Abstract: A developing device, includes: a housing that stores toner inside; a toner carrier roller that is shaped approximately like a cylinder, is mounted to the housing rotatably about a rotational axis, rotates while carrying the toner on a surface thereof to convey the toner to outside of the housing, and is provided, on the surface thereof, with a plurality of convex sections which are regularly arranged and a concave section which surrounds the convex sections, the convex sections including top surfaces that coincide with a part of a curved surface of single cylinder and have electrical conductivity; and a seal member that is arranged in abutting contact with the surface of the toner carrier roller moving from the outside the housing toward the inside the housing at a position downstream of the opposed position in a rotation direction of the toner carrier roller to prevent toner leakage from the housing, a contact surface of the seal member being made of a material located at a position to charge the toner with

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes: a latent image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image; a housing that stores toner inside; a toner carrier roller that is shaped approximately like a cylinder, is mounted to the housing rotatably about a rotational axis, rotates while carrying toner on a surface thereof to convey the toner to an opposed position facing the latent image carrier outside the housing, and is provided, on the surface thereof, with a plurality of convex sections which are regularly arranged in an axial direction parallel to the rotational axis and in a circumferential direction orthogonal to the axial direction and parallel to a circumferential surface of the toner carrier roller and a concave section which surrounds the convex sections; a seal member that is arranged in abutting contact with the surface of the toner carrier roller moving from the outside the housing toward the inside the housing at a position downstream of the opposed position in a rotation direction of the toner c

Abstract: The present invention relates to seals which may be used in an image forming apparatus. The seals may prevent the leakage of image forming materials, e.g. as between a blade and an image forming apparatus housing.

Abstract: A developing apparatus comprises: a housing having an opening that opens towards an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a developer storing unit in which a developer is stored; a developer carrier that carries the developer stored in the developer storing unit and transports the developer to a developing region in opposition to the image carrier; a partitioning frame arranged in a groove formed between the developer carrier and the developer storing unit of the housing, that is provided with a connecting hole which enables connect between the developer storing unit and the opening; a partition arranged on a side surface of the partitioning frame; and a closely contact section that causes the partitioning frame to closely contact to the groove.

Abstract: A seal assembly for inhibiting toner leakage comprises a j-seal received by a developer housing in a toner cartridge. The j-seal has an upper seat portion engagably sealing with a doctor blade seal and a leg for slidably sealing of a developer roll. The upper seat portion has an upper seat inner seal wall and an upper seat outer seal wall spaced apart a preselected distance from said upper seat inner seal wall and defining a gap therebetween. A doctor blade seal engages the upper seat inner and outer seal walls and a doctor blade bracket assembly disposed adjacent the j-seal and the doctor blade seal. The doctor blade seal further has a tongue disposed within the gap for interlocking said j-seal and sealably engaging the doctor blade bracket assembly.

Abstract: A toner seal comprises a j-shaped seal having an upper seat portion and a leg portion, the leg having a front face extending between first and second edges of said leg portion, a lip seal extending along at least one of the first and second edges of the leg, and, the lip seal having a length extending from the upper seat portion along the leg.

Abstract: A developing device includes a sealing member for sealing an end of a developing roller to prevent developer from leaking from the interior of a casing. The casing includes a first plane and a second plane. A blade is mounted to the first plane and the blade regulates the amount of developer on the developing roller. The second plane is positioned upwardly of the first plane. The sealing member is positioned so that an end surface is located between the first plane and the second plane, and is mounted to the casing. The blade is mounted so as to press the end surface of the sealing member.

Abstract: A seal member covers a space between a developing roller and a casing of a developing device. The seal member includes a flexible sheet and a reinforcing member fixed to the sheet. The reinforcing member is fixed to the casing. Notches are provided in the reinforcing member in a direction perpendicular to the length of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: Gap among a leaf spring member of a layer-thickness regulating blade, a back-side member of a blade holder and a blade opposed portion of an upper seal is filled with grease. An internal seal is disposed laterally inward of the grease with a portion thereof sandwiched between the back surface of the leaf spring member and the blade opposed portion of the upper seal. This can prevent the grease from overflowing laterally inward from the gap among the back-side member, the leaf spring member and the upper seal, and can also prevent a toner from entering into a gap among the back-side member, the leaf spring member and the upper seal, thereby preventing the oil content of the grease from mixing into the toner.

Abstract: The blade back seal, which integrally comprises the side portions extending in the vertical direction at the longitudinal end portions of the leaf spring member and the connecting portion for connecting the side portions at the longitudinal center portion of the leaf spring member, is interposed between the leaf spring member of the blade unit and the front attachment portion of the blade attachment member. At the opening of the case, the upper seal is interposed between the plate-like upper attachment portion, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the opening and has a width in the anteroposterior direction, and the extended portion of the bend preventing member of the blade unit, for sealing the space there between.

Abstract: Provided are a liquid developing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, wherein a high-viscosity liquid developer layer is transferred sequentially from a developer supply member to a developer coating member and to the developer carrying member among rollers, and the developer supply width of the developer supply member is made smaller than the width of the developer coating member and greater than the width of the developer carrying member, whereby an occurrence of the area, at the end portions of the developer carrying member, where the volume of developer is uneven is reduced, and the liquid developer is prevented from wrapping around the end faces of the developer coating member, without making the apparatus complicated.

Abstract: A toner supply device includes a toner container, a transport-path forming member, an opening, a shutter member, and a first seal member. The opening is provided at a side wall of the transport-path forming member. The shutter member is movable between a closed position to close the transport path by being inserted in the opening and an open position. The first seal member fills a gap between an inner wall of the opening and the shutter member in a toner transport direction in which the toner is transported through the transport path. When the shutter member is inserted in the opening, the shutter member is elastically deformable in a deformation direction perpendicular to both the toner transport direction and a moving direction of the shutter member, and when the shutter member is not inserted in the opening, the shutter member is wider than the opening in the deformation direction.

Abstract: A toner leakage restrainer is disposed in an opening formed in a development cartridge case. In the development cartridge, the toner which contains fine particles only in a small amount is accommodated such that fusion bonding of the toner to the lower film is not caused even when ten thousand sheets are printed in succession. In the toner, a ratio of the powder particles having a circle equivalent diameter of 3 to 20 ?m and a circularity of 0.98 or more to the entire powder particles is 60% or more based on the number of the particles, and a ratio of the powder particles having a circle equivalent diameter of 3 ?m or less to the entire particles is 35% or less based on the number of particles.

Abstract: The sponge sealing member of the side seal is arranged on the roller opposed face of the seal arrangement portion so that the lower end face at the upstream side in the rotating direction of the developing roller is positioned to have the same face as the back end face of the seal arrangement portion and the upper end face at the downstream side is connected with the lower end face of the side portion of the blade back seal. The felt sealing member is arranged so that the upper end portion at the downstream side in the rotating direction of the developing roller is formed astride the lower end portion of the leaf spring member and the sponge sealing member, extends along the sponge sealing member, through the back end face of the seal arrangement portion and around to the lower face of the seal arrangement portion.

Abstract: A developer cartridge of an image forming apparatus includes a cartridge frame having a developer chamber holding a developer therein, and a developer discharging port, a developer conveying unit rotatably installed on the cartridge frame to agitate and move the developer towards the developer discharging port, and an elastic damper to change the size of a developer discharge space defined by the vicinity to the developer discharging port according to a developer delivery pressure of the developer conveying unit. The damper contracts to increase a size of the developer discharge space and reduce the developer delivery pressure, when the developer delivery pressure increases above a normal pressure in the developer chamber.

Abstract: A developer container for an image forming apparatus, said developer container including a rotatable member; a container body for containing a developer; a sealing member, provided in the container body, for preventing leakage of the developer out of the container body; a sheet, provided in the container body, for contacting the rotatable member to guide the developer into the container body; a gap provided between the container body and the sealing member and covered by the sheet; a communication hole provided in the container body in fluid communication with the gap; packing material filled in the gap through the communication hole for preventing leakage of the developer through the gap.

Abstract: A cartridge mounted on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a molded resin complex in which a first resin molded product and a second resin molded product are engaged with each other so as to be separable. The first resin molded product is obtained by molding a first resin pervious to laser light, and the second resin molded product is obtained by molding a second resin absorptive to laser light. The first resin molded product and the second resin molded product are engaged with each other so as to be separable, by one or more protrusions of the second resin molded product which is formed by applying laser light from the first resin molded product side while placing the first resin molded product and the second resin molded product either in a close state or in a contact state.

Abstract: A developing apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus includes a developer receptacle having a sidewall on which a shaft hole is formed, a rotation shaft having a length shorter than a distance between opposite sidewalls of the developer receptacle and an end on which a connection hole is formed, and a driving member rotatably supported by the shaft hole of the developer receptacle and having a connecting shaft inserted into the connection hole of the rotation shaft.

Abstract: A liquid-type image forming apparatus includes a developer cartridge, and a method for disposing of the developer cartridge. The developer cartridge includes a cartridge body having a first chamber for storing a developer and a second chamber for storing an absorber that absorbs waste developer of the first chamber. A sealing member is arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber and is configured to separate by an external force for fluidly connecting the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A developing device includes toner, a casing accommodating the toner, a developing roller rotatably fixed on the casing, an elastic blade making contact with a circumferential surface of the developing roller, a seal member, and a cutout portion in the seal member. The seal member is arranged to make contact with a circumferential surface of end portions of the developing roller between the developing roller and a wall surface of the casing and to make contact with an end surface of a tip end of the elastic blade. The cutout portion is arranged on the seal member and is cut out at a potion at a side making contact with a side surface of the tip end of the elastic blade in an axial direction of the developing roller and a side located closer to the wall surface of the casing than the elastic blade in a radial direction of the developing roller.

Abstract: A developing device is provided with a case main body, a developing roller coupled with the case main body, an axis direction seal member coupled with the case main body, and a side seal member coupled with the case main body. The axis direction seal member and the side seal member make contact with one another such that there is no gap between the axis direction seal member and the side seal member in a rotation axis direction of the developing roller. In a rotation direction of the developing roller, an upstream end of the side seal member is located downstream of an upstream end of a contact area between the axis direction seal member and the developing roller.

Abstract: A developing device includes an image supporting member; a developer supporting member for attaching developer to a latent image formed on a surface of the image supporting member for developing; a supply member for supplying developer to the developer supporting member; a first sealing member arranged to contact with both ends of the developer supporting member and the supply member; a holding member for holding the first sealing member; a case for attaching the developer supporting member and the supply member; a second sealing member arranged in the case for contacting with a lower surface of the developer supporting member in a longitudinal direction thereof when the developer supporting member is attached to the case. Further, a restricting section is provided in the case for restricting a movement of the holding member when the developer supporting member is attached to the case.

Abstract: A toner container which is mountable and removable at a main body of an image forming apparatus, the toner container comprising: at least one toner filling port provided in a casing body of the toner container; and a sealing member which covers the toner filling port and a predetermined range of surroundings of the toner filling port, from an outer side of the casing body, for sealing toner inside the casing body, is provided.

Abstract: A sealing structure is incorporated in an image forming unit. A rotatable body is supported in a housing body. A sealing member extends in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the rotatable body, providing a seal against the surface of the rotatable body. The sealing member includes a first widthwise end portion fixed to the housing body and a second widthwise end portion in contact with rotatable body, having a larger width at a longitudinally middle portion than at longitudinally end portions. The second widthwise end portion includes a widthwise free edge describing an arc such that the width is larger nearer the longitudinally middle portion. The sealing member may include longitudinally end portions and a longitudinally middle portion between the longitudinally end portions, the longitudinally middle portion having a constant width and the longitudinally end portions having a width smaller nearer the longitudinal ends.

Abstract: A development apparatus for use in an image forming device includes a developer storage chamber for storing developer, a developer carrier having a film of the developer formed thereon, wherein a visible image is formed when the film interacts with an electrostatic latent image, and a developer feed member arranged adjacent to the opening of the developer storage chamber and configured to feed developer from the developer storage chamber to the developer carrier. A developer leakage prevention member is located between the developer feed member and the developer carrier and an adhesive adheres to the developer leakage prevention member in the longitudinal direction of the opening. Also, a layer including an agent is formed between the adhesive and the developer feed member.

Abstract: A highly reliable developing device, process cartridge, device unit, and image forming apparatus in which a developer is not spattered to the outside of the developing device even when the developing device where a developer is preset is included with shipment in an image forming apparatus main body. This developing device comprises a developer container for containing a developer, and a toner replenishing portion which is connected with a toner conveyance portion installed in the image forming apparatus main body and which is communicated with the developer container via an opening portion. Such a developing device is provided with a sealing member for sealing the opening portion until use of the developing device on the image forming apparatus main body is started.

Abstract: A developing device includes a cabinet, a developing roller that carries developer, a supply roller for supplying the developer, a developer cartridge that accommodates the developer, a first sealing member that is provided at both ends of the developing roller, a developer passage opening provided in at least one of the cabinet and the developer cartridge, and a second sealing member provided in a vicinity of the developer passage opening. At least a part of the second sealing member overlaps the first sealing member in a direction in which the developer cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the cabinet. A portion of a shadow of the second sealing member cast in a direction, in which the developer passes through the developer passage opening, overlaps the first sealing member. The developer cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the cabinet at a position opposed to the developing roller.

Abstract: A developing device comprises: a housing that stores developer; a developing roll that is rotatably supported in the housing and has a developing region with a roughened surface that supplies developer to an image region of an image holding member; a step portion that is formed at both sides of the developing region of the developing roll and whose diameter is smaller than that of the developing region; and a seal member that contacts a region of the step portion that is opposite to the image holding member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of cleaning contact members by using developer leakage preventing components includes a photosensitive member, a developer feeding member which feeds a developer to supply the developer to the photosensitive member, contact members which keep a development gap or a development nip constant between the photosensitive member and the developer feeding member, and a sealing member which contacts the developer feeding member to prevent the developer from leaking. The sealing member may include cleaning portions which contact the contact members to clean a surface of the contact members. The sealing member may further include a sealing portion for preventing leakage of the developer, and cut portions which section the sealing portion from the cleaning portions. The cleaning portions may extend in a direction different from the sealing portion and contact the contact members.

Abstract: A seal assembly may be used to seal an interface between a roller and a frame in an image forming apparatus. The seal assembly may include an end seal configured to seal an end of a doctor blade in contact with the roller and a roll seal configured to seal a portion of an outer surface of the roller. The roll seal may include an extension located between the end seal and the roller. The roll seal may also include a toe portion that engages the developer frame to resist movement of the roll seal when the developer roll rotates against the roll seal. The seal assembly may be used in an image forming apparatus including, but not limited to, printers, copiers, faxes, multifunctional devices or all-in-one devices.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus may include photoconductors, developing rollers, and cases, each configured to hold developer to be supplied to a corresponding photoconductor from a corresponding developing roller, and each having an elongated opening in which the developing roller is disposed. Also included are a side seal member disposed at each end of the elongated opening in a longitudinal direction of the opening, each side seal member contacting a peripheral surface of the developing roller at each end of an axial direction of the developing roller, and a belt configured to move in a transporting direction parallel to an arrangement direction of the photoconductors, the belt being disposed below the developing rollers. The belt can be disposed to avoid contacting the photoconductors in an area defined by the side seal members being projected onto a plane on a surface of the belt parallel to an axis of the photoconductors.

Abstract: A secure seal is provided between a blade unit and a housing in a developer unit of an image forming apparatus by utilizing a sheet member configured to cover a step height formed on a surface of the blade unit facing a sealing member.

Abstract: An image developing apparatus includes an upper case, and a lower case having an opening and containing a developing agent on a lower side of the upper case. A photoconductive drum in the upper case forms an electrostatic latent image on a surface thereof. A charging roller charges the photoconductive drum. A developing roller having one part is exposed through the opening of the lower case to cooperate with the photoconductive drum for developing the electrostatic latent image. A scattering preventing unit disposed between the photoconductive drum and the developing roller, to prevent scattering of the developing agent. The scattering preventing unit includes a blocking curtain covering part of the opening and one side in contact with the outer circumference of the photoconductive drum.

Abstract: A developing device containing a developer holding body for executing developing by affixing developer to an image support body, a controlling unit for thinning a layer of developer and disposed to contact the developer holding body, a support unit for supporting the controlling unit, an elastic sealing unit provided with a contact surface contacting the support unit and disposed on an edge side of the controlling unit, and a guiding unit for controlling an installation direction of a developing blade member at a time when the developing blade member is mounted on the elastic sealing unit, provided with a guiding surface formed at a prescribed angle in relation to the contact surface of the elastic sealing unit. The present invention attempts to prevent developer leakage from between a controlling unit and a sealing unit.

Abstract: The sponge sealing member of the side seal is arranged on the roller opposed face of the seal arrangement portion so that the lower end face at the upstream side in the rotating direction of the developing roller is positioned to have the same face as the back end face of the seal arrangement portion and the upper end face at the downstream side is connected with the lower end face of the side portion of the blade back seal. The felt sealing member is arranged so that the upper end portion at the downstream side in the rotating direction of the developing roller is formed astride the lower end portion of the leaf spring member and the sponge sealing member, extends along the sponge sealing member, through the back end face of the seal arrangement portion and around to the lower face of the seal arrangement portion.

Abstract: A toner cartridge of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing roller that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an outer circumferential surface of a photosensitive drum, a toner supplying roller that supplies toner onto the developing roller, a seal bracket that is installed above and apart from the toner supplying roller, an outer seal film including an end adhered to the seal bracket and the other end contacting an outer circumference of the developing roller, and an inner seal film that is adhered to an inner surface of the seal bracket so that an end of the inner seal film contacts an outer circumference of the supplying roller.

Abstract: A developing device and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. The developing device includes: a housing, which is formed by coupling an upper case and a lower case and in which a developing roller and a regulating blade are installed; sealing elements, which are respectively formed at both sides of the developing roller or the regulating blade and prevent toner from leaking out of the housing; and fixing elements, which fix the sealing elements in the housing so that the sealing elements cannot move. Each of the fixing elements includes a supporting element, which expands the area of a corresponding fixing element and supports the corresponding sealing element by pushing the corresponding sealing element toward the regulating blade and the developing roller so that the corresponding sealing element comes into contact with the regulating blade and the developing roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier with an electrostatic latent image formed thereon; a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image, a developer carrier arranged opposite to the image carrier, for allowing a magnetic field generation member arranged inside the developer carrier, for forming a magnetized area of the magnetic brush in a predetermined area in the axial direction of the developer carrier; and a scatter toner sucking port arranged at a position other than a position opposite to the magnetized area of the developer carrier.

Abstract: The blade back seal and the sponge sealing member are interposed between the leaf spring member and the blade attachment unit and seal arrangement portion while being compressed to have the same thickness, by applying the blade back seal having a relatively small elastic modulus and a large thickness to the blade attachment unit and the seal arrangement portion, applying the sponge sealing member having a relatively large elastic modulus and a small thickness onto the roller opposed face of the seal arrangement portion and pressing them by the leaf spring member of the blade unit.

Abstract: A developing device is arranged such that Dg<ds<3Dg, and 3Dg<dc<6Dg, where ds is an end gap, Dg is an upstream gap, and dc is a center gap. The gap ds is a gap between a developer tank 4 and either end portion of a developing roller 1 in the downstream of a transportation direction of the developing roller 1. The end portion of the developing roller 1 is an end portion thereof with respect to a rotation direction of the developing roller 1. The gap Dg is a gap between the developing roller 1 and a doctor blade. The gap dc is a smallest gap between the developer tank 4 and the center portion b of the developing roller 1. With this arrangement, it is possible to prevent the toner scattering appropriately in the developing device for use of a two-component developer containing toner and carrier.

Abstract: A developing device for developing a latent image borne on an image bearing body using a developer borne on a developer bearing roller, is provided with: a housing that is for containing the developer and that has an opening; the developer bearing roller that is for bearing the developer and that is provided facing the opening; a sealing member that abuts against the developer bearing roller to prevent the developer from spilling; a supporting member that is attached to the housing and that is for supporting the developer bearing roller and the sealing member; and an urging member that is for urging the sealing member toward the developer bearing roller and that is provided between the supporting member and a surface of the sealing member on an opposite side from an abutting surface of the sealing member with which the sealing member abuts against the developer bearing roller.

Abstract: A developing unit for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier includes a developer carrier, a developer regulator, and a sealing member. The developer carrier bears a developer, and is disposed facing the image carrier at a first position. The developer regulator regulates an amount of the developer, and is disposed facing the developer carrier at a second position upstream of the developer carrier in a moving direction thereof relative to the first position. The sealing member comes into contact with the image carrier at a third position upstream of the image carrier in a moving direction thereof relative to the first position. Therefore, gas is prevented from flowing from an outside area of the developing unit into an area defined by the second position to the third position.

Abstract: A development device that has communication port sealing means for sealing a communication port communicating a developer supporter container with a developer container. The development device is advantageous in cost reduction, easy manufacturing, and formation of high-quality images. In the development device which has a developing roller container for containing a developing roller, a developer container for containing a developer, a base member for forming a communication port communicating the developer roller container with the developer container, and a seal member that is adhered to the base member so as to cover the communication port, and which cancels sealing of the communication port by peeling off the seal member from the base member by pulling out the seal member in a direction parallel to an opened surface of the communication port, the base member is composed of a polypropylene resin having a bent section, and the seal member is adhered to the base member by thermal compression bonding.

Abstract: Gap among a leaf spring member of a layer-thickness regulating blade, a back-side member of a blade holder and a blade opposed portion of an upper seal is filled with grease. An internal seal is disposed laterally inward of the grease with a portion thereof sandwiched between the back surface of the leaf spring member and the blade opposed portion of the upper seal. This can prevent the grease from overflowing laterally inward from the gap among the back-side member, the leaf spring member and the upper seal, and can also prevent a toner from entering into a gap among the back-side member, the leaf spring member and the upper seal, thereby preventing the oil content of the grease from mixing into the toner.

Abstract: The blade back seal, which integrally comprises the side portions extending in the vertical direction at the longitudinal end portions of the leaf spring member and the connecting portion for connecting the side portions at the longitudinal center portion of the leaf spring member, is interposed between the leaf spring member of the blade unit and the front attachment portion of the blade attachment member. At the opening of the case, the upper seal is interposed between the plate-like upper attachment portion, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the opening and has a width in the anteroposterior direction, and the extended portion of the bend preventing member of the blade unit, for sealing the space therebetween.

Abstract: A developing device includes: a developing roller that supplies toner so as to develop an electrostatic latent image into a toner image; and a seal member that prevents toner from leaking from end portions in the axial direction of the developing roller to the outside and the developing device is characterized by a structure in that the developing roller includes a sheet member disposed so as to cover the surface of the end portions in the axial direction of the developing roller, and the sheet member has no seam in the circumferential direction, and has a surface roughness that is smaller than that of the developing roller, or has a surface hardness that is higher than that of a synthetic resin as a base material of the toner.

Abstract: An image developing device having a sealing member on an end of a developer carrier. An inner edge of the sealing member is diagonal in respect to a rotation direction of the developer carrier, which is perpendicular to an axis direction of the developer carrier.

Abstract: A development device includes a plurality of soft members, wherein at least one of the plurality of soft members has an end portion having a shape section of which width is smaller toward a tip end of the end portion; and wherein the end portion is placed on another one of the soft members.

Abstract: A sealing member for an image forming device as well as an apparatus and method of locating components within a printing device. The image forming device may include laser printers, ink-jet printers, copiers, faxes, all-in-one devices or multifunctional devices.

Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a developer cartridge case for accommodating a developer, a developing roller, a toner layer thickness control blade, and a side sealing member. The developing roller is supported by the developer cartridge case such that a circumferential surface thereof is exposed to an outside of the developer cartridge case along a width direction. The toner layer thickness control blade includes a blade body portion made of a metallic plate. A tip portion of the blade body portion is disposed at a sliding portion of the developing roller and the side sealing member so as to contact with the side sealing member. A frictional heat generated at the sliding portion is released to the outside of the developer cartridge case through the blade body portion in order restrain a leak of the developer as much as possible.