Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning member for an image forming apparatus, including: a shaft body; and an elastic material that is wound on the outer peripheral surface nun of the shaft body in a spiral shape, the elastic material satisfying the following expressions. (A1): 1<Tb/Ta<1.75. (A2): 0.5<Ta<4.0. In expressions (A1) and (A2), Ta represents a thickness of a center portion in the spiral width direction of the elastic material in millimeters and Tb represents a thickness of both end portions in the spiral width direction of the elastic material in millimeters.

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: A cleaning member has a core member that is freely rotatable, a cleaning material that is spirally wound around an outer peripheral surface of the core member, and holding members. The holding members hold end portions of the cleaning material by the end portions being nipped between the holding members and the outer peripheral surface of the core member. An opening is provided in each of the holding members. Each of the openings is continuously open in line with an axial direction of the core member, and the cleaning material is exposed from the openings.

Abstract: A cleaning body has: a shaft; a cleaning member that is spirally wound around the shaft, and that has an elastic layer and an adhesive layer whose obverse is adhered to the elastic layer and whose reverse is adhered to the shaft; and a contacting member that is provided at least one end portion in an axial direction of the shaft, and that contacts the adhesive layer at a position away from an circumferential surface of the shaft. The cleaning body causes the elastic layer to contact a body to be cleaned, and cleans a body to be cleaned.

Abstract: A cleaning member 100 is constituted, for example, by a roll-shaped member having a shaft 100A and an elastic layer 100B. The elastic layer 100B is spirally disposed on the surface of the shaft 100A. A space 100C enclosed by the spirally disposed elastic layer 100B (side surface thereof) and the shaft 100A (outer circumferential surface thereof) is provided and a filling member 100D for filling the space 100C is disposed in a portion of the space 100C.

Abstract: The cleaning member of the present invention includes a rotatably supported core; and a foam body that is disposed in a spiral shape on the core, and has at least one edge in a cross-section orthogonal to the length direction of the foam body that projects out further in the core radial direction than a central portion of the foam body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a rotation shaft (71); a movable body (72) that is attached to the rotation shaft (71), that is provided with a cleaning member (73), and that moves with rotation of the rotation shaft (71); a motor M for rotating the rotation shaft (71); a control section (8) for controlling rotation of the motor M; a current detecting section (77) for detecting a current flowing through the motor M; and a time counting section for counting time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member and a charging device configured to charge the image bearing member. The charging device includes a magnetic particle carrier and a magnetic particle regulating member configured to regulate magnetic particles carried by the magnetic particle carrier. The charging device causes the magnetic particles carried by the magnetic particle carrier to contact the image bearing member, and applies a voltage to the magnetic particle carrier to charge the image bearing member. An electrode has a contact area via which the electrode can contact magnetic particles stored in a particle pool defined by the magnetic particle carrier and the magnetic particle regulating member. The contact area is variable according to an amount of the magnetic particles stored in the particle pool. A current detection device detects a value of current flowing from the magnetic particle carrier to the electrode via the magnetic particles.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charging roller that continuously rotates and uniformly charges a photoconductor for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, a cleaning roller that contacts a peripheral surface of the charging roller and cleans the charging roller while being driven by rotation of the charging roller, wherein a peripheral surface of the cleaning roller is formed of a melamine resin foam, and a cleaning roller shifting unit that causes the cleaning roller to contact the charging roller for a predetermined time at predetermined intervals of image formation while movably holding the cleaning roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a charging member, a toner image forming device for forming an image on the image bearing member, and an intermediary transfer member for carrying a toner image. A cleaning member removes toner remaining on the image bearing member, a speed switching device selectively set a speed of the recording material, and an intermediary transfer member speed switching device switches a rotational speed of the intermediary transfer member after the toner image is transferred. A charging control device render off a DC voltage applied to the charging member after transfer of the toner image and while the intermediary transfer member is carrying the toner image. A charging member cleaning control devices permits, when a signal for starting image formation is inputted, a cleaning operation for discharging toner deposited on the charging member to the image bearing member before starting the image formation.

Abstract: A charging device for charging an image supporting member includes a charging roller for charging the image supporting member; and a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the charging roller. The charging roller has a surface, and the surface has irregularity oriented in a direction opposite to a direction that the cleaning member slides against the charging roller. Further, the surface has a maximum peak height Rp within a range of 2 ?m?Rp?10 ?m, and an average profile length RSm within a range of 40 ?m?RSm?200 ?m.

Abstract: A charging device has a stainless steel sheet electrode for charging an image bearing member, and a cleaner for cleaning the stainless steel sheet electrode. The stainless steel sheet electrode has a thickness within a range from 50 ?m to 60 ?m and comprises aligned triangular pins. Each of the triangular pins has a vertex angle within a range from 10 degrees to 30 degrees. The cleaner has two grinding members comprising abrasive grains having an average diameter within a range from 2 ?m to 9 ?m, and the two grinding members are in contact with, respectively, both main surfaces of the sheet electrode. The cleaner and the sheet electrode are moved relative to each other at a constant speed by a force equal to or less than 2N.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image carrier carrying an image; a charging roll charging the image carrier; a cleaning member configured to be brought into contact with the charging roll for cleaning the charging roll; a first holding portion detachably provided in an apparatus main body for holding the image carrier; and a second holding portion provided within the apparatus main body independently from the first holding portion, for holding the cleaning member.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) useful in printing for charging a photoconductor and for cleaning a scorotron grid is disclosed. The apparatus can include a scorotron frame (110) and a scorotron charge member (120) coupled to the scorotron frame, where the scorotron charge member can be configured to generate an electric field. The apparatus can include a scorotron charging grid (130) coupled to the scorotron frame, the scorotron charging grid having a length axis, a width axis, and a height axis, and the scorotron charging grid including a scorotron charging grid surface having a plurality of openings. The apparatus can include a scorotron charging grid cleaner (140) coupled to the scorotron charging grid, where the scorotron charging grid cleaner can be configured to travel along the scorotron charging grid length axis and clean the scorotron charging grid.

Abstract: A charger includes: a first electrode; a second electrode that has a mesh pattern and is arranged on a side closer to a photoconductor than the first electrode; a cleaner that moves along the second electrode to clean the second electrode by a brush thereof. The second electrode has the mesh pattern successively arranged in a certain direction, and a peripheral region of the mesh pattern of the second electrode has been changed to prevent catching of the brush of the cleaner.

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: The present invention provides a cleaning device including a cleaning member that cleans a surface of a rotating cylindrical element to be cleaned, and whose length in a longitudinal direction is longer than a length of the maximum operating region of the element to be cleaned, a length of a contact part of the cleaning member at which the cleaning member contacts with the element to be cleaned being shorter than the length in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning member, and the contact part being moved in the longitudinal direction of the element to be cleaned.

Abstract: A cleaning device 70 includes: contact and release system 63 which switches a position of a cleaning roller 62 between a position where the cleaning roller 62 is in contact with a charging roller 61 and a position where the cleaning roller 62 is separated from the charging roller 61; and a voltage selecting section 71 which switches a voltage to be applied to the charging roller 61 from a DC voltage to an AC voltage during the rotation of a photoreceptor 11. The contact and release system 63 brings the cleaning roller 62 into contact with the charging roller 61 at the application of the AC voltage to the charging roller 61. This makes it possible to enhance performance on cleaning of the charging roller.

Abstract: A charging apparatus includes a charging roller and a cleaning member. The charging roller charges a surface of an image bearing body. The cleaning member extends in a longitudinal direction parallel to the charging roller and that cleans the charging roller. The charging apparatus includes a bearing and a supporting member. The bearing supports a shaft of the charging roller. The cleaning member is mounted to the supporting member the cleaning member is held between the supporting member and the charging roller. The supporting member includes a surface to which the cleaning member is mounted, the surface being a curved surface configured to a circumferential surface of the charging roller. The supporting member includes a surface to which the cleaning member is mounted, the surface including a flat portion extending upstream with respect to rotation of the charging roller and a curved portion extending downstream.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a charger including: an electrode to support a plurality of pins lined up at a certain pitch in a longitudinal direction; and a scraper with an edge face not vertical but tilted in the longitudinal direction of the electrode to scrape the pins.

Abstract: A charging unit is provided, the charging unit including: a charging member; and a charging member clean-up member having an elastic layer, the elastic layer containing a silicon oil, wherein a silicone concentration in analyzing the charging member by an x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy satisfies following condition: about 1 atm %?(difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the silicone concentration in Si2p detected by the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy above the charging member)?about 3 atm %.

Abstract: A cleaning device including a polarity control unit to control a charge polarity of residual toner particles, a cleaning member, a surface of which is movable, to electrostatically remove the residual toner particles, provided on a downstream side from the polarity control unit relative to a surface moving direction of an image bearing member, a toner collecting unit to collect the residual toner particles on the cleaning member, and a neutralizing member to neutralize the image bearing member, provided on a downstream side from the polarity control unit and an upstream side from the cleaning member relative to the surface moving direction of the image bearing member.

Abstract: A charging device has a stainless steel sheet electrode for charging an image bearing member, and a cleaner for cleaning the stainless steel sheet electrode. The stainless steel sheet electrode has a thickness within a range from 50 ?m to 60 ?m and comprises aligned triangular pins. Each of the triangular pins has a vertex angle within a range from 10 degrees to 30 degrees. The cleaner has two grinding members comprising abrasive grains having an average diameter within a range from 2 ?m to 9 ?m, and the two grinding members are in contact with, respectively, both main surfaces of the sheet electrode. The cleaner and the sheet electrode are moved relative to each other at a constant speed by a force equal to or less than 2N.

Abstract: A charging device has a sheet electrode with triangular pins aligned in a first direction and a cleaner unit for cleaning the sheet electrode while moving in the first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The cleaner unit has a grinding member for grinding the sheet electrode, a first collecting member, which is disposed downstream in the first direction from the grinding member, for collecting extraneous matter, a second collecting member, which is disposed downstream in the second direction from the grinding member, for collecting extraneous matter, and a switching section for changing a contact state of the first collecting member with the sheet electrode and a contact state of the second collecting member with the sheet electrode.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image carrier carrying an image; a charging roll charging the image carrier; a cleaning member configured to be brought into contact with the charging roll for cleaning the charging roll; a first holding portion detachably provided in an apparatus main body for holding the image carrier; and a second holding portion provided within the apparatus main body independently from the first holding portion, for holding the cleaning member.

Abstract: An image forming device including: an image holding member; a charging member; a latent image-forming unit; a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image holding member with a developer including a toner and a carrier, the toner comprising an external additive having first inorganic particles with a volume average particle diameter of 80 nm to 300 nm, and the carrier including a core material having a magnetic powder dispersed in a resin and a resin covering layer that covers the core material; a transfer unit; a removal unit; and an aggregation-forming unit that, by contacting a surface of the charging member and rotating in accordance with rotation of the charging member, removes adherents on the surface of the charging member, including the first inorganic particles, from the surface of the charging member, and forms aggregations in which the removed first inorganic particles are aggregated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning member which can be produced at low cost and which maintains excellent cleaning performance for a long period of time. The cleaning member has a lower layer formed through winding a double-faced tape formed of a sponge member having an adhesive layer on each side thereof around the surface of a core member, and an upper layer provided on the outer surface of the lower layer. The upper layer is formed of at least one fiber layer made of woven fabric or knitted fabric.

Abstract: A charger includes: a discharge wire extending in a predetermined extension direction; an opposite electrode extending in the extension direction and facing to the discharge wire; a frame configured to support the discharge wire and the opposite electrode; and a cleaning member configured to move in the extension direction while slidably contacting with the opposite electrode so as to clean the opposite electrode. The cleaning member includes: a sheet-like member contacting with the opposite electrode; and a support member configured to support the sheet-like member. The sheet-like member has a distal end contacting with the opposite electrode, and a proximal end at an opposite end of the distal end. The support member supports the sheet-like member obliquely relative to the opposite electrode such that the distal end and the proximal end of the sheet-like member are arranged in different positions with respect to the extension direction.

Abstract: A discharger includes: a discharge electrode member that is placed opposedly to a member to be charged; an opposed electrode member that is placed opposedly to the discharge electrode member; and a power source circuit that applies a discharge voltage for generating a discharge between the discharge electrode member and the opposed electrode member, and the electrode member having a surface that includes a covered layer covered by a covering material is formed on a surface opposed thereto, and the covering material containing a carbon atom, or a carbon atom and another atom or other plural atoms as a main component, and having an SP3 structure by a carbon atom.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an electrical charge to a charge retentive surface, wherein a bias charge roll member is situated proximately to a surface to be charged such as, a photoreceptor having a cleaning system which includes a web material in contact with the bias charge roll to remove containments thereform.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a first charging device for charging an imageable surface; recording means for recording an electrostatic latent image on the imageable surface; developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with developer; a second charging device for transferring a developer image on the imageable surface onto an a substrate; control means for setting a value of the bias of either the first charging device or the second charging device from an operating bias to a testing bias; test pattern forming means for forming test patterns on the imageable surface at operating bias and said testing bias; test patterns detection means for scanning non-uniformity of the test patterns, and means for associating non-uniformity of the test patterns to a reliability condition of either the first charging device and/or second charging device.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a cleaning device for cleaning a charging device, including: means for detecting contamination on the charging device; means, in communication with detecting means, for generating a cleaning command; and a controller, responsive to the cleaning command, for controlling operation of the cleaning system.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers, an image forming mechanism, a seamless belt-like intermediate transfer body or a transfer material carrier, a detection mechanism, and an optical detecting apparatus. The optical detecting apparatus includes at least a printed board, and a plurality of photodetectors formed of a light-emitting element, a light-receiving element and light-shielding members, which are mounted on the printed board. The optical detecting apparatus is disposed such that it detects a belt surface adjacent to rollers of the intermediate transfer body or the transfer material carrier, and either displacement of a transfer image or image density is detected by a plurality of photodetectors detecting pattern images which are transferred from the plurality of image carriers to the image transfer body or the transfer material carrier.

Abstract: The present invention is related to preventing dust agglomeration on a sharp electrode which is used for generating corona. According to certain aspects, the invention includes a dust shroud which decreases or prevents dust accumulation on the sharp electrodes. The dust shroud changes the gas flow path so as to reduce the amount of gas passing near the sharp electrode. An advantage of the shroud is that it prevents dust from building up on the electrodes. The shroud is a simple, passive addition to the electrostatic pump, such that the pump is otherwise able to operate normally throughout its life. In embodiments, the shroud can be used to protect a corona electrode used in heat sink applications especially in electronics cooling. It can also be used in electrostatic precipitators for cleaning dust or chemical or microbe particles from air.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an electrical charge to a charge retentive surface, wherein a bias charge roll member is situated proximately to a surface to be charged such as, a photoreceptor having a cleaning system which includes a web material in contact with the bias charge roll to remove containments thereform.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive member, a charger, a frame and a block member. The charger charges the photosensitive member and includes a charging wire and a grid electrode, which is provided between the charging wire and the photosensitive member, and which has an opening area in a surface opposing the photosensitive member. The frame supports the photosensitive member and the charger. The block member is provided between the charging wire and an end portion of the grid electrode in a longitudinal direction thereof and prevents a marginal area of the grid electrode from facing the charging wire in a direction with a minimum distance therebetween, the marginal area being defined between an end of the grid electrode and an end of the opening area.

Abstract: A charging device includes a rotatable charging member for electrically charging a photosensitive member; and a brush, rotating along a rotational direction of the charging member by contacting the charging member to receive a force, including fibers for cleaning the charging member. The fibers have been subjected to fiber-tilting treatment so that the fibers are tilted in a direction counterdirectionally with a rotational direction of the brush.

Abstract: There is provided a charging member cleaning roller including: a core body; and an elastic layer that is provided on a peripheral surface of the core body and includes a polyurethane foam obtained from at least a polyester polyol, a foam stabilizer, and a catalyst. Moreover, there is provided a charging member cleaning roller including: a core body; and an elastic layer that is provided on a peripheral surface of the core body and includes a urethane foam having an open-cell structure, a resilience of approximately 15% to 30%, and a hardness of approximately 150N to 230N.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrying member having a movable surface; a charging device including a rotatable charging member which is supplied with a voltage including a direct voltage superimposed with an alternating voltage, and which contacts and charges the image carrying member; an electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrying member; and a development device for developing the electrostatic latent image. The frequency of the alternating voltage is lower in a non-image forming area than in an image forming area. In the non-image forming area, the image carrying member is charged to a surface potential having a waveform shape in accordance with the alternating voltage, and the potential difference between the surface potential and the voltage applied to the charging member generates an electric field which moves toner adhering to the charging member to the image carrying member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming device. The image forming device includes a photosensitive body, a charging roller, a cleaning member, and a controller. The charging roller, while rotating in a first direction, charges the photosensitive body for image formation. The cleaning member, formed by an elastic body, contacts the charging roller and cleans the charging roller. The controller, when the charging roller is not carrying out charging of the photosensitive body for image formation, rotates the charging roller in a direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, the image forming apparatus including: a plurality of charging members which apply charging voltage between each charging member and corresponding charged body; a plurality of cleaning members which remove adherent matters by reciprocating in a contact state with each charging member and wait in a waiting position in a non-cleaning time; a plurality of detection units which detect by availability of electric connection whether each cleaning member is located in the waiting position; and a series circuit that connects the detection units in series, wherein when the cleaning members clean the charging members, an outward movement is started from a cleaning member on a side corresponding to one end of the series circuit, and a homeward movement is completed from a cleaning member on a side corresponding to the other end of the series circuit.

Abstract: An image forming device is disclosed which has: an image holding member which rotates; a charging roller press-contacting and being rotated by the image holding member, and charging the image holding member; and a cleaning roller press-contacting and being rotated by the charging roller, and cleaning the charging roller. The cleaning roller has a core whose both end portions are rotatably supported, and a cleaning member which is formed from a roller-shaped porous elastic body and is provided at a peripheral surface of the core. Axial direction end portion sides of the cleaning member are formed to be thicker than an axial direction central portion of the cleaning member.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a pair of bilateral cleaning members arranged with an interval in a length direction of a wire rod, an intermediate cleaning member located on an opposite side of the pair of bilateral cleaning members via the wire rod and arranged at an intermediate position between the bilateral cleaning members in the length direction of the wire rod, a wire rod contact unit that controls at least one of the plurality of cleaning members so that the plurality of cleaning members contacts with or separates away from the wire rod, and a cleaning movement unit which moves the plurality of cleaning members along the length direction of the wire rod in the state where the plurality of cleaning members are in contact with the wire rod by the wire rod contact unit.

Abstract: A cleaning device is provided and includes: three or more cleaning members for cleaning a wire member, the three or more cleaning members being separately disposed along a longitudinal direction of the wire member and including a pair of side cleaning members and an intermediate cleaning member, the intermediate cleaning member being disposed opposite to the pair of side cleaning members with respect to the wire member and disposed between the side cleaning members in the longitudinal direction of the wire member; a mechanism that moves at least one of the cleaning members so as to contact all of the cleaning members with the wire member or separate all of the cleaning members from the wire member; and a mechanism that moves all of the cleaning members along the longitudinal direction of the wire member in a state where all of the cleaning members are contacted with the wire member.

Abstract: A charging device includes a rotatable screw gear, a motor, a support, and a protruding member. The screw gear is positioned along length of a linear electrode. The motor rotates the screw gear in forward and reverse directions. The support holds the cleaning member mounted so as to be in contact with the electrode, and is mounted unrotatably but reciprocably between a first end and a second end of the electrode. The member extends perpendicular to the length of the electrode from the support, and has a projection for being elastically fitted into a thread groove of the screw gear along a radial direction of the screw gear. The member is configured in such a manner that a distance between a starting point of elastic deformation of the member and a contact point between the projection and a thread of the screw gear differs according to whether the support is moved forward or backward.

Abstract: A charger has a charging wire that extends in the axial direction and that has one end and another end. The charger is configured to charge the image-bearing member. A cleaning member is movable in the axial direction for cleaning the charging wire. The cleaning member is movable between a first position located on the one end and a second position located on the another end. A removal-restricting portion is movable between the first position and the second position. A developer cartridge is detachably mounted on the image-bearing member cartridge. The removal-restricting portion prevents the developer cartridge from being removed from the image-bearing member cartridge when the cleaning member is in the first position, and allows the developer cartridge to be removed from the image-bearing member cartridge when the cleaning member is in the second position.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an image carrier, a cleaning device, a charging device and a shielding member. The image carrier carries a toner image thereon. The cleaning device removes a toner on the image carrier. The charging device charges the image carrier. The shielding member is disposed between the cleaning device and the charging device. The shielding member is in contact with the image carrier in an area where the image carrier is charged.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes multiple imaging units and a controller. The multiple imaging units each include a photoconductor, a charging device, a developing device, a retractable cleaner, and a cleaner retraction mechanism. The charging device charges the photoconductor for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image. The retractable cleaner cleans the charging device when in contact with the charging device. The cleaner retraction mechanism is configured to bring the retractable cleaner into contact with the charging device. The charging device and the photoconductor are installed and replaced in conjunction with each other. The controller calculates a photoconductor usage of each of the multiple imaging units, and individually controls the cleaner retraction mechanism in each of the multiple imaging units according to the calculated photoconductor usage.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning roll and an intervening member. The cleaning roll contacts the surface of a charge roll that charges a photoconductor, rotates, and cleans the surface of the charge roll. The intervening member is intervened between the charge roll and the cleaning roll and causes the charge roll and the cleaning roll to separate from each other. The intervening member may be spacers that are intervened at both end portions of the charge roll and the cleaning roll and form a gap between the charge roll and the cleaning roll. The intervening member may also be a lubricant.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member configured to form a toner image thereon, a corona charger located opposite the photosensitive member and including a discharging wire and a grid electrode, a bias applying unit configured to apply a bias to the corona charger, a cleaning unit configured to perform cleaning processing by sliding in a longitudinal direction of the grid electrode to rub an inner surface of the grid electrode, and an execution unit configured to execute a cleaning mode for performing the cleaning processing by the cleaning unit while applying a bias of a polarity equal to a normal charging polarity of toner to the grid electrode by the bias applying unit.