DYNAMIC END SEAL FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An end seal (100) for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus uses an array (150) of ridges (or grooves) (152) to urge toner inwardly so as to help prevent toner escape. The end seal works in conjunction with a cleaning blade (90). The end seal includes a blade pocket (130) for mating...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors KORAGE, KURT MATTHEW, STICKLER, TOM, E, WANG, LIQUN, LARRY, MEADE, ALEXANDER, DOUGLAS, MAUL, MICHAEL, DAVID
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
French
German
Published 21.07.2004
Edition7
Subjects
CINEMATOGRAPHY
ELECTROGRAPHY
ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY
HOLOGRAPHY
MAGNETOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHYSICS
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Summary:An end seal (100) for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus uses an array (150) of ridges (or grooves) (152) to urge toner inwardly so as to help prevent toner escape. The end seal works in conjunction with a cleaning blade (90). The end seal includes a blade pocket (130) for mating with the end portions of the cleaning blade and a middle portion (140) having an array of ridges thereon. The ridges thereon are angled inward to urge any toner trapped therebetween inward away from the end seals, where the toner can be directed to a waste reservoir in a normal fashion. This "snowplowing" action of the ridges helps prevent outward migration of toner, thereby minimizing toner escape. The end seal may be composed of two or more layers (110, 180) of differing materials. There may be an end seal at each end of the cleaner blade.
Bibliography:Application Number: EP20020761699