Method and device to regulate toner in an image forming device
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorsMichael Leemhuis, Ronald Baker, Marc Cousoulis, Hrishikesh Gogate
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device to regulate toner within an image forming apparatus. The regulating member has a first section and a toner regulating edge with at least one gap. The regulating member controls the amount of toner that is distributed on the surface of the toner developer roller by contacting the toner developing roller in a contact region. The gap, having at least one upper edge, may regulate toner on the toner developer roller near the contact region. The toner regulating device may prevent inadvertent toner marks that may appear on printed media.
Claims20
A device to regulate toner on a developer roller within an image forming apparatus comprising:
- a longitudinal edge;
- a lateral edge that forms a corner with the longitudinal edge;
- a regulating section spaced inward from the longitudinal edge and in contact with the developer roller;
- and
- a gap positioned within the longitudinal edge and spaced inward from the corner, the gap extending inward from the longitudinal edge into the regulating section.
A device to contact and regulate toner on a developer roller within an image forming apparatus comprising:
- an edge that extends beyond the developer roller;
- a regulating section that contacts the developer roller, the regulating section being spaced inward from the edge;
- and
- a gap defined between first and second points along the edge and having a depth to extend into the regulating section.
A device to regulate toner on a developer roller within an image forming apparatus comprising:
- a longitudinal edge;
- a regulating section positioned inward from the longitudinal edge and in contact with the developer roller;
- and
- a gap positioned along the longitudinal edge having an upper edge substantially parallel to the longitudinal edge and extending into the regulating section.
A device to regulate toner within an image forming apparatus comprising:
- a developer roller;
- a regulating member having a longitudinal edge and a regulating section spaced inward from the longitudinal edge to contact and regulate the toner on the developer roller;
- and
- a gap extending inward from the longitudinal edge and having a regulating edge positioned within the regulating section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.