Abstract: Hard image forming apparatuses and methods are described. According to one arrangement, a hard image forming apparatus includes an imaging member comprising a surface, a development system configured to provide a marking agent to the surface of the imaging member to form developed images upon the surface of the imaging member which correspond to latent images formed using the surface of the imaging member, and a transfer system configured to transfer the developed images from the surface of the imaging member to media.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which comprises an image bearing member on which a toner image is formed, a sweep roller for removing residual toner particles from the image bearing member, and a recovery roller for recovering the toner particles from the sweep roller. The recovery roller has a diameter of 10 mm or less, and a surface roughness Rz of 1.6 ?m to 6.4 ?m.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a charger that electrically charges the image carrier; an image forming section that forms an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier and develops the electrostatic latent image; a transferring-fixing section that transfers the image from the image carrier and fix the image onto a recording medium; a cleaning member; and a cleaning member moving section. The cleaning member cleans an unnecessary substance adhering onto a surface of the image carrier by abutting against the surface of the image carrier, and is capable of moving between an abutment position and a separation position where the cleaning member is separated from the image carrier. The cleaning member moving section moves the cleaning member from the separation position to the abutment position in accordance with a surface resistance of the surface of the image carrier.

Abstract: A transfer unit of an image forming apparatus includes a belt to receive an image developed on a photosensitive medium while rotating in a regular cycle and in contact with an outer circumference of at least one photosensitive medium. A blade arm, which is installed adjacent to the belt, moves to a first position to position a cleaning blade, which is supported by the blade arm, to be in contact with the belt. The cleaning blade is coupled to a pressure unit to bias the cleaning blade towards the belt.

Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning a moving surface of an image forming device, such as a photoreceptor. The cleaning system includes first and second links each having three pivot connections for pivotally connecting first and second cleaning blades together in mutually exclusive cooperative movement alternating between a common Cleaning Position at a first location and respective Suspended Positions. The cleaning system can include a Doctor Blade arrangement in which the cleaning blades are disposed in a Doctor Blade orientation in the Cleaning Position. The cleaning system can include a Wiper Blade arrangement in which the cleaning blades are disposed in a Wiper Blade orientation in the Cleaning Position. The first and second cleaning blades form similar Blade Holder Angles, Blade Deflection Angles and Working Angles when occupying the Cleaning Position.

Abstract: A photosensitive cartridge includes a frame; a photosensitive drum; a drum gear; a cleaning roller; and a cleaning gear, which is provided at one end portion of the cleaning roller, which meshes with the drum gear, and which rotates integrally with the cleaning roller by a force from the drum gear. The cleaning roller is swingable around a swing axis extending parallel to a rotation axis of the cleaning roller. The swing axis is provided at a side that is opposite to the photosensitive drum with respect to a straight line extending in an input direction of a force from a tooth surface of the drum gear through a meshing position between the cleaning gear and the drum gear. The frame includes a restricting face, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the input direction, and which restricts movement of the cleaning gear in the input direction.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus of this invention includes an image bearing member which bears a toner image; a toner image forming device which forms a plurality of the toner images on the image bearing member continuously; a transfer device which transfers the toner image on the image bearing member to a recording material; a cleaning web which wipes off toner remaining on the image bearing member after the toner image is transferred to the recording material; and a separating unit which separates the web from the image bearing member when the toner image forming means is forming a plurality of the toner images on the image bearing member continuously.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: a developer moving element that moves developer in order to transfer the developer onto a medium by rotating with the developer being borne on the developer moving element; and a collector for collecting the developer that has not been transferred onto the medium and remains on the developer moving element, the collector having a scraper blade that can abut against and separate from the developer moving element and that is for scraping off the developer on the developer moving element by abutting against the developer moving element, a sealing member that can contact with and separate from the developer moving element and that is for preventing, by contacting the developer moving element, the developer from spilling outside the collector, a ventilation opening for moving air in the collector outside the collector, and a valve for adjusting an amount of air passing through the ventilation opening, and the collector being made such that when either one of the scraper blade

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade configured to remove toner adhered on a surface of an image bearing member, and a contact and separation mechanism configured to contact and separate the cleaning blade to and from the surface of the image bearing member, the contact and separation mechanism including a first force providing member configured to provide a first force to contact the cleaning blade onto the surface of the image bearing member, a second force providing member configured to provide a second force to separate the cleaning blade from the surface of the image bearing member, and a third force providing member configured to provide a third force to change an amount of the second force exerted by the second force providing member.

Abstract: A transfer residual toner that has not been electrostatically transferred onto a transfer paper P at a transfer nip and remains on a surface of a photosensitive element is temporarily retained by an elastic blade of a toner retaining unit in a mechanical manner before reaching a latent image forming area. When passing through the latent image forming area, the transfer residual toner is returned onto the surface of the photosensitive member at such a timing that writing is not performed by an exposing unit on the surface of the photosensitive element.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a charger that electrically charges the image carrier; an image forming section that forms an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier and develops the electrostatic latent image; a transferring-fixing section that transfers the image from the image carrier and fix the image onto a recording medium; a cleaning member; and a cleaning member moving section. The cleaning member cleans an unnecessary substance adhering onto a surface of the image carrier by abutting against the surface of the image carrier, and is capable of moving between an abutment position and a separation position where the cleaning member is separated from the image carrier. The cleaning member moving section moves the cleaning member from the separation position to the abutment position in accordance with a surface resistance of the surface of the image carrier.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt stretched around driving and blade opposing rollers. The blade opposing roller is biased in a bias direction away from the driving roller by a biasing member and has a cleaning blade in contact with the belt. In a color mode, the belt is thrust against multiple image forming stations using multiple transfer members. In a monochromatic model, the belt is thrust against only a monochromatic image forming station using a monochromatic transfer member and other transfer members are moved away from the image forming stations. The belt is brought into a thrust-condition after completion of the monochromatic mode to be thrust against multiple image forming stations; and is then released to bring the blade opposing roller into following rotation in the opposite direction of the transport direction so that the blade opposing roller is biased in the bias direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, an optical unit provided below the photosensitive drum and including a cover glass for transmitting light emitted toward the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning member configured to clean a surface of the cover glass. The cleaning member includes a cleaning sheet configured to move foreign substances on the surface, and a wiping member configured to wipe foreign substances from the surface. The cleaning sheet and the wiping member move in contact with the surface of the cover glass when the cleaning member cleans the surface. The wiping member moves in contact with a portion of the surface of the cover glass after the cleaning sheet moves in contact with the portion. Accordingly, the cover glass can be reliably cleaned even when an unexpectedly large number of foreign substances that vary in particle size and shape adhere to the cover glass.

Abstract: A cleaning blade for removing residual toner left on the surface of an intermediate transfer belt after the second transfer is supported integrally with movement of a tension roller. In the case where the tension roller moves to make a tension of the intermediate transfer belt constant, then, following this, the cleaning blade moves. Thus, the contact state of the cleaning blade with respect to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt is kept constant, and thus cleaning of the intermediate transfer belt can be performed stably.

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: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member on which a toner image is formed and a blade retained so as to be capable of coming into contact with and separating from the image bearing member and adapted, when in contact with the image bearing member, to remove residual toner remaining on the image bearing member after image transfer, the blade being brought into contact with or separated from the image bearing member during movement of the image bearing member, wherein the blade includes an edge portion to be brought into contact with the image bearing member and a support portion causing the edge portion to come into contact with the image bearing member, and wherein the hardness of the edge portion is higher than the hardness of the support portion, the hardness of the edge portion being not less than 75 degrees but not more than 100 degrees (JIS-A), the hardness of the support portion being not less than 60 degrees but not more than 85 degrees (JIS-A).

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: An image formation apparatus includes a cleaning device capable of coming into and out of contact with the front surface of a toner image carrier which rotates with toner images adhering on its front surface, and for removing toners adherent on the front surface of the toner image carrier during the contact. A toner reception portion is disposed on a downstream side than the contact position between the cleaning device and the toner image carrier as viewed in the moving direction of the front surface of the toner image carrier, and it is partitioned into a plurality of chambers by a partition plate which extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the front surface of the toner image carrier.

Abstract: A cleaning unit includes a cabinet, a cleaning blade, a toner drop preventive sheet, and an auxiliary member. The cabinet has an opening facing an outer periphery of a photosensitive drum. The cleaning blade is operative to scrape down residual toner adhering to the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum. The toner drop preventive sheet is operative to prevent the residual toner scraped down by the cleaning blade from dropping between the photosensitive drum and the cabinet. The auxiliary member is disposed below the toner drop preventive sheet and is movable between a first position for receiving a bulk substance dropping from the toner drop preventive sheet and a second position for dropping the bulk substance received from the toner drop preventive sheet.

Abstract: When superimposing toner images of a plurality of colors on an image supporting member to form a color image, a free phase ion in a precedent image is removed without distorting the toner image precedently formed on the image supporting member, thereby improving reproducibility of image dots of the toner images having second and subsequent colors to obtain a high-definition color image with high contrast.

Abstract: A recording apparatus has a paper feeder wherein single sheets of paper can be set, a paper delivery device for transporting paper fed from the paper feeder to a recorder, and a control unit for controlling operation of the paper feeder and the paper delivery device. The control unit has a skew removal execution mode of only the first sheet of paper where the paper tip is bitten into a paper delivery roller forming a part of the paper delivery device and then the paper delivery roller is reversely rotated for ejecting the paper tip for the first sheet of paper at the start of recording and then forward rotating the paper delivery roller for delivering the sheet of paper whose skew is removed to the recorder and delivering the second and later sheets of paper to a record area without executing the skew removal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt member, a secondary transfer member which is abutted against the belt member to secondary transfer a toner image to a recording medium and a contact/separation mechanism which brings the secondary transfer member into contact with a first widthwise end portion in the belt member first.

Abstract: A contaminant removing member for removing contaminants adhering to the surface of the photoconductive member is contacted to and pressed against the surface of the photoconductive member by an engaging and disengaging mechanism only when a contaminant removing operation is performed. Accordingly, the contaminants adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum can be removed while damage to the surface of the photosensitive drum is minimized. Alternatively the contaminant removing operation can be performed by a contaminant removing member removably mounted to one of a toner container or a photosensitive member container.

Abstract: An improved thermal development apparatus is used to remove uncured photopolymer from the imaged surface of a flexographic printing element. The apparatus typically comprises one or more heatable rolls that are contactable with an imaged surface of a flexographic printing element; and means for maintaining contact between the one or more heatable rolls and the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element. The one or more heatable rolls are heated and is moved over at least a portion of the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element, and non-crosslinked polymer on the imaged surface of the flexographic printing element is melted and removed by the one or more heatable rolls.

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: A latent image formed on a photosensitive member in exposure operations is developed into a toner image, which is then transferred onto an image bearing member in primary transfer operations. Afterward, the toner image is transferred onto a recording sheet in secondary transfer operations. A cleaning unit for cleaning the image bearing member by removing residual toner therefrom is brought into and out of contact with the surface of the image bearing member at a time when neither the exposure operations nor primary transfer operations are being performed.

Abstract: A cleaning station for removing particulate material from a moving web in an electrostatic printer/copier includes a customer-replaceable web-cleaning cartridge and a support bracket/backup shoe assembly. The latter serves to support the cleaning cartridge for movement between an operative position in which web-cleaning components of the cartridge exert a substantially uniform pressure on the web, and a service position in which the cartridge is sufficiently spaced from the web to facilitate replacement and/or service. Preferably, a bracket that supports the cleaning cartridge is pivotally connected to a backup shoe that is fixed with respect to the web path and exerts a uniform pressure on the rear surface of the web, opposite that contacted by the cleaning cartridge. A quick disconnect feature enables the cartridge-supporting bracket to be de-coupled from the back-up shoe and removed from the instrument.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member on which a toner image is formed and a blade retained so as to be capable of coming into contact with and separating from the image bearing member and adapted, when in contact with the image bearing member, to remove residual toner remaining on the image bearing member after image transfer, the blade being brought into contact with or separated from the image bearing member during movement of the image bearing member, wherein the blade includes an edge portion to be brought into contact with the image bearing member and a support portion causing the edge portion to come into contact with the image bearing member, and wherein the hardness of the edge portion is higher than the hardness of the support portion, the hardness of the edge portion being not less than 75 degrees but not more than 100 degrees (JIS-A), the hardness of the support portion being not less than 60 degrees but not more than 85 degrees (JIS-A).

Abstract: A photosensitive belt cleaning roller is constructed to discharge residual toner, removed from a photosensitive belt onto an intermediate transferring belt. Accordingly, the residual toner on the photosensitive belt is first removed by the photosensitive belt cleaning roller, is discharged from the photosensitive belt cleaning roller onto the intermediate transferring belt, and is then finally removed from the intermediate transferring belt by the intermediate transferring belt cleaning unit. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently collect residual toner remaining on the first and second image bearing bodies into a single, common place.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning an imaging surface with a cleaning blade including a drop seal actuator that urges a seal into position and then collects toner in a cleaner unit. The seal captures falling accumulated toner from the cleaning blade which may contaminate the xerographic area when the cleaning blade is retracted from the imaging surface. Implementation of the drop seal actuator in contact with the seal positions the seal to contain toner within the cleaner unit.

Abstract: A contaminant removing member for removing contaminants adhering to the surface of the photoconductive member is contacted to and pressed against the surface of the photoconductive member by an engaging and disengaging mechanism only when a contaminant removing operation is performed. Accordingly, the contaminants adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum can be removed while damage to the surface of the photosensitive drum is minimized. Alternatively the contaminant removing operation can be performed by a contaminant removing member removably mounted to one of a toner container or a photosensitive member container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning member including melamine resin foam in at least a portion that contacts an object to be cleaned. A charging device and a transfer device including the cleaning member are provided as well. An image forming apparatus including at least the cleaning member is also provided. In the image forming apparatus the cleaning member cleans at least one of a charge roll of the charging device, an image carrier, and a transfer roll of the transfer device.

Abstract: A color laser printer includes a second cleaner, that has a second cleaning roller, a second cleaning box, a second removing roller and a waste toner storage portion, in its casing. In the color laser printer, only the second cleaning roller, which captures toner remaining on an intermediate transfer belt, moves to contact and separate from the intermediate transfer belt while the second cleaning box, the second removing roller and the waste toner storage portion are fixed to the casing of the color laser printer. Therefore, the structure of the color laser printer is simplified, thereby reducing its manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A cam mechanism for a printer that includes a cam including an active cam surface having a continually increasing radius over an active cam angle, a biased cam follower in contact with the active cam surface, and a drive mechanism for rotating the cam such that only the active cam surface contacts the cam follower.

Abstract: A cleaning system and a cleaning method is provided with a cleaning medium comprising a magnetic substance and a magnetic field generating device for applying a magnetic force to the magnetic substance in the cleaning medium so that the magnetic substance and the area to be cleaned are rubbed together. The area to be cleaned is cleaned by the rubbing action of the cleaning medium. The interior of the cleaned object not reachable by hands or instruments can be easily cleaned with this device. The cleaning medium, made of a magnetic substance, is guided into the interior of the cleaned object. The magnetic field generating device generates a magnetic field in the cleaning medium and thereby applies a force to the magnetic substance. By rubbing the magnetic substance on the inner wall surface of the area to be clean, the object can be cleaned efficiently.

Abstract: A device for engaging and disengaging an object in one direction and a photosensitive medium cleaning device of a liquid printer using the same are provided. The device for engaging and disengaging includes a housing, a driving motor disposed at the housing, a rotating bracket, rotatably disposed at the housing, for supporting the object, and a cam unit, capable of rotating and moving linearly by a rotating force of the driving motor, for transferring the rotating bracket to one side by being rotated after being moved linearly to the rotating bracket while the driving unit is rotating in one direction, the cam unit being separated from the rotating bracket enabling the rotating bracket to return to an initial position while the driving motor is rotating reversely.

Abstract: A transfer roller cleaning mechanism 12 is brought into contact with a transfer roller 11 so as to remove a harmful substance contained in a developer remaining on the transfer roller 11 after a transfer step. Upon completion of printing of a predetermined number of pages, a fixation roller 13 is moved apart from the transfer roller 11 and a developed image for cleaning is formed over the entire printing area on a photosensitive body 1. This developed image is made into a film shape, which is transferred onto the transfer roller 11. The film-shaped developed image for cleaning is cleaned by the transfer roller cleaning mechanism 12.

Abstract: A motion-defect-free assembly and a method of minimizing cleaning apparatus induced motion quality disturbances in a moving belt photoreceptor of a toner image reproduction machine are provided. The assembly for practicing the method includes at least one resilient member located to each side of the moving belt photoreceptor at a desired belt cleaning station along a path of movement of the belt photoreceptor, and a cleaning apparatus that is mounted at the cleaning station and that includes at least one separately moveable cleaning member. The cleaning apparatus also includes a moveable frame having frame locating members, and the at least one separately moveable cleaning member.

Abstract: A motion-defect-free assembly and a method of minimizing cleaning apparatus induced motion quality disturbances in a moving belt photoreceptor of a toner image reproduction machine are provided. The assembly for practicing the method includes at least one resilient member located to each side of the moving belt photoreceptor at a desired belt cleaning station along a path of movement of the belt photoreceptor, and a cleaning apparatus that is mounted at the cleaning station and that includes at least one separately moveable cleaning member. The cleaning apparatus also includes a moveable frame having frame locating members, and the at least one separately moveable cleaning member.

Abstract: A method of cleaning ink remaining on a photoreceptor web when an error occurs in a printer including a development unit for supplying ink to a rotating photoreceptor web to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor web, a transfer roller for transferring a toner image formed on the photoreceptor web to a sheet of paper, and a cleaning roller installed to clean the transfer roller. When an error occurs, a printing operation is stopped so that the printing cannot be performed. Next, the ink adhering to the photoreceptor web is transferred to the transfer roller by rotating the photoreceptor web a predetermined number of times in a state in which the cleaning roller is separated from the transfer roller and the transfer roller contacts the, photoreceptor web. Then, the ink transferred to the transfer roller is removed in a state in which the cleaning roller contacts the transfer roller. Thus, the time required to remove the polluted ink remaining on the photoreceptor web can be reduced.

Abstract: A single revolution clutch with an auto-home feature. This feature, added to the single revolution clutch, provides a mechanical home position stop. It utilizes the motion of the case to accomplish this. Whenever the clutch is energized, the case is pulled in, or the 1 mm gap is closed. The control ring has an additional single home detent on the opposite side to the one or more detents normally found on the single revolution clutch. The case has a tab feature, which can be punched out of the case itself, or can be tacked on as an additional piece of metal or plastic. This tab feature, seen as an "L" shape from the side, will move with the case. When the case is energized and closes its 1 mm gap, the normal detents on both the control ring and the case, spin free of each other. However, the "L" tab now moves closer to the single home tab on the other side of the control ring, and locks the control ring within one revolution of rotation or less.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a cassette-type cleaner for removing contaminants sticking to the surface of a photosensitive medium or a transfer roller including a photoreceptor belt circulating along an endless track by a plurality of rollers, a laser scanning unit for forming a latent electrostatic image on the photoreceptor belt, a development unit for developing the latent electrostatic image formed on the photoreceptor belt into a toner image; a drying unit for drying the photoreceptor belt; a transfer unit for transferring the toner image of the photoreceptor belt onto a sheet of paper, and a cassette-type cleaner having a case having a cavity at its one side, a cleaning belt partially exposed by the cavity and installed within the case so as to contact the contaminated portion of the image forming apparatus, and first and second guiding rollers rotatably installed within the case and spaced a predetermined distance spaced apart, for guiding the cleaning belt.

Abstract: A wet-type image forming apparatus providing a uniform pressure applied to a photoconductor belt is disclosed. A squeezing roller is provided in the development side of the photoconductor belt and a backup roller in provided in the non-development side of the photoconductor belt. The photoconductor belt is held by the squeezing and backup rollers under a predetermined pressure during development. The squeezing roller is moved toward or away from the photoconductor belt and the longitudinal axis of the backup roller is titled to a predetermined angel with respect to that of the squeezing roller about an longitudinal middle point thereof during the development.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of effectively removing a residual toner on a surface of an intermediate transfer roller by a cleaning roller and a predetermined plate form blade without injuring the surface of the intermediate transfer roller. In the electrophotographic type image forming apparatus, the cleaning roller rotates in an opposite direction to the rotating direction of the intermediate transfer roller and is provided in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer roller. Also, a plate form blade contacting with the cleaning roller is provided. Also, at least the cleaning roller is movable toward and away from the intermediate roller.

Abstract: A color marking machine which produces a composite color image in five cycles of a photoreceptive member, said color marking machine including a continuous photoreceptive member; a drive system rotating said photoreceptive member in a first direction; a charging station (R) for charging said photoreceptive member; an exposure station (E) for exposing said photoreceptive member so as to produce latent images on said photoreceptive member; a development station (D) for developing said latent images with toner to produce a toner image on said photoreceptive member; a transfer station (T) for transferring said toner image from said photoreceptive member onto a substrate; and a cleaning station (C) for removing residual toner particles from said photoreceptive member; and an camming assembly, operatively connected to said cleaning station and said transfer station, for engaging and disengaging said cleaning station and transfer station to and from said photoreceptive member.

Abstract: In a multicolor image forming apparatus, an intermediate transfer belt is moved at a first speed. A secondary transfer roll is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt at the time of secondary transfer in order to secondarily transfer a multicolor toner image on the intermediate transfer belt onto recording paper. The secondary transfer roll is rotated by a driving unit including a gear unit at a peripheral speed higher than the first speed. A torque limiter limits the driving torque of the secondary transfer roll pressed against the intermediate transfer belt to the load torque of the secondary transfer roll separated from the intermediate transfer belt. Consequently, the secondary transfer roll is rotated at a speed equal to or slightly higher than the speed of the intermediate transfer belt and the load of the secondary transfer roll applied to the intermediate transfer belt never exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a charging member that allows easy removal of smears from an image forming drum. The apparatus removes smears from the image forming drum by placing a different portion of the charging member in contact with the drum. The apparatus uses a cam or a solenoid to press on the charging member to cause a different portion of the charging member to come into contact with the image forming drum.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and printing machine that utilizes a ramped backer and/or a shock absorbing material in a cleaner subsystem to reduce or prevent photoreceptor motion quality disturbances. The shock absorbing material prevents an instantaneous high impact force between the spacer wheel and the photoreceptor backer bar that can cause photoreceptor motion quality disturbance. The ramped backer prevents the instantaneous deceleration of the spacer wheel with the backer that causes motion quality disturbance due to the shaking of the photoreceptor belt from the impact on contact. The combination of the shock absorbing material and the ramped backer create a preferred embodiment to prevent photoreceptor motion quality disturbance by the cleaner system.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus includes a photoreceptor belt on which a latent electrostatic image is formed, and a plurality of development devices for developing the latent electrostatic image formed on the photoreceptor belt. Each of the development devices has a development roller for coating a developer liquid on the photoreceptor belt, and a squeegee roller for removing excess developer liquid from the photoreceptor belt. A roller driving means drives the squeegee rollers, and an elevating means elevates the development devices. The plurality of development devices are supported by a pair of frames that are spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other. The roller driving means commonly drives the squeegee rollers of the development devices. The frame elevating means displaces the pair of frames, such that the squeegee rollers are simultaneously in contact with or out of contact with the photoreceptor belt.

Abstract: A photoreceptor belt cleaning apparatus of a liquid electrophotographic printer for removing a residual developer liquid and foreign matter remaining on a photoreceptor belt used as a photoreceptor medium. The apparatus includes a housing elevatably installed by a reciprocating means provided in a printer body for moving the housing towards or away from the photoreceptor belt, and a traveling cleaning belt supported by a plurality of rollers rotatably installed in the housing. While the cleaning belt travels selectively in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor belt, the surface of the photoreceptor belt can be cleaned.