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:
Feb. 01, 1996
Hisashi Shoji, Kawasaki, JP;
Hidetoshi Yano, Yokohama, JP;
Tsukuru Kai, Fujisawa, JP;
Yoshiko Ishii, Tsukuba, JP;
Nobuto Yokokawa, Gotenba, JP;
Masako Suzuki, Yokohama, JP;
Yukiko Iwasaki, Tokyo, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
In an image forming apparatus, a toner collection mode is executed when a series of image formation modes ends and when the image formation mode is continuously repeated a preselected number of times. A toner image sensing mode for sensing a reflection density from a reference toner image is executed every time the image formation mode is repeated a preselected number of times. The apparatus is capable of surely and efficiently removing toner left on an image carrier after image transfer, and collecting the reference toner image with a developing unit. The reference toner image is prevented from contaminating an image transferring unit and a cleaning unit.