Patent ID: 6498913
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An electrostatographic reproduction machine comprising:(a) a series of belt drive and support members; (b) a closed loop belt image bearing member having an imaging surface for carrying a toner image and a backside in contact with said series of belt drive and support members; (b) a sheet supply and handling assembly for moving a copy sheet into a toner image transfer relationship with said closed loop belt image bearing member; (c) imaging devices for forming a toner image on said imaging surface of said closed loop belt image bearing member and transferring the toner image to the copy sheet; and (d.) a static controlling system for effectively and economically controlling static charge build up on said closed loop belt image bearing member moving in contact with said series of belt drive and support members, said static controlling system including: (i) at least one resistive contact member for contacting the surface of the driven web member; and (ii) a bias source coupled to said resistive contact member for biasing said resistive contact member to apply to the surface of the driven web member a neutralizing bias, having a selected polarity and potential level, thereby effectively neutralizing and controlling static charge build up on the driven web member.