Patent ID: 9442454
Filing Date: 2016-09-13
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member configured to bear a developer image; a charging member configured to contact the image bearing member; a transfer unit configured to transfer the developer image; and a developing unit configured to supply developer having a predetermined polarity to the image bearing member to form a developer image, and to collect developer remaining on the image bearing member after the developer image is transferred, wherein, in a case where the charging member is new, a supply operation for supplying developer or lubricant is performed prior to an image forming operation in such a manner that the developer or the lubricant having a polarity different from the predetermined polarity adheres to a surface of the charging member, wherein an absolute value of a potential difference (Vback) between the image bearing member and the developing unit in the supplying operation is larger than that in the image forming operation.