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:
Dec. 28, 1999
Filed:
May. 01, 1998
Glenn C Goldie, Tariffville, CT (US);
Clarity Imaging Technologies, Inc., Springfield, MA (US);
Abstract
A seal for a printer toner cartridge, and a method for employing the seal is provided. The seal provides a flexible thin sheet material that can be folded to form two plies. The thin sheet material defines a seal that is wrapped around the developer roller of the toner cartridge so that a portion of the sheet material extends outwardly from the toner cartridge and can include a pull tab. The sheet material fills gaps formed between the developer roller and a doctor blade and also between the developer roller and a toner application roller. An additional layer is preferably provided to the seal, and joined adjacent the pull tab. It passes through a gap defined between the application roller and another roller, such as a primary charge roller. In addition a compressible strip may be provided between layers of the seal for enhancing the seal. By sealing these gaps, a positive barrier to toner expulsion is created. The seal is easily removed by pulling on the pull tab to slide it over and away from the developer roller. The seal can include foam projections for enhanced sealing at the walls of the cartridge that can be formed from a polymer such as polyethylene.