Seal and seal assembly for an image forming apparatus
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorsJarrett Clark Gayne, Nicholas Matthew Sullivan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seal assembly may be used to seal an interface between a roller and a frame in an image forming apparatus. The seal assembly may include an end seal configured to seal an end of a doctor blade in contact with the roller and a roll seal configured to seal a portion of an outer surface of the roller. The roll seal may include an extension located between the end seal and the roller. The roll seal may also include a toe portion that engages the developer frame to resist movement of the roll seal when the developer roll rotates against the roll seal. The seal assembly may be used in an image forming apparatus including, but not limited to, printers, copiers, faxes, multifunctional devices or all-in-one devices.
Claims22
A seal assembly for sealing an interface between a roller and a frame in an image forming apparatus comprising:
- an end seal mounted on said frame and configured to seal a doctor blade in contact with said roller;
- and
- a one-piece roll seal including:
- (i) a wedge-shaped toe portion for engaging said frame allowing said one-piece roll seal to resist movement when said roller rotates against said roll seal;
- and
- (ii) an arcuate portion connected to said wedge-shaped toe portion and having a grooved sealing surface configured to seal at least a portion of an outer surface of said roller;
- said arcuate portion having a width that is less than the width of said wedge-shaped toe portion and
- a tapered extension portion opposite said wedge-shaped toe portion, said tapered extension portion being positioned between said end seal and said roller when said one-piece roll seal is installed.
An assembly for sealing components in an image forming device comprising:
- a frame;
- a developer roller rotatably mounted in said frame having an outer surface;
- a blade mounted in said frame with a portion of the blade in contact with said outer surface of said developer roller;
- at least one end seal positioned in said frame configured to seal an end of said blade and a corresponding end of said developer roller;
- and
- at least one one-piece roll seal located in said frame and contacting a portion of the outer surface of said developer roller, said at least one one-piece roll seal including:
- (i) a wedged-shaped toe portion for engaging said frame allowing said at least one one-piece roll seal to resist movement when said developer roller rotates against said at least one one-piece roll seal;
- and
- (ii) an arcuate portion connected to said toe portion, said arcuate portion having a grooved sealing surface conforming to a portion of said outer surface of said developer roller, a width that is less than the width of said wedge-shaped portion, and a tapered end portion opposite said wedge-shaped toe portion and located between said at least one end seal and said developer roller.
A one-piece roll seal for a frame and roller comprising:
- a body portion and a grooved arcuate sealing surface extending along a first side of the body portion configured to engage and seal a portion of said roller;
- at least one rib extending along a second side of said body portion;
- a wedge-shaped toe portion on an end of said body portion configured to engage said frame, said wedge-shaped body portion having a width greater than the width of said body portion;
- and
- a tapered extension portion on said body portion opposite said wedge-shaped toe portion said tapered extension portion including a portion of the sealing surface wherein said tapered extension portion extends beyond said rib.
A one-piece roll seal for a frame and roller comprising:
- an elongated body portion and a grooved arcuate sealing surface extending along a first side of the body portion configured to engage and seal a portion of said roller;
- at least one rib extending along a second side of said body portion;
- a wedge-shaped toe portion on one end of said body portion configured to engage said frame and having a width that is greater than the width of said body portion;
- and
- a tapered extension portion on said body portion opposite said toe portion, said tapered extension portion including a portion of the sealing surface wherein said tapered extension portion extends beyond said rib.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.