Method and device for charging or discharging member

A method of charging or discharging a member comprising the steps of:

• providing a discharging member which includes a solid dielectric member having first and second surfaces extending in one direction, an inducing electrode extending in the one direction along and in contact with the first surface of the solid dielectric member and having a width smaller than that of the first surface of the solid dielectric member and a discharging electrode extending in the one direction along and in contact with a second surface of the solid dielectric member, said inducing electrode and said discharging electrodes sandwiching the solid dielectric member therebetween, wherein the discharging electrode has an exposed side and has a width, measured in a direction perpendicular to the one direction, which is smaller than that of the inducing electrode;
• positioning a member to be charged or discharged adjacent the exposed side of the discharging electrode;
• applying an alternating voltage between the inducing electrode and the discharging electrode to produce a surface discharge on the second surface of the solid dielectric member which is adjacent the discharging electrode;
• moving the member to be charged or discharged relative to the discharging electrode to charge or discharge the member to be charged or discharged by the thus formed surface discharge;
• and
• attenuating the alternating voltage at least down to a voltage at which said surface discharge is not produced, when the application of the alternating voltage to the discharging member is to be stopped, and subsequently reducing said alternating voltage to zero, thereby to minimize electric charge retained on the second surface of the solid dielectric member where the surface discharge occurs.