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

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a cleaning blade adapted to scrape off the residual toner adhering to the surface of the image carrier, a brush arranged upstream relative to the cleaning blade in the direction of revolution of the image carrier and adapted to apply solid lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, and a support member that supports a piece of solid lubricant and adapted to generate movement and to cause the solid lubricant to come into contact with the brush due to the generated movement.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes an image bearing member, a developing device developing an electrostatic image on the member using developer to form a developer image on the member and a developer charger charging residual developer on the member disposed downstream of a transferring position at which the developer image is transferred onto a transfer destination member and upstream of a position at which the electrostatic image is formed on the member with respect to the moving direction of the member. The developer charger is in contact with the member and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the member upon charging the residual developer. L1+d?L2 when L1 is the developing width of the developing device, L2 is the contact width of the developer charger with the member, and d is the width of movement of the developer charger in the longitudinal direction of the member.

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

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

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a photoreceptor having an electroconductive substrate, a photosensitive layer overlying the electroconductive substrate, and a protection layer including an inorganic filler in an amount of from 3 to 25% by weight based on total weight of the protection layer and a binder resin, and overlying the photosensitive layer. The apparatus further including a charger, an irradiator, an image developer, and a transferer transferring a toner image onto a transfer material. The apparatus also includes a cleaner cleaning the photoreceptor, including a rotatable core and a looped brush fiber provided on the surface of the rotatable core so as to contact the photoreceptor. A top of the looped brush fiber is positioned on an upstream side from a root of the looped brush fiber relative to a rotating direction of the rotatable core.

Abstract: A device included in an image forming apparatus for removing a substance that disfigures an image. The device includes an adsorbent support that supports an adsorbent. The absorbent has a molecular structure including voids that have a diameter great enough to pass molecules of the disfiguring substance which is deposited on the surface of an image carrier and contain water.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically conductive member comprising a core and a resin layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the core, wherein the resin layer is made of a resin composition in which an electrically conductive agent is dispersed, and the abrasion amount of the resin composition, measured by JIS K6902, is 20 mg or less. Moreover, the present invention provides a unit for cleaning an image holding member, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus each using the electrically conductive member.

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

Abstract: A cleaning device is provided with a conductive fur brush kept in contact with a transfer belt, a conductive brush kept in contact with the transfer belt upstream of the fur brush in the feed direction, and a single of constant-current d.c. power supply. The fur brush is connected to the constant-current d.c. power supply, and the conductive brush is grounded. A current flows from the constant-current d.c. power supply via the transfer belt to the conductive brush.

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

Abstract: A cleaning brush, which cleans excess toner on a photosensitive drum, has bristles that slant in the direction opposite to the direction of a developer transference by transferring screws located near a developing roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing charged particles from a surface, the surface being capable of movement, including: a preclean corotron having a first polarity; and a first cleaning brush for cleaning charged particles from the surface, having a second polarity different from the first polarity of the preclean corotron; a second cleaning brush for cleaning the charged particles from the surface, having a predefined polarity, the second cleaning brush being located downstream from the first cleaning brush, in the direction of motion of the surface; and a controller for changing the predefined polarity of the second cleaning brush from the first polarity to the second polarity.

Abstract: A toner removal apparatus for a reproducing machine has a cylindrical brush mounted for rotation in a closely fitting housing. The housing has an open side confronting a moving photoreceptor. Brush fibers extend through the housing open side into interfering contact with the photoreceptor and sweep toner therefrom. A slot in the housing parallel to the brush is connected to a vacuum source to draw air into the housing open side, through the brush fibers, and out the housing slot. First and second parallel bars are mounted on opposite sides of the housing slot and extend into contact with the brush fibers. The first bar compresses and then releases the brush fibers to flick toner therefrom. The second bar extends into the housing a lesser amount than the first bar and contacts the brush fibers without compression thereof, thereby providing an air seal, so that all of the air flows through the brush fibers.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includesa brush member to be brought into contact with a member to be cleaned to remove toner particles attached to the member. The brush member includes a conductive material.

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

Abstract: A cleaning device of the present invention includes a brush roller having a brush held in contact with the surface of a body to be cleaned. The brush contacts the surface of the body to be cleaned due to the weight of the brush roller and rotates by following the movement of the above surface. A flicker is held in contact with the brush in order to remove toner deposited on the brush. A casing forms a chamber therein for storing the toner removed by the flicker. The brush roller maintains an expected cleaning ability even when impurities deposited on the brush absorb moisture in a high-humidity environment and cannot be easily removed or when a great amount of toner deposits on the brush at a time.

Abstract: A conductive brush comprises a substrate of a belt shape and a plurality of pile yarns extended from the substrate. The substrate and the pile yarns are formed of a same kind of synthetic resin and the pile yarns are adhered to the substrate by a ultrasonic wave. Conductivity is applied to at least a part of the substrate and the pile yarns by including a conductive material in the synthetic resin.

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

Abstract: A cleaner for removing contaminates. Sensors detect a position of the cleaner with respect to a substrate, a proper rotation of components within the cleaner, and a proper electrical bias of the components. The components include a fiber brush, a detoning roller, and an auger.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrophotographic photoreceptor having an electrically-conductive support and a photosensitive layer provided on said support; an electrostatic charging unit for electrostatically charging said electrophotographic photoreceptor; an exposing unit for exposing said electrostatically charged electrophotographic photoreceptor to light to form an electrostatic latent image; a developing unit for developing said electrostatic latent image with a toner to form a toner image; a transferring unit for transferring said toner image onto a transferring medium; and a cleaning device for removing a toner left on said electrophotographic photoreceptor after the transfer of said toner image, wherein said image forming apparatus is capable of performing image formation at a processing speed of not lower than 150 mm/s, wherein said electrophotographic photoreceptor comprises a surface layer containing a siloxane-based resin having charge-transporting properties and a crosslinked stru

Abstract: An apparatus for removing charged particles from a surface, the surface being capable of movement, comprising: a preclean corotron having a first polarity; and a first means of cleaning the charged particles from the surface, having a second polarity different from said first polarity of said preclean corotron; a second means of cleaning the charged particles from the surface, having a predefined polarity, said second cleaning means being located downstream from said first cleaning means, in the direction of motion of the surface; and a controller for changing the predefined polarity of said second cleaning means from said first polarity to said second polarity.

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

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a photoreceptor having an electroconductive substrate, a photosensitive layer overlying the electroconductive substrate, and a protection layer including an inorganic filler in an amount of from 3 to 25% by weight based on total weight of the protection layer and a binder resin, and overlying the photosensitive layer. The apparatus further including a charger, an irradiator, an image developer, and a transferer transferring a toner image onto a transfer material. The apparatus also includes a cleaner cleaning the photoreceptor, including a rotatable core and a looped brush fiber provided on the surface of the rotatable core so as to contact the photoreceptor. A top of the looped brush fiber is positioned on an upstream side from a root of the looped brush fiber relative to a rotating direction of the rotatable core.

Abstract: A conductive fur brush cleaning assembly for an image processing apparatus. The cleaning assembly has a casing, a plurality of rotating components within the casing and a plurality of sealing devices that divide the casing into a scavenging zone and a detoning zone. The sealing devices prevent airborne marking particles from traveling from the detoning zone into the scavenging zone.

Abstract: A method and structure for a detone cleaner assembly for an image processing apparatus includes a drive motor, a plurality of rotating components, and a current sensor for sensing a current being drawn by the drive motor. The rotating components form a serial connection to distribute a rotational force produced by the drive motor.

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

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

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

Abstract: A cleaning device according to the present invention has first seals and a second seal adhered so as to partly overlap each other for sealing a space between a housing of the cleaning device and the surface of a photoreceptive member. The first seals include seal bases and a flocked sheet layered on the seal bases. The portion of the seal base where the second seal overlaps is made smaller in thickness than the portion of the seal base where the second seal does not overlap. Therefore, no step is formed in the overlapped portion, thereby preventing toner leakage.

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

Abstract: A detoning blade including a steel member of stainless steel or carbon steel having a length, a width, and a thickness and a coating including titanium nitride or tungsten carbide having a thickness ranging from 0.1 microns to 4 microns or a coating of diamond embedded chromium having a thickness ranging from 2.5 microns to 7.5 microns.

Abstract: A cleaning brush, which cleans excess toner on a photosensitive drum, has bristle that slants in the direction opposite to the direction of a developer transference by transferring screws located near a developing roller.

Abstract: A cleaning unit having a brush roll with a myriad of slidingly scrubbing bristles upright relative to a rotation shaft for slidingly scrubbing the surface of a rotation body with the brush roll for removing toner deposited on the rotation body. When the brush roll is out of contact with the rotation body, the tips of the slidingly scrubbing bristles are inclined in the circumferential direction and when the brush roll is placed in contact with the rotation body, the brush roll does not rotate by itself and is rotated with rotation of the rotation body. The linear speed of the brush roll at the contact position is made different from that of the rotation body.

Abstract: A detoning blade including a steel member of stainless steel or carbon steel having a length, a width, and a thickness and a coating including titanium nitride or tungsten carbide having a thickness ranging from 0.1 microns to 4 microns or a coating of diamond embedded chromium having a thickness ranging from 2.5 microns to 7.5 microns.

Abstract: A method and structure for a conductive fur brush cleaner assembly for an image processing apparatus is disclosed. The cleaner assembly includes a plurality of rotating components, an insulated outer cover surrounding the rotating components and a conductive inner cover surrounding the rotating components. The insulated outer cover prevents a charge from being bled from the conductive inner cover. The conductive inner cover accumulates a charge from the waste particles within the cleaner assembly such that the inner cover becomes biased.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing an image onto a print medium with use of a liquid developer which contains a liquid carrier and a toner being dispersed in the liquid carrier. The printing apparatus has: an image holding member having an imaging surface on which a latent image corresponding to the image to be printed is generated; a development unit which provides the liquid developer to the imaging surface to form a toner image corresponding to the latent image; a transfer member which transfers the toner image from the imaging surface to the print medium; and a fibrous wipe member having a cleaning face contacting with the imaging surface for wiping a residual toner failing to be transferred from the imaging surface by moving relatively to the imaging surface in a first direction. A cleaning liquid is impregnated at a ratio of 2 grams per square meter to 200 grams per square meter in the fibrous wipe member.

Abstract: A cleaning device, being part of a copying or printing system, for removing residual developer from the surface of an image-delivering member is described. The device includes a cleaning brush in rolling contact with the surface of the image-delivering member for removing residual developer therefrom. A biased collecting roller is in rolling contact with the revolving brush. The collecting roller is biased such as to attract the residual developer from the cleaning brush and to collect it onto its surface. A trailing cleaning blade has a forward end portion in frictional contact with the collecting roller. The trailing cleaning blade is in contact with the cleaning roller at a contact position where the collecting roller is moving in an upward direction. Also disclosed is a method for removing developer from a surface of an image-delivering member.

Abstract: A method and structure for a cleaning a roller in an imaging apparatus includes the steps of providing a cleaner assembly with a skive blade in contact with the roller and forming a slot in a casing of the cleaner assembly. The skive blade can be selectively mounted on and removed from the cleaner assembly.

Abstract: A photoreceptor cleaning brush for an electrostatographic imaging apparatus contains individual fibers provided with a finishing agent that is a water-miscible aliphatic organic compound containing a plurality of alcoholic hydroxy substituents. The finishing agent is selected from the group of compounds having a molecular weight of up to about 250 and polyethylene glycols having a number-average molecular weight of about 1000 to about 200,000. In an electrostatographic imaging apparatus, the photoconductive imaging element includes the described photoreceptor cleaning brush and a photoconductive surface portion that contains a polycarbonate binder resin. The cleaning brush removes toner from the photoconductive surface portion of the element without damaging it.

Abstract: A method and structure for an image processing apparatus includes an image transfer substrate, a cleaner adjacent the substrate and sensors within the cleaner is disclosed. The cleaner removes contaminates from the substrate and sensors within the cleaner. The sensors detect a position of the cleaner with respect to the substrate, a proper rotation of components within the substrate, and a proper bias of the components. The components include a fiber brush, a detone roller, and an auger.

Abstract: A method and structure for a conductive fur brush cleaner assembly for an image processing apparatus is disclosed. The cleaner assembly has a casing, a plurality of rotating components within the casing and a plurality of sealing devices that divide the casing into a scavenging zone and a detone zone. The sealing devices prevent airborne waste particles from traveling from the detone zone into the scavenging zone.

Abstract: A method and structure for a conductive fur brush cleaner assembly for an image processing apparatus is disclosed. The cleaner assembly comprises a plurality of rotating components, an insulated outer cover surrounding the rotating components and a conductive inner cover surrounding the rotating components. The insulated outer cover prevents a charge from being bled from the conductive inner cover. The conductive inner cover accumulates a charge from the waste particles within the cleaner assembly such that the inner cover becomes biased.

Abstract: A method and structure for a detone cleaner assembly for an image processing apparatus includes a drive motor, a plurality of rotating components, and a current sensor for sensing a current being drawn by the drive motor. The rotating components form a serial connection to distribute a rotational force produced by the drive motor.

Abstract: A photoreceptor cleaning brush for use in an electrostatographic imaging apparatus comprises individual fibers provided with a finishing agent comprising a water-miscible aliphatic organic compound containing a plurality of alcoholic hydroxy substituents. The finishing agent is selected from the group of compounds having a molecular weight of up to about 250 and polyethylene glycols having a number-average molecular weight of about 1000 to about 200,000. An improved electrostatographic imaging apparatus includes a photoconductive imaging element and a photoreceptor cleaning brush. The improvement comprises: the photoconductive imaging element having a photoconductive surface portion comprising a polycarbonate binder resin, and the cleaning brush comprising individual fibers provided with a finishing agent comprising a water-miscible aliphatic organic compound containing a plurality of alcoholic hydroxy substituents.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, after the development of a latent image formed on an image carrier effected by using toner, which has a volume mean grain size of 5 &mgr;m to 10 &mgr;m and in which 60 number percent to 80 number percent of toner grains have a grain size of 5 &mgr;m or below, and the transfer of the resulting image to a recording medium, a cleaning device of the present invention removes the toner left on the image carrier with a fur brush. The fur brush is capable of contacting the surface of the image carrier with density high enough to block the toner grains having the above grain size.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus that cleans an image bearing member on which a toner image is formed, includes first and second brushes which are rotatable and remove toner by abutment against the image bearing member, wherein the first and second brushes rotate in counter directions, a container for containing the toner removed by the first brush and the second brush, and a rubbing member that rubs both of the first brush and the second brush.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a cleaning apparatus to clean an image bearing member used in electrophotographic process and an image forming system equipped with the cleaning system. The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning roller being either conductive or semi-conductive and in contact with an image bearing member carrying charged toner; a constant current source to apply a bias voltage, having a polarity opposite to that of toner utilized for a developing operation performed on the image bearing member, onto the cleaning roller and a cleaning blade contacting the image bearing member and located at a downstream side of the cleaning roller in a moving direction of the image bearing member.

Abstract: A cleaning unit having a brush roll with a myriad of slidingly scrubbing bristles upright relative to a rotation shaft for slidingly scrubbing the surface of a rotation body with the brush roll for removing toner deposited on the rotation body. When the brush roll is out of contact with the rotation body, the tips of the slidingly scrubbing bristles are inclined in the circumferential direction and when the brush roll is placed in contact with the rotation body, the brush roll does not rotate by itself and is rotated with rotation of the rotation body. The linear speed of the brush roll at the contact position is made different from that of the rotation body.