Abstract A cleaning apparatus for cleaning the residual toner image from an electrostatic plate of an electrostatic reproduction apparatus incorporates a continuous wiper member having an outer layer of a compliant material which has a resistivity of less than 10 8 ohm.- centimeters and an outer skin thereon. The wiper member is connected to ground. As the wiper member wipingly engages the toner particles, the toner partricles are mechanically dislodged from the surface of the electrostatic plate. Additionally, an image charge is produced on the outer skin surface of the conductive wiper member equal to but opposite in sign from the charge on the toner particles in proximity therewith. This image charge causes the toner particles to adhere to the skin surface as the wiper member moves away from the electrostatic plate regardless of the sign of the toner charge. A further cleaning member is utilized to remove the toner particles from the skin surface of the wiper member which travels in a closed loop past the electrostatic plate and the further cleaning member.
Inventors
👤 James L Bacon
👤 Henry W Simpson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-26 00:30
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G21/0058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
Cleaning apparatus for removing electrostatically charged toner particles from the surface of an electrostatic plate comprising: a continuous wiper means mounted for movement in a closed loop in wiping engagement with the surface of the electrostatic plate containing toner particles attracted thereto for removing said toner particles from said electrostatic plate, said wiper means comprising at least an outer layer of a compliant material having a resistivity of less than 10 8 ohm. centimeters and having an outer skin thereon; cleaning means engagingly connected to said wiper means for removing toner therefrom; drive means for moving said wiper in said closed loop past said electrostatic plate and past said cleaning means; a current source connected to said wiper means for supplying current to the outer skin of said wiper means proportional to the image charge of the toner in contact therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
Cleaning apparatus for removing electrostatically charged toner particles from the surface of an electrostatic plate comprising: a continuous wiper means mounted for movement in a closed loop in wiping engagement with the surface of the electrostatic plate containing toner particles attracted thereto for removing said toner particles from said electrostatic plate, said wiper means comprising at least an outer layer of a compliant material having a resistivity of less than 10 8 ohm. centimeters and having an outer skin thereon; cleaning means engagingly connected to said wiper means for removing toner therefrom; drive means for moving said wiper in said closed loop past said electrostatic plate and past said cleaning means; a current source connected to said wiper means for supplying current to the outer skin of said wiper means proportional to the image charge of the toner in contact therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cleaning apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said outer skin has a smooth outer surface thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cleaning apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrostatic plate is mounted for motion in a first direction and said wiper means engages said plate when moving in a direction opposite said first direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cleaning apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said current source comprises a grounded connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The cleaning apparatus set forth in claim 4 further comprising a preclean corona unit for electrostatically charging said toner on said plate prior to said toner being engaged by said wiper means toward a polarity opposite its polarity established when applied to the plate.