Dynamic end-seal for toner development unit
US6487383B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/183
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An article used to seal the interface between the developer roll, doctor blade and developer housing in a laser printer toner cartridge is described. The sealing member described in the present application performs static sealing between the components while the cartridge is idle and performs dynamic sealing while the toner cartridge is used for printing, keeping the sealing surfaces free from toner by actively pushing the toner back into the developer sump. The seal has a rotary seal portion which seals between the frame of the cartridge and the developer roll, and a blade seal portion which seals between the frame of the cartridge and the doctor blade. The rotary seal portion is biased toward the surface of the developer roll and incorporates, on its face adjacent to the developer roll, ridges which act to push the toner away from the edge of the developer roll in use. The blade seal portion is biased toward the doctor blade.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.