Patent US5164780A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5164780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image forming apparatus having developer carrying member with surface layer of defined load curve
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1991-06-14
•
Granted: 1992-11-17
•
Expires: 2011-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus comprising an electrostatic latent image bearing member and a developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image. The developing apparatus comprises a developer container in which a developer is held, and a developer-carrying member for carrying thereon the developer and transporting the developer to a developing zone. The developer-carrying member has a surface layer of a resin containing at least conductive fine particles and a solid lubricant, and the surface layer has in its relative load curve (Abbot's load curve) a cutting depth C v of not more than 5 μm when a relative load length t p is 5%; and the developer contains a toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil or silicone varnish.
Inventors
- 👤 Manabu Ohno
- 👤 Yukari Ishibashi
- 👤 Tetsuhito Kuwashima
- 👤 Hiroyuki Suematsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:51
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G9/00; G03G9/08; G03G9/097; G03G9/09783; G03G13/00; G03G13/06; G03G13/08; G03G13/09; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/09; G03G15/0921; G03G15/0928; G03G9/0819; G03G9/09; G03G9/0906; G03G9/091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 129
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An image forming apparatus comprising an electrostatic latent image bearing member and a developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image; said developing apparatus comprising a developer container in which a developer is held, and a developer-carrying member for carrying thereon the developer and transporting the developer to a developing zone; said developer-carrying member having a surface layer of a resin containing at least conductive fine particles, a solid lubricant or a mixture thereof, said surface layer having in a relative load curve (Abbot's load curve) with a cutting depth C v of not more than 5 μm when a relative load length t p is 5%; and said developer containing a toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil or silicone varnish.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An image forming apparatus comprising an electrostatic latent image bearing member and a developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image; said developing apparatus comprising a developer container in which a developer is held, and a developer-carrying member for carrying thereon the developer and transporting the developer to a developing zone; said developer-carrying member having a surface layer of a resin containing at least conductive fine particles, a solid lubricant or a mixture thereof, said surface layer having in a relative load curve (Abbot's load curve) with a cutting depth C v of not more than 5 μm when a relative load length t p is 5%; and said developer containing a toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil or silicone varnish.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a cutting depth C v of from 0.5 μm to 5 μm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member has been subjected to surface polishing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member has been subjected to surface polishing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member is controlled by polishing a surface having a cutting depth C v of more than 5 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains graphite particles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains conductive carbon particles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains graphite particles and conductive carbon particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developer-carrying member comprises a developing sleeve with a magnet inside said developing sleeve, and said developer comprises a magnetic toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a thickness of from 0.5 μm to 30 μm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a thickness of from 2 μm to 20 μm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said solid lubricant comprises graphite particles having a particle diameter of from 0.5 μm to 10 μm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 5 μm to 100 μm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 10 μm to 80 μm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 15 μm to 40 μm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a volume resistivity of from 10 -6 Ω.cm to 10 6 Ω.cm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member comprises graphite particles, conductive carbon particles, or a mixture of these, and a resin selected from the group consisting of a phenol resin, a silicone resin, a fluorine resin, a polyether sulfone, a polycarbonate, a polyphenylene oxide, a polyamide and a polystyrene resin.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member comprises graphite particles, conductive carbon particles, or a mixture of these, and a phenol resin.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member comprises a laminated OPC photosensitive drum.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner contains a binder resin having i) a polymerizable monomer unit contained in an amount of from 2 parts by weight to 30 parts by weight based on a total weight of the resin, the monomer unit having an acid group comprised of a carboxyl group or an acid anhydride thereof, and ii) an acid value of from 1 to 70 for the resin as a whole.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner contains a metal complex compound (A) of an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid having a lipophilic group.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner contains a metal complex salt monoazo dye (B) having a hydrophilic group.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner contains a metal complex compound (A) or an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid having a lipophilic group, and a metal complex salt monoazo dye (B) having a hydrophilic group.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
317 words
The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said metal complex compound (A) has a structure selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (I), (II) and (III) ##STR6## wherein R 1 to R 4 are identical or different from each other, and each represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, provided that at least one of R 1 to R 4 represents said alkyl or alkenyl group; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + ##STR7## wherein R 1 to R 4 are identical or different from each other, and each represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, one or both of a and b is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring, or one of a and b is a benzene ring or cyclohexene ring and the other is an alkyl group having 4 to 9 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + ##STR8## wherein one or both of a and b is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring or one of a and b is a benzene ring or cyclohexene ring and the other is an alkyl group having 4 to 9 carbon atoms; and one or both of c and d is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring or one of c and d is a benzene ring or cyclohexene ring and the other is an alkyl group having 4 to 9 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + .
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
158 words
The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said metal complex salt monoazo dye (B) has a structure selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (IV) and (V) ##STR9## wherein at least one of X and Y represent(s) a hydrophilic group, and the other of X and Y represent(s) a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn or Fe; and A + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + ##STR10## wherein at least one of X, Y and Z represent(s) a hydrophilic group, and any of the others of X, Y and Z represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn or Fe; and A + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + .
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said hydrophilic group is a group selected from the group consisting of --SO 3 H, --SO 3 M, --COOM, --NR 3 X, --COOH, --NH 2 , --CN, --OH, --NHCONH 2 , --X, and --NO 2 , wherein R represents an alkyl group, M represents an alkali metal or --NH 4 , and X represents a halogen atom.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner has a weight average particle diameter D 4 of 10 μm to 15 μm, a fine-powder content (particle diameter: 6.35 μm or smaller) of not more than 30% by number, a coarse-powder content (particle diameter: 20.2 μm or larger) of not more than 4% by weight, and an MI (melt index) value of not more than 10.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
118 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner comprises a binder resin, magnetic particles and a charge control agent: said binder resin having i) a polymerizable monomer unit contained in an amount of from 2 parts by weight to 30 parts by weight based on a total weight of the resin, said monomer unit having an acid group comprised of a carboxyl group or an acid anhydride thereof, and ii) an acid value of from 1 to 70 as that of the resin as a whole; said magnetic particles having a bulk density of not less than 0.35 g/cm 3 ; and said charge control agent comprises a metal complex salt monoazo dye having a hydrophilic group.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner contains a cross-linked styrene copolymer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said binder resin contained a cross-linked styrene copolymer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner contains a weight average particle diameter D 4 of 5 μm to 15 μm.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner contains a low-molecular weight polyalkylene.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said toner shows two or more maximum values in a chromatogram in gel permeation chromatography.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine silica powder pretreated with a silicone oil.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine silica powder pretreated with a silane coupling agent and a silicone oil.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and an alumina powder pretreated with a silicone oil.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developer-carrying member is equipped with a means for applying a bias.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member has a digital latent image.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member has an OPC photosensitive layer and a digital latent image formed by exposure to laser light.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus unit comprising an electrostatic latent image bearing member and a developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image; said developing apparatus comprising a developer container in which a developer is held, and a developer-carrying member for carrying thereon the developer and transporting the developer to a developing zone; said developer-carrying member having a surface layer of a resin containing at least conductive fine particles, a solid lubricant or a mixture thereof, said surface layer having in a relative load curve (Abbot's load curve) with a cutting depth C v of not more than 5 μm when a relative load length t p is 5%; said developer containing a toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil or silicone varnish; and said developing apparatus being supported together with said electrostatic latent image bearing member to from a single unit, and said single unit being detachably provided in a body of an electrophotographic apparatus.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus unit comprising an electrostatic latent image bearing member and a developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image; said developing apparatus comprising a developer container in which a developer is held, and a developer-carrying member for carrying thereon the developer and transporting the developer to a developing zone; said developer-carrying member having a surface layer of a resin containing at least conductive fine particles, a solid lubricant or a mixture thereof, said surface layer having in a relative load curve (Abbot's load curve) with a cutting depth C v of not more than 5 μm when a relative load length t p is 5%; said developer containing a toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil or silicone varnish; and said developing apparatus being supported together with said electrostatic latent image bearing member to from a single unit, and said single unit being detachably provided in a body of an electrophotographic apparatus.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a cutting depth C v of from 0.5 μm to 5 μm.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member has been subjected to surface polishing.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 42, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member has been subjected to surface polishing.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member is controlled by polishing a surface having a cutting depth C v of more than 5 μm.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains graphite particles.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains conductive carbon particles.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains graphite particles and conductive carbon particles.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said developer-carrying member comprises a developing sleeve having with a magnet inside said developing sleeve, and said developer comprises a magnetic toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 49, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a thickness of from 0.5 μm to 30 μm.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a thickness of from 2 μm to 20 μm.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said solid lubricant comprises graphite particles having a particle diameter of from 0.5 μm to 10 μm.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 5 μm to 100 μm.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 10 μm to 80 μm.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 15 μm to 40 μm.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a volume resistivity of from 10 -6 Ω.cm to 10 6 Ω.cm.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member comprises graphite particles, conductive carbon particles, or a mixture of these, and a resin selected from the group consisting of a phenol resin, a silicone resin, a fluorine resin, a polyether sulfone, a polycarbonate, a polyphenylene oxide, a polyamide and a polystyrene resin.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member comprises graphite particles, conductive carbon particles, or a mixture of thereof, and a phenol resin.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member comprises a laminated OPC photosensitive drum.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said toner contains a binder resin having i) a polymerizable monomer unit contained in an amount of from 2 parts by weight to 30 parts by weight based on a total weight of the resin, said monomer unit having an acid group comprised of a carboxyl group or an acid anhydride thereof, and ii) an acid value of from 1 to 70 as that of the resin as a whole.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said toner contains a metal complex compound (A) of a aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid having a lipophilic group.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said toner contains a metal complex salt monoazo dye (B) having a hydrophilic group.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said toner contain a metal complex compound (A) of an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid having a lipophilic group, and a metal complex salt monoazo dye (B) having a hydrophilic group.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
317 words
The apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said metal complex compound (A) has a structure selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (I), (II) and (III) ##STR11## wherein R 1 to R 4 are identical or different from each other, and each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, provided that at least one of R 1 to R 4 represents said alkyl or alkenyl group; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + ##STR12## wherein R 1 and R 2 are identical or different from each other, and each represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; one or both of a and b is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring, or one of a and b is a benzene ring or cyclohexene ring and the other is an alkyl group having 4 to 9 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + ##STR13## wherein one or both of a and b is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring or one of a and b is a benzene ring or cyclohexene ring and the other is an alkyl group having 4 to 9 carbon atoms; and one or both of c and d is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring or one of c and d is a benzene ring or cyclohexene ring and the other is an alkyl group having 4 to 9 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + .
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
159 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 63, wherein said metal complex salt monoazo dye (B) has a structure selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (IV) and (V) ##STR14## wherein at least one of X and Y represent(s) a hydrophilic group, and the other of X and Y represent(s) a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn or Fe; and A + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + ##STR15## wherein at least one of X, Y and Z represent(s) a hydrophilic group, and any of the others of X, Y and Z represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn or Fe; and A + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + .
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 63, wherein said hydrophilic group is a group selected from the group consisting of --SO 3 H, --SO 3 M, --COOM, --NR 3 X, --COOH, --NH 2 , --CN, --OH, --NHCONH 2 , --X, and --NO 2 , wherein R represents an alkyl group, M represents an alkali metal or --NH 4 , and X represents a halogen atom.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said toner has a weight average particle diameter D 4 of 5 μm to 15 μm, a fine-powder content (particle diameter: 6.35 μm or smaller) of not more than 30% by number, a coarse-powder content (particle diameter: 20.2 μm or larger) of not more than 4% by weight, and an MI (melt index) value of not more than 10.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
119 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said toner comprises a binder resin, magnetic particles and a charge control agent; said binder resin having i) a polymerizable monomer unit contained in an amount of from 2 parts by weight to 30 parts by weight based on a total weight of the resin, said monomer unit having an acid group comprised of a carboxyl group or an acid anhydride thereof, and ii) an acid value of from 1 to 70 as that of the resin as a whole; said magnetic particles having a bulk density of not less than 0.35 g/cm 3 ; and said charge control agent comprises a metal complex salt monoazo dye having a hydrophilic group.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said toner contains a cross-linked styrene copolymer.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 69, wherein said binder resin contains a cross-linked styrene copolymer.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said toner has a weight average particle diameter D 4 of 5 μm to 15 μm.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said toner contains a low-molecular weight polyalkylene.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 73, wherein said toner shows two or more maximum peaks in a chromatogram in gel permeation chromatography.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine silica powder pretreated with a silicone oil.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 41, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine silica powder pretreated with a silane coupling agent and a silicone oil.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and an alumina powder pretreated with a silicone oil.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said developer-carrying member is equipped with a means for applying a bias.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member has a digital latent image.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 79, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member has an OPC photosensitive layer and a digital latent image formed by exposure to laser light.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
144 words
A facsimile apparatus comprising an electrophotographic apparatus and a receiver means for receiving image information from a remote terminal, wherein said electrophotographic apparatus comprises an electrostatic latent image bearing member and a developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image; said developing apparatus comprising a developer container in which a developer is held, and a developer-carrying member for carrying thereon the developer and transporting the developer to a developing zone; said developer-carrying member having a surface layer of a resin containing at least conductive fine particles, a solid lubricant or a mixture thereof, said surface layer having in a relative load curve (Abbot's load curve) with a cutting depth C v of not more than 5 μm when a relative load length t p is 5%; and said developer containing a toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil or silicone varnish.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
144 words
A facsimile apparatus comprising an electrophotographic apparatus and a receiver means for receiving image information from a remote terminal, wherein said electrophotographic apparatus comprises an electrostatic latent image bearing member and a developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image; said developing apparatus comprising a developer container in which a developer is held, and a developer-carrying member for carrying thereon the developer and transporting the developer to a developing zone; said developer-carrying member having a surface layer of a resin containing at least conductive fine particles, a solid lubricant or a mixture thereof, said surface layer having in a relative load curve (Abbot's load curve) with a cutting depth C v of not more than 5 μm when a relative load length t p is 5%; and said developer containing a toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil or silicone varnish.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a cutting depth C v of from 0.5 μm to 5 μm.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 81 wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member has been subjected to surface polishing.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 82, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member has been subjected to surface polishing.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member is controlled by polishing a surface having a cutting depth C v of more than 5 μm.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains graphite particles.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains conductive carbon particles.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 81 wherein the surface of said developer-carrying member contains graphite particles and conductive carbon particles.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 81 wherein said developer-carrying member comprises a developing sleeve with a magnet inside said developing sleeve and said developer comprises a magnetic toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine powder pretreated with a silicone oil.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a thickness of from 0.5 μm to 30 μm.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a thickness of from 2 μm to 20 μm.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said solid lubricant comprises graphite particles having a particle diameter of from 0.5 μm to 10 μm.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 5 μm to 100 μm.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 10 μm to 80 μm.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said conductive fine particles comprise amorphous carbon particles having a particle diameter of from 15 μm to 40 μm.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member has a volume resistivity of from 10 -6 Ω.cm to 10 6 Ω.cm.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member comprises graphite particles, conductive carbon particles, or a mixture of these, and a resin selected from the group consisting of a phenol resin, a silicone resin, a fluorine resin, a polyether sulfone, a polycarbonate, a polyphenylene oxide, a polyamide and a polystyrene resin.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said surface layer of said developer-carrying member comprises graphite particles, conductive carbon particles, or a mixture of these, and a phenol resin.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member comprises a laminated OPC photosensitive drum.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said toner contains a binder resin having i) a polymerizable monomer unit contained in an amount of from 2 parts by weight to 30 parts by weight based on a total weight of the resin, the monomer unit having an acid group comprised of a carboxyl group or an acid anhydride thereof, and ii) an acid value of from 1 to 70 for the resin as a whole.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said toner contains a metal complex compound (A) of an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid having a lipophilic group.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said toner contains a metal complex salt monoazo dye (B) having a hydrophilic group.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said toner contains a metal complex compound (A) of an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid having a lipophilic group, and a metal complex salt monoazo dye (B) having a hydrophilic group.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
316 words
The apparatus according to claim 102, wherein said metal complex compound (A) has a structure selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (I), (II) and (III) ##STR16## wherein R 1 to R 4 are identical or different from each other, and each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, provided that at least one of R 1 to R 4 represents said alkyl or alkenyl group; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + ##STR17## wherein R 1 to R 2 are identical or different from each other, and each represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; one or both of a and b is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring or one of a and b is a benzene ring or cyclohexene ring and the other is an alkyl group having 4 to 9 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + ##STR18## wherein one or both of a and b is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring or one of a and b is a benzene ring or cyclohexene ring and the other is an alkyl group having 4 to 9 carbon atoms; and one or both of c and d is a benzene ring or a cyclohexene ring or one of c and d is a benzene ring or cyclohexene ring and the other is an alkyl group having 4 to 9 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu or Zn; and X + represents H + , K + , Na + NH 4 + or Li + .
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
159 words
The apparatus according to claim 103, wherein said metal complex salt type monoazo dye (B) has a structure selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (IV) and (V) ##STR19## wherein at least one of X and Y represent(s) a hydrophilic group, and the other of X and Y represent(s) a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn or Fe; and A + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + ##STR20## wherein at least one of X, Y and Z represent(s) a hydrophilic group, and any of the others of X, Y and Z represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Me represents Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn or Fe; and A + represents H + , K + , Na + , NH 4 + or Li + .
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said hydrophilic group is a group selected from the group consisting of --SO 3 H, --SO 3 M, --COOM, --NR 3 X, --COOH, --NH 2 , --CN, --OH, --NHCONH 2 , --X, and --NO 2 , wherein R represents an alkyl group, M represents an alkali metal or --NH 4 , and X represents a halogen atom.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said toner has a weight average particle diameter D 4 of 10 μm to 15 μm, a fine-powder content (particle diameter: 6.35 μm or smaller) of not more than 30% by number, a coarse-powder content (particle diameter: 20.2 μm or larger) of not more than 4% by weight, and an MI (melt index) value of not more than 10.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
117 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said toner comprises a binder resin, magnetic particles and a charge control agent: said binder resin having i) a polymerizable monomer unit contained in an amount of from 2 parts by weight to 30 parts by weight based a total weight of the resin, said monomer unit having an acid group comprised of a carboxyl group or an acid anhydride thereof, and ii) an acid value of from 1 to 70 as that of the resin as a whole; said magnetic particles having a bulk density of not less than 0.35 g/cm 3 ; and said charge control agent comprises a metal complex salt monoazo dye having a hydrophilic group.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said toner contains a cross-linked styrene copolymer.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 109, wherein said binder resin contained a cross-linked styrene copolymer.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said toner contains a weight average particle diameter D 4 of 5 μm to 15 μm.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said toner contains a low-molecular weight polyalkylene.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 113, wherein said toner shows two or more maximum values in a chromatogram in gel permeation chromatography.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine silica powder pretreated with a silicone oil.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and a fine silica powder pretreated with a silane coupling agent and a silicone oil.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said developer comprises an insulative magnetic toner and an alumina powder pretreated with a silicone oil.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said developer-carrying member is equipped with a means for applying a bias.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member has a digital latent image.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 119, wherein said electrostatic latent image bearing member has an OPC photosensitive layer and a digital latent image formed by exposure to laser light.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein one of said a and b of Formula (II) is present.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein one of said a and b and one of said c and d of Formula (III) are present.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 65, wherein one of said a and b of Formula (II) is present.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus unit according to claim 65, wherein one of said a and b and one of said c and d of Formula (III) are present.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 105, wherein one of said a and b of Formula (II) is present.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 105, wherein one of said a and b and one of said c and d of Formula (III) are present.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4989044A
Cited
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-05-18 | 1996-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |