Electrophotography – Internal machine environment – Particle or contaminant control
Reexamination Certificate
2007-11-26
2010-11-23
Gray, David M (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Internal machine environment
Particle or contaminant control
C399S123000, C399S302000, C399S344000, C399S349000, C399S351000, C399S353000, C399S357000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07840157
ABSTRACT:
To improve the user maintainability and cost performance with respect to replacing replaceable components in an image forming apparatus using a tandem type intermediate transfer member. In an image forming apparatus provided with: primary transfer rollers that successively transfer toner images formed on a plurality of photosensitive members to an intermediate transfer belt on a surface of which the images are moved; and a secondary transfer roller that transfers in one operation the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt to a recording medium, and the plurality of photosensitive members are formed as a plurality of image carrier units that are removable with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus, a belt cleaning member that cleans secondary transfer residual toner from the intermediate transfer belt is disposed upstream, relative to the direction of movement of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt, of the image carrier unit that is disposed uppermost in the upstream direction, and the belt cleaning member is capable of being integrally removed.
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patent: 2005/0084282 (2005-04-01), Yamada et al.
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U.S. Appl. No. 12/187,021, filed Aug. 6, 2008, Shono, et al.
Nakatake Naoki
Shono Hidekazu
Yamashita Takeshi
Gray David M
Oblon, Spivak McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P.
Ricoh & Company, Ltd.
Wong Joseph S
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