# US 8,543,030 B2 · Electrophotographic printer with dust seal

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- Number: US 8,543,030 B2
- Document ID: US8543030B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/096,315
- Filed: 2011-04-28
- Published: 2012-08-16
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2011-02-14
- Assignees: Eastman Kodak Company
- Applicants: Michael Thomas Dobbertin; James N. Alkins; Richard G. Luther; Jean Marie Trost
- Inventors: Michael Thomas Dobbertin; James N. Alkins; Richard G. Luther; Jean Marie Trost
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8543030B2

## CPC

- G03G 15/0813: {characterised by means in the developing zone having an interaction with the image carrying member, e.g. distance holders}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

An electrophotographic printer includes a rotatable photoreceptor adapted to receive dry toner and a rotatable toning member arranged with respect to the photoreceptor to supply toner thereto. A seal includes a complaint contact member and a non-contact member. The contact member is arranged in mechanical contact with the photoreceptor. The non-contact member is spaced apart from the surface of the toning member by a selected non-zero distance, the selected distance being greater than zero. This reduces dusting.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electrophotographic printer adapted to reduce dusting, comprising:
a. a rotatable photoreceptor adapted to receive dry toner;
b. a rotatable toning member arranged with respect to the photoreceptor to supply toner thereto; and
c. a seal including a compliant contact member and a non-contact member, the contact member arranged in mechanical contact with the photoreceptor and the non-contact member spaced apart from the surface of the toning member by a selected non-zero distance, the selected distance being greater than zero and wherein the contact member exerts a drag force on the photoreceptor of 0.1N-1.0N.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The printer according to claim 1, wherein the contact member is affixed to the non-contact member with an adhesive.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The printer according to claim 1, further including a housing adapted to hold the seal in position with respect to the photoreceptor and toning member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The printer according to claim 3, wherein the seal further includes a mechanical key adapted to prevent installation of the seal in the housing in other than a selected orientation.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The printer according to claim 3, wherein the housing holds the contact member angled in the direction of rotation of the photoreceptor.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The printer according to claim 1, wherein the contact member is formed from biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin, or polyurethane.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The printer according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact member is formed from biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or acrylic.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The printer according to claim 1, wherein the contact member is bent in the direction of rotation of the photoreceptor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The printer according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact member is arranged to form an acute angle with the surface of the toning member as the toning member rotates.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The printer according to claim 1, wherein the toning member carries a developer nap as it rotates, and the selected distance is greater than the nap height of the developer nap.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The printer according to claim 10, wherein the non-contact member is spaced between 0.1 mm and 2.0 mm from the outer surface of the developer nap.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The printer according to claim 10, wherein the non-contact member is spaced between 1 mm and 1.5 mm from the outer surface of the developer nap.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The printer according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact member has a Young's modulus greater than the Young's modulus of the contact member.