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:
Mar. 14, 2006
Filed:
Mar. 12, 2004
David Starling Macmillan, Winchester, KY (US);
Vernon Wayne Ulrich, Versailles, KY (US);
Jarrett C. Gayne, Lexington, KY (US);
Johnny Dale Massie, Ii, Lexington, KY (US);
Scott Richard Castle, Lexington, KY (US);
David Starling MacMillan, Winchester, KY (US);
Vernon Wayne Ulrich, Versailles, KY (US);
Jarrett C. Gayne, Lexington, KY (US);
Johnny Dale Massie, II, Lexington, KY (US);
Scott Richard Castle, Lexington, KY (US);
Lexmark International, Inc., Lexington, KY (US);
Abstract
A toner layer regulating system for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a toner carrier; a toner regulating member (e.g., doctor blade) disposed proximate the toner carrier, with the toner regulating member having a first surface disposed toward the toner carrier and forming a nip with the toner carrier. The toner regulating member comprise a flexible metallic substrate and a metallic coating on the first surface in an area thereof forming the nip. The coating on the toner regulating member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten carbide, and alloys thereof. The coating may be substantially homogeneous and/or have a thickness of not more than 30 um. The coating may have a relatively smooth surface roughness of ≦2.0 um Ra.