Patent ID: 8660465

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: an imaging member having a surface pattern on an outer layer of the imaging member, wherein the surface pattern comprises an array of periodically ordered indentations or protrusions and further wherein each indentation or protrusion has a depth of or height of less than 3 micrometers; and wherein each indentation or protrusion has a diameter in a range of from about 30 microns up to about 50 microns; a charging unit that applies electrostatic charge on the imaging member; a developing unit that develops toner image onto the imaging member; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image from the imaging member to a media; and a cleaning unit that cleans the imaging member, wherein the cleaning unit comprises an elastic blade-type cleaner with one of its edge in contact with the imaging member, such that the contact edge deforms at a micro-scale level to complement the surface pattern of the imaging member, wherein the surface pattern comprises micro-grooves along the moving direction of the imaging member.