Patent US2978047A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5177534A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5177534A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image forming apparatus with contact-type charge means
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1990-12-03
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Granted: 1993-01-05
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Expires: 2010-12-03
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus includes a movable image bearing member; and a charging device extending in contact with the image bearing member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of the image bearing member, the charging device including a conductive wire extending in the crossing direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroki Kisu
- 👤 Hiromichi Yamada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/02; G03G15/0208; G03G15/0216
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; and charging means extending in contact with said image bearing member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of said image bearing member, said charging means including a conductive wire extending in the crossing direction; wherein said conductive wire, measured along the movement direction of said image bearing member, is more than 5 microns and less than 100 microns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; and charging means extending in contact with said image bearing member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of said image bearing member, said charging means including a conductive wire extending in the crossing direction; wherein said conductive wire, measured along the movement direction of said image bearing member, is more than 5 microns and less than 100 microns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for applying a voltage between said conductive wire and said image bearing member to electrically charge said image bearing member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the voltage has a periodically changing voltage level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the voltage has a peak-to-peak voltage which is not less than twice a charge starting voltage of said charging means relative to said image bearing member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said charging means includes a dielectric layer contactable to said image bearing member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said dielectric layer is of resin material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said resin material is non-rubber resin material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said charging means has a dielectric layer contactable to said image bearing member, and wherein a reactance of said charging means relative to a voltage of said charging means is smaller than a resistance of said charging means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an electrostatic capacity of said charging means is larger than that of said image bearing member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising supporting means for supporting said charging means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said supporting means extends in the crossing direction to urge said charging means to said image bearing member over a length in the crossing direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a charging width measured in a direction of movement of a surface of image bearing member is larger than a width of said conductive wire measured in the same direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said charging means is operated when a latent image is formed on said image bearing member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said dielectric layer is made of n-methoxymethyl nylon, polyvinyl butyral resin material, polyurethane resin material, ethylene vinyl acetate resin material, styrene butadiene resin material, fluorinated resin material in which low resistance powder is dispersed, or regenerated cellulose.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image bearing member is an organic photoconductor material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a process unit detachably mountable to said apparatus and containing said image bearing member and said charging means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
77 words
A process unit detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; and a charging means extending in contact with said image bearing member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of said image bearing member, said charging means including a conductive wire extending in the crossing direction; wherein said conductive wire, measured along the movement direction of said image bearing member, is more than 5 microns and less than 1000 microns.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
77 words
A process unit detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; and a charging means extending in contact with said image bearing member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of said image bearing member, said charging means including a conductive wire extending in the crossing direction; wherein said conductive wire, measured along the movement direction of said image bearing member, is more than 5 microns and less than 1000 microns.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process unit according to claim 17, wherein said charging means includes a dielectric layer contactable to said image bearing member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process unit according to claim 18, wherein said dielectric layer is of resin material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process unit according to claim 19, wherein said resin material is non-rubber resin material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process unit according to claim 17, wherein an electrostatic capacity of said charging means is larger than that of said image bearing member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process unit according to claim 17, further comprising supporting means for supporting said charging means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process unit according to claim 22, wherein said supporting means extends in the crossing direction to urge said charging means to said image bearing member over a length in the crossing direction.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process unit according to claim 17, wherein a charging width measured in a direction of movement of a surface of said image bearing member is larger than a width of said conductive wire measured in the same direction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process unit according to claim 17, wherein said charging means is operated when a latent image is formed on said image bearing member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process unit according to claim 19 or 20, wherein said dielectric layer is made of n-methoxymethyl nylon, polyvinyl butyral resin material, polyurethane resin material, ethylene vinyl acetate resin material, styrene butadiene resin material, fluorinated resin material in which low resistance powder is dispersed, or regenerated cellulose.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process unit according to claim 17, wherein said image bearing member is an organic photoconductor material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; and a charging wire extending in contact with said image bearing member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of said image bearing member, said charging wire including a conductive wire; wherein said conductive wire, measured along the movement direction of said image bearing member, is more than 5 microns and less than 1000 microns.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
66 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; and a charging wire extending in contact with said image bearing member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of said image bearing member, said charging wire including a conductive wire; wherein said conductive wire, measured along the movement direction of said image bearing member, is more than 5 microns and less than 1000 microns.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising means for applying a voltage between said conductive wire and said image bearing member to electrically charge said image bearing member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the voltage has a periodically changing voltage level.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the voltage has a peak-to-peak voltage which is not less than twice a charge starting voltage of said charging wire relative to said image bearing member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said charging wire includes a dielectric layer contactable to said image bearing member.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said dielectric layer is of resin material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said resin material is non-rubber resin material.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 30 or 31, wherein said charging wire has a dielectric layer contactable to said image bearing member, and wherein a reactance of said charging wire relative to a voltage of said charging wire is smaller than a resistance of said charging wire.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein an electrostatic capacity of said charging wire is larger than that of said image bearing member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising supporting means for supporting said charging wire.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said supporting means extends in the crossing direction to urge said charging wire to said image bearing member over a length in the crossing direction.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein a charging width measured in a direction of movement of a surface of said image bearing member is larger than a width of said conductive wire measured in the same direction.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said charging wire is operated when a latent image is formed on said image bearing member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said dielectric layer is made of n-methoxymethyl nylon, polyvinyl butyral resin material, polyurethane resin material, ethylene vinyl acetate resin material, styrene butadiene resin material, fluorinated resin material in which low resistance powder is dispersed, or regenerated cellulose.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said image bearing member is an organic photoconductor material.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising a process unit detachably mountable to said apparatus and containing said image bearing member and said charging wire.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
79 words
A process unit detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; and a charging wire contactable to said image bearing member and extending in a direction crossing with a movement direction of said image bearing member to electrically charge said image bearing member, said charging wire including a conductive wire; wherein said conductive wire, measured along the movement direction of said image bearing member, is more than 5 microns and less than 1000 microns.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
79 words
A process unit detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; and a charging wire contactable to said image bearing member and extending in a direction crossing with a movement direction of said image bearing member to electrically charge said image bearing member, said charging wire including a conductive wire; wherein said conductive wire, measured along the movement direction of said image bearing member, is more than 5 microns and less than 1000 microns.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
68 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; and charging means extending in contact with said image bearing member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of said image bearing member, said charging means including an electrode extending in the crossing direction; wherein said electrode, measured along the movement direction of said image bearing member, is more than 5 microns and less than 1000 microns.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
68 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; and charging means extending in contact with said image bearing member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of said image bearing member, said charging means including an electrode extending in the crossing direction; wherein said electrode, measured along the movement direction of said image bearing member, is more than 5 microns and less than 1000 microns.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said charging means includes a dielectric layer contactable to said image bearing member.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said dielectric layer is of resin material.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said resin material is non-rubber resin material.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein a charging width measured in a direction of movement of a surface of said image bearing member is larger than a width of said electrode measured in the same direction.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process unit detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; and charging means extending in contact with said image bearing member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of said image bearing member, said charging means including an electrode extending in the crossing direction; wherein said electrode, measured along the movement direction of said image bearing member, is more than 5 microns and less than 1000 microns.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process unit detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member; and charging means extending in contact with said image bearing member in a direction crossing with a movement direction of said image bearing member, said charging means including an electrode extending in the crossing direction; wherein said electrode, measured along the movement direction of said image bearing member, is more than 5 microns and less than 1000 microns.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said charging means contacts said image bearing member within a range in the movement direction which is larger than the width of the charging wire.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process unit according to claim 17, wherein said charging means contacts said image bearing member within a range in the movement direction which is larger than the width of the charging wire.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said charging means contacts said image bearing member within a range in the movement direction which is larger than the width of the electrode.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process unit according to claim 50, wherein said charging means contacts said image bearing member within a range in the movement direction which is larger than the width of the electrode.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 or 28, wherein said charging wire has a volume resistivity of substantially 0 Ohm.cm.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process unit according to claim 17 or 44, wherein said charging wire has a volume resistivity of substantially 0 Ohm.cm.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said electrode has a volume resistivity of substantially 0 Ohm.cm.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process unit according to claim 50, wherein said electrode has a volume resistivity of substantially 0 Ohm.cm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-01-05 | 1996-07-06 | 1997-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-05 | 2000-07-06 | 2001-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-05 | 2004-07-06 | 2005-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |