Abstract: An apparatus in which a six bar linkage cleaner brush retraction/engagement mechanism enables brush retraction (and engagement with the photoreceptor) while providing good control over the brush interference and the capability of changing all of the timing parameters through clutch actuation times in software and clutch shaft speed. The mechanism allows the brushes to retract and engage the photoreceptor independently of one another with relatively soft contacts to the photoreceptor to minimize impacts to photoreceptor motion quality. A four position clutch is used to provide magnetic pole sensor outputs to the system controller to decide when the clutch, which drives the six bar linkage, is engaged and disengaged. The index wheel of the clutch has four equally spaced magnets that are located relative to the retraction crank shaft so that there is a significant amount of time between detecting a pole and the corresponding desired state. An encoder is used to monitor the mechanical drift of each cleaner state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for retracting the cleaner from an imaging surface and preventing toner leakage. An apparatus and method that describes a DESB (i.e. dual electrostatic brush) cleaner in a multi-pass operation that not only has to clean the toner from the photoreceptor, but has to retract from the photoreceptor. The two brushes pivot about two defined pivot points in the cleaner housing during the retraction cycle to disengage from the photoreceptor during multi-pass operations. The first brush is pivoted up and the second brush is pivoted down. A further disclosure is the apparatus and method of using thin sliding and flexible plastic seals for a dual ESB that has moving (e.g. camming in and out) housings. The seals prevent leakage of the toner particles from the cleaner housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stopping rotation and retracting a cleaning brush away from contact regions to avoid the occurrence of flat spots or voids in the cleaning brush and prevent toner emissions from the cleaning brush as it is retracted. The cleaning brush is rotated about a pivot point to move the cleaning brush away from contact with the photoreceptor and the detoning roll. The pivot point is positioned so that the variation in interference to the detoning roll is minimized for variations in the interference and location of the brush against the photoreceptor. Each cleaning brush has a housing that moves in conjunction with the movement of the cleaning brush in order to avoid contact between the housing and the cleaning brush. This cleaning apparatus also enables development of multi-layer color images.

Abstract: A method to evaluate the cleaning performance of brush cleaners by measuring the brush to photoreceptor nip width (e.g cleaning footprint or contact zone) using an ESV sensor or ETAC sensor. This nip width measurement is automatically made using one of the sensing devices. The nip width measurement is converted into diagnostic information using a software algorithm or similar mode of conversion. The diagnostic information can be used in a variety of ways such as a diagnostic tool for a technical representative to warn against the end of brush life, to adjust cleaner biases for automatic changes in setup to achieve better cleaning, to predict brush replacement, to correct brush BPI (i.e. brush to photoreceptor interference) for an under or over engaged brush.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for increasing brush life and reducing emissions by removing accumulated toner using detoning cycles. A further embodiment of the disclosure is a method for periodic brush-reversing detoning cycle occurring during a standby condition.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for identifying cleaner retraction timing faults in an electrostatographic printer. A toner image or patch is developed on the photoreceptor during the non-printing mode of the printer. After cleaning by a retractable cleaner, the portion of the image or patch not cleaned is measured and compared to a predetermined length in order to determine cleaner retracting timing faults in the cleaner subsystem.

Abstract: An apparatus for a central augering system within a cleaning system. This central auger system provides several advantages including: 1) reduction in size of the overall cleaner; 2) prevention of bridging in the cleaner housing due to the close proximity of the auger to the detoning roll the toner falls directly into the auger; and 3) the second detoning roll which sees only a small amount of toner is lubricated by the toner in the auger.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving a cleaning brush, periodically or continuously, to avoid flat spots or voids in the cleaning brush fibers when the printing machine is in standby or off. Periodic movement of the cleaning brush or slow rotation of the cleaning brush when the machine is in a non-operational mode prevent brush "set" from occurring thus, preventing motion quality errors in the printing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that uses a toner valve to seal the interface between a cleaner housing and waste container. The toner valve incorporates a two piece valve of which the larger, called the main valve, is housed in the cleaner housing, and the smaller, called the lid, is housed in the top of the waste container. When the waste container is inserted onto the cleaner housing, the main valve of the cleaner housing is coupled to the lid of the waste container. A handle extending from a shaft in the main valve enables movement of the complete toner valve. The coupling of the two piece toner valve enables the toner valve to work as a single unit when the handle is rotated, opening the waste container and the cleaner housing and providing a totally sealed open path for the toner to fall from the cleaner housing to the waste container. Further rotation of the two piece toner valve closes both the cleaner housing and the waste container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the performance of a cleaner brush used to clean a photoreceptive surface. The apparatus and method include developing a toner patch of known first length on the imaging surface and then removing that toner patch from the imaging surface using a cleaner brush that accumulates a toner patch of a second length on the surface of the brush. The comparison of the toner patch on the imaging surface versus the toner patch on the brush surface monitor the cleaning efficiency of the cleaner brush.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the imaging surface of an electrophotographic machine that includes a biased conductive foam roll. The biased conductive foam roll removes toner from the photoreceptor. The biased foam roll provides the electrostatic cleaning advantages of an electrostatic brush cleaner without the problem of toner accumulation in the brush. The cell structure of the foam roll limits toner accumulation to close to the cleaning surface to enable simple detoning of the foam roll cleaner by a biased detoning roll or air flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning particles from a moving imaging surface. Backers are retracted from the photoreceptor to release cleaning contact between the brushes and the moving imaging surface during development of image-on-image in the multi-pass cycle. After transfer of the image, the backers move into contact with one side of the photoreceptor causing the moving imaging surface, on the other side of the photoreceptor, to contact the cleaner brushes. The brushes clean the moving imaging surface of the photoreceptor. The brushes are released from contact with the moving imaging surface when the backers are retracted, allowing the image on image multi-pass process to begin again. The brushes engage and disengage the photoreceptor in the interdocument zone (i.e. non-imaging region) of the moving surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method using eccentrics, driven by a two-level gear, to sequentially retract and engage the brushes in the non-imaging region of the photoreceptor surface. The first brush, in the direction of motion of the photoreceptor, is brought into contact with the surface, in the non-imaging region, at the beginning of the cleaning cycle, using eccentrics. As the surface moves, the first brush in contact with the surface cleans residual toner from the imaging area, while the second brush is sequentially brought into contact with the surface in the non-imaging region. After the cleaning cycle is complete, the first brush coupled to an eccentric gear is retracted from the surface, in the non-imaging region. As the surface continues to move, the second brush also coupled to an eccentric gear, now in the non-imaging region, is retracted from the surface. Then, development of the image on image begins.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a photoreceptor cleaning blade is mounted to an extension of the coupler link of a four bar linkage. A torsion spring is positioned at the pivot of the crank link to create the torque on the crank link. A weight or solenoid can also be used to create the torque on the crank link. This torque supplies the force to the mounted cleaning blade. The instantaneous center of rotation is a virtual pivot point which is located on the photoreceptor tangent plane. The linkage reaction forces and the blade friction load all pass through the virtual pivot point leaving the blade load a function of the torque on the crank link.

Abstract: A high velocity air and stationary disturber cleaner for cleaning surfaces by drawing air under flexible film seals. A vacuum enclosed in a housing provides the suction force to draw the air under the seal, tangent to the surface to be cleaned, thus removing adhered particles. Disturbers are placed on the surface of the seals in contact with the surface to be cleaned to loosen particles to be removed. The brush density, the fiber length and a plastic film incorporated into the brush design are all ways to limit the amount of air flow through the bulk of the brushes for better cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: A high velocity air and stationary disturber cleaner for cleaning surfaces by drawing air under flexible film seals. A vacuum enclosed in a housing provides the suction force to draw the air under the seal, tangent to the surface to be cleaned, thus removing adhered particles. Disturbers are placed on the surface of the seals in contact with the surface to be cleaned to loosen particles to be removed. The brush density, the fiber length and a plastic film incorporated into the brush design are all ways to limit the amount of air flow through the bulk of the brushes for better cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: A cleaning method and apparatus that provides lubrication to a secondary detoning roll in a cleaner brush system, thus reducing cleaning failures. The toner particles removed from the first detoning roll are transported to the second detoning roll. This allows lubrication of the second detoning roll and reduces the wear problem of the second detoning roll due to lack of lubrication.

Abstract: A high velocity air and stationary disturber cleaner for cleaning surfaces by drawing air under flexible film seals. A vacuum enclosed in a housing provides the suction force to draw the air under the seal, tangent to the surface to be cleaned, thus removing adhered particles. Disturbers are placed on the surface of the seals in contact with the surface to be cleaned to loosen particles to be removed. The brush density, the fiber length and a plastic film incorporated into the brush design are all ways to limit the amount of air flow through the bulk of the brushes for better cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning residual toner from a biased transfer roll (BTR) in an electrophotographic apparatus using a metal or polymeric blade. The cleaning apparatus includes, a cleaner housing mounted adjacent to the BTR, the housing comprising a cleaner sump to which the cleaning blade is rigidly mounted and positioned in interference with the BTR such that its beam deflection provides the force required to clean the surface of the BTR. The cleaning apparatus which is used for removal of residual toner particles from the hard, smooth surface of the BTR is low cost, efficient and significantly smaller than current BTR cleaning devices.

Abstract: A high velocity air and stationary disturber cleaner for cleaning surfaces by drawing air under flexible film seals. A vacuum enclosed in a housing provides the suction force to draw the air under the seal, tangent to the surface to be cleaned, thus removing adhered particles. Disturbers are placed on the surface of the seals in contact with the surface to be cleaned to loosen particles to be removed. The brush density, the fiber length and a plastic film incorporated into the brush design are all ways to limit the amount of air flow through the bulk of the brushes for better cleaning efficiency.