Method and apparatus for separating recording paper from image retaining member

A recording paper separating device for separating a recording paper from a moveable image retaining member, the recording paper retaining a visible toner image thereon, which comprises;

• a separating electrode means for generating a.c. corona discharge in a spatial distribution relative to the surface of the image retaining member so as to eliminate or reduce electrostatic forces generated between said image retaining member and said recording paper;
• said separating electrode means comprising:
• an electrically conductive shield having two ends;
• an insulator block arranged on each end of said conductive shield;
• a high voltage plug connector mounted on one of said insulator blocks;
• a tungsten corona discharging wire extending between said plug connector and the other of said insulator blocks and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said image retaining member;
• and
• arc arresters arranged on the upper portion of each of said insulator blocks;
• and
• an insulator in the form of a strip arranged in spaced relation with said wire and interposed between the surface of the image retaining member and said wire, said insulator extending between said arc arresting substantially in parallel with said wire, the space between said insulator and said wire being such that the special distribution of corona discharge current generated by said separating electrode is flattened and without peaks which would otherwise be present in the absence of said insulator, so that a greater margin of a recording paper on the moving retaining member is substantially neutralized by the corona discharge for separation from the retaining member.