CLEANING DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

摘要

A cleaning device includes: a fixing portion provided on a frame; a cleaning member; and an accommodating portion. The cleaning member includes: a blade portion contacted to an image bearing member (drum); and a supporting member. The supporting member includes one end portion where the blade portion is provided, another end portion including a portion-to-be-fixed for being fixed at the fixing portion, and a bent portion between the one end portion and the another end portion in a side remote from a surface of the drum toward an outside with respect to a line connecting the portion-to-be-fixed and a contact portion where the blade portion is contacted to the drum. The portion-to-be-fixed is provided downstream of the contact portion with respect to movement direction of the drum. Between the frame and the another end portion, a gap for permitting elastic deformation of the another end portion is provided.

主权项

1. A cleaning device for use with an image forming apparatus, comprising:
a fixing portion provided on a frame; a cleaning member, to be fixed at said fixing portion, for removing a developer from an image bearing member, wherein said cleaning member includes:
a blade portion contacted to the image bearing member with respect to a counter direction to a movement direction of the image bearing member; anda flexible supporting member for supporting said blade portion, said supporting member including one end portion where said blade portion is provided, another end portion including a portion to be fixed for being fixed at the fixing portion, and a bent portion between said one end portion and said other end portion in a side remote from a surface of the image bearing member toward an outside with respect to a line connecting the portion to be fixed and a contact portion where said blade portion is contacted to the image bearing member, wherein the portion to be fixed is provided downstream of the contact portion with respect to movement direction of the image bearing member; and an accommodating portion, defined by the frame, for accommodating the developer removed from the image bearing member, wherein between the frame and said other end portion, a gap for permitting elastic deformation of said other end portion is provided.