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. 07, 2010
Filed:
Jun. 21, 2006
Kazuchika Saeki, Atsugi, JP;
Mitsuru Takahashi, Kawasaki, JP;
Tsutomu Katoh, Kawasaki, JP;
Takeshi Fukao, Yokohama, JP;
Yoshiharu Kishi, Yokohama, JP;
Kazuosa Kuma, Yokohama, JP;
Kazuchika Saeki, Atsugi, JP;
Mitsuru Takahashi, Kawasaki, JP;
Tsutomu Katoh, Kawasaki, JP;
Takeshi Fukao, Yokohama, JP;
Yoshiharu Kishi, Yokohama, JP;
Kazuosa Kuma, Yokohama, JP;
Ricoh Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A neutralization unit for use in an image forming apparatus includes a support member made of an insulating material, an electric-charge removing member made of an electric conductive material, and a rib made of an insulating material. The electric-charge removing member, fixed on the support member, removes electric charge from a back face of the recording medium after a toner image is transferred to a front face of a recording medium at a transfer nip. The electric-charge removing member includes a plurality of exposed areas along a longitudinal direction of the electric-charge removing member. The rib, provided on the support member, has a curved peripheral side and protrudes from a surface of the electric-charge removing member. The back face of the recording medium is contactable at the curved peripheral side of the rib when the recording medium is transported from the transfer nip.