Patent ID: 7158749
Filing Date: 2007-01-02
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A cleaning device to be used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, for removing a developer remaining on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the photosensitive drum, said cleaning device comprising: a frame; an elastic blade configured and positioned to elastically contact the photosensitive drum to remove the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum from the photosensitive drum; a supporting member configured and positioned to support said elastic blade, said supporting member comprising: a removed developer containing portion configured and positioned to contain the developer removed from the photosensitive drum by said elastic blade, said removed developer containing portion being partially constituted by said elastic blade and said supporting member; and a filter disposed between said extension portion and said frame along a longitudinal direction of said extension portion and said frame, said filter allowing passage of an air flow from said removed developer containing portion to an outer side and blocking passage of the removed developer, wherein the air flow within said removed developer containing portion is vented to an outside of said removed developer containing portion through said filter.