IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0212964
(2002-08-05)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Fina, Eugene J.
- Harlan, Andrij
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출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
4 인용 특허 :
8 |
초록
▼
An apparatus for cleaning an imaging surface with a cleaning blade including a drop seal actuator that urges a seal into position and then collects toner in a cleaner unit. The seal captures falling accumulated toner from the cleaning blade which may contaminate the xerographic area when the cleanin
An apparatus for cleaning an imaging surface with a cleaning blade including a drop seal actuator that urges a seal into position and then collects toner in a cleaner unit. The seal captures falling accumulated toner from the cleaning blade which may contaminate the xerographic area when the cleaning blade is retracted from the imaging surface. Implementation of the drop seal actuator in contact with the seal positions the seal to contain toner within the cleaner unit.
대표청구항
▼
1. An electrostatographic apparatus comprising:a first member having a length, a first end, and a second end, the first end for removing particles from a photoreceptor surface, the first end adapted to move from an operative position contacting the photoreceptor surface to an inoperative position sp
1. An electrostatographic apparatus comprising:a first member having a length, a first end, and a second end, the first end for removing particles from a photoreceptor surface, the first end adapted to move from an operative position contacting the photoreceptor surface to an inoperative position spaced from the photoreceptor surface, the second end adapted to pivot and including a second member associated therewith; anda third member spaced from the first member having a length and a free end;wherein the second member is adapted to contact the third member as the first member is moved to said inoperative position causing the third member to move an angular distance. 2. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the angular distance ranges up to 25 degrees when the first member is in said inoperative position. 3. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the third member is not straight when the second member contacts the third member. 4. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second member is a protrusion on an end of a cleaning blade. 5. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second member has a length, width, and thickness and is positioned on the cleaning blade. 6. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cleaning blade is removable away from the photoreceptor surface. 7. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is no opening between the second member and the third member when the second member contacts the third member. 8. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the third member is substantially straight when the first member is in said operative position and the second member is out of contact from the third member and wherein the third member is not substantially straight when the first member is in said inoperative position and the second member is in contact with third member. 9. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the angular distance θ is increased during the process of moving the first member to said inoperative position. 10. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member is made of metal, the second member is made of a urethane and the third member is made of mylar. 11. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 10 wherein the urethane is a foam. 12. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second member and the first member are made of one piece and the same material. 13. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a waste container adapted to receive particles. 14. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the third member comprises a flexible sheet chosen from the group of materials consisting of polyester thermoplastics, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyethylene, and polypropylene. 15. A customer replaceable unit comprising:a cleaning blade assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end for removing particles from a photoreceptor surface, the first end adapted to move from an operative position contacting the photoreceptor surface to an inoperative position spaced from the photoreceptor surface, the second end having a protrusion thereon; anda seal having a length and a free end, wherein the seal is adapted to move from a first position to a second position as the first end of the cleaning blade assembly moves away from the photoreceptor surface and the protrusion contacts the seal at a position located a distance from the free end. 16. An electrostatographic apparatus for cleaning particles from a surface, comprising:a cleaning blade for removing particles from the surface, said cleaning blade adapted to move between an operative position contacting the surface to remove particles therefrom and an inoperative position spaced from the surface, said cleaning blade having a free blade end movable between the operative position, and the inoperative position and a pivot end for rotating about a pivot; and a seal, movable between a first position and a second position in response to a protrusion on a portion of the pivot end moving in contact with the seal to urge the seal in the direction of the surface, the seal comprises a flexible sheet chosen from the group of materials consisting of polyester thermoplastics, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyethylene, and polypropylene. 17. The electrostatographic apparatus of claim 16, wherein the particles are captured by the seal and directed therealong into a waste container. 18. A method of preventing toner contamination comprising:accumulating toner from a photoreceptor surface on a free end of a blade, the blade comprising a pivot end including a protrusion thereon;rotating the free end of the blade away from a photoreceptor surface causing the protrusion on the pivot end to pivot and contact a seal urging the seal to move toward the photoreceptor surface. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:.capturing between the seal and the protrusion loose toner falling from the blade; andallowing the toner to be directed along a length of the seal into a waste container. 20. A method of claim 19, further comprising:returning a cleaning blade into contact with imaging surface; andmoving the protrusion out of contact with the seal and causing the seal to straighten. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:locating the seal with respect to the cleaning blade so that toner removed and falling past the cleaning blade is supported by the seal. 22. A cleaning station for cleaning toner from an endless photoreceptor member in an apparatus, comprising:a cleaning housing;a cleaning blade assembly supported by the cleaning housing, the cleaning blade assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end for removing particles from a photoreceptor member, the first end adapted to move from an operative position contacting a photoreceptor surface to an inoperative position spaced from the photoreceptor surface, the second end having a protrusion thereon; anda seal having a length and a free end and being sufficiently stiff so that the seal can support the toner removed from the photoreceptor member, the seal is located after the cleaning blade assembly has removed the toner from the photoreceptor member; wherein the seal is adapted to be movable between a first position and a second position as the first end of the cleaning blade assembly moves away from the photoreceptor surface and the protrusion contacts the seal at a position located a distance from the free end. 23. The cleaning station of claim 22, wherein the seal is between 2-5 mils thick and made of at least one of Mylar, and polyester. 24. The cleaning station of claim 22, wherein the seal has a thickness of about 3 mils.
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