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:
Apr. 11, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 10, 1998
Donald J Goetzke, Woodbury, MN (US);
Randy A Bierwerth, Oakdale, MN (US);
James E Zenk, St. Paul, MN (US);
John D Watson, Centerville, MN (US);
Bruce W Carlson, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Imation Corp., Oakdale, MN (US);
Abstract
Disclosed is a cartridge device for packaging an endless, organic photoreceptor belt of an electrophotographic printer. The cartridge device includes a substantially rigid, closed loop support structure and a resilient mechanism. The resilient mechanism engages the endless belt and releasably holds the belt against an inner surface of the support structure. The resilient mechanism holds the endless belt so that the belt substantially conforms to the shape of the support structure. The shape of the support structure essentially duplicates the configuration of the endless belt when the belt is mounted onto support rollers of the electrophotographic printer. By replicating the configuration of the support rollers, loading of a replacement photoreceptor belt onto the rollers is facilitated using the cartridge device. The cartridge device substantially protects the photoreceptor belt from inadvertent damage that would adversely affect the image reproduction quality of the replacement belt.