Cleaning unit for an image-forming machine having a toner conveying

Abstract

An imaging unit comprising a frame means, an image-carrying means mounted on the frame means, a developing means and a cleaning means. The cleaning means includes a toner conveying pipe member made of a synthetic rubber for defining a passage for conveying the toner removed from the image-carrying means, a toner conveying means for conveying the toner through the toner conveying pipe member, and a toner-recovering container detachably combined to the toner conveying pipe member. When the toner-recovering container is combined to the toner conveying pipe member, the toner discharge opening formed in the side surface of the toner conveying pipe member is communicated with the toner receiving opening formed in the toner-recovering container. A positioning member is disposed to place the toner discharge opening and the toner receiving opening in positions relative to each other. There are further disposed a shutter member capable of moving between a close position for closing the toner discharge opening and an open position for opening the toner discharge opening, and a resilient urging means for resiliently urging the shutter member toward the close position. When the toner-recovering container is combined to the toner conveying pipe member, the shutter member is caused to move from the close position along the toner conveying pipe member and is then caused to move in a direction to separate away from the side surface of the toner conveying pipe member to arrive at the close position.