Intermittent grit removal process

Claim 1

In a process for electrostatographic reproduction comprising the following reproduction cycle: a. depositing an electrostatic charge on the photoconductive layer of an electrostatographic imaging surface; b. forming a latent electrostatic image of the copy to be produced; c. cascading developer having an electrostatic charge opposite to that of the electrostatic latent image over said surface whereby a developed image is formed in the configuration of the copy being reproduced; d. electrostatically transferring said image from said imaging surface to a transfer material or support surface; e. cleaning said imaging surface To remove residual developer particles remaining thereon; and f. discharging any residual electrostatic charge remaining thereon; the improvement which comprises separating accumulated grit derived primarily from the carrier and which exhibits essentially the same charge as that of the carrier, from the developer by intermittently bypassing said reproduction cycle and interposing a grit removal cycle comprising: i. charging said imaging surface with a charge relatively opposite to that of the accumulated grit; ii. cascading developer across said surface whereby grit is selectively attracted to said surface; iii. charging said surface with a charge opposite to that initially imposed upon said surface to loosen attracted grit thereon; iv. removing the grit from said surface; and v. discharging any residual electrical charge remaining on said surface.