Electrophotographic subprocess for apparatus using discharged area toning

摘要

A subprocess is useful in start-up and shutdown of electrophotographic apparatus of the type designed to tone discharged areas. During the subprocess, a photoconductive member passing through a toning station is subjected to an electrical field tending to inhibit toning even of discharged areas. This permits discharging of the photoconductive member as part of shutdown, start-up or sitting idle. Preferably, the photoconductive member is uniformly discharged directly before the toning station which reduces pickup of developer carrier as well as otherwise benefiting the member.