US5600423A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus including a transfer medium bearing member having a sheet member for bearing a transfer medium thereon
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1995-04-24
•
Granted: 1997-02-04
•
Expires: 2015-04-24
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus has an image bearing member bearing images thereon and movable, and a transfer medium bearing member provided in pressure contact with the image bearing member and bearing a transfer medium thereon and rotatable. The transfer medium bearing member has a sheet member for bearing the transfer medium thereon, and an elastic layer supporting that area of the sheet member bearing the transfer medium thereon from the inside of the sheet member. A voltage is applied to the transfer medium bearing member to transfer the images on the image bearing member to the transfer medium born on the sheet member. The sheet member has an area not fixed to the elastic layer. The transfer medium bearing member is rotated with a potential difference created between the image bearing member and the sheet member before the operation of transferring the images on the image bearing member to the transfer medium born on the sheet member is started.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiaki Miyashiro
- 👤 Akihiko Takeuchi
- 👤 Toshihiko Ochiai
- 👤 Motoi Kato
- 👤 Akira Ito
- 👤 Nobuaki Kabeya
- 👤 Takehiko Suzuki
- 👤 Takao Kume
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:37
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/1665; G03G15/167; G03G15/1685
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member bearing images thereon and movable; and a transfer medium bearing member provided in pressure contact with said image bearing member and bearing a transfer medium thereon and rotatable, said transfer medium bearing member having a sheet member for bearing the transfer medium thereon, and an elastic layer supporting that area of said sheet member bearing the transfer medium thereon from the inside of said sheet member, a voltage being applied to said transfer medium bearing member to transfer the images on said image bearing member to the transfer medium born on said sheet member; wherein said sheet member having an area not fixed to said elastic layer, said transfer medium bearing member being rotated with a potential difference created between said image bearing member and said sheet member before the operation of transferring the images on said image bearing member to the transfer medium born on said sheet member is started.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member bearing images thereon and movable; and a transfer medium bearing member provided in pressure contact with said image bearing member and bearing a transfer medium thereon and rotatable, said transfer medium bearing member having a sheet member for bearing the transfer medium thereon, and an elastic layer supporting that area of said sheet member bearing the transfer medium thereon from the inside of said sheet member, a voltage being applied to said transfer medium bearing member to transfer the images on said image bearing member to the transfer medium born on said sheet member; wherein said sheet member having an area not fixed to said elastic layer, said transfer medium bearing member being rotated with a potential difference created between said image bearing member and said sheet member before the operation of transferring the images on said image bearing member to the transfer medium born on said sheet member is started.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the images on said image bearing member are successively superposed one upon another and transferred to the transfer medium born on said sheet member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is caused to make at least one full rotation with said potential difference created.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said potential difference is created before the leading end of the transfer medium born on said sheet member arrives at a transfer position whereat the images on said image bearing member are transferred to the transfer medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said potential difference is created before the transfer medium is born on said transfer medium bearing member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a voltage is applied to said transfer medium bearing member to create said potential difference.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a voltage is applied to said transfer medium bearing member to create said potential difference.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a voltage is applied to said transfer medium bearing member to create said potential difference.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a voltage is applied to said transfer medium bearing member to create said potential difference.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a voltage is applied to said transfer medium bearing member to create said potential difference.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a movement speed of said sheet member and a movement speed of said image bearing member are equal to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a movement speed of said sheet member and a movement speed of said image bearing member are equal to each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a movement speed of said sheet member and a movement speed of said image bearing member are equal to each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a movement speed of said sheet member and a movement speed of said image bearing member are equal to each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a movement speed of said sheet member and a movement speed of said image bearing member are equal to each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a movement speed of said sheet member and a movement speed of said image bearing member are equal to each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a movement speed of said sheet member is higher than a movement speed of said image bearing member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a movement speed of said sheet member is higher than a movement speed of said image bearing member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a movement speed of said sheet member is higher than a movement speed of said image bearing member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a movement speed of said sheet member is higher than a movement speed of said image bearing member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a movement speed of said sheet member is higher than a movement speed of said image bearing member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a movement speed of said sheet member is higher than a movement speed of said image bearing member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, provided with a charger for charging said image bearing member and wherein said charger charges said image bearing member to create said potential difference.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
65 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the voltage applied to said transfer medium bearing member to create said potential difference before the start of the image transfer to the transfer medium born on said sheet member is smaller than the voltage applied to said transfer medium bearing member when the images are transferred to the transfer medium born on said sheet member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is provided with a supporting portion for supporting the leading end portion and trailing end portion of said sheet member with respect to the direction of movement of said transfer medium bearing member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is provided with a supporting portion for supporting the leading end portion and trailing end portion of said sheet member with respect to the direction of movement of said transfer medium bearing member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is provided with a supporting portion for supporting the leading end portion and trailing end portion of said sheet member with respect to the direction of movement of said transfer medium bearing member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is provided with a supporting portion for supporting the leading end portion and trailing end portion of said sheet member with respect to the direction of movement of said transfer medium bearing member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is provided with a supporting portion for supporting the leading end portion and trailing end portion of said sheet member with respect to the direction of movement of said transfer medium bearing member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is provided with a supporting portion for supporting the leading end portion and trailing end portion of said sheet member with respect to the direction of movement of said transfer medium bearing member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trailing end portion of said sheet member is fixed to a supporting portion through an elastic member expandable and contractible in the direction of movement of said sheet member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the trailing end portion of said sheet member is fixed to a supporting portion through an elastic member expandable and contractible in the direction of movement of said sheet member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the trailing end portion of said sheet member is fixed to a supporting portion through an elastic member expandable and contractible in the direction of movement of said sheet member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the trailing end portion of said sheet member is fixed to a supporting portion through an elastic member expandable and contractible in the direction of movement of said sheet member.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the trailing end portion of said sheet member is fixed to a supporting portion through an elastic member expandable and contractible in the direction of movement of said sheet member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the trailing end portion of said sheet member is fixed to a supporting portion through an elastic member expandable and contractible in the direction of movement of said sheet member.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sheet member is not fixed to said elastic layer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said sheet member is not fixed to said elastic layer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said sheet member is not fixed to said elastic layer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sheet member is not fixed to said elastic layer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said sheet member is not fixed to said elastic layer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said sheet member is not fixed to said elastic layer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
58 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, provided with a charger for charging said image bearing member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said charger imparts to said image bearing member charges more than an amount of charge imparted to said image bearing member when an image is formed on said image bearing member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
58 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, provided with a charger for charging said image bearing member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said charger imparts to said image bearing member charges more than an amount of charge imparted to said image bearing member when an image is formed on said image bearing member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
58 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, provided with a charger for charging said image bearing member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said charger imparts to said image bearing member charges more than an amount of charge imparted to said image bearing member when an image is formed on said image bearing member.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
58 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, provided with a charger for charging said image bearing member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said charger imparts to said image bearing member charges more than an amount of charge imparted to said image bearing member when an image is formed on said image bearing member.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
58 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, provided with a charger for charging said image bearing member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said charger imparts to said image bearing member charges more than an amount of charge imparted to said image bearing member when an image is formed on said image bearing member.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
58 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, provided with a charger for charging said image bearing member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said charger imparts to said image bearing member charges more than an amount of charge imparted to said image bearing member when an image is formed on said image bearing member.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
46 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, provided with absorption means for imparting charges to said sheet member to absorb the transfer medium to said sheet member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said absorption means imparts charges to said sheet member.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
46 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, provided with absorption means for imparting charges to said sheet member to absorb the transfer medium to said sheet member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said absorption means imparts charges to said sheet member.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
46 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, provided with absorption means for imparting charges to said sheet member to absorb the transfer medium to said sheet member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said absorption means imparts charges to said sheet member.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
46 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, provided with absorption means for imparting charges to said sheet member to absorb the transfer medium to said sheet member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said absorption means imparts charges to said sheet member.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
46 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, provided with absorption means for imparting charges to said sheet member to absorb the transfer medium to said sheet member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said absorption means imparts charges to said sheet member.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
46 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, provided with absorption means for imparting charges to said sheet member to absorb the transfer medium to said sheet member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said absorption means imparts charges to said sheet member.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, provided with a charger provided on the transfer medium bearing surface side of said sheet member for charging said sheet member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said charger charges said sheet member.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, provided with a charger provided on the transfer medium bearing surface side of said sheet member for charging said sheet member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said charger charges said sheet member.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, provided with a charger provided on the transfer medium bearing surface side of said sheet member for charging said sheet member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said charger charges said sheet member.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, provided with a charger provided on the transfer medium bearing surface side of said sheet member for charging said sheet member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said charger charges said sheet member.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, provided with a charger provided on the transfer medium bearing surface side of said sheet member for charging said sheet member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said charger charges said sheet member.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, provided with a charger provided on the transfer medium bearing surface side of said sheet member for charging said sheet member and wherein in order to create said potential difference, said charger charges said sheet member.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is provided with a base body to which a voltage is applied, and the elastic layer is provided between said base body and said sheet member.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is provided with a base body to which a voltage is applied, and the elastic layer is provided between said base body and said sheet member.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is provided with a base body to which a voltage is applied, and the elastic layer is provided between said base body and said sheet member.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is provided with a base body to which a voltage is applied, and the elastic layer is provided between said base body and said sheet member.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is provided with a base body to which a voltage is applied, and the elastic layer is provided between said base body and said sheet member.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said transfer medium bearing member is provided with a base body to which a voltage is applied, and the elastic layer is provided between said base body and said sheet member.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
173 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member bearing images thereon and movable; a transfer medium bearing member provided in pressure contact with said image bearing member and bearing a transfer medium thereon and rotatable, said transfer medium bearing member having a sheet member for bearing the transfer medium thereon, and an elastic layer supporting that area of said sheet member which carries the transfer medium thereon from the inside of said sheet member, a voltage being applied to said transfer medium bearing member to transfer the images on said image bearing member to the transfer medium born on said sheet member; and a pressing member provided in pressure contact with said transfer medium bearing member; wherein said sheet member having an area not fixed to said elastic layer, said transfer medium bearing member being rotated with a potential difference created between said pressing member and said sheet member before the operation of transferring the images on said image bearing member to the transfer medium carried on said sheet member is started.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
173 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member bearing images thereon and movable; a transfer medium bearing member provided in pressure contact with said image bearing member and bearing a transfer medium thereon and rotatable, said transfer medium bearing member having a sheet member for bearing the transfer medium thereon, and an elastic layer supporting that area of said sheet member which carries the transfer medium thereon from the inside of said sheet member, a voltage being applied to said transfer medium bearing member to transfer the images on said image bearing member to the transfer medium born on said sheet member; and a pressing member provided in pressure contact with said transfer medium bearing member; wherein said sheet member having an area not fixed to said elastic layer, said transfer medium bearing member being rotated with a potential difference created between said pressing member and said sheet member before the operation of transferring the images on said image bearing member to the transfer medium carried on said sheet member is started.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 67, wherein the images on said image bearing member are successively superposed one upon another and transferred to the transfer medium born on said sheet member.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said pressing member is a rotatable member.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 68, wherein said pressing member is a rotatable member.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said pressing member is an absorbing rotatable member for imparting charges to said sheet member to absorb the transfer medium to said sheet member.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 68, wherein said pressing member is an absorbing rotatable member for imparting charges to said sheet member to absorb the transfer medium to said sheet member.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said potential difference is created before the transfer medium is born on said transfer medium bearing member.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 68, wherein said potential difference is created before the transfer medium is born on said transfer medium bearing member.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 67, wherein said image bearing member is driven independently relative to said transfer medium bearing member.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 68, wherein said image bearing member is driven independently relative to said transfer medium bearing member.
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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) | 2000-02-04 | 2000-08-05 | 2001-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-04 | 2004-08-05 | 2005-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-04 | 2008-08-05 | 2009-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |