Image forming apparatus and process cartridge having a detachable unit body having a lubricant applying unit and image carrier mounted thereon
US7430377B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2004 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/1606
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charging unit that charges the image carrier, a latent image forming unit that forms a latent image on the image carrier, a developing unit that develops the latent image to form a toner image, a transferring unit that transfers the toner image to a recording medium, a cleaning unit that cleans toner remaining on the image carrier, a lubricant applying unit that applies a solid lubricant to a surface of the image carrier, and a detecting unit that detects whether the image carrier is brand new. The toner has an average roundness of 0.94 or more. The lubricant applying unit is operated when the detecting unit detects that the image carrier is brand new.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.