The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 02, 2007
Filed:
Aug. 26, 2004
Satoru Uchida, Tokyo, JP;
Kiyoshi Horikawa, Kawasaki, JP;
Hiroyoshi Haga, Kawaguchi, JP;
Kazuchika Saeki, Iwatsuki, JP;
Satoru Uchida, Tokyo, JP;
Kiyoshi Horikawa, Kawasaki, JP;
Hiroyoshi Haga, Kawaguchi, JP;
Kazuchika Saeki, Iwatsuki, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A cleaning device is used in an image forming apparatus to remove residual attachments including toner and paper powders from a surface of a movable intermediate transfer element onto which toner images are transferred from an image carrier. The cleaning device includes a cleaning brush that contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer element to apply a bias having a predetermined polarity to the toner adhered onto the surface of the intermediate transfer element so as to make uniform a polarity of the toner. The cleaning device further includes a pressing member that contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer element with a predetermined pressure. The pressing member is disposed at a position upstream of the cleaning brush in a direction of movement of the intermediate transfer element.