Abstract: An intermediate transfer member is formed by at least a base layer and a surface layer. The base layer is formed by epichlorohydrin rubber and acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber mixed in a certain weight ratio (preferably 1:9 to 9:1). The surface layer is formed by urethane resin or elastomer and a fluorine-containing compound powder. The fluorine-containing compound powder may preferably be contained in an amount of 20-80 wt. % based on the surface layer. The intermediate transfer member is suitable for full-color image formation by electrophotography and is effective in improving a transfer performance and providing clear images without causing transfer failure even in repetitive use for a long period.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method includes a first image-bearing member, a latent image-forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the first image-bearing member, developer for developing the electrostatic latent image with a toner to form a toner image, an intermediate transfer member for receiving the toner image by primary transfer and transferring the toner image onto a second image-bearing member by secondary transfer, a charging member for charging a residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the secondary transfer, and a recovery member for recovering the charged residual toner at a recovery position by voltage application. The intermediate transfer member exhibits a charging characteristic such that it has a surface potential of at most 500 volts as an absolute value at the recovery position.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprises an image bearing member for bearing a toner image, an intermediate transfer member for allowing the toner image on the image bearing member to undergo electrostatic primary transfer thereto at the position of primary transfer and then enabling the toner image deposited thereon to undergo secondary transfer to a transfer material, and a charging member for charging a residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the second transfer of the toner image on the intermediate transfer member to a transfer material and consequently causing the residual toner charged by the charging member to be transferred at the position of primary transfer to the image bearing member. Wherein the sum of the surface roughness, Rz, of the intermediate transfer member and that of the charging member is not less than 1 .mu.m and not more than 50 .mu.m.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image-bearing member, an intermediate transfer member for receiving an image formed on the first image-bearing member and transferring the image onto a second image-bearing member, pattern-forming means for forming a prescribed pattern on the intermediate transfer member, density detection means for detecting a density of the pattern, and control means for controlling image forming conditions based on the detected density. The intermediate transfer member is set to have a reflectance of 10-70% for light having a wavelength in the range of 700-1500 nm at least in a region thereof for forming the prescribed pattern. As a result, the pattern density detection is suitably performed on the intermediate transfer member for all of yellow, magenta cyan and black, and the detected density data is used for controlling the image forming conditions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image-bearing member, latent image-forming unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the first image-bearing member, developer for developing the electrostatic latent image with a toner to form a toner image, an intermediate transfer member for receiving the toner image by primary transfer and transferring the toner image onto a second image-bearing member by secondary transfer, a charging member for charging a residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the secondary transfer, and a recovery member for recovering the charged residual toner at a recovery position by voltage application. The intermediate transfer member exhibits a charging characteristic such that it has a surface potential of at most 500 volts as an absolute value at the recovery position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first image supporting member and an intermediate transfer member having an outermost layer containing particles of conductive material. The ratio of (the maximum diameter/the minimum diameter) of the particle is 4 or more, and the maximum diameter is 1 to 80 .mu.m. The above image forming apparatus has excellent durability and good image forming properties, and produces images without toner-filming.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a first image supporting member and an intermediate transfer member for transfer of an image from the first image supporting member and means for transferring the transferred image on the intermediate transfer member to a second image supporting member; characterized in that the contact angle between a surface of the intermediate transfer member and water is 60.degree. or above, and the sliding resistance of the surface is 200 g or below. The above image forming apparatus has excellent durability and good image forming properties under overall environmental conditions, and produces images without toner-filming.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image-forming member such as an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an intermediate transfer member for receiving an image formed on the first image-bearing member and transferring the image onto a second image-bearing member such as plain paper. The intermediate transfer member has a surface layer comprising a binder and a powder dispersed therein. The binder is adjusted to have a tensile strength of at least 300 kg-f/cm.sup.2, an elongation of at least 150%, and a tensile stress of at most 250 kg-f/cm.sup.2 at an elongation of 100%. The powder may be a lubricating powder or an electroconductive powder.

Abstract: A work roll has a regularly and geometrically patterned uneven dulled section on the roll surface. Eavh uneven dulled section is composed of a crest and concavity and is of crater-like configuration. In order to obtain good performance in temper rolling, the crest is in a form of an annular ring extending around the edge of the concavity. According to the invention, pattern of arrangement of the uneven dulled sections is determined in relation to the diameter of the ring-shaped crests of the uneven dulled section so as to obtain optimum performance in producing good quality, exhibiting substantially high image clarify as coated by paint, enamel or so forth.

Abstract: A method of rolling raw materials inclusive of slabs for the manufacture of beam blanks, and a roll to be used therefor, are disclosed. This method includes the steps of (a) subjecting a raw material, whose section consists of a web portion and a flange portion(s) having a width wider than the thickness of the web portion, to such a partial rolling that the web portion is partially rolled at regions inclusive of at least the joints of the flange portion(s), except the remaining central region, among a plurality of regions divided in the widthwise direction of the web portion, and (b) subjecting only the remaining central regions to a rolling.

Abstract: A method of forming a beam blank, wherein:said method comprises:a process in which a plate-shaped slab is reduction-rolled in the widthwise direction by means of working rolls having box calibers each formed at the center thereof with a belly, whereby side spreadings are generated at opposite end portions in the widthwise direction of said slab to provide a blank of being a dog-bone shape in cross-section; anda process in which said blank is rolled by means of working rolls having beam blank calibers to provide a beam blank being of a predetermined shape in cross section; said process, in which the plate-shaped slab is reduction-rolled in the widthwise direction by means of the working rolls having the box calibers each formed at the center thereof with the belly, preferably comprising: a first step in which said plate-shaped slab is reduction-rolled in the widthwise direction by means of box calibers each formed at the center thereof with a belly to provide grooves for positioning in the centers at opposite