Abstract: A cleaning device for use with an image forming apparatus, includes: a frame including a fixing portion; a cleaning member, fixed at the fixing portion, for removing developer from an image bearing member (drum). The cleaning member includes: a blade portion contacted to the drum; and a flexible supporting member for supporting the blade portion, the supporting member including one end portion where the blade portion is provided, another end portion including a portion-to-be-fixed at the fixing portion, and a bent portion between the end portions; and an engaging portion provided on the frame. The engaging portion is engaged, such that the blade portion is not contacted to the drum, with a portion-to-be-engaged provided at the supporting member to position the cleaning member. The engaging portion is spaced from the portion-to-be-engaged in a state in which the blade portion is contacted to the drum.

Abstract: A cleaner includes a cleaning member having a distal end in contact with an image carrier so as to remove developer attached to the image carrier, a cleaning container that stores the removed developer, a cleaning support body including a cleaning support portion extending from the distal end to a proximal end of the cleaning member so as to support the proximal end of the cleaning member, a bent portion bent from the cleaning support portion, and a supported portion supported by the cleaning container, a vibration-damping body in contact with an end of the bent portion opposite the cleaning support portion so as to regulate vibration of the cleaning support body, and a vibration-damping-body fixing member supported by the cleaning container and having a clamp portion that clamps the vibration-damping body between the vibration-damping-body fixing member and the end of the bent portion.

Abstract: A developer collecting device includes a housing provided with an opening opposed to a developer carrying member, a collecting member provided on a support member and capable of coming into contact with and separating from the developer carrying member, a suction path provided between the opening and a suction member for sucking developer removed from the developer carrying member, an opening-closing plate that opens or closes the suction path, an urging member that urges the opening-closing plate, a retaining member that retains the opening-closing plate, and an opening-closing unit including a rotating member and an elastic member whose ends are connected to the rotating member and the support member. The elastic member is pulled so as to rotate the rotating member in association with a movement of the collecting member, thereby rotating the opening-closing plate so as to open or close the suction path.

Abstract: A remanufactured laser printer toner cartridge with an added primary charge roller cleaner, and methods of remanufacture, are disclosed. The added primary charge roller cleaner may be fastened to the mounting bracket of the toner cartridge's wiper blade, and functions to remove contaminants from the primary charge roller through contact with the primary charge roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charging device to charge a surface of the image carrier, disposed across a predetermined gap from the image carrier, a latent image forming device, a developing device to develop a latent image formed on the image carrier into a toner image, a transfer unit to transfer the toner image from the image carrier onto a recording medium, a cleaning member to clean the image carrier after the toner image is transferred therefrom, a lubricant application member to lubricate the image carrier, a polarity adjustor to adjust polarities of the toner and lubricant adhering to the image carrier to be identical to a polarity of a charging bias. The polarity adjustor is disposed facing the image carrier, upstream from the charging device and downstream from the transfer unit in a direction in which the image carrier rotates.

Abstract: A cleaning device, which is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, includes a fixing portion provided at a frame member, a cleaning member fixed to the fixing portion for removing a developer from an image bearing member, the cleaning member including a blade portion configured to contact the image bearing member and a flexible support member for supporting the blade portion, a container formed by the frame member and configured to contain the developer removed from the image bearing member, and a restricting member configured to engage with the support member and being capable of restricting the support member from being deformed.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus and method to manage the contact of a cleaning blade and a moving surface to increase the useful life of the blade. For example, a cleaning apparatus for a photoreceptor surface comprises a cleaning unit with a blade holder that rotates about a pivot point, a cleaning blade that is coupled to the blade holder and is positioned to chisel excess toner from the photoreceptor surface, and which cleans excess toner from the photoreceptor surface. The apparatus further comprises a sensor that senses the start and the end of an operational procedure, and an actuator that rotates the blade holder about the pivot point to selectively advance or retract the blade during the start-up procedure and the shut-down procedure. After the cleaning surface has begun to move or reached operating speed, blade contact is increased to bring the blade load up to operational level.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive medium to be charged with a predetermined potential by a charging member, an exposing unit to expose the photosensitive medium to vary a charging level of the photosensitive medium, a developing unit to form an image for one or more colors on the photosensitive medium, a transfer medium to transfer the image from the photosensitive medium, a cleaning unit to clean the transfer medium, and a controller to control an optical power of the exposing unit to be lower than that during forming of the image when a toner band is applied to lubricate at least one of the cleaning unit and the transfer medium.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a developer removal member, a support member and a fixation member. The developer removal member is in contact with an adherend to which developer adheres and removes the developer from the adherend. The support member has a first end where a bent portion is formed and a second end opposite to the first end. The support member also supports the developer removal member in the vicinity of the bent portion. The fixation member holds the second end of the support member.

Abstract: The cleaning blade is mounted to a holder that is pivoted. The pivot mechanism is designed such that the instantaneous center of rotation of the blade holder, in its operational position, is positioned above the plane of blade tip contact to the photoreceptor and upstream of the blade tip or below the plane of contact and downstream from the blade tip. These configurations result in a reduction of blade load as friction coefficient increases and a slower increase in photoreceptor torque when compared to conventional interference loaded blades. By a careful choice of the location of the center of rotation, the blade load can be maintained at a sufficiently high value for good cleaning over the expected range of friction coefficients. A four bar linkage provides a compact mechanism to pivot the blade holder and avoids potential problems of the mechanism interfering with the process and other components.

Abstract: Electrophotographic printers and cleaning systems for an electrostatic imaging member are provided. In one aspect the cleaning system has a scraper a mounting holding the scraper so that a free length of the scraper extends from the mounting and a frame positioning the mounting relative to the electrostatic imaging member so that the scraper extends along a holding angle toward the electrostatic imaging member and so that the mounting is separated from the electrostatic imaging member by an extension distance along the holding angle that is less than the free length with the scraper resiliently deflecting to fit within the extension distance to define a working angle where the scraper contacts the electrostatic imaging member.

Abstract: A cradle unit for a printhead cartridge is provided having a support bay for removably receiving the printhead cartridge, and an interface mounted on a slanted face within the support bay, the interface comprising connections which are movably tilted on said slanted face so as to be exposed within the support bay for connection with connections of the printhead cartridge when received in the support bay. The connections of the interface connect the printhead cartridge with a power supply which is remote from the interface.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on a surface of an image bearing member for carrying a toner image; a supporting member for supporting the cleaning blade; a mounting hole provided in one of the cleaning blade and the supporting member; a projection which is provided on the other of the cleaning blade and the supporting member and which is inserted in the mounting hole; and a recess provided in the projection and extended from a free end portion of the projection toward a base portion of the projection, wherein the cleaning blade and the supporting member are secured to each other by the projection deformed such that the recess expands outwardly of the mounting hole by resin material in the recess.

Abstract: A cleaning unit that can remove particles of residual toner remaining on an image carrier after transfer and be incorporated in a process cartridge removably installable to an image forming apparatus, includes a brush roller disposed in contact with the image carrier to remove the residual toner remaining on the image carrier from the image carrier, and a polarity control member disposed in contact with the image carrier to control charge polarities of the residual toner remaining on the image carrier before the residual toner is removed by the brush roller. The polarity control member includes a first surface where the polarity control member contacts the image carrier, a second surface where the polarity control member does not contact the image carrier, and a conductive filler that is not exposed on the first surface that contacts the image carrier.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a casing including an opening facing the rotary member, a cleaning member disposed at the opening to contact the rotary member to remove a substance adhering thereto, an entrance seal disposed at the opening to prevent leakage of the removed substance through a gap between the opening and the rotary member, a pair of lateral end seals respectively disposed both end portions of the cleaning member as well as the entrance seal in an axial direction of the rotary member, and a compressing member. A first face of each lateral end seal is attached to the casing. The compressing member compresses each lateral end seal by pressing a second face thereof opposite the first face-and presses a third face of the lateral end seal against the casing in a direction in which the lateral end seal is expanded by the compression.

Abstract: A stripper blade system has been developed for high throughput inkjet printers. The stripper blade system includes a metallic blade having a leading edge that is less than 0.06 mm in thickness, a blade holder to which the metallic blade is mounted, and an actuator that is associated with the blade holder to move the metallic blade into and out of contact with an intermediate imaging member.

Abstract: A belt unit including an endless belt that is stretched over a plurality of rollers, a drive roller, and a tension roller. The belt unit also includes a cleaning apparatus which includes a rotary unit and a cleaning member configured to clean a surface of the endless belt. The tension roller is arranged at a position opposing the cleaning apparatus and configured to transmit a driving force to the rotary unit.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade member that has a tip abutting a surface of an image carrier so as to remove a residue remaining on the surface of the image carrier; an attaching member that includes a first attachment piece to which a base end of the cleaning blade member is attached, and a second attachment piece which is provided so as to intersect the first attachment piece at a predetermined angle; a housing member to which one of the first attachment piece and the second attachment piece is fixed at both ends along a longitudinal direction thereof; and an external force exerting member that exerts an external force in a direction which intersects a surface of the other one of the first attachment piece and the second attachment piece, which is not fixed to the housing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a belt conveying portion having a movable endless belt provided around at least two supporting members, a cleaning member provided in contact with a surface of the belt, a lubricant supply portion provided below a contact portion between the belt and the cleaning member for supplying lubricant to the contact portion, and an adhered-material storing portion provided below the lubricant supply portion for storing adhered-material scraped off from the belt by the cleaning member.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus has a plurality of image forming units for forming a developer image on a recording medium, and a fixing device for fixing the developer image to the recording medium. Each of said image forming units has an image bearing body that bears the developer image, and a cleaning portion that removes residual developer from said image bearing body. Said cleaning portion of said image forming unit is disposed closest to said fixing device and includes a cleaning blade that has repulsion elasticity at a predetermined temperature, and said repulsion elasticity is lower than that of a cleaning blade of said cleaning portion of at least one of said image forming units disposed farther from said fixing device.

Abstract: The present invention includes an image carrier unit, configured to carry a toner image including: an image carrier member configured to carry the toner image and a cleaning portion configured to clean the image carrier unit. The cleaning portion includes a cleaning blade. The cleaning blade includes a blade portion in contact with the image carrier member and a holder configured to partially surround and hold the blade portion. The holder includes a crimping claw portion which latches the blade portion.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on a surface of an image bearing member for carrying a toner image; a supporting member for supporting the cleaning blade; a mounting hole provided in one of the cleaning blade and the supporting member; a projection which is provided on the other of the cleaning blade and the supporting member and which is inserted in the mounting hole; and a recess provided in the projection and extended from a free end portion of the projection toward a base portion of the projection, wherein the cleaning blade and the supporting member are secured to each other by the projection deformed such that the recess expands outwardly of the mounting hole by resin material in the recess.

Abstract: Cleaning systems for an electrostatic imaging member and printers having cleaning systems are provided. In one aspect, a cleaning system has a wiper, a mounting holding the wiper so that an extension length of the wiper extends from the mounting and a frame positioning the mounting relative to the electrostatic imaging member so that the wiper extends along a holding angle toward the electrostatic imaging member and so that the mounting is separated from the electrostatic imaging member by an extension distance along the holding angle that is less than the extension length with the wiper resiliently bending to fit within the extension distance to define a working angle. The extension distance is within a range of extension distances that cause the working angle to be within a range of working angles that are greater than a range of working angles associated with a greater range of extension distances.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cleaning device of the image forming apparatus, the method includes: applying a liquid material to an area outside of an edge located at an end portion of a toner accommodating portion in the longitudinal direction of a toner removing member, wherein the liquid material is applied so as to seal the toner accommodating portion.

Abstract: A cleaning blade for removing fine particles from a cleaning target by contact with the cleaning target, a method of using the cleaning blade, and an image forming apparatus and process cartridge using the cleaning blade. The cleaning blade includes an elastic blade. A leading edge of the elastic blade includes a friction coefficient of 0.5 or less. The cleaning blade also includes a surface layer that covers the leading edge of the elastic blade. A thickness of the surface layer is between 1 to 50 ?m at a position 50 ?m away from the leading edge, and a hardness of the surface layer is greater hardness than the elastic blade.

Abstract: Described embodiments include apparatuses and processes for cleaning a surface of a rotatable image carrier including a cleaning unit configured to prevent material from accumulating on a cleaning blade.

Abstract: A cleaning member is supported by a cleaning container by fastening screws with lubricant interposed between support surfaces of the cleaning container and a supporting member of the cleaning member. Accordingly, the difference in the amount of thermal expansion between the cleaning container and the supporting member generated by a change in temperature can be absorbed by sliding of the support surfaces and the supporting member relative to each other.

Abstract: A cleaning blade mounting method includes the steps of: moving a toner image carrier on which a toner layer is formed so that the toner layer reaches a cleaning position by a cleaning device; after bringing a tip of a cleaning blade into contact with the toner layer, bringing the tip into contact with the toner image carrier, mounting the cleaning blade to a temporary position with a second load lower than a first load that is a contact load at a time of an image formation; moving the cleaning blade with the second load from the temporary position to a final position at which a cleaning operation is carried out; bringing the cleaning blade with the first load into contact with the toner image carrier; and mounting the cleaning blade to the final position at the time of the image formation.

Abstract: A cleaning member, for use in an image forming apparatus in which a developer image formed on an image bearing member is to be transferred onto a developer image receiving member to form an image, for removing a developer remaining on the image bearing member after the transfer includes an elastic blade portion, having flexibility, for removing the developer remaining on the image bearing member in contact with the image bearing member in a bent state; and a supporting portion for supporting the elastic blade portion.

Abstract: A cleaner includes a cleaning member that includes a tip portion that comes into contact with an image carrier that carries an image, and that removes and cleans developer adhered to the image carrier, a cleaning container which stores the developer removed by the cleaning member, a cleaning support that includes a cleaning supporting portion that supports a proximal end of the cleaning member, and a damped portion, a damping body that includes a first and a second damping bodies arranged in contact with the damped portion and that regulates vibration of the cleaning support, and a fixing member of the damping body that includes a first fixing portion arranged to face the damped portion with the first damping body, and a second fixing portion arranged to face the damped portion with the second damping body, and that is supported by the cleaning container.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing member that touches an unfixed toner image formed on a sheet; a pressing member that causes the sheet to come in pressure contact with the fixing member; a pressing belt that is interposed between the fixing member and pressing member to rotate; a lubricant coating member that coats lubricant on an inner surface of the pressing belt; a pair of first blade members each that touches, through a counter method, an inner surface of both edge portions of the pressing belt in a width direction perpendicular to a rotating direction of the pressing belt, to scrape the lubricant; and a first lubricant guide member arranged from a tip of the first blade members to an inner side, receives the scraped lubricant, and guides the lubricant to the inner side to return to the inner surface of the pressing belt.

Abstract: A cleaning unit includes: a cleaning member that cleans the surface of the image carrier; a cleaning container that stores developer removed by the cleaning member; a cleaning support that is formed by bending a plate and includes a cleaning-supporting portion supporting the other end portion of the cleaning member and a supported portion angled with respect to the cleaning-supporting portion by bending; a supporting-portion-of-support that includes a facing portion facing the supported portion, is provided at the cleaning container, and supports the cleaning support; a damping member that is disposed between the supported portion and the facing portion, is formed so as to be elastically deformable, and regulates vibration of the cleaning member; and a securing member that secures the cleaning support to the supporting-portion-of-support at a position adjacent to the damping member.

Abstract: A cleaner includes a cleaning member having a distal end in contact with an image carrier so as to remove developer attached to the image carrier, a cleaning container that stores the removed developer, a cleaning support body including a cleaning support portion extending from the distal end to a proximal end of the cleaning member so as to support the proximal end of the cleaning member, a bent portion bent from the cleaning support portion, and a supported portion supported by the cleaning container, a vibration-damping body in contact with an end of the bent portion opposite the cleaning support portion so as to regulate vibration of the cleaning support body, and a vibration-damping-body fixing member supported by the cleaning container and having a clamp portion that clamps the vibration-damping body between the vibration-damping-body fixing member and the end of the bent portion.

Abstract: A cleaning station for removing particulate material from a moving web in an electrographic printer/copier includes a customer-replaceable web-cleaner device with a support bracket/backup shoe assembly. A quick disconnect feature enables the cleaner cover to be de-coupled from the cleaner body to allow the debris to be easily removed with replacing the web-cleaner. The cleaner has a cleaner sump that is spring loaded to force contact of four strategically placed stops in the sump with a stationary back up shoe assembly allowing for higher precision of blade engagement with a transport web or a photoconductor. The web-cleaner has two wiper blades, each having each having a distinguishment such that the distinguishment distinguishes one wiper blade from the other wiper blade when the blades are locked into the cleaner sump by springs, to facilitate material removed from the web. The wiper cleaning blades and the cover assembly are easily replaceable by the operator in the correct order.

Abstract: A cleaning blade which is provided in a cleaning device that removes non-transferred toner remaining on an image carrier includes: a blade member in which an edge thereof is in contact with the image carrier over a longitudinal direction thereof; and a holder member that holds the blade member and has an L-shape in a cross-section that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The holder member includes a supporting portion that cantilevers the blade member on a surface thereof such that the edge of the blade member protrudes toward the image carrier, and a bent portion that is connected to the supporting portion to form the L-shaped cross-section and is formed to have a lateral length that is shorter at least a lateral length at one end portion in the longitudinal direction thereof than at a middle portion thereof in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a surface moving member such as an image carrier of an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge having the cleaning device. The cleaning device has a cleaning member that is brought into uniform abutment against the surface moving member in a longitudinal direction of the surface moving member. A high removing performance can be obtained while preventing the abrasion of the surface moving member and the cleaning blade, and the state of abutment between the surface moving member and the cleaning blade is securely maintained over time.

Abstract: A blade engagement system for cleaning and/or metering a release agent onto an image forming machine moving surface, such as a photoreceptor. The blade engagement system includes a blade cassette having a plurality of blades, each including a compliant blade member having a blade tip. The blade engagement system also including a blade engagement apparatus removably receiving the blade cassette. The blade engagement apparatus having a blade positioning mechanism moving the blades, one at a time, from the blade cassette to a working position wherein the blade tip engages the moving surface for cleaning and/or metering. Used blades can be moved back into the cassette for storage. The blade cassette can be replaced with a new one after all of the blades have been used.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus comprising a cleaning unit with a blade holder that rotates about a pivot point, the cleaning blade is coupled to the blade holder and is positioned to chisel excess toner from a photoreceptor surface. Geometrical changes produce a blade having a slanted surface that reduces cyclic fatigue stress at the blade tip and reduces blade edge wear. The blade has a sharp leading side, a trailing side, and a working end comprising a slanted surface. When the slanted surface is formed at an angle between 93 degrees to 97 degrees stiffer tips is produced and wears resulting from blade and photoreceptor surface contact is reduced.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided an apparatus comprising a cleaning unit with a blade holder that rotates about a pivot point, the cleaning blade is coupled to the blade holder and is positioned to chisel excess toner from a photoreceptor surface. Geometrical changes produce a blade having a plurality of slanted surfaces at the working end of the blade one at an obtuse angle, in the range of 93 degrees to 97 degrees, and a second at an acute angle that forms an offset point between the cleaning edge and the intersection of the two angles. A double cut allows for improvement in the cleaning tip stiffness using the first cut, while the second cut increases the contact width and improves the pressure distribution at the working edge.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on a surface of an image bearing member for carrying a toner image; a supporting member for supporting the cleaning blade; a mounting hole provided in one of the cleaning blade and the supporting member; a projection which is provided on the other of the cleaning blade and the supporting member and which is inserted in the mounting hole; and a recess provided in the projection and extended from a free end portion of the projection toward a base portion of the projection, wherein the cleaning blade and the supporting member are secured to each other by the projection deformed such that the recess expands outwardly of the mounting hole by resin material in the recess.

Abstract: A developer layer thickness regulating device includes a blade member for regulating a thickness of a layer of a developer on a surface of a developing roller rotatably supported by a developing container for accommodating the developer and includes a supporting member for supporting the blade member. The supporting member is capable of being fastened to a part of the developing container by a fastening member, and a position of the supporting member relative to a part of the developer container is adjustable with respect to a widthwise direction of the blade member, when the supporting member is fastened to the developing container by the fastening member, so as to fasten the blade member at a predetermined position relative to the developing container. The supporting member has a biting portion which is capable of biting into the part of the developing container when the supporting member is fastened by the fastening member.

Abstract: A blade, including: a cut surface provided by obliquely cutting a part of a tip surface to set an angle forming a tip ridge portion of the blade as an obtuse angle, wherein the tip ridge portion is configured to be pressed to a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a laminated blade member including multiple layers made of materials different in permanent set value and a holding member to hold the blade member. The multiple layers include an edge layer formed of a material higher in permanent set value among the materials and a backing layer disposed against a distal surface of the edge layer. The laminated blade member includes a leading edge where an edge portion of the edge layer contacting a cleaning target is located and a trailing edge where the holding member supports the blade member. A ratio of a thickness of the edge layer to a thickness of the backing layer at the trailing end of the blade member is smaller than a ratio thereof at the leading edge of the blade member.

Abstract: A cleaning device cleaning a moving surface of a cleaning target includes a laminate-structured blade member including multiple layers made of materials different in permanent set value, a holding member to hold a proximal end of the laminate-structured blade member, and a plurality of slits. An edge layer of the multiple layers is formed of a material higher in permanent set value than any other one of the materials of the multiple layers and includes a distal-end edge portion corresponding to a leading end ridgeline portion contacting the cleaning target. The plurality of slits are formed over an area of a surface of the edge layer ranging from the proximal end of the blade member where the holding member holds the blade member toward the distal-end edge portion and extend in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the surface of the cleaning target.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a moving surface of a cleaning target includes a laminated blade member including multiple layers including a proximal edge layer, each of the multiple layers made of materials different in permanent set value and a holding member to hold a distal end of the blade member. A proximal edge portion of the blade member at a free, leading end opposite the distal end of the blade member held by the holding member brought into contact with the surface of the cleaning target to clean the surface undergoes a linear pressure reduction rate of approximately 90% or higher.

Abstract: A transfer device includes: a transfer belt hung around a roller; and a transfer belt sealing member in contact with a transfer surface and a circumferential end surface of the transfer belt and in contact with the circumferential end surface of the transfer belt diagonally relative to a thickness direction of the transfer belt.

Abstract: A cleaning device for removing a developer remaining on an image bearing member from the image bearing member includes a cleaning device, including an elastic blade elastically contacted to the image bearing member and a supporting member for supporting the elastic blade, for removing the developer remaining on the image bearing member from the image bearing member; an image bearing member bearing member including a supporting portion for rotatably supporting the image bearing member; and a removed developer accommodating container formed of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient different from that of a material for the supporting member, the removed developer accommodating container including an accommodating portion for accommodating the developer removed by the cleaning device. The image bearing member bearing member is fixed to the supporting member. The removed developer accommodating container is fixed to the supporting member.

Abstract: A gripping device that grips a plate member provided with a long plate body, a first recess formed along a shorter length of the plate body, and a second recess formed at a position spaced apart from the first recess along a longer length of the plate body, the gripping device including: a first movable member entering the first recess; a second movable member entering the second recess; and opposing members opposed to the first and second movable members along the shorter length of the plate body and serving to grip the plate member in cooperation with the first and second movable members, wherein the gripping device grips the plate member by causing the second movable member to press against at least two positions of the second recess as well as the first movable member to press against a bottom of the first recess.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning toner on an image bearing member includes a cleaning blade for collecting the toner by contacting an edge portion thereof with the image bearing member, a container for storing the toner, a first rotation axis for rotatably supporting the cleaning blade, an urging member for urging the cleaning blade, a positioning portion for positioning the cleaning blade so that the cleaning blade urged by the urging member stands by at a predetermined position when the cleaning blade is not in contact with the image bearing member, and a second rotation axis for rotatably supporting the cleaning apparatus while contacting a part of a main body when the cleaning apparatus is mounted on the main body, wherein the edge portion is positioned on a straight line or away from the image bearing member with respect to the straight line connecting rotation centers of the first rotation axis and of the second rotation axis when the cleaning blade is located at the predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning device that allows the obtaining of a high level of removal performance while reducing wear between a plate-shaped elastic member and a cleaning-targeted surface moving member, while also being able to stably maintain the contact status between the surface moving member and the plate-shaped elastic member, and an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge provided therewith.