Having Case Patents (Class 399/172)
  • Patent number: 11703774
    Abstract: A movable member includes a frame, a mounting portion, a rotatable image bearing member, a charging member, and a cleaning member. The cleaning member includes a base portion including a first surface positioned on one side of the frame, a second surface positioned on the other side of the frame, and a third surface, and includes a projected portion. The projected portion includes a first side surface positioned on the aforementioned the other side and a second side surface positioned on the aforementioned one side. The first side surface is positioned between the first surface and the second surface. The first side surface constitutes an end surface of the projected portion on the aforementioned the other side with respect to the axial direction, and the second side surface constitutes an end surface of the projected portion on the aforementioned one side with respect to the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutaka Sueshige, Daisuke Abe
  • Patent number: 8965249
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidekazu Nogami, Masato Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8913924
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toyoka Aimoto
  • Patent number: 8811858
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Yasumasa Fujii
  • Patent number: 8781368
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier whose surface is moved in a specific direction, a charging device to charge the image carrier, an exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image by exposing a surface of the charged image carrier, a developing device to supply a developer to the image carrier on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, a transfer device to transfer a developer image formed on the surface of the image carrier onto an image forming medium, and a dielectric member that extends from the charging device to the vicinity of the image carrier and is disposed between the charging device and the image carrier surface part exposed by the exposure device, in which the charging device, the exposure device, the developing device and the transfer device are sequentially arranged around the image carrier along the movement direction of the surface of the image carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Ogasawara, Hisashi Nakai
  • Publication number: 20140186069
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidekazu Nogami, Masato Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20140169832
    Abstract: A corona discharger includes a discharge wire, and a surrounding member, that is provided with an opening portion which is an entrance of an air flow, that faces a surface of a member to be charged that rotates around a rotational axis of the member to be charged, that is arranged with a gap from the surface to be charged, and that surrounds the discharge wire in the direction of the rotational axis, wherein the opening portion is provided at a part of the surrounding member located on the upstream side of the discharge wire in a rotational direction of the member to be charged with the discharge wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki NAGAMORI, Koji OTSUKA, Masafumi KUDO, Kazuki INAMI, Yasunori MOMOMURA
  • Publication number: 20140105645
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Pozniakas, Richard B. Gruszewski, Paul F. Sawicki
  • Publication number: 20140093283
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichi Makino
  • Patent number: 8682222
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kidaka
  • Publication number: 20140044458
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier whose surface is moved in a specific direction, a charging device to charge the image carrier, an exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image by exposing a surface of the charged image carrier, a developing device to supply a developer to the image carrier on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, a transfer device to transfer a developer image formed on the surface of the image carrier onto an image forming medium, and a dielectric member that extends from the charging device to the vicinity of the image carrier and is disposed between the charging device and the image carrier surface part exposed by the exposure device, in which the charging device, the exposure device, the developing device and the transfer device are sequentially arranged around the image carrier along the movement direction of the surface of the image carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicants: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masato Ogasawara, Hisashi Nakai
  • Patent number: 8649706
    Abstract: Disclosed is a corona charging apparatus for electrically charging a surface of an image bearing member to which the corona charging apparatus faces and which is rotatably provided in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the corona charging apparatus including: a discharging electrode; a shield case that covers the discharging electrode, the shield case being opened at least in a region where the discharging electrode and the image bearing member face each other; and a sheet-like member being made from aluminum and being attached to a first surface of the shield case which first surface faces the discharging electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ino, Hiroo Naoi, Katsuya Takano, Yasuhiro Nishimura, Masaki Ueji
  • Patent number: 8649701
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Makino
  • Patent number: 8630567
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Makino
  • Patent number: 8588653
    Abstract: A charging device includes a corona charger for electrically charging a photosensitive member; a sheet-like member for covering and uncovering an opening of the corona charger; a regulating member for regulating a shape of the sheet-like member so that the sheet-like member is convex toward the corona charger with respect to a circumferential direction of the photosensitive member; and a winding-up member, including a winding-up shaft around which the sheet-like member is to be wound up, for winding up the sheet-like member so that a surface of the sheet-like member opposing the corona charger is directed toward a winding-up center of the winding-up shaft when the sheet-like member is wound up by the winding-up shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kidaka, Yuichi Makino
  • Patent number: 8538296
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier whose surface is moved in a specific direction, a charging device to charge the image carrier, an exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image by exposing a surface of the charged image carrier in accordance with an image signal, a developing device to supply a developer to the surface of the image carrier on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, a transfer device to transfer a developer image formed on the surface of the image carrier onto an image forming medium, and a dielectric member that has a dielectric constant of 5 or less and is disposed near the image carrier and between the charging device and the exposure device, in which the charging device, the exposure device, the developing device and the transfer device are sequentially arranged around the image carrier along the movement direction of the surface of the image carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Ogasawara, Hisashi Nakai
  • Patent number: 8422912
    Abstract: An image forming cartridge includes a photoconductor; a charger with a charging member contactable with the photoconductor; a case that accommodates the photoconductor and the charger; a cover which is detachably attached to the case and covers at least a part of the photoconductor; and a separating member which is located, on the cover, between a region other than the region of the photoconductor where an image is formed and the charger and separated them from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Iikura, Kaoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8385779
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeki Takishita
  • Patent number: 8380089
    Abstract: A main control section 41 displays a prompt for cleaning of a discharge wire 15-2 to a user together with a prompt for maintenance work for replacement of a toner container (consumable item) 21 to the user on a display screen of a touch panel section 53, for example, when a replacement timing of the toner container (consumable item) 21 that has been reached is detected. The user who sees the content of the display carries out cleaning work of the discharge wire 15-2 at the same time with maintenance work for replacement of the toner container 21. This can contribute to an improvement in user convenience and also increase the operating capacity of an apparatus body to the extent possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Asaka
  • Patent number: 8369734
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a photosensitive drum, a charged wire which extends in a shaft direction of the photosensitive drum and charges the photosensitive drum by electric discharge, a frame disposed so as to surround the charged wire, the frame in which a cover side opening is formed in the side opposite to the photosensitive drum with respect to the charged wire, and a cover member disposed so as to cover the cover side opening while forming a blow path in communication with the cover side opening between the frame and the cover member. The cover member moves along the charged wire and is constructed detachably from a side surface of the frame and also a cleaning member for cleaning the charged wire is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Shimizu, Junichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8369747
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Ueji, Hiroo Naoi, Toshiaki Ino, Katsuya Takano, Yasuhiro Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8290402
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a photosensitive member and a charger. The charger includes a wire electrode, a grid electrode and a shield electrode. The shield electrode including first and second ends facing the photosensitive member, the first end being disposed upstream of the second end in a moving direction of the photosensitive member, a shortest distance defined between a plurality of sections of the shield electrode and the wire electrode and being a length of a straight line that connects the wire electrode and an imaginary plane, the shortest distances between the sections of the shield electrode and the wire electrode being equal to one another, a first distance between the first end and a reference plane being smaller than a second distance between the second end and the reference plane, the reference plane including the wire electrode and extending perpendicularly to the photosensitive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoaki Hazeyama
  • Patent number: 8224191
    Abstract: A main control section 41 displays a prompt for cleaning of a discharge wire 15-2 to a user together with a prompt for maintenance work for replacement of a toner container (consumable item) 21 to the user on a display screen of a touch panel section 53, for example, when a replacement timing of the toner container (consumable item) 21 that has been reached is detected. The user who sees the content of the display carries out cleaning work of the discharge wire 15-2 at the same time with maintenance work for replacement of the toner container 21. This can contribute to an improvement in user convenience and also increase the operating capacity of an apparatus body to the extent possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Asaka
  • Patent number: 8131184
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanobu Deguchi
  • Patent number: 8120889
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Fa-Gung Fan, Joseph A. Swift, Michael F. Zona, David H. Pan
  • Publication number: 20120020702
    Abstract: Disclosed is a corona charging apparatus for electrically charging a surface of an image bearing member to which the corona charging apparatus faces and which is rotatably provided in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the corona charging apparatus including: a discharging electrode; a shield case that covers the discharging electrode, the shield case being opened at least in a region where the discharging electrode and the image bearing member face each other; and a sheet-like member being made from aluminum and being attached to a first surface of the shield case which first surface faces the discharging electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Toshiaki INO, Hiroo NAOI, Katsuya TAKANO, Yasuhiro NISHIMURA, Masaki UEJI
  • Patent number: 8095037
    Abstract: A corona wire cartridge includes: a reel around which a corona wire is wound; a reel holder that rotatably supports the reel; a casing having a receiving portion which receives the reel and the reel holder and a wire drawing opening through which the corona wire is drawn; and an elastic member that movably connects the casing to the reel holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinari Onuma, Tsukasa Onose, Koji Doi, Hiroshi Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20110188892
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier whose surface is moved in a specific direction, a charging device to charge the image carrier, an exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image by exposing a surface of the charged image carrier in accordance with an image signal, a developing device to supply a developer to the surface of the image carrier on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, a transfer device to transfer a developer image formed on the surface of the image carrier onto an image forming medium, and a dielectric member that has a dielectric constant of 5 or less and is disposed near the image carrier and between the charging device and the exposure device, in which the charging device, the exposure device, the developing device and the transfer device are sequentially arranged around the image carrier along the movement direction of the surface of the image carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masato Ogasawara, Hisashi Nakai
  • Patent number: 7970320
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukwi Hong, Koichi Hashimoto, Ryota Matsumoto, Shingo Horita, Ryo Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110142481
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a corona charge device to charge a photoconductor. The corona charge device includes first and second shielding members arranged to shield most of a space between a surface of the photoconductor and the corona charge device, and a guide member to guide outside air stream to an outside air inlet. The image forming apparatus prevents damage and contamination of the photoconductor due to byproducts of corona discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jun Suk KWAK
  • Publication number: 20110081161
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Masaki UEJI, Hiroo Naoi, Toshiaki Ino, Katsuya Takano, Yasuhiro Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7817937
    Abstract: In this invention, the charging units are in the separate construction for the main chargers and for the ozone ducts. When installing the process units, the ozone ducts are placed on the elastic sheets of the duct cases that are fixed to the main frame. The process units are slid while slanting the ozone ducts to the duct cases by the main chargers against the bias force of the elastic sheets. Fluctuation in manufacturing accuracy is absorbed by the elastic sheets and the maintenance efficiency when installing/removing the process units is improved by sliding the process units smoothly. Further, the charging units are supported certainly by the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsura Kojima
  • Patent number: 7805095
    Abstract: A charging device comprises first and second electrodes forming a charging zone. A plurality of nanostructures adhere to at least one of the first and second electrodes. A charging voltage supply couples to the electrodes to support the formation of gaseous ions in the charging zone. An aperture electrode or grid proximate to the first and second electrodes is coupled to a grid control voltage supply which grid control voltage supply, in turn, controls a flow of gaseous ions from the charging zone to thereby charge a proximately-located receptor. In one embodiment, the charging voltage supply is arranged to provide a pulsed-voltage waveform. In one variation of this embodiment, the pulsed-voltage waveform comprises a pulsed-DC waveform. In another embodiment, the charging voltage supply is arranged to provide an alternating-current waveform. In one embodiment, the charging device itself is comprised in an image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Zona, Joseph A. Swift, Dan A. Hays, Fa-Gung Fan
  • Patent number: 7761026
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Ishikawa, Takashi Kanagawa, Akihito Nishimura, Hiroshi Hashino, Yuzo Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7756442
    Abstract: A guide is used to protect a corona cartridge during shipping and during insertion into an electrostatic marking apparatus. The guide has dimensions that will permit the cartridge to fit therein and has a locking mechanism that securely holds the cartridge in place during shipment or movement. When the cartridge is to be removed from the guide and inserted into an electrostatic marking system, a handle attached to a latch is used to free the latch from a groove in the guide. The groove in the guide is located between two upwardly protruding ramps having a slidable side and a locking side that abuts the latch and holds it in place until activation when the latch handle frees it from the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Keefe, Karl E. Kurz, Mark T. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 7734216
    Abstract: A cartridge may include a frame; a photosensitive member that is rotatably supported about a rotation axis inside the frame; a discharge induction electrode that is supported inside the frame and detachably attachable to the frame from outside the frame in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photosensitive member; and a discharge electrode that is supported inside the frame opposite the discharge induction electrode and detachably attachable to the frame from outside the frame in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photosensitive member. The discharge electrode may be detachably attachable to the frame independent of the discharge induction electrode when the discharge induction electrode is supported inside the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Tsutomu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7684735
    Abstract: A charging apparatus having a corona electrode is provided which exhibits high durability against ozone and moisture in the air, which can charge a surface of a photoreceptor drum stably throughout the life of an image forming apparatus, and which can be manufactured at a low cost. In a charging apparatus including corona electrode having a flat plate section and a pointed projection section, a support member, a shield case, and a grid electrode, a coating layer including a material different from the material of the corona electrode is formed at least on part of the surface of pointed projections constituting the pointed projection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ino, Syouichi Fujita, Yasuhiro Nishimura, Susumu Murakami
  • Patent number: 7623806
    Abstract: A charging device includes: a charged body; a charging member that extends parallel to the surface of the charged body, a charging voltage being applied between the charging member and the charged body; a cleaning member that is in contact with the charging member, and that moves in an extending direction of the charging member to remove matters adhering to the charging member; and an air introduction path that introduces airflow flowing in one orientation with respect to the extending direction of the charging member at a position along the charging member, the cleaning member being in contact with the charging member in a case where the cleaning member moves in the one orientation, and the cleaning member being separated from the charging member in a case where the cleaning member moves in an orientation opposite to the airflow in a state in which the airflow is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Tanase
  • Publication number: 20090285595
    Abstract: This is a titanium shield that fits into a discorotron and helps to eliminate destructive effluents. The shield conforms to the shape of the discorotron housing and has side portions that extend beyond the side portions of the discorotron housing. On this extended portion, a grid is attached over the open surface of the discorotron. The extended portions are called ears. These ears have notches to mate with apertures in the grid. The exposed ends of the ears are covered by a guard to prevent the ears from making contact with a photoreceptive surface. Below the ears are upstanding electrical contacts which when viewed from an end view form an H-like configuration with the ears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: JAMES D. WALSH
  • Patent number: 7555235
    Abstract: A charger includes a frame and a cover member, together defining an internal space. A discharge wire for producing a discharge for a photosensitive drum is disposed within the internal space. A cleaner for cleaning the discharge wire is also disposed within the internal space. When the cover member is open, a user accesses the cleaner and slides the cleaner on the discharge wire, thereby cleaning the discharge wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Okabe, Naoya Kamimura, Tomitake Aratachi
  • Publication number: 20090052915
    Abstract: A charging system for uniformly charging an imaging surface moving in a predefined path including a dicorotron for charging the imaging surface; a discorotron, adjacent to and downstream from said dicortron, for charging the imaging surface; the discorotron including a coronode, a grid and a shield a first power supply for biasing the grid and the shield; a second power supply for energizing each of the coronode; means for determining a voltage level of the imaging surface and generating a feedback signal of the voltage level; and a controller, responsive to the feedback signal and in communication with the first power supply, for controlling the energiziation of the grid and the shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alfred J. Claflin, JR., Jerry F. Adams, Susan A. Turner
  • Patent number: 7418224
    Abstract: An improved coronode assembly includes pin guards that are positioned closely spaced from and extending above a coronode in order to provide protection for a user reaching past the coronode to remove a sheet jam, and prevent coronode damage when the coronode is handled during servicing by a field service technician. The closeness of the pin guards to the coronode also serves to produce a more uniform field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Gross, David Sekovski, Douglas A. McKeown, David K. Ahl, Michael N. Soures
  • Patent number: 7412186
    Abstract: In a xerographic printing apparatus, a charge device is used to apply a charge to a photoreceptor. The shuttle includes a wiper that cleans a sidewall of the charge device. A tab is disposed adjacent the sidewall to retain toner or dirt accumulated by the scraper. The tab is electrically insulative, and effectively covers the accumulated toner or dirt, to lower the possibility of arcing within the charge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Sekovski, Robert A. Gross, John D. McCaffrey, Michael N. Soures, David K. Ahl, Douglas A. McKeown, Michael G. Petranto
  • Patent number: 7356286
    Abstract: A charger is opposed to a charging subject member and charges the charging subject member by generating corona discharge. The charger includes: a discharge electrode; and a pair of facing electrodes that are disposed to face with each other being the discharge electrode interposed therebetween and arranged to be distant from the discharge electrode, wherein the facing electrodes are arranged that an interval between the facing electrodes gradually decreases towards the charging subject member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Takahiro Nishimoto, Kunihiko Kondo, Fumikazu Sato, Ikunobu Yoshiyama, Tsutomu Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080056765
    Abstract: An electrically conductive latex/antioxidant coating for a corona charging device that is capable of absorbing effluents created during the electrostatographic or xerographic process, a method for making the coating, and applying the coating are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher David Blair, Thomas Paul Debies, Barry Ross Havens
  • Patent number: 7305194
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming method for an electrophotographic photoreceptor. The method provides for detecting a first streak in a first image; identifying the first streak location; shifting a charge device and marking a second image; identifying a second streak location; comparing the first streak location with the second streak location and determining a distance therebetween. The method further provides that on a first pass, charging a photoreceptor with the charge device; shifting the charge device from a first position to a second position along the photoreceptor corresponding to the distance; and, on a second pass, charging the photoreceptor with the charge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Thayer
  • Patent number: 7295797
    Abstract: A charge generating device comprising a discharge electrode; and a conductive shield comprising a nonconductive substrate coated with one or more materials selected from the group including gold, platinum, lead, titanium and alloys thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Osbourne
  • Patent number: 7251439
    Abstract: A xerographic printing device, including a charging device having a shield. In some embodiments of the shield of the charging device in the xerographic printing device, a plurality of holes are provided in an evenly spaced linear fashion extending nearly a full length of the charging device shield on a downstream process side of the charging device shield. The charge device can be a corotron, a dicorotron, a scorotron, a discorotron, a pin corotron, a pin scorotron, or any other known or later developed charging device of that type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Eliud Robles Flores, John Robert Uchal
  • Patent number: 7236723
    Abstract: A xerographic printing device, including a charging device having a shield. In some embodiments of the shield of the charging device in the xerographic printing device, three slots are provided with one slot in the upstream process direction and the other two slots sharing a common axis in downstream process direction and neither an overlap nor a gap existing between the ends of any of the slots in a longitudinal direction. In another embodiment, a plurality of holes are included in the shield. The charging device can be a corotron, a dicorotron, a scorotron, a discorotron, a pin corotron, a pin scorotron, or any other known or later developed charging device of that type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Eliud Robles Flores, John Robert Uchal
  • Patent number: 7127190
    Abstract: The present invention drives cleaning member moving devices for moving cleaning members of a plurality of chargers at the same time by a single cleaning motor to miniaturize an image forming apparatus and reduce the cost. Further, at the end time of cleaning, all the cleaning members are shifted to a predetermined area by the cleaning member moving devices, and the cleaning motor is stopped, thus the cleaning members remain in a charging area, and uneven charging is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Gumbe