The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 12, 2019
Filed:
Apr. 19, 2018
Michiharu Suzuki, Kanagawa, JP;
Hideo Yoshizawa, Kanagawa, JP;
Jun Shiori, Kanagawa, JP;
Toshio Koike, Tokyo, JP;
Kazuhiro Aso, Kanagawa, JP;
Teppei Kikuchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Keinosuke Kondoh, Kanagawa, JP;
Michiharu Suzuki, Kanagawa, JP;
Hideo Yoshizawa, Kanagawa, JP;
Jun Shiori, Kanagawa, JP;
Toshio Koike, Tokyo, JP;
Kazuhiro Aso, Kanagawa, JP;
Teppei Kikuchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Keinosuke Kondoh, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transferor, a plurality of image bearers, a plurality of developing devices, a plurality of developer containers, a plurality of conveyance paths, and a plurality of sub-hoppers. At least one set of an image bearer, a developing device, and a sub-hopper is disposed at a height different from other sets. The arrangement of the plurality of developing devices and the plurality of sub-hoppers in the rotation direction of the intermediate transferor is changed while satisfying the following. The arrangement of the plurality of developer containers is not changed and the connections between the plurality of developing devices and the plurality of sub-hoppers are not change, while the layout of the plurality of tubes as the plurality of conveyance paths is changed so that the connections between the plurality of tubes and the plurality of sub-hoppers are not changed.