Patent ID: 8406642

Claim:
Apparatus for removing toner after a selected time interval from a longitudinal member in a dry electrophotographic printer for printing a visible image on a receiver, comprising: a) a rotatable photoreceptor for transferring the visible image comprising toner onto the moving receiver; b) a rotatable development member arranged with respect to the photoreceptor to provide toner to the photoreceptor, and an end block disposed at one end of the rotatable development member; c) a toner supply arranged with respect to the development member to apply a blanket of developer to the development member, wherein the developer includes toner; d) a longitudinal member disposed adjacent to the development member or photoreceptor, connected to the end block, and extending along the width of the development member or photoreceptor; g) a backup bar disposed adjacent to the photoreceptor, the backup bar operative in a first position to make physical contact with at least one point on the end block, so that the photoreceptor is retained in position with respect to the development member to receive toner from the development member, and operative in a second position to be spaced apart from the photoreceptor; h) a timing device for measuring a time interval of printer operation; and i) a controller responsive to the timing device and effective when the measured time interval reaches the selected time interval to automatically cause the backup bar to be in the second position, then, after a selected time delay, to cause the backup bar to be in the first position, so that the backup bar applies a selected force to the end block to cause toner on the longitudinal member to be removed from such member, wherein when the backup bar applies a selected force to the end block, a mechanical wave is created in the end block and the mechanical wave travels through the end block into the longitudinal member to remove the toner.