Mitsubishi Chemical America, Inc.

Laurie A Russell

Jon Peter Zogg

Richard Fritz

A device and method for reducing noise and/or vibration in an image forming apparatus. In a preferred form, an insert is disposed inside of a photosensitive drum, and the insert is an elastic member having, in a relaxed state, an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the inner surface of the photosensitive drum. The elastic member is configured such that when it is elongated in a longitudinal direction, the outer diameter of the elastic member may be elastically reduced to a diameter equal to or less than the inner diameter of the photosensitive drum, and after insertion, the overall diameter of the insert can be increased such that the outer surface of the insert comes into contact with an inner surface of the drum. Alternately, the insert is compressed to allow insertion, and once inserted, projections on the insert hold the insert against the inner surface of the drum. As such, the insert can be anchored to the interior of the drum without using adhesive and can be easily removed for recycling purposes. The drum can optionally also contain a pressurized gas.

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Virginia Beach, VA, United States of America

Laurie A Russell