Lubricant applicator, and image forming apparatus and process cartridge using the lubricant applicator, and method for assembling the process cartridge
US7542712B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jun 2, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 7, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/0026
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A process cartridge including an image bearing member; a lubricant applicator, which includes a lubricant application member configured to apply a solid lubricant to the surface of the image bearing member; and a smoothing member configured to smooth the applied solid lubricant, and at least one of a charging device, a developing device and a cleaning device, wherein the amount of the solid lubricant present on a portion of surface of the image bearing member, which is located between the lubricant application member and the smoothing blade, is from 0.11 to 1.2 mg/m2. The smoothing member is preferably a blade having a JIS-A hardness of not less than 79°. The process cartridge is preferably assembled by a method including setting the lubricant smoothing member, the lubricant and the lubricant application member to a housing of the process cartridge; and then setting the image bearing member to the housing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.