Automatic cleaning mechanism for a corona charger using cleaning pad

A mechanism for automatically cleaning the corona wires and charge control grid of a corona charger. The simplified cleaning mechanism comprises a cleaning pad assembly having opposed substantially parallel surfaces for wiping substantially parallel operative surfaces of the corona charger corona wire and grid. The cleaning pad assembly is held within the corona charger in association with the corona wire and grid, and is movable along substantially the length of the corona wire and grid. The cleaning pad assembly is automatically selectively activated such that, on linear movement, the cleaning pad assembly cleans the corona wire and charge control grid at the same time. The cleaning pad includes a cleaner bar, a batting member matching a surface of the cleaner bar and a cleaning material wrapped around the cleaner bar and batting member.