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:
May. 19, 2026
Filed:
Nov. 18, 2024
Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp., Tokyo, JP;
Kenji Suzuki, Kanagawa, JP;
Kazuya Umekubo, Kanagawa, JP;
Mizue Sekine, Kanagawa, JP;
Atsushi Funada, Kanagawa, JP;
FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a developing device configured to cause a developer to adhere to the image carrier; and a supply device having a developer channel through which the developer passes, and configured to supply the developer to the developing device. The developer channel includes a filled portion that is filled with the developer over an entire cross section of the developer channel, and a falling portion where the developer falls downward. The falling portion is positioned on a downstream side of the filled portion in a developer movement direction. Gas flowing from the developing device to the supply device moves upstream in the developer movement direction through the developer channel. A sectional area of the falling portion is larger than a sectional area of the filled portion.