Abstract: A conductive member evaluator includes a first electrode which has contact with an outer circumferential face of a conductive member, a second electrode which is connected to the shaft center of the conductive member, a voltage applier configured to apply evaluation voltage including at least an AD component between the first electrode and the second electrode, a current value measuring device configured to measure a current value flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode when the evaluation voltage is applied, an extreme value obtaining device configured to obtain at least one extreme value of a maximum value and a minimum value in one cycle of the AD component included in the current value from the current value measured by the current value measuring device; and an evaluation device configured to evaluate the conductive member based on the extreme value obtained by the extreme value obtaining device.

Abstract: A charge member is positioned in contact with an image carrier and charges a surface of the image carrier. The charge member includes a support body, an elastic layer having conductivity, which is formed on the support body; and a first surface treatment layer, which contains isocyanate compound and polycarbonate compound, is formed on the elastic layer. Residual potential of the charge member in 0.1 [seconds] after corona discharge at a voltage of 6.0 [kV] is 12.16 [V] or less.

Abstract: There is described an image forming apparatus including an imaging member having a charge retentive-surface for developing an electrostatic latent image thereon, a substrate and a photoconductive member disposed on the substrate. A bias charge roller for applying an electrostatic charge on the charge retentive surface to a predetermined electric potential is included in the image forming apparatus. The bias charge roller includes a first circumferential area in contact with the photoconductive member (CC[contact]), and a second circumferential area (CC[non-contact]) spaced a distance of from 1 ?m to 1 mm from the photoconductive member. The image forming apparatus includes a power supply for supplying an oscillating voltage signal to the bias charge roller wherein the oscillating voltage signal has a frequency Am[fAC] and an amplitude Am[VAC]. The following relationship is met: (CC[contact]/CC[non-contact])?(Am[fAC]/Am[VAC])?(CC[non-contact]/CC[contact]) by the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A charging device includes a housing, a charging roller, and a brush roller. The housing is disposed adjacent to an optical path of light emitted an the exposure device to irradiate a photoconductor. Charging roller is rotatably supported in housing, and is configured to charge a circumferential surface of the photoconductor through contact. Brush roller is rotatably supported in housing together with charging roller, has multiple brush hairs flocked on a base shaft thereof extending in a longitudinal direction of the charging roller, and is configured to clean a surface of charging roller when brush hairs are brought in contact with charging roller. Furthermore, a predetermined segment of housing is located in a space within a predetermined distance toward a side of housing from the optical path, and is formed from a material having a charge property equivalent to that of the brush hairs.

Abstract: A semiconductive roller having good semiconductivity as a charging roller or a developing roller is described. The semiconductive roller includes an oxide film having excellent characteristics as a protective film, and in particular, hardly causes an image defect of white stripes associated with tackiness in an image formed in a storage test in an environment of high temperature and high humidity. The semiconductive roller includes a semiconductive rubber composition formed by mixing a base polymer with a triazine crosslinker and a sulfur-based crosslinking component as a crosslinking component for crosslinking the base polymer, wherein the base polymer is a mixture of an epichlorohydrin rubber E and a diene rubber D having a mass ratio of E/D of 50/50 to 80/20. The semiconductive roller also has an oxide film formed on its outer peripheral surface by ultraviolet irradiation.

Abstract: A charging member including an electro-conductive substrate, an electro-conductive elastic layer, and an electro-conductive surface layer, wherein the elastic layer includes a polymer having a unit derived from ethylene oxide and at least one particle selected from the group consisting of graphite particles and graphitized particles; wherein a particle-exposing portion where the particle is exposed is present on the surface of the elastic layer; the surface of the elastic layer including the particle-exposing portions is coated with the surface layer; the surface layer includes binder resin and resin particles dispersed in the binder resin and has a plurality of protrusions derived from the resin particles on the surface; when the resin particles in the surface layer are orthographically projected onto the surface of the elastic layer, areas other than projected areas of the resin particles on the surface of the elastic layer overlap the particle-exposing portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition, which realizes low hardness and low compression set while maintaining semi-conductivity, and a vulcanizate thereof. Also the rubber composition can be obtained by blending an epichlorohydrin-based rubber having satisfactory semi-conductivity and an acrylonitrile-butadiene-based rubber as a reactive plasticizer, and also blending zinc oxide, a thiuram-based compound and a quinoxaline-based compound.

Abstract: The roller member has a substrate and an electroconductive elastic layer. The elastic layer has a crown shape of which an outer diameter at the middle in the lengthwise direction is larger than those at its both ends. The elastic layer includes a bowl-shaped resin particle. The surface of the roller member has concavity derived from an opening of the bowl-shaped resin particle and a protrusion derived from an edge of the opening of the resin particle. The relation in the restoring rate for elastic deformation between at the middle of the roller member and at its both ends is such that: on the surface of the elastic layer the restoring rate is larger at both ends than that at the middle, and at the position of depth t ?m from the elastic layer surface the restoring rate is larger at the middle than that at both ends.

Abstract: Uneven charging is improved, and production of a banding image attributed to a slip between the charging member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member is suppressed. An electrophotographic process cartridge including a charging member and an electrophotographic photosensitive member which is electrically charged upon being brought into contact with the charging member, wherein the charging member includes a electro-conductive substrate and a surface layer formed on the electro-conductive substrate; the surface layer contains at least a binder resin, an electron conductive agent, and a resin particle having a plurality of pores inside thereof; the surface of the surface layer has a protrusion derived from the resin particle; the electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support; and the surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a specific component.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to image forming systems comprising imaging apparatus members and toner compositions. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to specific toner compositions for use with electrophotographic imaging members comprising an overcoat layer protecting the imaging member surface and a contact type charging device, such as a “bias charge roll” (BCR). The toner compositions comprise a combination of additives that provide an image forming system that does not suffer from the commonly observed deletion and imaging member wear issues.

Abstract: A bias charge roller includes an electrically conductive core. An outer layer is axially supported on the core. The outer layer is either conductive or semi-conductive. The bias charge roller further includes a continuous raised pattern on the outer surface of the outer layer. The continuous raised pattern is configured to contact a charge-retentive surface of an electrophotographic imaging member so as to charge the charge-retentive surface. The bias charge roller can be employed in an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A charging device includes a charging member that includes a rotating shaft and charges a surface of a charging object while rotating in contact with the charging object, a cleaning member that includes a rotating shaft and removes unwanted matter from a surface of the charging member while rotating in contact with the charging member, and a bearing member that includes first and second receiving portions each having an open part on one side thereof and a substantially concave-shaped bottom on another side thereof. The first and second receiving portions receive circumferences of the rotating shafts of the charging member and the cleaning member, respectively, at the bottoms thereof. The open parts of the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion face respectively different directions. A part of an inner surface of the second receiving portion forms a part of an outer surface of the first receiving portion.

Abstract: An electrophotographic member is provided in which conductivity barely reduces and sufficient conductivity is obtained even under a low temperature and low humidity environment, a reduction in resistance beyond necessity is readily suppressed even under a high temperature and high humidity environment, and the bleeding of the quaternary ammonium salt can be suppressed.

Abstract: A charging member is provided, suppressing the occurrence of streak-like images resulting from resistance increase caused by degradation of the charging member due to electric conduction for a long period. A process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus are also provided, suppressing the occurrence of streak-like images and stably forming a high-quality electrophotographic image. The charging member comprises an electroconductive support and an electroconductive surface layer, the surface layer comprising at least one of the compounds respectively represented by formula (1), formula (3), and formula (4) defined in the specification, a binder resin, and a conducting agent. The process cartridge and the electrophotographic apparatus use the charging member.

Abstract: Provided is a charging member for suppressing the vibration of a charging roller which occurs owing to a difference in circumferential speed in a longitudinal direction when the roller is rotated to follow a photosensitive member, and suppressing a banding image caused by the vibration of the charging roller over a long period of time. The charging member includes a substrate and an elastic layer. The elastic layer contains a rubber having a polar group and hollow particles each having a shell containing a crystal of calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A process cartridge that can suppress production of a banding image attributed to contact rotation of an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a charging member and output a high-quality image is provided. The charging member includes an electro-conductive substrate and an electroconductive resin layer, the resin layer contains a binder, a conductive fine particle, and a bowl-shaped resin particle having an opening, and the surface of the charging member has a concavity derived from the opening of the bowl-shaped resin particle and a protrusion derived from the edge of the opening thereof. The electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a support and a photosensitive layer, and the surface layer in the photosensitive member contains a specific resin (?), a specific resin (?), and a specific compound (?).

Abstract: A roll-type charging device contacts an image receptor serving as a body to be charged and is capable of rotating due to rotation of the image receptor. The apparatus includes a hollow roll having a cylindrical shape and formed of a hollow elastic member and flanges having rotation axes and formed of elastic members, the flanges inserted into two ends of the hollow roll to increase an inner diameter of the hollow roll.

Abstract: A charging member includes a substrate and an outermost layer that is on the substrate, is in contact with a member to be charged, and contains a cross-linking fluorocarbon siloxane rubber composition, wherein the charging member charges the member to be charged by being brought into contact with the member to be charged while a voltage is applied.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to an image forming apparatus comprising: a) an imaging member, b) a bias charging roller in contact with the surface of the imaging member, and c) a delivery unit in contact with the surface of the bias charge roller, wherein the delivery unit is fabricated as a polymer matrix impregnated with functional materials, such that the functional material is transferred onto the imaging member from the delivery unit via the bias charging roller. Embodiments also pertain to an improved electrophotographic imaging member comprising a very thin outer layer on the imaging member surface, where the outer layer comprises functional materials, such as paraffin, that act as a lubricant and or a barrier against moisture and/or surface contaminants. The improved imaging member exhibits improved xerographic performance, such as reduced friction and deletions in high humidity conditions.

Abstract: In order to maintain the image quality of a recent high-speed electrophotographic apparatus, a charging member is provided which hardly causes charging unevenness of a photosensitive member even when vibration of the photosensitive member occurs. The charging member includes an electro-conductive support, an electro-conductive elastic layer, and a surface layer. The elastic layer contains a resin having an epichlorohydrin chain in the molecular structure and a specific flavonoid compound having two or more hydroxyl groups in the molecular structure.

Abstract: Provided is a charging member capable of suppressing occurrence of compression set while having flexibility enough to ensure a nip with a photosensitive member. The charging member comprises a support and an elastic layer, wherein the elastic layer has an MD-1 hardness of from 55 to 85° at the surface thereof, and has a universal hardness of 2.0 to 20.0 N/mm2 at an indentation depth of 5 ?m from the surface thereof.

Abstract: A charging roller includes a conductive core, a resistive elastic layer disposed on the conductive core, and a surface layer disposed on the resistive elastic layer. The impedances of the resistive elastic layer and the surface layer measured at an environmental temperature of about 10° C. and a humidity of about 15% RH in a range of alternating voltage frequencies of an image-forming apparatus used satisfy: |ZE/(ZE+ZS)|?0.81 where ZE is the impedance of the resistive elastic layer, and ZS is the impedance of the surface layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charging roller including elastic and surface layers and a photoconductor drum. Initially, the surface layer has a surface roughness Rz of 3-6 ?m, and the layers have an impedance ratio of 0.81 or less in absolute value at a frequency of 800-3000 Hz. After a predetermined time, the surface roughness Rz is reduced by a decrement ?Rz of 0.1-4 ?m. The drum has a film thickness D initially ranging from 20-40 ?m and reduced by a decrement ?D of 5-25 ?m after the predetermined time. Herein, 0.005??Rz/?D?0.8 holds. The impedance ratio is represented as ZE/(ZE+ZS) wherein ZE and ZS represent the respective impedances of the elastic layer and the surface layer, and 100 k A4-size recording media recorded with images with an area coverage of 7% are printed in the predetermined time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a charging member which has a low compression set and which can suppress the generation of image defects. A layer of an unvulcanized rubber composition including an unvulcanized acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and N,N?-methylenebis(1,4-phenylene)dimaleimide is vulcanized.

Abstract: A roller for electrophotography has an electrically conductive support and an elastic layer as a surface layer. The elastic layer holds spherical particles each having a plane on their peripheral surfaces, in such a way that part or the whole of the plane comes exposed to the surface of the elastic layer, and the plane of each of the spherical particles standing exposed to the surface of the elastic layer and a plane that is i) orthogonal to a straight line passing through an axis of a section orthogonal to an axis of the roller for electrophotography and being directed toward the peripheral surface of the roller for electrophotography and is ii) tangential to the peripheral surface of the roller for electrophotography form an acute internal angle.

Abstract: To provide an electrically conducting member for electrophotography that has made itself kept from increasing in electrical resistance with time even in a low temperature and low humidity environment and also has made any ion conducting agent kept from bleeding to its surface. To also provide a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, that can stably form high-grade electrophotographic images over a long period of time in a variety of environments. The conductive member for electrophotography has an electrically conducting substrate and an electrically conducting layer, and the electrically conducting layer contains a resin having in the molecule at least one structure selected from structures represented by the formula (1), formula (2) and formula (3) each defined in the specification. The process cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus each make use of the same.

Abstract: There is described a delivery member for use in an image forming apparatus. The delivery member includes a support member, an inner layer comprising a elastomeric matrix and a functional material dispersed therein, the inner layer disposed on the support member and an outer layer disposed on the inner layer. A method for manufacturing the delivery member and its function are described.

Abstract: Provide herein is a description of a bias charging member that includes a conductive core, and an outer surface layer disposed on the conductive core. The outer surface layer includes carbon black and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: an image bearing member; a charging unit; an exposure unit; a developing unit; a transfer unit; a fixing unit; and a cleaning unit including a cleaning blade, wherein the charging unit includes a charging roller that is brought into contact with the image bearing member for charging, the charging roller abutting the image bearing member at a pressing force of 10 mN/cm to 1,000 mN/cm, wherein the cleaning blade includes an elastic member that abuts the surface of the image bearing member to remove a residue attached to the surface of the image bearing member, and wherein an abutment part of the elastic member, which abuts the surface of the image bearing member, includes a cured product of an ultraviolet curable composition containing a (meth)acrylate compound having an alicyclic structure having 6 or more carbon atoms in a molecule.

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 member is provided with a surface layer that can not easily wear even due to its contact with a photosensitive member and also has an appropriate elasticity contributing to the formation of an appropriate nip between it and the photosensitive member.

Abstract: To provide a charging member that can have a uniform electrical resistance, can not easily change in electrical resistance even by any long-term continuous electrification and, as a result thereof, may cause less change in its charging performance with time. A charging member having a conductive support and an elastic-material layer; the elastic-material layer comprising a vulcanized rubber; the vulcanized rubber being a vulcanized product of a composition which comprises i) a binder polymer comprising a polymer having a butadiene skeleton and ii) carbon black as electrically conductive particles; and the polymer having a butadiene skeleton has a molecular terminal modified with an atomic group having a specific structure.

Abstract: The charging roller has a base layer formed of an electroconductive rubber composition containing (a) a polar rubber having an unsaturated bond or an ether bond, (b) an ion carrier containing one or more phosphonium salts selected from the group consisting of phosphonium salts having the formulae (1) and (2), and (c) a cross-linker, wherein the amount of (b) component ranges from 0.1 to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the (a) component. The formula (1) represents [(H9C4)3(CnH2n+1)P]+(CF3SO2)2N—, and the formula (2) represents [(H9C4)3(CnH2n+1)P]+(CF3SO3)—.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a charge roller with improved resistance to defects from prolonged periods of nonuse. The charge roller includes an outermost coating layer including a coating material and filler particles. The filler particles have an average particle size larger than an average thickness of the outermost coating layer in a portion without the filler particles. Furthermore, the filler particles are harder and have a higher glass transition temperature than the coating material.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming method in which a foil image exhibiting excellent finish without any wrinkle and strong adhesive strength is formed on a foil transferring face made of toner. The image forming method for transferring the transfer foil on the foil transferring face is conducted by contacting the transfer foil to the foil transferring face formed by using toner having a glass transition temperature of not more than 60° C., and by passing through a nip portion formed between a driving roller and a follower roller.

Abstract: An electrification apparatus includes: an electrification roller that rotates touching An image carrier to electrify a surface of the image carrier; a support member that by a bearing portion, supports rotatably a rotation shaft which is disposed at an end portion in a shaft direction of the electrification roller; and a cover member that is disposed on the rotation shaft and covers a portion of the rotation shaft which is near the bearing portion.

Abstract: This invention provides a charging member exhibiting high electrical charge injection efficiency. The charging member has an electro conductive base and an electro conductive fiber, one end of which is connected to the base, in which the fiber contains a plurality of carbon nanotubes which are entangled, and the carbon nanotubes are exposed at the tip portion of the fiber.

Abstract: A charging roller has a conductive shaft, a charge emission member provided to the shaft, and a gap securing member provided to the shaft. The gap securing member (i) protrudes toward the photoreceptor drum so as to be closer to the photoreceptor drum than the charge emission member is to the photoreceptor drum and (ii) is in contact with the photoreceptor drum so as to secure a gap between the charge emission member and the photoreceptor drum. A conductive part of the gap securing member and the shaft are bonded to each other by electrically releasing adhesive, so that the gap securing member is provided to the shaft.

Abstract: A mechanism for electrifying a rotator that is used in an image forming apparatus includes a cloth-like or sheet-like conductive member, wherein part of the conductive member comes into contact with an object to be electrified and the other part of the conductive member comes into surface contact with any one contact member of the rotator, a rotating shaft that rotates together with the rotator, and a shaft where the rotator is rotatably supported, so that the object to be electrified and the contact member are electrically connected to each other through the conductive member.

Abstract: A conductive member includes a conductive supporting body; and an electrical resistance adjustment layer laminated on the conductive supporting body and comprising a resin composition, wherein the resin composition comprises a thermoplastic resin having an ether group as a component of a resin matrix, and at least a polyketone fiber and an electrolytic salt are dispersed within the resin matrix.

Abstract: A charging member includes at least a substrate and a conductive outermost layer that is disposed on the substrate, that comes in contact with a charging object, and that includes (A) a resin and (B) aggregates of a plurality of acicular particles protruding in a radial pattern from a center to an outside. The charging member charges the charging object by coming in contact with the charging object in a state where a voltage is applied to the charging member.

Abstract: To provide a charging member which suppresses the generation of density nonuniformity in an electrophotographic image caused by charge nonuniformity due to adhesion of charged substances, such as toner particles. There is provided a charging member which has a surface layer, the surface layer includes conductive zinc oxide whiskers each formed of a nuclear portion and four needle crystal portions extending radially outward therefrom, and the needle crystal portions are exposed to form convex portions of a surface of the surface layer.

Abstract: Apparatus, printers, and charge roller assemblies are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a roller to charge a printer surface when closer to the printer surface than an upper threshold, and a damper to reduce movement of the roller and to keep the roller closer to the printer surface than the upper threshold.

Abstract: To provide an electrically conducting member for electrophotography which can not easily come to change in electrical resistance value even upon application of direct current and also has made any ion conducting agent kept from bleeding. The electrically conducting member has an electrically conducting substrate and an electrically conducting layer; the electrically conducting layer containing an epichlorohydrin rubber having in the molecular structure at least an alkylene oxide (AO) unit, an epichlorohydrin (ECH) unit and a unit having a sulfonate ion; the AO unit being at least one unit of an ethylene oxide unit, a propylene oxide unit and a butylene oxide unit; and the AO unit(s) in the rubber being in a content of 5 to 60% by mass in total and the ECH unit in the rubber being in a content of 30% by mass or more.

Abstract: Provided is a charging member capable of stably charging an object to be charged while suppressing adhesion of toner or an external additive onto a surface of an elastic layer and compression set of an abutting portion of the elastic layer. The charging member is a charging member, comprising a mandrel; and an electro-conductive elastic layer, wherein: the elastic layer has a universal hardness decreasing from a surface toward a depth direction thereof; and the hardnesses at a central portion and both end portions in a longitudinal direction of the charging member satisfy the relationships: in the surface of the elastic layer, the hardnesses at the both end portions are higher than that at the central portion; and at a position having a depth of t (?m) from the surface of the elastic layer, the hardness at the central portion is higher than those at the both end portions.

Abstract: A method includes moving a first end portion of a charging member with respect to a photoconductive member to obtain a first electrical discharge event corresponding to conduction of an electrical current from the charging member to the photoconductive member. The method also includes identifying a first adjustment value corresponding to a distance in which the first end portion moved toward the photoconductive member to obtain the first electrical discharge event. The method also includes moving a second end portion of the charging member with respect to the photoconductive member to obtain a second electrical discharge event corresponding to conduction of an electrical current from the charging member to the photoconductive member. The method also includes identifying a second adjustment value corresponding to a distance in which the second end portion moved toward the photoconductive member to obtain the second electrical discharge event.

Abstract: A developing device that attaches/detaches to/from a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a charging roller to rotate while contacting the photosensitive drum to charge a surface of the photosensitive drum to a uniform potential, and a separating member to rotate between a first position where the charging roller is separated from the photosensitive drum and a second position where the charging roller contacts the photosensitive drum. The separating member includes a body into which a rotary shaft of the charging roller is inserted to be rotatable, and a contact portion extending from the body and contacting the surface of the photosensitive drum when the separating member is located at the first position so as to separate the charging roller from the photosensitive drum, wherein the contact portion includes a friction member including rubber.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a positively-charged single layer type electrophotographic photoreceptor, a charging device with a contact charging roller for charging a surface of the photoreceptor and an exposure device for exposing the charged surface of the photoreceptor to light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. A developing device develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image and a transfer device transfers the toner image to a transferred body. The charging roller is made of electrically conductive rubber having an Asker-C rubber hardness of 62 to 81°. A roller surface roughness of the charging roller has an average distance (Sm) between asperity peaks on a cross-sectional curve of 55 to 130 ?m and that a ten-point average roughness (Rz) is 9 to 19 ?m. The image forming apparatus is capable of preventing carrier trapping, film peeling and uneven charging in the photoreceptor.

Abstract: There is described an applicator for use in an image forming apparatus. The applicator includes an applicator comprising an elastomeric matrix and a functional material dispersed therein. The applicator includes an actuator for moving the applicator between a first position having the applicator in contact with a surface, and a second position. The actuator moves the applicator from the first position to the second position at a frequency of from about 10?5 Hz to about 10 kHz wherein the functional material diffuses from the elastomeric matrix to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a charging member that suppresses abnormal discharge which induces charging unevenness, and that has little contamination on a surface layer, to thereby enable uniform charging over a long period. The charging member includes a substrate, an elastic layer and a surface layer, wherein the surface layer contains a polymer compound having constitutional units represented by the following general formula (1), chemical formula (2) and general formula (3), and having a Si—O—Ti bond, a Ti—O-M bond and a Si—O-M bond. M is any atom selected from the group consisting of V, Nb and W.