Having Holder Patents (Class 399/351)
  • Patent number: 7962066
    Abstract: A cleaning unit includes a cleaner. The cleaner includes: a support member; a toner scraping member; and a toner storing mechanism. The toner storing mechanism includes: a toner catching member provided in a vicinity of a leading end of the toner scraping member so as to catch the toner scraped off; and a swingably supporting mechanism which supports swingably the toner catching member with a middle portion of the toner catching member as a swing fulcrum. A free end portion of the toner catching member protruding from the toner scraping member in the moving direction is a storage moving portion which moves based on an amount of the stored toner, and a portion opposite to the free end portion with respect to the swing fulcrum is a press portion which presses the toner scraping member toward the cleaned member based on a moving amount of the storage moving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Arai, Koichiro Yuasa
  • Patent number: 7962086
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes a blade member, a holder, a vibration detection device, a heating device, and a control device. The blade member comes into contact with an image carrying member, and cleans off toner remaining on the image carrying member. The holder holds the blade member. The vibration detection device detects the vibration level of either one of the blade member and the holder. The heating device heats either one of the blade member and the holder. The control device controls the heating device to heat either one of the blade member and the holder when the vibration level detected by the vibration detection device exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 7949275
    Abstract: A cleaning device capable of inhibiting noise from being caused by stick-slip vibration between a blade member of the cleaning device and an image carrier, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus are provided. A vibration detecting device for detecting a vibration state is attached to a central part of a holder holding a blade member, and an excitation member for vibrating the blade member is attached to the blade member over the entire length thereof in a direction along a sliding contact surface contacting a photoreceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 7945200
    Abstract: Systems and methods of remanufacturing an imaging cartridge include providing the imaging cartridge comprising a developer material supplying roller, a developer roller, a developer blade which regulates a layer of thickness of the developer material on the outer surface of the developer roller, the developer blade held in a first position to exert a first pressure on the outer surface of the developer roller, providing a replacement developer material having a set of characteristics, and adjusting the position of the developer blade to a second position to exert a second pressure on the outer surface of the developer roller, the second position of the developer blade selected to function with the replacement developer material having the set of characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Static Control Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ray Norris, Lawrence Dale Lewis
  • Patent number: 7945201
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transportation member rotating to transport a medium or developer; a blade member disposed to abut against the transportation member for removing an object adhering to a surface of the transportation member; and a retaining member disposed on an upstream side of the blade member in a direction that the transportation member rotates and abutting against the transportation member for retaining the object adhering to the surface of the transportation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7937034
    Abstract: A blade engagement apparatus moving blades into working positions in engagement with an image forming device moving surface for cleaning and/or metering release agent onto the surface. The blade engagement apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart links having slots receiving pins extending from the blades and an actuator rotating the links for moving the blades along track slots into and out of the working positions. The links couple the blades together for mutually exclusive cooperative movement alternating between the working positions and respective suspended positions wherein the blades are removed from the moving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E. Thayer, Cheryl A. Linton, Richard W. Seyfried
  • Publication number: 20110091243
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: an image carrier, rotating in a first direction and a second direction, and the second direction is opposite to the first direction; a transfer device for transferring the toner image; a cleaning device comprising a cleaning blade for cleaning the image carrier; and a cleaning blade exchanging section for exchanging the cleaning blade, wherein the apparatus works in such ways that, after the cleaning blade exchanging section has retracted the cleaning blade to a retracted position, the cleaning blade exchanging section rotates the image carrier in the second direction, whereby any foreign material, adhered onto the image carrier while the cleaning blade is exchanged, is moved upstream of the cleaning position of the cleaning blade, then the cleaning blade is pressed against the image carrier, and the image carrier is subsequently rotated in the first direction, so that the image carrier is cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tomino, Hiroshi Isokawa, Shinichi Tsukamura, Tetsuya Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7917049
    Abstract: A control method for monitoring the cleaning performance of a single or multiple blade xerographic cleaning subsystem includes looking at the photoreceptor post-cleaner with a full width array sensor and adjusting the blade load on the photoreceptor to the minimum required to maintain effective cleaning. Blade load is adjusted using a stepper motor. Monitoring of cleaning failures can be done during non-print time, when a toner patch is developed to evaluate cleaning. Re-adjustment is needed periodically since environmental stresses can change, and the blade ages due to set and wear. Two toner patches at the ends of the blade with two stepper motors can be used to assure the same load from end to end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E Thayer, Richard W Seyfried
  • Patent number: 7901030
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus, including: a conveyance device including an endless belt which conveys a recording medium placed on an exterior surface of the endless belt; a recording device which jets ink onto the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance device; and a cleaning device to clean the surface, including, a flexible sheet member mounted more downstream in a conveyance direction of the belt than a position where the recording device is mounted, and a top of the flexible sheet member comes into slidably contact with the surface, and an elastic supporting member mounted at a side of the flexible sheet member; wherein when the flexible sheet member bends due to running of the belt, the elastic supporting member comes into contact with the flexible sheet member, and the elastic supporting member pushes the flexible sheet member so that the flexible sheet member presses against the surface of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyosei Miyata, Naoki Otomo
  • Patent number: 7904013
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus that is provided with an intermediate transfer member that has a hard releasing layer formed on the surface thereof, supports a toner image primary-transferred onto the hard releasing layer from a latent-image supporting member, and secondary-transfers the supported toner image onto an image-receiving medium, and a cleaning blade that is arranged in contact with the intermediate transfer member, and removes residual toner from the hard releasing layer of the intermediate transfer member, wherein the cleaning blade has an impact resilience in the range from 20 to 50% at 20° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Hiroi, Yasuyuki Inada, Tomohide Mori
  • Publication number: 20110052288
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji KOIDO
  • Patent number: 7899382
    Abstract: A lubricant supplier, installable in a process cartridge or an image forming apparatus, includes a ridge line extending crosswise to a longitudinal axis of the image forming member and contacting the surface of the image forming member at a non-perpendicular angle to the longitudinal axis of the image forming member, a first face opposed to the image forming member and located upstream from a contact portion of the ridge line and the surface of the image forming member in a direction of movement of the surface of the image forming member, and a second face opposed to the image forming member and located downstream from the contact portion in the direction of movement of the surface of the image forming member. The first face and the second face intersect at the ridge line and form an obtuse angle therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
    Inventors: Yoshiki Hozumi, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Takeshi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 7899381
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a roller member that contacts a developer retaining member at a position and is distanced from the developer retaining member at another position. A contact edge of a cleaning blade supported by a supporting member is in contact with the roller member. A first plane of the cleaning blade that is supported by the supporting member, or is opposite to a surface that is supported by the supporting member, and a second plane of the cleaning blade form the contact edge. An angle ?1 formed by a virtual vertical plane and the second plane thereunder when the roller member is distanced from the developer retaining member is greater than zero degrees but not greater than ninety degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Chiba, Ken Ikuma
  • Publication number: 20110026993
    Abstract: A doctor blade holder is disclosed that includes a first member, a second member position adjustment elements, and fluid assisted cleaning elements. The first member includes an elongated edge that is adapted for receiving a doctor blade, and the second member is movably coupled to the first member. The second member is secured to a doctor back. The position adjustment elements are for adjusting the relative position of the first member and the second member. The fluid assisted cleaning elements are for providing pressurized fluid to an area near an elongated edge of the doctor blade. The fluid assisted cleaning elements include at least one plenum within the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: KADANT INC.
    Inventors: David Leeman, Royal Gauvin
  • Patent number: 7873314
    Abstract: A cleaning member includes a cleaning part whose one end portion comes into contact with a surface of an image carrier, and a supporting part that supports the cleaning part and applies a force for pressing the one end portion of the cleaning part to the surface of the image carrier, wherein a surface of a first portion including the one end portion of the cleaning part is bonded to the supporting part with a first adhesive layer, and a surface of a second portion including the other end portion opposite to the one end portion of the cleaning part is bonded to the supporting part with a second adhesive layer having a Type-A durometer hardness which is lower than that of the first adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Sakanobe, Hiroaki Akamatsu, Yuichi Fukuda, Ryosuke Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7873302
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade, a receiving member, an inlet seal, an adhering member, and an end seal. The cleaning blade is brought into contact with a photosensitive drum to remove residual toner therefrom. The receiving member receives the residual toner. The inlet seal guides the residual toner to the receiving member. The adhering member adheres the inlet seal to the receiving member. The end seal is arranged along the end portions of the cleaning blade and the inlet seal. The inlet seal covers the end seal and extends out from the end seal in its longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kawakami, Koji Kato, Hirobumi Ooyoshi, Tomofumi Yoshida, Kenzo Tatsumi, Yoshiyuki Shimizu, Tomohiro Kubota
  • Patent number: 7840157
    Abstract: To improve the user maintainability and cost performance with respect to replacing replaceable components in an image forming apparatus using a tandem type intermediate transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Nakatake, Hidekazu Shono, Takeshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20100272484
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki Morishita
  • Publication number: 20100266320
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a cleaning device having a cleaning blade arranged so as to make contact with and separate from a cleaned surface, an occurrence of excessive cutting when the cleaning blade makes contact with the cleaned surface is prevented. The image forming apparatus includes the cleaning blade for making contact with and separating from the cleaned surface and scraping off toner adhered onto the cleaned surface and a regulation unit for regulating a movement of the cleaning blade in the direction of contact with the cleaned surface up to a position where a pressing force to the cleaned surface by the cleaning blade does not exceed a predetermined pressing force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeru Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7817933
    Abstract: A method for controlling blade interference in a single blade or multi-blade xerographic cleaner based on a look-up table for environmental conditions and blade age. Temperature and humidity sensors and a blade age counter are used to provide information to a controller, which adjusts the blade interference through a stepper motor based on the preloaded table. This allows lower blade load in most conditions over life, compared to the known method of setting the initial load high enough to cover these stress factors at worse case levels. The look-up table is empirically determined for a give blade material and xerographic system, e.g., photoreceptor, toner, etc. It takes into account the variation in blade load itself as a function of the environment and blade age.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E Thayer, Richard W Seyfried
  • Patent number: 7813690
    Abstract: A cleaning device removes a toner attached to an image carrier of an electrophotographic-type image forming apparatus. The cleaning device includes a cleaning blade, a housing and a block member. The cleaning blade is in contact with a surface of the image carrier to removes the toner. The housing stores the toner removed by the cleaning blade. The block member causes the toner to temporarily remain the toner in a vicinity of a distal end of the cleaning blade. The block member is formed of a sheet-shaped elastic member. One side of the block member is fixed to the housing. A repulsive force against bending in an end portion of the block member in a longitudinal direction is substantially smaller than a repulsive force against bending in a center portion of the block member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Ichikawa, Shigeo Ohno, Masayuki Kono, Toshiyuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 7813691
    Abstract: A component mounting structure mounting a press component with the press component in a condition of elastic pressing against a pressed article, and comprising an intermediate fixing member mounted on a fixing frame supporting the pressed article and capable of position adjustment in a direction of pressing of the press component against the pressed article; a fixing connection part, supporting the press component, mounted on the intermediate fixing member, and capable of position adjustment in the same direction as the direction of pressing; a setting part setting a distance of separation between the fixing connection part and the pressed article within a prescribed range; a first fixing mechanism fixing a position of the intermediate fixing member with respect to the fixing frame; and a second fixing mechanism fixing a position of the fixing connection part with respect to the intermediate fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20100247189
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Akamatsu, Makoto Sakanobe, Yuichi Fukuda, Ryosuke Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7796911
    Abstract: An image-forming device has a developer-carrying member, an image-carrying member, a belt, and a cleaning unit. The developer-carrying member has an outer surface including a layer forming region for carrying a thin layer of developer. The layer forming region has a first width in a widthwise direction. The layer forming region includes an effective image forming region used for forming an image on a recording medium. The belt is configured to circulate in a moving direction orthogonal to the widthwise direction and transfer the developer image onto the recording medium. The cleaning unit cleans the developer on a cleanable region, which has a second width which is greater than the first width. The cleanable region is placed with respect to the thin layer forming region so that each widthwise end of the second width is positioned outside of each widthwise end of the first width in the widthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Kato, Hiroshi Nakano
  • Patent number: 7796913
    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. The web-cleaner has two wiper blades, including one or more profiled metal blades, 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard H. Berg, Gregory L. Kowalski, Francisco L. Ziegelmuller
  • Publication number: 20100221038
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7778585
    Abstract: An electrophotographic cleaning blade is provided which is free of blade turning-up coming from both end portions of the blade in its lengthwise direction. The cleaning blade having a blade formed of a polyurethane resin, which is to come into touch with the surface of a photosensitive drum of an electrophotographic apparatus to remove a toner remaining thereon, and a support member which holds the blade. The blade has a polyurethane resin portion having a dynamic hardness of 0.05 mN/?m2 or more and 0.16 mN/?m2 or less and a high-hardness portion having a dynamic hardness 1.3 times or more and 30 times or less the dynamic hardness of the polyurethane resin portion, provided at each end portion of the blade in its lengthwise direction at its part coming into touch with the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiro Uchida, Shoji Inoue, Taku Hatanaka
  • Publication number: 20100196068
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce E. Thayer, Cheryl A. Linton, Richard W. Seyfried
  • Publication number: 20100189482
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a drum unit may include an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a base member and a photosensitive layer on the base member. An embodiment may include a cleaning blade configured to abut the photosensitive layer to remove a developer remaining on the photosensitive layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Some embodiments may include side seals disposed at both ends of the cleaning blade to inhibit leakage of the developer. In some embodiments, a portion of a side seal may be in contact with at least a portion of the surface and an end face of the photosensitive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Azuma, Kensuke Okawa, Eiji Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7764918
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes a first cleaning portion provided at a position where a belt transfer body is moved after transfer, and includes a second cleaning portion having a cleaning member which contacts the belt transfer body, which is located at an end of the belt transfer body in the perpendicular direction to the moving direction of the belt transfer body. There is a fixing member for pressing the belt transfer body to the cleaning member. The fixing member is located at a position opposing the cleaning member with the belt transfer body therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuya Kawagoe
  • Patent number: 7734219
    Abstract: A structure which increases positioning precision of a blade member to a rotating member, an image forming apparatus, and a method of manufacturing a unit frame. A first reference surface of a boss provided on a surface of a frame to which a blade is contacted is formed by a first mold that forms a positioning hole for positioning a rotating member. The first reference surface supports the blade member to prevent the blade member from moving to a weight direction. With this arrangement, there is no manufacturing error of the first reference surface due to a mold assembling error. As a result, precision of positioning the blade member to the rotating member can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shuji Tanaka, Takatsugu Fujishiro
  • Publication number: 20100129126
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Akio KOSUGE, Shinichi Kawahara, Nobuo Kuwabara, Satoshi Hatori, Yoshinori Ozawa, Daisuke Tomita, Takeshi Shintani
  • Patent number: 7720427
    Abstract: There is provided a cleaning apparatus having a cleaning member that makes contact with a surface of an image holder and vibrates due to friction arising when the surface of the image holder moves, the image holder bearing an electrostatic latent image developed using a developer having toner containing a crystalline resin, and a cleaning member support unit that supports the cleaning member and increases the amplitude of the vibration of the cleaning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7711308
    Abstract: A blade of a cleaning device includes two surfaces: an upstream side surface and a downstream side surface. The two surfaces adjoin each other with respect to a contact edge of the blade. The upstream side surface has a longer dimension in the direction orthogonal to the contact edge than that of the downstream side surface. A horizontal portion of a blade holder that restricts a warp in the blade is bonded on an opposed surface to the upstream side surface of the blade. The blade is held via the horizontal portion with a vertical portion of the blade holder supported by the main body of the cleaning device in a downstream of a normal line to a contact point on a photoconductor surface in contact with the contact edge, in the photoconductor-surface moving direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Hozumi, Takeshi Saitoh, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Ken Amemiya, Keiji Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7711285
    Abstract: A cleaning device is provided with a cleaning unit (35) disposed downstream from a position at which a toner image is transferred to a paper. The cleaning unit (35) is provided with a cleaning blade (35c) for scraping off residual toner attached to an image bearing member and a toner catching sheet (35e) for preventing the residual toner or paper dust which have been scraped off from falling outside the cleaning unit. The free length in the toner catching sheet (35e) between affixed positions of a first end portion which is affixed to the cleaning unit (35) and a second end portion which abuts an outer circumferential portion of the image bearing member is determined by an amount of paper dust buildup on the outer circumferential portion of the image bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Makiura, Takashi Kubo, Koichi Moriyama, Shunichi Hayashiyama, Mitsuru Ogura, Tetsuya Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7708377
    Abstract: A blade engagement apparatus for metering release agent onto an image forming device associated moving surface, such as a Solid Ink Jet drum. The blade engagement apparatus includes a blade positioning mechanism having a blade holder rotated about a fixed pivot point disposed a distance LD from the moving surface. A plurality of metering blades extending from the blade holder each include a blade tip disposed a distance LB from the pivot point such that LB is greater than LD. A replacement blade is brought into a working position in deflected engagement with the moving surface for metering a release agent onto the surface while the used blade is moved into a non-operational suspended position. Various blade replacement strategies are used to initiate a blade replacement operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E. Thayer, Richard W. Seyfried
  • Publication number: 20100098470
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes: a cleaning blade which removes liquid developer including toner particles and carrier liquid by bringing a contact corner portion constituted by a first surface and a second surface into contact with a cleaned body which is rotated or circulated while holding the liquid developer; a blade supporting body which supports the cleaning blade at the first surface of the cleaning blade or a surface on the side opposite to the first surface; a pressing member which presses the contact corner portion of the cleaning blade against the cleaned body; and seal members disposed at side ends in the first direction of the cleaning blade and having projecting portions which project further than the second surface on the side opposite to a third surface which is on the side opposite to the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi CHIBA, Koichi KAMIJO
  • Patent number: 7693446
    Abstract: There is provided a cleaning apparatus capable of preventing counter-bending of a stripper blade in a more reliable manner. The cleaning apparatus removes toner from a circulation mechanism having a circulating surface that circulates in a two-dimensional manner around one pivotal shaft or two or more pivotal shafts parallel to each other in a housing, the toner attaching to the circulating surface. The cleaning apparatus includes a stripper blade, a securing section, and a counter-bending prevention member. The counter-bending prevention member is formed separately from the securing section and disposed on a downstream side of the stripper blade in the circulation direction of the circulating surface. The counter-bending prevention member prevents bending of the one end portion of the stripper blade on the downstream side in the circulation direction of the circulating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakano, Koichi Kubo
  • Publication number: 20100074665
    Abstract: A cleaning device that can be incorporated in an image forming apparatus which includes an image carrier configured to form a toner image, and a cleaning device configured to clean residual toner on the surface of the image carrier. The cleaning device includes a cleaning blade having a blade member provided to contact the surface of the image carrier and a holder to hold the blade member. The cleaning device further includes a frame to hold the cleaning blade and a vibration suppression member provided across the cleaning blade and the frame to couple the cleaning blade and the frame together and suppress vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Michiya Okamoto, Hiroyuki Nagashima, Fumihito Itoh, Hiroshi Ono, Ken Amemiya, Masahiko Shakuto, Toshio Koike, Yuji Arai, Kaoru Yoshino, Takuma Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20100067945
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshiki HOZUMI, Kazuhiko WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20100054831
    Abstract: A cleaning member includes a cleaning part whose one end portion comes into contact with a surface of an image carrier, and a supporting part that supports the cleaning part and applies a force for pressing the one end portion of the cleaning part to the surface of the image carrier, wherein a surface of a first portion including the one end portion of the cleaning part is bonded to the supporting part with a first adhesive layer, and a surface of a second portion including the other end portion opposite to the one end portion of the cleaning part is bonded to the supporting part with a second adhesive layer having a Type-A durometer hardness which is lower than that of the first adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Makoto Sakanobe, Hiroaki Akamatsu, Yuichi Fukuda, Ryosuke Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20100054830
    Abstract: A blade engagement apparatus moving blades into working positions in engagement with an image forming device moving surface for cleaning and/or metering release agent onto the surface. The blade engagement apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart links having slots receiving pins extending from the blades and an actuator rotating the links for moving the blades along track slots into and out of the working positions. The links couple the blades together for mutually exclusive cooperative movement alternating between the working positions and respective suspended positions wherein the blades are removed from the moving surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce E. Thayer, Cheryl A. Linton, Richard W. Seyfried
  • Patent number: 7664453
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes: a housing; a cleaning roller provided in the housing and operable to come into contact with a photosensitive drum; a cleaning blade operable to come into contact with a surface of the photosensitive drum at a position lower than a nip position between the cleaning roller and the photosensitive drum; and a toner guide plate disposed below the cleaning roller. The toner guide plate includes: a blade proximity portion in proximity to the cleaning blade; and a toner guide portion extending along an outer surface of the cleaning roller, spaced away from the outer surface of the cleaning roller by a predetermined gap. In the cleaning device, the surface of the photosensitive drum can be polished as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Morishita
  • Patent number: 7650107
    Abstract: A developing apparatus and develops a developer with respect to a photosensitive medium, the and includes a developing cartridge which accommodates the developer therein; a cleaning blade which contacts the photosensitive medium by an end part thereof to clean the photosensitive medium, a guide member which guides the cleaning blade to linearly reciprocate, and an elastic member which elastically biases the cleaning blade toward the photosensitive medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-seob Kweon
  • Patent number: 7610008
    Abstract: A cleaning device including an elastic blade whose tip is contacted with a surface of a rotating member in such a manner as to counter the rotated member to remove particles of a toner on the rotated member; and a holder configured to support the elastic blade, wherein a nip formed by longitudinal end portions of the tip of the blade and the surface of the rotated member has a first nip width in a rotation direction of the rotated member, and a nip formed by a central portion of the blade and the surface of the rotated member has a second nip width, and wherein the first nip width is less than the second nip width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Watanabe, Osamu Naruse, Masahiko Shakuto, Hidetoshi Yano
  • Publication number: 20090190975
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce E. Thayer, Richard W. Seyfried, Cheryl A. Linton
  • Patent number: 7551880
    Abstract: A support member for supporting a cleaning blade of an upstream side is arranged between a charging roller of an image forming unit of the upstream side and a developing sleeve of an image forming unit of a downstream side. The support member is formed using a conductive member (metallic plate), is arranged to completely go across a tangent between the charging roller and the developing sleeve, and is grounded. Even when a developing bias is applied to the developing sleeve during application of a charging bias to the charging roller, the support member can function as a shielding member to prevent noise in the charging bias, which makes it possible to reduce a distance between the image forming units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryo Hanashi
  • Patent number: 7548711
    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 that are locked into the cleaner sump by springs, to facilitate dumping of material removed from the web without removing the cleaning blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Francisco L. Ziegelmuller, Thomas C. Bidwell, Dennis J. Grabb, Daniel R. Palmer, Matthias H. Regelsberger
  • Publication number: 20090148208
    Abstract: A doctor blade holder is disclosed that includes first and second members as well as position adjustment means. The first member includes a plurality of first member mounting structures that are integrally formed with the first member and are mutually spaced apart from one another along an elongated direction that is parallel with an elongated edge of a doctor blade. The second member is coupled to the first member, at least in part, by a plurality of second member mounting structures that are mutually spaced apart from one another along the elongated direction that is parallel with the elongated edge of the doctor blade. The position adjustment means is for adjusting the relative positions of the first member and the second member while the first member is coupled to the second member, at least in part, by the plurality of first member mounting structures and the plurality of second member mounting structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: KADANT WEB SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Royal Gauvin, David Leeman
  • Publication number: 20090110416
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate replacing cleaning blades employed to chisel excess toner from a photoreceptor surface. For example, a cleaning unit can comprise a blade holder with a plurality of cleaning blades attached thereto, which is rotated (e.g., by an actuator) to remove a used cleaning blade from the photoreceptor surface and position a new cleaning blade against the photoreceptor surface. Blade replacement can be triggered by a detected defect on an output image or by detected excess toner on the photoreceptor surface downstream from the cleaning blade. Additionally, blade replacement can be triggered as a function of blade use (e.g., measured in time, prints, photoreceptor cycles), friction force on the blade, or a combination thereof, to achieve a desired (e.g., low) cleaning unit failure probability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Bruce E. Thayer, Cheryl A. Linton, Richard W. Seyfried