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:
Apr. 08, 1997
Filed:
Nov. 08, 1994
Shintarou Hatano, Hiroshima, JP;
Hiroshi Kawahito, Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP;
Yoshiki Ichikawa, Shiki-gun, JP;
Fumito Mizoguti, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Masahiro Tsuji, Nara, JP;
Takao Hiroyasu, Nara, JP;
Hiroshi Kawamoto, Nara, JP;
Syouichi Fujita, Kashiba, JP;
Hideyuki Nishimura, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Itaru Kawabata, Kashiba, JP;
Yuichi Kazaki, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A developing device incorporating a developer supply unit and a developer discharge section, in which a supply developer including a mixture of toner and carrier is successively supplied to a developer container from the developer supply unit and a deteriorated developer in the developer container is discharged through the developer discharge section. The developer supply unit has a sponge roller for selectively attracting toner to a surface thereof, a magnet roller for selectively attracting carrier to a surface thereof, and a member for scraping and bringing the toner and carrier attracted to these rollers into the developer container. The developer including toner and carrier in a predetermined ratio is thus stably supplied to the developer container. In another example of the developer supply unit, agitating of the developer is performed while shovelling the developer deposited in a lower part of the unit by a transport screw. With this structure, since the toner and carrier are evenly mixed in the unit, the developer having a uniform toner concentration is supplied to the developer container, thereby continuing satisfactory development.