By Intermediate Transfer Member Patents (Class 399/302)
  • Patent number: 8897672
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt stretched and wound around a driving roller and multiple driven rollers; multiple image formation units arranged in a running direction of the belt including photoconductors to form toner images of different colors; multiple transfer rollers opposed to the photoconductors via the belt; an engagement/disengagement device to bring at least one of the multiple transfer rollers in contact with and separate from the belt in accordance with an image formation mode; a steering controller to correct displacement of the belt in a widthwise direction by inclining one of the multiple driven rollers in a prescribed direction as a steering roller not to change a perimeter of the belt at least in a first image formation mode in which all of the multiple transfer rollers contact the belt; at least one position adjustment roller; and a belt position adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Takagi
  • Publication number: 20140334856
    Abstract: A belt driving apparatus is configured so as to satisfy a relationship ?1(2T sin(?1/2)+f1)<?2(2T sin(?2/2)+f2), wherein ?1 is a dynamic friction coefficient between the supporting roller and the endless belt, ?2 is a dynamic friction coefficient between the steering roller and the endless belt, ?1 is a winding angle of the endless belt with respect to the supporting roller, ?2 is a winding angle of the endless belt with respect to the steering roller, f1 is the first external force applied to the supporting roller through the endless belt, f2 is the second external force applied to the steering roller through the endless, and T is a tension force applied to the endless belt by the tension roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jun Nakagaki, Yuhei Takei
  • Patent number: 8886096
    Abstract: A belt-shaped member for image forming apparatus, satisfying the following relationships: E1?E2; and H2>H1 wherein E1 represents an elastic modulus of a center of the belt-shaped member in a thrust direction; E2 represents an elastic modulus of an end thereof; H1 is a breaking elongation of the center; and H2 represents a breaking elongation of the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Matsushita, Akira Izutani
  • Patent number: 8886069
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a sheet stack unit, an endless intermediate transfer member, a first transfer member for transferring a toner image onto the sheets conveyed from the sheet stack unit, at a nip formed between the intermediate transfer member and the first transfer member, and a second transfer member. In addition, a first voltage applying device applies a voltage to the first transfer member, a second voltage applying device applies a voltage having an opposite polarity to the second transfer member, and a controller controls the first and second voltage applying devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuya Yanagi, Yasuhiro Fukase
  • Patent number: 8886106
    Abstract: An object is to provide an intermediate transfer belt and a method for producing the same which inhibits fine toner dots in white area in an environment of low temperature and low humidity and further, inhibits roughness of image with long-term use. An intermediate transfer belt for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising a polyimide having a dispersed conductive filler, wherein the polyimide contains a unit structure represented by Formula (1); wherein X represents a group selected from Formulas (a) to (e), n, m, l each represents 0 or 1, and at least one of m and l is 1, wherein p in Formula (c) and q in Formula (e) each is an integer of 1 to 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Miyuki Murakami, Susumu Sudo
  • Patent number: 8886066
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus detects a color deviation amount in a timing when a developing roller separates from or contacts a photosensitive drum to set a difference in peripheral velocities between the photosensitive drum and an intermediate transfer belt or a transfer material conveying belt based on the color deviation amount and information about the use degree of the intermediate transfer belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhisa Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8877419
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composite color image forming method. The method includes electrically charging a latent image-holding member; exposing the charged latent image-holding member to light to form an electrostatic latent image; developing the electrostatic latent image with a two-component developer containing toner particles of one color and a carrier to form a toner image on the latent image-holding member; primarily transferring the toner image from the latent image-holding member to an intermediate transfer member; repeating the electrically charging, the exposing, the developing, and the primarily transferring, while the toner particles are replaced with toner particles of different color, to form a composite color image on the intermediate transfer member; and secondarily transferring the composite color image from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Inoue, Koutarou Yoshihara, Yosuke Tsurumi, Moegi Iguchi, Masahiro Takagi
  • Patent number: 8879956
    Abstract: An intermediate transfer device includes an intermediate transfer member, intermediate transfer member support members, and two frame members each including first and second positioning members each having a positioning portion. At least one of the frame members satisfies a condition L1:L2=2.85:x 0?x?1, where L1 is the length of a line segment connecting an intersection point to the positioning portion of one of the positioning members on a side opposite to a side toward which a line of action of a force applied by a second-transfer unit is inclined and L2 is the length of a line segment connecting the intersection point to the positioning portion of the other of the positioning members on the side toward which the line of action is inclined, the intersection point being an intersection of the line of action and a line segment connecting the positioning portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hibiki Sasaki, Akihiro Ouchi, Hirofumi Goto, Hiroaki Yagi, Kenji Suzuki, Yoshihisa Nakao, Ayaka Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 8874013
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, in which color toner images are primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer medium, and then secondarily transferred to a recording sheet at a secondary transfer nip, a secondary transfer current output device applies a transfer current to the transfer nip while determining the transfer current based on area ratios of the toner images using an algorithm. When determining the transfer current, the secondary transfer current output device estimates the target value of a transfer current needed for transferring one of the toner images to be not lower than that needed for transferring another toner image, which is primarily transferred next to the one of the toner images, and the target value of a transfer current needed for transferring a first toner image, which is primarily transferred firstly, to be lower than that needed for transferring a last toner image, which is primarily transferred lastly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Aoki
  • Patent number: 8874002
    Abstract: A belt member driving device includes an arm configured to be movable with movement of a belt member in a width direction thereof while being in contact with an end of the belt member in the width direction thereof, a first detected portion provided on the arm, a second detected portion provided on the arm and disposed in a position different from that of the first detected portion in a direction perpendicular to a movement direction of the arm on a plane where the arm is moved, a first sensor configured to detect the first detected portion, and a second sensor configured to detect the second detected portion. The second sensor and the first sensor partly overlap each other in the movement direction of the arm as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohito Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8874015
    Abstract: A first transfer inner roller and a first transfer outer roller are arranged such that the leading edge of a recording material is pressed against an intermediate transfer member on the downstream side of an upstream side transfer portion to change a traveling direction of the recording material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazukiyo Akashi, Jun Mochizuki, Yasuhito Shirafuji, Yasushi Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20140306163
    Abstract: An intermediate transfer member that includes polyarylatecarbonate, an optional polysiloxane, and an optional conductive filler component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jin Wu
  • Publication number: 20140301759
    Abstract: An electrophotographic belt which enables the suppression of bleeding of an electrolyte while minimizing influence on its surface smoothness. The electrophotographic belt showing electroconductivity resulting from dissociation of an electrolyte is made of a resin composition containing a crystalline resin as a binder resin, an oil-soluble dye and an electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Kouichi Uchida
  • Publication number: 20140294452
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer body onto which developer images are transferred, a second transfer unit that transfers the developer images on the intermediate transfer body onto a recording medium, support members including first and second support members, and a contact member. The first support member faces the second transfer unit with the intermediate transfer body therebetween and causes the recording medium to be nipped between the intermediate transfer body and the second transfer unit. The second support member is disposed upstream of the first support member in a rotation direction of the intermediate transfer body and outwardly stretches the intermediate transfer body. The contact member contacts a trailing end of the recording medium in a transport direction when the recording medium is nipped. The trailing end of the recording medium moves along the contact member toward the intermediate transfer body when the recording medium is nipped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki YAGATA
  • Publication number: 20140294453
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus, in a case in which a toner on a transfer belt is checked through a sensing unit, is capable of preventing a rotation of a guide roller, which is configured to guide the transfer belt, by use of a regulation device, so that a check error occurring due to vibration of the guide roller is reduced. Thus, the toner on the transfer belt is checked with increased accuracy and precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeong Yong JU, Byeong Hwa ANH, Jun Ho LEE
  • Publication number: 20140294451
    Abstract: A transfer device includes an endless intermediate transfer belt that moves circularly, a first rotating body pressed into contact with the inner surface of the belt, and a second rotating body disposed at a position facing the first rotating body to contact with the outer surface of the belt. The belt includes a first pressing section that is in contact with the second rotating body due to a first pressure from the first rotating body such that a toner image that has been first-transferred to the outer surface of the belt is second-transferred onto a recording medium that passes between the belt and the second rotating body and a second pressing section that is in contact with the second rotating body due to a second pressure smaller than the first pressure on the upstream side of the first pressing section in the belt movement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ayaka MIYOSHI, Atsuhito TOKUYAMA, Yoshiya MASHIMO
  • Publication number: 20140294408
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; an intermediate transfer body that temporarily carries a color component image formed by the image carrier; a first-transfer member; a second-transfer member; a surface-positioning member that is disposed upstream of the second-transfer member in a transport direction of the intermediate transfer body, that is in contact with a back surface of the intermediate transfer body, that is movable forward and backward in a direction that intersects an in-plane direction of the intermediate transfer body, and that forms a transport path surface of the intermediate transfer body extending to a second-transfer region; and a tension adjustment member that adjusts a tension of the intermediate transfer body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoaki YOSHIOKA
  • Publication number: 20140286682
    Abstract: A transfer member having high durability while having an excellent transfer function is provided. An image formation apparatus in which high quality images can be obtained for an extended period of time is also provided. A transfer member having an endless belt shape and constituting an image formation apparatus of an electrophotographic system includes an elastic body layer and a surface layer formed thereon. The surface layer contains metal oxide fine particles subjected to a surface treatment, in a cured resin obtained by curing an active energy ray-curable composition that contains three ingredients of a multifunctional (meth)acrylate, a polyurethane acrylate and a polymerizable component having a low surface energy group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadaaki SAKAMOTO, Akihiro Honya, Ryo Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8837968
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes an image carrier; a driving source generating a driving force for the image carrier; a drive transmission unit; a driving control unit controlling the driving source; an image formation unit forming an image on a surface of the image carrier; a transfer nip between a transfer member and the surface of the image carrier; a driving-force exerting unit exerting a driving force on any one of the image carrier and a first drive transmission member on a drive transmission path, and a specific drive transmission member imparting weakest spring characteristics among drive transmission members to a drive transmission system; a detecting unit detecting an estimation parameter used in estimating a driving-load-torque variation amount of the image carrier; a torque-variation-amount estimation unit; and a driving-force control unit controlling the driving force to cancel the driving-load-torque variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Andoh, Takashi Hashimoto, Takashi Hodoshima, Masahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 8837989
    Abstract: A belt driving apparatus includes a movable belt member, a stretching member configured to stretch the belt member, and a steering unit configured to stretch the belt member and to be inclined to steer the belt member in a widthwise direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of moving of the belt member. The steering unit includes a rotatable member contacting an inner surface of the belt member and configured to be rotatable with movement of the belt member around a rotational axis of the rotatable member, with the rotational axis extending in the widthwise direction, and non-rotatable members contacting an inner surface of the belt member, provided at each opposite axial end of the rotatable member and configured not to be rotatable with movement of the belt member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Yasumoto
  • Patent number: 8835010
    Abstract: Disclosed are a belt member having high wear resistance and thereby capable of maintaining its initial surface properties for a long period of time and a fixing device provided with, the belt member, and an image forming apparatus. The belt member has a belt shape, and its surface is formed of a cured resin including a structural unit derived from urethane (meth)acrylate (A) having at least three (meth)acryloyloxy groups per molecule, a structural unit derived from a polyfunctional monomer (B) having no urethane bond and having at least three (meth)acryloyloxy groups per molecule, and a structural unit derived from a fluorine-modified acrylate (C). The cured resin contains 18 to 63% by mass of the structural unit derived from the urethane(meth)acrylate (A), 18 to 63% by mass of the structural unit derived from the polyfunctional monomer (B), and 10 to 40% by mass of the structural unit derived from the fluorine-modified acrylate(C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadaaki Sakamoto, Go Yamaguchi, Akihiro Honya
  • Patent number: 8837997
    Abstract: A belt driving device includes an endless belt, a tension roller, a shaft member, deviation transfer members, and biasing members. The deviation transfer members are fitted over the shaft member in such a manner as to adjoin respective of opposite ends of the tension roller in an axial direction of the tension roller. Of the deviation transfer members, at least that deviation transfer member which is located on a downstream side in a deviation direction along the axial direction is movable together with the endless belt along the shaft member. Each of the biasing members has an acting end pivotally supported on an associated one of the deviation transfer members and a base end pivotally supported on an associated one of apparatus frames at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shotaro Okamoto, Masaki Saka
  • Patent number: 8837963
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having below arrangements. A plurality of image forming units form a plurality of images which are transferred onto a transfer belt. A detection unit detects a position of the transfer belt in a belt width direction. A position adjusting unit adjusts the position of the transfer belt in the belt width direction according to a detected position. A calibration unit calibrates an adjustment amount for adjusting color registration based on a detected position of patterns formed onto the transfer belt. A registration adjusting unit adjusts image forming positions of the plurality of image forming units based on the set adjustment amount. During formation of the patterns and during detection of the formed patterns a control unit controls not to adjust the position of the transfer belt in the belt width direction according to the detected position of the transfer belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yohei Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8837996
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt, a pressure receiving roller, a secondary transfer roller, and a belt movement restricting section. The belt movement restricting section is disposed close to the back of the belt. When pressing the belt between the pressure receiving roller and the secondary transfer roller, and nipping paper between the belt and the secondary transfer roller, an angle defined by the portion, upstream from the secondary transfer roller, of the belt and an imaginary line connecting the pressure-receiving-roller axis with the secondary-transfer-roller axis is less than 90 degrees. During non-secondary-transfer mode, the belt movement restricting section is separated from the belt. During secondary transfer, the belt movement restricting section holds the belt not to let the belt pushed by the paper move toward the pressure receiving roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nishida, Hideo Yamaki, Yusuke Nishisaka
  • Publication number: 20140255063
    Abstract: A belt controller, an image forming apparatus, a belt controlling method, and a recording medium storing an image forming control program adjust a position of a belt. Each of the belt controller, the image forming apparatus, the belt controlling method, and the recording medium storing an image forming control program detects a position of the belt and transmits a position detection signal, determines whether a degree of misalignment of the belt is equal to or greater than a specified threshold before the belt starts moving based on the position detection signal, presses the belt to reduce the degree of misalignment of the belt when the degree of misalignment of the belt is equal to or greater than the specified threshold, and performs feedback control to adjust the position of the belt according to the degree of misalignment of the belt after pressing the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Koji Kiryu
  • Patent number: 8831491
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a stretched rotatable belt member; a transfer member for forming a transfer portion for permitting transfer of a toner image from the image bearing member onto a recording material carried on the belt member; a separation roller, capable of separating from the belt member the recording material carried on the belt member, for stretching the belt member; push-up device capable or locally pushing up a belt surface, with respect to a widthwise direction of the belt member, located upstream of the separation roller and downstream of the transfer portion with respect to a rotational direction of the belt member to separate from the belt member the recording material carried on the belt member; a pre-separation charging device, located downstream of the transfer portion and upstream of the push-up means with respect to the rotational direction of the belt member, for electrically charging the recording material by being supplied with a voltage of an ident
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuro Ideguchi
  • Patent number: 8831490
    Abstract: An endless belt for an image-forming apparatus includes, as an outermost layer, a resin layer having substantially hemispherical protrusions distributed over an outer surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomotake Inagaki
  • Patent number: 8831454
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum; an image forming device for forming a toner image on the drum; an endless belt; first and second rollers supporting the belt; a first sensor for detecting a widthwise position of the belt; a first displacing device for displacing the first roller in accordance with an output of the first sensor; a second sensor for detecting a widthwise position of the belt; a second displacing device for displacing the second in accordance with an output of the second sensor; an adjuster for adjusting first and second reference positions such that a tangent line direction of the drum at a position at which the drum contacts the belt is parallel with a moving direction the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Hiratsuka, Yasumi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8831489
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; an image forming portion for forming a toner image on the image bearing member; an intermediary transfer belt for carrying the toner image transferred from the image bearing member; a transfer belt for carrying and conveying a recording material; an attraction portion for electrostatically attracting the recording material to the transfer belt; a transfer portion for transferring the toner image from the intermediary transfer belt onto the recording material attracted to the transfer belt; and an electrode member, disposed downstream of the attraction portion and upstream of the transfer portion with respect to a movement direction of the transfer belt, being contacted to an inner surface of the transfer belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 8828475
    Abstract: An image forming method which applies a zinc-containing metal soap to a surface of an intermediate transfer belt including nitrogen on its surface. At least one of the following formulae is satisfied: (1?C/D)×100(%)?(B/A)×100(%)?10(%) (F/E)×100(%)?30(%) wherein A and B represent a percentage content of nitrogen at the surface of the intermediate transfer belt before and after image formation on 1,000 sheets, respectively, C represents a percentage content of zinc at the surface of the intermediate transfer belt after the image formation on 1,000 sheets, D represents a percentage content of zinc based on all elements other than hydrogen in the zinc-containing metal soap, and E and F represent a percentage content of nitrogen at the surface of the intermediate transfer belt before and after application of the metal soap thereto for 5 minutes without image formation, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Momoko Shionoiri, Toshiyuki Kabata
  • Patent number: 8831446
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable belt member, a plurality of image forming members opposing the belt in an image forming region, a first detecting member configured to detect a position of the belt member with respect to a widthwise direction, a second detecting member configured to detect a moving direction, an adjusting roller configured to adjust the moving direction in the image forming region, the adjusting roller configured to adjust the moving direction in the image forming region, and a control portion configured to control a position of the adjusting roller on the basis of outputs of the first detecting member and the second detecting member without changing a position of the belt member in the image forming region in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the belt member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadashi Matsumoto, Sumitoshi Sootome, Yasumi Yoshida, Shinji Yamamoto, Takashi Hiratsuka, Toshihiro Fukasaka
  • Publication number: 20140248070
    Abstract: An intermediate transfer belt includes a polyimide resin or a polyamideimide resin including only ?-butyrolactone of from 5 to 5,000 ppm as a residual solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Kubo, Jun Aoto
  • Publication number: 20140248068
    Abstract: A transfer device includes an intermediate transfer belt that is stretched by multiple rollers, and transports a toner image on an outer peripheral surface, a second transfer member that performs second transfer that transfers the toner image to a recording medium at a second transfer position, an opposed member that abuts an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt, and is opposed to the second transfer member at the second transfer position, and an abutment member that is rotatably arranged so as to contact the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt at a contact point, the contact point being located on the second transfer member side of a region defined by an imaginary line extended orthogonally to an imaginary normal, the imaginary normal connecting a center of the opposed member and a center of the second transfer member at the second transfer position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya NAKATSUHARA, Takaharu NAKAJIMA, Sho WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20140248069
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer; an image developer developing a latent image formed on the image bearer with a toner to form a toner image thereon; a ring-shaped intermediate transfer belt rotatably stretched by plural tension rollers, and the toner image is first transferred on; a curving roller contacting an outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt the toner image is transferred on and curving the belt inside; and a transferer secondly transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt to a recording medium. The intermediate transfer belt has a double-layered structure formed of an inner layer and an outer layer each including a same resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Kubo, Jun Aoto
  • Patent number: 8824924
    Abstract: A transfer device includes an intermediate transfer belt, and a plurality of intermediate transfer rollers. A most upstream side intermediate transfer roller which is located most upstream in a moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt has a rotational axis arranged downstream from a rotational axis of a most upstream side photoreceptor drum which is located most upstream in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt when the most upstream side intermediate transfer roller is in its pressing position, while a most downstream side intermediate transfer roller which is located most downstream in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt has a rotational axis arranged upstream from a rotational axis of a most downstream side photoreceptor drum which is located most downstream in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt when the most downstream side intermediate transfer roller is in its pressing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kuniaki Nakano
  • Patent number: 8824939
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a rotatable belt member; a rotatable supporting roller for stretching the belt member; and a steering roller controlled by motors for stretching the belt member and for moving the belt member in a widthwise direction by an inclining operation. A number of sensors detect the position of the belt member in the widthwise direction and produce an output, causing a first controller to change the amount of the inclining operation of the steering roller in order to counter the force moving the belt member in the widthwise direction. The output of the sensors also causes a second controller to change the amount of the inclining operation of the steering roller in short intervals to reduce the rapid positional deviation of the belt member attributable to the inclination of the steering roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Yamamoto, Yasumi Yoshida, Toshihiro Fukasaka, Tadashi Matsumoto, Takashi Hiratsuka, Sumitoshi Sotome
  • Patent number: 8824940
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for transferring and superimposing toner images formed on plural image bearers onto an endless intermediate transfer member in an electric field created between the plural image bearers and plural semi conductive transfer members internally contacting the endless intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus includes a heat generating member arranged inside the intermediate transfer member to generate heat. A heat transfer member is provided to transfer the heat to the plural semi conductive transfer members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiromi Ogiyama, Ken Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140241762
    Abstract: An endless belt for an image forming device includes a base member that is shaped in a loop and is to be rotated around a center of the loop, and a reinforcement tape that is attached to a side of the base member, has two ends that are overlapped with each other, and has a bonding portion between the two ends in the overlapped portion. The bonding portion has an outer portion, an inner portion and a center portion between the inner and outer portions. A length of the center portion in a rotating direction of the base member is greater than a length of the inner portion and a length of the outer portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki KANEKO, Kimiaki FURUKAWA
  • Patent number: 8818239
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a belt member, a first image bearing member, a second image bearing member provided downstream of the first image bearing member, and a first steering roller provided upstream of the first image bearing member for controlling a widthwise position of the belt member by inclining at a position. In addition, a second steering roller is provided downstream of the second image bearing member and controls the widthwise position of the belt member, a first detecting member detects a widthwise position of the belt member on the first image bearing member, and a second detecting member detects a widthwise position of the belt member on the second image bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Yamamoto, Yasumi Yoshida, Tadashi Matsumoto, Takashi Hiratsuka, Toshihiro Fukasaka
  • Patent number: 8818248
    Abstract: An image formation control section sets a secondary transfer section in the pressed state in the case of execution of a main scanning correction processing as color registration correction, and sets the secondary transfer section in the separated state in the case of execution of a sub-scanning correction processing, an entire lateral magnification correction processing, a partial lateral magnification correction processing, or a skew correction processing, which is the correction of the image position for components other than the main scanning direction as color registration correction so as to prevent the situation where the correction accuracy of the image position with respect to the main scanning direction decreases and to prevent a decrease in print quality due to a residual image of a registration correction processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Nara, Fuminori Moro, Tadashi Matsudaira, Youbao Peng, Satoshi Ogata
  • Patent number: 8818240
    Abstract: A Transfer device (10) includes an intermediate transfer belt (41), a plurality of intermediate transfer roller (34A-34D) and a transfer member moving mechanism (20). The transfer member moving mechanism moves the intermediate transfer rollers (34A-34D) between pressing positions causing the intermediate transfer belt (41) to be pressed against respective photoreceptor drums (31A-31D) and separate positions causing the intermediate transfer belt (41) to be separate from the respective photoreceptor drums (31A-31D). The transfer member moving mechanism (20) causes a second pressing position of the intermediate transfer roller for monochrome (34A) in monochromatic image forming to be different from a first pressing position of the intermediate transfer roller for monochrome (34A) in full-color image forming so that an amount of pressing of the intermediate transfer belt (41) by the intermediate transfer roller for monochrome (34A) becomes greater in monochromatic image forming than in full-color image forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Murakami
  • Publication number: 20140234628
    Abstract: Provided is a conductive belt in which a time-dependent fluctuation in electrical resistance value is suppressed even in long-term use. The conductive belt is a conductive belt for electrophotography, including: a matrix containing polyester; and a domain containing polyether ester amide, in which the conductive belt further includes a particle containing a silicone resin; the domain further contains a salt that can dissociate into a cation and an anion; and the anion has a predetermined structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Takenaga
  • Patent number: 8808819
    Abstract: A tubular member formed of a polyamide resin layer includes carbon black and a semi-aromatic polyamide resin having at least a repeating unit structure derived from an aromatic dicarboxylic compound and an aliphatic diamine compound with the alkyl carbon number in the range of from 9 to 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Oomori, Tomoo Matsushima, Yousuke Tsutsumi, Shoichi Morita, Yutaka Sugizaki
  • Patent number: 8811867
    Abstract: A transfer device includes a plurality of rollers, a rotatable intermediate transfer belt wound around and stretched between the rollers, a transfer member disposed in the inner loop of the belt and facing an image bearing member of an image forming apparatus disposed at an outer circumference of the belt, to transfer an image formed onto the surface of the image bearing member when contacting the intermediate transfer belt, and a position adjuster to adjust the position of the intermediate transfer belt at different positions relative to the image bearing member. The positions include a contact state in which the intermediate transfer belt applied with a predetermined tension contacts the image bearing member, a first separation state in which the tensioned intermediate transfer belt separates from the image bearing member, and a second separation state in which the intermediate transfer belt separates further away from the image bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Osamu Ichihashi, Ryuuichi Mimbu, Kenji Sengoku, Junpei Fujita
  • Publication number: 20140227526
    Abstract: Provided is a belt for electrophotography which is capable of suppressing the occurrence of adhesion to other members and blocking and which is less liable to cause image defects due to a singular protrusion. The belt for electrophotography comprises a surface layer which comprises heteroaggregate including an inorganic oxide particle having an average primary particle diameter of from 10 to 30 nm and an electroconductive metal oxide particle having an average primary particle diameter of from 5 to 40 nm, and a ten-point average roughness Rzjis of a surface of the surface layer satisfies a relationship: 0.3 ?m?Rzjis?0.7 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriaki Egawa
  • Patent number: 8802336
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include an electrophotographic photoreceptor and an intermediate transfer member. An image may be formed by primary transferring a toner image held on a surface of an electrophotographic photoreceptor to an intermediate transfer member, and secondary transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer member to a transferee material. A dispersive component of surface energy of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and a dispersive component of surface energy of the intermediate transfer member may satisfy a relationship of (the dispersive component of surface energy of the electrophotographic photoreceptor)?(the dispersive component of surface energy of the intermediate transfer member).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Sakka, Yuichiro Maehara
  • Patent number: 8805262
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to an image forming apparatus including a delivery member for delivering a functional material in contact with an intermediate transfer belt such that functional material is transferred onto one or more imaging members via the intermediate transfer belt. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory McGuire, Yu Liu, Sarah J. Vella, Vladislav Skorokhod
  • Patent number: 8798511
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of N image carriers including first through Nth image carriers, a transfer unit including an endless transfer belt, a plurality of M belt supporting members including a plurality of first through Nth nip opposing members contacting the inner surface of the endless transfer belt at positions corresponding to where the plurality of N image carriers contacts the outer surface of the endless transfer belt to form N transfer nips thereat, the first opposing member defining a first supported area of the endless transfer belt, a contact and separation mechanism including a retaining unit to move the first supported area of the endless transfer belt into and out of contact with the first image carrier, and a mark detector to detect a plurality of adjacent marks formed at a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction of the endless transfer belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Ichihashi
  • Publication number: 20140212657
    Abstract: An electrophotographic belt including an electroconductive substrate constituted of a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin, and an electroconductive surface layer. The surface layer includes an energy ray curing resin as a binder resin and fluorine resin particles and electroconductive particles and has a thickness of 1.0 to 4.0 ?m. The fluorine resin particles have a primary particle diameter of 0.2 to 0.6 ?m and is in a content of 30 to 60 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the surface layer resin. The electroconductive particles have a primary particle diameter of 1/20 to 1/10 of the primary diameter of the fluorine resin particles. The belt has a volume resistivity ?v (?·cm) of 1.0×109??v?1.0×1013. The surface layer has a surface resistivity ?v (?/sq.) of 1.0×108??s?1.0×1012.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taku Kanai
  • Patent number: 8792811
    Abstract: A belt driving apparatus includes: an endless belt member; a belt driving portion for driving the belt member to move the belt member in an endless path at a variable traveling speed; a steering roller, provided tiltably while stretching the belt member, for steering the belt member during traveling; a steering driving portion for tilting the steering roller at a variable tilting speed; and a controller for setting the tilting speed, when the steering roller is tilted through a certain angle, so as to be higher when the traveling speed of the belt member is a first traveling speed than when the traveling speed of the belt member is a second traveling speed lower than the first traveling speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jiro Shirakata