Abstract: A blade cleaning device for removing toner particles remaining on the surface of a photosensitive member after image transfer and which includes a blade which is pressed against the surface and a link supporting mechanism for supporting the blade. In one aspect of the present invention, a spring is provided as connected to the link supporting mechanism mainly to keep the blade in pressure contact with the surface and a coil spring is provided in a node of the link mainly to cancel out any fluctuations imparted to the blade, thereby allowing the blade to be kept in pressure contact with the surface at a desired pressure level at all times. In another aspect, the device is so structured that the blade may be located at an operative position where it is in pressure contact with the surface or at an inoperative position where the blade is separated away from the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting charged toner particles suspended in an air flow is provided. The present apparatus is particularly useful when used in combination with a fur brush cleaning device of a transfer type electrophotographic copying machine. The present collection apparatus comprises a roller electrode and a counter electrode disposed opposite to the peripheral surface of the roller electrode. A blade is provided in contact with the roller electrode. The roller electrode includes an insulating section which always keeps in contact with a portion of the blade thereby roller and counter electrodes are prevented from being bridged by deposited toner particles. A disposable filter unit may be advantageously mounted on the collection apparatus.

Abstract: A cylindrical electrode (26) is disposed in a tubular housing (22) and applied with an electric potential opposite in polarity to a charge on usable toner particles removed from a photoconductive drum (13). A fur brush (21) bifunctions to remove the toner and foreign matter from the drum (13) and create an air flow which carries the toner and foreign matter through a passageway (41) defined between the housing (22) and cylinder (26). The foreign matter is carried into a foreign matter chamber (29) by centrifugal force while the toner adheres to the cylinder (26) which is rotated in the same direction as the air flow. The toner is carried past a blade (34) which extends closely adjacent to the cylinder (26) into a toner recovery chamber (31) from which it is scrapingly removed from the cylinder (26) and recycled.

Abstract: Two fixing rollers are mounted on shafts and rotated to pressingly feed a copy sheet therebetween to fix a toner image to the copy sheet. Spring force is applied to the ends of the shafts to urge the rollers together. The axes of the shafts define an acute angle therebetween to offset a tendency for the pressing force to decrease toward the center of the rollers due to deflection of the shafts and rollers. Feed rollers feed the copy sheet into the bite of the fixing rollers at a speed which is faster than the speed that the fixing rollers feed the copy sheet therebetween. The copy sheet is therefore fed through the fixing rollers in a slackened condition which prevents wrinkling of the copy sheet due to the angle between the shafts.