초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for cleaning toner and/or other contaminant particles from a moving surface to be cleaned in an electrostatographic apparatus includes a cleaning blade, such as a wiper blade or a scraper blade, that engages the surface to be cleaned at a first location to remove the particles

A method and apparatus for cleaning toner and/or other contaminant particles from a moving surface to be cleaned in an electrostatographic apparatus includes a cleaning blade, such as a wiper blade or a scraper blade, that engages the surface to be cleaned at a first location to remove the particles from the surface. A dust seal blade is provided that extends toward the surface in a second direction generally opposite to the first direction, which corresponds to the direction of motion of the surface to be cleaned, and is of a length and supported so as to be able to contact the surface to be cleaned at a second location upstream of the first location. The cleaning blade, the dust seal blade and the surface to be cleaned form a cavity for containing contaminant particles to assist in operation of the cleaning blade apparatus.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A cleaning apparatus for removing toner and/or other contaminant particles from a surface to be cleaned in an electrostatographic apparatus, the surface moving in a first direction, the cleaning apparatus comprising:a cleaning blade having a free extension portion engaging the surf

[ We claim:] [1.] A cleaning apparatus for removing toner and/or other contaminant particles from a surface to be cleaned in an electrostatographic apparatus, the surface moving in a first direction, the cleaning apparatus comprising:a cleaning blade having a free extension portion engaging the surface to be cleaned at a first location wherein the cleaning blade is a scraper blade;a dust seal blade extending toward the surface to be cleaned in a second direction generally opposite to the first direction and of a length and supported so the first location, wherein the dust seal blade has a thickness to free extension portion length ratio of less than 0.015; anda collection chamber into which the contaminant particles removed from the surface to be cleaned are collected, wherein the cleaning blade, the dust seal blade and the surface to be cleaned form a cavity for containing contaminant particles to assist in operation of the cleaning apparatus.