Abstract: An toner cartridge and bias contact which pertains to the recharging of the cartridge by the development of a new way of making this electrical connection between the developer roller and the printer contact, in a most unique and simple way. In the best embodiment, an annular contact rides in the bore of the developer roller, pushed up against a stop where the bore diameter decreases, and the annular contact is tightly placed to attain accuracy, solidity, maximum contact and position. Also, a spring type contact may be used to set the gap of the doctor blade, controlling the distance between the developer roller and doctor blade. Alternately, a similar contact is attached to the end-felt roller seals of the developer roller. Electrical resistance has been provided to vary this bias voltage when desired and may even be added to the contact in the form of a resistant coating.

Abstract: An improved gasket device for a bushing which drives a stir-rod has been developed for use in a toner hopper. In one embodiment, the improved gasket uses a crush-resistant material, such as velvet or felt, laminated on a resilient material such as foam tape. The crush-resistant material prevents permanent reduction in the thickness of the gasket by absorbing compressive forces. In a second embodiment, an incompressible shim, for example a steel or plastic shim spaces the felt gasket from the part of the bushing extending from the toner hopper. This tightens the attachment of the bushing to the toner hopper and keeps the felt gasket firmly against the wall of the toner hopper.

Abstract: A device and method for blocking light from a laser light beam assembly in a printer, copier, or facsimile machine. Light is blocked from contact with the nonprint region of the photoreceptor drum in a toner cartridge to prevent toner spotting on the output paper and toner leakage in the cartridge and machine. A nontransparent piece of plastic material preferably rectangular in shape is sized to block a part of the light access slot on the toner cartridge cover corresponding to the nonprint region of the drum. The device is secured to the underside of the cover. A method for accurately positioning the nontransparent piece of material to block the required part of the access slot uses a long, flat tool of set length. One end of the tool is placed adjacent to a side wall on the right side of the underside of the cover and the tool is layed over the access slot.

Abstract: A developer roller contact device that provides a more reliable and longer lasting electrical connection between a bias voltage source and a developer roller of a toner cartridge assembly used in printers, copiers and facsimile machines. In the first embodiment, an improved contact device has been developed that has a conductive cylindrical member with a rim on one end. The cylindrical member is sized to fit snugly within the developer roller to contact the inner wall of the roller. The rim abuts against the end of the developer roller to hold the contact device in position. A contact surface provided inside the cylindrical member presses against the electrical contact mounted on the cartridge assembly. A second embodiment of the contact device is for a different type of cartridge assembly. The cylindrical member is divided into a large diameter portion for snugly fitting within the developer roller and a small diameter portion for fitting within an alignment piece on the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A conversion kit and method for converting the doctor blade of a toner cartridge for an imaging machine to a spreader blade. The conversion kit comprises an elastic strip of material, such as nonconductive urethane, with adhesive on one side to attach the elastic strip to a surface of the doctor blade. An assembly jig is provided to hold the doctor blade in position while applying the elastic strip. The jig is designed and sized to act as a guide for ensuring the accurate positioning of the elastic strip on the doctor blade. The jig has a groove to grasp the bent-over portion of the doctor blade, and a raised edge adjacent the groove against which the elastic strip is placed. The conversion kit further comprises washers approximately the same thickness as the elastic strip. The washers are adhered to the surface of the doctor blade at each end adjacent the elastic strip and in alignment with the holes for the screws used to fasten the doctor blade to the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A sleeve for the shaft section of a plastic drum axle used in toner cartridges for printing, copy and facsimile machines to rotatively support the photoreceptor drum. The sleeve is made of strong plastic or metal and is sized to snugly fit around the shaft section. Glue may be used to further secure the sleeve to the shaft section. The sleeve is slid onto the drum axle shaft section and abuts against the drum axle attach section. The sleeve has a length and an outside diameter which allow the sleeve to snugly fit in the gear piece of the photoreceptor drum, eliminating the clearance between the shaft section and gear piece passage. In this way the gear piece and photoreceptor drum are rotatively supported on the drum axle along nearly the entire length of the shaft section, preventing the photoreceptor drum from wobbling during operation and rotation.

Abstract: A powdered chemical mixture for lubricating photoreceptors, wiper blades, doctor blades and slide seals used on dry toner printers, copiers, and facsimile machines. The dry powder comprises a mica group mineral wet-ground to attain cold, dry lubricity, resiliency and particle alignment. The wet-ground mica-group mineral may be coated by calcium stearate to increase lubricity and reduce static electricity from the photoreceptor and blades during operation of the machine. The optimum powder would be comprised of 99% by weight mica-group mineral and 1% by weight calcium stearate. Muscovite and phlogopite are mica-group minerals suggested for use in the lubricating powder. The calcium stearate could also be used with powdered lubricants other than mica to reduce static electricity during operation of the machines.

Abstract: A strip of predetermined thickness and sufficient width is attached adjacent to the edges of spreader and wiper blades used in toner cartridge assemblies for printers, copiers and facsimile machines. The strip provides heat dissipation and distortion prevention characteristics to previously manufactured spreader and wiper blades. The strip is made of heat reflective material and might be a ductile metal such as aluminum or plastic which has elastomeric properties. The strip is attached to the blade by adhesive, metal plating, or by other methods. In one embodiment the strip is placed on the blade such that it is relatively flat. In another embodiment the strip is applied to the blade such that the strip forms an upstanding lip protruding angularly from the blade adjacent to the blade's edge. The strip or lip on the blade does not contact the roller on which toner is being spread or from which toner is being wiped.