Patent ID: 7693445
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming device comprising: an image forming unit to form a toner image; an intermediate transfer member rotatably mounted within the image forming device to receive the toner image from the image forming unit, the intermediate transfer member including a first side that receives the toner image and a second side; a back-up roller positioned in contact with the second side of the intermediate transfer member; a transfer roller in contact with the first side of the intermediate transfer member and forming a transfer nip with the back-up roller to transfer the toner image to a media sheet; and a cleaner unit in contact with the first side of the intermediate transfer member and downstream from the transfer roller relative to rotation of the intermediate transfer member, the cleaner unit including a housing having a bracket attached to a lower portion thereof, the bracket securing a blade that contacts the first side of the intermediate transfer member at a position where the second side of the intermediate transfer member contacts the back-up roller to remove waste toner from the intermediate transfer member, the cleaner unit further including an auger disposed within the housing and positioned vertically above the blade, the housing having a curved, concave inner surface shaped to at least partly circumscribe the auger, wherein the lower portion of the housing further includes an outwardly extending planar portion to which is attached a planar portion of the bracket.