The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 13, 2020
Filed:
Mar. 09, 2020
Yuka Aoyama, Kanagawa, JP;
Keiichiro Juri, Kanagawa, JP;
Shinya Nakayama, Shizuoka, JP;
Hiroshi Yamada, Shizuoka, JP;
Yuka Aoyama, Kanagawa, JP;
Keiichiro Juri, Kanagawa, JP;
Shinya Nakayama, Shizuoka, JP;
Hiroshi Yamada, Shizuoka, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
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 μN and load of 1,000 μN, respectively, to position of the surface layer in thickness direction thereof using nanoindenter are both 2.5 N/mmor greater but 32.5 N/mmor less, and Martens hardness A and Martens hardness B satisfy inequality,Martens hardness A>Martens hardness Bwherein 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.