US3809012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Developer seal
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1972-11-24
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Granted: 1974-05-07
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Expires: 1992-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A developer housing seal for electrophotographic apparatus in which a developer with carrier beads which roll over part of the photoreceptor surface is applied to a photoreceptor drum inside a developer housing engaging the drum. This developer housing side or end seal, which may be integrally molded of rubber or other suitable materials, includes a multiplicity of overlapping resilient deflector vanes projecting in the direction of drum surface movement. These vanes angularly impact and deflect the carrier beads inwardly, away from the outside edges of the seals, thereby reducing developer leakage under the seals. The seals are in the form of an arcuate segment of the drum circumference extending partly around the drum, and their outer portion continuously engages the drum surface.
Inventors
- 👤 G Delvecchio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0801
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
In electrophotographic apparatus wherein a developer is applied to a moving imaging surface from a developer housing in sealing engagement with a segment of said imaging surface, the improvement in a seAl between said developer housing and an edge of said imaging surface comprising: an elongate resilient sealing strip fastened to at least one edge of said developer housing and extending in said elongate dimension in the direction of movement of said imaging surface along at least one edge of said imaging surface, said sealing strip having a first portion in continuous linear sealing engagement with said imaging surface, said sealing strip having a second portion comprising a multiplicity of spaced apart and continuously overlapping directional deflecting vanes inside of said first portion, said deflecting vanes extending angularly inwardly on said imaging surface from said first portion and extending angularly in the direction of movement of said imaging surface, overlying a small edge area of said imaging surface, to extend deflectingly into the path of said developer on said imaging surface, said multiplicity of deflecting vanes being positioned to continuously deflect developer away from said first portion of said sealing strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
In electrophotographic apparatus wherein a developer is applied to a moving imaging surface from a developer housing in sealing engagement with a segment of said imaging surface, the improvement in a seAl between said developer housing and an edge of said imaging surface comprising: an elongate resilient sealing strip fastened to at least one edge of said developer housing and extending in said elongate dimension in the direction of movement of said imaging surface along at least one edge of said imaging surface, said sealing strip having a first portion in continuous linear sealing engagement with said imaging surface, said sealing strip having a second portion comprising a multiplicity of spaced apart and continuously overlapping directional deflecting vanes inside of said first portion, said deflecting vanes extending angularly inwardly on said imaging surface from said first portion and extending angularly in the direction of movement of said imaging surface, overlying a small edge area of said imaging surface, to extend deflectingly into the path of said developer on said imaging surface, said multiplicity of deflecting vanes being positioned to continuously deflect developer away from said first portion of said sealing strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said imaging surface is a cylindrical drum photoreceptor and said sealing strip is in the form of an arcuate segment of the circumference of said drum at one side of said drum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said sealing strips are each located at opposite sides of said developer housing and said imaging surface, and together said opposing sealing strips form a herringbone pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sealing strip, including said vanes, is an integral unitary molding of rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said vanes is independently resiliently cantalevered from said first portion of said sealing strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein one of said sealing strips are each located at opposite sides of said developer housing and said imaging surface, and are allochiral, and together said opposing sealing strips form a herringbone pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said imaging surface is a cylindrical drum photoreceptor and said sealing strip is in the form of an arcuate segment of the circumference of said drum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said sealing strip, including said vane, is an integral unitary molding of rubber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-06 | 1977-11-05 | 1978-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-06 | 1981-11-05 | 1982-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-06 | 1985-11-05 | 1986-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |