US6060205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1999-04-19
•
Granted: 2000-05-09
•
Expires: 2019-04-19
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus comprising a lubricant supplying device which supplies a lubricant to a rotating image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises at least one of low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene, a fluorine-containing resin including a filler, polytetrafluoroethylene which has been subjected to heat or radiation decomposition treatment, a fluorine-containing resin which has been prepared by a compression molding method, and a porous fluorine-containing resin. The lubricant preferably has a concave portion on the surface thereof contacting the image carrier. The lubricant is preferably disposed so that an acute angle formed by a line parallel to a compression direction of the lubricant, during the compression molding of the lubricant, and a line parallel to a moving direction of the image carrier, is from about 45 to about 90°.
Inventors
- 👤 Ryuta Takeichi
- 👤 Narihito Kojima
- 👤 Hiroshi Nagame
- 👤 Yohta Sakon
- 👤 Akiyo Nakajima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:06
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G5/00; G03G5/005; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 80
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant further comprises: a fluorine-containing resin other than low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fluorine-containing resin other than low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene comprises: a high molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fluorine-containing resin other than low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene comprises: a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinyl ether copolymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene comprises not greater than about 30% of the lubricant by weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fluorine-containing resin other than low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene comprises: a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene comprises not greater than about 30% of the lubricant by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises a fluorine-containing resin and a filler.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises a fluorine-containing resin and a filler.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the fluorine-containing resin comprises: polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the filler comprises: a material selected from the group consisting of particulate fillers, fibrous fillers, flaky fillers and platy fillers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the filler comprises: a self-lubricating material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the filler is white or transparent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises heat decomposition treated polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises heat decomposition treated polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lubricant is prepared by a molding process, and wherein the heat decomposition treatment is performed during the molding process.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lubricant is prepared by a molding process, and wherein the heat decomposition treatment is performed after the molding process.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises radiation decomposition treated polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises radiation decomposition treated polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the lubricant is prepared by a molding process, and wherein the radiation decomposition treatment is performed during the molding process.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the lubricant is prepared by a molding process, and wherein the radiation decomposition treatment is performed after the molding process.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a compression molded lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises a fluorine-containing resin.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a compression molded lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises a fluorine-containing resin.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the fluorine-containing resin comprises: polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the fluorine-containing resin comprises: a first polytetrafluoroethylene having a relatively high molecular weight; and a second polytetrafluoroethylene having a relatively low molecular weight relative to the first polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the fluorine-containing resin comprises: polytetrafluoroethylene; and a filler.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises: a cleaning device configured to clean a surface of the image carrier, wherein the lubricant supplying device is provided on a surface of the image carrier upstream from the cleaning device with respect to a rotating direction of the image carrier.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the lubricant supplying device further comprises: a lubricant supplying member configured to supply the lubricant to the image carrier.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
61 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the lubricant supplying device further comprises: a slip-contacting member configured to contact and slip against the image carrier when the image carrier rotates, wherein the slip-contacting member is provided on a surface of the image carrier downstream from the lubricant supplying member with respect to a rotating direction of the image carrier.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises a porous fluorine-containing resin.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises a porous fluorine-containing resin.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the porous fluorine-containing resin comprises: a liquid lubricant.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the porous fluorine-containing resin comprises: a solid lubricant.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the lubricant supplying device further comprises: a lubricant supplying member configured to supply the lubricant to the image carrier.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the fluorine-containing resin comprises: polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the fluorine-containing resin comprises: a first polytetrafluoroethylene having a relatively high molecular weight; and a second polytetrafluoroethylene having a relatively low molecular weight relative to the first polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the fluorine-containing resin comprises: polytetrafluoroethylene; and a filler.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
53 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant directly contacts the image carrier and a surface of the lubricant includes at least one concave portion facing the image carrier.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
53 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant directly contacts the image carrier and a surface of the lubricant includes at least one concave portion facing the image carrier.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the surface of the lubricant comprises: a plurality of concave portions serially arranged in the rotating direction of the image carrier, wherein the concave portions are separated from each other.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the length of the concave portion parallel to the axis of rotation of the image carrier is longer than the length of the image carrier along the axis of rotation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the lubricant comprises: polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene is prepared by a compression molding process.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the lubricant comprises: a first polytetrafluoroethylene having a relatively high molecular weight; and a second polytetrafluoroethylene having a relatively low molecular weight relative to the first polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the lubricant comprises: polytetrafluoroethylene; and a filler.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
56 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises: a cleaning device configured to clean a surface of the image carrier, wherein the lubricant supplying device is provided on a surface of the image carrier downstream from the cleaning device with respect to a rotating direction of the image carrier.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
70 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant directly contacts the image carrier and a surface of the lubricant includes at least one convex portion facing the image carrier, wherein a contact area at which the lubricant contacts the image carrier changes as the lubricant abrades.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
70 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant directly contacts the image carrier and a surface of the lubricant includes at least one convex portion facing the image carrier, wherein a contact area at which the lubricant contacts the image carrier changes as the lubricant abrades.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
54 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said lubricant comprises: a plurality of convex portions, and wherein said surface of the lubricant further comprises: a plurality of concave portions, wherein the concave portions are separated by the convex portions, wherein the heights of at least two of the convex portions are different.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the lubricant comprises: polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene is prepared by a compression molding process.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the lubricant comprises: a first polytetrafluoroethylene having a relatively high molecular weight; and a second polytetrafluoroethylene having a relatively low molecular weight relative to the first polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the lubricant comprises: polytetrafluoroethylene; and a filler.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
56 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises: a cleaning device configured to clean a surface of the image carrier, wherein the lubricant supplying device is provided on a surface of the image carrier downstream from the cleaning device with respect to a rotating direction of the image carrier.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
77 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises polytetrafluoroethylene and is prepared by a compression molding method including a sintering process, and wherein the lubricant is prepared so that a longitudinal direction of the lubricant is substantially vertical to a compression direction of the lubricant during the compression molding of the lubricant.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
77 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises polytetrafluoroethylene and is prepared by a compression molding method including a sintering process, and wherein the lubricant is prepared so that a longitudinal direction of the lubricant is substantially vertical to a compression direction of the lubricant during the compression molding of the lubricant.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the lubricant supplying device further comprises: a lubricant supplying member configured to supply the lubricant to the image carrier.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
107 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device including a lubricant and configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, said lubricant directly contacting the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises polytetrafluoroethylene and is prepared by a compression molding method including a sintering process, and wherein the lubricant contacts the image carrier such that an acute angle formed by a line parallel to a compression direction of the lubricant, during the compression molding of the lubricant, and a line parallel to a rotating direction of the image carrier, is from about 45 to 90°.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
107 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier configured to carry an image while rotating; and a lubricant supplying device including a lubricant and configured to supply a lubricant to the image carrier, said lubricant directly contacting the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises polytetrafluoroethylene and is prepared by a compression molding method including a sintering process, and wherein the lubricant contacts the image carrier such that an acute angle formed by a line parallel to a compression direction of the lubricant, during the compression molding of the lubricant, and a line parallel to a rotating direction of the image carrier, is from about 45 to 90°.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
15 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the acute angle is about 90°.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image forming apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the lubricant supplying device further comprises: a lubricant supplying member configured to supply the lubricant to the image carrier.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
45 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant comprises low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
45 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant comprises low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant comprises a fluorine-containing resin and a filler.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant comprises a fluorine-containing resin and a filler.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
57 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant comprises polytetrafluoroethylene which is subjected to at least one of heat decomposition treatment and radiation decomposition treatment.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
57 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant comprises polytetrafluoroethylene which is subjected to at least one of heat decomposition treatment and radiation decomposition treatment.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
54 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant comprises a fluorine-containing resin, and wherein the lubricant is prepared by a compression molding.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
54 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant comprises a fluorine-containing resin, and wherein the lubricant is prepared by a compression molding.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
45 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant comprises a porous fluorine-containing resin.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
45 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant comprises a porous fluorine-containing resin.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
62 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant includes a surface which contacts the image carrier, and wherein the surface has at least one concave portion facing the image carrier.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
62 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant includes a surface which contacts the image carrier, and wherein the surface has at least one concave portion facing the image carrier.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
73 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant includes a surface having at least one convex portion facing and contacting the image carrier, and wherein an area of contact between the lubricant and the image carrier changes as the lubricant abrades.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
73 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant includes a surface having at least one convex portion facing and contacting the image carrier, and wherein an area of contact between the lubricant and the image carrier changes as the lubricant abrades.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
103 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant includes a surface which contacts the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises polytetrafluoroethylene and is prepared by a compression molding method including a sintering process, and wherein the lubricant is prepared so that a longitudinal direction of the lubricant is substantially vertical to a compression direction of the lubricant during the compression molding of the lubricant during the compression molding of the lubricant.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
103 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant includes a surface which contacts the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises polytetrafluoroethylene and is prepared by a compression molding method including a sintering process, and wherein the lubricant is prepared so that a longitudinal direction of the lubricant is substantially vertical to a compression direction of the lubricant during the compression molding of the lubricant during the compression molding of the lubricant.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
115 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant includes a surface which contacts the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises polytetrafluoroethylene and is prepared by a compression molding method including a sintering process, and wherein the lubricant contacts the image carrier such that an acute angle formed by a line parallel to a compression direction of the lubricant, during the compression molding of the lubricant, and a line parallel to a moving direction of the image carrier, is from about 45° to 90°.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
115 words
An image forming method comprising the steps of: forming a toner image on an image carrier; transferring the toner image to a receiving material; and applying a lubricant to the image carrier while the image carrier rotates, wherein the lubricant includes a surface which contacts the image carrier, wherein the lubricant comprises polytetrafluoroethylene and is prepared by a compression molding method including a sintering process, and wherein the lubricant contacts the image carrier such that an acute angle formed by a line parallel to a compression direction of the lubricant, during the compression molding of the lubricant, and a line parallel to a moving direction of the image carrier, is from about 45° to 90°.
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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) | 2003-05-09 | 2003-11-08 | 2004-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-09 | 2007-11-08 | 2008-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-09 | 2011-11-08 | 2012-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |