US4417807A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cleaning apparatus for recording apparatus
Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
•
Filing: 1981-08-19
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Granted: 1983-11-29
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Expires: 2001-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A recording apparatus includes a toner retaining member such as a photosensitive drum, a toner collector, a cleaning device for cleaning toner off of the toner retaining member, and a toner guide member for guiding toner away from the toner retaining member. The guide member has a plurality of spaced apart front contact end portions in contact with the toner retaining member for guiding toner which is cleaned from the toner retaining member to the toner collector, at least the front contact end portions of the toner guide member which are in contact with the toner retaining member being in a comb-teeth shape. Preferably, at least the front contact end portions of the toner guide member are fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshio Yamazaki
- 👤 Ken Nakamura
- 👤 Shigeru Inowa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:43
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/0005; G03G21/0011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A cleaning apparatus for a recording apparatus which includes a photosensitive toner retaining member and a toner collection means, the cleaning apparatus comprising: means for cleaning toner remaining on the photosensitive toner retaining member; and a toner guide member having a plurality of spaced apart flexible front contact end portions in contact with said photosensitive toner retaining member for guiding said toner which is cleaned from said photosensitive toner retaining member to said toner collection means, at least the flexible front contact end portions of said toner guide member which are in contact with said photosensitive toner retaining member being in a comb-teeth shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A cleaning apparatus for a recording apparatus which includes a photosensitive toner retaining member and a toner collection means, the cleaning apparatus comprising: means for cleaning toner remaining on the photosensitive toner retaining member; and a toner guide member having a plurality of spaced apart flexible front contact end portions in contact with said photosensitive toner retaining member for guiding said toner which is cleaned from said photosensitive toner retaining member to said toner collection means, at least the flexible front contact end portions of said toner guide member which are in contact with said photosensitive toner retaining member being in a comb-teeth shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning means comprises an elastic cleaning blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner retaining member is a charge retaining member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said charge retaining member is a photoconductive member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least the front contact end portions of the comb-teeth shaped portion of said toner guide member comprise spaces apart fibers, said spaces apart fibers being individually in contact with said toner retaining member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said toner guide member further comprises a member for holding said comb teeth portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner guide member comprises a plurality of woven fibers, and said plurality of spaced apart front contact end portions comprises projections extending from woven portions of said toner guide member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said woven fibers of said toner guide member comprise a substantially flat woven screen with said spaced apart front contact end portions extending from said screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said woven fibers are soft fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said woven fibers are soft fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said toner guide member comprises a holding member coupled to said woven fibers for supporting said woven fibers at a side of said woven fibers opposite said projections.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said spaced apart flexible front contact end portions are soft fiber members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner guide member is a substantially flat member from which said flexible front contact end portions extend, said toner retaining member being moveable relative to said toner guide member and relative to said toner cleaning means, said toner guide member being arranged at an acute angle relative to said toner retaining member as viewed in the direction of relative movement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A cleaning apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said toner retaining member comprises a rotatable photosensitive drum, and wherein said toner guide member is arranged adjacent a substantially vertical portion of the photosensitive drum such that toner removed from said photosensitive drum is guided along said toner guide member by gravity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-11-28 | 1987-05-30 | 1987-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-28 | 1991-05-30 | 1991-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-28 | 1995-05-30 | 1995-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |