Electrostatic brush cleaner with a secondary cleaner

• US 5,257,079 A
• Filed: 09/17/1992
• Issued: 10/26/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Thayer, Bruce E., Lange, Clark V., Mordenga, Samuel P., Pozzanghera, Darryl L., Kedarnath, N.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOSES, RICHARD L
• Application Number:
  US07/946,225
• Time in Patent Office: 404 Days
• Field of Search: 355/301, 355/302, 355/303, 355/304, 355/297, 355/299, 355/300, 118/652, 15/256.52, 15/1.51
• US Class Current: 399/354
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/0005 for removing solid developer or debris from the electrographic recording medium
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/0035 using a brush; Details of cleaning brushes, e.g. fibre density G03G21/0064 takes precedence; magnetic brushes G03G21/0047
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/0076 Plural or sequential cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/0005 Cleaning of residual toner
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/001 Plural sequential cleaning devices

Abstract

A cleaning brush electrically biased with an alternating current removes discharged particles from an imaging surface. The particles on the imaging surface are discharged by a corona generating device. A second cleaning device including an insulative brush, a conductive brush or a blade, located upstream of the first mentioned brush, in the direction of movement of the imaging surface, further removes redeposited particles therefrom.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing residual particles from an imaging surface, comprising:

a housing defining an open ended chamber;

means for discharging the particles on the imaging surface;

a first brush, rotatably mounted in the chamber of said housing, for removing the discharged particles from the imaging surface;

said discharging means includes a corona generating device located downstream of said first brush in the direction of movement of the imaging surface;

means for electrically biasing said first brush with an alternating current;

a second brush, located upstream of said first brush;

means for electrically biasing said second brush with a direct current; and

means, connected to said housing for generating an air flow that forces the particles away from said first brush and said second brush toward an outlet from said housing.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said second brush, is rotatably mounted upstream of said first brush, in the direction of movement of the imaging surface.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said second brush rotates in a direction opposite that of said first brush.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said second brush is mounted exteriorly of said housing.

5. An apparatus for removing residual particles from an imaging surface, comprising:

a housing defining an open ended chamber;

means for discharging the particles on the imaging surface;

a first brush, rotatably mounted in the chamber of said housing, for removing the discharged particles from the imaging surface;

said discharging means includes a corona generating device located downstream of said first brush from the direction of movement of the imaging surface;

means for electrically biasing said first brush with an alternating current;

a second brush being insulative, is located upstream of said first brush; and

means, connected to said housing, for generating an air flow that forces the particles away from said first brush and said second brush toward an outlet from said housing.