(19)
(11) EP 0 459 607 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
02.09.1992 Bulletin 1992/36

(43) Date of publication A2:
04.12.1991 Bulletin 1991/49

(21) Application number: 91300504.7

(22) Date of filing: 23.01.1991
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: G03G 15/02, G03G 15/08, G03G 21/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB

(30) Priority: 31.05.1990 JP 142970/90

(71) Applicants:
  • KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa-ken 210 (JP)
  • Kabushiki Kaisha TEC
    Shizuoka (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Hosoya, Masahiro, c/o Intellectual Property Div.
    Tokyo (JP)
  • Sato, Shuitsu, c/o Intellectual Property Div.
    Tokyo (JP)
  • Saito, Mitsunaga, c/o Intellectual Property Div.
    Tokyo (JP)
  • Ohtaka, Yoshimitsu, c/o Patent Division
    Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (JP)
  • Endo, Mitsuharu, c/o Patent Division
    Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (JP)

(74) Representative: Freed, Arthur Woolf et al
MARKS & CLERK, 57-60 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London WC2A 3LS
London WC2A 3LS (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Recording apparatus


    (57) The recording apparatus comprises an electrostatic latent image base (1), charging means (13) for equally charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image base (1), means for attenuating part of electric charges on the surface of the electrostatic latent image base charged by the charging means and for forming an electrostatic latent image, developing means (3) for adhering toner particles on the electrostatic latent image so as to form a toner image, and transferring means (5) for transferring the toner image onto an image base. The developing means (3) attracts and collects residual toner particles into the developing means and develops the electrostatic latent image at the same time. The charging means (13) has a particular charging function and a residual toner image equalizing function for disturbing a residual toner image left on the electrostatic latent image base and for equalizing the distribution of the toner particles. The charging and residual toner image equalizing means securely charges the electrostatic latent image base and equalizes the residual toner particles at the same time. The recording apparatus can be readily structured in small size and at low cost. The recording apparatus is free from contamination due to by-product in the discharging operation. Furthermore, the recording apparatus can usually output ghost-free high quality images.






    Search report