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:
Jun. 16, 1992
Filed:
Sep. 06, 1990
Hiroshi Okamoto, Shinshiro, JP;
Chujiro Yokoyama, Toyokawa, JP;
Moriyoshi Matsushiro, Nagoya, JP;
Yasuhiro Kusuda, Toyokawa, JP;
Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A developing apparatus comprising: a developing device for contacting an electrostatic image-bearing member with a development mix of toner and carrier particles; a first transporting member for transporting the mix to the developing device, a second transporting member for transporting the mix to the first transporting member; a third transporting member for transporting the mix to the second transporting member such that first and second circulations of the mix are, respectively, formed between the first and second transporting members and between the second and third transporting members; a sensor for producing a concentration signal having a value indicative of the ratio of toner in the mix of the first circulation, which is disposed in the first circulation of the mix; and a toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to the second circulation of the mix in response to the concentration signal such that the toner is replenished from an area except for the area corresponding to the second transporting member in the second circulation of the mix.