Patent ID: 7039340

Claim:
A drum protector for a printer cartridge, the cartridge having an elongated drum with a drum critical imaging area extending along a substantial portion of the length of the drum, the drum also having relatively short end sections at both ends thereof, the protector including: (a) an elongated protector member having a length greater than the drum critical imaging area, the elongated protector member adapted to be positioned in a protecting position over the drum, having at least one side flange portion on at least one long side of the elongated protector member; (b) a central raised section extending longitudinally on the elongated protector member, the raised section having a length sufficient to cover the drum critical imaging area and a height sufficient to provide a clearance above the drum critical imaging area when the protector is in the protecting position; and (c) at least two end spacers extending from the inner surface of the raised section at a location such that they are outside of the drum critical imaging area when the protector is in the protecting position.