Patent ID: 8437656

Claim:
A charger comprising: a discharge wire extending in a predetermined extension direction; an opposite electrode extending in the extension direction along which the discharge wire extends and facing to the discharge wire; a frame configured to support the discharge wire and the opposite electrode; and a cleaning member configured to move in the extension direction while slidably contacting with the opposite electrode so as to clean the opposite electrode; wherein the cleaning member comprises: a sheet member contacting with the opposite electrode; and a support member configured to support the sheet member, wherein the sheet member includes a distal end at which the sheet member contacts with the opposite electrode, and a proximal end at an opposite end of the distal end, and wherein the support member supports the sheet member obliquely relative to the opposite electrode such that the distal end and the proximal end of the sheet member are arranged in different positions with respect to the extension direction, and wherein the sheet member is configured to be flexible, and is supported in a curved state such that a center portion of the sheet member protrudes in the extension direction relative to both side ends of the sheet member.