Abstract: An image bearing member including an electroconductive substrate, a photosensitive layer provided overlying the electroconductive substrate, an optional layer overlying the photosensitive layer, and boron nitride attached to at least part of the surface of an outermost layer.

Abstract: Brush rollers rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow while being in contact with an image formation surface to remove toner remaining on the image formation surface from an intermediate transfer belt. The brush rollers each mainly include a rotational shaft and a brush. The brush rollers face the intermediate transfer belt with brush winding directions being opposite from one another. The brush rollers rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow. Thus, seams of the brush rollers can be prevented from being in contact with the same portion on the image formation surface of the intermediate transfer belt.

Abstract: A lubricant applicator includes a lubricant and a rotatable lubricant application member. The rotatable lubricant application member contacts the lubricant and an application target to apply the lubricant to the application target while rotating. The lubricant application member includes a core member, a first wound portion including a bristle member wound spirally around the periphery of the core member in a first direction, and a second wound portion including a bristle member wound spirally around the periphery of the core member in a second direction opposite the first direction in an axial direction of the core member. A process unit includes the lubricant applicator. A transfer device includes the lubricant applicator. An image forming apparatus includes at least one of the process unit and the transfer device and the lubricant applicator.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including multiple photoreceptors; multiple chargers that charge the respective photoreceptors; a latent image forming device that forms respective latent images on the respective charged photoreceptors; multiple developing devices that develop the respective latent images into respective toner images; multiple transfer devices that transfer the respective toner images onto an intermediate transfer member; multiple cleaning devices that remove residues remaining on the respective photoreceptors after transferring the respective toner images therefrom; and one or more BN-containing protective agent applicators that apply a BN-containing protective agent comprising a metal soap and boron nitride to the respective photoreceptors. The total number of the photoreceptors is N being an integer of 2 or more, and the total number of the BN-containing protective agent applicators is between 1 and N?1.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image; a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image using a toner; an intermediate transfer body onto which toner image is transferred; a secondary transfer member that comes in contact with a surface of the intermediate transfer body; a power supply that outputs a voltage for transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer body onto a recording member; and a protective agent supply unit that applies a protective agent including zinc stearate and boron nitride onto a surface of the image carrier. The voltage is alternatively switched in a transfer direction and an opposite direction. The voltage in the transfer direction enables transfer of the toner image from the intermediate transfer body to the recording member, and the voltage in the opposite direction has polarity opposite to polarity of the voltage in the transfer direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units that are arranged in parallel so as to be opposed to an intermediate transfer belt or a transfer carriage belt. A black image forming unit that forms a black toner image is arranged at a downstream end or upstream end in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt or the transfer carriage belt with respect to the other image forming units. The black image forming unit is configured so that its lubricant supplying unit contains a larger amount of lubricant.

Abstract: There is described a delivery member for use in an image forming apparatus. The delivery member comprises a support member and a layer comprising a elastomeric matrix disposed on the support member. The elastomeric matrix has dispersed therein a mixture of paraffin oil and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl phenol.

Abstract: A cleaning device, including, a first blade to slidably contact with a surface of an image carrier to which a toner including an external additive adheres, a second blade to slidably contact with the surface of the image carrier and to be provided downstream of the first blade in a rotation direction of the image carrier, and a lubricant applying mechanism section to apply a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, wherein hardness of the first blade is equal to or more than hardness of the second blade.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charging device to charge a surface of the image carrier, disposed across a predetermined gap from the image carrier, a latent image forming device, a developing device to develop a latent image formed on the image carrier into a toner image, a transfer unit to transfer the toner image from the image carrier onto a recording medium, a cleaning member to clean the image carrier after the toner image is transferred therefrom, a lubricant application member to lubricate the image carrier, a polarity adjustor to adjust polarities of the toner and lubricant adhering to the image carrier to be identical to a polarity of a charging bias. The polarity adjustor is disposed facing the image carrier, upstream from the charging device and downstream from the transfer unit in a direction in which the image carrier rotates.

Abstract: A transfer device includes a rotatable intermediate transfer belt wound around and stretched between a pair of rollers, facing a plurality of image bearing members bearing toner images, a plurality of transfer members facing the image bearing members through the intermediate transfer member, to transfer overlappingly the toner images onto the intermediate transfer member forming a composite toner image, a lubricant applicator disposed upstream from the image bearing members in a direction of rotation of the intermediate transfer belt and on the same plane as the image bearing members, to apply a lubricant on the intermediate transfer member, an opposing member disposed opposite the lubricant applicator, to contact the lubricant applicator through the intermediate transfer member, and a pressure member disposed upstream from the image bearing members and downstream from the lubricant applicator in the direction of rotation of the intermediate transfer belt, to press against the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An image-bearing member protecting agent including a fatty acid metal salt, and an inorganic lubricant, wherein the image-bearing member protecting agent is a solid formed by compression molding a particulate or granulated raw material containing the fatty acid metal salt and the inorganic lubricant, and applied or adhered to a surface of an image bearing member, and wherein the image-bearing member protecting agent has a front surface which is a side of the image-bearing member protecting agent to be used at the beginning, and a rear surface which is a side thereof to be left when most of the image-bearing member protecting agent is used up, and the image-bearing member protecting agent has a density decreasing from the front surface toward the rear surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-bearing member protecting agent, which has a block shape and is used in an image forming process where the image-bearing member protecting agent is applied or attached to a surface of an image bearing member while being scraped off with a roll-shaped brush, the image-bearing member protecting agent including: a fatty acid metal salt, wherein the image-bearing member protecting agent includes a plurality of small blocks and has such an orientation that one or more of the small blocks are easily separated from other small blocks, and a plurality of oriented surfaces of the plurality of small blocks are arranged in a laminated state in a substantially same direction.

Abstract: A protecting agent-supplying device which supplies, to an image bearing member, an image bearing member-protecting agent for protecting the image bearing member, wherein the image bearing member-protecting agent contains at least a fatty acid zinc salt and boron nitride, and wherein the protecting agent-supplying device supplies the image bearing member-protecting agent to the image bearing member so that the amount of zinc (Zn) present on a surface of the image bearing member satisfies the relation 0.4?Zn?2.5 (Atomic %) and the amount of boron (B) present on the surface of the image bearing member satisfies the relation 0.2?B?30.2 (Atomic %).

Abstract: There is described a delivery member for use in an image forming apparatus. The delivery member includes a support member, an inner layer comprising a elastomeric matrix and a functional material dispersed therein, the inner layer disposed on the support member and an outer layer disposed on the inner layer. A method for manufacturing the delivery member and its function are described.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an image carrying member; a developing unit for forming a toner image by developing an electrostatic latent image that has been formed on the image carrying member in a charged state; a cleaning unit for cleaning a toner that remains on the image carrying member after the toner image has been transferred from the image carrying member onto a transfer material; a lubricant applying unit for applying a lubricant on the image carrying member; and a control unit for performing drive control of the image carrying member, the developing unit, the cleaning unit, and the lubricant applying unit. Before the imaging device starts an imaging operation, the control unit controls the image carrying member, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit to perform respective operations; while controls the lubricant applying unit to repeat performing and suspending the operation in an intermittent manner.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus and method to manage the contact of a cleaning blade and a moving surface to increase the useful life of the blade. For example, a cleaning apparatus for a photoreceptor surface comprises a cleaning unit with a blade holder that rotates about a pivot point, a cleaning blade that is coupled to the blade holder and is positioned to chisel excess toner from the photoreceptor surface, and which cleans excess toner from the photoreceptor surface. The apparatus further comprises a sensor that senses the start and the end of an operational procedure, and an actuator that rotates the blade holder about the pivot point to selectively advance or retract the blade during the start-up procedure and the shut-down procedure. After the cleaning surface has begun to move or reached operating speed, blade contact is increased to bring the blade load up to operational level.

Abstract: A conductive coating is described, suitable for coating a developer, charge or transfer roller in a developing apparatus to give a charge providing layer. The coating comprises a conductive polymer in a matrix. A roller is also described, suitable for a developing apparatus comprising, from the center to the periphery, a conductive mandrel, a conductive elastic base layer and a charge providing layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a lubricant applying member located opposite a contact portion of a cleaning blade with an image bearing member below in the vertical direction, an opposed position of the lubricant applying member opposite the contact portion of the cleaning blade with the image bearing member below in the vertical direction being located upstream of a contact position of the lubricant applying member with a cleaning member in the rotational direction of the lubricant applying member, and a carrying member configured to carry the toner removed from the lubricant applying member, the carrying member being disposed at a position on a tangent to an outer circumference of the lubricant applying member at a contact position with the cleaning member and on a vertical line extending from a contact position of the lubricant applying member with a solid lubricant member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive medium to be charged with a predetermined potential by a charging member, an exposing unit to expose the photosensitive medium to vary a charging level of the photosensitive medium, a developing unit to form an image for one or more colors on the photosensitive medium, a transfer medium to transfer the image from the photosensitive medium, a cleaning unit to clean the transfer medium, and a controller to control an optical power of the exposing unit to be lower than that during forming of the image when a toner band is applied to lubricate at least one of the cleaning unit and the transfer medium.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to layers that are useful in imaging apparatus members and components, for use in electrophotographic, including digital apparatuses. Embodiments pertain to an improved electrophotographic imaging member used in customer replaceable units (CRU) comprising a very thin outer layer on the imaging member surface, where the outer layer comprises healing materials that act as a barrier against moisture and/or surface contaminants. The improved imaging member exhibits improved xerographic performance, such as reduced wear and deletions in high humidity conditions.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to layers that are useful in imaging apparatus members and components, for use in electrophotographic, including digital, apparatuses. Embodiments pertain to an improved electrophotographic imaging member comprising a very thin outer layer on the imaging member surface, where the outer layer comprises healing materials that act as a barrier against moisture and/or surface contaminants. The improved imaging member exhibits improved xerographic performance, such as reduced wear and deletions in high humidity conditions. Embodiments also pertain to methods for making the improved electrophotographic imaging member.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (200) that lubricates a cleaning blade in a xerographic printer is disclosed. The apparatus can include a charge receptor (110), movable in a process direction P, where the charge receptor can have a main surface (111). The apparatus can include a cleaning station (123) configured to clean the main surface of the charge receptor, where the cleaning station can include a cleaning blade (124) coupled to the main surface of the charge receptor. The apparatus can include a cleaning blade lubrication module (118) configured to place a lubrication stripe (160) on a portion of the main surface of the charge receptor at a selected time. The apparatus can include a controller (150) coupled to the cleaning blade lubrication module and coupled to the charge receptor. The controller can be configured to substantially park the cleaning blade in the lubrication stripe when the charge receptor is stopped.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier carrying a latent image, a charging device uniformly charging a surface of the image carrier, an exposure device performing, in accordance with image data, an exposure operation on the charged image carrier surface to write the latent image, a development device supplying toner to the latent image to develop a visible image, a transfer device transferring the visible image to an intermediate transfer member or a recording medium, a lubricant application device applying lubricant to the image carrier surface, a cleaning device cleaning the image carrier surface after a transfer operation, a fixing device fixing the transferred image on the recording medium, and a control device controlling, in accordance with recent print information, the operation in a lubricant application mode in which the lubricant application device applies the lubricant to the image carrier surface.

Abstract: When carrying out monochrome printing, an engine unit of a printer calculates an amount of toner consumed as lubricant by a color photoreceptor according to the number of sheets to be printed (S63). When carrying out color printing, the engine unit calculates an amount of toner remaining on the color photoreceptor after the printing based on an amount of toner necessary for printing calculated from a printing rate and an amount of actually transferred toner that is calculated from the transfer rate (S65). The toner remaining on the color photoreceptor is used as lubricant, and the engine unit calculates an amount of toner by subtracting the residual toner amount from the amount of toner as lubricant calculated from the number of sheets for monochrome printing (S67), and supplies the calculated amount of toner as lubricant to the color photoreceptor when carrying out monochrome printing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms a color image, and includes an endless intermediate transfer belt which rotates and carries a toner image and plural image forming units for plural colors arranged in tandem along the intermediate transfer belt. Each of the image forming units includes an image carrier which rotates and carries a latent image, a charging device which charges the image carrier, a development device which develops the latent image into a toner image, and a cleaning device which cleans the image carrier after the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt. The charging device of the extreme upstream image forming unit in the belt direction of rotation is a non-contact charging device not in contact with the image carrier. The extreme downstream image forming unit in the belt direction or rotation includes a lubricant application device which applies a lubricant to the image carrier.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade configured to clean a surface of a rotating subject, a solid lubricant configured to reduce the friction coefficient of the surface of the subject, and a lubricant coating device that includes a coating roller to shave the solid lubricant during normal rotation and a reverse rotation to coat the surface of the subject with the lubricant. The amount of lubricant supplied to the subject during normal rotation of the coating roller is different from a supply amount of the lubricant during reverse rotation of the coating roller, with more lubricant supplied during reverse rotation than during normal rotation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-bearing member protecting agent containing a fatty acid metal salt, and boron nitride, wherein the boron nitride has an oxygen content of 0.4% by mass to 4.5% by mass, and wherein the image-bearing member protecting agent is applied or attached onto a surface of an image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a latent image bearing member, a charging device, a latent electrostatic image formation device, a development device, a transfer device, and a lubricant supplying device, the latent image bearing member satisfying (I), (II) and (III): |(A1?B1)?(A2?B2)|?5.0??(I) B1?1 (atomic %)??(II) 1 (nm)?X?30 (nm)??(III), where, by XPS analysis, A1 and B1 represent oxygen and silicon atom content ratio in a cross-linked surface layer, respectively, A2 represents oxygen atom content ratio in a surface dug through a cross-linked surface layer along a direction perpendicular to the latent image bearing member surface, to an electroconductive substrate at depth point X where B1 decreases to not greater than B1×0.5, and B2 represents the silicone atom content ratio in the surface at X.

Abstract: A lubricant applicator rotatable at multiple different linear velocities, including a rotatable lubricant applying member to scrape a lubricant and to apply the lubricant to a surface of an image carrier rotatable at multiple different linear velocities. Any given linear velocity of the lubricant applying member satisfies a relation of n1/N1>n2/N2> . . . nx/Nx, where N1, N2, . . . Nx (N1<N2< . . . Nx) are the multiple different linear velocities of the image carrier, and n1, n2, . . . nx are multiple linear velocities of the lubricant applying member corresponding to the multiple linear velocities of the image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including an image bearer; and a protectant applicator applying a protectant including zinc stearate and zinc palmitate to the surface thereof, wherein an average amount of the protectant adhering thereto is from 0.4 to 2.0 ?g/cm2 after 500 images are produced, and wherein the following relationships are satisfied: X=Sb/Sa wherein X represents an index of the amount of the protectant adhering at an arbitrary point thereon; Sa represents a peak area in a wavenumber domain of from 1,765 to 1,786 cm?1 in an infrared absorption spectrum; and Sb represents a peak area in a wavenumber domain of from 1,533 to 1,547 cm?1, and ?Xi/Xave<0.3 wherein Xi represent the indices X at n-pieces of the arbitrary points in an image forming area thereof along its longitudinal direction; Xave represents an average of the n-pieces of Xi; and ?Xi represents a variation of Xi.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a scraping member that scrapes foreign materials from a member to be cleaned while being in contact with the member to be cleaned, and a lubricant supply unit that supplies a lubricant upstream of a contact position between the member to be cleaned and the scraping member in a moving direction of the member to be cleaned. The lubricant supply unit supplies a powder of a solid lubricant containing a fatty acid metal salt and a fluorocarbon resin.

Abstract: A cradle unit for a printhead cartridge is provided having a support bay for removably receiving the printhead cartridge, and an interface mounted on a slanted face within the support bay, the interface comprising connections which are movably tilted on said slanted face so as to be exposed within the support bay for connection with connections of the printhead cartridge when received in the support bay. The connections of the interface connect the printhead cartridge with a power supply which is remote from the interface.

Abstract: An image-bearing member protecting agent including: a hydrophobic organic compound (A); an inorganic lubricant (B); and inorganic fine particles (C), wherein each of the inorganic fine particles (C) has a specific surface area of 2.0 m2/g to 6.5 m2/g.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to apply a necessary amount of a lubricant to an image bearing member while preventing the lubricant from being excessively consumed. An intermediate transfer belt drive motor controlled by a PID controller drives an intermediate transfer belt. A brush rotation controller for controlling an application brush drive motor detects fluctuation in a frictional force between a cleaning blade and the intermediate transfer belt, and controls the application brush drive motor such that an amount of lubricant to be applied is an amount corresponding to the detected fluctuation in the frictional force.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier unit, a determining section, an acquiring section, and a removal capability increasing section. The image carrier unit includes an image carrier and a cleaning member, and has a lubricant in the area of the cleaning member that contacts the image carrier when the image carrier unit is in an unused condition. The determining section determines whether or not the image carrier unit is unused. The acquiring section acquires the elapsed time since manufacture of the image carrier unit. The removal capability increasing section increases the removal capability for removing the lubricant from the surface of the image carrier by the cleaning member, in a case where it is determined that the image carrier unit is unused and the acquired elapsed time is equal to or more than a predetermined time, in comparison to other cases.

Abstract: An image bearing member-protecting agent which is supplied to an image bearing member for protecting the image bearing member, the image bearing member-protecting agent including a fatty acid metal salt and an inorganic lubricant, wherein the image bearing member-protecting agent is formed by compression molding of powder containing at least the fatty acid metal salt and the inorganic lubricant, and wherein the image bearing member-protecting agent satisfies the relation 1.0<A/B, where A denotes a density at end portions in the longitudinal direction of the image bearing member-protecting agent and B denotes a density at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the image bearing member-protecting agent.

Abstract: A loop brush includes a shaft and a ribbon having loop-shaped fiber bundles arranged regularly on a base cloth. The ribbon is wound around the shaft at a prescribed angle. An arrangement angle that is an angle of an arrangement line, which is a straight line connecting adjacent fiber bundles, with respect to a longitudinal direction of the ribbon differs from a winding angle that is an angle of the longitudinal direction of the ribbon with respect to a circumferential direction of the shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member that bears a latent image and has a surface layer; a charging device that charges the surface of the image bearing member: a latent image forming device that forms the latent image on the surface of the image bearing member; a development device that develops the latent image formed on the surface of the image bearing member with a development agent to form a toner image thereon; a transfer device that transfers the toner image to a transfer medium; a cleaning device that removes residual toner remaining on the surface of the image bearing member after transferring the toner image to the transfer medium; and a protection agent supplying device that supplies a protection agent to the surface layer of the image bearing member that forms a protection layer thereon, wherein the protection agent comprises a metal soap and boron nitride and the amount of the boron nitride in the protection layer applied to the image bearing member after image formation is

Abstract: Fiber bundle forms loops protruding beyond a surface side of a base member with constant spaces therebetween, in at least one of opposite ends located in a direction perpendicular to a weaving direction (W) of a ribbon brush, a weft extending between neighboring loops passes under a warp, and a weft extending through the loop passes above the warp.

Abstract: A lubricant supplying device includes a lubricant supplying roller configured to rotate in a certain direction and makes a sliding contact with an image carrier on which a toner image is carried; a solid lubricant arranged to slide in contact with the lubricant supplying roller; a changing unit configured to change a revolution of the lubricant supplying roller to adjust an amount of the solid lubricant supplied onto the image carrier; and a calculation unit configured to obtain a product life or total consumption of the solid lubricant from a total running distance or total operating time of the image carrier or the lubricant supplying roller, the product life or the total consumption of the solid lubricant being corrected based on the amount of the solid lubricant supplied onto the image carrier.

Abstract: A cleaning device including a first blade contacting a surface of an image carrier and a second blade separate from the first blade to contact the surface of the image carrier at a position downstream from the first blade in a direction of rotation of the image carrier relative to a transfer position on the surface of the image carrier. A leading end of the second blade facing up is positioned upstream from a trailing end of the second blade relative to the direction of rotation of the image carrier. A first edge of the leading end of the second blade contacts the surface of the image carrier at a point on the surface of the image carrier below a second edge of the leading end of the second blade.

Abstract: A lubricant supply device including a solid lubricant, a lubricant supply roller, a detector, and a varying device is provided. The lubricant supply roller is adapted to supply the lubricant to a toner image bearing member and is rotatable in a predetermined direction while slidably contacting both the solid lubricant and the toner image bearing member. The detector is adapted to detect an absolute humidity around the lubricant supply device. The varying device is adapted to vary an amount of the lubricant to be supplied to the toner image bearing member based on the absolute humidity detected by the detector.

Abstract: A mode is executed so that a lubricant applying member is rotated based on an image formation start signal, and thereafter a rotation drive of an image bearing member is started.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having: an image carrier that moves in a direction while holding a toner image on its surface; a cleaner that is located downstream from a transfer point where a toner image is transferred from the image carrier, with respect to the moving direction of the image carrier, to remove residual toner and other residues from the surface of the image carrier; a lubricant supply device for supplying a lubricant to the surface of the image carrier; and a flattener for spreading out the lubricant supplied from the lubricant supply device over the surface of the image carrier by pressing its edge portion against the surface of the image carrier; wherein the flattener has an impact resilience within a range of 48% to 68% under temperature of 25° C., and the edge portion of the flattener is arranged counter the moving direction of the image carrier.

Abstract: A protective agent block including metal soap; and boron nitride, wherein the weight ratio Mr of boron nitride to the metal soap is calculated from the relationship 1 based on Raman spectrum measured at each of multiple places on the protective agent block and the average of the measured weight ratios Mr ranges from 0.050 to 0.330 with a variation coefficient of 0.075 or less: Mr=(log(ABN/ASP)+1.3588)/7.7374??Relationship 1 where ABN represents a peak area in a range of from a wavenumber of 1377.837 cm?1 to 1354.695 cm?1 and ASP represents a peak area in a range of from a wavenumber of 1481.012 cm?1 to 1420.264 cm?1.

Abstract: A cleaning unit, which can be incorporated in a process cartridge removably installable in an image forming apparatus, includes a lubricant applicator to apply lubricant to an image carrier, a first blade disposed upstream from the lubricant applicator in a direction of rotation of the image carrier with its distal end held in contact with the image carrier to remove residual toner remaining on the image carrier, a second blade disposed downstream from the lubricant applicator in the direction of rotation of the image carrier with its distal end held in contact with the image carrier to regulate the amount of lubricant applied to the image carrier, a temperature measuring member to measure a temperature of or near the second blade, a heater, and a temperature controller to control the heater to heat the second blade so that the measured temperature falls within a given set temperature range.

Abstract: A lubricant coating device related to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a lubricant supply unit 12 which supplies a lubricant 11 onto an outer peripheral surface of an image carrier 1 that is driven to rotate and a lubricant smoothing unit 13 which is disposed on the downstream side in a rotating direction of the image carrier 1 of the lubricant supply unit 12 and smoothes the lubricant 11 supplied onto the outer peripheral surface. In the lubricant coating device, the lubricant smoothing unit 13 rotates while being in surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 1 and thereby smoothes the lubricant 11 supplied onto the image carrier 1 by the lubricant supply unit 12.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt conveying portion having a movable endless belt provided around at least two supporting members, a cleaning member provided in contact with a surface of the belt, a lubricant supply portion provided below a contact portion between the belt and the cleaning member for supplying lubricant to the contact portion, and an adhered-material storing portion provided below the lubricant supply portion for storing adhered-material scraped off from the belt by the cleaning member.

Abstract: An image forming method and apparatus in which a protective agent is supplied to an image carrier, and the image carrier is charged by a plurality of charging units. Degrees of discharge deterioration of the surface of the image carrier in the plurality of charging units are different, and the amount of protective agent supplied to a charging portion of a charging unit, in which a degree of discharge deterioration of the surface of the image carrier is high, is large.

Abstract: A protective agent for an image bearing member of an image forming apparatus. The protective agent is applied onto a surface of the image bearing member and includes a hydrophobic organic compound (A), an inorganic fine particle (B), and an inorganic lubricant (C).