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:
Nov. 25, 1986
Filed:
Oct. 14, 1983
Wataru Yasuda, Yokohama, JP;
Koji Sakamoto, Tokyo, JP;
Toshio Kaneko, Tokyo, JP;
Fuchio Kanno, Yokohama, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A device is provided for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member with a developer comprised of magnetically attractable, electrically insulating toner particles for developing the latent image by applying the toner particles in the form of a thin film uniform in charge and thickness. The developing device generally comprises a developing sleeve, which is driven to rotate to carry thereon toner particles, and a pressure plate is held in pressure contact with the sleeve to thereby form a thin film of charged toner particles on the sleeve upstream of the developing station. In one aspect of the present invention, the pressure plate has a low hardness or relatively easily wearable region which is in pressure contact with the sleeve so as to prevent toner particles from permanently sticking to the pressure plate. In another aspect, the pressure plate is structured to have a locally defined relatively easily deflectable region which is in pressure contact with the sleeve. In a further aspect, the pressure plate is movable with respect to the sleeve to thereby remove stuck toner particles from the pressure plate and from the sleeve. In a still further aspect, a separator strip is provided, interposed between the pressure plate and the sleeve, which also keeps toner particles from sticking to the pressure plate. In a still further aspect, a cleaner is provided for cleaning the pressure plate periodically or continuously in order to keep toner particles from sticking to the pressure plate and to allow a thin film of uniformly charged toner particles to be formed on the sleeve for use in developing the latent image at the developing station.