Image forming apparatus for transferring transfer residual toner onto image bearing member
US8290385B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/1627
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A charge member charges secondary transfer remaining toner on an intermediate transfer member to a polarity opposite to a normal charge polarity. The remaining toner is moved by a transfer bias, from the intermediate transfer member onto an image bearing member. A BK station is arranged on the downstream of other stations. In a continuous BK monochromatic mode, by applying a reverse bias to transfer portions of the other stations and applying the transfer bias only to the BK station, remaining toner can be collected into the BK station (simultaneously with the transfer). In a full-color mode, remaining toner is collected into the station on the uppermost stream. Thus, the image bearing member for collecting remaining toner on the intermediate transfer member differs according to the mode, thereby suppressing the collection of remaining toner being concentrated on one image bearing member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.