Image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and lubricant applicator
US7953362B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/0089
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor and a lubricant applicator. The photoconductor carries a toner image formed by developing an electrostatic latent image with a toner. The lubricant applicator applies a solid lubricant to a surface of the photoconductor, and includes a brush roller, a holder, a pressing member, and a protrusion. The holder holds the solid lubricant. The brush roller scrapes off the solid lubricant from the holder and applies the scraped solid lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor. The pressing member has an ellipse shape and presses the solid lubricant toward the brush roller via the holder. The protrusion is disposed on the holder and contacts an inner circumferential surface of the pressing member at two positions provided in both end portions of the pressing member in a direction of a minor axis of the ellipse formed by the pressing member to support the pressing member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.