Patent · US Expired

Blade cleaner apparatus for removing toner from a charge-retentive surface

US4561766A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
7References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 22, 1984
Grant dateDec 31, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 22, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G21/007
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Blade cleaner apparatus for removing residual toner from a charge-retentive surface including a cleaner housing having a cleaning blade disposed therein adjacent the top thereof. The apparatus is characterized by improved means for reducing the escape of toner particles from the housing. To this end, a shield is mounted behind the blade, out of contact from the blade and the surface to be cleaned. The shield directs toner propelled by the blade in a generally downward direction. A lower seal supported by the cleaner housing contacts the surface to be cleaned and insures that the toner stays in the cleaner housing. The lower seal is characterized by its ease of attachment to the cleaner housing. Accordingly, one end of the seal is bent so that an outer angle is formed. The material from which the seal is fabricated is flexible so that the end can be manipulated such as to reduce the acute angle to allow resuction into a recess in the housing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.