RETRACTABLE AGGLOMERATION REMOVABLE BLADE WITH CLEANING MECHANISM AND PROCESS FOR AGGLOMERATION REMOVAL

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a further suitable cleaning system and process for removing residual toner from an imaging surface to prolong life of the imaging surface and improve imaging quality. SOLUTION: The system or process having a primary cleaning system 20 for removing the predominant amount of the residual toner and debris in an operative position and a secondary spot cleaning system 30 for shearing agglomeration is constituted. The system 30 is provided with a blade holder 37, a spot cleaning blade 31 mounted in the blade holder 37 at a position downstream from the system 20 and having a cleaning edge 38 and a forcing device which moves the blade 31 between an engaged position and a retracted position. When the blade 31 is in the engaged position, the cleaning edge 38 is supported at a low angle of attack to the imaging surface 10 so that the cleaning edge 38 exerts relatively low load on the imaging surface 10 and the agglomeration is sheared from the imaging surface 10. The blade 31 can be moved to the retracted position during periods in which the system 20 is in its operative position. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI