Gas impingement and suction cleaning apparatus

An apparatus for cleaning the surface of an electrostatographic imaging member comprising:

• means for impinging a gas flow under pressure against said surface for removing residual material therefrom;
• means for applying suction to said surface to create on said surface an area of negative pressure to provide a suction flow for collecting said gas, said residual material, and ambient air and transporting them away from said surface;
• and
• air bearing means for supporting said impingement means and said suction means close to said imaging surface, said air bearing means including means for forming a supporting gas cushion between said surface and said impingement means and suction means.

An apparatus for cleaning the surface of an electrostatographic imaging member comprising:

• means for impinging a gas flow under pressure against said surface for removing residual material therefrom;
• means for applying suction to said surface to provide a suction flow for collecting said gas, said residual material and ambient air and transporting them away from said surface;
• and
• air bearing means for supporting said impingement means and said suction means close to said imaging surface, said air bearing means including means comprising said impingement means and said suction means for forming a supporting gas cushion between said surface and said impingement means and said suction means said gas cushion forming means further including means for balancing the gas flow and the suction flow to create a stable gas cushion;
• whereby the spacing between said impingement means and said suction means and said surface of said imaging member is a function of the balance between the gas and suction flows.

An apparatus for cleaning the surface of an electrostatographic imaging member comprising:

• means for impinging a gas flow under pressure against said surface for removing residual material therefrom;
• means for applying suction to said surface to provide a suction flow for collecting said gas, said residual material and ambient air and transporting them away from said surface;
• and
• means responsive to the operation of said cleaning apparatus for positioning said impingement means and suction means close to said imaging surface during operation of said cleaning apparatus and for withdrawing said impingement means and suction means away from said imaging surface when said apparatus is not operating.

An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus comprising a movable member having an imaging surface thereon;

• means for forming an electrostatic image on said surface, means for developing said image to render it visible;
• and means for transferring said developed image to a sheet of final support material;
• such apparatus further including means for cleaning said surface following transfer of said image to said sheet, said cleaning means comprising:
• means for impinging a gas flow under pressure against said surface for removing residual material therefrom;
• means for applying suction to said surface to provide a suction flow for collecting said gas, said residual material and ambient air and transporting them away from said surface;
• and
• air bearing means for supporting said impingement means and said suction means close to said imaging surface, said air bearing means including means for forming a supporting gas cushion between said surface and said impingement means and suction means.

An electrostatographic reproduction apparatus comprising a movable member having an imaging surface thereon;

• means for forming an electrostatic image on said surface;
• means for developing said image to render it visible;
• and means for transferring said developed image to a sheet of final support material;
• said apparatus further including means for cleaning said surface following transfer of said image to said sheet;
• said cleaning means comprising:
• means for impinging a gas flow under pressure against said surface for removing residual material therefrom;
• means for applying suction to said surface to provide a suction flow for collecting said gas, said residual material and ambient air and transporting them away from said surface;
• and air bearing means for supporting said impingement means and said suction means close to said imaging surface, said air bearing means including means comprising said impingement means and said suction means, for forming a supporting gas cushion between said surface and said impingement means and suction means, said gas cushion forming means further including means for balancing the gas flow and the suction flow to create a stable gas cushion;
• whereby the spacing between said impingement means and said suction means and said surface of said imaging member is a function of the balance between the gas and suction flows.

A process for cleaning the surface of an electrostatographic imaging member comprising:

• providing a means for impinging a gas flow under pressure against said surface for removing residual material therefrom;
• providing a means for applying suction to said surface to provide a suction flow for collecting said gas, said residual material and ambient air and transporting them away from said surface;
• forming a gas cushion between said surface and said impingement means and suction means for supporting said impingement means and suction means close to said imaging surface, said gas cushion forming step including said steps of impinging a gas flow under pressure against said surface and applying suction to said surface;
• and further including the step of balancing said gas flow and suction flow to create a stable gas cushion.

A process for cleaning the surface of an electrostatographic imaging member comprising:

• providing a means for impinging a gas flow under pressure against said surface for removing residual material therefrom;
• providing a means for applying suction to said surface to provide a suction flow for collecting said gas, said residual material and ambient air and transporting them away from said surface;
• impinging said gas against said surface;
• applying said suction to said surface;
• and
• simultaneously with and in pressure response to said impinging and applying steps, positioning said impingement means and said suction means close to said surface;
• and
• moving said impingement means and said suction means away from said surface following said impinging and applying steps.