Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a substantially cylindrical body and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer circumference of the body. The body has an outer diameter larger at a middle portion of a latent image forming area than at end portions of the latent image forming area in the axial direction. The electrophotographic photosensitive member may further include a heating member accommodated within the body and extending along the axial direction of the body, for heating the latent image forming area of the photosensitive layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an electrophotographic photosensitive member provided with a substantially cylindrical body having outer circumference on which a photosensitive layer with a latent image forming area is formed, and a contact electrification means positioned substantially parallel to the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A nip width of a contact area between the photosensitive layer and the electrification means is larger at a middle portion than at end portions of the latent image forming area. Preferably, the nip width becomes larger gradually or stepwise as proceeding from the end portions to the middle portion of the latent image forming area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; an image forming device for forming an image on the image bearing member through steps including a step of electrically charging the image bearing member to a substantially uniform potential, wherein the image bearing member is repeatedly usable for forming images; and a heating device, disposed adjacent to the image bearing member, for locally heating the image bearing member.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus cools a rotating body in an image forming apparatus. The cooling apparatus includes a hollow cylindrical rotating body rotating about a longitudinal axis, a cooling section, and a drive source. The cooling section is located outside of the rotating body. The cooling section rotates when the rotating body rotates, and sends air to the rotating body so that the rotating body is cooled by convection of air. The drive source operatively drives the rotating body and the cooling section. The rotating body is provided with a first air-propelling member that takes air into an inner space of the rotating body and a second air-propelling member provided that discharges air from the inner space. The air-propelling member may be a vane that describes a spiral and generally extends along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In order to prevent generation of image noise by controlling creep of a movable member having flexibility an image forming apparatus for forming images in a recording medium includes a movable member having flexibility, a detection section for detecting temperature of the movable member directly, and a control section for executing control so that when image forming is not conducted, the movable member is temporarily operated at predefined intervals if a temperature detected by the detection section is equal to or above a specified temperature, and the movable member is not operated if a temperature detected by the detection section is below the specified temperature.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus cools a rotating body in an image forming apparatus. The cooling apparatus includes a hollow cylindrical rotating body rotating about a longitudinal axis, a cooling section, and a drive source. The cooling section is located outside of the rotating body. The cooling section rotates when the rotating body rotates, and sends air to the rotating body so that the rotating body is cooled by convection of air. The drive source operatively drives the rotating body and the cooling section. The rotating body is provided with a first air-propelling member that takes air into an inner space of the rotating body and a second air-propelling member provided that discharges air from the inner space. The air-propelling member may be a vane that describes a spiral and generally extends along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A protective film for a polarizing plate is disclosed in which an contact angle of the surface in contact with a polarizer with respect to pure water is less than 55° and the surface in contact with a polarizer becomes hydrophilic due to a plasma treatment. In such a manner, the protective film for the polarizing plate is readily adhered with a ployvinyl alcohol film employed as a polarizer and can be produced employing processing which is sage in work and does not adversely affect the environment. Thus highly efficient protective film for the polarizing plate, which exhibits excellent adhesion with a polyvinyl alcohol film, and a polarizing plate employing the same, are provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the invention includes a photosensitive belt for carrying an electrostatic latent image, a developing roller to be brought into contact with the photosensitive belt for supplying a non-magnetic mono-component developer to the electrostatic latent image carried by the photosensitive belt, thereby forming a developer image, a thickness-limiting blade kept in contact with the developing roller for limiting, to a predetermined value, the thickness of the developer provided on the developing roller, and a transfer unit for transferring the developer image, carried by the photosensitive belt, onto a sheet of paper, wherein the photosensitive belt, the developing roller and the thickness-limiting blade are each made of a metal.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image carrier is disclosed. The image carrier has a photoreceptor made from a photoreceptive layer and a resin layer. The resin layer is made of a siloxane resin having a cross-linked structure, and contains an anti-oxidant.

Abstract: The invention provides an image forming apparatus for forming, on a image carrier, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a document image, and then providing an image based on the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier, has first output device having a first output section for outputting a first signal corresponding to the temperature of the image carrier, a first unit having the first output device, second output device having a second output section for outputting a second signal with a level differing from the first signal, a second unit having the second output device, input device having a temperature signal input section which is to be connected to one of the first and second output sections for inputting a signal output from the one of the first and second output sections, and a detection device for detecting the one of the first and second output sections which is connected to the temperature signal input section, and also detecting the temperature of the image carrier.

Abstract: The temperature and humidity around a photoreceptor drum and the total number of copied sheets of the photoreceptor drum are detected. Data LDATA for setting the intensity of a laser beam and data BDATA for setting the beam diameter according to the detected results are provided from an image control circuit to a laser drive circuit and a collimator lens drive circuit. The laser drive circuit corrects the intensity of the laser beam output from an LD package according to LDATA, and the collimator lens drive circuit controls the position of the collimator lens according to BDATA to correct the beam diameter of the laser beam.

Abstract: An imaging drum assembly is disclosed and which includes an inner substantially cylindrically shaped sleeve, the inner sleeve having an outwardly facing surface, and an inwardly facing surface, and wherein the inwardly facing surface has a plurality of spaced, inwardly regularly extending projections which define a cavity; and an outer, substantially shaped sleeve, the outer sleeve telescopingly receiving the inner sleeve, and wherein the outer sleeve has an outwardly facing surface, and an inwardly facing surface which is disposed in energy transmitting relation relative to the outwardly facing surface of the inner sleeve, and wherein the outwardly facing surface of the outer sleeve has a given minimum capacitance.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a uniform temperature along its axis by increasing the heat transfer efficiency. The apparatus uses a sealed chamber containing a substantially pure working fluid in a two phase (liquid and vapor) condition. The vaporization and condensation of the fluid increases the heat transfer efficiency and tends to equalize temperature gradients in a body in contact with the apparatus. The apparatus is utilized in various locations in an electrophotographic printing machine and can be used as a pressure roll for a heat and pressure fuser, a support or drive roll for a photoreceptive member, a support member for a photoreceptor and a heat sink for a developer housing.

Abstract: An electrophotographing apparatus with a reusable toner system includes a photosensitive member capable of bearing toner thereon, a latent image forming unit for forming a latent image on the photosensitive member, a developing unit for developing the latent image with toner as a toner image, a transfer unit for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive member onto a transfer material at a transfer position, and a collection unit for collecting the toner from a surface of the photosensitive member after the surface passes through the transfer position. The collection unit includes a rotary member rotated while contacting the surface of the photosensitive member at a contact position.