Abstract: To provide a reasonable and economical recording apparatus wherein an inevitable fluctuation of an intermediate transfer drum or the like does not adversely influence other elements. A recording apparatus wherein a toner image on a photosensitive drum (11) is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer drum (21) and the toner image on the intermediate transfer drum (21) is secondarily transferred to a recording medium (100), characterized in that the apparatus comprises an intermediate transfer drum shifting device (40, 70) for shifting the intermediate transfer drum (21), during the primary transfer, into a first state wherein the intermediate transfer drum (21) is brought into press-contact with the photosensitive drum (11), and, during the secondary transfer, into a second state wherein the intermediate transfer drum (21) is brought into press-contact with the recording medium (100) but not brought into press-contact with the photosensitive drum (11).

Abstract: A carrier for photosensitive sheets of copy paper is cleaned to remove adherent paper particles. The carrier can be an endless belt in which case a cleaning member bears against the lower run of the belt. The carrier can also be a turntable. If the turntable is unable to move horizontally, a cleaning member for the turntable is mounted on a pivotal arm so that the cleaning member can be brought to the turntable. On the other hand, if the turntable is shiftable along a horizontal direction, the cleaning member can be stationary and the turntable is then moved to the cleaning member when the turntable is to be cleaned.

Abstract: A device for cleaning the outer cylindrical surfaces of cylinders in a rotary printing machine includes a cleaning cloth extending over the length of a respective cylinder and cooperating with a pressing-on element. The cleaning cloth is pressable against a respective outer cylindrical surface by the pressing-on element. The pressing-on element includes an elastically deformable body having an internal cavity. As internal pressure is applied to the hollow body, the hollow body expands to apply the cleaning cloth to the outer cylindrical surface of the cylinder. Suction is applied to the hollow body to return the cleaning cloth to a disengaged position a substantial distance from the outer cylindrical surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: A compact cleaning apparatus capable of having a good cleaning function is provided with an image forming apparatus. The cleaning apparatus of the image forming apparatus is pivoted inside this image forming apparatus and cleans an intermediate transfer belt or photosensitive drum. This cleaning apparatus is arranged by a casing having an opening for collecting toner stripped from the surface of the object; a cleaning member mounted on one side edge of the opening of the casing and depressed against the surface of the object; and a drive mechanism having a fulcrum located below the opening of the casing, for pivoting the casing in a direction along which the casing is separated from the object. Three shafts cooperate to perform an engagement or removal operation.

Abstract: A system in which a contact cleaning cylinder is brought into moving synchronous contact with the surface of a cylindrical member to be cleaned to clean the surface.

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 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: A cleaning apparatus, which can be applied to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, is adapted to remove toner adhered from a member to be cleaned. The apparatus includes a cleaning element for removing the adhered toner, a displaceable support for supporting the cleaning element, including a casing for containing the cleaning element therein, so that the cleaning element can be shifted between an operative position where the cleaning element contacts with the member to be cleaned and a retract position where the cleaning element is retracted from the operative position, and an elastic element for elastically biasing the cleaning element supported by the support toward the member to be cleaned. A toner scattering feature directs removed toner entrained by an airflow generated by movement of the cleaning element.

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.