US5740502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus and image forming method for forming adjacent images
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1996-01-18
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Granted: 1998-04-14
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Expires: 2016-01-18
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member; a charging member for charging the photosensitive member; an exposure device for exposing an image formation area of the photosensitive member charged by the charging member to light in accordance with an image signal to for an electrostatic image, and for exposing non-image-formation area around the image formation area to spots of light; and a developing device, having a developer carrying member for carrying a layer of developer having a thickness smaller than the gap with which the developer carrying member is opposed to the photosensitive member, for effecting reverse development of the electrostatic image.
Inventors
- 👤 Tetsuya Kobayashi
- 👤 Takashi Kawana
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:46
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/0126; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0806; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/06; G03G2215/0602; G03G2215/0604; G03G2215/0614; G03G2215/0619
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a photosensitive member; charging means for charging said photosensitive member; exposure means for exposing an image formation area of said photosensitive member charged by said charging means with light in accordance with an image signal to form an electrostatic image; developing means, having a developer carrying member for carrying a layer of developer having a thickness smaller than a gap between said developer carrying member and said photosensitive member, for effecting reverse development of the electrostatic image; and sub-exposure means for exposing with light a non-image-formation area of said photosensitive member, around the image formation area of said photosensitive member with light, not to be developed by said developing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a photosensitive member; charging means for charging said photosensitive member; exposure means for exposing an image formation area of said photosensitive member charged by said charging means with light in accordance with an image signal to form an electrostatic image; developing means, having a developer carrying member for carrying a layer of developer having a thickness smaller than a gap between said developer carrying member and said photosensitive member, for effecting reverse development of the electrostatic image; and sub-exposure means for exposing with light a non-image-formation area of said photosensitive member, around the image formation area of said photosensitive member with light, not to be developed by said developing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developing means has a plurality of developing devices containing different color developers, and wherein said sub-exposure means exposes the area around said image formation area when an image having a portion where different colors are adjacent to each other is formed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising transfer means for transferring the developed image from said photosensitive member to a recording material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said apparatus is capable of forming a full-color image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developer is a one component developer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said developer is a non-magnetic developer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said exposure means and said sub-exposure means have a common light source for emitting light modulated in accordance with the image signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
An image forming method, comprising the steps of: charging a photosensitive member; exposing a first image formation area of the photosensitive member charged by said charging step; exposing an area around said first image formation area with light, which is not to be developed; reverse developing a first electrostatic image with a first one component toner; transferring the first toner image from the photosensitive member onto a recording material; recharging the photosensitive member; exposing to light a second image formation area of the photosensitive member adjacent to the first image formation area; reverse developing a second electrostatic image with a second toner; and transferring the second toner image from said photosensitive member onto the recording material having the first toner image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
An image forming method, comprising the steps of: charging a photosensitive member; exposing a first image formation area of the photosensitive member charged by said charging step; exposing an area around said first image formation area with light, which is not to be developed; reverse developing a first electrostatic image with a first one component toner; transferring the first toner image from the photosensitive member onto a recording material; recharging the photosensitive member; exposing to light a second image formation area of the photosensitive member adjacent to the first image formation area; reverse developing a second electrostatic image with a second toner; and transferring the second toner image from said photosensitive member onto the recording material having the first toner image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein the second toner is a one component toner, said method further comprising exposing an area around said second image formation area with light not to be developed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein first and second toners are non-magnetic.
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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) | 2001-04-13 | 2001-10-13 | 2002-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-13 | 2005-10-13 | 2006-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-13 | 2009-10-13 | 2010-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |