Abstract: This invention provides a seal for the tank/developer section of a two-piece toner cartridge that is applied externally to the section at the opening of the developer roller, where it is intended to confront the drum in the fully assembled cartridge. The seal assembly includes a resilient seal member, illustratively constructed from a stiffening bar that caps a resilient/pliable foam or another elastomer. The foam impinges on the doctor blade where it meets the developer roller, to bias the doctor blade against the developer roller and seal this region against the exit of toner. The foam and stiffening bar have an elongated length that matches the developer opening so that this region is fully sealed along its length. The stiffener is flexibly attached to a sheet material. The sheet is secured to the cartridge surface at a respective edge on each side by releasable adhesive.

Abstract: A seal for a printer toner cartridge, and a method for employing the seal is provided. The seal provides a flexible thin sheet material that can be folded to form two plies. The thin sheet material defines a seal that is wrapped around the developer roller of the toner cartridge so that a portion of the sheet material extends outwardly from the toner cartridge and can include a pull tab. The sheet material fills gaps formed between the developer roller and a doctor blade and also between the developer roller and a toner application roller. An additional layer is preferably provided to the seal, and joined adjacent the pull tab. It passes through a gap defined between the application roller and another roller, such as a primary charge roller. In addition a compressible strip may be provided between layers of the seal for enhancing the seal. By sealing these gaps, a positive barrier to toner expulsion is created.

Abstract: A seal for a printer toner cartridge provides a flexible thin sheet material that can be folded to form two plies. The thin sheet material defines a seal that is wrapped around the developer roller of the toner cartridge so that a portion of the sheet material extends outwardly from the toner cartridge and can include a pull tab. The sheet material fills gaps formed between the developer roller and a doctor blade and also between the developer roller and a toner application roller. By sealing these gaps, a positive barrier to toner expulsion is created. The seal is easily removed by pulling on the pull tab to slide it over and away from the developer roller. The seal can include foam projections for enhanced sealing at the walls of the cartridge that can be formed from a polymer such as polyethylene.