Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor forming an electrostatic latent image on a surface thereof, a charging roller being in contact with the photoreceptor to uniformly charge the surface thereof, a developing device forming a toner image on the photoreceptor, and a cleaning device cleaning contaminants on a surface of the charging roller, in which the charging roller has a conductive elastic layer formed around an axis and a direction of polishing marks on the surface of the charging roller is in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a photoconductive body, a charging unit which charges a surface of the photoconductive body and a developing unit which forms a toner image. The charging unit includes a shaft which applies a charging voltage and which has a central axis parallel to a rotating axis of the photoconductive body, a tubular member of a conductive material which surrounds the shaft, a current carrying member which applies an electric current to the shaft and the tubular member, and a damping member which is disposed between the shaft and the current carrying member. The shaft has a middle portion which is thicker than opposite end portions in a longitudinal direction along the central axis.

Abstract: A charging member includes a conductive metal shaft and a conductive elastic layer. The conductive elastic layer comprises a rubber material containing 50% to 100% by weight of epichlorohydrin rubber containing 56 mol % or more of an ethylene oxide and a calcium oxide having an average particle size D50 of 18 ?m or smaller.

Abstract: A developing device that attaches/detaches to/from a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a charging roller to rotate while contacting the photosensitive drum to charge a surface of the photosensitive drum to a uniform potential, and a separating member to rotate between a first position where the charging roller is separated from the photosensitive drum and a second position where the charging roller contacts the photosensitive drum. The separating member includes a body into which a rotary shaft of the charging roller is inserted to be rotatable, and a contact portion extending from the body and contacting the surface of the photosensitive drum when the separating member is located at the first position so as to separate the charging roller from the photosensitive drum, wherein the contact portion includes a friction member including rubber.

Abstract: When a polymer blend of an NBR and an alkylene oxide-polymerized polymer is used as the electro-conductive elastic layer of an electro-conductive member for electrophotography, a change in shape of the electro-conductive member occurs owing to its expansion due to water absorption, thereby causing image unevenness in some cases. In addition, when the ratio at which the alkylene oxide-polymerized polymer is blended is reduced for suppressing the shape change due to water absorption, image unevenness resulting from the insufficiency of electro-conductivity occurs in some cases. When an electro-conductive member for electrophotography having an electro-conductive elastic layer containing an NBR to which a specific alkylene oxide oligomer is graft-bonded is used, high ionic electro-conductivity is obtained and a change in its shape due to water absorption is reduced.

Abstract: To provide a charging member to the surface of which any toners and so forth can be kept from adhering and which can exhibit a stable charging performance. The charging member has a substrate, an elastic layer and a surface layer; the surface layer containing a high-molecular compound having an Si—O—B linkage and having a constitutional unit represented by the following formula (1) and a constitutional unit represented by the following formula (2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a charging member that includes at least: a base material; and a conductive outermost layer that is disposed on the base material, comes into contact with a body to be charged, has a ten-point average surface roughness Rz of about 2 ?m to about 20 ?m, and contains (A) a resin and (B) specific conductive particles for forming the surface roughness, the charging member coming into contact with the body to be charged, in a state where a voltage is applied, to charge the body to be charged.

Abstract: A charge member is positioned in contact with an image carrier and charges a surface of the image carrier. The charge member includes a support body, an elastic layer having conductivity, which is formed on the support body; and a first surface treatment layer, which contains isocyanate compound and polycarbonate compound, is formed on the elastic layer. Residual potential of the charge member in 0.1 [seconds] after corona discharge at a voltage of 6.0 [kV] is 12.16 [V] or less.

Abstract: A cleaning roller cleaning a surface of a cleaning component, wherein the cleaning roller is provided in a roller configuration having a cylindrical shape and has a portion in contact with the cleaning component, the portion being made of a melamine resin foam having a continuous foam structure, the melamine resin foam being provided by heating compression from an original configuration in a radial direction, and wherein the portion in contact with the cleaning component has a continuous foam structure and a tensile strength in a range of 1.7±0.5 kg/cm2, and an image forming apparatus incorporating the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charging roller for an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the formations of surface scratches. The charging roller includes a roller shaft, a roller body formed on the roller shaft and a scratch prevention layer formed on the roller body. The scratch prevention layer contains inorganic crystal of polysilicate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable photosensitive member, a charging member, an applying device, an irradiation device, and a controller. The charging member contacts the photosensitive member to charge the photosensitive member. The applying device applies a direct-current voltage to the charging member. The irradiation device irradiates with light an upstream charging gap located upstream of a contact portion between the photosensitive member and the charging member in a rotation direction of the photosensitive member. The controller controls the irradiation device to irradiate with a first light amount when the photosensitive member rotates at a first speed, and to irradiate with a second light amount that is larger than the first light amount when the photosensitive member rotates at a second speed that is lower than the first speed.

Abstract: Provided is a charging member capable of suppressing adhesion of toner or the like to a surface. The charging member comprises: a support; an elastic layer; and a surface layer, and the surface layer contains a polymer having an Si—O—Sr bond and having a structural unit represented by the following formula (1) and a structural unit represented by the following formula (2).

Abstract: A charging device includes a charging member and a pulling device. The charging member charges a surface of an image carrier and includes a charging member body and axial-end members. The charging member body is arranged so as to face the image carrier and extends along an axial direction of a rotation shaft of the image carrier. The axial-end members are supported at both ends of the charging member body in the axial direction and do not extend through the inside of the charging member body in the axial direction. The pulling device pulls the charging member in the axial direction.

Abstract: A cleaning body includes: a shaft portion; and a porous member that is mounted to an outer periphery of the shaft portion at an incline with respect to an axial direction of the shaft portion, and in which plural cavities are formed, wherein the porous member has projecting portions that project toward a radial direction outer side of the shaft portion in a cross-section along the axial direction of the shaft portion, and the projecting portions contact a body to be cleaned and clean the body to be cleaned, and lengths, along a radial direction of the shaft portion, of the plural cavities are longer than lengths along the axial direction of the shaft portion.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a conductive roll having high resistance to permanent set and high resistance to adhesion. The conductive roll 1 has a rubber elastic portion formed of a rubber material including a carbon-carbon double bond and exhibiting electric conductivity. The surface of the rubber elastic portion is exposed as the surface of the roll. An organic group including one or more groups selected from silicone groups and fluorine-containing groups is bonded through an isocyanuric acid skeleton to the surface of the rubber elastic portion. The organic group may be a group derived from an organic compound including one or more groups selected from silicone groups and fluorine-containing groups and having a carbon-carbon double bond.

Abstract: A charging member, includes: an electrically-conductive support; an electrical resistance adjustment layer having ion conductivity provided on the electrically-conductive support; an intermediate layer having ion conductivity provided on the electrical resistance adjustment layer; and a surface layer having insulation provided on the intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer is formed of a resin composition containing at least a polyether polyol resin, and the surface layer is formed of a resin composition containing at least one of a fluorine-based resin, a silicone-based resin, a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, and a urethane resin.

Abstract: A remanufactured laser printer toner cartridge, and methods, having an added primary charge roller cleaning roller assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the cleaning roller assembly engages the bare ends the primary charge roller shafts; installation of the cleaning roller assembly into the cartridge is accomplished by reinstalling the primary charge roller, with the assembly, into the cartridge's primary charge roller shaft saddles. The cleaning roller may be adapted to rotate through contact with the primary charge roller.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to an image forming apparatus comprising a delivery member in contact with either the surface of an imaging member or in contact with the surface of the bias charge roller, wherein the delivery member is fabricated as a polymer matrix impregnated with functional materials, such that the functional material is transferred onto the imaging member or bias charge roller from the delivery member. Embodiments also pertain to an improved electrophotographic imaging member comprising a very thin outer layer on the imaging member surface, where the outer layer comprises functional materials, such as paraffin, that act as a lubricant and/or a barrier against moisture and/or surface contaminants. The improved imaging member exhibits improved xerographic performance, such as reduced torque, reduced friction, and deletions in high humidity conditions.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to an image forming apparatus comprising: a) an imaging member, b) a bias charging roller in contact with the surface of the imaging member, and c) a delivery unit in contact with the surface of the bias charge roller, wherein the delivery unit is fabricated as a polymer matrix impregnated with functional materials, such that the functional material is transferred onto the imaging member from the delivery unit via the bias charging roller. Embodiments also pertain to an improved electrophotographic imaging member comprising a very thin outer layer on the imaging member surface, where the outer layer comprises functional materials, such as paraffin, that act as a lubricant and or a barrier against moisture and/or surface contaminants. The improved imaging member exhibits improved xerographic performance, such as reduced friction and deletions in high humidity conditions.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide materials and methods for bias charging members including an outer surface coating overlaying an outer base layer, wherein the outer surface coating can include conductive fillers combined with one or more polymers to provide desirable surface, electrical, and/or mechanical properties.

Abstract: A charging member for electrophotographic apparatus is provided which has a superior charging performance for the electrophotographic photosensitive member and also can not easily change with time in charging performance. The charging member has a substrate, an elastic layer and a surface layer, which surface layer contains a high-molecular compound having an Si—O—Ti linkage in the molecular structure and a cyclic polysilane represented by the general formula (7) defined in the specification, and the high-molecular compound has a constituent unit represented by the general formula (1) and a constituent unit represented by the following formula (2) which are defined in the specification.

Abstract: An image forming unit has a rotatable electrostatic latent image carrier, a charge member positioned to contact the electrostatic latent image carrier and charge a surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and a developing part, which supplies a developer to the electrostatic latent image carrier for obtaining a developer image. The charge member includes a conductive elastic layer and a surface layer formed on a circumferential surface of the conductive elastic layer. The surface layer contains particles having an average particle size of 5 ?m-20 ?m; and a ratio of a surface area per unit area of the surface layer is in a range from 1.5 to 3.0.

Abstract: A printer includes a photoconductor, a charge roller, and a positioner. The photoconductor includes an outer surface defining a seam region and a non-seam region while the charge roller is configured to rollingly engage the outer surface of the non-seam region. The positioner is operably coupled to the charge roller and includes a discrete step drive configured to maintain a minimum spacing between the charge roller and the seam region of the outer surface when the seam region passes underneath the charge roller.

Abstract: Provided a charging member which can prevent any contaminants deposited on a cleaning member from adhering thereto by making low a surface free energy and coefficient of friction thereof.

Abstract: When a polymer blend of an NBR and an alkylene oxide-polymerized polymer is used as the electro-conductive elastic layer of an electro-conductive member for electrophotography, a change in shape of the electro-conductive member occurs owing to its expansion due to water absorption, thereby causing image unevenness in some cases. In addition, when the ratio at which the alkylene oxide-polymerized polymer is blended is reduced for suppressing the shape change due to water absorption, image unevenness resulting from the insufficiency of electro-conductivity occurs in some cases. When an electro-conductive member for electrophotography having an electro-conductive elastic layer containing an NBR to which a specific alkylene oxide oligomer is graft-bonded is used, high ionic electro-conductivity is obtained and a change in its shape due to water absorption is reduced.

Abstract: A charging member is provided which can not easily cause vibration and can stably charge a photosensitive member, even where a high-frequency alternating-current voltage is applied thereto. It is a charging member having an electrically conductive substrate, an electrically conductive elastic layer and a surface layer, and the elastic layer has, in the order from the substrate side, a first rubber layer and a second rubber layer laminated to the first rubber layer, and, where the natural vibration frequency of the first rubber layer is represented by f1 and the natural vibration frequency of the second rubber layer is represented by f2, has a natural vibration frequency ratio, f2/f1, of from 2.35 or more to 10.0 or less.

Abstract: A developing unit and an image forming apparatus having the same. The developing unit includes a controlling unit to restrict a contact position between the charging roller and a photosensitive body, thereby preventing deformation of the charging roller caused when the developing unit is not used for a long period of time.

Abstract: A printer cartridge is provided that allows a charge roller to be separated from a photoconductive drum when the printer cartridge is not used within an image forming device. The printer cartridge includes the photoconductive drum, the charge roller, and a separating member having a resilient member disposed thereon with the separating member being disposed on the charge roller. The separating member engages and disengages the photoconductive drum in a first position and in a second position. The first position provides a spaced relationship between the charge roller and the photoconductive drum and the second position provides an engaged relationship between the charge roller and the photoconductive drum. The printer cartridge also includes the photoconductive drum disposed adjacent to the charge roller in an offset orientation that includes a centerline of a charge roller shaft offset by a predetermined distance from a centerline of a photoconductive drum shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotographic electrically conductive member in which conductivity needed for a charging member is secured, and defects in an image attributed to uneven discharging can be minimized independently of a long-term use and an environment of use. An electrophotographic electrically conductive member comprising an electrically conductive support and an electrically conductive layer, wherein the electrically conductive layer includes an ion conductive resin having a quaternary ammonium ion in a molecule structure as a binder resin, and a carrier molecule represented by the following formula (1) or (2): (wherein n1 and n2 each independently represent an integer of 1 to 4).

Abstract: A charging device includes a charging roll, a voltage application member and a confronting potential varying unit. The charging roll is disposed so as to be in contact with an image holding body on whose surface an electrostatic latent image is to be formed, and charges the image holding body. The voltage application member is disposed so as to be in contact with the charging roll, and applies a voltage to a surface of the charging roll. The confronting potential varying unit varies a surface potential profile of the charging roll in its axial direction in a contact region between the charging roll and the image holding body according to both the number of image-formed sheets and a wear situation of the image holding body so that a surface potential of the image holding body becomes approximately constant in an axial direction of the image holding body.

Abstract: The semiconductive rubber composition according to the present invention contains: a rubber content containing at least copolymer rubber containing ethylene oxide as a copolymeric component and chloroprene rubber; and not less than 0.5 parts by mass and not more than 1.5 parts by mass of a thiourea-based vulcanization accelerator, not less than 0.5 parts by mass and not more than 1.5 parts by mass of a guanidine-based vulcanization accelerator and not less than 0.5 parts by mass and not more than 2.0 parts by mass of a peroxide-based crosslinking agent with respect to 100 parts by mass of the sum of the rubber content.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roll member including a core, and an elastic layer arranged on the core, the elastic layer containing a rubber material and polyalphaolefin.

Abstract: A rubber composition for a conductive roller that has at least an elastic layer above an outer periphery of a shaft member having conductivity is provided, the rubber composition including: a binary epichlorohydrin rubber; and a vulcanizing agent that contains at least sulfur, wherein the rubber composition does not contain a quinoxaline vulcanizing agent and a triazine vulcanizing agent.

Abstract: A conductive member includes a substrate, an elastic layer provided on the substrate and a surface layer provided on the elastic layer, in which the surface layer has a sea/island structure includes a sea portion containing a first resin and an island portion containing a second resin, and at least the island portion contains carbon black.

Abstract: The invention provides an electroconductive roll having at least a surface layer forming an outer peripheral surface of the electroconductive roll. The surface layer contains projections and recesses. The projections contain a plurality of particles. A ratio of an area occupied by particles existing in a cross-section of a projection to an entire area of the cross-section of the projection is larger than a ratio of an area occupied by particles existing in a cross-section of a recess to an entire area of the cross-section of the recess. The invention further provides a process cartridge having a charging roll which is the electroconductive roll and/or a transfer roll which is the electroconductive roll. The invention further provides an image forming apparatus having a charging unit containing the electroconductive roll and/or a transfer unit containing the electroconductive roll.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes an image carrier that has an electrically chargeable film formed on a surface thereof and that carries an image and a charging section that charges a surface of the film on the image carrier. The charging section includes a first charging member that applies a direct-current voltage between the first charging member and the image carrier and a second charging member that applies a direct-current voltage between the second charging member and the image carrier to charge the film on the image carrier to a predetermined surface potential after the first charging member charges the film on the image carrier. The voltage applied by the first charging member is decreased such that the surface potential of the image carrier after the voltage is applied by the first charging member is decreased as the film on the image carrier becomes thinner.

Abstract: A charging member includes at least a substrate and a conductive outermost layer that is disposed on the substrate, that comes in contact with a charging object, and that includes (A) a resin and (B) aggregates of a plurality of acicular particles protruding in a radial pattern from a center to an outside. The charging member charges the charging object by coming in contact with the charging object in a state where a voltage is applied to the charging member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel covering layer for electrophotographic printing rollers with improved scratch resistance. Said covering layer consists of between 50 and 75 wt. % of cycloaliphatic epoxides, between 20 and 60 wt. % of aminofunctional silica nanoparticles, and between 0 and 2 wt. % of perfluoroalkyltrialkoxysilanes. The aminofunctional nanoparticles are produced from aminoalkyltrialkoxysilanes preferably by means of sol/gel technology.

Abstract: Disclosed are bias charge rollers having an overcoat layer. The overcoat layer comprises an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) terpolymer and metal oxide particles optionally doped with a doping agent. The resulting bias charge rollers have reduced streaking and increased service lifetimes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conductive elastomer material from which a molded material having good conductivity and excellent bending resistance can be obtained. This conductive elastomer material is capable of reducing variations in in-plane electrical resistively of sheet-like molded articles. Specifically disclosed is a conductive elastomer material which is characterized by being obtained by dispersing carbon nanotubes into a base component which is composed only of a thermoplastic elastomer. The conductive elastomer material is also characterized in that the carbon nanotubes have a diameter of 30-300 nm and an aspect ratio of 10-1000, and 0.01-10 parts by mass of the carbon nanotubes are blended per 100 parts by mass of the base component.

Abstract: A roller includes a shaft including reinforcing fiber and a binder resin; and an elastic body surrounding an outer surface of the shaft, wherein an average length to average diameter ratio (L/D) of the reinforcing fiber is from about 15,000:1 to about 50,000:1.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an image holding member and a charging unit. In a case in which an AC current, while being increased, is supplied to the charging unit in a state in which a DC voltage value and an AC voltage value applied to the charging unit are maintained, or a case in which a DC voltage, while being increased, is supplied to the charging unit in a state in which the AC voltage value applied to the charging unit is maintained, a current detection unit detects DC current values. An inflection point derivation unit derives an inflection point of a correlation line representing an correlation between the detected DC current values and the supply amounts. An execution unit executes pre-specified processing when a characteristic value of the derived inflection point reaches a pre-specified value.

Abstract: A belt driving device and associated method are provided. The driving device includes a plurality of rollers including a driving roller. A belt is configured to be tensioned by the plurality of rollers, and to be driven by the driving roller. An outside roller is configured to contact an outer surface of the belt and to be driven by a driving source. A detection portion is configured to detect a driving load of one of the driving roller and the outside roller. A controller is configured to drive the other one of the driving roller and the outside roller based on the driving load detected by the detection portion.

Abstract: Provided is a charging member having an elastic layer to which components derived from a developer hardly adhere even when the charging member is used for a long time period and in which elastic layer the occurrence of compression set is suppressed The charging member includes: a electroconductive support; and a electroconductive elastic layer, in which the elastic layer is formed through irradiation of an electron beam onto a surface of a rubber layer formed of a crosslinked product of a rubber mixture containing an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and a styrene-butadiene rubber; the styrene-butadiene rubber has a 1,2-vinyl bond, and at least one selected from a cis-1,4 bond and a trans-1,4 bond; and a ratio of the numbers of moles of the 1,4 bonds to a total number of moles of the 1,2-vinyl bond, the cis-1,4 bond, and the trans-1,4 bond is 31 mol % or more and 61 mol % or less.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials, methods, and systems for a fuser member used in electrophotographic devices and processes, wherein the fuser member can include a coating material containing a plurality of nanoceram fibers dispersed in a polymer matrix for providing a desired gloss level of fused toner images.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image formation portion forming an image onto a recording medium in an electro-photographic process. An acquisition portion acquires image data and a storage portion stores in advance first and second image formation conditions for the electro-photographic process. A condition setting portion sets the first image-formation condition for an image formation operation, if data indicating a bar code is not included in image data acquired by the acquisition portion, and sets the second image formation condition for an image formation operation if image data indicating a bar code is included in image data acquired by the acquisition portion. A control portion allows the image formation portion to execute an image formation operation based on image data acquired by the acquisition portion according to the image formation condition set by the condition setting portion.

Abstract: A roll-type charging device contacts an image receptor serving as a body to be charged and is capable of rotating due to rotation of the image receptor. The apparatus includes a hollow roll having a cylindrical shape and formed of a hollow elastic member and flanges having rotation axes and formed of elastic members, the flanges inserted into two ends of the hollow roll to increase an inner diameter of the hollow roll.

Abstract: A charging member is provided with a surface layer that can not easily wear even due to its contact with a photosensitive member and also has an appropriate elasticity contributing to the formation of an appropriate nip between it and the photosensitive member.

Abstract: Provided is a charging member provided with a surface layer capable of suppressing the bleeding of a low-molecular weight component from an elastic layer with improved reliability. The charging member comprises a support, an elastic layer, and a surface layer, and the surface layer contains a polymer having an Si—O—Ta bond and having a structural unit represented by the following structural formula (1) and a structural unit represented by the following structural formula (2).

Abstract: To provide a charging member that can not easily change in electrical resistance even by any long-term continuous application of direct-current voltage and, as a result thereof, may cause less change in its charging performance with time. The charging member has an electrically conductive support and an electrically conductive elastic layer. The elastic layer contains a vulcanized rubber. The vulcanized rubber is a vulcanized product of a mixture which contains i) a binder polymer containing a polymer having a butadiene skeleton and ii) carbon black, where the polymer having a butadiene skeleton stands modified at the molecular terminal(s) thereof with a group represented by the following formulas (1) or (2).