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:
Dec. 23, 1997
Filed:
Aug. 30, 1996
Koichi Hiroshima, Shizuoka-ken, JP;
Katsuhiko Nishimura, Yokohama, JP;
Toru Kosaka, Machida, JP;
Yasuo Yoda, Numazu, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a first image-bearing member such as an electrophotographic photosensitive member, an intermediate transfer member for receiving a transferable image formed on the first image-bearing member, and contact transfer device for transferring the transferable image from the intermediate transfer member to a transfer material. The first image-bearing member has a surface layer having a dielectric constant .epsilon..sub.d, the intermediate transfer member has a surface layer having a dielectric constant .epsilon..sub.ITD and the contact transfer device has a surface layer having a dielectric constant .epsilon..sub.tr satisfying a relationship of; .epsilon..sub.d .ltoreq..epsilon..sub.ITD .ltoreq..epsilon..sub.tr. The intermediate transfer member exhibits a volume resistivity of 10.sup.6 -10.sup.10 ohm.cm (at an applied voltage of 1 kV), and the contact transfer device exhibits a volume resistivity of 10.sup.8 -10.sup.15 ohm.cm (at an applied voltage of 1 kV). As a result, it is possible to obtain high transfer efficiencies in both primary and secondary transfer over a wide transfer bias application range.