Cleaning device for removing a developer from the surface of an image bearing member and process cartridge
AssigneeCanon Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorMasao Uyama
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cleaning device, which is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, includes a fixing portion provided at a frame member, a cleaning member fixed to the fixing portion for removing a developer from an image bearing member, the cleaning member including a blade portion configured to contact the image bearing member and a flexible support member for supporting the blade portion, a container formed by the frame member and configured to contain the developer removed from the image bearing member, and a restricting member configured to engage with the support member and being capable of restricting the support member from being deformed.
Claims20
A cleaning device detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the cleaning device comprising:
- a fixing portion provided at a frame member;
- a cleaning member fixed to the fixing portion for removing developer from an image bearing member, the cleaning member including a blade portion configured to contact the image bearing member, and a flexible support member for supporting the blade portion;
- a container formed by the frame member and configured to contain the developer removed from the image bearing member;
- and
- a restricting member configured to engage with the support member and being capable of restricting the support member from being deformed,
- wherein the restricting member is displaceable to a restricting position, in which the restricting member restricts the support member from being deformed when the cleaning device is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and to an allowing position, in which the restricting member allows the support member to be deformed when the cleaning device is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.
A process cartridge detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge comprising:
- an image bearing member;
- a fixing portion provided at a frame member;
- a cleaning member fixed to the fixing portion for removing developer from the image bearing member, the cleaning member including a blade portion configured to contact the image bearing member, and a flexible support member for supporting the blade portion;
- a container formed by the frame member and configured to contain the developer removed from the image bearing member;
- and
- a restricting member configured to engage with the support member and being capable of restricting the support member from being deformed,
- wherein the restricting member is displaceable to a restricting position, in which the restricting member restricts the support member from being deformed when the process cartridge is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, and to an allowing position, in which the restricting member allows the support member to be deformed when the process cartridge is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.