Abstract: A charging device includes a charger, a cleaner, and a separator. The charger is configured to charge an image holding unit. The cleaner is configured to clean the charger. The separator is configured, when the charging device has not yet been used, to separate the charger from the image holding unit and separate the cleaner from the charger.

Abstract: A field effect (FE) electric charger device that electrically charges a surface of a charge-target member, the FE electric charger device including: an electric charger element; a power source supplying the electric charger element with current; and a lead electrode generating an electric field upon voltage application and causing the electric charger element to discharge. In the FE electric charger device, the electric charger element has a density no smaller than 0.4 g/cm3, and includes a plurality of filaments each including a plurality of sp2 carbon molecules bonded together.

Abstract: Examples described herein relate to a control for a non-contact charging roller. For example, a charging assembly may control a selectable non-contact distance between a charge roller and an imaging surface.

Abstract: A blower pipe includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a flow path that connects the inlet port and the outlet port to cause air to flow therethrough and that are divided by a partition wall, and plural flow control members that are respectively provided in different parts in an air flow direction in each of divided passage spaces that are divided by the partition wall and that control the flow of the air, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are constituted by plural opening portions, respectively, the plural opening portions that constitute the outlet port have elongated opening shapes divided by the partition wall, and a flow control member of the plural flow control members closest to the inlet port is provided in the vicinity of the bent portion.

Abstract: A discharge device for generating a corona discharge aimed at an object facing the discharge device, the discharge device comprising: a plate-like main discharge electrode configured to receive an applied direct current voltage and generate the corona discharge aimed at the object; a plate-like auxiliary discharge electrode disposed in parallel with the main discharge electrode and configured to receive an applied direct current voltage which is opposite in polarity to the applied direct current voltage received by the main discharge electrode, thereby causing the corona discharge to occur between the main discharge electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode; and a plate-like insulating member disposed between the main discharge electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode, wherein the insulating member is disposed in such a manner that a discharge current from the main discharge electrode flows to both the object and the auxiliary discharge electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments pertain to a novel imaging member, namely, an electrostatic latent image generating member, and methods for using the same, that can generate an electrostatic latent image through charge acceptance control and without the need for conventional post charging photodischarge, eliminating process steps and avoiding limitations in system speed due to the transit time of charge carriers after light exposure.

Abstract: In a charging device, a holding member holding a discharge electrode is provided in a shield case. The holding member includes a first guide and a second guide defining a slit therebetween. In the slit, the rear face of the discharge electrode other than a first long side is fixed to the internal side face of the first guide. The holding member holds the discharge electrode so that the entire surface of the discharge electrode and the rear face of the first long side are positioned in an air path extending from the air inlet to a gap and the first long side faces a grid electrode.

Abstract: A charging device includes a discharging electrode, grid electrode, pair of shielding electrodes, frame, airflow-generating electrode, and impurity-removing member. The discharging electrode produces a corona discharge to charge a surface of photosensitive member. A first voltage is applied to the grid electrode. The discharging electrode is positioned between the shielding electrodes. The frame includes a pair of side walls confronting with each other in the moving direction. The discharging electrode and the pair of shielding electrodes are positioned between the side walls. The airflow-generating electrode is disposed at a position opposite to the discharging electrode with respect to the grid electrode. The airflow-generating electrode is applied with a second voltage lower than the first voltage. The impurity-removing member is provided on an inner surface of the frame.

Abstract: A driving device includes a drive source that generates a force for moving a cleaning member that cleans an elongated member while moving in a longitudinal direction of the elongated member; an overload limiter disposed between an input side and an output side of a transmission unit that transmits the force from the drive source to the cleaning member, the overload limiter interrupting transmission of the force if a magnitude of the force reaches a predetermined magnitude; and a rotation detector disposed in the transmission unit on an output side of the overload limiter, the rotation detector detecting rotation caused by the force.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: a developing section which includes a developer bearing member which bears toner to be supplied to an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; and a developer regulating section which regulates a layer thickness of the toner borne by the developer bearing member, the developer regulating section being electrically connected to the charger case, the developer regulating section being at least partially electroconductive.

Abstract: A corona charger conventionally includes a sheet-like shutter and a holding member configured to hold an end of the shutter, and the replacement of a charging electrode is difficult. To solve this problem, the holding member configured to hold the end of the shutter is set to be movable along the longitudinal direction of a shield to a winding member of the shutter more than a supporting member configured to replaceably support the charging electrode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member; a corona charger, provided with an opening, for electrically charging the photosensitive member; a sheet-like shielding member for shielding the opening of the corona charger; a moving device for moving the shielding member in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive member; a potential sensor for detecting a potential of a portion of the photosensitive member chargeable by the corona charger; and a controller for detecting, on the basis of a result of detection of the potential of the portion of the photosensitive member by the potential sensor, whether or not a charging operation capable of electrically charging the photosensitive member by the corona charger is performed in a state in which the shielding member is located between the opening of the corona charger and the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A charging device includes a corona charger, provided with an opening opposing a photosensitive member, for electrically charging the photosensitive member; a sheet-like member provided so that the sheet-like member can cover the opening; a movable device for moving the sheet-like member; and a regulating device for regulating a shape of the sheet-like member so that a central portion of the sheet-like member protrudes toward the corona charger with respect to a circumferential direction of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide materials and methods for bias charging members including an outer surface coating, wherein the outer surface coating can include carbon nanotubes combined with polymer(s) to provide desirable surface, electrical, and/or mechanical properties.

Abstract: A charging device includes a corona charger, provided with an opening opposing a photosensitive member, for electrically charging the photosensitive member; a sheet-like member provided so that the sheet-like member can cover the opening; a movable device for moving the sheet-like member; and a regulating device for regulating a shape of the sheet-like member so that a central portion of the sheet-like member protrudes toward the corona charger with respect to a circumferential direction of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with an image bearing unit, an intermediate transfer unit, a primary transfer unit, a pre-transfer charger, and a control portion. The pre-transfer charger is located downstream of the primary transfer unit and upstream of the secondary transfer unit in a revolving direction, faces the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer unit along a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the revolving direction, and charges the intermediate transfer unit when voltage is applied. The control portion, at time when determination is made as to the necessity of cleaning the pre-transfer charger, secondarily transfers a cleaning assessment toner image by switching between a state in which the voltage is applied to the pre-transfer charger and a state in which the voltage is not applied to the pre-transfer charger, the cleaning assessment toner image being in a uniform density.

Abstract: A coronode charging device that is photo-etched with titanium which slows the erosion rate of the coronode and thereby enhances uniformity over a larger number of copies.

Abstract: An image forming device has: an image forming body on which an image is formed in a state in which the image forming body is charged; a charging device having plural discharge portions, and charging the image forming body by discharging of plural discharge portions; and a control section that, when forming the image on the image forming body, operates the plural discharge portions, and when not forming the image on the image forming body, switches between a state of operating some of the plural discharge portions and decreasing output of or stopping the discharge portions other than the some discharge portions, and a state of operating some other of the plural discharge portions and decreasing output of or stopping the discharge portions other than the some other discharge portions.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a device body, a cleaning member, and a support member. The device body is moved in a longitudinal direction of a plate-like grid member of a charging device. The cleaning member is disposed in the device body and cleans a first face of the grid member while pressing against the first face when the device body is moved. The support member is provided in the device body and has a support surface that is in contact with and supports a second face opposite to the first face of the grid member pressed by the cleaning member. The support surface is in contact with a mesh portion and a non-mesh portion of the grid member.

Abstract: A charging device has a corona charger including a grid, the corona charger being configured to charge a photosensitive member. The device also has a sheet-like shutter configured to open and close an opening of the corona charger in the longitudinal direction, a winding member configured to wind the shutter while holding one end of the shutter, a holding member configured to hold the other end of the shutter and move in the longitudinal direction of the opening, and a protective member configured to protect a portion of a surface of the shutter facing the grid, the portion being adjacent to the holding member.

Abstract: A corona charger conventionally includes a sheet-like shutter and a holding member configured to hold an end of the shutter, and the replacement of a charging electrode is difficult. To solve this problem, the holding member configured to hold the end of the shutter is set to be movable along the longitudinal direction of a shield to a winding member of the shutter more than a supporting member configured to replaceably support the charging electrode.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer supplying member for supplying developer; and a developer supporting member for supplying the developer supplied from the developer supplying member onto a static latent image supporting member. The developer supplying member includes an outer circumferential portion having an electrical resistivity between 1.2×104 and 1.0×108?.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a plurality of photosensitive drums; a plurality of scorotron chargers provided for the plurality of photosensitive drums, respectively, a voltage application circuit commonly connected to the plurality of scorotron chargers, a plurality of wires provided for the plurality of scorotron chargers, respectively; a plurality of grid electrodes provided for the plurality of scorotron chargers, respectively; at least one of current detecting units provided for at least one of the plurality of grid electrodes, respectively, and at least one of the current detecting units detecting grid current which flows into at least one of the grid electrodes, respectively; and a control device configured to control the voltage application circuit such that at least one of the grid currents detected by at least one of the current detecting units become equal to or higher than a reference value.

Abstract: A corona discharger includes a shield and a charging wire provided in the shield, for generating corona discharge by applying a voltage to the charging wire. The corona discharger further includes a winding-up portion for winding up the charging wire by rotation thereof to move the charging wire in the shield, a driving portion for rotationally driving the winding-up portion, a rotation detecting portion for detecting the rotation of the winding-up portion, and a controller for controlling the driving portion so that a cumulative rotation amount of the winding-up portion is counted on the basis of a detection result of the rotation detecting portion and then a rotation amount of the winding-up portion per unit winding-up length of the charging wire is decreased with an increase of the cumulative rotation amount.

Abstract: A charging device includes a corona charger; a shutter of a sheet for shielding an opening of said corona charger, the sheet having such a property that it is curled about an axis when said shutter absorbs moisture; and a winding-up device for winding up the shutter. The axis and a winding-up direction in which the shutter is wound up by the winding-up means form an angle therebetween from 45 degrees to 135 degrees.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a corona charger having an opening, a shutter configured to open and close the opening of the corona charger, a humidity sensor configured to detect humidity, and a control unit configured to control the so that time from ending an image forming process to closing the opening using the shutter is reduced when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor increases.

Abstract: A discharge device for generating a corona discharge aimed at an object facing the discharge device, the discharge device comprising: a plate-like main discharge electrode configured to receive an applied direct current voltage and generate the corona discharge aimed at the object; a plate-like auxiliary discharge electrode disposed in parallel with the main discharge electrode and configured to receive an applied direct current voltage which is opposite in polarity to the applied direct current voltage received by the main discharge electrode, thereby causing the corona discharge to occur between the main discharge electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode; and a plate-like insulating member disposed between the main discharge electrode and the auxiliary discharge electrode, wherein the insulating member is disposed in such a manner that a discharge current from the main discharge electrode flows to both the object and the auxiliary discharge electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a charging device which can suppress the deterioration of a photosensitive member and the occurrence of an image deletion phenomenon on an electrophotographic image due to an electric discharge product having deposited on a charger shutter, even when having been used for a long period of time. The charging device has an image bearing member which bears an image thereon, a charging member which charges the image bearing member, and a shielding member which shields the charging member from the image bearing member, wherein the shielding member includes a specific material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photoconductor; a charging unit that charges the photoconductor; an applying unit that produces a charging voltage; a current detecting unit that detects a charging current; an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium; and a control unit. The control unit receives a current detecting signal; determines whether an abnormal discharge occurs during an image forming operation based on the current detecting signal; controls the applying unit to reduce a value of the charging voltage if the abnormal discharge occurs; determines whether the abnormal discharge stops occurring as a result of reducing the value of the charging voltage; and controls the conveying unit to eject the recording medium during the image forming operation if the abnormal discharge stops occurring.

Abstract: An image forming method includes using a charging device to charge a surface of a monolayer-type electrophotographic photoconductor that contains a specific amine compound, setting a projection area of the charging device per time relative to the photo sensitive layer surface of the electrophotographic photoconductor to be S (cm2), applying a current value to the charging device to be ICC (?A) and setting an inflow current value represented by ICC/S (?A/cm2) to a value within the range of from 5 to 25 ?A/cm2.

Abstract: Provided is a blower pipe with an inlet, an outlet, a passage part formed with a passage space to cause air to flow therein, and suppressing parts that are provided in different parts in a direction in which air in the passage space of the passage part is caused to flow and that suppress the flow of the air, wherein an outlet suppressing part constructed so that the passage space in the outlet is closed by a permeable member dotted with ventilation portions is provided in the outlet of the passage part as one of the suppressing parts, and wherein the permeability of an end region present at least at one end in the lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction among regions along the longitudinal direction of the opening shape of the outlet is set to a smaller value than the permeability of regions other than the end region.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable photosensitive member; a corona charger provided with an opening opposed to a surface of the photosensitive member; image forming means for forming a toner image on the photosensitive member; a shutter for opening and closing the opening relative to the photosensitive member; sliding means for sliding in contact with the photosensitive member; measuring means for measuring time elapsed from end of image formation; and control means for controlling the apparatus on the basis of an output of the measuring means such that shutter is closed and the photosensitive member is rotated in contact with the sliding means.

Abstract: A charging device includes a corona charger for electrically charging a photosensitive member; a shutter, having first surfaces at which the shutter opposes the corona charger and having second surfaces at which the shutter opposes the photosensitive member, for covering and uncovering an opening of the corona charger with respect to a longitudinal direction of the opening; and a retracting device for retracting the shutter when the opening is uncovered. The retracting device retracts the shutter in a state in which the first surfaces contact each other so that the first surfaces and the second surfaces do not contact each other.

Abstract: A charging device is provided. A charging device includes a charging section and a discharge product adsorption removal section. The charging section includes a shield case having a shield opening, a discharge electrode, and a rotation shaft which is parallel to a rotation axis of a photoreceptor. The discharge product adsorption removal section has an adsorption layer that adsorbs a discharge product and is disposed downward in a vertical direction of the photoreceptor. The charging section is displaceable about an axial line of the rotation shaft from a position where the shield opening opposes to the photoreceptor to a position where the shield opening opposes to the discharge product adsorption removal section.

Abstract: A post-treatment composition for a digitally printed image includes a non-polar solvent and a non-ionic surfactant. The non-ionic surfactant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.5 wt % to about 20 wt % of a total weight of substrate used to form the digitally printed image. The post-treatment composition renders the digitally printed image deinkable.

Abstract: In a corotron device, a moving element moves via a guide unit. A corotron having a corotron element and a corotron shield is provided. The corotron element is arranged relative to the guide unit such that a distance from, and a parallel position of, the corotron element relative to the guide unit substantially do not change.

Abstract: The disclosed is a method for attaching a charging wire. At first, a first end of a charging wire is locked to a wire locking portion of a process frame, and portion of a torsion spring shaped wire electrode is engaged with a second end of the charging wire. Thereafter, a coil portion of the wire electrode is attached to a coil support portion of the process frame in a state in which a tension less than a set value is applied to the charging wire. Thereafter, a second spring leg portion of the wire electrode is moved to a fixed position fixed to an electrode support portion of the process frame in a direction in which a deformation amount of the wire electrode increases, without exceeding the fixed position in the first direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member; a corona charger, provided with an opening opposing the photosensitive member, for electrically charging the photosensitive member; image forming means for forming an image on the photosensitive member electrically charged by the corona charger; a sheet-like member for covering and uncovering the opening of the corona charger with respect to the photosensitive member; and control means for controlling a rotating operation of the photosensitive member so as to be started at a predetermined time in a period from start of an opening operation of the sheet-like member for starting image formation to end of the opening operation of the sheet-like member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charger facing a rotatably supported image carrier, the charger being configured to charge the image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed; a movement mechanism configured to move the charger between a charging position at which the charger is close to the image carrier and a retracted position at which the charger is retracted away from the image carrier; a positioning structure including a first reference member that is provided on the charger and a second reference member that is provided on the image carrier, the first reference member and the second reference member are in contact with each other when the charger is at the charging position such that the charger is held in the charging position; and a pushing member configured to push the charger against the image carrier when the charger is at the charging position.

Abstract: A charging and/or discharging unit for an image formation device may include a discharge wire extending in a lateral direction (a second direction) perpendicular to a first direction, the first direction corresponding to a moving direction of the surface of a photosensitive drum and parallel to the surface of the photosensitive drum. The discharge wire may be distanced from the surface of the photosensitive drum. Shield electrodes and a grid electrode are opposed to the discharge wire, with a distance therefrom and extending along the lateral direction. The shield electrodes and the grid electrode may include ribs extending in the lateral direction, respectively. In one or more examples, the ribs may correspond to recessed portions in a surface of the corresponding electrodes and may be located out of a specified circular area.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide methods, materials and devices for a corona charging. Specifically, carbon nanotube yarns can be used as corona wires (or coronode) in a corotron-type or scorotron-type charging device. The carbon nanotube yarns can provide small diameters, and desired electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. The carbon nanotube yarns can have a diameter of about 100 microns or less for a low operating voltage of the charging device.

Abstract: A corona discharger, including a shield and a charging wire provided in the shield, for generating corona discharge by applying a voltage to the charge wire, the corona discharger includes a winding-up portion for winding up the charging wire by rotation thereof to move the charging wire in the shield; a driving portion for rotationally driving the winding-up portion; a rotation detecting portion for detecting the rotation of the winding-up portion; and a controller for controlling said driving means so that a cumulative rotation amount of the winding-up portion is counted on the basis of a detection result of said rotation detecting means and then a rotation amount of the winding-up means per unit winding-up length of the charging wire is decreased with an increase of the cumulative rotation amount.

Abstract: A corona discharger, including a shield for generating corona discharge by applying a voltage to a charging wire, the corona discharger includes a moving portion for moving the charging wire along a stretching direction; a stretching portion for stretching the charging wire through a first charging area, a non-charging area and a second charging area and for folding the charging wire in the non-charging area back into the second charging area, the first and second charging areas being substantially parallel with each other, and a portion of the charging wire disposed in the non-charging area having a length not less than a length of the charging wire disposed in the second charging area; and a controller for controlling the moving portion such that the portion of the charging wire disposed in the non-charging area replaces the portion of said charging wire disposed in the second charging area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a latent image carrier; a first charging unit which charges the latent image carrier; a second charging unit which supplies a charge having a reverse polarity of the charged polarity of the toner; a toner carrying roller which carries a toner layer containing both a contact toner which comes in direct contact with the surface of the toner carrying roller and a non-contact toner which comes in contact with the contact toner and does not come in contact with the surface of the toner carrying roller; an electric field forming unit which develops the electrostatic latent image by the toner by generating an alternate electric field as a toner fly electric field between the latent image carrier and the toner carrying roller; and a transfer unit which transfers a toner image formed by developing the electrostatic latent image to a transfer medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member; a corona charger provided with a discharging wire for electrically charging the photosensitive member; an exposure device for exposing to light the photosensitive member; a developing device for developing the electrostatic image; a transfer device for transferring the toner image onto a sheet; an adjusting device for adjusting a distance from the discharging wire to the photosensitive member; a detecting device for detecting information corresponding to a surface potential of the photosensitive member at least two points; and an executing device configured to execute an operation in a mode in which an image including a reference mark positioned at a reference portion of said corona charger, for adjusting the position of the discharging wire by the adjusting mechanism and an adjusting mark for adjusting a distance of the discharging wire from the photosensitive member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a calculating device configured to, in a testing mode to replace a discharge path between a charging wire and a grid of a charger with a testing resistor having a predetermined resistance, calculate a charge voltage using the resistance of the testing resistor and a detection value by a grid-current detecting circuit; and a controller configured to, in an image forming mode to actually form an image, detect the charge voltage from a feedback voltage using a relation between a value of the feedback voltage which is detected by a charge-voltage detecting circuit in the testing mode and the charge voltage calculated by the calculating device.

Abstract: A coronode charging device includes a support member, a filament, an adjustment mechanism and a voltage source. The lament is disposed along the support member in a configuration that creates a plurality of active regions and a plurality of inactive regions of the filament. The active regions are simultaneously positionable adjacent the photoreceptor. The inactive regions may be farther from the photoreceptor than the active regions. The adjustment mechanism moves the filament such that portions of the filament that correspond to the active regions are moved to positions that correspond to the inactive regions, and some portions of the filament that were in the inactive regions are moved to positions that correspond to the active regions. This operations extends the life of the coronode charging device.

Abstract: In a plate-like grid electrode of a charging device that controls the charged potential of a surface of a photoreceptor drum, a vibrating portion that vibrates itself to make the plate-like grid electrode vibrate is formed. The vibrating portion is a piezoelectric bimorph element in which two piezoelectric elements are bonded to each other and a base portion is provided between the two piezoelectric elements. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric bimorph element, a free end is curved to vibrate the piezoelectric bimorph element.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member; a corona charger, provided with an opening, for electrically charging the photosensitive member; a sheet-like shielding member for shielding the opening of the corona charger; a moving device for moving the shielding member in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive member; a potential sensor for detecting a potential of a portion of the photosensitive member chargeable by the corona charger; and a controller for detecting, on the basis of a result of detection of the potential of the portion of the photosensitive member by the potential sensor, whether or not a charging operation capable of electrically charging the photosensitive member by the corona charger is performed in a state in which the shielding member is located between the opening of the corona charger and the photosensitive member.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide charging systems and methods for effectively delivering charges onto a receptor. The charging system can include a low velocity gas stream, an emitter assembly for providing cathode-to-anode field bias to generate charges from the low velocity gas stream, and an emitter-to-receptor (e.g., photoreceptor) electric bias to enhance the charge delivery to the receptor. The disclosed charging systems and methods can be used to achieve an optimal charging performance at a low projected cost for any suitable receptor that needs to be charged. Exemplary receptors can include a photoreceptor (PR) such as a belt PR or a drum PR, a toner layer, a sheet of media on which toner can be deposited, or a transfer belt in an electrophotographic printing machine.