Patent US1617629A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5066982A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5066982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cleaner-less image forming apparatus
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1990-03-30
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Granted: 1991-11-19
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Expires: 2010-03-30
Abstract
Abstract In a first embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of electrode portions are contactably and approachably disposed on an electrostatic latent image holding member in order to equalize a toner image of an electrostatic latent image holding member. In a second embodiment, an elastic foaming apparatus is contactably or approachably disposed to the electrostatic latent image holding member in order to equalize the residual toner distribution on the electrostatic latent image holding member. In a third embodiment, an equalization member consisting of an electric conductor or a resistor is contactably and approachably disposed on the electrostatic latent image holding member in order to equalize the distribution of toner of the transfer residual toner image. An AC electric field may be generated between the equalization member and the electrostatic latent image holding member.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiro Hosoya
- 👤 Mitsunaga Saito
- 👤 Shuitsu Sato
- 👤 Yoshimitsu Ohtaka
- 👤 Mitsuharu Endo
- 👤 Yukio Futamata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:42
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G21/0064; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/0005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrostatic latent image holding member; means for forming a latent image on said electrostatic latent image holding member; a development unit for supplying and adhering toner on the latent image being formed so as to develop the latent image; a transfer unit for transferring the latent image on an image holding material; and residual toner image equalization means for equalizing the distribution of a residual toner image which stays on said electrostatic latent image holding member after said latent image is transferred, wherein said development unit develops said latent image held on said electrostatic latent image holding member while attracting and collecting residual toner which remains on said electrostatic latent image holding member, said residual toner image equalization means comprising a plurality of electrode members which are contactably and approachably disposed to said electrostatic latent image holding member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrostatic latent image holding member; means for forming a latent image on said electrostatic latent image holding member; a development unit for supplying and adhering toner on the latent image being formed so as to develop the latent image; a transfer unit for transferring the latent image on an image holding material; and residual toner image equalization means for equalizing the distribution of a residual toner image which stays on said electrostatic latent image holding member after said latent image is transferred, wherein said development unit develops said latent image held on said electrostatic latent image holding member while attracting and collecting residual toner which remains on said electrostatic latent image holding member, said residual toner image equalization means comprising a plurality of electrode members which are contactably and approachably disposed to said electrostatic latent image holding member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a positive voltage is applied to a first one of said plurality of electrode members and a negative voltage is applied to a second one of said plurality of electrode members, said electrode members having a potential.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transfer unit is Scorotron type transfer unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a first one of said plurality of electrode members is positively charged and a second one of said plurality of electrode members is grounded, said first and second electrode members having a potential.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a grid voltage of a Scorotron type charger is applied to a first one of said plurality of electrode members and the grid voltage of said Scorotron type transfer unit is applied to a second one of said plurality of electrode members, said first and second electrode members having a potential.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of electrode members is a plate shaped electro-conductive brush.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of electrode members is a rotation type electro-conductive brush.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said residual toner image equalization means comprises first and second electrode members having first and second potentials respectively, said first potential being higher than said second potential, the first electrode member and the second electrode member being disposed upstream and downstream of said electrostatic latent image holding member viewed from the motion thereof, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said residual toner image equalization means comprises first and second electrode members having first and second potentials respectively, the first potential being higher than said second potential, said first electrode member and said second electrode member being disposed downstream and upstream of said electrostatic latent image holding member viewed from the motion thereof, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of voltages are respectively applied to said plurality of electrode members, each of said plurality of voltages differing from the other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrostatic latent image holding member; means for forming a latent image on said electrostatic latent image holding member; a development unit for supplying and adhering toner on the latent image being formed so as to develop the latent image; a transfer unit for transferring said latent image on an image holding material; and residual toner image equalization means for equalizing the distribution of a residual toner image which stays on said electrostatic latent image holding member after said latent image is transferred, wherein said development unit develops a latent image held on said electrostatic latent image holding member while attracting and collecting residual toner which remains on said electrostatic latent image holding member, said residual toner image equalization means comprising an elastic foaming substance pressed to said electrostatic latent image holding member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
138 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrostatic latent image holding member; means for forming a latent image on said electrostatic latent image holding member; a development unit for supplying and adhering toner on the latent image being formed so as to develop the latent image; a transfer unit for transferring said latent image on an image holding material; and residual toner image equalization means for equalizing the distribution of a residual toner image which stays on said electrostatic latent image holding member after said latent image is transferred, wherein said development unit develops a latent image held on said electrostatic latent image holding member while attracting and collecting residual toner which remains on said electrostatic latent image holding member, said residual toner image equalization means comprising an elastic foaming substance pressed to said electrostatic latent image holding member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said residual toner image equalization means comprises an elastic foaming substance whose average diameter ranges from several microns to several millimeters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said residual toner image equalization means comprises an elastic forming substance whose average number of cells ranges from 20 to 300 pieces/25 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a plurality of grooves are formed on said residual toner image equalization means, said plurality of grooves having an angle of 0<θ≦90 in the moving direction of the surface of said electrostatic latent image holding member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said residual toner image equalization means comprises an elastic electro-conductive substance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said residual toner image equalization means comprises said elastic forming substance and electro-conductive members, said elastic foaming substance being supported with said electro-conductive member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the distance between the surface of said electrostatic latent image holding members and said electro-conductive member ranges from 0.2 mm to 2 mm and the potential between the surface of said electrostatic latent image holding member and said residual toner image equalization means ranges from ±100 V to ±3,000 V.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
166 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrostatic latent image holding member; means for forming a latent image on said electrostatic latent image holding member; a development unit for supplying and adhering toner on the latent image being formed so as to develop the latent image; a transfer unit for transferring said latent image on an image holding material; and residual toner image equalization means for equalizing the distribution of a residual toner image which stays on said electrostatic latent image holding member after said latent image is transferred, wherein said development unit develops said latent image held on said electrostatic latent image holding member while attracting and collecting residual toner which remains on said electrostatic latent image holding member, said residual toner image equalization means comprising an electro-conductive member or resistor member, said residual toner image equalization means being contactably or approachably disposed, means for producing an AC electric field being disposed between said residual toner image equalization means and said electrostatic latent image holding member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
166 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrostatic latent image holding member; means for forming a latent image on said electrostatic latent image holding member; a development unit for supplying and adhering toner on the latent image being formed so as to develop the latent image; a transfer unit for transferring said latent image on an image holding material; and residual toner image equalization means for equalizing the distribution of a residual toner image which stays on said electrostatic latent image holding member after said latent image is transferred, wherein said development unit develops said latent image held on said electrostatic latent image holding member while attracting and collecting residual toner which remains on said electrostatic latent image holding member, said residual toner image equalization means comprising an electro-conductive member or resistor member, said residual toner image equalization means being contactably or approachably disposed, means for producing an AC electric field being disposed between said residual toner image equalization means and said electrostatic latent image holding member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said residual toner image equalization means comprises an electroconducting member or a resistance member whose resistance ranges from 10 3 Ω · cm to 10 9 Ω · cm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the difference of the electric field peak value between said residual toner image equalization means and the surface of said electrostatic latent image holding member is 5000 V/mm or more.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the frequency of said AC electric field ranges from 30 Hz to 10 kHz.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-11-18 | 1995-05-20 | 1995-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-18 | 1999-05-20 | 1999-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-18 | 2003-05-20 | 2003-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |