Image forming apparatus having a temporary toner holding device and a toner collecting device
US7295796B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 13, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G21/0035
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A cleaningless image forming apparatus of the present invention uses spherical toner grains on surfaces of which a charge control agent and/or organic fine grains are present, thereby enhancing efficient image transfer. A brush roller collects, among toner grains left on a photoconductive drum after image transfer, toner grains of polarity opposite to preselected polarity and then releases them to the drum at preselected timing. The toner grains of opposite polarity are then transferred to an intermediate image transfer belt. When the toner grains of opposite polarity pass a charging zone assigned to a charge roller, a bias to the charge roller is interrupted or the charge roller is released from the drum.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.