APPARATUS FOR REMOVING REMNANTS OF POWDER IMAGES IN ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC COPYING MACHINES

An electrophotographic copying machine wherein the surplus toner which remains on the photoconductive layer of the copying cylinder subsequent to transfer of powder images onto a carrier is removed by rotary brush having radially extending bristles consisting of artificial fur or the like. The bristles are deformed on contact with the photoconductive layer and propel particles of toner against a travelling toner-retaining band which is collected by a rotary takeup reel and is guided by a wall of an expendable plastic casing for the brush and takeup reel in such a way that an unsupported stretch thereof extends from a point close to the photoconductive layer to a projection of the wall which maintains the band in contact with and causes the band to deform the bristles. The casing carries a supply reel for the band and is installed in a receptacle extending radially of the copying cylinder. The open end of the receptacle can be closed by a lid which thereby causes two clutches to engage the shafts of the brush and takeup reel with the output shafts of two discrete motors.