Electrophotography – Internal machine environment – Particle or contaminant control
Reexamination Certificate
2011-07-19
2011-07-19
Gray, David M (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Internal machine environment
Particle or contaminant control
C399S103000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07983591
ABSTRACT:
An image forming apparatus, includes: an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image; a toner carrier roller that is provided, on a surface thereof, with a plurality of convex sections and a concave section which surrounds the convex sections, is shaped approximately like a cylinder, is arranged opposed to the image carrier, and rotates while carrying a toner layer of charged toner on the surface thereof; a bias applier that applies a developing bias voltage to the toner carrier roller; a toner collector that collects the toner carried on the surface of the toner carrier roller at a place downstream to an opposed position facing the image carrier in a rotation direction of the toner carrier roller; a seal member that is interposed between the toner carrier roller and the toner collector, and abuts on the surface of the toner carrier roller to prevent leakage of toner from the toner collector; and a controller that is adapted to perform a toner removal operation which removes toner adherent to the seal member by rotating the toner carrier roller while the toner carrier roller abuts on the seal member, in a condition that at least a part of respective surfaces of the convex sections do not carry toner so as to be exposed.
REFERENCES:
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European search report for corresponding European application 08018815.4-2209 lists the references above.
DLA Piper (LLP) US
Gray David M
Hyder G. M.
Seiko Epson Corporation
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