Configured to enhance toner collecting efficiency and toner redepositing efficiency
US5740494A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 14, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G21/0005
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a cleaning member for collecting toner left on an image carrier after image transfer, and then redepositing it on the carrier, so that a developing unit can collect the redeposited toner to reuse it. Even when the frictional charging ability of the cleaning member falls due to aging or varying environment, the charge of the toner left on the image carrier is regulated to preselected polarity before the toner reaches the cleaning member, thereby enhancing a toner collecting efficiency and a toner redepositing efficiency. The charge of the toner redeposited on the image carrier and moved away from the cleaning member is regulated to preselected polarity while being increased, thereby reducing a load to act on the developing unit. The toner is redeposited on the image carrier efficiently without regard to the polarity of the toner collected by the cleaning member. The developing unit is allowed to collect all the toner redeposited on the image carrier, thereby freeing the background of an image from contamination. When the cleaning member collects the toner from the image carrier, the toner is prevented from being transferred from the cleaning membe…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.