JPH1138847A - Image forming device and image carrier containing cartridge used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remove paper powder on the surface of an image carrier and to prevent the image carrier from being damaged by the paper powder scavenged in a foam cell by bringing an elastic body consisting of a foamed body having the specified foam cell into press-contact with the surface of the image carrier and providing the elastic body with a space part for scavenging foreign matters in the direction crossing with a developer carrying direction. SOLUTION: The elastic body 35 is constituted of the foamed body made of conductive ether-based polyurethane (conductive Moltopren(R)) and having plural foam cells, each of which has 0.1-1 mm diameter. The elastic body 35 is arranged on the upstream side of a conductive brush from the transfer part to the recovery part of a photoreceptor drum (image carrier) 2 so that it is made in press-contact with the surface of the drum 2. Furthermore, the elastic body 35 is provided with a slope for scavenging the foreign matter D adhering to the drum 2 and the space parts for scavenging the foreign matter 36A and 36B consisting of a groove part so as to be extended in the direction (in the longitudinal direction of the drum 2) crossing with the carrying direction of residual toner T on the upstream side of the press-contact position of the elastic body 35 with the drum 2 and at the center part of the elastic body 35.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and an image carrier storage cartridge used in the apparatus. More specifically, an image that can prevent foreign matter such as paper dust collected and solidified in the foam cell from damaging the image carrier, or can prevent filming by polishing the image carrier. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus and an image carrier storage cartridge used in the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrostatic latent image formed by exposing the surface of a charged photosensitive drum is visualized with a developer, and then the image of the developer is printed on printing paper. By transferring, an image is formed on printing paper. In recent years, there has been proposed a cleaner-less type image forming apparatus which does not remove the developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum using a dedicated cleaner. This cleaner-less type image forming apparatus forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photosensitive drum charged by a conductive brush or the like by exposing the photosensitive drum, exposes the electrostatic latent image with a developer, and develops the latent image on printing paper. After transferring the developer image, the developing cleaning unit collects the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum without being transferred to the printing paper in the previous transfer.

[0003]

However, when various printing papers or the like are used as the sheet for the image forming apparatus, a large amount of foreign matter such as paper dust adheres to the photosensitive drum,
These foreign substances such as paper dust are collected together with the developer. The use of a developer containing such foreign matter such as paper dust causes image deterioration such as white spots. For this reason, the applicant of the present application removes foreign matters such as paper dust adhered to the surface of the image carrier, and has a diameter of 0.1 to 0.1 mm so that the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier can pass through. An image forming apparatus has been proposed in which an elastic body made of a foam having a plurality of foam cells of 1 mm is pressed against an image carrier. However, even in the proposed image forming apparatus, foreign matter such as paper dust adhering to the surface of the image carrier is collected in the foam cell and solidified, and the solidified foreign matter may damage the image carrier. is there. In the case of a cleaner-less type image forming apparatus, filming that easily forms a thin film on the surface of the image carrier is likely to occur, and this filming causes uneven charging, uneven exposure, and uneven development. There is a need to.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional image forming apparatus. That is, the problem is to remove foreign matter such as paper dust adhered to the surface of the image carrier and to prevent foreign matter such as paper dust collected and solidified in the foam cells from damaging the image carrier. And an image carrier storage cartridge used in the image forming apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing charging unevenness, exposure unevenness, development unevenness, and the like by preventing filming, and an image carrier storage cartridge used in the image forming apparatus.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed by exposing the surface of a charged image carrier with a developer; After the transfer, the image of the developer is transferred to a transfer medium, and the developer remaining on the image carrier after the transfer is collected on the downstream side.
An elastic body made of a foam having a plurality of millimeter foam cells is disposed between a transfer portion and a collection portion of the image carrier so as to be pressed against the surface of the image carrier, and an image is formed on the elastic body. The present invention is characterized in that a foreign matter collecting space for collecting foreign matter attached to a carrier is provided so as to extend in a direction intersecting a direction in which the developer is transported. In this case, it is desirable that the foreign matter collecting space portion is formed of, for example, a groove, a concave portion, or the like at a position where the elastic body is pressed against the image carrier or at an upstream side thereof. It is preferable that a plurality of foreign matter collecting spaces extending in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the developer is conveyed are provided along the direction in which the developer is conveyed.

An elastic body made of a foam having a plurality of foam cells each having a diameter of 0.1 to 1 mm is pressed from the transfer portion to the recovery portion of the image carrier so as to be pressed against the surface of the image carrier. With this arrangement, the elastic body removes foreign matter such as paper dust attached to the surface of the image carrier and allows the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier to pass therethrough. In this case, since the foreign matter collecting space collects foreign matter adhering to the image carrier, the amount of foreign matter absorbed by the elastic body is reduced, and the foreign matter is hardly solidified. As a result, foreign matter such as paper powder collected and solidified in the foam cell does not damage the image carrier.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a space for collecting foreign matter on the upstream and downstream sides is formed in the elastic body, and the space for collecting foreign matter on the upstream side is provided with the foreign matter collecting space on the downstream side. The feature is that it is configured to be able to collect foreign matter having a larger diameter than the space for use. Specifically, for example, a foam cell having a larger diameter than the downstream elastic body is provided in the upstream elastic body on the foreign matter collecting space side, and the downstream elastic body is compared with the foam cell. It is desirable to provide small diameter foam cells. The hardness of the elastic body on the upstream side of the foreign matter collecting space may be reduced, and the hardness of the elastic body on the downstream side of the foreign matter collecting space may be increased.

The foreign matter collecting space on the upstream side can collect foreign matter having a larger diameter than the foreign matter collecting space on the downstream side. The space portion can separate and collect large-diameter foreign matter, and the downstream-side foreign matter collecting space portion can separate and collect small-diameter foreign matter. Thereby,
The amount of foreign matter absorbed by the elastic body is further reduced,
Foreign matter is less likely to be solidified by the separation and collection, and foreign matter such as paper powder collected and solidified in the foam cell further reduces damage to the image carrier.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the developer adhering to the image carrier is pressed toward the image carrier between the transfer portion and the developing portion of the image carrier, and the developer is pressed by the pressed developer. And a flexible member for polishing the surface of the image carrier. In this case, the flexible member is desirably provided between the transfer portion of the image carrier and the collection portion.

A flexible member presses the developer adhering to the image carrier toward the image carrier, and polishes the surface of the image carrier with the pressed developer. As a result, filming can be prevented by this polishing, so that charging unevenness, exposure unevenness, development unevenness, and the like are prevented.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an electrostatic latent image formed by exposing the surface of a charged image carrier is visualized with a developer, and then the image of the developer is transferred to a transfer medium. At the same time, in an image forming apparatus for collecting the developer remaining on the image carrier after the transfer on the downstream side, the developer adhered on the image carrier is pressed toward the image carrier, and the pressed developer causes It is characterized in that a flexible member for polishing the surface of the image carrier is provided. In this case, the flexible member is desirably provided between the transfer portion of the image carrier and the collection portion.

A flexible member presses the developer adhering to the image carrier toward the image carrier, and polishes the surface of the image carrier with the pressed developer. As a result, filming can be prevented by this polishing.
Charging unevenness, exposure unevenness, development unevenness, etc. are prevented.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the flexible member has a surface friction coefficient of 0.5 to 1.5 and an Asuka C hardness of 2
It is characterized by having material characteristics of 0 or less and a surface roughness of 5 micrometers or less. More desirably, a flexible member having a material characteristic of Asuka C hardness of 5 to 20 and surface roughness of 0.3 to 2 micrometers is preferable.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the flexible member is pressed by an elastic urging member on the surface of the image carrier. Accordingly, the urging member does not excessively press the flexible member against the surface of the image carrier, so that the surface of the image carrier is not excessively polished.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an electrostatic latent image formed by exposing the surface of a charged image carrier is visualized with a developer, and then the image of the developer is transferred to a transfer medium. In addition, in an image carrier storage cartridge used in an image forming apparatus for recovering the developer remaining on the image carrier after the transfer on the downstream side, a foam having a plurality of foam cells each having a diameter of 0.1 to 1 mm is provided. An elastic body made of a body is disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the surface of the image carrier, and a developer is conveyed through a space for collecting foreign matter adhering to the image carrier on the elastic body. It is characterized as being provided so as to extend in a direction intersecting the direction. The space for collecting foreign particles is desirably formed of, for example, a groove, a concave portion, or the like. More preferably, a plurality of spaces for collecting foreign particles are provided.

An elastic body made of a foam having a plurality of foam cells each having a diameter of 0.1 to 1 mm is arranged so as to be in pressure contact with the surface of the image carrier, thereby adhering to the surface of the image carrier. While removing foreign matter such as paper powder,
The developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier is passed. In this case, since the foreign matter collecting space collects foreign matter adhering to the image carrier, the amount of foreign matter absorbed by the elastic body is reduced, and the foreign matter is hardly solidified. This prevents foreign matter such as paper powder collected and solidified in the foam cell from damaging the image carrier.

In the image carrier storage cartridge according to the present invention, an upstream and downstream foreign matter collecting space is formed in the elastic body, and the upstream foreign matter collecting space is provided on the downstream side. The present invention is characterized in that it is configured to be able to collect foreign matter having a larger diameter than the foreign matter collecting space. In this case, a foam cell having a larger diameter than the downstream elastic body is provided in the upstream elastic body on the foreign matter collecting space side side, and a foam cell having a small diameter in comparison with the downstream elastic body is provided in the downstream elastic body. It is desirable to provide cells. Also, the hardness of the elastic body on the upstream side of the foreign matter collecting space is reduced,
The hardness of the elastic body in the foreign matter collecting space on the downstream side may be increased.

Since the foreign matter collecting space on the upstream side can collect foreign matter having a larger diameter than the foreign matter collecting space on the downstream side, the foreign matter collecting space on the upstream side can be collected. The space portion can separate and collect large-diameter foreign matter, and the downstream-side foreign matter collecting space portion can separate and collect small-diameter foreign matter. Thereby,
The amount of foreign matter absorbed by the elastic body is further reduced,
Foreign matter is less likely to be solidified by the separation and collection, and foreign matter such as paper powder collected and solidified in the foam cell further reduces damage to the image carrier.

In the cartridge for storing an image carrier according to claim 7, the developer adhered on the image carrier is pressed toward the image carrier, and the surface of the image carrier is polished by the pressed developer. It is characterized as having a characteristic member.

A flexible member provided between the transfer portion and the developing portion of the image carrier presses the developer adhered on the image carrier toward the image carrier, and the pressed developer causes the developer to adhere to the image carrier. The surface of the image carrier is polished. As a result, filming can be prevented by this polishing, so that charging unevenness, exposure unevenness, development unevenness, and the like are prevented.

According to the present invention, an electrostatic latent image formed by exposing the surface of the charged image carrier is visualized with a developer, and then the image of the developer is transferred to a transfer medium. At the same time, in an image carrier storage cartridge used in an image forming apparatus for recovering the developer remaining on the image carrier after the transfer on the downstream side, the developer adhering to the image carrier is pressed toward the image carrier, A feature is provided in which a flexible member is provided for polishing the surface of the image carrier with the pressed developer. In this case, it is preferable to provide it between the transfer portion of the image carrier and the collection portion.

The flexible member presses the developer adhering to the image carrier toward the image carrier, and polishes the surface of the image carrier with the pressed developer. As a result, filming can be prevented by this polishing.
Charging unevenness, exposure unevenness, development unevenness, etc. are prevented.

In the image carrier storage cartridge according to claim 8, the flexible member has a surface friction coefficient of 0.5 to 0.5.
It is characterized by having material characteristics of 1.5, Asuka C hardness of 20 or less, and surface roughness of 5 micrometers. More desirably, a flexible member having a material characteristic of Asuka C hardness of 5 to 20 and surface roughness of 0.3 to 2 micrometers is preferable.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the cartridge for storing an image carrier, the flexible member is specified to be pressed by an elastic urging member on the surface of the image carrier. Accordingly, the urging member does not excessively press the flexible member against the surface of the image carrier, so that the surface of the image carrier is not excessively polished.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and an image carrier storage cartridge used in the apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus used for a laser printer, and this image forming apparatus may be a fax machine, a color or monochrome copier, or other devices. As shown in FIG. 1, a laser printer 1 includes a charging device 3, a developing device 4, and a transfer device 5 around a cylindrical photosensitive drum 2.
In addition to the above, a laser exposure device 6 is disposed obliquely above the photosensitive drum 2. Further, the laser printer 1 is provided with a controller (not shown) for controlling the entire apparatus. Further, a power supply 13 as a driving power supply is provided in a lower portion of the laser printer 1 to supply a predetermined voltage to the charging device 3, the developing device 4, the transfer device 5, and the like.

The photosensitive drum 2 has a photosensitive layer formed on its surface, and can be rotated clockwise (in the direction of arrow A) in FIG. 1 under the control of a controller. The photosensitive layer of the body drum 2 is charged to a predetermined potential. The laser exposure device 6 irradiates the laser beam 14 in accordance with the image data on the downstream side of the charging device 3 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2 (direction of arrow A). A potential attenuating portion is generated in the photosensitive layer thus formed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed.

The developing device 4 applies toner T to the electrostatic latent image at a developing portion 2 a of the photosensitive drum 2 to form a toner image (ie, makes the toner image visible). At the collection site 2a (in this embodiment,
(Which is also a development site). More specifically, the developing device 4 has a casing 15 adjacent to the photosensitive drum 2, and the casing 15 contains, for example, a non-magnetic one-component toner T having triboelectricity and a developing sleeve. 16, the stirring blade 17 is housed.
The stirring blade 17 rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation (arrow C) of the developing sleeve 16 to prevent the toner T from condensing and supply the toner T to the developing sleeve 16. The developing sleeve 16 rotates in the direction of arrow C while making surface contact with the photosensitive drum 2 through the opening of the casing 15.
In this case, the developing sleeve 16 is made of a conductive elastic material,
The voltage applied from the power supply 13 causes the developing sleeve 16
Is applied to the photosensitive drum 2, the toner T held in a layered state around the developing sleeve 16 is conveyed to the photosensitive drum 2 side according to its rotation, and the electrostatic latent at the developing site 2a on the photosensitive drum 2 is rotated. Appears on the image.

When the residual toner T on the photosensitive drum 2 is collected in the casing 15, the developing sleeve 16 is set at a high potential with respect to the photosensitive drum 2, so that the developing device 4 is driven by the photosensitive drum 2. Is conveyed to the developing sleeve 16 electrostatically,
From the collection site 2a on the photosensitive drum 2, the photosensitive drum 2
To the developing device 4. Therefore, the laser printer 1 of this embodiment can collect and reuse the residual toner T on the image carrier (photoconductor drum 2) after the transfer.

A paper feed cassette 7 is provided below the developing device 4 and feeds a transfer medium (hereinafter simply referred to as “print paper”) P such as print paper stored in the paper feed cassette 7. The roller 8 is pressed. In the laser printer 1, a paper path is formed from the paper supply cassette 7 along the guides 9a and 9b, and the paper path passes between the transfer device 5 and the photosensitive drum 2, and furthermore, It passes between a pair of upper and lower fixing rollers 10. A paper discharge tray 11 is provided outside the laser printer 1 so as to communicate with a paper path downstream of the fixing roller pair 10.
As a result, when the paper feed roller 8 rotates in the direction of the arrow, the printing paper P passes between the transfer device 5 and the photosensitive drum 2 along the guides 9a and 9b, and between the fixing roller pair 10, and passes through the discharge tray. 11.

The transfer device 5 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 to the printing paper P at the transfer portion 2b. More specifically, the transfer device 5 applies an electric field having a polarity opposite to that of the electric field applied to the photosensitive drum 2 by the charging device 3 to the photosensitive drum 2. The toner T is electrostatically attracted to the printing paper P conveyed in synchronization with the
Is transferred onto the printing paper P. And
The fixing roller pair 10 transfers the transferred toner image to the printing paper P.
Can be fixed on top.

As shown in FIG. 2, the charging device 3 includes a conductive brush 30, which is a main contact charging unit of the photosensitive drum 2, and a flicker member which comes into contact with and separates from the conductive brush 30. 31, a cover 32 that covers the conductive brush 30 and the flicker member 31 from above, and an auxiliary charging member 33 that performs preliminary charging on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2.

The conductive brush 30 is composed of a base tube having conductivity, and for example, fibers obtained by dispersing conductive particles such as carbon in rayon at a rate of 10,000 fibers / inch to 15
The hairs are planted at a density of about 2,000 fibers / inch.
The conductive brush 30 has substantially the same length in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2, and the conductive brush 30 is provided in order to improve the contact stability between the conductive brush 30 and the photosensitive drum 2. Are arranged so as to penetrate the photosensitive drum 2 by a predetermined amount (about 1 to 3 mm).

The conductive brush 30 is connected to the power supply 13 and applied with a DC voltage (for example, 1200 volts), a voltage obtained by switching a DC voltage, or a voltage obtained by superimposing an AC component on the DC voltage. As a result, a discharge is generated at the brush tip of the conductive brush 30 rotating in the direction of arrow B, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is charged. The auxiliary charging member 33 includes a conductive support plate 34 attached to the lower surface of a support portion 32A protruding downward from the cover 32 and a photoconductive drum 2 attached to the lower surface of the conductive support plate 34. And an elastic body 35 pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the elastic member 35.

The conductive support plate 34 of the auxiliary charging member 33
Are connected to a power supply 13 via a diode D1, and each of countless pressure contacts between an elastic body 35 in contact with the conductive support plate 34 and the photosensitive drum 2 is provided.
The charge injection phenomenon occurs based on the potential difference between the photosensitive drum 3 and the photosensitive drum 2. Further, since a space by a foam cell described later exists near the pressure contact, a discharge phenomenon occurs in a minute space, the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 2 increases, and the photosensitive drum 2 is pre-charged. Due to the preliminary charging of the auxiliary charging member 33 and the charging by the conductive brush 30, the photosensitive drum 2 is charged almost uniformly to, for example, -300 volts to -600 volts.

The elastic body 35 is provided on the upstream side of the conductive brush 30 between the transfer portion 2b of the photosensitive drum 2 and the collecting portion 2a. (Conductive malt plane), and has a foam having a plurality of foam cells each having a diameter of 0.1 to 1 mm.

This foam cell is larger than the toner particle size.
In addition, the size of the foam cell is smaller than the foreign matter D such as paper dust (see FIGS. 3 and 4), and the average size of the foam cell is 0.3 m.
m. The hardness of the elastic body 35 is 1 square cm.
The pressing force of the elastic body 35 against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is about 0.1 kg per square cm. As described above, the elastic body 35 is a foam having a large number of cells (voids), and is in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 at countless points. Therefore, the foam cell of the elastic body 35 is
In addition to removing the special coating material applied to the surface of the printing paper P and the foreign matter D such as paper dust,
The toner T remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 can be passed. In this case, the elastic body 35 is preferably a conductive malt plane.

However, when the amount of foreign matter D such as paper dust attached to the photosensitive drum 2 increases, the foreign matter D such as paper dust passes through the elastic body 35 or is collected in the foam cell. May solidify. Foreign matter D such as paper powder that has passed through the elastic body 35 is transferred to the casing 15 together with the residual toner T.
The foreign matter D, such as paper dust, which is collected inside and causes image deterioration, or solidified paper dust, may cause the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 to be damaged. Therefore, in this embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 4, on the upstream side of the pressure contact position between the elastic body 35 and the photosensitive drum 2 and at the center of the elastic body 35, foreign matter D attached to the photosensitive drum 2 is collected, for example, on a slope. The foreign matter collecting spaces 36A and 36B, which are composed of a portion, a groove, a concave portion, etc., are provided so as to extend in a direction (longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 2) intersecting with the direction in which the residual toner T is conveyed (the direction of arrow A). . This configuration is
The foreign matter collecting spaces 36A and 36B collect foreign matter D attached to the photosensitive drum 2 on the upstream side of the pressure contact position between the elastic body 35 and the photosensitive drum 2 and at the center of the elastic body 35. This is because the amount of the foreign matter D absorbed by the elastic body 35 is reduced.

In this case, the elastic body 35 is configured to be pressed against a plurality of portions 35A and 35B on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 with the foreign matter collecting space 36B at the center of the elastic body 35 interposed therebetween. The collecting space 36A is preferably configured so as to be able to collect the foreign matter D having a larger diameter than the foreign matter collecting space 36B on the downstream side. In this configuration, the foreign matter collecting space 36A on the upstream side accommodates a large-diameter foreign matter D and the foreign matter collecting space 36B on the downstream side.
This is because, by separating and collecting the small-diameter foreign matter D, the foreign matter D hardly solidifies in the foreign matter collecting spaces 36A and 36B.

Specifically, the foreign material collecting space 36A,
The material density of the elastic body 35B on the downstream side of the foreign matter collecting space 36B is made higher than that of the elastic body 35A on the upstream side sandwiched by 36B. That is, the number of foam cells of the elastic body 35B on the downstream side of the foreign matter collecting space 36B is made smaller than that of the elastic body 35A on the upstream side, and the hardness of the elastic body 35B is increased. For example, the number of elastic bodies 35A on the upstream side is 45 to 70 pieces /
With an inch foam cell, the downstream elastic body 35B
Equipped with 0-120 foam cells per inch. Accordingly, the foreign matter collecting space 36A on the upstream side can collect the foreign matter D having a larger diameter than the foreign matter collecting space 36B on the downstream side. The collecting space 36A can separate and collect the large-diameter foreign matter D, and the downstream foreign-matter collecting space 36B can separate and collect the small-diameter foreign matter D.

As a result, the amount of the foreign matter D absorbed by the elastic body 35 becomes extremely small, and the foreign matter D hardly solidifies in the elastic body 35. Therefore, unlike the prior art, the foreign matter D is collected in the foam cell. Foreign matter D such as solidified paper powder does not damage the photosensitive drum 2. In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the foreign matter collecting space 36 is formed, for example, by removing the residual toner T on the photosensitive drum 2.
May be arranged side by side in the direction in which is transported (the direction of arrow A).

FIG. 6 shows experimental results when the foreign substance collecting space 36 is provided on the elastic body 35 and when the foreign substance collecting space 36 is not provided on the elastic body 35. That is, when the foreign matter collecting space 36 is provided in the elastic body 35, as shown in the graph a, the foreign matter D such as paper dust is removed from the foreign matter collecting space 36.
When the number of prints exceeds 5,000, as shown in graph b, the foreign matter D such as paper dust is not collected when no foreign matter collecting space is provided. , Passes between the elastic body 35 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

When the foreign matter collecting space 36 is not formed as described above, the number of printed sheets by the laser printer 1 increases, and the amount of foreign matter passing through the elastic body 35 pressed against the photosensitive drum 2 increases, and The amount of foreign matter trapped and accumulated in the foam cells of the elastic body 35 gradually increases, making it difficult for the elastic body 35 to capture the foreign matter D. For it,
When the foreign matter collecting space 36 is formed, the foreign matter D accumulates in the foreign matter collecting space 36, and the amount of foreign matter that is captured and accumulated by the foam cells of the elastic body 35 decreases. Since the amount of foreign matter D leaking is reduced, the laser printer 1
Therefore, even if the number of printed sheets increases, the foreign matter D hardly enters the collected toner T.

A part of the residual toner T may adhere to the conductive brush 30 and be taken in.
In order to remove the flicker member, as shown in FIG.
Is provided. That is, when the flicker member 31 enters the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2, it comes into contact with the conductive brush 30, the residual toner T attached to the brush is scraped off by the flicker member 31, and the photosensitive drum 2 Fall on. In this case, if the flicker member 31 is always in contact with the conductive brush 30, the conductive brush 30
Since the "hair fall" occurs in which the planted fiber of [1] falls down, it is retracted to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 so that it can be separated except when necessary.

FIG. 11 shows experimental results when the flicker member 31 is not provided and when the flicker member 31 is brought into contact with the conductive brush 30 by a fixed amount. That is, when the flicker member 31 is not provided, as shown in the graph A, a large amount of the toner T adheres to the conductive brush 30 in proportion to the number of prints.
When a certain amount of the toner T is brought into contact with 0, as shown in the graph B, the toner T adheres to the conductive brush 30 in proportion to the number of prints, but not so much as shown in the graph A. Further, when the flicker member 31 is further brought into contact with the conductive brush 30 by a certain amount, as shown in the graph C, the toner T
Although it adheres to 0, it is not so large as shown in graphs A and B, and thereafter, a substantially constant amount of toner T is attached. In this way, the flicker member 31 is
As a result, it can be seen that the residual toner T attached to the brush is sufficiently scraped off.

The elastic body 35 in the direction of transport of the residual toner T
Downstream of the photosensitive drum 2 as shown in FIG.
A flexible member 38 such as a special urethane foam, for example, is disposed, which presses the residual toner T adhering to the photosensitive drum 2 side, and the pressed residual toner T causes the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 to grind. ing. Specifically, the flexible member 38 desirably has a material characteristic of a surface friction coefficient of 0.5 to 1.5, an Asuka C hardness of 20 or less, and a surface roughness of 5 micrometers or less, and more desirably. Is
It is preferable that the material has an Asuka C hardness of 5 to 20 and a surface roughness of 0.3 to 2 micrometers.
Sullen (trade name) manufactured by Bridgestone Corporation or Polon manufactured by Inoac Corporation is preferable.

When the flexible member 38 has such flexibility, the residual toner T adhering on the photosensitive drum 2 is hardly penetrated by the flexible member 38, and Since deep scratches are not made, the image formed on the printing paper P is not deteriorated. As described above, the flexible member 38 presses the residual toner T adhering on the photosensitive drum 2 toward the photosensitive drum 2, and the pressed residual toner T polishes the surface of the photosensitive drum 2. Since the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is new and filming can be prevented, uneven charging, uneven exposure, uneven development and the like can be prevented.

Next, the operation of the laser printer 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 mainly shows a state in which the toner T is collected. The charge polarity of the toner T is assumed to be negative, and the cylindrical photosensitive drum 2 will be described as a flat surface for convenience. First, in an area where an image is formed, the changeover switch of the power supply 13 shown in FIG. 3 is switched as shown by a solid line, and the voltage switched by the switching element 27 at a DC voltage (-1200 volts) or the voltage of the power supply 13 The changeover switch is switched as shown by a broken line to apply a voltage in which an AC component is superimposed on a DC voltage. The reason why the voltage having such a wave shape is applied is that the photosensitive drum 2 can be more uniformly charged than the case where only a DC voltage is applied, and charging unevenness can be significantly reduced.

When the photosensitive drum 2 is rotated clockwise (in the direction of arrow A) in FIG. 1 when the apparatus is started, as shown in FIG. Charge. When the photosensitive layer charged to a predetermined potential reaches a position where laser exposure is performed by rotation of the photosensitive drum 2, the photosensitive layer is irradiated with laser light 14 in accordance with image data, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. When the photosensitive drum 2 further rotates and the developing device 4 receives the supply of the toner T at the developing position 2a to form a toner image on the electrostatic latent image, the photosensitive drum 2 is thereafter placed on its surface. It rotates while carrying the toner image. When the toner image reaches the transfer device 5 and a transfer electric field is applied to the photosensitive drum 2 from the transfer device 5,
The toner image is sucked and transferred to the printing paper P. afterwards,
The printing paper P on which the toner image has been transferred is placed on the fixing roller pair 10.
By passing through the gap, the toner image is fixed on the printing paper P and is conveyed onto the discharge tray 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the toner T remaining on the photosensitive drum 2 without being transferred to the printing paper P at the time of transfer is mixed with foreign matter D such as paper dust adhered to the printing paper P, as shown in FIG. The residual toner T and the foreign matter D are both conveyed along with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 2 and
Leads to. Here, the residual toner T whose particle diameter is smaller than the foam cell diameter passes through the elastic body 35 pressed against the photosensitive drum 2, while foreign matter D whose particle diameter is extremely larger than the foam cell diameter is Elastic body 35 pressed against drum 2
, And the foreign matter collecting space 36 on the upstream side collects the foreign matter D having a large diameter.

Thereafter, the flexible member 38 presses the residual toner T adhering on the photosensitive drum 2 toward the photosensitive drum 2 and polishes the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 with the pressed residual toner T. . And the flicker member 31
Comes into contact with the conductive brush 30, and the residual toner T attached to the brush is dropped onto the photosensitive drum 2 again. Since the photosensitive drum 2 conveys the residual toner T to the developing device 4, the residual toner T is electrostatically attracted to the high-potential developing sleeve 16 and collected in the cartridge 15.

In this case, the residual toner T passing through the elastic body 35 supplied with a negative voltage from the power source 13 is negatively charged. Further, the electrostatic latent image slightly remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is also neutralized or charged to remove the potential difference on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, so that the electrostatic latent image is substantially removed.

Next, another embodiment will be described.
In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
An image carrier storage cartridge (hereinafter, simply referred to as a cartridge) 40 for storing therein, etc., is attached.

The cartridge 40 has a cylindrical photosensitive drum 2 rotating in one direction (counterclockwise) and a conductive layer for charging the surface photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 2 while rotating in the clockwise direction. Brush 30 and photosensitive drum 2
An elastic body 35 made of a foam having a plurality of foam cells each having a diameter of 0.1 to 1 mm so as to be in pressure contact with the surface; and an elastic body 35 provided downstream of the elastic body 35 in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 2. Residual toner T adhering on photosensitive drum 2
To the photosensitive drum 2 side, and the pressed residual toner T
The flexible member 44 for polishing the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, the flicker member 31 that comes into contact with and separates from the conductive brush 30, the upper cover 46 that covers the conductive brush 30, and the like from above And However,
The cartridge 40 may include other components.

The conductive brush 30 is obtained by implanting hairs in the base tube, as in the above-described embodiment. Each of these hairs is curved, and the entire tip of the hair is in space. To form a circumferential surface. In order to guide the toner T scattered from the conductive brush 30 by contact with the flicker member 31 onto the photosensitive drum 2 as much as possible, the upper cover 46 and the flicker member 31 are located above the space formed by the entire bristle tip. It is desirable to make the configuration as close as possible to the circumferential surface.

The elastic body 35 is provided on the photosensitive drum 2.
In order to collect foreign matter D such as paper dust adhered to the surface, a foreign matter collecting space portion 36 disposed upstream of the conductive brush 30 for collecting the foreign matter D is provided similarly to the above embodiment. It is pressed against the photosensitive drum 2 via an urging member 48 attached inside the cover 46. Further, the flexible member 44 located between the elastic body 35 and the conductive brush 30 is pressed by an urging member 50 having elasticity on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, such as a leaf spring. Since the toner is not excessively pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, the remaining toner T pressed by the flexible member 44 is appropriately polished without forming a deep scratch on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

The flicker member 31 contacts the conductive brush 30 and drops the toner T attached to the bristle tip of the brush 30 in the following manner relative to the conductive brush 30. Abut and separate from each other. That is, in the cartridge 40, the flicker member 31
As shown in FIG. 7, a support member 51b is disposed near the conductive brush 30 and a contacting / separating means for bringing the flicker member 31 into contact with or separating from the conductive brush 30. Set up. When the flicker member 31 is brought into contact with the conductive brush 30 so as to be caught in the bristle tip (solid line in FIG. 7), the support member 51b moves to the left in FIG. In the case where the support member 51b is separated from the bristle tip of the sex brush 30 (the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7), the support member 51b is configured to move rightward in FIG.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the flicker member 31 includes a contact portion 31a extending so as to intersect between the two frames F1, and left and right arm portions 31b supporting the contact portion 31a. The left and right support members 51 attached to the left and right frames F1 are attached to the both arms 31b.
a and 51b are respectively connected. A spring W1 is attached to the support member 51a fixed to the left frame F1 to separate the contact portion 31a of the flicker member 31 from the bristle tip of the conductive brush 30 (solid line in FIG. 8). On the other hand, the contact portion 31a of the flicker member 31 is brought into contact with the bristle tip of the conductive brush 30 (two-dot chain line in FIG. 8) on the right supporting member 51b movably attached to the right frame F1. , A spring W2 is attached.

The right frame F1 of the right support member 51a has an operating lever R shown in FIGS.
When the contact portion R3 of the operating lever R1 pushes the right supporting member 51b, the spring W2 is mounted.
The support member 51b urged by the spring W1
, The arms 31b and the contact portion 31a of the flicker member 31 can be moved to the left (in the direction of arrow D). Then, the left arm 3 of the flicker member 31
1b is guided by the guide member G1 attached to the left frame F1, and the contact portion 3 of the flicker member 31
Since 1a is in contact with the bristle tip of the conductive brush 30, the toner T attached to the conductive brush 30 is dropped to prevent the brush from being stained, thereby preventing the occurrence of image noise and filming due to deterioration of the charging property.

On the other hand, when the contact portion R3 of the operating lever R1 does not press the right support member 51b, the left arm portion 31b
Is urged by the spring W1 while being guided by the guide member G1, and the both arm portions 31 of the flicker member 31 are moved.
b and the contact portion 31a to the right side (the direction opposite to the direction of arrow D)
Can be moved to As a result, the contact portion 31a of the flicker member 31 is separated from the bristle tip of the conductive brush 30, so that it is possible to prevent "brush falling" in which the brush of the conductive brush 30 falls down, and it is possible to prevent the conductive brush 30 from falling. The deterioration of the charging performance of the brush 30 and the deterioration of the image quality can be prevented.

Next, the operation lever R1 for moving the right support member 51a will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 (A) and 9 (B). FIG. 9A is a front view showing a mechanism for swinging the operating lever R1 up and down, and FIG. 9B is a side view thereof. The operating lever R1 is configured to swing between a solid line position and a position indicated by a two-dot chain line around a fulcrum R2 as a rotation center, and as a result of the swing, the contact portion R3 of the operating lever R1 is rotated. , The support member 51b is reciprocated in the left-right direction in FIG. That is, the body R4 of the operating lever R1 is pressed by the outer peripheral surface of the cam member 41 rotating clockwise in FIG. 9 by the driving force of the driving mechanism 40 for rotating the photosensitive drum 2, and The operating lever R1 swings about the fulcrum R2 as a rotation center, and the position of the contact portion R3 of the operating lever R1 moves right and left in FIG.

In this case, the drive mechanism 40 includes a drive input gear 43 which rotates constantly in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.
And a drive gear portion 44 partially meshed with the drive input gear 43, and the drive gear portion 44 and the drive input gear 43 are meshed with each other. A solenoid 45 for moving the operating piece 45a for setting the state, and rotating in the clockwise direction when the operating piece 45a does not come into contact with the receiving section 46a and receiving section 4a.
First cam portion 46 that stops rotating when it comes into contact with 6a
And Further, the driving mechanism 40 includes the cam member 41 that rotates clockwise integrally with the first cam portion 46, and the second cam member that rotates clockwise integrally with the cam member 41. And a coil spring 48 for urging the portion 47 in the clockwise direction.

As a result, the second coil spring 48
Is pressed in the clockwise direction, but the solenoid 45 is not operated and the operating piece 45a abuts on the receiving portion 46a of the first cam 46 (the operating piece 4).
5a is located at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line), the first cam portion 46 cannot rotate clockwise. Therefore, the drive input gear 43 is located at the missing tooth 44a, and the drive gear unit 44 stops rotating without receiving the drive force of the drive input gear 43. In this case, the operating lever R
1 is a small-diameter portion 4 of the outer peripheral surface of the cam member 41.
1A (solid line in FIG. 9A), and the contact portion R3 of the operating lever R1 is at the upper position (solid line) in FIGS. 9A and 9B and in FIG. Since it is in the rightward position, the contact portion 31 a of the flicker member 31 is in a state of being separated from the bristle tip of the conductive brush 30.

However, when the solenoid 45 is actuated and the operating piece 45a does not come into contact with the receiving portion 46a of the first cam portion 46 (when the operating piece 45a is at the position indicated by the solid line), the coil spring 48 operates. As a result, the second cam portion 47 is slightly biased clockwise integrally with the drive gear portion 44, the first cam portion 46, and the cam member 41. Start to rotate. Then, the drive input gear 43 is disengaged from the missing tooth 44a, the drive gear portion 44 meshes with the drive input gear 43, and the drive gear portion 44 receives the driving force of the drive input gear 43. 44 rotates clockwise integrally with the second cam portion 47, the first cam portion 46, and the cam member 41.

In this case, the body R4 of the operating lever R1 is
When the cam member 41 starts moving downward while contacting the outer peripheral surface thereof and is in contact with the large-diameter portion 41b (the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9A), the contact portion R3 of the operating lever R1 is FIG.
8A and 8B, the contact portion 31a of the flicker member 31 is in contact with the bristle tip of the conductive brush 30 because the contact portion 31a is at the left position in FIG. become. Thereafter, when the solenoid 45 is not operated and the drive gear 44, the second cam 47, the first cam 46, and the cam member 41 make one rotation, the operation piece 45a and the first cam 46 are received. The portion 46a abuts again, and the drive input gear 43 is located at the missing tooth 44a.

As a result, the driving gear portion 44 stops rotating clockwise without receiving the driving force of the driving input gear 43, and the body portion R 4 of the operating lever R 1 is moved to the outer peripheral surface of the cam member 41. 9 (a solid line in FIG. 9A). Therefore, the operating lever R
The contact portion R3 of the flicker member 31 is located at the upper position (solid line) in FIGS. 9A and 9B and to the right in FIG. In a state separated from the hair tips. Hereinafter, a similar mode is repeated by the operation or non-operation of the solenoid 45.

Next, a timing chart of the operation or non-operation of the solenoid 45 and other components of the laser printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The timing chart S1 shows the operation timing of the power supply for driving the laser printer 1, and the timing chart S2 shows the feeding timing of the printing paper P to the laser printer 1. The timing chart S3 shows the timing of the image forming operation of the laser printer 1, the timing chart S4 shows the timing of the charging operation of the laser printer 1, and the timing chart S5 shows the operation or non-operation of the solenoid 45 or the like. The timing of the operation is shown. Hereinafter, each timing is abbreviated as T.

At T1 in S1 and S4, the power supply 13 for driving the laser printer 1 is turned on, and the conductive brush 3 is turned on.
The charging operation by 0 or the like is turned on. The feeding operation of the printing paper P by the feeding roller 8 is performed between T2 and T3 in S2, and the image forming operation of the laser printer 1 is performed between T4 and T5 in S3. T in S3
When the image forming operation is completed in S5, T5 in S5
Then, the solenoid 45 is operated to bring the contact portion 31a of the flicker member 31 into contact with the bristle tip of the conductive brush 30, and keep contacting until the image forming operation is not performed, that is, until T8. Further, between T5 and T8 in S5, and between T6 and T7 in S2, the feeding operation of the second printing paper P by the feeding roller 8 is performed. Then, between T8 and T9 in S3, the laser printer 1 forms an image on the second printing paper P. When the operation of forming the second image is completed at T9 in S3, the solenoid 45 operates at T9 in S5, and the contact portion 3 of the flicker member 31 is moved.
1a is brought into contact with the bristle tip of the conductive brush 30, and is kept in contact while the image forming operation is not performed, that is, until T10. At T11 in S1 and S4, the laser printer 1
Is turned off, and the charging operation by the conductive brush 30 and the like is turned off.

When an image is formed, the support shaft 51b as the contact / separation means separates the flicker member 31 from the conductive brush 30.
For example, when an image is formed by transferring the toner T to the printing paper P, the toner T attached to the conductive brush 30 does not fall, so that no trouble occurs in the image forming operation. In addition, when the driving power supply 13 of the laser printer 1 is not applied, that is, before T1 and after T11 in S1, the flicker member 31 is separated from the conductive brush 30. It is possible to prevent a so-called hair fall that causes the hair to fall.

As described in detail above, according to the invention of this embodiment, after the electrostatic latent image formed by exposing the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 2 is visualized with the toner T,
In a laser printer 1 that transfers the toner T to a transfer medium and collects and reuses the toner T remaining on the photosensitive drum 2 after the transfer on the downstream side, each of the laser printers 1 has a diameter of 0.1 to 1 mm. An elastic body 35 made of a foam having a plurality of foam cells is pressed into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 so that the transfer portion 2b of the photosensitive drum 2 is pressed.
And a collecting portion 2a, and a space 36 for collecting foreign matter D attached to the photosensitive drum 2 on the elastic body 35 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the toner T is conveyed. To be extended. As a result, the foreign matter D such as paper dust adhered to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2
Is removed, and the toner T remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is allowed to pass therethrough. In particular, the foreign matter collecting space 36 collects the foreign matter D adhering to the photosensitive drum 2.
The amount of the foreign matter D absorbed by 5 becomes small, and the foreign matter D hardly solidifies.

Further, upstream and downstream foreign matter collecting spaces 36A and 36B are formed in the elastic body 35, and the upstream foreign matter collecting space 36A is provided with the foreign matter collecting space 36A on the downstream side. The foreign matter D having a large diameter can be collected as compared with the space 36B for collecting the foreign matter D on the upstream side, and the foreign matter D having a large diameter can be collected on the upstream side by the foreign matter D on the downstream side. The collection space 36B can separate and collect the small-diameter foreign matter D.

Further, a flexible member 38 is provided which presses the toner T adhering on the photosensitive drum 2 toward the photosensitive drum 2 and polishes the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 with the pressed toner T. Therefore, filming can be prevented by polishing the toner T, and uneven charging, uneven exposure, and uneven developing can be prevented. The flexible member 38
Is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 by the biasing member 50 having elasticity. Therefore, the biasing member 50 does not excessively press the flexible member 38 against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, The surface of the drum 2 is not excessively polished.

A laser printer for transferring an electrostatic latent image formed by exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 charged by the conductive brush 30 to the toner T, and then transferring the toner T to a printing paper P. 1, a flicker member 31 that contacts the conductive brush 30 and drops the toner T attached to the brush, and a supporting member 51 b that relatively contacts and separates the flicker member 31 with respect to the conductive brush 30. The flicker member 31 is brought into contact with the conductive brush 30 and the conductive brush 3
The toner T attached to 0 can be dropped. As a result, contamination of the brush can be prevented, and image noise and filming due to deterioration of the charging property can be prevented. Further, since the flicker member 31 can be separated from the conductive brush 30, it is possible to prevent “so-called hair falling” in which the brush of the conductive brush 30 falls down.

When an image is formed, the support member 51b and the like separate the flicker member 31 from the conductive brush 30, so that the toner T attached to the conductive brush 30 drops. Therefore, no trouble occurs in the image forming operation for transferring the toner T to the printing paper P. When the power supply 13 for driving the laser printer 1 is not applied, the flicker member 31 is connected to the conductive brush 3.
Since the conductive brushes 30 are spaced apart from zero, it is possible to prevent "so-called hair fall" in which the brushes of the conductive brush 30 fall down.

The present embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, naturally, the present invention can be variously modified and modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, an image carrier other than the photosensitive drum may be used. Also, the conductive brush 30
The flicker member 31 may be moved so as to abut and separate from the stationary flicker member 31, or both the flicker member 30 and the conductive brush 31 may be moved so as to abut and separate from each other.

[0075]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the image forming apparatus and the image carrier storage cartridge used in the apparatus according to the present invention, foreign matters such as paper dust adhered to the surface of the image carrier can be reliably removed. At the same time, it is possible to prevent foreign matters such as paper powder collected and solidified in the foam cell from damaging the image carrier. Furthermore, by preventing filming, uneven charging, uneven exposure, uneven developing, and the like can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a charging device in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an operation of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing an elastic body and a flexible member used in the image forming apparatus.

5A and 5B are enlarged side views of an elastic body used in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of prints and the amount of collected paper dust.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a cartridge used in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing the cartridge.

FIG. 9A is a front view showing a mechanism for contacting and separating a conductive brush and a flicker member in the cartridge, and FIG. 9B is a partial side view thereof.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of prints and the amount of toner attached to a conductive brush.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser printer 2 Photoreceptor drum (image carrier) 3 Charging device 4 Developing device 5 Transfer device 6 Laser exposure device 7 Paper feed cassette 13 Drive power supply 15 Casing 16 Developing sleeve 30 Conductive brush 31 Flicker member 33 Auxiliary charging member 35 Elastic body 36, 36A, 36B Foreign matter collecting space 38 Flexible member 51b Supporting member (contact / separation means) 40 Cartridge D Foreign matter

Claims (8)

[Claims] An electrostatic latent image formed by exposing the surface of a charged image carrier is visualized with a developer, and then the image of the developer is transferred to a transfer medium. In an image forming apparatus for recovering a developer remaining on a body at a downstream side, an elastic body made of a foam having a plurality of foam cells each having a diameter of 0.1 to 1 mm is pressed against the surface of the image carrier. And a space for collecting foreign matter adhering to the image carrier on the elastic body, which is disposed between the transfer site and the collection site of the image carrier.
An image forming apparatus provided so as to extend in a direction crossing a direction in which a developer is transported. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein upstream and downstream foreign matter collecting spaces are formed in the elastic body, and the upstream foreign matter collecting space is provided in the downstream side. An image forming apparatus configured to collect foreign matter having a larger diameter than the foreign matter collecting space on the side of the image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the developer adhering to the image carrier is pressed toward the image carrier, and the surface of the image carrier is pressed by the pressed developer. An image forming apparatus comprising a flexible member to be polished. 4. An electrostatic latent image formed by exposing a charged image carrier surface to light is visualized with a developer, and then the image of the developer is transferred to a transfer medium. In an image forming apparatus for recovering the developer remaining on the downstream side, the developer adhering to the image carrier is pressed toward the image carrier, and the surface of the image carrier is pressed by the pressed developer. An image forming apparatus comprising a flexible member to be polished. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the flexible member has a surface friction coefficient of 0.5 to 1.
5. An image forming apparatus having material characteristics such that Aska C hardness is 20 or less and surface roughness is 5 micrometers or less. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the flexible member is pressed by an elastic biasing member on the surface of the image carrier. . 7. An electrostatic latent image formed by exposing a charged image carrier surface to light is visualized with a developer, and then the image of the developer is transferred to a transfer medium. In an image carrier storage cartridge used in an image forming apparatus for recovering the developer remaining on the body at a downstream side, an elastic body made of a foam having a plurality of foam cells each having a diameter of 0.1 to 1 mm is used. The elastic member is disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the surface of the image carrier, and a space for collecting foreign matter adhering to the image carrier on the elastic body is formed in a direction intersecting the direction in which the developer is conveyed. An image carrier storage cartridge provided to extend. 8. An electrostatic latent image formed by exposing a charged image carrier surface to light is visualized with a developer, and then the image of the developer is transferred to a transfer-receiving medium. In an image carrier storage cartridge used in an image forming apparatus for recovering the developer remaining on the body at a downstream side, the developer adhered on the image carrier is pressed toward the image carrier, and the developer is pressed by the pressed developer. And a flexible member for polishing the surface of the image carrier.