Patent · US Expired

Image forming apparatus which can optimize cleaning time of transfer member contacting inter-image area of image bearing member

US7242887B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
7References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 10, 2005
Grant dateJul 10, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 20, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G2221/0026
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An image forming apparatus features a toner removing unit which forms a cleaning electric field to remove toner adhering to a transfer member. The cleaning electric field electrostatically moves the toner adhering to the transfer member to an image bearing member while the transfer member is in contact with an inter-image area, wherein, a time when the toner removing unit forms the cleaning electric field is T1 in the case where the detection toner image is formed prior to the formation of the cleaning electric field in the inter-image area with which the transfer member is in contact, and a time when the toner removing unit forms the cleaning electric field is T2 in the case where the detection toner image is not formed in the inter-image area with which the transfer member is in contact, where T1 is longer than T2.

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