EP2746863A1

EP2746863A1 - Reviving Method, Reviving Apparatus and Member

Info

Publication number: EP2746863A1
Application number: EP12197865.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Jonathan Ball; Christian Lewis RYMER; Kazuya Suzuki; Oliver Broom; david Raymond Hollyhead
Original assignee: Ricoh UK Products Ltd; Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2012-12-18
Filing date: 2012-12-18
Publication date: 2014-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-18
Also published as: EP2746863B1

Abstract

An organic photoconductor member (401) having an outer protective layer (4011) is revived after use by heat treatment. The heat treatment serves to increase donor concentration at the surface of the outer protective layer. The heat treatment is desirably carried out by irradiating the outer protective layer with infrared radiation whilst shielding other parts of the organic photoconductor member and directing cooling air or gas to those other parts.

Description

The present invention relates to a reviving method, in particular a method for reviving a used, damaged or aged organic photoconductor from an image forming apparatus so that it can be re-used. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for reviving and to an organic photoconductor member.
In a well known type of image forming apparatus an electrostatic latent image is formed on a charged photoconductor by exposing the photoconductor selectively to light. The charge on the surface of the photoconductor drains away in the parts that are illuminated. Toner is adhered to the electrostatic latent image and then transferred to a recording member, such as a paper sheet, or an image transfer body. A monochrome image forming apparatus generally comprises a single photoconductor on which a black toner image is formed. A multicolour image forming apparatus generally comprises four photoconductors on which respectively different coloured and black images are formed, the images being combined on the recording member or an image transfer body.
In an image forming apparatus using such a photoconductor, friction between the photoconductor toner and the recording medium or image transfer body damages the surface of the photoconductor over time. Material, e.g. paper dust or components of the toner, also adheres to the surface of the photoconductor. The photoconductor therefore needs to be replaced periodically. In some cases the photoconductor is incorporated in a toner cartridge and is replaced whenever a new toner cartridge is installed. In other cases the photoconductor is provided in a photoconductor unit which is replaceable separately from a developer unit and toner can be independently refreshed.
In JP 2003-098693A a method of regenerating a photoconductor is disclosed. This method involves heating the photoconductor to provide separation of the surface protective layer, removing the surface protective layer, cleaning the photoconductor and remaking the surface protective layer. The removal and remaking of the surface protective layer are undesirable steps.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide a method of reviving a photoconductor and desirably to ensure that the revived conductor has characteristics and lifetime equivalent to a new photoconductor.
According to the present invention, there is provided apparatus for reviving an organic photoconductor member having an outer protective layer, the apparatus comprising:

a heating device for heating the outer protective layer of the organic photoconductor member to a predetermined temperature equal to or greater than the glass transition temperature of the outer protective layer.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for reviving an organic photoconductor member having an outer protective layer, the method comprising:

heating the outer protective layer of the organic photoconductor member, to a predetermined temperature equal to or greater than the glass transition temperature of the outer protective layer.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for reviving image forming apparatus, the method comprising:

removing an organic photoconductor member from a first image forming apparatus;
reviving the organic photoconductor member according to a method as described above; and
reinstalling the revived organic photoconductor member in a second image forming apparatus.

According to the present invention, there is provided an organic photoconductor member having an outer protective layer wherein the donor concentration in the outer conductive layer has been redistributed through a heat treatment process performed after use of the organic photoconductor member.
The present invention will be further described below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 depicts an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 depicts a first stage of a reviving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 depicts layers of a new photoconductor;
Figure 4 depicts layers of a used photoconductor;
Figure 5 depicts reflectance as a function of wave number for a new and a used photoconductor;
Figure 6 depicts a second stage of a reviving apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7 depicts layers of a revived photoconductor according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 depicts donor concentration in a surface layer of a photoconductor as a function of heating time and temperature;
Figure 9 illustrates output spectra of various infrared sources;
Figure 10 illustrates charging voltages achieved in photoconductors after heat treatment for different times and temperatures; and
Figure 11 is a flow diagram of a reviving method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is tall so that a user can dispose it on the floor and use it comfortably. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with the following:

a document handling unit 2 for transporting documents;
an optical system 3 for applying light to the document transported by the document handling unit 2 and reading images;
an image forming unit 4 for transferring the image read by the optical system 3 to a recording member such as paper;
a fixing unit 5 for fixing the transferred image to the recording member;
a main power supply 6 for supplying electric power to the entire apparatus;
a secondary power supply 7 charged by the main power supply 6 for supplying electric power to the fixing unit 5;
a reversing unit 8 for reversing the front and back of the recording member when an image is transferred and fixed on the front and the back of the recording member;
a discharging unit 9 for discharging the recording member on which the image has been fixed to an exterior;
a paper feed unit 10 for storing recording members and feeding the recording members to the image forming unit 4;
a partition plate 11 for partitioning internal space;
a chassis 12 that covers the above components; and
a transportation path 13 for transporting the recording member output by the paper feed unit 10 or the reversing unit 8 to the image forming unit 4.

The document handling unit 2, the optical system 3, the image forming unit 4, the fixing unit 5, the main power supply 6, the secondary power supply 7, the reversing unit 8, and the discharging unit 9 are disposed over the partitioning plate 11, and the paper feed unit 10 is provided under the partitioning plate 11. The partitioning plate 11 is parallel to the bottom face of the chassis 12. The partitioning plate 11 is made of resin, for example, as a part of the chassis 12.
The image forming unit 4 is provided with a photosensitive body 401 which is a drum-shaped rotative body. A charging roller 402, a mirror 403, a developing unit 404, a transferring unit 405, and a cleaning unit 406 are disposed around the outer periphery of the photosensitive body 401. When no light is applied to the photosensitive body 401, the charging roller 402 charges the surface of the photosensitive body 401 uniformly. The mirror 403 scans the charged photosensitive body 401 with exposure light 407, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive body 401, the electrostatic latent image corresponding to an image to be formed on the recording member. The developing unit 404 forms a toner image by making the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive body 401 visible using a developing roller 408. The transferring unit 405 transfers the toner image to a recording member such as paper by electric field. The cleaning unit 406 removes remaining toner that the transferring unit 405 left on the surface of the photosensitive body 401. The image forming unit 4 is provided with a resist roller 409. The resist roller 409 adjusts timing in which the recording member is transported so that the position of the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive body 401 and the position of the recording member match at the transferring unit 405. The recording member on which the toner image has been transferred by the transferring unit 405 is transported to the fixing unit 5.
The fixing unit 5 receives the recording member on which the toner image has been transferred, from the image forming unit 4. The fixing unit 5 fixes the toner image on the recording member, and then, discharges the recording member to the discharging unit 9. The fixing unit 5 is provided with a fuser roller 501 for heating the recording member and a pressure roller 502 for applying pressure to the recording member.
The paper feed unit 10 is provided with paper feed trays 101 and paper feed rollers 102. The paper feed trays 101 store recording members of multiple sizes by the size. The paper feed rollers 102 take out the recording member stored in the paper feed tray 101 and send it to the transportation path 13. The recording member is transported through the transportation path 13 to the resist roller 409.
Figure 3 depicts the various layers which form the photoconductor 401. The outermost layer 4011 is a filler resin layer, under which is a charge transfer layer 4014, a charge generation layer 4015 and an underlayer 4016. These layers are all formed on a core 4017, e.g. a hollow aluminium cylinder.
The underlayer 4016, which may also be referred to as a blocking layer, prevents charge injection from the conductor substrate into the bulk of the photoconductor, i.e. the layers above. It also serves to reduce roughness of the substrate and may also serve as an adhesive or primer layer to promote bonding of the layers above it to the core 4017.
The charge generation layer 4015 typically contains a dye or pigment dissolved or dispersed in a binder polymer. Absorption of the irradiating light that forms the image and generation of free charge in response to the irradiation light occurs within the charge generation layer 4015 or at the interface between the charge generation and charge transfer layers. The free charge carriers generated in response to the irradiating light serve to discharge the charge that was initially established on the surface.
The charge transfer layer transports charge that is injected from the charge generation material into an appropriate charge transport material that is dissolved in a binder polymer. Charge is transported by the charge transfer material to the surface of the photoconductor. The charge transfer material comprises dopant molecules, such as polyaryl methane or triarylamines which are incorporated in a polymer such as polycarbonate resin. The proportion of charge transport material (donor) within the resin is usually in the range of 40 to 50%.
The filler resin layer 4011 primarily functions as a protective layer to protect the other layers. It may be referred to as the outer protective layer. The filler resin layer comprises a resin (e.g. polycarbonate resin) and additives. The filler resin is generally similar in composition and function to the charge transfer layer but has added metal oxide to reinforce it and improve wear characteristics. The added metal oxide may comprise aluminium oxide. The filler resin layer have a thickness of about 5 µm. Other components may be added to increase desired properties or improve performance, for example donor materials, antioxidants and dispersing agents.
Suitable compositions and structures of the various layers are well known to the person skilled in the art. The present invention can be applied to commercially available and widely used photoconductors made by a variety of manufacturers. Examples of photoconductors to which the present invention can be applied are described in EP 1 256 850 Al and EP 1 211 565 Al
The donor materials in the charge transfer layer and filler resin layer may be aryl amines. Suitable components are described in US 5,550,293 .
After a period of use of such an image forming apparatus, the surface of the photoconductor drum 401 can become worn or damaged, in particular due to friction between it and the toner and the recording member. In addition to damage such as scratching, various materials can adhere to the OPC surface, reducing its ability to retain charge and respond to the exposure light 407. This is shown in Figure 4 where the surface of the filler resin layer 4011a is shown to be uneven.
A first stage of a reviving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Figure 2 and functions to prepare the surface of the photoconductor for re-use. In this apparatus, multiple dense sponges R1, R3 are spun at high speed, e.g. 1500 rpm, by respective motors R2, R4, whilst being translated along the surface of photoconductor 401 in a direction indicated by arrow A. The photoconductor drum 401 is simultaneously rotated about its axle 4013 in direction B, e.g. at a speed of about 200 rpm. During operation, the dense sponge R3 applies polish to the surface of the photoconductor 401 and partially removes materials adhered to the outer surface and potentially part of the outer layer of the photoconductor itself. The dense sponge R1 removes the polish and further removes some of the outer coating layer.
A, softer, sponge R5 rotated by its own motor R6 provides a final cleaning of the filler resin layer surface 4011a. A sprayer R7 sprays a solvent, e.g. isopropyl alcohol, onto the drum adjacent the cleaning sponge R5. As an alternative to separate motors for the three sponges a single motor of sufficient power can be used to drive two or three sponges.
In an embodiment of the present invention two passes of the photoconductor surfaces are made. In some cases a single pass may suffice, in other cases more passes are required. In an embodiment of the present invention no more than 1 µm thickness, e.g. 0.5 µm, of the outer coating layer is removed. In an embodiment of the invention, there are fewer than three sponges. In an embodiment of the invention there are more than three sponges.
Further details of the first polishing stage of the apparatus are given in Japanese patent application no 2012-043305 filed 29 February 2012 . In an embodiment of the invention, another method of polishing the photoconductor drum is used.
Figure 5 illustrates a reflectance spectrum obtained by a Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) using a method described in US 7,842,443 B2 before polishing (thick line) and after polishing (thin line). It can seen that the reflectance improves at frequencies characteristic of adhered material.
The second stage of the photoconductor reviving apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention is depicted in Figure 6. The second stage comprises a heating device R8, e.g. a medium wave infrared lamp with a carbon emitter. Another heating device such as an oven, an induction heater or a microwave heater could be used. The heating device R8 emits energy to heat photoconductor drum 401 which is rotated by motor R14 at a speed of, e.g. 800 rpm. Rotation assists in ensuring the photoconductor heats uniformly. The heating device is arranged to heat filler resin layer 4011 to a temperature higher than the glass temperature of the matrix material making the filler resin layer. The present inventors have determined that heating filler resin layer 4011 to such a temperature serves to improve the characteristics of the photoconductor, in particular improving its ability to take and retain charge and also to selectively allow the charge to drain away under illumination. It is believed that the heat treatment has the effect of redistributing the donor material within the filler resin layer 4011 and in particular increases the donor concentration ratio at or near the surface of filler resin layer 4011.
The revival method of the present invention improves relevant characteristics or properties of the photoconductor in use, such as the maximum voltage that is retained when the photoconductor is charged. The revival method of the present invention extends the useful life of the photoconductor allowing it to be reused for an additional period. In an embodiment, the method of the present invention is capable of giving a photoconductor a new period of useful life that is equivalent to its original designed life from new. In such an embodiment the method may be referred to as remanufacturing.
In an example of the organic photoconductor member, the nominal glass transition temperature , determined by Thermogravimetric Analysis/Differential scanning calorimetry, of a resin component (e.g. polycarbonate) of the filler resin layer 4011 is about 150 or 155 °C. If the actual glass transition temperature of a sample of the filler resin layer is measured, it may be found to be significantly less than the nominal glass transition temperature of the resin matrix, e.g. about 80-90 °C, due to the additives therein. However the present inventors have determined that heating to the measured glass transition temperature does not have a sufficient effect.
Figure 7 illustrates the layer structure of a photoconductor drum 401 that has undergone the process of the present invention. Under microscopic inspection, donor particles 4011b are visible at the surfaces in amongst particles 4011c of the other components of the filler layer 4011.
Figure 8 represents the results of heating photoconductor drums for different lengths of time and for different periods. In Figure 8 the vertical axis represents donor concentration ratio and the horizontal axis represents temperature of the heating step in Celsius. It can be seen the concentration of the donor at the surface temperature increases with the temperature to which the drums are heated and the length of time for which the elevated temperature is maintained. The inventors have determined that heating the photoconductor to a temperature of 150 °C or more for a period of time of 15 minutes or more provides a desirable increase in donor concentration at the surface.
Figure 10 illustrates effects of temperature and heating time on the maximum voltage achieved on charging of the photoconductor drum. In Figure 10, the vertical axis represents the maximum voltage achieved during charging in V and the horizontal axis represents temperature of the heating step in Celsius. It can be seen that a substantial increase in maximum voltage is achieved by heating the photoconductor drum to a temperature 120 °C or more for a period of 15 minutes or more, or heating the photoconductor drum to a temperature of 140 °C or more for a period of 5 minutes or more. The most improved results are obtained when the drum is heated to a temperature of 150 °C or more.
The present inventors have determined that it is desirable to provide radiation at a wavelength of approximately 1660 to 1780 nm in order to optimise absorption by the material of the outer layer. It is desirable to minimise absorption in the charge generation layer. In an example drum, the inventors determined that the charge generation layer absorbs most strongly at approximately 780 nm. In an embodiment the heater device R8 is a carbon emitter infrared lamp. As shown in Figure 9 such a lamp has a significant output at the desired wavelength to heat the outer filler layer but less output at the wavelengths that would most strongly be absorbed by the charge generation layer.
In an embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable to minimise heating of other parts of the photoconductor drum, e.g. to prevent distortion thereof, whilst the outer protective layer, e.g. the filler resin layer, is heated. To control the temperature of the other parts of photoconductor drum 401 various means may be employed. In an embodiment, heat shields R9 are placed adjacent the end flanges of the photoconductor drum 401 to prevent the infrared radiation impinging upon the end flanges. Heat shields R9 are, in an embodiment, reflective surfaces. In an embodiment of the invention, cooling devices R10 are provided to cool the flanges 4012. Cooling devices R10 may comprise compressed air blowers to blow cold air or gas, i.e. air or gas that is cooler than the desired heating temperature, over the flanges 4012. Cooling devices prevent or limit a temperature rise of the flanges 4012 due to heat conducted from the filler resin layer 4011 as indicated by dashed arrows.
To monitor the heat treatment process, a thermograph camera R11 is provided to measure the temperature of the surface of the photoconductor during the process An inspection device comprising radiation source R12 and sensor R13 can also be employed to monitor the donor concentration in the photoconductor surface during the heat treatment process. Regeneration of the organic photoconductor can be detected through a change in appearance of the surface.
Figure 11 is a flowchart depicting a process for reviving a photoconductor in an embodiment of the present invention. The photoconductor revived by this process may be a photoconductor drum as described above or another form of photoconductor.
Firstly, the unit or module containing the photoconductor is removed, step S1, from the image forming apparatus. The photoconductor may be included in a process cartridge including a supply of toner and developer unit or may be included in a photoconductor unit which is separate from the developer unit and toner supply. In rare cases, the photoconductor is removed on its own from the image forming apparatus. This step may be carried out by the end user of the image forming apparatus, especially if the photoconductor is included in a toner process, or by a service person, e.g. if the photoconductor is included in a photoconductor unit separate from the developer unit or is removed independently. Step S 1 may be carried out at the premises where the image forming apparatus is kept and used either as part of routine maintenance or in response to a fault. The photoconductor can also be removed at a factory or other facility for servicing and reviving of image forming apparatus. If the photoconductor is removed at the end user's premises it is despatched to a reviving and recycling centre as required.
Next, the module containing the photoconductor unit is dismantled, step S2, in order to remove the photoconductor therefrom. This step may be omitted if the photoconductor is removed independently from the apparatus.
The photoconductor is then polished and cleaned, step S3, e.g. using the apparatus of Figure 2. After polishing and cleaning, the photoconductor is inspected, step S4, and if it meets applicable standards is passed to the next step. If the photoconductor does not pass the inspection test, it is scrapped or recycled, step S9.
Photoconductors that pass the inspection step S4 are then heated S5 to revive the organic photoconductor, e.g. using the apparatus of Figure 6. There is then a further test/inspection step, step S6, in which relevant parameters, such as donor concentration and/or maximum voltage achieved during charging, are tested. Photoconductors which fail this test are scrapped. Photoconductors that pass the second test/inspection step S6 are reassembled S7 into a relevant module, such as a photoconductor unit or a process cartridge. The module, e.g. photoconductor unit or process cartridge, is then reinstalled in an image forming apparatus, step S8. The reinstallation step S8 can be carried out in a factory that services and/or revives image forming apparatus. Alternatively the module may be despatched to a user's premises for installation by the user or service personnel as applicable.
Variations on the above method are possible. For example, if a photoconductor fails one of the inspection and testing steps S4, S6, it is possible to repeat the preceding step, e.g. polish and clean or revive OPC layer, rather than straightaway scrap S9 the photoconductor drum. A threshold on the number of inspection and testing test failures that is allowed before a drum is recycled may be set.
A first embodiment of the invention is a method for reviving an organic photoconductor member (401) having an outer protective layer (4011), the method comprising:

Optionally in the first embodiment, the outer protective layer (4011) comprises a resin matrix and additives; and the glass transition temperature is the glass transition temperature of the resin matrix in a substantially pure state.
Optionally in the first embodiment, the step of heating comprises directing infrared radiation to the outer protective layer of the organic photoconductor member (4011).
Optionally in the first embodiment, the infrared radiation comprises radiation having a wavelength in the range of from 1660 to 1780 nm.
Optionally the first embodiment further comprises the step of moving the photoconductor member (401) relative to a heat source (R8) during the step of heating.
Optionally in the first embodiment, the photoconductor member (401) is substantially cylindrical and the step of relatively moving comprises rotating the photoconductor member.
Optionally the first embodiment further comprises a step of cooling parts of the organic photoconductor member (401) other than the surface protective layer (4011).
Optionally in the first embodiment, the step of heating comprises maintaining the outer protective layer of the photoconductor at the predetermined temperature for a predetermined period.
Optionally in the first embodiment, predetermined period is equal to or longer than 5 minutes, desirably equal to or longer than 10 minutes, more desirably equal to or longer than 15 minutes.
Optionally in the first embodiment, the predetermined period is equal to or less than 30 minutes.
Optionally in the first embodiment, the step of heating is carried out at a sufficiently high temperature for a sufficiently long period of time to redistribute the concentration of donor dopants in the outer protective layer.
Optionally in the first embodiment, the predetermined temperature is greater than 120 °C, desirably greater than 130 °C, more desirably greater than 140 °C, most desirably greater than 150 °C.
Optionally in the first embodiment, the predetermined temperature is less than or equal to 180 °C.
Optionally in the first embodiment, the temperature and during of the heating step are such as not to cause delamination of layers of the organic photoconductor.
A second embodiment of the present invention comprises an apparatus for reviving an organic photoconductor member (401) having an outer protective layer (4011), the apparatus comprising:

a heating device (R8) for heating the outer protective layer of the organic photoconductor member to a predetermined temperature equal to or greater than the glass transition temperature of the outer protective layer.

Optionally in the second embodiment, the heater (R8) comprises an infrared radiator emitting radiation having a wavelength in the range of from 1660 to 1780 nm.
Optionally in the second embodiment, the infrared radiator has a carbon electrode.
Optionally the second embodiment further comprises a guide means for moving the photoconductor member (401) relative to the heat source (R8).
Optionally in the second embodiment, the drive means is a drive motor (R14) for rotating a cylindrical photoconductor member (401).
Optionally the second embodiment further comprises a cooling device (R9, R10) for cooling parts of the photoconductor member other than the surface protective layer.
Optionally in the second embodiment, the cooling device comprises a gas outlet for directing gas having a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature onto parts of the organic photoconductor member (401) other than the surface protective layer (4011).
Optionally in the second embodiment, the cooling device comprises a heat shield (R9) for shielding a part of the organic photoconductor member (401) from radiation emitted by the heat source (R8).
Optionally the second embodiment further comprises a temperature measuring device, e.g. a thermograph camera, (R11) for measuring the temperature of the outer protective layer.
A third embodiment of the present invention provides a method for reviving image forming apparatus, the method comprising:

removing an organic photoconductor member (401) from a first image forming apparatus;
reviving the organic photoconductor member (401) according to a method of the first embodiment; and
reinstalling the revived organic photoconductor member (401) in a second image forming apparatus.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention provides an organic photoconductor member having an outer protective layer (4011) wherein the donor concentration in the outer conductive layer has been redistributed through a heat treatment process performed after use of the organic photoconductor member.
The present invention has been described above with reference with exemplary embodiments thereof. However, the above embodiments should not be read as limiting the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims. Variations to the described embodiments are possible. For example, the present invention may be applied to multicoloured image forming apparatus having multiple separate photoconductor units. The present invention can also be applied to photoconductors of other forms than cylindrical drums, e.g. flexible belts.

Claims

A method for reviving an organic photoconductor member (401) having an outer protective layer (4011), the method comprising:
heating the outer protective layer of the organic photoconductor member, to a predetermined temperature equal to or greater than the glass transition temperature of the outer protective layer.
A method according to claim 1 wherein the outer protective layer (4011) comprises a resin matrix and additives; and the glass transition temperature is the glass transition temperature of the resin matrix in a substantially pure state.
A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of heating comprises directing infrared radiation to the outer protective layer of the organic photoconductor member (4011).
A method according to claim 3 wherein the infrared radiation comprises radiation having a wavelength in the range of from 1660 to 1780 nm.
A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising the step of moving the photoconductor member (401) relative to a heat source (R8) during the step of heating.
A method according to claim 5 wherein the photoconductor member (401) is substantially cylindrical and the step of relatively moving comprises rotating the photoconductor member.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a step of cooling parts of the organic photoconductor member (401) other than the surface protective layer (4011).
Apparatus for reviving an organic photoconductor member (401) having an outer protective layer (4011), the apparatus comprising:
a heating device (R8) for heating the outer protective layer of the organic photoconductor member to a predetermined temperature equal to or greater than the glass transition temperature of the outer protective layer.
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the heater (R8) comprises an infrared radiator emitting radiation having a wavelength in the range of from 1660 to 1780 nm.
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the infrared radiator has a carbon electrode.
Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10 further comprising a guide means for moving the photoconductor member (401) relative to the heat source (R8).
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the drive means is a drive motor (R14) for rotating a cylindrical photoconductor member (401).
Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12 further comprising a cooling device (R9, R10) for cooling parts of the photoconductor member other than the surface protective layer.
A method for reviving image forming apparatus, the method comprising:
removing an organic photoconductor member (401) from a first image forming apparatus;

reviving the organic photoconductor member (401) according to a method of any one of claims 1 to 15; and

reinstalling the revived organic photoconductor member (401) in a second image forming apparatus.
An organic photoconductor member having an outer protective layer (4011) wherein the donor concentration in the outer conductive layer has been increased through a heat treatment process performed after use of the organic photoconductor member.