Cleaning apparatus having an interference-fit housing

A cleaning apparatus for removing residual toner particles from an image bearing surface, said apparatus being of the type including a rotatable cleaning brush for sweepingly removing residual toner particles from the image bearing surface, an external dusthood or housing substantially surrounding the brush, a vacuum source for moving air into, through and out of the dusthood or housing, and some means within the external dusthood or housing for contacting the bursh, the improvements comprising:

• (a) radially protruding fibers on the brush, said fibers having free ends forming an average outer diameter of the brush;
• and
• (b) a single external dusthood or housing including (i) a frontside opening through which said fibers can extend to sweepingly remove toner particles from the image bearing surface, (ii) a backside opening connected to th vacuum source, and spaced about 180.degree. from said frontside opening;
• and (iii) a generally cylindrical inside wall, said inside wall having an inner diameter substantially less than said average outer diameter of the brush, so as to create a substantial interference fit of said fibers of the brush with said inside wall of said external dusthood, whereby said fibers, after sweeping and removing toner particles from the image bearing surface, are immediately deflected, substantially compressed, and then held in such a compressed state by said inside wall of said external dusthood, and whereby such toner particles are immediately entrained by said fibers against said inside wall, thereby preventing such toner particles from ever becoming airborne within said external dusthood.