Abstract: A liquid applying device includes a circulation member, an impregnation member, and a support member. The circulation member is configured to circulate in a predetermined direction. The impregnation member is formed in a plate shape. The impregnation member is impregnated with a liquid. The impregnation member is in contact with the circulation member at an end portion thereof in a direction intersecting with a circulating direction of the circulation member so as to apply the liquid to the circulation member. The support member supports a portion including an end portion side of the impregnation member, at an opposite side of the circulation member in a state where the end portion of the impregnation member is in contact with the circulation member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including developing unit to develop electrostatic latent image with toner to form visible image, and cleaning unit including elastic member including surface layer and configured to remove the toner, wherein Martens hardness A and Martens hardness B of the surface layer measured by applying load of 1 ?N and load of 1,000 ?N, respectively, to position of the surface layer in thickness direction thereof using nanoindenter are both 2.5 N/mm2 or greater but 32.5 N/mm2 or less, and Martens hardness A and Martens hardness B satisfy inequality, Martens hardness A>Martens hardness B wherein coefficient of dynamic friction of the surface layer against polycarbonate is 0.5 or less, and the toner includes polyester resin insoluble to THF and Tg of THF-insoluble component of the toner determined from DSC curve of first heating of DSC is ?60° C. or higher but 20° C. or lower.

Abstract: A cleaning blade, which is to be brought into contact with a surface of a photosensitive drum, satisfies the following condition. First, the cleaning blade having a free length of 8 mm is brought into contact with an opposed object for measurement having a plurality of measurement recesses each having a partially spherical shape with a depth of 0.7 ?m and a radius of 15 ?m on a surface so that a linear pressure is 0.196 N/cm and 0.490 N/cm, and a contact angle with respect to the opposed object for measurement is 25°. In this case, a contact width of the cleaning blade in each of the measurement recesses is 4 ?m or more and 8 ?m or less when the linear pressure is 0.196 N/cm and is 4 ?m or more and 13.5 ?m or less when the linear pressure is 0.490 N/cm.

Abstract: Provided is a cleaning blade having an elastic body that is a molding of a rubber substrate and having at least a surface-treatment layer at a position that contacts a contact-receiving site on the elastic body. The surface-treatment layer contains a cured product from an isocyanate group reaction product of a difunctional isocyanate compound with a difunctional polyol and a trifunctional polyol wherein the molar ratio of the difunctional polyol to the trifunctional polyol (difunctional/trifunctional) is 50/50 to 95/5. The cured product reacts via the isocyanate group with the polymer forming the elastic body, and the surface-treatment layer has a thickness of at least 10 ?m and not more than 100 ?m.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a removal member that removes residual objects from a surface of a target cleaning body by contacting with the surface in a linear manner and rubbing against the surface and forms a piled body which is constructed of a portion of the residual objects at a contact location, and a pressure device that presses the piled body to increase a strength of the piled body.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus for preventing defects in a cleaning blade, filming on a photoreceptor and image defects, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus comprising a toner comprising an external additive, a photoreceptor containing fluororesin particles in its surface layer, and a cleaning blade for cleaning a surface of the photoreceptor, wherein a primary particle diameter of the fluororesin particles is 2.6-7.5 times as large as a primary particle diameter of the external additive.

Abstract: A representative configuration of a cleaning device and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: a photosensitive drum which bears a toner image; a cleaning blade which abuts against the photosensitive drum and removes a toner remained in the photosensitive drum; a compression coil spring which is compressed to pressurize the cleaning blade against the photosensitive drum; and a positioning boss which is arranged to face the compression coil spring, with a predetermined gap being provided therebetween, allows a movement in a direction perpendicular to a compression direction of the compression coil spring, and regulates a movement of the compression coil spring such that the compression coil spring is not moved by more than a predetermined amount in the direction perpendicular to the compression direction of the compression coil spring.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer belt that is stretched on a plurality of support rollers including a backup roller in a loop-like manner and has an outer surface for carrying thereon a toner image; a transfer roller that is brought into pressurized contact with the backup roller across the transfer belt and forms a transfer nip with the transfer belt; a restriction member that is placed upstream of a transfer nip in a sheet conveying direction so as to be switchable between a first state in which the restriction member is brought closer to an inner surface of the transfer belt and a second state in which a distance of the restriction member from the inner surface of the transfer belt is larger than that in the first state; and a control section that switches a state of the restriction member.

Abstract: Methods and devices provide an electrostatically chargeable surface within a printing apparatus and cause a movable lubricant applicator to contact the electrostatically chargeable surface. The movable lubricant applicator is movable to be in contact with the electrostatically chargeable surface, or out of contact with the electrostatically chargeable surface. Such methods control the movable lubricant applicator to be in intermittent contact with the electrostatically chargeable surface during printing operations of the printing apparatus.

Abstract: A developer-adhesive body unit is detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus. The developer-adhesive body unit includes a developer-adhesive body having a surface to which a developer adheres, a cleaning member that removes the developer from the surface of the developer-adhesive body, a developer storage portion storing the removed developer, and a contact portion contacting the surface of the developer-adhesive body at an upstream side of the cleaning member in a moving direction of the surface of the developer-adhesive body. A contact-and-separation unit causes the surface of the developer-adhesive body and the contact portion to separate from each other when the developer-adhesive body unit is mounted to the image forming apparatus and the surface of the developer-adhesive body moves. The contact-and-separation unit causes the surface of the developer-adhesive body and the contact portion to contact each other when the developer-adhesive body unit is not mounted to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a heated drum within a continuous web printer includes operating an actuator to rotate a drum that is heated to a first temperature. The drum rotates in a process direction of a media web contacting the drum and heats the media web as the media web moves over a portion of the drum. The method also includes stopping movement of the media web, heating the drum to a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature, and operating the actuator to rotate the drum against a portion of the stopped media web to transfer ink from the drum to the portion of the stopped media web.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and method are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a communication interface unit that receives printing data, an image forming unit that performs an ordinary printing to form an image on printing paper based on the printing data, a paper supplying unit that provides the printing paper to the image forming unit along with a paper supplying route, a determination unit that determines whether a functional printing may be performed on the paper supplying route in an interval section between sheets of the printing paper, and a controller that controls the image forming unit to perform a functional printing, wherein the ordinary printing is a printing performed on one or more sheets of printing paper, and the functional printing is a printing performed in an interval section between the sheets of printing paper.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing provided with an opening opposed to a developer carrying member that carries developer; a collecting member provided along a downstream edge of the opening in a transporting direction of the developer and capable of coming into contact with and separating from the developer carrying member; a sealing member provided along an upstream edge of the opening in the transporting direction; a suction member that sucks air from the opening; a suction path provided between the opening and the suction member; an opening-closing unit that opens or closes the suction path; and a controller that controls the opening-closing unit so as to open the suction path at a time that is before separation of the collecting member from the developer carrying member and a predetermined time period after the time of contact between the collecting member and the developer carrying member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image holding body that holds an electrostatic latent image; a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image with a toner and forms a toner image on the image holding body; a transfer member having a fluorocarbon resin dispersion layer at least at a surface layer of the transfer member, fluorocarbon resin being dispersed in the fluorocarbon resin dispersion layer; a first transfer device that first-transfers the toner image, which is formed on the image holding body, on the transfer member; a second transfer device that second-transfers the toner image, which is first-transferred on the transfer member, on a recording medium; and an abrading member that is arranged to come into contact with and be separated from the transfer member and abrades part of the surface layer of the transfer member when the abrading member contacts the transfer member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing member which fixes a toner image on a sheet; a plurality of sliding contact members which sliding contact a surface of the fixing member in which roughness of sliding surfaces of the plurality of sliding contact members is different from each other; a counter which accumulates a count value based on the number of fixing operations to determine a contact period of time of the plurality of sliding contact members to be brought into contact with the fixing member; and a controller which controls the plurality of sliding contact members to be brought into contact with the fixing member based on the accumulated count value of the counter.

Abstract: A regenerated elastic rollers manufacturing process is provided. The process includes the step of removing an agglutinated stain of toner adhered to the surface of an elastic roller including a mandrel and an elastic layer. The step further includes the steps of: (1) pressing a pressing roller against the surface of the elastic roller so as to crack the agglutinated stain on the surface of the elastic roller; and (2) removing the agglutinated stain cracked in the step (1) from the surface of the elastic roller by means of an adhesive roller.

Abstract: The cleaning blade is mounted to a holder that is pivoted. The pivot mechanism is designed such that the instantaneous center of rotation of the blade holder, in its operational position, is positioned above the plane of blade tip contact to the photoreceptor and upstream of the blade tip or below the plane of contact and downstream from the blade tip. These configurations result in a reduction of blade load as friction coefficient increases and a slower increase in photoreceptor torque when compared to conventional interference loaded blades. By a careful choice of the location of the center of rotation, the blade load can be maintained at a sufficiently high value for good cleaning over the expected range of friction coefficients. A four bar linkage provides a compact mechanism to pivot the blade holder and avoids potential problems of the mechanism interfering with the process and other components.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to transfer an image onto a transfer medium in an image transfer range, a seamless belt to move along a predetermined conveying direction, a pair of belt rollers to support the belt in a flattened condition, a tensile force applier to become in contact with the belt and apply tensile force to the belt in the image transfer range, a controller to apply the tensile force during an imaging period, in which operations including an image transfer operation are executed, and reduce or clear the tensile force being applied to the belt during a non-imaging period, which is other than the imaging period.

Abstract: Disclosed are document imaging systems and methods which provide cleaning and cooling of various components associated with an image scanning system. According to one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, provided is a document imaging system including a flexible, accordion style, duct which draws air through a vacuum slot between a light source and optical sensor associated with the scanning system. The resulting air flow provides cleaning of the imaging platen and provides cooling/cleaning of the light source and optical sensor.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a photoconductive member of an image forming apparatus is disclosed. The method includes applying fluid to a photoconductive member to form an image thereon, transferring the fluid from the photoconductive member in the form of the image and providing sponge applicator fluid to respective sponge applicator units. The method also includes squeezing the sponge applicator units to remove at least a portion of the sponge applicator fluid therefrom and sequentially placing each one of the sponge applicator units in contact with the photoconductive member to cool and clean the photoconductive member.

Abstract: A dry electrophotographic printer is operated to remove toner from a longitudinal member. A process-control time interval, and a cleaning time interval that is a positive multiple thereof, are selected. Prints are produced until the process-control time interval elapses, as measured by a timing device. A process-control patch is produced in a process-control frame. This is repeated until the cleaning interval has elapsed. In the process-control frame, after the cleaning interval elapses, the photoreceptor and development member are spaced apart, then, after a selected time delay, brought into operational relationship, so that a stop at one end of the photoreceptor contacts an end block at one end of the development member, and toner is removed from the longitudinal member, which is connected to the end block.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is a protective sheet including: a protective portion that can be inserted between a charging member which is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of a latent image carrier and the latent image carrier, and that can cover an image forming area formed on the outer peripheral surface of the latent image carrier; and a high friction portion that is connected to an end portion of the protective portion, that can be inserted between a pressing portion for being pressed against a background area formed on the outer peripheral surface of the latent image carrier and the background area of the latent image carrier, and whose dynamic frictional force when pulled out from the latent image carrier is higher than that of the protective portion.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus and method to manage the contact of a cleaning blade and a moving surface to increase the useful life of the blade. For example, a cleaning apparatus for a photoreceptor surface comprises a cleaning unit with a blade holder that rotates about a pivot point, a cleaning blade that is coupled to the blade holder and is positioned to chisel excess toner from the photoreceptor surface, and which cleans excess toner from the photoreceptor surface. The apparatus further comprises a sensor that senses the start and the end of an operational procedure, and an actuator that rotates the blade holder about the pivot point to selectively advance or retract the blade during the start-up procedure and the shut-down procedure. After the cleaning surface has begun to move or reached operating speed, blade contact is increased to bring the blade load up to operational level.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic (EP) printer, a rotatable member includes a deposition area and a non-deposition area. A toner supply supplies toner to the member, and a moving receiving member receives from the deposition area of the rotatable member while the rotatable member rotates. The rotatable member is cleaned with a selectively-retractable blade in mechanical contact with the member so that toner is removed from the deposition area while the rotatable member rotates. An artifact sensor automatically detects a toner image artifact on the receiver. A controller responsive to the artifact sensor causes the blade to retract when an artifact is detected, and a blade cleaner cleans the blade while the blade is not in mechanical contact with the member.

Abstract: A cleaning blade assembly within a printing device is positioned to contact a surface to be cleaned. There is a first opening within the cleaning blade assembly and a first pin within the first opening. There is also a second opening within the cleaning blade assembly, and a second pin within the second opening. The first and second pins connect the cleaning blade assembly to the printing device. The first pin has a first cam surface that is rounded and is off-center with respect to the axis of the first pin. The cam surface is parallel to the axis of the first pin and is positioned within the first opening such that rotation of the first pin within the first opening causes the cleaning blade assembly to move in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the first pin.

Abstract: A photosensitive cartridge includes a frame; a photosensitive drum; a drum gear; a cleaning roller; and a cleaning gear, which is provided at one end portion of the cleaning roller, which meshes with the drum gear, and which rotates integrally with the cleaning roller by a force from the drum gear. The cleaning roller is swingable around a swing axis extending parallel to a rotation axis of the cleaning roller. The swing axis is provided at a side that is opposite to the photosensitive drum with respect to a straight line extending in an input direction of a force from a tooth surface of the drum gear through a meshing position between the cleaning gear and the drum gear. The frame includes a restricting face, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the input direction, and which restricts movement of the cleaning gear in the input direction.

Abstract: In a cleaning arrangement for a moving element to be cleaned in an electrographic printing apparatus, a cleaning element is provided that has a cleaning member for cleaning which rests on a surface of the moving element to be cleaned. A drive unit for the cleaning element is provided that actuates the cleaning element such that the cleaning member cleans the surface of the moving element to be cleaned region-by-region.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is a protective sheet including: a protective portion that can be inserted between a charging member which is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of a latent image carrier and the latent image carrier, and that can cover an image forming area formed on the outer peripheral surface of the latent image carrier; and a high friction portion that is connected to an end portion of the protective portion, that can be inserted between a pressing portion for being pressed against a background area formed on the outer peripheral surface of the latent image carrier and the background area of the latent image carrier, and whose dynamic frictional force when pulled out from the latent image carrier is higher than that of the protective portion.

Abstract: Cleaning systems for an electrostatic imaging member and printers having cleaning systems are provided. In one aspect, a cleaning system has a wiper, a mounting holding the wiper so that an extension length of the wiper extends from the mounting and a frame positioning the mounting relative to the electrostatic imaging member so that the wiper extends along a holding angle toward the electrostatic imaging member and so that the mounting is separated from the electrostatic imaging member by an extension distance along the holding angle that is less than the extension length with the wiper resiliently bending to fit within the extension distance to define a working angle. The extension distance is within a range of extension distances that cause the working angle to be within a range of working angles that are greater than a range of working angles associated with a greater range of extension distances.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first belt roller which has a first roller shaft, a second belt roller which is disposed parallel with the first roller shaft and slidingly approaches and departs from the first roller shaft, and has a second roller shaft, a belt which is driven in circulation by the first belt roller and the second belt roller, an elastic tension member which elastically pushes the second belt roller to be separated from the first belt roller and a belt cleaning unit which is supported by the second roller shaft and is movable between a cleaning position contacting a surface of the belt and a stand-by position departed from the surface of the belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes; an image forming unit; an annular belt that moves circularly; a detection unit that detects a state of a surface of the belt; and a tension increase unit that increases a tension of the belt, at a detection position by the detection unit, when detection is performed by the detection unit, as compared with the tension of the belt before detection at the detection position is performed by the detection unit.

Abstract: A regenerated elastic rollers manufacturing process is provided. The process includes the step of removing an agglutinated stain of toner adhered to the surface of an elastic roller including a mandrel and an elastic layer. The step further includes the steps of: (1) pressing a pressing roller against the surface of the elastic roller so as to crack the agglutinated stain on the surface of the elastic roller; and (2) removing the agglutinated stain cracked in the step (1) from the surface of the elastic roller by means of an adhesive roller.

Abstract: A cleaning device cleans a toner forming surface of a rotating image bearing member. The cleaning device includes: a cleaning member for cleaning the image forming surface, the cleaning member having a first length in a width direction which is perpendicular to a rotational direction of the image bearing member, and being capable of coming in contact with and separating from the image forming surface; and a solid lubricating member which comes in contact with the cleaning member to give a lubricity to the image forming surface through the cleaning member, the solid lubricating member having a second length in the width direction which is shorter than the first length.

Abstract: A blade engagement system for cleaning and/or metering a release agent onto an image forming machine moving surface, such as a photoreceptor. The blade engagement system includes a blade cassette having a plurality of blades, each including a compliant blade member having a blade tip. The blade engagement system also including a blade engagement apparatus removably receiving the blade cassette. The blade engagement apparatus having a blade positioning mechanism moving the blades, one at a time, from the blade cassette to a working position wherein the blade tip engages the moving surface for cleaning and/or metering. Used blades can be moved back into the cassette for storage. The blade cassette can be replaced with a new one after all of the blades have been used.

Abstract: A application apparatus for metering release agent onto an image forming device moving surface, such as a Solid Ink Jet drum. The application apparatus includes a blade positioning mechanism with first and second links each having three pivot connections for pivotally connecting first and second blades together in mutually exclusive cooperative movement alternating between a common working position at a first location and respective suspended positions. The application apparatus can include a doctor blade arrangement in which the blades are disposed in a doctor blade orientation in the working position. The application apparatus can include a wiper blade arrangement in which the blades are disposed in a wiper blade orientation in the working position. The first and second blades form similar blade holder angles, blade deflection angles and Working Angles when occupying the working position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, including: a toner image forming unit that includes an image carrier forming toner images by supplying toner to formed electrostatic latent images and transferring the formed toner images; a cleaning member that is in contact with the image carrier and removes the toner remaining in the image carrier after the toner images are transferred; a spacing part that spaces the cleaning member from the image carrier; an environment information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding temperature or humidity that is environment information, in the toner image forming unit; an environment determination unit that determines whether the temperature or the humidity in the toner image forming unit satisfies a reference by using the environment information; and a control unit that controls the spacing part to space the cleaning member from the image carrier when it is determined that the temperature or the humidity in the toner image forming unit does not satisfy the refe

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, an image writing unit, a development unit, a transfer device, a charging device, and a toner charge control device. The image writing unit forms a latent image on the image carrying member, which is developed as a toner image by the development unit, and the toner image is transferred to a transfer member by the transfer device. The charging device charges the image carrying member and toner on the image carrying member. The toner charge control device, controls a polarity of charge and charging voltage level of toner remaining on the image carrying member. The toner charge control device includes an endless belt having a surface made of a conductive material, a support member extending the endless belt pressed against the image carrying member, and a bias voltage applicator for supplying a voltage to the surface of the endless belt.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a cleaning device having a cleaning blade arranged so as to make contact with and separate from a cleaned surface, an occurrence of excessive cutting when the cleaning blade makes contact with the cleaned surface is prevented. The image forming apparatus includes the cleaning blade for making contact with and separating from the cleaned surface and scraping off toner adhered onto the cleaned surface and a regulation unit for regulating a movement of the cleaning blade in the direction of contact with the cleaned surface up to a position where a pressing force to the cleaned surface by the cleaning blade does not exceed a predetermined pressing force.

Abstract: A contacting and separating mechanism which causes a first member to contact a second member and separates the first member contacting the second member from the second member is disclosed. The contacting and separating mechanism includes a pressure applying member which is rotated together with the first member by using a force of a first force applying member with a first supporting point as the center and causes the first member to contact the second member and separates the first member contacting the second member from the second member, and separates the first member contacting the second member from the second member by rotating with the first member with a second supporting point as the center by changing the position of the first supporting point.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt, a cleaning member, a backup member, a pressing-force changing mechanism, and a control unit. The cleaning member is disposed in confrontation with the belt. The backup member is disposed to pinch the belt in cooperation with the cleaning member. The pressing-force changing mechanism is configured to change a pressing force acting between the cleaning member and the belt in a state in which the cleaning member is in contact with the belt. The control unit controls the pressing-force changing mechanism to change the pressing force.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a circumferential surface of a cylinder of a printing press provides for improved cleaning to be achieved during a short time. In order to clean the circumferential surface, a cleaning fluid is first applied to the circumferential surface. In order then to remove contaminants, the contaminants a broken up mechanically after the cleaning fluid is applied and before a cleaning apparatus acting on the circumferential surface is set into operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a rotation shaft (71); a movable body (72) that is attached to the rotation shaft (71), that is provided with a cleaning member (73), and that moves with rotation of the rotation shaft (71); a motor M for rotating the rotation shaft (71); a control section (8) for controlling rotation of the motor M; a current detecting section (77) for detecting a current flowing through the motor M; and a time counting section for counting time.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging unit, including: a developing unit having a developing roller and a first abutting member; a photosensitive unit having a photosensitive drum and a second abutting member, a gap between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller being set constant by bringing the first abutting member into abutting contact with the second abutting member; a cleaner configured to be disposed in a space between the first and the second abutting members in a separate state where the first abutting member is spaced away from the second abutting member; and a displacement unit configured to displace the cleaner from the space as the first abutting member is brought close to the second abutting member. In the displacement, the displacement unit causes the cleaner to slide on an abutting surface of at least one of the first and the second abutting members.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) that detects blade deflection from a print assembly contact surface is disclosed. The apparatus can include a print assembly (110) rotationally supported in the apparatus, where the print assembly can have a print assembly contact surface (112) and a print assembly conductor (114). The apparatus can include a blade (120) configured to be coupled to the print assembly contact surface and a blade conductive layer (130) coupled to the blade. The apparatus can include a sensor (140) configured to measure a capacitance between the blade conductive layer and the print assembly conductor.

Abstract: In a lubricant applying device, a position adjusting member adjusts relative positions of a lubricant and a rotating member. The rotating member rotates while in contact with the lubricant, receives the lubricant, and applies the lubricant to an image carrier in an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A cleaning device cleans an image bearing member bearing a toner image to be transferred at a transfer position onto a sheet. The device includes a cleaning member provided on a downstream side with respect to the transfer position in a movement direction in which the image bearing member moves and configured to collect residual toner from the image bearing member, a cleaning assist member provided on an upstream or downstream side in the movement direction with respect to the cleaning member and configured to be pressed against the image bearing member to rub off the toner from the image bearing member, a cleaning mechanism configured to move the cleaning assist member away from the image bearing member at a predetermined timing to remove the toner adhered to the cleaning assist member, and a housing that houses the cleaning member, the cleaning assist member, and the cleaning mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a cleaning device capable of maintaining a sufficient cleaning effect by preventing creep deformation of a cleaning member. The cleaning device of the present invention for cleaning a transfer body in an image forming apparatus includes a first cleaning member whose top end is brought into pressure contact with the transfer body, and a second cleaning member which is placed downstream from the first cleaning member with respect to a moving direction of the transfer body and whose top end is brought into pressure contact with the transfer body, wherein the second cleaning member is provided rotatably with respect to the first cleaning member.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus that is provided with an intermediate transfer member that has a hard releasing layer formed on the surface thereof, supports a toner image primary-transferred onto the hard releasing layer from a latent-image supporting member, and secondary-transfers the supported toner image onto an image-receiving medium, and a cleaning blade that is arranged in contact with the intermediate transfer member, and removes residual toner from the hard releasing layer of the intermediate transfer member, wherein the cleaning blade has an impact resilience in the range from 20 to 50% at 20° C.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a roller member that contacts a developer retaining member at a position and is distanced from the developer retaining member at another position. A contact edge of a cleaning blade supported by a supporting member is in contact with the roller member. A first plane of the cleaning blade that is supported by the supporting member, or is opposite to a surface that is supported by the supporting member, and a second plane of the cleaning blade form the contact edge. An angle ?1 formed by a virtual vertical plane and the second plane thereunder when the roller member is distanced from the developer retaining member is greater than zero degrees but not greater than ninety degrees.

Abstract: An endless belt is supported by a plurality of rollers. A transfer roller comes in contact with an outer surface of the belt to form a transfer nip. An auxiliary member makes contact with a recording medium on an upstream side of the transfer nip in a movement direction of the belt, to cause the recording medium to be in close contact with the outer surface of the belt. A bias applying unit applies to the auxiliary member a bias for electrostatically transferring a toner adhered to the auxiliary member to the outer surface of the belt.