Patent Number: 8,798,516

Title: Cleaning device, and image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and intermediate transfer unit each including the cleaning device

Abstract: A cleaning device cleaning a moving surface of a cleaning target includes a laminate-structured blade member including multiple layers made of materials different in permanent set value, a holding member to hold a proximal end of the laminate-structured blade member, and a plurality of slits. An edge layer of the multiple layers is formed of a material higher in permanent set value than any other one of the materials of the multiple layers and includes a distal-end edge portion corresponding to a leading end ridgeline portion contacting the cleaning target. The plurality of slits are formed over an area of a surface of the edge layer ranging from the proximal end of the blade member where the holding member holds the blade member toward the distal-end edge portion and extend in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the surface of the cleaning target.

Inventors: Okamoto; Keiji (Kanagawa, JP), Watanabe; Kazuhiko (Tokyo, JP)

Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.

International Classification: G03G 21/00 (20060101)

Expiration Date: 8/05/12018