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:
Jan. 31, 2012
Filed:
May. 20, 2009
Naoyuki Ozaki, Ebina, JP;
Hiroshi Nakai, Yokohama, JP;
Masahide Yamashita, Tokyo, JP;
Masato Iio, Yokohama, JP;
Shinya Tanaka, Sagamihara, JP;
Kunio Hasegawa, Isehara, JP;
Naoyuki Ozaki, Ebina, JP;
Hiroshi Nakai, Yokohama, JP;
Masahide Yamashita, Tokyo, JP;
Masato Iio, Yokohama, JP;
Shinya Tanaka, Sagamihara, JP;
Kunio Hasegawa, Isehara, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus including a charging unit configured to charge a surface of an image bearing member utilizing discharge generated by applying a voltage containing an alternating current component to a charging member disposed in contact with or close to the image bearing member, so that a latent electrostatic image is formed on the image bearing member; a developing unit configured to develop the latent electrostatic image formed on the image bearing member using a toner; a cleaning unit configured to clean the surface of the image bearing member using a blade; a protecting agent applying unit configured to rub and scrape a protecting agent by a brush roller and apply the protecting agent to the surface of the image bearing member; and a protecting agent charging member configured to charge the protecting agent, the member being disposed between the protecting agent applying unit and the charging unit.