IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which image information is converted into a pattern of electrostatic fields for modulating a transport of charged toner particles from a particle carrier toward a back electrode member, said image forming apparatus including a background voltage source for producing a background electric field which enables the transport of charged toner particles, at least one printhead structure arranged in said background electric field, including a plurality of apertures and control electrodes; control voltage sources for supplying control potentials to said control electrodes in accordance with the image information to selectively permit or restrict the transport of charged toner particles, and an image receiving member caused to move in relation to the printhead structure for intercepting the charged particles in an image configuration. The invention is characterized in that said image forming apparatus comprises a printhead cleaning structure having at least one opening in said image receiving member, the position of said opening being aligned with said apertures during a cleaning sequence, and an air pressure source adapted for supplying an air pressure during said cleaning sequence for forcing toner particles remaining in said apertures through said opening in the image receiving member and into the interior of said image receiving member.