Abstract: This invention provides an image-forming machine with a conditioned cleaning system, which may have a photoconductor, one or more chargers, a toning station, and a cleaning station. Toner is applied to image areas and toner lubrication areas on the photoconductor. The toner essentially provides a lubricating or protective barrier between the cleaning station and the photoconductor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of forming a cleaning system for an electrostatographic reproduction system having a photoconductive drum partially within a cleaning system housing and a cleaning brush having conductive core fibers within the cleaning system housing contacting the photoconductive drum with a detoner roller also within the cleaning system housing contacting the cleaning brush. The cleaning system housing is provided with ports that allow for air in enter of leave the cleaning system housing. A curved deflector plate is positioned such that it is spaced about ⅛″ from the cleaning brush. The deflector plate is attached to the enclosure on a side where the brush fibers are moving towards the detoner roller. A skive is made to contact the detoner roller, a baffle is formed contacting the skive and a side of the cleaning housing.

Abstract: To provide an electrophotographic image forming method, an electro-photographic image forming apparatus, and a processing cartridge and an electrophotographic photoreceptor to be used therein, by which an electrophotographic image with a high image quality can be stably obtained in a condition of high temperature and high humidity. In an electrophotographic image forming method including cleaning a toner remained on a photoreceptor by a brush roller and an elastic rubber blade after transferring a toner image formed on the photoreceptor to an image receiving material, wherein the photoreceptor has a resin layer comprising a siloxane resin having an electric charge transportable structural unit and a cross-linked structure, the thickness of the single filament and the density of the filament of the brush roller are each from 3 denier to 30 denier and from 4.5×102 to 15.

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

Abstract: In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a cleaning unit includes a brush roller made up of a paper tube and a cloth rapped around the paper tube. Straight bristles are implanted in the cloth and formed of polyester or polyamide. To form the straight bristles, the tips of loop-like bristles implanted in the cloth are cut off. Assuming that the diameter of the cloth, or brush support, is Ds (mm), then the bristles are implanted in a density &rgr; of 30/&pgr;Ds or above (1/mm2). The individual bristle has a diameter Df of 0.05 or above (mm) and presses the surface of a photoconductive drum with a mean pressure of 10×10−5 (N) or above. The cleaning unit achieves a desirable cleaning ability without reducing the life of the image carrier, while removing contaminants from the surface of the image carrier.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the useful life of cleaning members within an image forming apparatus by side shifting a cleaning member laterally in relation to a photoreceptor. In various exemplary embodiments, the cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning member mounted on a shaft, and side shifting member that moves the shaft along its axis to move the cleaning member laterally. In various exemplary embodiments, the cleaning apparatus moves the cleaning member laterally in a continuous sweeping motion. In various exemplary embodiments, the cleaning apparatus moves the cleaning member laterally in incremental steps.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a brush roller, contactable to an image bearing member, for removing toner from the image bearing member and a brush driving force transmission path, which is different from a driving force transmission path for the image bearing member. The brush roller is rotated through the brush driving force transmission path with a speed of rotation smaller than that of the image bearing member.

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: In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a cleaning unit includes a brush roller made up of a paper tube and a cloth rapped around the paper tube. Straight bristles are implanted in the cloth and formed of polyester or polyamide. To form the straight bristles, the tips of loop-like bristles implanted in the cloth are cut off. Assuming that the diameter of the cloth, or brush support, is Ds (mm), then the bristles are implanted in a density &rgr; of 30/&pgr;Ds or above (1/mm2). The individual bristle has a diameter Df of 0.05 or above (mm) and presses the surface of a photoconductive drum with a mean pressure of 10×10−5 (N) or above. The cleaning unit achieves a desirable cleaning ability without reducing the life of the image carrier, while removing contaminants from the surface of the image carrier.

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 comprises 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: An apparatus for removing electrostatically charged particles from a surface such as the backside of an image bearing belt of the type found in an electrostatographic printing apparatus or a drive roller supporting an image bearing belt. The apparatus includes an electrically biased brush having a substrate and a multiplicity of conductive fibers extending outwardly to contact the surface to be cleaned, a supporting device, and a cleaning device for removing collected particles from the brush. The supporting device for the brush rotates, thereby moving the brush and causing clean fibers to contact the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: In a first paper-dust removing device, a brush is supported by a support member that is attached to the interior of a casing. The first paper-dust removing device mainly removes pulp fibers of the paper dust, and is located downstream from a transfer position in the photosensitive drum rotating direction. A second paper-dust removing device is additionally provided. The second paper-dust removing device includes a support member that is attached to a casing of a developing cartridge. The support member supports a non-woven fabric that is lined by a sponge. The second paper-dust removing device mainly removes talc in the paper dust. The second paper-dust removing device is located downstream from the first removing device in the photosensitive drum rotating direction. In the second device, the non-woven fabric is contacted with the photosensitive drum at substantially zero contact pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning particles from a surface including a conductive flexible brush belt having a piezoelectric exterior layer to which is attached conductive brush fibers which contact the surface to be cleaned. A support member, about which the belt is entrained, provides sufficient deformation to the belt to cause a voltage to be developed on the surface of the piezoelectric exterior layer in response to being deformed. The voltage causes particles to adhere to the conductive brush fibers. The particles are removed from the brush fibers at a detoning station.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing residual charged particles from a charge retentive surface characterized by a self-biasing electrostatic cleaner brush and a flicker bar. The brush includes fibers made of a bi-layer of PVDF films; one of which is PVDF covered over a conductive core. Upon bending in one direction, the fiber will generate an electrical potential which will attract and hold oppositely charged toner, which will then be released when the fiber is flexed by the flicker bar in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing residual charged toner particles from a charge retentive surface characterized by a self-biasing pyroelectric cleaner brush and a detoning member for removing the charged particles from the self-biasing pyroelectric cleaner brush. The brush includes a pyroelectric polymer supported by a conductive roll with resistive fibers attached to one surface of the pyroelectric polymer. Heating and cooling of a pyroelectric polymer induces thermal expansion or contraction which create surface charge density charges that are used to supply charge to the resistive fibers. The oppositely charged resistive fibers contact the toner particles on the charge retentive surface to thereby remove them from the charge retentive surface.

Abstract: An electrostatographic imaging apparatus and method for cleaning remnant toner. An intermediate transfer member (ITM) is in transfer relation to a primary image-forming member to transfer the toner image from the primary image-forming member to the ITM. The ITM then transfers the image to a receiver sheet. A cleaning brush including plural individual brush fibers in engagement with the ITM removes residual toner from the ITM. The fibers each include an electrically conductive core and a surrounding substantially nonconductive annular portion. An electrically conductive backing secures the fibers and is adapted to electrically induce a potential from the backing to the cores of the fibers. The backing is substantially electrically insulated from the electrically conductive cores of the fibers. An electrical potential is established on the backing which is induced upon the cores of the fibers to attract remnant toner from the ITM to the brush.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrying member for carrying an image; a recording material carrying member for carrying a recording material; a transfer device for transferring the image from the image carrying member to the recording material carried by the recording material carrying member; and a cleaning device for cleaning the recording material carrying member, wherein, when images are formed successively on a plurality of recording materials, the cleaning capacity of this cleaning device is made larger as a distance between the rear end of a recording material and the forward end of the next recording material becomes larger.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus and method for cleaning remnant toner and carrier particles. An intermediate transfer member (ITM) is in transfer relation to a primary image-forming member to transfer the toner image from the primary image-forming member to the ITM. The ITM then transfers the image to a receiver sheet . A fiber cleaning brush includes plural individual conductive brush fibers in engagement with the ITM to remove residual toner and carrier particles from the ITM. A detoning member includes an electrically conductive surface that contacts the brush fibers and is electrically biased to electrostatically remove toner particles from the fiber brush. The detoning member includes magnets for attracting remnant carrier to the detoning roller and for attracting a skive blade of magnetic material into engagement with the detoning roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and printing machine that contain a cleaner brush with long sweeper fibers orientated along the overall width of the brush, and having a greater length than the majority of fibers of the brush to remove the particles that adhere to the cleaner housing and thus, prevent toner droppings.

Abstract: An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus and method for cleaning remnant toner and carrier particles. A fiber cleaning brush includes plural individual conductive brush fibers in engagement with a toner bearing member to remove residual toner and magnetic carrier particles from the member. A detoning roller includes an electrically conductive surface that contacts the brush fibers and is electrically biased to electrostatically remove toner particles from the fiber brush. The detoning roller includes one or more permanent magnets for attracting remnant carrier to the detoning roller. A skive blade of non-magnetic material engages the detoning roller. In some embodiments, the permanent magnet is stationary and provides substantially no magnetic field where the skive blade engages the detoning roller to avoid congregation of magnetic carrier particles adjacent the edge of the blade. In another embodiment, the magnet rotates to cause carrier particles to move along the blade.

Abstract: A cleaning mechanism for removing residual marking particles and other debris from a dielectric member of a reproduction apparatus and polish the dielectric member and remove fine scratches therefrom. The cleaning mechanism includes a substantially cylindrical fiber brush rotatable about its longitudinal axis with the fibers of the brush in contact with the dielectric member. A housing encloses that portion of the fiber brush not in contact with the dielectric member. The housing defines a substantially cylindrical chamber with the inner wall thereof spaced from the outer extremes of the brush fibers. In this manner, residual marking particles and debris are allowed to collect between the fibers of the brush to an extent sufficient to enable the fiber brush, when loaded with such marking particles and debris, to polish the dielectric member and remove fine scratches as the fibers clean the dielectric member.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficient cleaning of the imaging surface. The primary cleaner is a rotating collection roll located directly opposite from and on the other side of the imaging surface from the ultrasonic cleaning assist device. The ultrasonic energy is used to remove the toner from the imaging surface enabling attraction toward the biased collection roll. The ultrasonic energy decreases the amount of residual toner remaining after transfer. The residual toner that is not cleaned from the surface by the collection roll is removed from the surface by the rotating biased conductive brush, which is the secondary cleaner. The collection roll is contactless in that it does not come into contact with the photoreceptor. In another embodiment of the invention, the primary cleaner and the secondary cleaner are collection rolls with ultrasonic cleaning assist devices directly under each collection roll. The entire cleaning system is contactless.

Abstract: A conductive fiber having at least one fiber forming material and conductive materials and coated with a polymer which reduces the surface energy of the fiber below an initial surface energy of the fiber is disclosed. The fibers are preferably used in an electrostatic cleaning device which removes residual toner from the surface of an imaging member. The coated conductive fibers significantly improve the detoning efficiency of cleaning devices incorporating the fibers.

Abstract: An image-forming machine including a photosensitive drum which is rotatably disposed and successively passes through a charging zone, a developing zone and a transfer zone; a charger for charging the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum into a predetermined polarity; a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum into a toner image; a transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum onto a transfer paper; and a foreign matter-recovering means which is disposed between the transfer zone and the charging zone and comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, and removes foreign matter adhered onto the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, the foreign matter-recovering means having a foreign matter-recovering brush brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, an elastic holding member made of an elas

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a charge retentive surface of a photoreceptor which includes a rotating brush for cleaning the charge retentive surface of a photoreceptor. A spring or other device is used to maintain constant, uniformly distributed contact between the charge retentive surface and the rotating cleaning member together. The use of one or more pressure rollers to maintain the cleaning brush next to the photoreceptor belt can prevent undesirable friction, heat and/or static charge buildup adjacent to the photoreceptor, and can prevent photoreceptor jamming and other malfunctions. The resulting self regulating cleaning brush contact improves photoreceptor cleaning effectiveness despite brush aging, bristle wear or set, or other factors effecting the radius of the cleaning brush or its relative positioning in the photoreceptor cleaning assembly. The present invention results in the uniform distribution of the contact pressure on the photoreceptor, which may monitored and/or be controlled.

Abstract: A brush having synthetic fibers that are inert to paper fillers is disclosed. The brush is effective in preventing scumming on photoconductive elements.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image-bearing member, latent image-forming unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the first image-bearing member, developer for developing the electrostatic latent image with a toner to form a toner image, an intermediate transfer member for receiving the toner image by primary transfer and transferring the toner image onto a second image-bearing member by secondary transfer, a charging member for charging a residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the secondary transfer, and a recovery member for recovering the charged residual toner at a recovery position by voltage application. The intermediate transfer member exhibits a charging characteristic such that it has a surface potential of at most 500 volts as an absolute value at the recovery position.

Abstract: An image forming machine comprising a rotating drum having an electrostatic photoconductor on the peripheral surface thereof; a latent electrostatic image forming means for forming a latent electrostatic image on the electrostatic photoconductor; a developing means for developing the latent electrostatic image on the electrostatic photoconductor to a toner image; a transfer means for transferring the toner image on the electrostatic photoconductor onto a sheet member; a cleaning means for removing a residual toner remaining on the electrostatic photoconductor after transfer; and a fixing means for fixing the toner image, transferred onto the sheet member, onto the sheet member is provided. The rotating drum is rotationally driven by a first electric motor, and the fixing means is rotationally driven by a second electric motor. The cleaning means includes a rotary brush means in contact with the peripheral surface of the rotating drum.

Abstract: A cleaning device for removing and collecting toner lest on the surface of a photoreceptor includes a housing, a rotary shaft rotatably supported by the housing and a brush, provided on the outer surface of the rotary shaft, for scraping off toner from the surface of the photoreceptor, a bar-like member fastened at both ends thereof to the housing and positioned at a location where the bar-like member is flicked with upon the rotation of the brush, an auger, positioned at a predetermined location within the housing, for transporting the toner scraped off to a given direction, and the bar-like member being disposed so as to prevent the auger from being further moved from the predetermined position and from contacting with the brush.

Abstract: Electroconductive fibers with electrically conductive filler suffused through or coated upon the surface of the filamentary polymer substrate and being present inside the filamentary polymer substrate as a uniformly dispersed phase adhered to the polymer substrate in an annular region located at the periphery of the filament and extending inwardly along the diameter thereof, wherein the electroconductive fibers are suitable for miniature cleaning brushes for an image forming apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for retracting the cleaner from an imaging surface and preventing toner leakage. An apparatus and method that describes a DESB (i.e. dual electrostatic brush) cleaner in a multi-pass operation that not only has to clean the toner from the photoreceptor, but has to retract from the photoreceptor. The two brushes pivot about two defined pivot points in the cleaner housing during the retraction cycle to disengage from the photoreceptor during multi-pass operations. The first brush is pivoted up and the second brush is pivoted down. A further disclosure is the apparatus and method of using thin sliding and flexible plastic seals for a dual ESB that has moving (e.g. camming in and out) housings. The seals prevent leakage of the toner particles from the cleaner housing.

Abstract: An electrostatic image forming apparatus has high cleaning efficiency using the electrostatic fur brush method. A photosensitive body having a photoconductive characteristic is charged uniformly. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the charged photosensitive body by radiating light rays on the area to be developed. The latent image is developed by the dry-type developing method by use of toner charged with same polarity as that of the photosensitive body's surface. The obtained visible image is transferred electrostatically onto the transfer paper. A non-electrically-insulative fur brush 16 removes the remaining toner 20 from the surface of the photosensitive body 14 and an electric potential gradient generator 17 generates an electric potential gradient through the fur brush which transfers the remaining toner 20 to the fur brush 16 from the surface of the photosensitive body 14. The toner to be employed has a substantially uniform particle diameter.

Abstract: A cleaning device for removing and collecting toner left on the surface of a photoreceptor includes a housing, a rotary shaft rotatably supported by the housing and a brush, provided on the outer surface of the rotary shaft, for scraping off toner from the surface of the photoreceptor, a bar-like member fastened at both ends thereof to the housing and positioned at a location where the bar-like member is flicked with upon the rotation of the brush, an auger, positioned at a predetermined location within the housing, for transporting the toner scraped off to a given direction, and the bar-like member being disposed so as to prevent the auger from being further moved from the predetermined position and from contacting with the brush.

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

Abstract: An apparatus for a central augering system within a cleaning system. This central auger system provides several advantages including: 1) reduction in size of the overall cleaner; 2) prevention of bridging in the cleaner housing due to the close proximity of the auger to the detoning roll the toner falls directly into the auger; and 3) the second detoning roll which sees only a small amount of toner is lubricated by the toner in the auger.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving a cleaning brush, periodically or continuously, to avoid flat spots or voids in the cleaning brush fibers when the printing machine is in standby or off. Periodic movement of the cleaning brush or slow rotation of the cleaning brush when the machine is in a non-operational mode prevent brush "set" from occurring thus, preventing motion quality errors in the printing operation.