Patent · US Expired

Image forming apparatus and an image forming process unit

US6505014B2 · kind B2 · utility

72Cited by
36References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 28, 2001
Grant dateJan 7, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 28, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G13/08
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image carrier made up of a conductive base and photoconductive layer and a toner carrier to which a bias for development is applied. The toner carrier conveys toner deposited thereon to a developing position where the toner carrier faces the image carrier, thereby developing a latent image formed on the image carrier. The apparatus effects low-voltage development that protects the image carrier from electrostatic fatigue, obviates background contamination, and realizes image density as high as 0.5 ×10−3 g/cm2 or above in terms of the amount of toner deposition. Further, the apparatus implements faithful development of the latent image by reducing the edge effect. An image forming process unit removable from the apparatus is also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.