# US 2014/0153958 A1 · Sealing assembly, developing device, process unit, and image forming apparatus incorporating same

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- Number: US 2014/0153958 A1
- Document ID: US20140153958A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/085,114
- Filed: 2013-11-20
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-05
- Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
- Inventors: Yasunobu OGATA; Tetsumaru Fujita; Rie Mitani; Takahiro Sanada
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153958A1

## CPC

- G03G 15/0817: {characterised by the lateral sealing at both sides of the donor member with respect to the developer carrying direction}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

A sealing assembly to contact a rotator includes a sealing member to slidably contact a surface of an end of the rotator in an axial direction of the rotator. The sealing member has an end in a circumferential direction thereof to contact the surface of the rotator with a first pressure. The end in the circumferential direction is fixed to a bearing surface formed on the opening on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side in a rotation direction of the rotator. The sealing member has an intermediate portion between an upstream end and a downstream end in the circumferential direction to contact the surface of the rotator with a second pressure lower than the first pressure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sealing assembly to contact a rotator, the rotator disposed in an opening in a direction traversing the opening to convey powder held on a surface of the rotator from inside to outside the opening by rotation, the sealing assembly comprising:
a sealing member to slidably contact a surface of an end of the rotator in an axial direction of the rotator,
wherein the sealing member has an end in a circumferential direction thereof to contact the surface of the rotator with a first pressure,
the end in the circumferential direction is fixed to a bearing surface formed on the opening, on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side in a rotation direction of the rotator, and
the sealing member has an intermediate portion between an upstream end and a downstream end in the circumferential direction to contact the surface of the rotator with a second pressure lower than the first pressure.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upstream end in the circumferential direction of the sealing member is fixed to the bearing surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the upstream end and the downstream end in the circumferential direction of the sealing member is fixed to the bearing surface, and
the sealing member has an unfixed portion in an outer surface of the intermediate portion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion is configured to contact a surface of a shaft core of another rotator via a slide member, the another rotator disposed inside the opening in parallel with the rotator to contact the surface of the rotator.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises:
a pile material on an inner slide surface side; and
an elastic member on an outer fixed surface side.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The sealing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the pile material and the elastic member are integrally provided in the sealing member, and
the sealing member is plastically deformed along the surface of the rotator and the bearing surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The sealing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the pile material and the elastic member are separately configured,
the elastic member is fixed to the bearing surface, and
the pile material is fixed on the elastic member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rotator is a cylinder.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rotator is an endless belt.

### Claim 10

A developing device comprising:
a developing roller disposed in the opening in a direction traversing the opening to convey powder held on a surface thereof from inside to outside an opening by rotation; and
a sealing assembly including a sealing member to slidably contact a surface of an end of the developing roller in an axial direction of the developing roller,
wherein the sealing member has an end in a circumferential direction thereof to contact the surface of the developing roller with a first pressure,
the end in the circumferential direction is fixed to a bearing surface formed on the opening, on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side in a rotation direction of the developing roller, and
the sealing member has an intermediate portion between an upstream end and a downstream end in the circumferential direction to contact the surface of the developing roller with a second pressure lower than the first pressure.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A process unit comprising the developing device according to claim 10.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

An image forming apparatus comprising the process unit according to claim 11.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 10.