Patent ID: 7236729
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A toner layer regulating system for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner carrier; a metallic toner regulating member having a stress-strain curve prior to assembly with an elastic region, an inelastic region, and an initial yield stress value; said toner regulating member having a stress-strain curve prior to assembly with a slope of E in said elastic region and a second slope in said inelastic region: wherein said second slope is significantly less than E; and said toner regulating member supported in cantilevered fashion against said toner carrier so as to form a toner nip therebetween with an applied stress on said toner regulating member greater than said initial yield stress value and to be deflected such that an additional strain of X% in said toner regulating member results in an increase of said applied stress of less than E times X%.