Abstract: An intermediate transfer member suitable for full-color image formation by electrophotography is formed by an elastic base layer and a fibrous core member embedded with the base layer. The core member is formed of fibers which are disposed within the base layer at a spacing between adjacent fibers of 50-3000&mgr;m. As a result, the intermediate transfer member is reinforced to exhibit improved superposed transfer performance free from color deviation while retaining good transfer performance.

Abstract: A process cartridge which integrally supports therein a cylindrical latent-image-bearing member on which a toner image is formed and an intermediate transfer belt to which the toner image is primarily transferred and from which it is secondarily transported to a transfer medium. To prevent the photosensitive member from being unwantedly triboelectrically charged during transportation, the cartridge satisfies any of requirements that A) the latent-image-bearing member has a surface potential Vt of −200 V≦Vt≦200 V when the intermediate transfer belt and the photosensitive member are rubbed with each other, B) a spacer member is provided between the intermediate transfer belt and the latent-image-bearing member, and the photosensitive member has a surface potential Vt of −200 V≦Vt≦200 V when the former and the latter are rubbed with each other, and C) the cartridge has a means for lowering contact pressure of the intermediate transfer belt against the latent-image-bearing member.

Abstract: A full-color image forming apparatus for forming an image on a transfer material by transferring a toner image formed on an image bearing member onto the transfer material includes a belt-shaped transfer member for transferring a toner image from the image bearing member onto a transfer material, and a cleaning blade for cleaning the belt-shaped transfer member by being brought into contact therewith. Shape coefficients SF-1and SF-2of a toner for forming the toner image have values of 100≦SF-1≦125, and 100≦SF-2≦125, respectively. The belt-shaped transfer member has a seamless shape in which a seam is absent. An amount of abrasion of a surface of the belt-shaped transfer member is equal to or less than 10.0 mg. An angle of contact with respect to water of the belt-shaped transfer member is at least 60°. A slide resistance of a surface of the belt-shaped transfer member is equal to or less than 1 N.

Abstract: In a transfer member having at least a resin layer, the resin layer contains a thermoplastic resin and a polyether-ester amide, and the thermoplastic resin and the polyether-ester amide are in a weight ratio of from 79:21 to 60:40. Also provided are a process for producing the transfer member and an image-forming apparatus having the transfer member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic seamless belt containing a thermoplastic fluorine resin, which contains 3 to 40 parts by weight of a polyether-ester amide or polyether amide and 0.02 to 10 parts by weight of a fluorine-atom-containing surface-active agent or halogenated alkali metal salt, based on 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic fluorine resin. Also disclosed is an electrophotographic apparatus having the electrophotographic seamless belt.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic belt member comprising a resin composition, the resin composition contains from 30% by weight to 90% by weight of a thermoplastic resin, from 2% by weight to 30% by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of a polyether-ester amide, a polyether ester and a polyether amide, from 0% by weight to 5% by weight of an electrolyte, and from 2% by weight to 50% by weight of an insulating filler. Also disclosed are a process for producing the electrophotographic belt member, and an electrophotographic apparatus having the electrophotographic belt member.

Abstract: A process is disclosed producing an intermediate transfer member used in an image-forming apparatus in which an image formed on a first image-bearing member is transferred to a second image-bearing member. The process has the steps of melt-extruding an extrusion material from a circular die by means of an extruder and thereafter making the same into a desired shape to obtain a cylindrical extruded product, and forming the resultant cylindrical extruded product into the intermediate transfer member. The cylindrical extruded product contains a thermoplastic resin and an ion-conductive resistance control agent, and a ratio of the diameter of the intermediate transfer member obtained to the die diameter of the circular die is from 0.5 to 4.0. Also disclosed are an intermediate transfer member obtained by the production process, and an intermediate transfer member having the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: A process for producing a belt-shaped transfer member to be used in an image-forming apparatus is disclosed in which a toner image held on a latent-image-bearing member is electrostatically transferred under application of a voltage via the belt-shaped transfer member. The process comprises the steps of melt-extruding a material containing a thermoplastic resin, from a circular die into a cylindrical film; forming the resultant cylindrical film by stretching in such a way that the cylindrical film comes to have a thickness smaller than the die gap of the circular die; and cutting the cylindrical film thus formed, into a seamless belt having a thickness of from 40 &mgr;m to 300 &mgr;m and a modulus in tension of 600 MPa or higher. Also disclosed is a belt-shaped transfer member produced by this process.

Abstract: A process for producing an endless belt includes melt-extruding an extrusion material into a cylinder by means of an extruder, where the extrusion material has a tensile break strength of 400 kgf/cm2 or above and a breaking extension of from 3.0% to 250%, and where the extrusion material is extruded in an extrusion ratio of from 1.05 to 2.80 while a gas is blown into the inside of the melt-extruded cylindrical product.

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 intermediate transfer member for receiving a toner image formed on a first image-bearing member and transferring the toner image onto a second image-bearing member has a surface coated with at least one of a nitrate ion adsorbent and a compound having a layer structure, whereby a scattering of toner particles during a successive image formation is effectively suppressed for a long period.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first image bearing member and an intermediate transfer member onto which a toner image formed on the first image bearing member is primarily transferred and through which the toner image thus transferred is secondarily transferred onto a second image bearing member. The intermediate transfer member has a surface layer on a base layer and the surface layer contains a polyurethane resin obtained by the reaction of an olefinpolyol with an isocyanate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first image bearing member and an intermediate transfer belt onto which a toner image formed on the first image bearing member is primarily transferred is secondarily tranferred onto a second image bearing member. The intermediate tranfer belt has, in its non-image forming region, a tape having a volume resistivity of 10.sup.10 .OMEGA..multidot.cm or above, a bond strength of 0.5 kg or above and a breaking extension of 5% or more.

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: The present invention concerns an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a transfer medium by use of an intermediate transfer belt, and also the intermediate transfer belt itself. The intermediate transfer belt has an elastic layer JIS-A hardness of which is 85.degree. or less and at least one covering layer formed on the elastic layer. A relative permittivity .epsilon. and thickness t (.mu.m) of the at least one covering layer satisfy relations of .epsilon..ltoreq.6 and t.gtoreq..epsilon., and the intermediate transfer belt includes a fiber. The effects of this .epsilon. value and the fiber inside enabled to suppress scattering of toner well.

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: A charging member suitable for charging, e.g., a photosensitive member for electrophotography, is provided with improve surface-properties. The charging member is surface with a resin formed by plasticizing a rigid polymer with a plasticizing polymer chemically bonded to the rigid polymer.

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.