JP2001183951A - Cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the occurrence of a liquid ring apt to be formed because toner removed once by a cleaning blade is restuck to the surface of other than the range of the maximum paper-feeding width of a photoreceptor or an intermediate transfer body through the cleaning blade in a cleaning device to remove the toner by the cleaning blade from the photoreceptor and the intermediate transfer body (including paper feeding belt). SOLUTION: In the cleaning device provided with the cleaning blade 2 to remove the toner stuck to each surface in slidable contact with each surface of the photoreceptor 1 or the intermediate transfer body 15 used in an image forming system using an electrophotographic process by a top end edge part 3, a toner capture groove 10 started from the end surface of the top end edge part and extended backward is provided on the outer surface of the cleaning blade at a position in the vicinity of both end parts in a longitudinal direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a cleaning device for removing toner from a photoreceptor, an intermediate transfer member, and a paper transport belt in an image forming apparatus utilizing an electrophotographic process, and more particularly to a cleaning device for removing toner once by a cleaning blade. The present invention relates to a cleaning device that can eliminate a liquid ring that is easily formed by the toner adhered to a surface of a photoconductor, an intermediate transfer member, or a paper conveyance belt outside a range of a maximum paper passing width.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a plain paper facsimile apparatus, an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoreceptor is visualized with toner from a developing device, and then the image is formed. An image is formed by transferring a toner image onto transfer paper and then fixing the toner image. In a color image forming apparatus or the like, a toner image on a photoconductor is temporarily transferred to an intermediate transfer body (intermediate transfer belt), then re-transferred onto transfer paper, and then fixed. Toner remaining on the photoreceptor and the intermediate transfer member after the transfer of the toner image is removed by a cleaning device disposed downstream of the transfer position. A typical type of the cleaning device is a type using a cleaning blade. The leading edge of a narrow blade made of rubber, resin, or the like is brought into sliding contact with the surface of the photoreceptor or the like so that the surface of the photoreceptor or the like is brought into contact. Is removed and discarded as waste toner, or collected as recycled toner. In an image forming system using a liquid developer as a developer used in a developing device, a problem of a liquid ring generated on a surface of a cleaning target such as a photoconductor due to a cleaning operation by a cleaning blade is known. . In an image forming system using liquid toner, a cleaning blade made of a rubber material such as urethane rubber is used from the viewpoint of cleaning performance, and a rubber blade made of urethane rubber or the like is used for a cleaning target such as a photoconductor. The remaining toner is removed by sliding the leading edge of the blade, but the liquid toner collected on the end surface of the leading edge of the blade spreads over the entire length of the blade by capillary action, and is used as a cleaning blade or a photoconductor. A ring of dirt of liquid toner is formed at the short end.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a), 7 (b) and 7 (c),
When the leading edge 3 of the cleaning blade 2 made of urethane rubber is brought into sliding contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 as a cleaning object, the liquid toner T remaining on the photosensitive member 1 after transfer is removed by the blade 2. However, the toner removed by the blade 2 adheres and accumulates from the end surface 3a of the leading edge 3 to the outer surface 3b. The accumulated toner moves over time toward the outer edge of the blade in the longitudinal direction, and travels along the blade as shown in FIG. 7 to form a liquid film having a small thickness and width from the end of the photoreceptor to the back side of the blade. (LR width) This is a liquid ring, which occurs at both ends of the photoconductor. The liquid ring LR is called a liquid ring because it grows and extends over the entire circumference of the rotating photoconductor and the intermediate transfer member. When the blade length is made longer than the width of the photosensitive member as shown in FIG.
In many cases, the liquid toner adhering to (b) slips from the longitudinally outer end of the blade to the inner side surface and adheres to the widthwise edge of the photoreceptor to form a liquid ring there. Naturally, the amount of the liquid ring increases when the photoreceptor or the like rotates for a long period of time, causing the liquid toner to flow into the apparatus, cause leakage, or the like.
If the inside of the portion where the liquid ring LR is formed is used as the image forming area, the liquid ring will not be transferred to the transfer paper, but the accumulated liquid ring will flow out of the flange of the photoreceptor to the shaft and the components of the unit. However, when the machine stops, droplets are generated from the lower limb points. Also, unlike FIG. 7, when the length of the cleaning blade in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the width of the cleaning target such as the photoconductor, the position along the longitudinal end of the cleaning blade (the width direction of the photoconductor) A liquid ring is formed at a position inside the edge. In order to prevent the generation of the liquid ring having such several patterns, a liquid removing means such as a foam roller is arranged in a step before the cleaning step by the blade, and the amount of the liquid film is suppressed to a certain level. The liquid removing means has been used to some extent in a monochrome image forming system having a single image forming unit.
However, a plurality of (for example, four) image forming units including the photoreceptor are arranged in parallel, and an intermediate transfer belt (or
For a full-color image forming method having a configuration in which a paper transport belt) is disposed, if a form roller is disposed in each image forming unit, it is clear that the configuration becomes complicated and large due to an increase in the number of parts. This is a cleaning method that is hardly adopted in a color copying machine.

Further, even if the configuration is complicated by employing a foam roller, 100% of the liquid toner cannot be removed. Therefore, the liquid toner accumulates on the blade located on the downstream side, and the liquid ring resulting therefrom is not removed. Still occurs. In other words, the liquid toner is initially removed by the foam roller, so the occurrence of the liquid ring is slight,
Over time, it accumulates on the downstream blade and causes a liquid ring to be formed on the object to be cleaned. Further, it is desirable that each developing unit constituting the image forming unit for each color has a high commonality ratio at least as a component configuration condition of a machine. However, when such common use is performed, the four color toners supplied from the respective developing units form a liquid ring at the same position on the photoreceptor, the intermediate transfer belt and the paper transport belt, and the system of the full-color image forming engine is used. In some cases, the previously developed color is mixed with the next color on the intermediate transfer member. The single-color toner liquid ring formed on the photoconductor can be recycled by collecting it with a blade, but toner of another color adheres to the photoconductor via the intermediate transfer member. As a result, a mixed liquid ring is formed on the photoreceptor, making recycling impossible. In addition, it is possible to cope with the above-mentioned problem of color mixing by changing the development width of each color. In other words, by setting the developing width of the developing units constituting each image forming unit to be gradually narrowed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt surface, the color mixture of the liquid ring is caused. The problem (the formation of a mixed liquid ring on the photoconductor) should be eliminated. However, in order to make the developing width of each developing unit different, it is necessary to make all the component parts of the image forming unit including the developing unit different. In addition to the necessity, cost problems arise, and the size of the machine in the width direction is increased, so that it is impossible to avoid upsizing. Also, even if it is possible to prevent a mixed liquid ring from being formed on the photoreceptor, a liquid ring composed of toners of different colors is formed on one photoreceptor. If the toner is removed, color mixing occurs on the blade, so that the toner cannot be recycled. As a means for completely absorbing and removing the liquid ring, a web provided with a structure in which a cleaning web is sent out from a roll to clean the liquid ring on the object to be cleaned and then wound up by a collection roll. Although there is a cleaning method, this method is not only suitable for space saving because the structure is complicated and the cost is increased, but also a large unused portion roll portion (delivery roll portion) and a collection roll portion are required. It is. Further, user maintenance is required.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in a cleaning apparatus for removing toner from a photoreceptor or an intermediate transfer member, the toner once removed by a cleaning blade passes through the blade. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device which can eliminate a liquid ring which is easily formed by re-adhering to a surface of a photoreceptor or an intermediate transfer member outside a range of a maximum sheet passing width.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems,
The invention according to claim 1 is a cleaning blade which removes toner adhered to each surface of a photoreceptor or an intermediate transfer member by slidingly contacting the front edge of the surface at the leading edge thereof in an image forming system using an electrophotographic process. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a toner trapping groove is provided on an outer surface of the cleaning blade near both ends in the longitudinal direction thereof, the toner trapping groove starting from the end surface of the leading edge portion and extending rearward. The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the toner capturing groove is
The photosensitive member or the intermediate transfer member is disposed outside the range of the maximum sheet passing width and at both ends in the axial direction of the photosensitive member, or inside the both ends in the width direction of the intermediate transfer member. .
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the toner catching grooves provided in the cleaning blade are arranged so as to cover both ends in the axial direction of the photoconductor or both ends in the width direction of the intermediate transfer body. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the thickness between the bottom surface of the leading edge portion and the inner bottom surface of the leading edge of the toner capturing groove opened at the end surface of the leading edge portion of the cleaning blade is at least 0.8 mm or less and 0.2 mm or more. It is characterized by having been set. The invention according to claim 5, wherein an insertion hole extending from the rear end side end surface of the cleaning blade to the vicinity of the front edge portion is provided at a position inside the thickness of the cleaning blade and not interfering with the toner capturing groove, The cleaning blade is supported by the plate by inserting the tip of an elastic plate from the rear end side opening of the insertion hole and integrating (for example, integral molding). According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a full-color image forming system in which a plurality of image forming units using different color toners are arranged in parallel, positions near both ends in the longitudinal direction of a cleaning blade used for a photosensitive member constituting each image forming unit. Is provided with a toner capturing groove starting from the end surface of the leading edge of the cleaning blade. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image forming units using toners of different colors are arranged in parallel, and each of the toner images for each color supplied from each image forming unit is transferred in a superimposed state. In a full-color image forming system including an intermediate transfer member that moves a belt surface along an image forming portion, a leading edge of the cleaning blade is provided on an outer surface near a longitudinal end of the cleaning blade that is in sliding contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer member. A toner capturing groove starting from the end face of the portion. The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that the cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is applied to an image forming system using a liquid developing type electrophotographic process.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and a perspective view of a main part. As shown in the figure, a cleaning blade 2 slides a leading edge 3 of the photosensitive drum 1 as an object to be cleaned. A characteristic configuration of this embodiment is that toner capturing grooves 10 are formed on the outer surface 3b of the blade 2 corresponding to both outer positions of the maximum sheet passing width (image forming area) of the photosensitive drum 1. As a matter of course, the formation position of the toner capturing groove 10 is located inside the both ends 1 a in the width direction of the photosensitive drum 1. As shown in the figure, the toner catching groove 10 starts from the end face 3a of the leading edge 3 of the blade 2 and ends at the middle of the blade outer face 3b in the width direction BW, and the depth gradually decreases toward the rear end. are doing. Note that the inner bottom surface of the toner capturing groove 10 may be inclined such that the depth decreases toward the rear, or may be equal over the entire length of the groove. The toner capturing groove 10 is formed to extend rearward from the blade leading edge portion 3, and the liquid toner removed by the blade leading edge portion 3 within the maximum sheet passing width is used for the leading end surface 3 a or the outer surface 3 b of the blade. When moving to the outside in the longitudinal direction along (arrow A,
B) It has a function of trapping the toner which is going to move outward in the longitudinal direction from the toner catching groove 10 in the toner catching groove 10 in the middle of the movement and preventing the toner from moving further outward. Even if the length of the blade in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the axial length of the photoreceptor drum, a catch groove is placed outside the maximum paper width to prevent the occurrence of liquid rings on the photoreceptor surface and edges. it can. In addition, as the number of the catch grooves 10 formed on the outer surface of the blade, an example in which the catch grooves 10 are provided one by one on the left and right is shown, but this is an example, and a plurality of catch grooves 10 may be provided. As described above, in this embodiment, as a means for suppressing the generation of the liquid ring, the toner capturing groove 10 extending rearward from the leading edge of the cleaning blade is provided on the blade outer surface 3b.
Thus, at least the generation of a liquid ring during normal use can be effectively suppressed. Further, the toner that has accumulated with time in the toner capturing groove may be removed at the time of maintenance, or may be collected as recycled toner by a toner collecting unit (not shown).

FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are a plan view and a perspective view, respectively, showing the structure of a second embodiment of the present invention. The dimensions of the photosensitive drum 1 as the object to be cleaned are set so as to protrude from both ends in the axial direction, and the position of the toner capturing groove 10 extending rearward from the leading edge 3 of the cleaning blade 2 is defined as the position within the groove width GW. In particular, the feature is that the edge 1a of the photosensitive drum is set at the center of the groove width. By determining the position of the toner capturing groove such that the edge 1a of the photosensitive drum is within the groove width GW of the toner capturing groove 10, it is difficult to prevent the toner capturing groove shown in FIG. The generation of the liquid ring formed on the edge 1a can be effectively prevented. That is, the toner capturing groove 10 of the embodiment shown in FIG.
Is effective in preventing the generation of a liquid ring formed on the peripheral surface of the photoconductor (inner than the edge in the width direction) in a normal use state. However, the edge in the width direction (axial direction) of the photoconductor drum is effective. There is no thorough means for directly preventing the generation of a liquid ring formed along the line. That is, even if the toner capturing groove 10 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is provided, the liquid toner moves to the outer position beyond the toner capturing groove via the blade end surface 3a or the outer surface 3b where the toner capturing groove 10 does not exist, Moves from the longitudinal outer edge to the inner surface and reaches the edge of the photosensitive drum via the inner surface to form a liquid ring. The liquid toner constituting such a liquid ring has been described in the present embodiment. The toner capturing groove 10 provided at the position can effectively and reliably capture the toner. Therefore, in addition to the toner capturing groove as shown in FIG. 1, a toner capturing groove as in the present embodiment may be provided, or only the toner capturing groove in the present embodiment may be provided. Note that the thickness t of the bottom of the tip of the toner trapping groove (FIG. 1)
According to the experiment, for example, when the total thickness of the rubber blade is 1 to 3 mm, at least 0.8 mm
It is preferably 0.2 mm or more. That is, the thickness t between the inner bottom surface of the start end portion of the toner capturing groove 10 opened at the end surface 3a of the leading edge portion 3 of the cleaning blade 2 and the inner side surface (lower surface) of the leading edge portion is at least 0.8.
By setting the thickness to 0.2 mm or less and 0.2 mm or more, it is possible to almost certainly catch the liquid toner that has accumulated on the end face 3a of the leading edge portion and moves to the outside in the width direction of the blade. . Also, the toner trap groove 1
The width GW of 0 and the length L in the front-rear direction may be set to a degree sufficient to capture the liquid toner that is to move outward in the longitudinal direction of the blade along the outer surface 3b. The thickness t varies depending on conditions such as the angle at which the blade contacts the photoreceptor surface and the viscosity of the toner.

Next, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a main part of a cleaning device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning blade 2 of this embodiment is provided with an insertion hole 11 extending from the rear end surface 3c of the cleaning blade to the vicinity of the front edge portion 3 at a position inside the thickness and not interfering with the toner capturing groove 10. A characteristic feature is that the cleaning blade 2 is supported by the plate member 12 by inserting and integrating (for example, integrally forming) the tip of the plate member (leaf spring) 12 from the rear end side opening of the insertion hole 11. The toner trapping groove 1 is formed at the leading edge 3 of the cleaning blade 2.
When 0 is provided, the mechanical strength in the vicinity of the groove decreases. However, in this embodiment, a configuration in which a rubber blade is outsert to the plate member 12 as a plate spring is employed as a reinforcing means to compensate for this. However, since the blade outer surface 3b has a groove of a required depth, the plate 12 cannot be inserted into the center of the thickness of the blade as usual. Since the aim of this embodiment is to reinforce the strength of the blade tip, the plate material 12 as a leaf spring is used.
Is set to an angle almost close to the inclination angle of the bottom surface 10a of the groove to avoid interference with the groove, and the plate 12 is extended to the tip to increase the strength of the blade. Reference numeral 13 denotes a blade support member provided on a casing or the like constituting the cleaning device. The rear end of the cleaning blade 2 is fixed to the support member 13 with bolts 14 or the like, so that the spring of the plate 12 is fixed. A blade support structure that fully utilizes the properties can be obtained. Next, FIG. 4 shows a toner capturing groove 10 extending from the leading edge 3a on the outer surface 3b of the cleaning blade 2 supported by using the plate material 12.
With this configuration, not only the strength of the rubber blade can be increased to the tip end by the plate material, but also the photosensitive drum 1 can be increased.
The liquid ring formed inside both ends in the width direction can be dealt with by a pair of inner toner capturing grooves 10. The liquid ring formed along both ends in the width direction of the photosensitive drum can be handled by a pair of outer toner capturing grooves 10. By elastically supporting the cleaning blade having such a toner trapping groove by the plate member 12 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the toner trapping effect of each toner trapping groove is further improved. Further, a rubber blade provided with a large number of toner capturing grooves can be reinforced.

Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration when the cleaning device of the present invention is applied to a full-color image forming apparatus. As described above, four image forming units (image forming units) Y, M, C, and K corresponding to the four color toners of cyan Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K are not shown in the intermediate transfer member (not shown). , Transfer paper transport belt), the image forming units Y, M,
When the components of C and K are completely identical to reduce cost and downsize, for example, each photosensitive drum 1Y,
A liquid ring is formed at the same position near both ends in the axial direction of 1M, 1C, and 1K, and not only a mixed liquid ring is formed at the same position on the belt surface constituting the intermediate transfer member, but also the photosensitive drum. The color is re-transferred to the upper side to cause color mixing. In other words, after the liquid ring on the preceding photosensitive drum has adhered onto the intermediate transfer member, if the cleaning blade (having no toner catching groove) in contact with the intermediate transfer member scrapes this liquid toner, the intermediate position over time becomes A liquid ring is formed on the transfer member, and the liquid ring adheres to another photosensitive drum to form a mixed liquid ring on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The mixed liquid toner cannot be recycled. In order to solve such a problem, it is conceivable to set the width of the intermediate transfer member so that the widthwise end of the intermediate transfer member is located inside the position of the liquid ring formed on the photosensitive member. However, since there is a limit to the reduction of the width of the intermediate transfer member, it is necessary to increase the axial length of the photosensitive drum. Even in such a case, the liquid ring generated on the surface of the intermediate transfer member by the cleaning blade for the intermediate transfer member adheres to the photosensitive drum to cause color mixing.

As in the present invention, each photosensitive drum 1Y, 1Y
When the cleaning blade 2 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 is attached to M, 1C, and 1K (in the case of FIG. 5), such a problem is solved at once. be able to. That is, it is possible to prevent color mixing on the photosensitive drum via the intermediate transfer member and increase in size of the photosensitive drum. Next, by equipping each of the photoconductor drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K with the cleaning blade 2 having the toner capturing groove 10 described in the above embodiment, the liquid ring on the photoconductor is considerably probable. Although the occurrence can be prevented, the lower surface of the cleaning blade 2 is worn due to the abrasion with the photosensitive drum over time, the toner capturing performance from the leading end is reduced, and the liquid ring is gradually formed on each photosensitive drum. It is assumed that it will be easier. In this case, the liquid toner adhering to the intermediate transfer member from the photosensitive drum forms a liquid ring on the intermediate transfer member by the cleaning blade for the intermediate transfer member, and the liquid ring adheres to the photoreceptor drum to cause color mixing. Form a liquid ring. Also, in the process of removing the residual toner with a cleaning blade for the intermediate transfer member after transferring the toner transferred on the intermediate transfer member to the transfer material, the liquid mixed over time on the intermediate transfer member is also used. A ring is formed. Accordingly, in the present invention, the structure of the cleaning blade 16 provided on the intermediate transfer member 15 as shown in FIG. 6 has the toner capturing groove (pair) 10 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The structure was done. By providing the cleaning blade 16 having such a configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent the generation of the liquid ring formed on the intermediate transfer body 15. Accordingly, the liquid toner does not adhere from the intermediate transfer member 15 to each of the photosensitive drums to cause color mixing, and the liquid ring formed on each of the photosensitive drums can be recycled. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the cleaning blade of the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus that mainly performs development using liquid toner has been described. However, this is an example, and powder toner (dry developer) is used.
Also, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus using the same. Further, in the present specification, the term "intermediate transfer member" includes, in addition to the intermediate transfer belt, a paper transport belt for transporting transfer paper to which toner on the transport surface adheres.

[0012]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a cleaning apparatus for removing toner from a photoreceptor or an intermediate transfer member (including a paper transport belt) by a cleaning blade, the toner once removed by the cleaning blade is removed. The liquid ring which is easily formed by re-adhering to the surface of the photosensitive member or the intermediate transfer member outside the range of the maximum sheet passing width via the blade can be eliminated. In a full-color image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming units and an intermediate transfer body, the cleaning blade having the above-described configuration is disposed for the photoconductor constituting each image forming unit, and the intermediate transfer body has the same configuration. By disposing the cleaning blade, the generation of a liquid ring on the intermediate transfer member is prevented, and the formation of a mixed liquid ring on the photoreceptor constituting each image forming unit is prevented. Therefore, the toner constituting the single-color liquid ring formed on the photoconductor can be collected and recycled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 (a) and 1 (b) are a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and a perspective view of a main part.

FIGS. 2 (a) and (b) are a plan view and a perspective view showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a main part of a cleaning device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows two pairs (4) of toner capturing grooves extending from the leading edge on the outer surface of a cleaning blade supported using a plate material.
FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a full-color image forming system.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

7 (a), (b) and (c) are explanatory views of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 photosensitive drum, 2 cleaning blade, 3 leading edge, 3a leading edge end face, 3b blade outer face, 10 toner catching groove, 11 insertion hole, 12 plate material, 15 intermediate transfer member.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A cleaning blade for removing toner adhered to each surface of a photosensitive member or an intermediate transfer member by sliding at a leading edge portion thereof at an edge portion thereof in an image forming system using an electrophotographic process. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a toner capturing groove that starts from an end surface of the leading edge portion and extends rearward is provided on an outer surface of the cleaning blade in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the toner catching groove is located outside of the maximum paper width of the photoconductor or the intermediate transfer member and at both ends in the axial direction of the photoconductor or both ends in the width direction of the intermediate transfer member. 2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is also disposed at an inner position. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner catching grooves provided in the cleaning blade are arranged so as to cover both ends in the axial direction of the photoconductor or both ends in the width direction of the intermediate transfer body. Cleaning device. 4. A thickness between an inner bottom surface of a start end portion of a toner trapping groove opened at an end surface of a leading edge portion of the cleaning blade and an inner surface of the leading edge portion is at least 0.8.
4. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning apparatus is set to 0.2 mm or less and 0.2 mm or more. 5. An insertion hole extending from a rear end side end surface of the cleaning blade to a vicinity of a front edge portion is provided at a position inside the thickness of the cleaning blade and not interfering with the toner capturing groove. The cleaning blade is elastically supported by the plate material by inserting and integrating the front end of the plate material having elasticity from the rear end side opening.
5. The cleaning device according to 2, 3, or 4. 6. A full-color image forming system in which a plurality of image forming units using toners of different colors are arranged in parallel.
A cleaning device comprising: a cleaning blade used for a photoreceptor constituting each image forming unit; and a toner capturing groove starting from an end surface of a leading edge portion of the cleaning blade provided on an outer surface near both ends in a longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade. 7. A plurality of image forming units using toners of different colors are arranged in parallel, and each image forming unit receives a transfer in a state where toner images of respective colors supplied from each image forming unit are superimposed. A full-color image forming system provided with an intermediate transfer body that moves the surface along a portion of the cleaning blade, wherein the tip of the cleaning blade is provided on the outer surface near the both longitudinal ends of the cleaning blade that slides on the surface of the intermediate transfer body at the leading edge. A cleaning device comprising a toner catch groove starting from an end surface of an edge portion. 8. A cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device according to claim 1 is applied to an image forming system using a liquid developing type electrophotographic process.