US5085171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compliant doctor blade
Assignee: Lexmark International Inc
•
Filing: 1991-06-10
•
Granted: 1992-02-04
•
Expires: 2011-06-10
Abstract
Abstract A doctor blade (1) has an outer metal surface (15) on a grit layer with flexible backing. The blade is pushed by foam (21) or, alternately by inherent resilience, onto a developer roller (7). The compliance reduces toner variations which result from surface variations of the blade and the roller.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry O. Aulick
- 👤 Donald W. Stafford
- 👤 Ajay K. Suthar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:58
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0806; G03G15/0812; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/08; G03G2215/0855; G03G2215/0866
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An electrically energized doctor blade for metering charged electrophotographic toner held on a developer roller by physically contacting a sector of said roller with a surface of said blade which is electrically charged, said blade comprising a compliant backing member, a supporting member to position said blade adjacent to said roller, a layer having an irregular surface bound to said backing member on a surface of said backing member facing said roller, and a metal layer on at least the lower regions of the irregular surface of said surface facing said roller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
An electrically energized doctor blade for metering charged electrophotographic toner held on a developer roller by physically contacting a sector of said roller with a surface of said blade which is electrically charged, said blade comprising a compliant backing member, a supporting member to position said blade adjacent to said roller, a layer having an irregular surface bound to said backing member on a surface of said backing member facing said roller, and a metal layer on at least the lower regions of the irregular surface of said surface facing said roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The doctor blade as in claim 1 in which said irregular surface is formed by particulate grit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The doctor blade as in claim 2 in which said grit is of diameter of about 5 microns to 9 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The doctor blade as in claim 3 in which said backing member is naturally straight metal having inherent resilience when bent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The doctor blade as in claim 1 in which said backing member is naturally straight metal having inherent resilience when bent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The doctor blade as in claim 2 in which said backing member is naturally straight metal having inherent resilience when bent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The doctor blade as in claim 1 in which said backing member is a polymer film and also comprising a resilient member mounted on said supporting member to provide a force toward said roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The doctor blade as in claim 2 in which said backing member is a polymer film and also comprising a resilient member mounted on said supporting member to provide a force toward said roller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The doctor blade as in claim 3 in which said backing member is a polymer film and also comprising a resilient member mounted on said supporting member to provide a force toward said roller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
A doctor blade and a developer roller mounted for metering charged electrophotographic toner held on said developer roller by said blade physically contacting a sector of said roller with a surface of said blade which is electrically charged, said blade comprising a compliant backing member, a supporting member positioning said blade in contact with said roller, a layer having an irregular surface bound to said backing member on a surface of said backing member facing said roller, and a metal layer on at least the lower regions of the irregular surface of said surface facing said roller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
A doctor blade and a developer roller mounted for metering charged electrophotographic toner held on said developer roller by said blade physically contacting a sector of said roller with a surface of said blade which is electrically charged, said blade comprising a compliant backing member, a supporting member positioning said blade in contact with said roller, a layer having an irregular surface bound to said backing member on a surface of said backing member facing said roller, and a metal layer on at least the lower regions of the irregular surface of said surface facing said roller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The doctor blade and developer roller as in claim 10 in which said irregular surface is formed by particulate grit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The doctor blade and developer roller as in claim 11 in which said grit is of diameter of about 5 microns to 9 microns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The doctor blade and developer roller as in claim 12 in which said backing member is naturally straight metal having inherent resilience when bent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The doctor blade and developer roller as in claim 10 in which said backing member is naturally straight metal having inherent resilience when bent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The doctor blade and developer roller as in claim 11 in which said backing member is naturally straight metal having inherent resilience when bent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The doctor blade and developer roller as in claim 10 in which said backing member is a polymer film and also comprising a resilient member mounted on said supporting member to provide a force toward said roller.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The doctor blade and developer roller as in claim 11 in which said backing member is a polymer film and also comprising a resilient member mounted on said supporting member to provide a force toward said roller.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The doctor blade and developer roller as in claim 12 in which said backing member is a polymer film and also comprising a resilient member mounted on said supporting member to provide a force toward said roller.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-03 | 1995-08-05 | 1996-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-03 | 1999-08-05 | 2000-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-03 | 2003-08-05 | 2004-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |