Image forming apparatus and process cartridge

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• image bearing means for bearing a latent image;
• charging means for charging a surface of the image bearing means;
• irradiating means for irradiating the surface of the image bearing means to form a latent image on the surface of the image bearing means;
• developing means for developing the latent image with toner to form a toner image on the surface of the image bearing means;
• transfer means for transferring the toner image onto a recording medium;
• cleaning means for removing residual toner from the surface of the image bearing means after transfer of the toner image;
• temperature and humidity detection means for detecting temperature and humidity within the image forming apparatus;
• stop time measurement means for measuring a period of time for which the image bearing means is not driven;
• removing means for removing discharge products adhering to the surface of the image bearing means when the image bearing means, the developing means, and the cleaning means are driven without applying a bias to the charging means while the transfer means is separated from the image bearing means;
• and
• control means for driving the removing means to remove the discharge products adhering to the surface of the image bearing means for a period of time determined by the control means based on measurements obtained by the temperature and humidity detection means and the stop time measurement means.