Patent ID: 6803162
Filing Date: 2004-10-12
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:an image bearing member comprising a photoreceptor configured to bear an electrostatic latent image while rotating in a direction and comprising an electroconductive substrate and at least one layer including a photosensitive layer, the photoreceptor including an image forming portion having two ends substantially parallel to the rotating direction and a gap forming member located outside of each of the two ends of the image forming portion, said gap forming member having an inside end substantially perpendicular to an axial axis of said image bearing member substantially parallel to the rotating direction; a charging roller configured to charge the photoreceptor while rotating, the charging roller contacting the gap forming members of the photoreceptor to form a gap g between a surface of the image forming portion of the photoreceptor and a peripheral surface of the charging roller; a light irradiator configured to irradiate the photoreceptor with light to form the electrostatic latent image in the image forming portion of the photoreceptor; an image developer configured to develop the electrostatic latent image with a toner to form a toner image on the image forming portion of the photoreceptor; and an image transfer device configured to transfer the toner image onto a receiving material, wherein the following relationship is satisfied: t&gE;2g where t represents a distance between an edge of said photoreceptor and the inside end of one of the gap forming members next to said edge of said photoreceptor.