Dual purpose cleaning apparatus

Claim 2

In an electrostatographic copier or printer that forms toner particle images and transfers them to a copy sheet by utilizing a moving photoconductor and a moving image transfer member in image transfer relationship with the photoconductor, a cleaning apparatus for removing residual particles from the surface of the photoconductor and the surface of the image transfer member, the cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a rotatable cleaning roller; (b) means supporting said roller for movement between (1) a first position wherein the roller is in a position to clean particles from the surface of the photoconductor, and (2) a second position wherein the roller is in a position to clean particles from the surface of the image transfer member, the roller being spaced from the photoconductor surface when it is in its second position; (c) means for moving the roller between its first and second positions; and (d) means for removing the particles from the cleaning roller.

Claim 3

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said roller is rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise.

Claim 4

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein a container for collecting waste toner is also supported by said supporting means.

Claim 5

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said moving means comprises a tension spring and a solenoid cooperating appositively.

Claim 6

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for cleaning said roller includes a first blade positioned to clean with said second blade riding over said roller when said roller is rotating in said counterclockwise direction, and a second blade positioned to clean with said first blade riding over said roller when said roller is rotating in said clockwise direction.

Claim 7

In an electrostatographic copier or printer that forms toner particle images and transfers them to a copy sheet by utilizing a moving photoconductor and a moving image transfer member in image transfer relationship with the photoconductor, a cleaning apparatus for removing residual particles from the surface of the photoconductor and the surface of the image transfer member, the cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a cleaning roller, mountable and rotatable about a shaft; (b) means for applying a DC electrical bias to the surface of said roller; (c) means for supporting said shaft and moving said roller into a first position for cleaning the photoconductor and into a second position for cleaning the image transfer member; (d) a blade, connected to said supporting means for scraping the surface of said roller clean; (e) a container, mounted to said supporting means and underneath said blade, for collecting waste toner particles; (f) a tension spring connected to said supporting means for urging said roller into said first position; (g) a solenoid connected to said supporting means for pivotally moving and holding said roller into said second position; and (h) logic and control means connected to and controlling the action of said solenoid.

Claim 8

In an electrostatographic copier or printer that forms toner particle images and transfers them to a copy sheet by utilizing a moving photoconductor and a moving image transfer member in image transfer relationship with the photoconductor, a cleaning apparatus for removing residual particles from the surface of the photoconductor and the surface of the image transfer member, the cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a cleaning roller, mountable and rotatable about a shaft; (b) means for applying a DC electrical bias to the surface of said roller; (c) means for supporting said shaft and moving said roller into a first position for cleaning the photoconductor and into a second position for cleaning the image transfer member; (d) a blade, connected to said supporting means for scraping the surface of said roller clean; (e) a container, mounted to said supporting means and underneath said blade, for collecting waste toner particles; (f) a tension spring connected to said supporting means for urging said roller into said first position; (g) a solenoid connected to said supporting means for pivotally moving and holding said roller into said second position; and (h) logic and control means connected to and controlling the action of said solenoid.

Claim 9

An electrostatographic copier or printer that forms toner particle images and transfers them to a copy sheet by utilizing a moving photoconductor and a moving intermediate image transfer member in image transfer relationship with the photoconductor, said copier or printer including a single cleaning apparatus having a cleaning element directly engageable against the surface of the photoconductor or against the surface of the intermediate image transfer member for removing residual particles from said surface of the photoconductor and said surface of the intermediate image transfer member.

Claim 10

An electrostatographic copier or printer that forms toner particle images and transfers them to a copy sheet by utilizing a moving photoconductor and a moving intermediate image transfer member in image transfer relationship with the photoconductor, said copier or printer including a single cleaning apparatus having a cleaning element directly engageable against the surface of the photoconductor or against the surface of the intermediate image transfer member for removing residual particles from said surface of the photoconductor and said surface of the intermediate image transfer member.

Claim 11

The copier or printer of claim 7 wherein said cleaning element is a roller.

Claim 12

The copier or printer of claim 7 wherein said cleaning apparatus is selectively movable such that said cleaning element comes into direct cleaning engagement with said surface of the photoconductor or with said surface of the intermediate image transfer member.

Claim 13

An electrostatographic copier or printer that forms toner particle images and transfers them to a copy sheet of paper by utilizing a plurality of image bearing surfaces, said copier or printer including a single cleaning apparatus having a cleaning element directly and selectively engageable against a first image bearing surface or against at least a second image bearing surface for removing residual particles from each said first and at least said second image bearing surfaces.

Claim 14

An electrostatographic copier or printer that forms toner particle images and transfers them to a copy sheet of paper by utilizing a plurality of image bearing surfaces, said copier or printer including a single cleaning apparatus having a cleaning element directly and selectively engageable against a first image bearing surface or against at least a second image bearing surface for removing residual particles from each said first and at least said second image bearing surfaces.