Cleaning device using magnetic particulate cleaning material

Abstract

Image forming apparatus includes a cleaning device for cleaning toner from a surface. Magnetic particulate cleaning material is moved through a cleaning zone by a rotating magnetic core. The particulate cleaning material moves on a surface which is extended generally in an upstream direction with respect to movement of the surface being cleaned. The extension increases the effectiveness of the cleaning without increasing pickup of the cleaning material by the surface. An alternative cleaning device includes a magnetic shunt between a rotating core and a shell in which magnetic particulate cleaning material is driven by rotation of the core. The shunt interrupts the magnetic field of the core to increase the effectiveness of the cleaning without adversely affecting its softness.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.