The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 16, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 03, 1997
Keita Shiraki, Kasugai, JP;
Saburou Hayashi, Kasugai, JP;
Akitoshi Nozawa, Komaki, JP;
Mitsuyoshi Kondo, Inuyama, JP;
Abstract
A toner supply roll including a metal shaft and a cylindrical soft polyurethane sponge structure formed on an outer circumferential surface of the metal shaft by foam molding of a polyurethane material in a mold cavity of a mold. The sponge structure having a hardness of 350 g or lower includes a skin layer having generally smooth surface and openings, and a network of cells. The openings are open in the smooth surface and communicate with respective ones of the cells located adjacent to the skin layer, such that the openings are substantially aligned with central portions of the respective ones of the cells in axial and radial directions of the sponge structure. Each opening has a size within a range of 100-800 .mu.m, and a total area of the openings is at least 20% of a total area of the smooth surface of the skin layer. The method of producing the roll is also disclosed.