Dynamic end seal for image forming apparatus

The present invention relates generally to the field of electrophotographic image forming, and more particularly to a seal design for cleaning assemblies of electrophotographic image forming apparatuses that helps prevent toner leakage. An end seal for use in an electrophotographic image forming app...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Korfhage, Kurt Matthew, Maul, Michael David, Meade, Alexander Douglas, Stickler, Tom E, Wang, Liqun Larry
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 22.04.2003
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Summary:The present invention relates generally to the field of electrophotographic image forming, and more particularly to a seal design for cleaning assemblies of electrophotographic image forming apparatuses that helps prevent toner leakage. An end seal for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus uses an array of ridges (or grooves) to urge toner inwardly so as to help prevent toner escape. The end seal works in conjunction with a cleaning blade. The end seal includes a blade pocket for mating with the end portions of the cleaning blade and a middle portion having an array of ridges thereon. The ridges 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 of differing materials. There may be an end seal at each end of the cleaner blade.