Cleaning device, and image forming apparatus and process unit incorporating same
US10018941B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/001
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade disposed in contact with a rotator, a toner collecting section disposed along the rotator and the cleaning blade and includes a groove extending in an axial direction of the rotator, a conveyor disposed in the groove, and an agitator disposed on a side of a rim of the groove. The conveyor rotates to convey the toner in a longitudinal direction of the groove. The agitator vibrates through contact with the conveyor and includes comb-tooth portions lined in a comb shape in the longitudinal direction of the groove, and bent portions, each of which is bent from an end of one of the comb-tooth portions. The comb-tooth portions contact a circumference of the conveyor to vibrate. The bent portions are lined at intervals smaller than intervals on a base side of the comb-tooth portions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.