Neutralization unit and image forming apparatus having a neutralization unit for removing electric charge
US7848692B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 2006 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/657
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A neutralization unit for use in an image forming apparatus includes a support member made of an insulating material, an electric-charge removing member made of an electric conductive material, and a rib made of an insulating material. The electric-charge removing member, fixed on the support member, removes electric charge from a back face of the recording medium after a toner image is transferred to a front face of a recording medium at a transfer nip. The electric-charge removing member includes a plurality of exposed areas along a longitudinal direction of the electric-charge removing member. The rib, provided on the support member, has a curved peripheral side and protrudes from a surface of the electric-charge removing member. The back face of the recording medium is contactable at the curved peripheral side of the rib when the recording medium is transported from the transfer nip.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.