Removing toner additive films, spots, comets and residual toner on a flexible planar member using ultrasonic vibrational energy

A color printing machine having a cleaner subsystem for removing particles from a surface, comprising:

• a cleaner housing;
• a holder attached to said cleaner housing;
• the surface, having a first surface and a second surface being opposite from one another, the first surface having multiple layers of toner additive particles thereon, the multiple layers including a first layer of toner additive particles and a second layer of toner additive particles, the first layer of toner additive particles being located between the first surface and the second layer of toner additive particles;
• and
• a blade having a cleaning edge for removing the second layer of toner additive particles from the first surface and at least a portion of the first layer of toner additive particles from the first surface, said blade having one end coupled to said holder and a free end having a cleaning edge opposite thereto, said free end being in pressure contact with the first surface having a minimal coefficient of friction therebetween enabling said free end to be in continuous slidable contact with the first surface to remove the second layer of toner additive particles from the second surface;
• and
• means for vibrational motion of the surface, said vibrational means being located directly opposite said blade contacting the second surface of the surface, said vibrational means enabling removal of the second layer of toner additive particles from the surface and said vibrational means reducing frictional contact between said blade and the surface as said blade collects the second layer of toner additive particles for disposal into a waste container, said vibrational means having a tip device directly opposite said cleaning edge of said blade.

An apparatus for cleaning particles from a surface, comprising:

• a housing;
• a holder attached to said housing;
• the surface, having multiple layers of toner additive particles thereon, said multiple layers including a first layer of toner additive particles and a second layer of toner additive located on said first layer of toner additive;
• and
• a blade for removing particles from the surface, the surface capable of multiple layers of toner additive particles including said first layer of toner additive and said second layer of toner additive, said blade having one end coupled to said holder and a free end opposite thereto, said free end being in pressure contact with the surface having a minimal coefficient of friction therebetween enabling said free end to be in continuous slidable contact with the surface to remove said second layer from the surface, said blade comprising a blade body including a thermoplastic material having a Rockwell hardness ranging from about R 40 to about M 150.

An apparatus for cleaning particles from a surface, comprising:

• a housing;
• a holder attached to said housing;
• the surface, having multiple layers of toner additive particles thereon, said multiple layers including a first layer of toner additive particles and a second layer of toner additive located on said first layer of toner additive;
• and
• a blade for removing particles from the surface, the surface capable of multiple layers of toner additive particles including said first layer of toner additive and said second layer of toner additive, said blade having one end coupled to said holder and a free end opposite thereto, said free end being in pressure contact with the surface having a minimal coefficient of friction therebetween enabling said free end to be in continuous slidable contact with the surface to remove said second layer from the surface, said blade comprising a blade body Including a thermoset material having a Rockwell hardness ranging from about R 40 to about M 150.

A color printing machine having a cleaner subsystem for removing particles from the surface including toner additive layers, the cleaner subsystem comprising:

• a housing;
• a holder attached to said housing;
• the surface, having multiple layers of toner additive particles thereon, said multiple layers including a first layer of toner additive particles and a second layer of toner additive located on said first layer of toner additive;
• and
• a blade for removing particles from the surface, the surface capable of multiple layers of toner additive particles including said first layer of toner additive and said second layer of toner additive, said blade having one end coupled to said holder and a free end opposite thereto, said free end being in pressure contact with the surface having a minimal coefficient of friction therebetween enabling said free end to be in continuous slidable contact with the surface to remove said second layer from the surface, said blade comprising a blade body including a thermoplastic material having a Rockwell hardness ranging from about R 40 to about M 150.

A color printing machine having a cleaner subsystem for removing particles from the surface including toner additive layers, the cleaner subsystem comprising:

• a housing;
• a holder attached to said housing;
• the surface, having multiple layers of toner additive particles thereon, said multiple layers including a first layer of toner additive particles end a second layer of toner additive located on said first layer of toner additive;
• and
• a blade for removing particles from the surface, the surface capable of multiple layers of toner additive particles including said first layer of toner additive and said second layer of toner additive, said blade having one end coupled to said holder and a free end opposite thereto, said free end being in pressure contact with the surface having a minimal coefficient of friction therebetween enabling said free end to be in continuous slidable contact with the surface to remove said second layer from the surface, said blade comprising a blade body including a thermoset material having a Rockwell hardness ranging from about R 40 to about M 150 .