Patent ID: 7313356
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus in which residual toner on a rotating photoconductive body is collected after transferring a toner image from the photoconductive body onto a print medium, the apparatus comprising: a first cleaning member that rotates in a first direction, the first cleaning member extending substantially in parallel with the photoconductive body and engaging the photoconductive body to collect the residual toner; a second cleaning member disposed downstream of the first cleaning member with respect to rotation of the photoconductive body, the second cleaning member scraping the residual toner off the photoconductive body; a toner transporting member disposed between the first cleaning member and the second cleaning member and extending substantially in parallel with the photoconductive body, the toner transporting member being positioned with a first gap between the photoconductive body and the toner transporting member and rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a partitioning wall positioned between the first cleaning member and the toner transporting member, and extending substantially in parallel with the photoconductive body with a second gap between the photoconductive body and the partitioning wall; wherein the first cleaning member rotates to guide the residual toner through the second gap toward the toner transporting member, and the toner transporting member cooperates with the partitioning wall to collect the residual toner received through the second gap and the residual toner scraped by the second cleaning member.