Toner cleaning device for electrophotographic copying machine

Claim 1

A toner cleaning unit for an electrophotographic copying machine including a charge retaining member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and is converted into a toner image by means of a developing unit which utilizes a dry developer, the resulting toner image being transferred onto a record sheet, the cleaning unit being operative to remove any residual toner from the charge retaining member after the transfer of the toner image; comprising: a movable cleaning blade disposed for selective contact with the charge retaining member to collect any toner which remains thereon after the transfer of the toner image, means for selectively moving said cleaning blade towards and away from the charge retaining member, and an intercept member disposed adjacent to the cleaning blade and upstream thereof as viewed in the direction of rotation of the charge retaining member and in contact with or in proximity to the latter, the intercept member being coextensive with the cleaning blade, a toner pile being formed in the region of contact between the blade and the charge retaining member as the blade is disposed in contact with the retaining member by said blade moving means, the intercept member intercepting any toner which might freely fall down from the pile when the cleaning blade is moved away from the charge retaining member by said blade moving means to permit the toner pile to be conveyed into the developing unit by the charge retaining member as the charge retaining member rotates.