Patent US4967231A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4967231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for forming an electrophotographic latent image
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
•
Filing: 1988-12-27
•
Granted: 1990-10-30
•
Expires: 2008-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A developing device effects desirable development when the amount of charging of toner, q (C/g), the amount of toner deposited on the surface of a developing roller per unit area, m (g/cm 2 ), the speed of movement of the surface of the developing roller, v (cm/sec), the available length of the developing roller, l (cm), and the magnitude of electric resistance between the surface of the developing roller and a power source for developing bias, R (Ω), are adjusted so as to satisfy the formula, |q|m≦100/vlR. The developing device produces a developed image desirable in quality and free from background fogging when the magnitude of a developing electric current, I (A), is adjusted so as to satisfy the formula, R≦200/I. Further, when a charging device, an electrostatic latent image forming device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, a discharge device, a charging and cleaning device, an electrostatic latent image forming and cleaning device, a developing and cleaning device, or a discharging and cleaning device is provided with an elastic electroconductive roller composed of an elastic roller base and a flexible conductor layer, the device is allowed to decrease size and lower price, curb the decline of capacity due to protracted use, and preclude the occurrence of dispersion of characteristic, efficiency, or performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiro Hosoya
- 👤 Shuitsu Sato
- 👤 Mitsunaga Saito
- 👤 Tsutomu Uehara
- 👤 Mitsuharu Endo
- 👤 Yukio Futamata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:04
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; G06K15/1295; G03; G03G; G03G13/00; G03G13/06; G03G13/08; G03G15/00; G03G15/02; G03G15/0208; G03G15/0216; G03G15/0233; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0806; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/1665; G03G15/167; G03G15/1685; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G21/0058; G03G21/06; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/06; G03G2215/0602; G03G2215/0604; G03G2215/0614; G03G2215/0617; G03G2215/0634; G03G2215/0636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A developing device for forming a thin layer of toner on the surface of a toner carrier subjected to developing bias voltage and converting an electrostatic latent image into a visible image by causing said thin toner layer to contact an electrostatic latent image rataining layer, which developing device is characterized by being adjusted so as to satisfy the conditional formula: |q|m≦100/vlR wherein q stands for the magnitude of charging of said toner (C/g), m for the amount of said toner attached to the surface of said toner carrier per unit area of said surface (g/cm 2 ), v for the speed of movement of said toner carrier (cm/sec), l for the available length of said toner carrier (cm), and R (Ω) for the magnitude of electric resistance between the surface of said toner carrier and means for application of said developing bias voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A developing device for forming a thin layer of toner on the surface of a toner carrier subjected to developing bias voltage and converting an electrostatic latent image into a visible image by causing said thin toner layer to contact an electrostatic latent image rataining layer, which developing device is characterized by being adjusted so as to satisfy the conditional formula: |q|m≦100/vlR wherein q stands for the magnitude of charging of said toner (C/g), m for the amount of said toner attached to the surface of said toner carrier per unit area of said surface (g/cm 2 ), v for the speed of movement of said toner carrier (cm/sec), l for the available length of said toner carrier (cm), and R (Ω) for the magnitude of electric resistance between the surface of said toner carrier and means for application of said developing bias voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The developing device of claim 1, wherein the width of contact between the surface of said toner carrier and the surface of said electrostatic latent image retaining layer is in the range of 0.3 mm to 6.0 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The developing device of claim 2, wherein the pressure of contact between said toner carrier and said electrostatic latent image retaining layer is no more than 1 kg/cm 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The developing device of claim 3, wherein the depth of contact between said toner carrier and said electrostatic latent image retaining layer is in the range 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The developing device of claim 4, wherein the roughness of the surface of said toner carrier is no more than 3 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The developing device of claim 5, wherein means for forming said thin toner layer is an elastic member or a rigid member pressed against the surface of said toner carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The developing device of claim 6, which is provided with means for applying such a voltage to the surface of said toner carrier that the absolute value of the potential difference between the image part of said electrostatic latent image and the surface of said toner carrier is no less than 100 V and no more than 600 V.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The developing device of claim 7, which is provided with means for applying such a voltage to the surface of said toner carrier that the absolute value of the potential difference between the non image part of said electrostatic latent image and the surface of said toner carrier is no less than 50 V.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The developing device of claim 1, wherein said toner carrier is an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base and said toner carrier possesses an ability to produce a cleaning action.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is an electroconductive roller having an electroconductive elastomer layer formed on a periphery of a metallic shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is an electroconductive roller composed of an elastic roller base and a conductive layer superposed on a periphery of the roller base.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is an electroconductive roller comprised of an elastic roller base which is composed of at least one material selected from the group of a soft polyurethane foam, a rubber sponge, and a polyurethane rubber, and a conductive layer superposed on a periphery of the roller base.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is an electroconductive roller comprised of an elastic roller base and a conductive layer superposed on a periphery of the roller base, said conductive layer being composed of a polyurethane resin having a fine electroconductive powder dispersed therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is an electroconductive roller comprised of an elastic roller base and a conductive layer superposed on a periphery of the roller base, said conductive layer being composed of a seamless tube comprised of at least one material selected from the group of polyester, polyurethane and polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is an electroconductive roller comprised of an elastic roller base and a conductive layer superposed on a periphery of the roller base, said conductive layer being formed of polyurethane resin and exhibiting an electric resistance of no more than 10 12 Ω. cm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is an electroconductive roller comprised of an elastic roller base, said roller base being composed of oilproof rubber possessing a rigidity of no more than 40 degrees, and a conductive layer superposed on a periphery of the roller base.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is an electroconductive roller comprised of an elastic roller base, a conductive layer superposed on a periphery of the roller base, and a resistor layer superposed on the conductive layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is an electroconductive roller comprised of an elastic roller base, a conductive layer superposed on a periphery of the roller base and a resistor layer superposed on the conductive layer, said resistor layer having an electric resistance exceeding 10 12 Ω. cm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
A developing device according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is an electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base, a conductive layer superposed on a periphery of the roller base, and a resistor layer superposed on the conductive layer, said resistor layer having a thickness of no more than 0.5 mm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral speed of the toner carrier in rotation is in the range of 1.5 to 7.0 times that of the electrostatic latent image retaining layer in rotation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
99 words
A developing device for forming a thin layer of toner on the surface of a toner carrier subjected to developing bias voltage and converting an electrostatic latent image into a visible image by causing said thin toner layer to contact an electrostatic latent image retaining layer, which developing device is characterized by being adjusted so as to satisfy the conditional formula: R≦200I wherein I (A) stands for the magnitude of a developing electric current and R (Ω) for the magnitude of electric resistance between the surface of said toner carrier and means for application of said developing bias voltage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
99 words
A developing device for forming a thin layer of toner on the surface of a toner carrier subjected to developing bias voltage and converting an electrostatic latent image into a visible image by causing said thin toner layer to contact an electrostatic latent image retaining layer, which developing device is characterized by being adjusted so as to satisfy the conditional formula: R≦200I wherein I (A) stands for the magnitude of a developing electric current and R (Ω) for the magnitude of electric resistance between the surface of said toner carrier and means for application of said developing bias voltage.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
A charging device incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base, said conductive layer being formed of polyurethane resin and possessing a magnitude of resistance of no more than 10 12 Ω. cm, said conductive layer directly contacting a latent image retaining layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
60 words
A charging device incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base, said conductive layer being formed of polyurethane resin and possessing a magnitude of resistance of no more than 10 12 Ω. cm, said conductive layer directly contacting a latent image retaining layer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
A charging device according to claim 22, wherein the width of contact between the electrostatic latent image retaining layer and the elastic electroconductive roller is in the range of 0.3 to 8.0 mm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A charging device according to claim 22, wherein the roller base is composed of at least one material selected from the group of a soft polyurethane foam, a rubber sponge, and polyurethane rubber.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A charging device according to claim 22, wherein the conductive layer is composed of a polyurethane resin having a fine electroconductive powder dispersed therein.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
A charging device according to claim 22, wherein the conductive layer is composed of a seamless tube comprised of at least one material selected from the group of a polyester, a polyurethane, and a polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A charging device according to claim 22, wherein the conductive layer is formed of polyurethane resin and exhibits an electric resistance of no more than 10 12 Ω. cm.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A charging device according to claim 22, wherein the elastic roller base is composed of oilproof rubber possessing a rigidity of no more than 40 degrees.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
A charging device according to claim 22, wherein the electroconductive roller further includes a resistor layer superposed on the conductive layer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
43 words
A charging and cleaning device, characterized by incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base, wherein said conductive layer directly contacts a latent image retaining layer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
43 words
A charging and cleaning device, characterized by incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base, wherein said conductive layer directly contacts a latent image retaining layer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
62 words
A transfer device incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base, said conductive layer being formed at least of polyurethane resin and possessing a magnitude of resistance of no more than 10 12 Ω. cm, and wherein said conductive layer directly contacts a transfer material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
62 words
A transfer device incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base, said conductive layer being formed at least of polyurethane resin and possessing a magnitude of resistance of no more than 10 12 Ω. cm, and wherein said conductive layer directly contacts a transfer material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
A discharging device, characterized by incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base, wherein said conductive layer directly contacts a latent image retaining layer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
41 words
A discharging device, characterized by incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base, wherein said conductive layer directly contacts a latent image retaining layer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
A discharging device according to claim 32, wherein the width of contact between the electrostatic latent image retaining layer and the elastic electroconductive roller is in the range of 0.3 to 8.0 mm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
A discharging device according to claim 32, wherein the elastic roller base is composed of at least one material selected from the group of a soft polyurethane foam, a rubber sponge, and a polyurethane rubber.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
A discharging device according to claim 32, wherein the conductive layer is composed of a polyurethane resin having a fine electroconductive powder dispersed therein.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
A discharging device according to claim 32, wherein the conductive layer is composed of a seamless tube comprised of at least one material selected from the group of a polyester, a polyurethane, and a polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
A discharging device according to claim 32, wherein the conductive layer is formed of polyurethane resin and exhibits an electric resistance of no more than 10 12 Ω. cm.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
A discharging device according to claim 32, wherein the elastic roller base is composed of oilproof rubber possessing a rigidity of no more than 40 degrees.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
43 words
A discharging and cleaning device, characterized by incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base, wherein said conductive layer directly contacts a latent image retaining layer.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
A discharging and cleaning device, characterized by incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base, wherein said conductive layer directly contacts a latent image retaining layer.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
65 words
An electrostatic latent image forming device, characterized by the fact that discharging means incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base and exposure means are opposed to each other through the medium of an electrostatic latent image retaining layer at least an exposure part of which is transparent.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
65 words
An electrostatic latent image forming device, characterized by the fact that discharging means incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base and exposure means are opposed to each other through the medium of an electrostatic latent image retaining layer at least an exposure part of which is transparent.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electrostatic latent image forming device according to claim 40 wherein the width of contact between the electrostatic latent image retaining layer and the elastic electroconductive roller is in the range of 0.3 to 8.0 mm.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrostatic latent image forming device according to claim 40, wherein the elastic roller base is composed of at least one material selected from the group of a soft polyurethane foam, a rubber sponge, and a polyurethane rubber.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrostatic latent image forming device according to claim 40, wherein the conductive layer is composed of a polyurethane resin having a fine electroconductive powder dispersed therein.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electrostatic latent image forming device according to claim 40, wherein the conductive layer is composed of a seamless tube comprised of at least one material selected from the group of a polyester, a polyurethane and a polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electrostatic latent image forming device according to claim 40, wherein the roller base comprises polyurethane resin and exhibits an electric resistance of no more than 10 12 Ω. cm.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrostatic latent image forming device according to claim 40, wherein the elastic roller base is composed of oilproof rubber possessing a rigidity of no more than 40 degrees.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
67 words
An electrostatic latent image forming and cleaning device, characterized by the fact that charging means incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base and exposure means are opposed to each other through the medium of an electrostatic latent image retaining layer at least an exposure part of which is transparent.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
67 words
An electrostatic latent image forming and cleaning device, characterized by the fact that charging means incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base and exposure means are opposed to each other through the medium of an electrostatic latent image retaining layer at least an exposure part of which is transparent.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
41 words
A cleaning device, characterized by incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base, wherein said conductor layer directly contacts a latent image retaining layer.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
41 words
A cleaning device, characterized by incorporating therein an elastic electroconductive roller provided with an elastic roller base and a flexible conductive layer superposed on a periphery of said roller base, wherein said conductor layer directly contacts a latent image retaining layer.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cleaning device according to claim 48, wherein the width of contact between the electrostatic latent image retaining layer and the elastic electroconductive roller is in the range of 0.3 to 8.0 mm.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cleaning device according to claim 48, wherein the elastic roller base is composed of at least one material selected from the group of soft polyurethane foam, a rubber sponge, and a polyurethane rubber.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cleaning device according to claim 48, wherein the conductive layer is composed of a polyurethane resin having a fine electroconductive powder dispersed therein.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cleaning device according to claim 48, wherein the conductive layer is composed of a seamless tube comprised of at least one material selected from the group of polyester, polyurethane, and polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cleaning device according to claim 48, wherein the roller base is formed mainly of a polyurethane resin and exhibits an electric resistance of no more than 10 12 Ω. cm.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cleaning device according to claim 48, wherein the roller base is composed of oilproof rubber possessing a rigidity of no more than 40 degrees.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3754963A
Cited
US3924943A
Cited
US4063808A
Cited
GB1594445A
Cited
US4408862A
Cited
US4360262A
Cited
US4521098A
Cited
US4469435A
Cited
US4760422A
Cited
US4827868A
Cited
US4827305A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-29 | 1994-04-30 | 1994-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-29 | 1998-04-30 | 1998-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-29 | 2002-04-30 | 2002-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |