Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming a latent image by image exposure on an image bearing member which is charged by a charge brush of a charging device, and developing the latent image by a developing device, transferring the developed image on a sheet, and cleaning the residual toner on the image bearing member by the developing device. The rotational brush rotates in such a direction that a contacting portion of the brush with the image bearing member moves in the same direction as a moving direction of a surface of the image bearing member, and is provided to satisfy the following condition:20.ltoreq.(N).sup.2 /t.ltoreq.35,wherein N is a contact nip width between the charging brush and the image bearing member and t is a thickness of the charging brush.

Abstract: A contact charger for charging an outer surface of an electrostatic latent image carrier in contact therewith wherein the charging member includes a co-cured polychloroprene and ECO mixture electrically connected to a conductive substrate. The cured homogeneous mixture is covered with an adhesion resistant layer.

Abstract: A charging device for charging a member to be charged, includes a charging material for charging the member to be charged, the charging material including a layer of particles capable of being supplied with a voltage and contactable to the member to be charged, wherein the particle layer comprises first particles having a volume resistivity of not less than 6.0.times.10.sup.3 Ohm.cm and less than 1.0.times.10.sup.5 Ohm.cm and second particles having a volume resistivity of not less than 6.3.times.10.sup.5 Ohm.cm mixed with the first particles.

Abstract: A charging member contactable to a member to be charged to electrically charge it, the improvement residing in that a microhardness of an end region, with respect to a longitudinal direction, of the charging member is larger than that in a central region of the charging member.

Abstract: A charging roll fit for use at high speed, having good maintaining property of charging characteristics in long-term use, stable in electric resistance under the environmental conditions, and having no fear of pinhole leak and photoreceptor contamination, which comprises a conductive shaft and a conductive layer formed thereon, wherein said conductive layer contains a layer in which SnO.sub.2-x -coated BaSO.sub.4 particles having an electric resistance of 0.1 to 10 .OMEGA..multidot.cm are dispersed in a resin, and the value of x is 0 to 1.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a charge inducing member comprising a cleaning element for establishing relative lineal as well as rotary movement between the cleaning element and charge inducing member. Embodiments include various mechanisms for imparting axial reciprocal motion to the cleaning element and for disabling reciprocation of the cleaning element or separating the cleaning element and charging member from each other during sensitive portions of a photoduplication cycle.

Abstract: A charge roller, transfer roller or similar charge depositing member, and an image forming apparatus using such a member. The charge depositing member has a surface portion made of a material whose electric resistance decreases with an increase in voltage applied to the member. A constant current power source applies the current to a core on which the surface portion is formed. The electric resistance of the material changes in an amount greater than 1 order and smaller than 3 order. The volume resistivity of the material is variable within a range of from 10.sup.6 .OMEGA.cm to 10.sup.11 .OMEGA.cm.

Abstract: In a charging device constituted by a charging wire and a shield case having a U-shaped sectional structure which surrounds the charging wire and has an opening portion opposing a photosensitive body, the peak of a current flowing from the opening of the shield case onto the photosensitive body is offset to the upstream side in the rotational direction of the photosensitive body with respect to the central position of the shield case to uniform a charging potential at an outlet portion of the shield case. According to the above charging device, the peak of the charging flow-in current is offset to the upstream side in the rotational direction of the photosensitive body with respect to the central position of the shield case. For this reason, the peak of discharging is present near the inlet portion of the shield case, and a half or more of a finally obtained halftone potential is obtained on the inlet side. However, a charging irregularity occurs due to a large potential ripple.

Abstract: A charging device including a charging member which is in contact with or minutely spaced from a surface of a photosensitive member, device for applying a constant voltage to the charging member, and a controller for controlling the voltage applied to the charging member when a current flowing from the charging member to the surface of the photosensitive member exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A printing machine adapted to print an image on a plurality of different predefined sized sheets, including an imaging member adapted to receive the image on a plurality of predefined image areas on the surface of the imaging member. A selector is provided for selecting one of the plurality of different predefined sized sheets to be printed on. And, a corona generating device is provided for charging only one of the plurality of different predefined image areas associated with the one of the plurality of different predefined sized sheets selected.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an electrical charge to a charge retentive surface by transporting ions through an ionically conductive liquid and transferring the ions to the member to be charged across the liquid/charge retentive surface interface. The ionically conductive liquid is contacted with the charge retentive surface for depositing ions onto the charge retentive surface via a wetted donor blade supported within a mechanically sealable housing adapted to permit movement of the wetted donor blade from an operative position in contact with the charge retentive surface, to a nonoperative position stored within the housing to prevent loss of the ionically conductive liquid in its liquid or vapor form so as to extend the functional life of the apparatus. In one specific embodiment, a wiper blade may be provided for removing any liquid droplets from the surface of the photoreceptor as may have been transferred at the donor blade/charge retentive surface interface.

Abstract: To provide a highly reliable contact type charge unit capable of a creating a uniform charge on a photosensitive layer, a charging member of the charge unit which contacts the photosensitive layer is made from a material having a perpendicular resistivity in a range of between 10.sup.3 to 10.sup.8 .OMEGA.. The perpendicular resistivity is defined by a product of a surface resistivity of the charging member and square of the thickness of the charging member in the current flowing direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that includes a positioning device for selectively positioning a contact-charging member at a charging position where the contact-charging member contacts a photosensitive carrier at a first region or at a cleaning position where the contact-charging member contacts the carrier at a second region. A contact charger apparatus for charging a carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image, said contact charger apparatus that includes a voltage source coupled to a contact charger for applying a voltage to said carrier; and a contact charger cleaner for changing a contact area between said contact charger and said carrier to effect cleaning of said contact charger.

Abstract: A contact charging device having a charging member including a rotatable support member and a plurality of flexible films. One end of each the films is attached to the support member, and a free end of each the films is in contact with surface of the charge-receiving member for charging the surface of a charge-receiving member.

Abstract: A process for changing layered imaging members by the transfer of ions thereto which comprises contacting the imaging member with a liquid developer comprised of a nonpolar liquid, and a mixture of surfactants of an ammonium block copolymer first surfactant of the formula ##STR1## wherein X.sup.- is a conjugate base or anion of a strong acid; R is hydrogen or alkyl; R' is alkyl; R" is an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms; and y and x represent the number average degree of polymerization (DP) wherein the ratio of y to x is in the range of from about 10 to 2 to about 1,000 to 200; and a second surfactant component of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl, and n is 0 (zero), 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a photoconductor on which a toner image is formed, an intermediate transfer drum disposed opposite to the photoconductor for holding a sheet on its circumferential surface, and a transfer charger disposed opposite to the photoconductor through the intermediate transfer drum for transferring a toner image from the photoconductor onto a sheet held on the intermediate transfer drum. A separation charger is disposed at a downstream side of the transfer charger in the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer drum for separating the sheet from the intermediate transfer drum, the output of the separation charger being set corresponding to the number of times the toner image is transferred.

Abstract: A charging device for charging a movable object to be charged. A charging member contacts the object to be charged. A power source applies a voltage to the charging member, wherein the power spectrum PS satisfies the following relation when the space frequency of the profile of the surface of the charging member is analyzed.In the section of 10.ltoreq.f.ltoreq.100 (cycles/mm):PS.ltoreq.-2.5.times.log (f/2)(.mu.m.sup.2)In this way, the charging device prevents charge unevenness due to undulations on the surface of the charging member and charges uniformly while generating very little ozone.

Abstract: A charging member has a charging surface having a concave surface that is positioned on the opposite side of a line H than a side at which an object to be charged is disposed, wherein H is a line that (i) is tangent to a surface of the object to be charged at a point at a downstream end of a contact section or a closest-proximity section between the charging surface and the object to be charged, and (ii) extends downstream from the point of tangency, where the downstream direction is determined with respect to a direction of movement of the object to be charged. By this arrangement, a charging region can be enlarged and periodic fluctuations in a surface potential of the object to be charged can be mitigated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing an image of toner and a charging member contactable to the image bearing member to charge the image bearing member. The charging member is adapted to receive a voltage and the toner has a melt index of not less than 0.5 g/10 min. In the apparatus,P/(V.times.L).ltoreq.50J/m.sup.2where v is a movement speed of the image bearing member when the image bearing member is charged by the charging member (m/sec), L is an effective charging length of the charging member, measured in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the image bearing member (m), and P is an amount of electric power consumed by the charging member (W).

Abstract: A charging member for charging a member to be charged includes a foamed layer; a supporting member for supporting the foamed layer, and for being supplied with a voltage; a resistance layer closer to the member to be charged than the foamed layer; wherein the foamed layer has a specific gravity not less than 0.1 (g/cm.sup.3) and not more than 0.6 (g/cm.sup.3), and wherein an average outer diameter of pores in a cross-section of said foamed layer is not less than 50 microns and not more than 1 mm.

Abstract: An element in a corona generating device having at least one conductive corona discharge electrode for depositing negative charge on an imaging surface in an electrostatographic imaging apparatus, the element being capable of adsorbing nitrogen oxide species generated when said corona generating device is energized and capable of desorbing nitrogen oxide species when the corona generating device is not energized, the element having an adhesion, promoting surface reclaimed from prior use in a similar capacity by immersion in an alkaline ultrasonic bath where the cavitation action of the bath is sufficient to remove any binder thereon and any metal, metallic compound and other solid particles as solid particles without metallic dissolution in the alkaline bath while at the same time providing a random microetched surface roughness to promote the subsequent coating and adherence of a substantially continuous thin conductive dry film of aluminum hydroxide containing graphite and powdered nickel, the reclaimed ele

Abstract: The invention concerns an ultra thin polymer film electret comprising a polymer and a substrate having a surface electric charge, wherein a side chain of the polymer and the substrate are physically or chemically bonded. A method of manufacturing an ultra thin polymer film electret comprising: adsorbing a monomolecular film comprising a unsaturated group or a laminated film comprising the monomolecular film on to a substrate surface, irradiating the monomolecular film or the laminated film with an energy beam to polymerize the unsaturated groups and applying a high voltage to the film is also disclosed. Further, a method of manufacturing an ultra thin polymer film electret comprising: physically bonding a side chain of the polymer to a substrate surface to form a thin film and applying a high voltage to the thin film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A contacting charging device includes a sheet-shaped charging member and a support member for supporting a charging member at both of its end. A portion of the sheet-shaped charging member contacts the surface of a charge target. The sheet-shaped charging member and the charge target uniformly contact each other, to place a uniform charge on the charge target. The sheet-shaped charging member also has excellent durability.

Abstract: A charging member contactable to a member to be charged to electrically charge it includes a charging portion contactable to the member to be charged; a supporting portion for supporting the charging portion, the supporting portion including an elastic layer and a supporting member for supporting the elastic layer; wherein the charging portion is movable toward and away from the supporting portion, and an inside diameter of the charging portion is larger than an outside diameter of the supporting portion.

Abstract: A modular charging device for use in a printing or imaging system includes a plurality of individual charging units and means for arranging the plurality of individual charging units together in a modular fashion. The modular charging device may be arc-shaped to uniformly charge a rotating drum or a circular belt, or may be linear to uniformly charge a linear imaging member.

Abstract: In a xerographic image, where a darker area is separated by a lighter area across a sharp boundary, there is an edge enhancement effect where there will be a black outline around the darker area and a white outline around the lighter area. In x-ray mammography, the effect is that the skin line will be darkened for a positive image and lightened for a negative image, and a loss of detail at the skin line will result. To increase visible detail at the skin line without increasing the radiation, a recharging scorotron can be used between the imaging and toner stations to recharge back to a low level of charge only those areas of the latent image that have been fully discharged. All other areas are allowed to remain unchanged. The result is a reduction of skin line deletions at a reduced x-ray exposure. Such a scorotron, in the shape of a box around the corona wires, can be constructed using a conductive top, insulative sides and a screen bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a semiconductor device includes an insulation body on which an IC to be tested is placed; a high voltage source for generating an electrostatic charge; a capacitor and resistor; a variable discharge gap defined by a metal piece and a discharge electrode; a fixed discharge gap; a discharge resistor inserted into the discharge circuit; and a switch for conducting the electrostatic charge into the discharge circuit. When a high voltage is applied to the terminal to be tested in the IC, a corona or spark is generated at the discharge gap and the current is on rapidly into the terminal to be tested. Thus, a condition very similar to the actual electrostatic discharge phenomenon is reproduced.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus for forming an image, especially a halftone image, by using a photosensitive member, having a charging member for charging the photosensitive member, a mechanism for relatively moving the charging member and the photosensitive member, a voltage source for applying an oscillatory voltage to the charging member such that a Vp/f ratio is about from 0.08 to 0.42, wherein the Vp represents a relative moving speed between the charging member and the photosensitive member and the f represents a frequency of the oscillatory voltage, an exposing member for exposing the charged photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image.

Abstract: A process for charging layered imaging members by the transfer of ions thereto from an ionically conductive medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of generating a high voltage in an electrostatic powder coating gun with a high-voltage generator having a transformer and a high-voltage cascade arrangement. The primary coil of the transformer is fed with an a.c. supply voltage operating at a working frequency. During operation of the coating gun, the frequency of the supply voltage is continuously varied about the working frequency, the current intensity of the primary coil current of the transformer is also continuously detected and the direction of frequency variation is reversed every time an increase in the current intensity of the primary coil current is determined.

Abstract: A device for charging a member. The device includes a roller contactable with the member to charge the member. The roller includes an elongated cylinder defining a central cavity in the elongated cylinder. The cylinder is flexible in a radial direction toward the central cavity. The device also includes an electrical biaser for electrically biasing the roller.

Abstract: An ionized airflow manifold for static reduction. The manifold may be installed in a stand-alone frame, or attached to any processing machine. The manifold includes a commercially available gas ionizer that provides an ionized air supply, and creates an air curtain around a target area.

Abstract: A charging member for use in a contact charging device which charges a charge-receiving member such as a photosensitive drum in a copier or printer by applying a voltage to the charging member and contacting the charging member to the charge-receiving member. The charging member includes at least an elastic layer and a surface layer disposed thereon which contacts the charge-receiving member. The surface layer includes at least a semiconductive resin and an insulating metal oxide contained in the semiconductive resin, and the surface layer has a maximum height of surface roughness (Rmax) of 10 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m.

Abstract: A charge roller rotatable in contact with a photoconductive element in the form of a drum or a belt and applied with a voltage for charging the element, and an image forming apparatus using the same. The surface of the charge roller is ground in order to remove toner particles and other impurities firmly deposited thereon, as needed. The charge roller is capable of uniformly charging the photoconductive element at all times.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a charge roller for providing a charge to a photoconductive member. The charge roller includes a metallic core with a conductive elastic layer covering the metallic core and a surface layer covering the elastic layer. The conductive elastic layer is preferably formed of an epichlorohydrein rubber or a urethane rubber. In addition, the conductive elastic layer and surface layer preferably have thickness and roughness characteristics as discussed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are electroviscous liquid essentially containingA) A linear and/or branched, eventually functionalized, polyether or the monomers thereof, the conversion product of such polyether resp. such monomer with mono- or oligo functional compounds and eventually additional additives, andB) a dispersing agent, andC) a non-aqueous dispersion-medium.In an embodiment a cavity contains the electroviscous liquid and has parts movable with relation to each other and electrode means for generating an electrical field within the cavitywherein applying the electrical field increases the viscosity of the liquid.

Abstract: An air amplifying blow-off system incorporating an ionizing apparatus includes a converter driven by the compressed air being directed to an air distributor. The converter provides the power source for the ionizing apparatus. In this way, the air distributor and ionizing apparatus can be an easily contained unit. The system may comprise a turbine which is electrically connected to an ionizing apparatus, such as an ionizing bar. Another system may comprise an oscillatory device connected to a pair of opposing electrodes through a piezoelectric device. The compressed air drives the oscillatory device. The piezoelectric device provides a pulsating supply of voltage to the ionizing device. This invention allows the blow-off/ionizer system to be utilized in potentially explosive environments. Further, the efficiency of the systems is increased since power losses across the relatively long cables incorporated in the prior art systems is eliminated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a contact charging device, in which an electrically conductive member contacts a surface of an electrostatic latent image carrier for charging the surface, wherein at least impurity atom selected from the group consisting of elements of Group IA, II, VI and VII of the periodic table is adhered to the electrically conductive member, and a total content of the impurity atom is in a range from 0.05 wt % to 0.45 wt% with respect to all atoms including the impurity atom and atoms forming the electrically conductive member.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for creation of corona over an area, and for treating electrically-conductive surfaces which might otherwise experience arcing from the electrode arrangement to the surface. The arrangement includes an electrode, and an electrically insulative shroud for the electrode. A source of nitrogen gas is provided for creating a non-arcing atmosphere. The electrode is stationary or rotatable with the shroud.

Abstract: A contact charger is in contact with a photosensitive body to charge the photosensitive body. Conductive nonwoven fabric is in surface-contact with the photosensitive body. A voltage is applied to the conductive nonwoven fabric through a conductive holder. The conductive nonwoven fabric has a surface resistivity of 10.sup.5 to 10.sup.7 .OMEGA./.quadrature., so that the photosensitive body can be charged to a predetermined potential with little charge unevenness.

Abstract: A brush charging device for an image forming apparatus, which charges a surface of an image carrier rotating in a predetermined direction, has a linear mount member, a base cloth mounted on the mount member and a brush member having fibers mounted on the base cloth at an angle .theta..sub.1. The angle .theta..sub.1 satisfies the following formula: cos.theta..sub.1 >c/(a+b) wherein a represents the radius of the image carrier, b represents the length of the brush fibers and c represents the distance between a point of intersection where a perpendicular line extending from the center of the image carrier to the base cloth intersects the base cloth and an edge portion of the base cloth located upstream going in the direction of the image carrier, and where the brush fibers contact the surface of the image carrier.

Abstract: A charging method for charging a photosensitive material of, for example, the photosensitive drum of an electrophotographic copying apparatus is accomplished by bringing an endless electrically conducting flexible sheet containing a brush roller into physical contact with the surface of the photosensitive material and applying a voltage to the electrically conducting flexible sheet. The electrically conducting flexible sheet is a laminate of a first resistance layer positioned on the side of the brush roller and a second resistance layer positioned on the outer surface of the first resistance layer. The second resistance layer has an electric resistance greater than that of the first resistance layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for a copying machine, a printer, etc., which is provided with an electrifying member disposed opposite to the surface of a photosensitive body and electrifying the surface thereof by applying electric charge thereto. An electrifying member disposed opposite to the surface of a photosensitive body and electrifying the surface thereof by application of electric charge has a curved or flat face along the surface of the photosensitive body and resistance from 10.sup.5 to 10.sup.10 ohms, and at the same time the electrifying member is disposed about 350 .mu.m to about 1000 .mu.m from the surface of the photosensitive body. The electrifying member may be curved to meet the curvature of the surface of the photosensitive body. A conductive portion to apply voltage to the electrifying member may be formed at the side of the electrifying member, which is opposite to the side facing the surface of the photosensitive body.

Abstract: A corona generating device including a housing for receiving a replaceable shield having a base shield element and a pair of side shield elements, wherein each of the shield elements are mounted in the housing in a configuration so as to partially enclose a corona generating electrode. The housing is provided with pivotable side panels which each further include a pair of lip elements forming a channel for slidably receiving a respective side shield element. The side panels are pivoted about a pivot axis for facilitating the service and replacement of the side shield elements to thereby prolong the operational life of the corona generating device.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having an image carrier for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, a charging device has a charging member facing the image carrier and spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined gap, and a power source for applying a predetermined voltage to the charging member. The device charges the image carrier without contacting it and is, therefore, advantageous over a conventional contact type charging device in respect of resistivity to smears, reliability and uniform charging. Moreover, since the charging device is operable with a voltage lower than a voltage conventionally applied to a corona charger, it causes a minimum of ozone to be produced while enhancing safety operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a charging member for charging the image bearing member; an image forming device for forming an image on the image bearing member; and an impedance circuit between the charging member and a voltage source for supplying electric power to the charging member, the impedance circuit having an impedance which is peculiar to individual image forming apparatus in accordance with an impedance of the charging member.

Abstract: An electric charging member and electric charging apparatus are described, including the surface of the charging member being formed of a resin layer including a nylon copolymer containing at least 15% by weight of nylon 12 or a urethane-modified acrylic resin containing 5-80% by weight of an acrylic resin component.

Abstract: A charging member, which causes no damage on the surface of a member to be charged and which has excellent stability against environmental changes, formed of a moisture-permeable synthetic resin material as the surface layer thereof as well as a charging device including the foregoing charging member, the member to be charged, and a power supply for application of voltage to the charging member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trapping charged particles employs at least one central electrode. An AC voltage and a DC voltage are superimposed and are applied to the central electrode resulting in an AC electric field having an intensity which declines with an increase in the distance from the central electrode, and a DC electric field which attracts charged particles forces toward the central electrodes. Charge particles are trapped in the space outside the central electrode by these fields. A wide trapping range in terms of mass and energy can be achieved with a high trapping density. The central electrode can consist of four element electrodes which are supplied with AC voltages superimposed on a DC bias voltage in such a manner that respective adjacent element electrodes are supplied with opposite phase AC voltages.

Abstract: A electrophotographic process for formation of an image is provided, which comprises bringing a metallic charger into contact with the surface of an amorphous silicon photoreceptor, providing a potential difference between the amorphous silicon photoreceptor and the metallic charger to charge the photoreceptor, exposing the photoreceptor to light to form an electrostatic latent image, developing the electrostatic latent image with toner particles to be attached to the surface of the photoreceptor, superimposing a transfer medium on the surface of the photoreceptor, and transferring the toner particles to the transfer medium. The process enables miniaturization of copying machine and energy saving.