Abstract: There is disclosed a system for cleaning marking material from a surface portion of a movable photoconductive member. The system includes a first rotatable brush, a blade and a second rotatable brush arranged in sequential order along the movable photoconductive member. The first rotatable brush is for removing a first amount of marking material from the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member as the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member moves past said first rotatable electrostatic brush. The blade, in engaging contact with the movable photoconductive member, is for removing a second amount of marking material from the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member. The second rotatable brush, positioned in interference contact with the movable photoconductive member, is for removing substantially all residual marking material that was not removed by the first rotatable brush and the blade.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade for contacting to a rotatable image bearing member and removing toner from the image bearing member; an auxiliary cleaning member, disposed upstream of the cleaning blade with respect to a rotational direction of the image bearing member, for assisting cleaning operation of the cleaning blade; and a sheet contacted to the auxiliary cleaning member and to a surface of the cleaning blade which is remote from the image bearing member.

Abstract: A photoconductor belt cleaning system is described. This system can utilize in one embodiment one cleaning brush and a cleaning blade, and in a second embodiment, two cleaning brushes, brush 1 and brush 2, with a cleaning blade. In the second embodiment, the cleaning blade is located in the system before brush 2, and adjacent to brush 1. The brushes are charged in an opposite polarity to the charge of the toner to be removed from the photoconductor belt.

Abstract: This is a cleaning system useful in an electrophotographic marking system which takes up a small space in space important marking apparatus. It involves applying an asymmetric AC wave-form to a cleaning brush. Wrong sign or unwanted toner will be attracted to this cleaner brush and removed from the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning device, a cleaning method and an image forming apparatus applied with the cleaning device and the cleaning method. The cleaning device includes a first cleaning member for removing waste developers remaining on one of a transfer belt and a photosensitive medium; a support bracket for supporting the first cleaning member; a second cleaning member being disposed in one side of the first cleaning member and serving a role in removing the waste developers remaining on the first cleaning member; a developer transfer member for transferring the removed waste developers; and a base bracket unit for receiving the developer transfer member. On the basis of the cleaning device and the cleaning method, the image forming apparatus is provided with an effect on improved cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member which bears developing-agent images; a first removing member which removes a developing agent from the image bearing member, wherein the first removing member is contacted with the image bearing member while a bias is applied to the first removing member; a second removing member which removes the developing agent from the image bearing member, wherein the second removing member is contacted with a region of the image bearing member from which the developing agent has been removed by the first removing member; and a member which releases the second removing member from the image bearing member in such a manner as to prevent the region of the image bearing member which is contacted with the first removing member at the time of interruption of the application of the bias to the first removing member from coming into contact with the second removing member.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus that uses toners of a plurality of different colors, amorphous toner is used during image forming with a first color. Then, a controller, by using a toner remaining-removing switching device, causes toner scraped off from an image carrier by a blade during cleaning to remain at a predetermined region near the blade. Spherical toner is used during image forming with a second color and thereafter. The controller switches the toner remaining-removing switching device during any one of processes starting from the process of the second color until the end of image formation to remove toner remaining at the predetermined region, and the toner subsequently scraped off, from the image carrier.

Abstract: A cleaning device including a cleaning brush configured to clean a surface of a moving member while contacting and facing the surface; and a cleaning blade which is located on a downstream side from the cleaning brush relative to a moving direction of the moving member while being substantially opposed to the cleaning brush and which is configured to clean a cleaning region of the surface of the moving member while contacting the surface of the moving member, wherein the cleaning brush contains a powder when the cleaning brush is brand-new.

Abstract: A xerographic printer includes a cleaning system having an electrically biased brush and a spots blade downstream of the brush. At various times a “lubrication stripe” of dense toner is placed on the photoreceptor to lubricate the spots blade. In order for the lubrication stripe to reach the spots brush, the bias on the brush is momentarily decreased while the lubrication stripe moves past the brush. Also, the specific color of the lubrication stripe can be selected for various situations.

Abstract: A cleaning station for removing residual toner from a moving toner transfer surface includes a rotating brush and a scraper blade that is held away from the toner transfer surface when toner images are being transferred to recording media, such as sheets of paper. On a periodic basis, when toner images are not being transferred to the recording media, the scraper blade is moved into contact with the toner transfer surface to remove agglomerated toner therefrom, with continued operation of the rotating brush.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is used for cleaning the surface of a photoconductive body. Residual toner on a rotating photoconductive body is collected after transferring a toner image from the photoconductive body onto a print medium, the apparatus includes a first cleaning member, a second cleaning member, and a toner transporting member. The first cleaning member engages the photoconductive body to brush away the residual toner. The second cleaning member is disposed downstream of the first cleaning member with respect to rotation of the photoconductive body. The second cleaning member scrapes the residual toner off the photoconductive body. The toner transporting member is disposed between the first cleaning member and the second cleaning member along a circumferential surface of the photoconductive body. The toner transporting member is positioned with a gap between the photoconductive body and the toner transporting member and transporting the residual toner removed from the photoconductive body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a photosensitive member, a charging device for charging the photosensitive member, a developing device for developing an electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive member by a developer, a cleaning blade for removing the developer residual on the photosensitive member, a rubbing member provided upstream of the cleaning blade in the direction of rotation of the photosensitive member for rubbing the photosensitive member to assist the cleaning blade in cleaning, and a controller for controlling the surface temperature of the photosensitive member, wherein the photosensitive member has the HU (universal hardness value) of 150 N/mm2 or greater and 220 N/mm2 or less, and the elastic deformation rate of 43% or greater and 65% or less.

Abstract: The invention is to provide an image forming method of a long service life, a high image quality and a low running cost, capable of maintaining a stable cleaning performance over a prolonged period without causing an image deletion phenomenon, even with a image bearing member such as a photosensitive member, of a high durability (high strength and high abrasion resistance). The invention provides an image forming method characterized in that the image bearing member has a universal surface hardness HU of 150 to 220 N/mm2 and an elastic deformation ratio We of 40 to 65%, and, for a crossing angle ? (°) between a rotary axis of the contact charging roller and a rotary axis of the image bearing member, for a ratio A (weight %) of the transfer residual toner and the abrasive particles and for a contact pressure B (g/cm) of the cleaning blade, HU, We, A, B and ? satisfy the following relations (I), (II) and (III): (1/6000)×HU×We?A×B ??(I) A/B?? ??(II) 10?B?50.

Abstract: A cleaning unit includes a first blade and a second blade. The first blade is in contact with an image carrier or a paper carrier and removes adhered substances remained on surface of these. The second blade has an abrasive layer that is formed by including abrasive particles in an elastic material and is disposed in the downstream side of the first blade. The second blade is allowed to be in contact with the image carrier 1 or the paper carrier. Volume occupancy of abrasive particles in an area of contact of the second blade with either the image carrier or the paper carrier is not less than 50 percent and not more than 90 percent.

Abstract: A cleaning device is disposed substantially vertical above a photosensitive drum for the purpose of constructing a compact electrophotographic printer. The cleaning device includes a housing that accommodates an auxiliary toner conveying part and a sheet-like resilient member. A cleaning brush is also disposed in the housing so that a gap of 1-3 mm is formed between the cleaning brush and the auxiliary toner conveying part and resilient member. During an image forming operation, toner accumulates between the cleaning blade and the cleaning brush and is conveyed upward through the gap between the cleaning brush and the auxiliary toner conveying part and resilient member. The toner drops onto the cleaning brush near the top thereof and is conveyed by the cleaning brush to a screw. The screw discharges the toner from the cleaning device.

Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning an imaging surface moving in a process direction, including: an abrading brush for uniformly abrading the imaging surface to remove laterally conductive deposits that lead to lateral charge migration therefrom, the abrading brush includes a core defining a core length and having fibers extending outwardly therefrom, the fibers include abrasive particles attached thereto.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus includes image forming units, an intermediate transfer body, and cleaning units. The image forming units form toner images of different colors. Each image forming units includes a developing unit supplying toner of each color. The toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer body in a superposed manner. A toner image having been transferred onto the intermediate transfer body is secondarily transferred onto a recording medium. The cleaning units remove a residual toner on the intermediate transfer body. The cleaning units include first and second cleaning units. The first cleaning unit removes from the intermediate transfer body the largest amount of foreign matters, among all the cleaning units. A residual toner removed by at least the second cleaning unit is returned to one of developing units that supplies a black toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has: an image bearing member that bears a toner image and moves; a transfer means that transfers the toner image on the image bearing member to a transfer medium; a first eliminating member that comes in contact with the image bearing member and collects and eliminates the toner on the image bearing member by applying a bias in a first eliminating area where toner is eliminated from the image bearing member; a second eliminating member that comes in contact with the image bearing member so as to eliminate the toner on the image bearing member in a second eliminating area where the toner remaining on the image bearing member from which the toner is eliminated in the first eliminating area is eliminated; a controller that variably controls a bias condition of the bias to be applied to the first eliminating means based on a relationship between voltage and electric current when a test bias is applied to the first eliminating means in contact with the image bearing member; and a separat

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for cleaning marking material from a surface portion of a movable photoconductive member. The system includes a first rotatable brush, a blade and a second rotatable brush arranged in sequential order along the movable photoconductive member. The first rotatable brush is for removing a first amount of marking material from the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member as the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member moves past said first rotatable electrostatic brush. The blade, in engaging contact with the movable photoconductive member, is for removing a second amount of marking material from the surface portion of the movable photoconductive member. The second rotatable brush, positioned in interference contact with the movable photoconductive member, is for removing substantially all residual marking material that was not removed by the first rotatable brush and the blade.

Abstract: A cleaning system including: a cleaning device for cleaning laterally conductive deposits from the imaging surface; an AC bias member, adjacent to the imaging surface and positioned downstream from the cleaning device; and a power supply for biasing the AC bias member to generate corona that contacts the imaging surface to degrade laterally conductive deposits that lead to lateral charge migration on the imaging surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a photosensitive member, a charging device for charging the photosensitive member, a developing device for developing an electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive member by a developer, a cleaning blade for removing the developer residual on the photosensitive member, a rubbing member provided upstream of the cleaning blade in the direction of rotation of the photosensitive member for rubbing the photosensitive member to assist the cleaning blade in cleaning, and a controller for controlling the surface temperature of the photosensitive member, wherein the photosensitive member has the HU (universal hardness value) of 150 N/mm2 or greater and 220 N/mm2 or less, and the elastic deformation rate of 43% or greater and 65% or less.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus structured with an image carrier; a developing device for making a toner image by using a toner having resin particles, which are obtained through particle formation in an aqueous medium; a transfer device for transferring the toner image onto a transfer material; and a cleaning device for removing residual toner remaining on the image carrier after transferring, wherein the cleaning device has: a cleaning roller having a conductive or semi-conductive resilient body; a cleaning blade made of a resilient material and provided downstream the cleaning roller; a power source to apply a bias voltage on the cleaning roller; and a collecting member to collect the toner removed by the cleaning roller; and wherein the absolute value of the charge amount of the toner used in the image forming apparatus is between 20–50 ?C/g.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus with multiple toner image-forming units that form toner images by developing electrostatic latent images by means of a developer containing a nonmagnetic toner and a magnetic carrier. Each of the toner image-forming units has a photoreceptor, a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image borne on the surface of the photoreceptor, and multiple cleaning rolls, which have a magnetic particle layer of magnetic particles at the surface that are located in the state freely rotatable and in contact with or in the neighborhood of the surface of the photoreceptor. Furthermore, the cleaning rolls absorb nonmagnetic toners present on the surface of the photoreceptor on the magnetic particle layer thereof by rotation and the photoreceptor is rotating at a peripheral velocity of approximately 200 mm/sec or more.

Abstract: A cleaning unit includes a cleaning blade that cleans toner on an image carrier and a brush-shaped roller that applies a lubricant of a molded lubricant on the image carrier. The brush-shaped roller is insulative, and delivers the toner cleaned by the cleaning blade to inside of the cleaning unit.

Abstract: A cleaning unit includes a first blade and a second blade. The first blade is in contact with an image carrier or a paper carrier and removes adhered substances remained on surface of these. The second blade has an abrasive layer that is formed by including abrasive particles in an elastic material and is disposed in the downstream side of the first blade. The second blade is allowed to be in contact with the image carrier 1 or the paper carrier. Volume occupancy of abrasive particles in an area of contact of the second blade with either the image carrier or the paper carrier is not less than 50 percent and not more than 90 percent.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member having at least one short surface and two elongated surfaces and held so as to be substantially a flat shape, and an intermediate transfer member cleaner provided on the short surface of the intermediate transfer member for removing toner attached to the surface of the intermediate transfer member. The intermedaite transfer member cleaner includes a scraper provided on the upstream side of the intermediate transfer member in the direction of rotation and a brash roller 86 provided on the downstream side in the direction of rotation.

Abstract: An image forming process and apparatus, the apparatus including a toner container, a transfer belt below the toner container, a process cartridge below the transfer belt, and an imaging device below the process cartridge. The process cartridge includes a rotating image carrier having an image carrier surface, a brush roller in contact with the image carrier surface, a charging member in contact with the image carrier surface and configured to transfer a charge to the image carrier surface, and a casing including a miler in contact with the image carrier surface and arranged to separate the brush roller from the charging member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a sheet affixed at one edge portion and including a flat surface in the other edge portion. The flat surface is formed with a plurality of grooves each extending over the image forming range of a photoconductive drum perpendicularly to the direction in which the surface of the drum moves. The sheet is deformed such that the flat portion contacts the surface of the drum. In this condition, the downstream edges of the grooves in the above direction shave off the surface of the drum a plurality of times during one rotation of the drum, thereby obviating filming on the drum.

Abstract: There is provided a simply structured, cleanerless image forming apparatus capable of suppressing occurrence of filming without significant remodeling. An image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention comprises a plurality of image forming units 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d for forming toner images of corresponding colors on photoconductor drums 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d according to a cleanerless system. These image forming units respectively have adhered toner film cleaners 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d each of which touches a surface of the photoconductor and mechanically cleans the surface at every cleaning timing for cleaning the surface of the photoconductor. The adhered toner film cleaner does nothing during image formation, but cleans the photoconductor surface only at cleaning timing when the image formation is complete for the specified number of sheets. Accordingly, it is possible to decrease filming without affecting the photoconductor's life.

Abstract: In a toner image forming method, toner contains toner particles having a shape coefficient falling within a range of 1.0 to 1.6 in an amount of 65% by number or more and the toner particles has a variation coefficient of the shape coefficient of 16% or less. In a step of cleaning residual toner remaining on the image carrying member after the step of transferring; the cleaning step includes a step of removing electrostatically residual toner by brining a cleaning roller in contact with a surface of the image carrying member and by applying a bias voltage between the cleaning roller and the image carrying member, and a step of removing mechanically residual toner by bringing a tip end of a cleaning blade in contact with a surface of the image carrying member at a position downstream of the cleaning roller in terms of the rotating direction of the image carrying member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus comprises a photosensitive member, exposing means, and cleaning means for cleaning a residual developer from the photosensitive member, which comprises a cleaning brush brought into contact with the photosensitive member. In this case, a brush density of the cleaning brush is D (number/mm2), and an area of a pixel of an electrostatic image is S (mm2/dot), and D×S?0.06 and D?200 are satisfied. Thus, an image forming apparatus is provided, in which cleaning stability is improved by uniformly scraping off and dispersing the transfer residual developer from the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A cleaning system and process for removing residual toner from an imaging surface, including a primary cleaner system for removing the predominant amount of residual toner and debris and a retractable secondary agglomeration cleaning blade mounted downstream from the primary cleaner, wherein, when the blade is moved into the engaged position, the cleaning edge is engaged with the imaging surface at for shearing release of agglomerations from the imaging surface and wherein the cleaning blade is movable to the retracted position during periods in which the primary cleaner is in its operative position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a paper dust removing device used in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus has a latent image member that receives the latent image produced by a charge differential on the surface of the latent image device. A developing agent, or toner, is then applied to the latent image creating a visible image. The toner image is transferred to a paper as it passes between the latent image member and a transferring roller or device and subsequently processed to adhere the toner image to the paper. The apparatus further has a paper dust removing device that removes paper dust from the latent image member. A biasing device applies an electrical bias to the paper dust removing device to produce a potential difference between the latent image member and the paper dust removing device.

Abstract: A cleaning device of this invention has a first cleaning member that is provided opposing to a developer image carrier for the scraping of the surface of the developer image carrier and a second cleaning member that is put over the first cleaning member and runs between the surface of the developer image carrier and the first cleaning member for the wiping of the surface of the developer image carrier simultaneously with the scraping of the surface of the developer image carrier by the first cleaning member. This cleaning device is used for cleaning of the developer image carrier of an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cleaning apparatus which has a cleaning member for cleaning a surface of an image bearing member, a developer carrying member for carrying a developer cleaned by the cleaning member, a developer receiving member arranged below the cleaning member in a direction of gravity to receive the developer dropped from the cleaning member, and a developer carrying path for interconnecting the developer receiving member and the developer carrying member.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that is capable of realizing good cleaning characteristics and transfer characteristics, and obtaining a high quality image using toner having a high average roundness is provided. The imaging apparatus includes an image carrier, a charge unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a cleaning unit. The transfer unit may directly transfer a toner image onto a recording medium that is carried by a transfer belt, or transfer the toner image onto the transfer belt first to then transfer the toner image onto the recording medium from the transfer belt. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning blade and a brush roller. The toner used in the imaging apparatus has an average roundness &PSgr; within a range of 0.93˜0.99, and a friction coefficient &mgr;s of the image carrier satisfies a condition, friction coefficient &mgr;s≦3.6−3.3×average roundness &PSgr;.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a photoreceptor, a developing section, a transferring section, and a cleaning section, wherein the toner is manufactured by a polymerization method, particle diameter is 3-8 &mgr;m, and a shape factor of the toner is 0.940-0.985. The cleaning section has a rubber blade, and a brush roller implanted with brush fibers, wherein a value of effective rubbing force F, defined by the following expression, of brush fibers is in a range of 2.5-10.5, F=nxyEt3/L3, wherein, “n” represents implanted density of the brush fibers (fibers/mm2), “x” represents a linear speed difference between the brush fibers and the photoreceptor (mm/s), “y” represents an encroaching amount (mm) of the brush fibers upon the photoreceptor, “E” represents Young's modulus (kgf/mm2), “t” represents a diameter (mm), and “L” represents a free length (mm) of the brush fibers.

Abstract: A cleaning device of this invention has a first cleaning member that is provided opposing to a developer image carrier for the scraping of the surface of the developer image carrier and a second cleaning member that is put over the first cleaning member and runs between the surface of the developer image carrier and the first cleaning member for the wiping of the surface of the developer image carrier simultaneously with the scraping of the surface of the developer image carrier by the first cleaning member. This cleaning device is used for cleaning of the developer image carrier of an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A cleaning device in an image forming apparatus, which performs cleaning, includes a roll-shaped electrically conductive brush grounded via a varistor (non-linear resistor element), a flicker metal rod which is put in pressure contact with the electrically conductive brush and connected to have a potential equal to a potential of the electrically conductive brush, and a cleaning blade formed of an elastic material.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus comprises a photosensitive member, exposing means, and cleaning means for cleaning a residual developer from the photosensitive member, which comprises a cleaning brush brought into contact with the photosensitive member. In this case, if a brush density of the cleaning brush is D (number/mm2), and an area of a pixel of an electrostatic image is S (mm2/dot), D×S≧0.06 and D≦200 are satisfied. Thus, an image forming apparatus is provided, in which cleaning stability is improved by uniformly scraping off and dispersing the transfer residual developer from the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A cleaning device including a housing disposed above a photoconductor drum and having an opening portion open downward toward the circumferential surface of the photoconductor drum, a cleaning blade disposed in the housing so as to be located in the opening portion downstream in the direction of rotation of the photoconductor drum, and a cleaning roller disposed in the housing so as to be located in the opening portion upstream from the cleaning blade in the direction of rotation of the photoconductor drum; and an image forming apparatus equipped with the cleaning device. In the housing of the cleaning device, a spiral roller for letting out a toner recovered into the housing is disposed above the cleaning blade. A partition wall is disposed between the cleaning blade and the spiral roller, and a toner movement space for moving the toner recovered into the housing is formed between the front end of the partition wall and the circumferential surface of the cleaning roller.

Abstract: In order to strip a film-like coating having toner residues, abrasion and paper dust from an intermediate carrier (for example, a photoconductor), a cleaning unit is provided that is planarly executed and bent such that first and second surfaces and a rounded-off bending region arise. The cleaning unit has its first surface arranged parallel to the intermediate carrier such that the coating runs through under the bending region and then between the first surface and the intermediate carrier, so that the toner contained in the coating loosens the coating from the intermediate carrier.

Abstract: A cleaning device in an image forming apparatus, which performs cleaning, comprises a roll-shaped electrically conductive brush grounded via a varistor (non-linear resistor element), a flicker metal rod which is put in pressure contact with the electrically conductive brush and connected to have a potential equal to a potential of the electrically conductive brush, and a cleaning blade formed of an elastic material.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a cleaning device for removing toner, paper dust and other impurities left on an image carrier after image transfer with a cleaning member is disclosed. The cleaning member contacts the surface of the image carrier with variable pressure and remains, about the time when the image carrier stops moving after image formation, in contact with the surface with pressure lower than pressure capable of scrapping off the impurities. Before movement for image formation, the image carrier is driven in a reverse direction opposite to a forward direction assigned to image formation, stopped, and again moved in the forward direction and then in the reverse direction at least one time.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a photoreceptor, a developing section, a transferring section, and a cleaning section, wherein the toner is manufactured by a polymerization method, particle diameter is 3-8 &mgr;m, and a shape factor of the toner is 0.940-0.985. The cleaning section has a rubber blade, and a brush roller implanted with brush fibers, wherein a value of effective rubbing force F, defined by the following expression, of brush fibers is in a range of 2.5-10.

Abstract: A cleaning device of this invention has a first cleaning member that is provided opposing to a developer image carrier for the scraping of the surface of the developer image carrier and a second cleaning member that is put over the first cleaning member and runs between the surface of the developer image carrier and the first cleaning member for the wiping of the surface of the developer image carrier simultaneously with the scraping of the surface of the developer image carrier by the first cleaning member. This cleaning device is used for cleaning of the developer image carrier of an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning an image carrier by removing toner and other residues left thereon of the present invention includes a brush having tips, which contact the surface of the image carrier, provided with a loop configuration and a contact pressure of 50 g/cm2. A toner collecting space is located at a position adjacent to the brush and at which the tips of the brush contacted the surface of the image carrier arrive in accordance with the movement of the brush.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is disclosed which has a cleaning unit with a cleaning roller that contacts the surface of the photoreceptor, a bias voltage applying device which applies a bias voltage to the cleaning roller, and a flat, board-shaped cleaning blade. The blade has an elastic body and a leading edge which contacts the surface of the photoreceptor downstream from the cleaning roller.

Abstract: A cleaning device of this invention has a first cleaning member that is provided opposing to a developer image carrier for the scraping of the surface of the developer image carrier and a second cleaning member that is put over the first cleaning member and runs between the surface of the developer image carrier and the first cleaning member for the wiping of the surface of the developer image carrier simultaneously with the scraping of the surface of the developer image carrier by the first cleaning member. This cleaning device is used for cleaning of the developer image carrier of an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing residual particles from an imaging surface, including: a cleaning blade having an edge adapted to remove the residual particles from the imaging surface; a vibrating member, connected to said cleaning blade, for vibrating said cleaning blade at a predefine frequency to cause stress in contact points between individual residual particles which are in contact with imaging surface thereby improving releasing of residual particles from the imaging surface.