Patent Publication Number: US-8526854-B2

Title: Cleaning body, cleaning device, charging device, assembled body, and image forming apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-215629 filed on Sep. 27, 2010. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a cleaning body, a cleaning device, a charging device, an assembled body and an image forming apparatus. 
     2. Related Art 
     A cleaning device for a charging roll is known conventionally. 
     SUMMARY 
     A cleaning body according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a rotating axial member; an elastic layer, fixed to the axial member, contacting a body to be cleaned and cleaning the body to be cleaned; a held portion projecting out towards the axial member axial direction outside from an axial direction end portion of the elastic layer; a holding member provided at an axial direction end portion of the axial member and holding the held portion between the holding member and the axial member; and a cleaning portion including an incision formed in a width direction central portion of the end portion of the elastic layer, formed such that the incision is open by the held portion being held by the holding member, the cleaning portion contacting an end portion of the body to be cleaned and cleaning the end portion of the body to be cleaned. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning body; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view showing the shape of a projection portion connected to an end portion of a cleaning member and an incision; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view showing the shape of a projection portion connected to an end portion of a cleaning member and an incision; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-section showing a configuration of an end portion of a cleaning member; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a configuration of a holding member equipped with claw portions; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an end portion of a cleaning body; 
         FIG. 9  is cross-section showing a configuration of an end portion of a cleaning body; 
         FIG. 10A  is a schematic diagram showing a profile of an end portion of a cleaning body according to a present exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 10B  is a schematic diagram showing a profile of an end portion of a cleaning body according to a comparative example; 
         FIG. 11  is schematic diagram showing a portion of a cross-section of a cleaning body taken along an axial member axial direction; 
         FIG. 12A  is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning operation of a cleaning body; 
         FIG. 12B  is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning operation of a cleaning body; and 
         FIG. 12C  is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning operation of a cleaning body. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed explanation follows regarding an exemplary embodiment of the present exemplary embodiment, with reference to the drawings. In  FIG. 1 , the direction of the top of an image forming apparatus  10  is shown by arrow UP. First a configuration of the image forming apparatus  10  will be explained. As shown in  FIG. 1 , an image processing section  12  is provided inside an apparatus main body  10 A of the image forming apparatus  10  for performing image processing on input image data. 
     The image processing section  12  performs processing so as to convert the input image data into gradation data for four colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). An exposing device  14  is provided substantially at the center inside the apparatus main body  10 A. The exposing device  14  receives the processed gradation data and performs image-wise light-exposure using laser beams LB. 
     Four image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C,  16 K, for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), are disposed at intervals along the horizontal direction above the exposing device  14 . Note that the suffixes Y, M, C, K are omitted below when differentiation between Y, M, C, K is not required in the explanation. 
     These four image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C,  16 K are of similar overall configuration to each other, and each include: a rotationally driven image holding body  18 , serving as an example of a body to be charged of circular cylindrical shape; a charging device  20  that charges the outer peripheral face of the image holding body  18 ; a developing device  22  that develops electrostatic latent images, formed by image exposure light from the exposing device  14  on the outer peripheral face of the image holding body  18  charged by the charging device  20 , with toner of the respective color to make the electrostatic latent images visible as toner images; and a cleaning section  24  for cleaning the outer peripheral face of the image holding body  18 . 
     The image holding body  18  is configured capable of holding a formed image, and is specifically configured with a photoreceptor. The charging device  20  includes a charging roll  23 , serving as an example of a charging body, for charging the outer peripheral face of the image holding body  18 , and a cleaning device  100  for cleaning the charging roll  23 . 
     The charging roll  23  is in contact with the outer peripheral face of the image holding body  18 , rotates, and charges the outer peripheral face of the image holding body  18 . The charging roll  23  also serves as an example of a body to be cleaned by the cleaning device  100 . Specific details regarding configuration of the cleaning device  100  are given later. 
     Each of the image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C,  16 K are configured so as to be attachable and detachable to and from the apparatus main body  10 A. The apparatus main body  10 A is configured to function as an assembled body, assembled such so as to be attachable and detachable as a single unit to and from the apparatus main body  10 A. Note that configuration may be made without the image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C,  16 K being unitized, such that, for example, they are supported on a common support frame, and the image forming units may be configured to be not attachable to or detachable from the apparatus main body  10 A. 
     Four semiconductor lasers, not shown in the drawings, are provided in the exposing device  14 , for the four image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C,  16 K, each of a common configuration. Configuration is made such that laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, LB-K are emitted from the semiconductor lasers according to the respective gradation data. 
     Note these laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, LB-K emitted from the semiconductor lasers are irradiated onto a polygon mirror  26 , this being a rotatable multi-faceted mirror, through a f−θ lens, not shown in the figures, so as to be deflection-scanned by the polygon mirror  26 . The laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, LB-K that have been deflection-scanned by the polygon mirror  26  pass through a focusing lens and via plural mirrors, not shown in the drawings, so as to illuminate light exposure points onto the image holding bodies  18 , diagonally from below. 
     The exposing device  14  is closely sealed by a casing  28  formed in a rectangular box shape around the periphery of the exposing device  14 . Light transmitting members  30 Y,  30 M,  30 C,  30 K are provided in an upper portion of the casing  28 , allowing the four laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, LB-K to be transmitted through onto the image holding bodies  18  of each of the image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C,  16 K above. 
     A primary transfer unit  21  is provided above the image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C,  16 K. The primary transfer unit  21  includes: an endless shaped intermediate transfer belt  32 ; a drive roll  40 , around which the intermediate transfer belt  32  is entrained, and rotationally driving the intermediate transfer belt  32  so as to circulate in the direction of the arrow shown in  FIG. 1 ; a tensioning roll  36 , around which the intermediate transfer belt  32  is entrained and imparting tension to the intermediate transfer belt  32 ; a cleaning section  38  that cleans the outer peripheral face of the intermediate transfer belt  32 ; and primary transfer rolls  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C,  34 K disposed at the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt  32  to the side of the image holding bodies  18 Y,  18 M,  18 C and  18 K, with the intermediate transfer belt  32  interposed therebetween. 
     Toner images of each of the colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K) formed in sequence on the image holding bodies  18  of the image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C,  16 K, are transferred and superimposed onto the intermediate transfer belt  32  by the four primary transfer rolls  34 Y,  34 M,  34 C,  34 K. 
     A secondary transfer roll  42  is provided on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt  32  to that of the drive roll  40 , with the intermediate transfer belt  32  interposed therebetween. The toner images, of each of the colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) that have been transferred and superimposed onto the intermediate transfer belt  32 , are conveyed by the intermediate transfer belt  32  to a secondary transfer position between the drive roll  40  and the secondary transfer roll  42 , so as to be secondary transferred to a recording medium P that is being conveyed along a paper conveying path  56 . 
     A fixing device  44  is further provided at the recording medium P conveying direction downstream side (referred to below simply as the “downstream side”) relative to the secondary transfer roll  42 . The fixing device  44  applies heat and pressure to the toner image transferred onto the recording medium P, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording medium P. Discharge rolls  46  are also provided at the downstream side of the fixing device  44 , for discharging recording medium P to which the toner image has been fixed into a discharge section  48  provided at the top of the apparatus main body  10 A of the image forming apparatus  10 . 
     A housing section  50  housing the recording medium P is provided at the bottom side in the apparatus main body  10 A of the image forming apparatus  10 . A feed roll  52  is also provided for feeding out recording medium P housed in the housing section  50  along the paper conveying path  56 . A separator roll  54  is provided at the downstream side of the feed roll  52 , for separating and conveying the recording medium P one sheet at a time. 
     A positioning roll  58  is provided at the downstream side of the separator roll  54 , for matching conveying timing. Accordingly, the recording medium P fed out from the housing section  50 , is conveyed at a predetermined timing by the positioning roll  58  to the secondary transfer position where the intermediate transfer belt  32  and the secondary transfer roll  42  are in contact with each other. 
     Conveying rolls  60  are also provided adjacent to the discharge rolls  46 , for conveying recording medium P, to which a toner image has been fixed on one side by the fixing device  44 , onto a double-sided conveying path  62 , without being discharged onto the discharge section  48  by the discharge rolls  46 . The recording medium P conveyed along the double-sided conveying path  62 , is re-conveyed to the positioning roll  58  in a front-back reversed state, such that this time a toner image is transferred and fixed to the back face of the recording medium P, with the recording medium P then being discharged onto the discharge section  48 . 
     Images are formed on the recording medium P in the following manner with the image forming apparatus  10  configured as above. First gradation data for each of the colors is output in sequence from the image processing section  12  to the exposing device  14 , laser beams LB-Y, LB-M, LB-C, LB-K emitted from the exposing device  14  according to the gradation data are scan-exposed onto the outer peripheral face of the image holding bodies  18  that have been charged by the charging devices  20  (the charging rolls  23 ), and electrostatic latent images are formed on the outer peripheral face of the image holding body  18 . 
     The electrostatic latent images formed on the image holding bodies  18  are made visible as toner images of each of the respective colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), by the developing members  22 Y,  22 M,  22 C,  22 K. 
     The toner images of each of the colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K) formed on the image holding bodies  18  are transferred and superimposed onto the circulating intermediate transfer belt  32  by the primary transfer rolls  34  of the primary transfer unit  21  disposed so as to span across above the image forming units  16 Y,  16 M,  16 C,  16 K. 
     The toner images of each of the colors that have been transferred and superimposed onto the circulating intermediate transfer belt  32  are then secondarily transferred by the secondary transfer roll  42  onto the recording medium P conveyed along the paper conveying path  56 , from the housing section  50 , by the feed roll  52 , the separator roll  54 , and the positioning roll  58 . 
     Furthermore, the recording medium P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed towards the fixing device  44 . The transferred toner image is fixed to the recording medium P by the fixing device  44 . The recording medium P to which the toner image is fixed is then discharged by the discharge rolls  46  onto the discharge section  48  provided at the top of the apparatus main body  10 A of the image forming apparatus  10 . 
     Note that when images are to be formed on both sides of the recording medium P, the conveying direction of the recording medium P, to which an image has been fixed on one face by the fixing device  44 , is switched, without being discharged onto the discharge section  48  by the discharge rolls  46 , and the recording medium P is conveyed along the double-sided conveying path  62  through the conveying rolls  60 . 
     By conveying the recording medium P along the double-sided conveying path  62 , the recording medium P is reversed, and then re-conveyed to the positioning roll  58  with the front and back faces of the recording medium P reversed. This time, a toner image is transferred and fixed to the back face of the recording medium P, and then the sheet member P to which the toner image has been transferred and fixed is discharged onto the discharge section  48  by the discharge rolls  46 . 
     Detailed explanation now follows regarding the cleaning device  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the cleaning device  100  is equipped with a cleaning body  102 , for cleaning the charging roll  23  serving as an example of a body to be cleaned. The cleaning body  102  is equipped with an axial member  104  disposed along the axial direction of the charging roll  23 , and a cleaning member  106  wound in a spiral onto the outer peripheral face of the axial member  104  and fixed by bonding. 
     The axial member  104  is formed from a metal material so as to extend along the axial direction of the charging roll  23 , and is formed in a circular pillar shape, except for at its ends. The cleaning member  106 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , is formed in a strip shape (long thin shape with a substantially parallelogram cross-section) and is configured with a elastically deformable elastic layer  107 , and a bonding layer  105  (see  FIG. 6 ), bonded by its back face to the axial member  104  with the elastic layer  107  bonded to its entire front face. 
     The bonding layer  105  is configured, for example, from a bonding material, such as an adhesive, double-sided adhesive tape or the like. The cleaning member  106  is attached (fixed) by the bonding layer  105  to the outer peripheral face of the axial member  104  from one axial direction end of the cleaning member  106  across to the other axial direction end. Note that while the bonding layer  105  here is a single-layered bonding layer, a multi-layered bonding layer may be employed. When the bonding layer  105  is configured with a multi-layered bonding layer, non-bonding layer(s) may be interposed between bonding layers, such as a electrically conducting layer, a non-electrically conducting layer, a semiconducting layer, a heat insulating layer, a heat transmitting layer, or the like. 
     The elastic layer  107  is, for example, configured by a poly-urethane resin foam (sponge) or the like. As shown in  FIG. 4 , projection portions  107 B, serving as examples of held portions, project out at two length direction end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107  towards the axial member  104  axial direction outside when the elastic layer  107  is wound onto the axial member  104 . The end portions  107 A and the projection portion  107 B are integrally connected together. In following explanation reference to the end portions  107 A is defined not to include the projection portions  107 B. 
     Each of the projection portions  107 B is a portion held by a later described holding member  108  (is a portion sandwiched between the holding member  108  and the axial member  104 ), and projects out, for example, in a long thin triangular shape from a width direction portion of the elastic layer  107 , in order to minimize the area required to be held by the holding member  108 . 
     Namely, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the projection portion  107 B at a first end side (the left hand side in the drawing) of the cleaning member  106  (the elastic layer  107 ) is provided so as to be connected to the end portion  107 A at the axial member  104  rotation direction downstream side (shown by the arrow F). The projection portion  107 B at a second end side (the right hand side in the drawing) of cleaning member  106  (of the elastic layer  107 ) is provided so as to be connected to the end portion  107 A at the axial member  104  rotation direction upstream side. Namely, the cleaning member  106  (the elastic layer  107 ) shown in  FIG. 4  is formed in a shape having symmetry about a point. 
     Note that the cleaning member  106  (the elastic layer  107 ) may be formed in the shape shown in  FIG. 5 . Namely, the projection portion  107 B at the second end side (right hand side in the drawing) of the cleaning member  106  (of the elastic layer  107 ) may be provided connected to the end portions  107 A at the axial member  104  rotation direction downstream side. In such a case, since the projection portions  107 B are connected at the axial member  104  rotation direction downstream side at both the first end side and the second end side of the cleaning member  106  (the elastic layer  107 ), the end portions  107 A are not susceptible to being peeled off from the axial member  104  during cleaning of the charging roll  23 . 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 , incisions  107 E are formed with a predetermined length (for example, about twice the projection height of claw portions  108 E, described below) extending from the edge portion of the end portions  107 A substantially along the extending direction (substantially parallel to the extending direction) of the cleaning member  106  (the elastic layer  107 ) at a width direction central portion of the end portions  107 A of the cleaning member  106  (of the elastic layer  107 ). The incisions  107 E are configured so as to open when the holding member  108 , described below, holds the projection portion  107 B. 
     The incisions  107 E are formed substantially along the extending direction (length direction) of the elastic layer  107 . Accordingly, there is a degree of freedom for setting the length of the incisions  107 E, in contrast, for example, to cases where the incisions  107 E are inclined with respect to the elastic layer  107  extending direction, concentration of stress at the terminal portion of the incisions  107 E is relieved, thereby suppressing or preventing rupturing (tearing off) of the end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107 . 
     Furthermore, while not shown in the drawings, the elastic layer  107  is prevented from splitting along the incisions  107 E by forming circular shaped holes at the terminal portions of the incisions  107 E. Furthermore, the incisions  107 E, as shown in  FIG. 6 , are only formed through the elastic layer  107 , and are formed so as not to continue through to the bonding layer  105 . Accordingly a configuration is achieved in which the end portions  107 A are not susceptible to being peeled off from the axial member  104 . 
     Configuration is such that each of the projection portions  107 B is connected to a width direction portion of the elastic layer  107  at the end portion  107 A of the elastic layer  107  (the cleaning member  106 ), and only the projection portion  107 B itself is held by the holding member  108 . Accordingly, the end portion  107 A to which the projection portion  107 B is connected is not held by the holding member  108  (not covered thereby), and is externally exposed. The incisions  107 E are open. 
     Consequently, as shown in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 8  to  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B, a first ridge line portion  107 C, serving as an example of a cleaning portion along the circumferential direction of the axial member  104 , and a second ridge line portion  107 D, serving as an example of a cleaning portion along a direction intersecting with the circumferential direction, are formed to each of the end portions  107 A that reach the edge of the holding member  108  (including the claw portion  108 E, described later). Third ridge portions  107 F, also serving as examples of cleaning portions, are also formed substantially parallel to the second ridge line portion  107 D at the edges of each of the incisions  107 E (and in particular at the edge portion on the side not connected to the projection portion  107 B). 
     Due to forming the first ridge line portion  107 C, the second ridge line portion  107 D and the third ridge portions  107 F, the thickness of the elastic layer  107  (particularly the thickness of the elastic layer excluding the side connected to the projection portion  107 B), namely the height of projection portions  106 A, described later, is consistently maintained at the same height from one end to the other of the elastic layer  107 , in a configuration that enhances the ability to clean the two axial direction end portions of the charging roll  23 . 
     Namely, the cleaning member  106 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , has a substantially quadrangular shape surrounded by 4 sides (including a curved line) in cross-section along axial direction T of the axial member  104 , with projection portions  106 A projecting out towards the radial direction outside (the arrow R direction in  FIG. 11 ) at both ends of the cleaning member  106  in the axial member  104  axial direction T. The projection portions  106 A are, for example, formed by applying tension to the cleaning member  106 , to generate a difference in external radius of the outer peripheral face of the cleaning member  106  (the top face in  FIG. 11 ) along the axial direction T between the external radius at the projection portions  106 A and at the central portion  106 B. 
     The cleaning member  106  is similarly formed with a substantially quadrangular shape surrounded by 4 sides (including a curved line) in cross-section along a direction (the arrow Z direction in  FIG. 2 ) orthogonal to the winding direction, with the projection portions  106 A projecting out towards the radial direction outside (the arrow R direction in  FIG. 11 ) at the two axial direction T end portions of the cleaning member  106 . In the cleaning body  102 , the outer peripheral face of the cleaning member  106  (the top face in  FIG. 11 ) including the projection portions  106 A contacts the charging roll  23 , such that the axial member  104  follows the rotation of the charging roll  23 . 
     Consequently, as the outer peripheral face of the cleaning member  106  sweeps across the outer peripheral face of the charging roll  23 , the projection portions  106 A of the cleaning member  106  scrape off foreign matter, and the foreign matter is removed from the outer peripheral face of the charging roll  23 . At the two axial direction end portions of the charging roll  23  too, foreign matter remaining on the outer peripheral face at the two axial direction end portions of the charging roll  23  is scraped off and removed by the first ridge line portion  107 C, the second ridge line portion  107 D (the projection portions  106 A) and the third ridge portions  107 F (the projection portions  106 A). 
     As shown in  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 9 , the projection portions  107 B that are connected to the end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107  at the two axial direction end portions of the axial member  104  are sandwiched between the axial member  104  and the respective circular cylindrical shaped holding member  108  (are held such that the projection portions  107 B are not peeled off from the axial member  104 ). 
     The inner peripheral face of each of the holding members  108  is integrally formed with, in sequence from the axial direction inside to towards the outside, a circular cylindrical portion  108 A formed with a gap with respect to the outer peripheral face of the axial member  104 , and a retaining portion  108 B that retains the inserted axial member  104 . Namely, an insertion hole  108 D is formed in the retaining portion  108 B for insertion of the axial member  104 . 
     The two end portions of the axial member  104  inserted into the retaining portions  108 B and the insertion hole  108 D are, for example, formed with a cross-section profile to prevent rotation, such as a D-cut or the like. By inserting two end portions of the axial member  104  into the insertion holes  108 D, the retaining portions  108 B retain the axial member  104 , and the holding member  108  and the axial member  104  rotate as a single unit. 
     The retaining portion  108 B of the drawings is shown retaining the axial member  104  such that the end face  108 C of the retaining portion  108 B is positioned on the same plane as an end face  104 A of the axial member  104 . However, the end face  104 A of the axial member  104  may be positioned further to the axial direction inside (the right hand side in  FIG. 9 ) than the end face  108 C of the retaining portion  108 B. 
     The circular cylindrical portion  108 A is formed along the circumferential direction of the axial member  104 , and is disposed, in sequence from the axial direction inside towards the outside, with a first internal diameter portion  109 A and a second internal diameter portion  109 B of smaller internal diameter than the first internal diameter portion  109 A. By making the internal diameter of the first internal diameter portion  109 A and the second internal diameter portion  109 B different from each other, a step is formed between the first internal diameter portion  109 A and the second internal diameter portion  109 B. 
     The second internal diameter portion  109 B sandwiches the projection portion  107 B of the elastic layer  107  and the bonding layer  105  that slightly wraps around the projection portion  107 B between itself and the outer peripheral face of the axial member  104 , compressing and holding the bonding layer  105  and the projection portion  107 B against the outer peripheral face of the axial member  104 . 
     The first internal diameter portion  109 A sandwiches the projection portion  107 B of the elastic layer  107  and the bonding layer  105  between itself and the outer peripheral face of the axial member  104 , compressing and holding the projection portion  107 B and the bonding layer  105  against the outer peripheral face of the axial member  104 . The first internal diameter portion  109 A and the second internal diameter portion  109 B thus function as holding portions that hold the projection portion  107 B and the bonding layer  105  against the axial member  104 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, explanation has been given of a case in which the second internal diameter portion  109 B sandwiches the projection portion  107 B and the bonding layer  105  that slightly wraps around the projection portion  107 B between itself and the outer peripheral face of the axial member  104 . However, there is no limitation thereto and, for example, when each of the holding members  108  is mounted to the axial member  104 , the bonding layer  105  may be pressed and peeled so that the projection portion  107 B is nipped between the second internal diameter portion  109 B and the axial member  104  in a concertina shape or the like. 
     The cleaning member  106  is first bonded to the axial member  104  by the bonding layer  105 , then the end portions of the axial member  104  are inserted into the insertion holes  108 D of the retaining portions  108 B so as to mount the holding members  108  on the axial member  104 . The bonding layer  105  is thereby pressed and peeled by the edge portion of the insertion hole  108 D of each of the retaining portions  108 B, and this portion of the bonding layer  105  adheres to the inner peripheral face of the second internal diameter portion  109 B. The two end portions of the cleaning member  106  are thereby rendered even less susceptible to peeling off from the axial member  104 . 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 7 , an edge portion of each of the holding members  108  is formed with three of the claw portions  108 E at uniform intervals in the circumferential direction, serving as examples of projection portions projecting out towards the axial member  104  axial direction inside. These claw portions  108 E are each formed in substantially an equilateral triangle shape, digging into the end face of each of the end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107  during mounting the holding members  108  to the axial member  104 , and retaining the incisions  107 E in an opened state. 
     Consequently, the end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107 , and in particular the second ridge line portion  107 D and the third ridge portions  107 F are supported by the claw portion  108 E, are not externally covered, and the first ridge line portion  107 C is externally exposed from between claw portions  108 E. Accordingly, the profile of the first ridge line portion  107 C, the second ridge line portion  107 D and the third ridge portions  107 F is secured (achieving a configuration that contacts the outer peripheral face of the charging roll  23 ). 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, “digging into” refers not only to states in which a hole is opened in the end face of the end portions  107 A, but also includes states where there is pressing against and elastically deforming the end face of the end portions  107 A. Due to the claw portions  108 E digging into the end face of the end portions  107 A, the two end portions of the cleaning member  106  are made even less susceptible to being peeled off from the axial member  104 . 
     In the cleaning device  100 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , a pair of support members  110  is provided for rotatably supporting the holding members  108 . More precisely, each of the support member  110  is provided with a substantially circular cylindrical shaped hollow portion  110 B that is open towards the axial member  104  axial direction inside, and has a side wall  110 A closing off the axial direction outside. The pressing members  108  are each capable of rotation as a single unit with the axial member  104  in the circumferential direction of the inner wall of the hollow portion  110 B, while sliding against the inner wall of the hollow portion  110 B. 
     The pair of support members  110  are fixed to fixing portions  114  formed to side plates  112  at the two sides of the support members  110 . Note that in the charging roll  23  according to the present exemplary embodiment, axial direction end portions of the image holding body  18  are rotatably supported by the support members  110 , such that the axial direction end portions of the image holding body  18  are rotatably supported by the side plates  112 . 
     Explanation now follows regarding operation of the cleaning device configured as described above. Foreign matter, such as developer and the like, not transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt  32 , and remaining on the outer peripheral face of the image holding body  18 , is removed from the image holding body  18  by the cleaning section  24 . 
     When this is performed, out of the developer components, foreign matter having relatively small particle diameters, such as additives and the like, slips under the cleaning section  24 . Foreign matter such as additives that has passed under the cleaning section  24  adheres to the outer peripheral face of the charging roll  23 . 
     The foreign matter adhered to the outer peripheral face of the charging roll  23  is removed by the outer peripheral face (the top face in  FIG. 11 ) of the cleaning member  106 , including the projection portions  106 A, contacting the charging roll  23 . Namely, at the outer peripheral face of the cleaning member  106 , the projection portions  106 A of the cleaning member  106  scrape off the foreign matter adhered to the outer peripheral face of the charging roll  23  by sweeping along the outer peripheral face. 
     More precisely, as shown in  FIG. 12A  and  FIG. 12B , at the cleaning member  106  of the cleaning body  102  that performs rotation following the charging roll  23  rotating in the arrow J direction, the projection portions  106 A of the cleaning member  106  are pressed by the outer peripheral face of the charging roll  23  and elastically deform (elastically compress) in the cleaning member  106  height direction (the arrow G direction in  FIG. 12A ) and in the width direction (the arrow H direction in  FIG. 12A ). 
     Accordingly, the foreign matter such as additives adhered to the outer peripheral face of the charging roll  23  is pressed by the projection portions  106 A and aggregated together. Then, as shown in  FIG. 12C  the compacted state, due to reaction force from the projection portions  106 A, of the aggregated foreign matter such as additives is released, and the foreign matter is thrown off from the outer peripheral face of the charging roll  23 . 
     In the cleaning body  102  according to the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10A , the projection portion  107 B alone is held by the holding member  108 . The holding members  108  are mounted to the axial member  104  with the claw portions  108 E digging into the end faces of the end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107 , maintaining the incisions  107 E in an opened state. 
     Consequently, in the elastic layer  107  of the cleaning member  106 , the end portions  107 A where the projection portions  107 B are connected are not covered by the holding members  108  (including the claw portions  108 E). At each of the end portions  107 A are secured the first ridge line portion  107 C in the circumferential direction, the second ridge line portion  107 D (the projection portion  106 A) in a direction intersecting with the circumferential direction, the third ridge portions  107 F (the projection portions  106 A) substantially parallel to the second ridge line portion  107 D. Accordingly, capability to clean the two axial direction end portions of the charging roll  23  is enhanced. 
     Namely, as shown in  FIG. 10B , in a cleaning body  102  of a comparative example in which there is a held portion, held by a first internal diameter portion  109 A or a claw portion  108 E of a holding member  108 , formed across the entire width direction of end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107 , the ridge portion (projection portion  106 A) at the end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107  is covered by either the first internal diameter portion  109 A or the claw portion  108 E of the holding member  108 . 
     Consequently, the ridge portion (the projection portion  106 A) cannot be secured at the end portions  107 A, and at the end portions  107 A the profile adopted is one in which the pressure deforming the end portions  107 A becomes weaker on progression towards the axial member  104  axial direction inside, namely, a profile is formed with a gap S to the outer peripheral face of the charging roll  23 . 
     Accordingly, the region of the elastic layer  107  making contact with the two axial direction end portions of the charging roll  23  is decreased, with accompanying degradation to the capability to clean the two axial direction end portions (defective cleaning occurs). In order to secure cleaning ability, the axial direction length of the elastic layer  107  must be set longer, leading to the image forming apparatus  10  overall becoming bigger in the axial direction. 
     However, with the cleaning body  102  according to the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 10A , the end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107  are not held by the holding member  108 , and only the projection portion  107 B connected to the end portions  107 A is held by the holding member  108 . Accordingly, the first ridge line portion  107 C, the second ridge line portion  107 D (the projection portion  106 A), and the third ridge portions  107 F (the projection portions  106 A) of the end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107  are exposed between the claw portions  108 E, and are not elastically deformed by the holding member  108  (including the claw portions  108 E). 
     However, the claw portions  108 E of the holding member  108  dig into the end face of the end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107 , and a configuration is adopted in which the incisions  107 E are maintained in an open state. Accordingly, the end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107  are supported by the claw portions  108 E. However, the externally exposed first ridge line portion  107 C, the second ridge line portion  107 D, and the third ridge portions  107 F are widely secured, and a wide region is secured of the elastic layer  107  to make contact with the two axial direction end portions of the charging roll  23 . 
     Namely, each of the projection portions  107 B is held by the holding member  108 , and so even if, for example, the end portion  107 A on the side connected to the projection portion  107 B is elastically deformed, there is less variation in the thickness of the end portion  107 A at the side on the opposite side of the incision  107 E, not connected to the projection portion  107 B. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus  10  is not increased in size in comparison to with the cleaning body  102  of the above comparative example, and yet good contact is achieved of the end portions  107 A with the end portions of the charging roll  23 . Consequently, equivalent cleaning ability is obtained for cleaning the two axial direction end portions of the charging roll  23  at the end portions  107 A of the elastic layer  107  to that of the axial direction central portion of the elastic layer  107 . 
     Explanation has been given of the cleaning body  102  according to the present exemplary embodiment based on the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings. However, the cleaning body  102  according to the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to the exemplary embodiment illustrated, and various changes, modifications and improvements are possible. For example, configuration may be made in which the axial member  104  protrudes out from the end faces  108 C of the retaining portions  108 B, and it is the axial member  104  that is rotatably supported rather than the holding members  108 . Note that the axial bearing may be configured as a rolling bearing and may be configured as a sliding bearing. 
     Furthermore, the elastic layer  107  is not limited to being wrapped in a spiral shape, and similar application may be made to other shapes, as long as a shape is formed in a circular cylindrical shape for inserting the axial member  104 , and the incisions  107 E are formed at axial direction end portions thereof. Furthermore, the illustrated holding members  108  are mounted to the two axial direction end portions of the axial member  104 , however, depending on the configuration of the cleaning body  102 , configuration may be made with one of the holding members  108  mounted only at one of the axial direction end portions of the axial member  104 . Namely, configuration may be made with one of the holding members  108  provided at least one of the axial direction end portions of the axial member  104 .