Ricoh Company, Ltd.

Yoshio Takamiya

Kazuyuki Sugihara

Chikara Imai

Nobuyuki Koinuma

Yuji Sawai

Kohji Suzuki

Hideo Yoo

A method of removing a film from a photoconductive element of a color copier or similar image forming apparatus. At a suitable time when an image forming mode operation for forming a toner image on the photoconductive element is not under way, an amount of cleaning agent great enough to scrape a film off the photoconductive element is transported to a region between the photoconductive element and a cleaning sleeve. Subsequently, the amount of cleaning agent to be transported to such a region is reduced. This sequence of steps is repeated a plurality of times.

Method of removing a film from an image carrier of an image forming

A method of removing a film which undesirably forms on a photoconductive element or similar image carrier of an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copier, printer or facsimile machine. The method is implemented by a cleaning device having a cleaning sleeve which removed toner particles remaining on the image carrier after image transfer. In a film removing mode which is executed when an image forming mode for forming a toner image on the image carrier is not under way, the cleaning sleeve is rotated at a lower speed than in an ordinary cleaning mode so as to feed a greater amount of cleaning agent to a cleaning region. The rotation speed of image carrier and that of the cleaning sleeve are controlled in such a manner as to feed a predetermined adequate amount of cleaning agent for the removal of a film to the cleaning region at all times.

Method of removing a film from an image carrier

A cleaning apparatus is disclosed which removes residual toner particles from a photoconductor by use of magnetic carrier particles. The carrier particles form magnetic brushes which adsorb and thereby remove the residual toner particles from the photoconductor. Two relay sleeves each having permanent magnets thereinside cause the removed toner particles to circulate together with the carrier particles. A toner collector roller and a counter electrode face each other at opposite sides of a circulation path for the carrier particles which are carrying the toner particles therewith. The toner collector roller collects the toner particles adsorbed by the carrier particles. The counter electrode comprises a relatively narrow and grounded conductive electrode portion and a relatively wide insulator portion.

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Tokyo, Japan

Yoshio Takamiya