Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an electrostatic latent image carrier, and a charging device which includes an electric discharge electrode having a plurality of projection and a grid electrode located between the electric discharge electrode and the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier. A grid electrode electric current Ig passing through the grid electrode and an image carrier electric current Ip passing through the conductive base of electrostatic latent image carrier satisfy the following relationship:1.5.ltoreq.Ig/Ip.ltoreq.4.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an opening portion that opens toward a photosensitive body and has a stagnant portion in which discharge products produced by a discharging means stagnate. A partition member is disposed in the vicinity of an opening of the opening portion, the opening opposing a photosensitive body, the partition member preventing discharge products that fall from the stagnant portion from falling directly into contact with the photosensitive body.

Abstract: A charging apparatus that prevents fogging due to light generated by a corona source. The charging apparatus includes two offset reference electrodes lying in separate horizontal planes or a light eclipsing element positioned between a corona source and an electrode member.

Abstract: In a multi-color imaging apparatus utilizing a recharge step between two image creation steps for recharging a charge retentive surface to a predetermined potential pursuant to forming the second of the two images, a first corona generating device recharges the charge retentive surface to a higher absolute potential than a predetermined potential, and then a second corona generating device recharges the charge retentive surface to the predetermined potential. An electrical charge associated with the first image is substantially neutralized after being recharged by the first and second corona generating device.

Abstract: In a multi-color imaging method and apparatus utilizing a charging step between two image creation steps, a corona generating device performs two different functions in different passes of the photoreceptor. The printing system may be a single pass system where all of the colors are developed in a single pass or a multi-pass system where each color is developed in a separate pass. The charging step may have more than one charging application as in a split recharge system.

Abstract: Charging devices which are used for charging and transfer and for charging and pretransfer in color electrophotographic printing. A charging device is used for charging a photoreceptor in preparation for exposure and also for pretransfer charging of a composite color image to ensure that all toner particles have the correct polarity. A subsequent charging device is used for charging the photoreceptor and for transferring a composite color image onto a substrate.