18155032. IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE simplified abstract (FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.)

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE

Organization Name

FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.

Inventor(s)

Yoshiteru Yamada of Kanagawa (JP)

Tomoya Sasaki of Kanagawa (JP)

Ryosuke Fujii of Kanagawa (JP)

Hiroko Kobayashi of Kanagawa (JP)

Yuto Okazaki of Kanagawa (JP)

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18155032 titled 'IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE

Simplified Explanation

The image forming apparatus described in the patent application includes various components such as an electrophotographic photoreceptor, a charging device, an electrostatic charge image forming device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a cleaning device. Here is a simplified explanation of the patent application:

• Electrophotographic photoreceptor with a photosensitive layer
• Charging device for charging the surface of the photoreceptor
• Electrostatic charge image forming device for creating an electrostatic charge image
• Developing device with toner particles and external additive for developing the charge image
• Transfer device for transferring the toner image to a recording medium
• Cleaning device with a cleaning blade for removing residual toner particles

Potential Applications

The technology described in the patent application can be used in various printing and copying machines, including office printers, photocopiers, and multifunction devices.

Problems Solved

This technology helps in producing high-quality images and documents by effectively transferring toner images onto recording media and ensuring the cleanliness of the photoreceptor surface.

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include improved image quality, reduced maintenance requirements, and increased overall efficiency of the printing process.

Potential Commercial Applications

The technology can be applied in commercial printing services, document management companies, and any business or organization that requires high-volume printing and copying capabilities.

Possible Prior Art

One example of prior art in this field is the use of similar electrophotographic processes in traditional photocopiers and laser printers.

How does the cleaning device ensure thorough removal of toner particles from the photoreceptor surface?

The cleaning device uses a cleaning blade to physically scrape off residual toner particles from the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, but the exact mechanism of this process is not detailed in the patent application.

What is the expected lifespan of the electrophotographic photoreceptor in this image forming apparatus?

The patent application does not provide information on the durability or longevity of the electrophotographic photoreceptor used in the apparatus, which could be crucial for understanding the overall cost-effectiveness of the technology.

Original Abstract Submitted

An image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photoreceptor that has a photosensitive layer constituting a surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a charging device that charges the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, an electrostatic charge image forming device that forms an electrostatic charge image on the charged surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a developing device that accommodates a developer containing a toner which contains toner particles and an external additive, and develops the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor by the developer as a toner image, a transfer device that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor to a surface of a recording medium, and a cleaning device that includes a cleaning blade coming into contact with the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and cleaning at least residual toner particles on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor