair.
86. A process of making a cosmetic composition, comprising adding in a composition particles comprising a core and a solid shell bonded to the core via a noncovalent bond, wherein the core comprises at least one metal, the solid shell comprises at least one inorganic material, and the size of the particles is less than or equal to 500 nm, wherein the composition comprises, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least one agent exhibiting a cosmetic activity and the resulting composition is for contributing sheen to keratinous substances.
87. The composition according to claim 86, wherein the keratinous substance is hair.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A water insoluble polymeric composition comprising a reaction product of a cyclodextrin monomer and a polyfunctional crosslinker selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanates, dihalohydrocarbons, and dihaloacetylhydrocarbons.
2. The water insoluble polymeric composition of claim 1 wherein said cyclodextrin monomer is selected from the group consisting of -cyclodextrin, substituted -cyclodextrin, -cyclodextrin, substituted -cyclodextrin, -cyclodextrin, and substituted -cyclodextrin.
3. The water insoluble polymeric composition of claim 1 wherein said polyfunctional crosslinker is a polyisocyanate.
4. The water insoluble polymeric composition of claim 3 wherein said polyisocyanate crosslinker is selected from the group consisting of aromatic diisocyanates and diisocyanatoalkanes.
5. The water insoluble polymeric composition of claim 1 wherein at least one hydroxyl group on said cyclodextrin monomer is substituted with an alkyl group to form one or more alkoxide groups.
6. A process for removing a target organic compound from an aqueous composition comprising:
contacting said aqueous composition containing a target organic compound with a water insoluble cyclodextrin polymer comprising a reaction product of a cyclodextrin monomer and a polyfunctional crosslinker selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanates, dihalohydrocarbons, and dihaloacetylhydrocarbons for time sufficient to form a reaction product between said water insoluble cyclodextrin polymer and said target organic compound whereby the concentration of said target organic compound in said aqueous composition is reduced.
7. The process of claim 6 wherein said water insoluble cyclodextrin polymer is contacted with said aqueous composition by passing said aqueous composition through a fixed bed of particles of said water insoluble cyclodextrin polymer.
8. The process of claim 6 wherein said water insoluble cyclodextrin polymer contacted with said aqueous composition is a solid with dimensions of at least about one quarter inch by one quarter inch by one quarter inch.
9. The process of claim 6 wherein said water insoluble cyclodextrin polymer contacted with said aqueous composition is in the form of a porous membrane or hollow fiber.
10. The process of claim 6 wherein said water insoluble cyclodextrin polymer contacted with said aqueous composition is a thin film.
11. The process of claim 7 wherein the fixed bed of particles is in a cartridge.
12. A nonlinear optical material comprising:
a defined substrate;
a thin film of a reaction product between an organic chromophore and a water insoluble cyclydextrin polymeric composition.
13. The nonlinear optical material of claim 12 wherein said water insoluble cyclydextrin polymeric composition is a reaction product of a cyclodextrin monomer and a polyfunctional crosslinker selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanates, dihalohydrocarbons, and dichloroacetylhydrocarbons.
14. The nonlinear optical material of claim 12 wherein said organic chromophore is selected from the group consisting of 4-nitrophenol, 4-nitrostyryl-4-phenol, 4-hydroxylstilbazole, and 4-hydroxylstilbazolium iodide.

1. A method of treating an individual suffering from a cancerous condition, comprising administering to said individual a conjugate comprised of a therapeutic taxoid agent covalently bonded to a water-soluble amino acid copolymer, wherein said copolymer has (i) 50% residues or greater of a first amino acid content of that is glutamic acid, aspartic acid andor lysine residues and (ii) at least about 1% residues of a second amino acid content comprising amino acid residues that are different than the amino acid residue or residues of said first amino acid content, wherein the cancerous condition is selected from the group consisting of prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, and lung cancer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is prostate cancer.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is ovarian cancer.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is colon cancer.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is leukemia.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is lung cancer.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is breast cancer.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic taxoid agent is paclitaxel or taxotere.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the therapeutic agent is paclitaxel.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said first amino acid content is glutamic acid residues.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A belt unit installed apparatus comprising,
an apparatus frame;
a belt unit attached to the apparatus frame, said belt unit having a first roller, a second roller, a belt placed between the first roller and the second roller, and a belt frame for supporting the first roller and the second roller;
an engaging member disposed on the belt frame for engaging the apparatus frame;
a receiving portion formed in the apparatus frame for engaging the engaging member;
an urging member disposed on the apparatus frame for urging the engaging member so that the engaging member maintains an engagement state relative to the receiving portion when the engaging member engages the receiving portion;
a protruding member disposed on the belt frame adjacent to the engaging member, said protruding member having a pressing portion for pressing the urging member away from the receiving portion when the belt unit is removed from the apparatus frame.
2. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said receiving portion includes a recess portion having an open end facing upward.
3. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said engaging member includes a first engaging member disposed at one end portion of the first roller and a second engaging member disposed at the other end portion of the first roller.
4. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said urging member extends into the receiving member.
5. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said urging member includes an elastic member having a free end portion, said free end portion having an inclined portion inclined toward a direction that the engaging member enters and extending into the receiving portion.
6. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said engaging member has a curved section having a curvature with a specific radius, said urging member extending into the receiving member within a range smaller than the radius.
7. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said urging member includes an urging portion disposed at a lower end portion of the inclined portion and extending into the receiving portion, said urging portion having a shape pressing the engaging member into the receiving portion when the engaging member is fitted to the receiving portion.
8. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said belt frame further includes a lock member arranged to be rotatable around a shaft attached to the belt frame, said lock member having a first engaging portion at a first end portion thereof for engaging a second engaging portion disposed on the apparatus frame and a knob portion at a second end portion thereof to be operated by an operator.
9. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first engaging portion is adopted to engage the second engaging portion when the knob portion is pushed down and disengage from the second engaging portion when the knob portion is lifted.
10. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first engaging portion is formed of a hook portion and said second engaging portion is formed of a pin portion.
11. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting portion disposed adjacent to the receiving portion for contacting with the protruding member when the belt unit is removed from the apparatus frame.
12. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said protruding member further includes a protruded portion adjacent to the pressing portion for contacting with the supporting portion when the belt unit is removed from the apparatus frame.
13. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said supporting portion extends at a specific angle in a range of 30\xb0 to 60\xb0 relative to a horizontal direction.
14. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first roller includes a drive roller for driving the belt unit, said second roller including a follower roller rotating accompanied with rotation of the first roller.
15. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a handle disposed at a position closer to the second roller than a center between the first roller and the second roller.
16. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a restriction member disposed on the belt frame for restricting movement of the handle.
17. The belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engaging member includes a shaft supporting member for supporting the first roller to be freely rotatable.
18. An image forming apparatus comprising the belt unit installed apparatus according to claim 1 and an image forming unit for forming a developer image, said image forming unit being arranged adjacent to the belt unit so that the belt unit transports a recording medium and transfers the developer image to the recording medium.
19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said belt unit further includes a handle having an arm member disposed on the belt frame to be rotatable and extending along the belt frame, and a hand hook portion connected to the arm member and extending in a width direction of the belt; and a restriction member disposed on the belt frame for restricting movement of the handle, said hand hook portion being situated away from the belt by a specific distance in a space between the image forming unit and the belt unit.
20. A method of installingremoving a belt unit to and from an apparatus frame, comprising the steps of:
pressing a shaft supporting member disposed on the belt unit on an urging member extending into a receiving portion disposed on the apparatus frame against urging force of the urging member to expand an opening of the receiving portion;
inserting the shaft supporting member into the receiving portion while the shaft supporting member receives the urging force of the urging member when the opening becomes a size equal to an outer diameter of the shaft supporting member;
setting the shaft supporting member in the receiving portion so that the urging member abuts against and presses the shaft supporting member into the receiving portion;
lifting a handle disposed on the belt unit so that the belt unit becomes an inclined state;
abutting a protruding member disposed on the belt unit against the urging member as the belt unit is inclined;
moving the urging member away from the opening of the receiving portion with the protruding member as the belt unit is inclined further; and
lifting and removing the belt unit from the a apparatus frame when the opening becomes a size equal to the outer diameter of the shaft supporting member.