US6226465B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus with relative speed differential between intermediate transfer member and image bearing member
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1999-09-22
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Granted: 2001-05-01
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Expires: 2019-09-22
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus having a movable image bearing member bearing a toner image thereon, and a movable intermediate transfer member to which the toner image on the image bearing member is transferred at a transfer position, the toner image on the intermediate transfer member being transferred to a transfer material, wherein the ratio of the moving speed of the intermediate transfer member at the transfer position to the moving speed of the image bearing member at the transfer position is 1.002 to 1.020, and the linear load between the image bearing member and the intermediate transfer member at the transfer position is 10 to 70 g/cm.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhiro Funatani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:58
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/14; G03G15/16; G03G15/1605; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/01; G03G2215/0167; G03G2215/0174
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a movable image bearing member for bearing a toner image thereon; a movable intermediate transfer member; and transfer means for pressing said intermediate transfer member against said image bearing member at a transfer position at which said image bearing member is in contact with said intermediate transfer member so that said transfer means transfers the toner image on said image bearing member to said intermediate transfer member, wherein the toner image transferred onto said intermediate transfer member by said transfer means is transferred to a transfer material, wherein a ratio of a moving speed of said intermediate transfer member at said transfer position to a moving speed of said image bearing member at said transfer position is 1.002 to 1.020, and a pressure force with which said transfer means presses said intermediate transfer member against said image bearing member is 10 to 70 g/cm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a movable image bearing member for bearing a toner image thereon; a movable intermediate transfer member; and transfer means for pressing said intermediate transfer member against said image bearing member at a transfer position at which said image bearing member is in contact with said intermediate transfer member so that said transfer means transfers the toner image on said image bearing member to said intermediate transfer member, wherein the toner image transferred onto said intermediate transfer member by said transfer means is transferred to a transfer material, wherein a ratio of a moving speed of said intermediate transfer member at said transfer position to a moving speed of said image bearing member at said transfer position is 1.002 to 1.020, and a pressure force with which said transfer means presses said intermediate transfer member against said image bearing member is 10 to 70 g/cm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said transfer means is provided with a roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein an Asker C hardness of said roller is 10 to 60 degrees.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said intermediate transfer member is provided with an elastic layer and a resin layer on said elastic layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein said elastic layer is a rubber layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said intermediate transfer member is of a belt shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of rollers supporting said intermediate transfer member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising detecting means for detecting the temperature and humidity in said image forming apparatus, and control means for controlling said ratio of the moving speed of said intermediate transfer member to the moving speed of said image bearing member based on a result of detection by said detecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said control means controls the moving speed of said intermediate transfer member based on the result of the detection by said detecting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2 to 9 , wherein a transfer of the toner image on said image bearing member to said intermediate transfer member is repeated to thereby form toner images of a plurality of colors on said intermediate transfer member, and the toner images of the plurality of colors on said intermediate transfer member are transferred to the transfer material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a movable image bearing member bearing a toner image thereon; a movable intermediate transfer member to which the toner image on said image bearing member is transferred at a transfer position, the toner image on said intermediate transfer member being transferred to a transfer material; detecting means for detecting temperature and humidity in a main body of said apparatus; and control means for controlling a ratio of a moving speed of said intermediate transfer member at said transfer position to a moving speed of said image bearing member at said transfer position based on a result of detection by said detecting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: a movable image bearing member bearing a toner image thereon; a movable intermediate transfer member to which the toner image on said image bearing member is transferred at a transfer position, the toner image on said intermediate transfer member being transferred to a transfer material; detecting means for detecting temperature and humidity in a main body of said apparatus; and control means for controlling a ratio of a moving speed of said intermediate transfer member at said transfer position to a moving speed of said image bearing member at said transfer position based on a result of detection by said detecting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said control means controls the moving speed of said intermediate transfer member at said transfer position based on the result of the detection by said detecting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising transfer means for electrostatically transferring the toner image on said image bearing member to said intermediate transfer member at said transfer position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein said transfer means is provided with a roller.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein an Asker C hardness of said roller is 10-60 degrees.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein said intermediate transfer member is provided with an elastic layer and a resin layer on said elastic layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein said elastic layer is a rubber layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said intermediate transfer member is of a belt shape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of rollers supporting said intermediate transfer member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
68 words
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 19 , wherein a transfer of the toner image on said image bearing member to said intermediate transfer member is repeated to thereby form toner images of a plurality of colors on said intermediate transfer member, and the toner images of the plurality of colors on said intermediate transfer member are transferred to the transfer material.
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) | 2004-04-30 | 2004-10-30 | 2005-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-04-30 | 2008-10-30 | 2009-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-04-30 | 2012-10-30 | 2013-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |