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. 09, 1995
Filed:
Dec. 22, 1993
Masasumi Yahata, Yokohama, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A developing device for an image forming apparatus and operable with a developer cartridge mounted on, for example, the top of a hopper thereof. When the cartridge is inserted into a predetermined space defined in the device, it forms a clearance having a predetermined sectional area and extending in the direction of cartridge insertion in cooperation with a wall that delimits the space. Hence, air inside the space is forced out to the outside via the clearance which terminates at a cartridge inlet. A filter is affixed to the outer periphery of at least the leading end portion of the cartridge, with respect to the direction of cartridge insertion, in such a manner as to block the clearance. As a result, when air flows through the clearance, a toner entrained by the stream of air is caught by the filter. Also according to the invention, the cartridge includes a shutter which is movable back and forth to open or close a developer outlet of the cartridge, where the shutter cooperates with one or more openings formed integral with the cartridge and/or the hopper in order to provide communication between internal spaces of the hopper and the outside environment so as to reduce pressure buildup within the hopper.