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. 29, 1997
Filed:
Sep. 11, 1995
Iwao Matsumae, Musashino, JP;
Kazuhiro Yuasa, Zama, JP;
Shuichi Endoh, Isehara, JP;
Yoshiaki Tanaka, Kawasaki, JP;
Hiroshi Hosokawa, Yokohama, JP;
Mugijiroh Uno, Isehara, JP;
Hiroshi Saitoh, Ayase, JP;
Eiji Takenaka, Isehara, JP;
Toshihiro Sugiyama, Atsugi, JP;
Tetsuo Yamanaka, Tokyo, JP;
Eisaku Murakami, Hiratsuka, JP;
Satoru Komatsubara, Atsugi, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A developing device which includes a first toner transporting roller, a second toner transporting roller to which toner is transported from the first toner transporting roller and an image bearing member such as a photoconductive drum or belt. Seals are located between the circumferential ends of one of the toner transporting rollers and a bottom portion of a toner hopper. When the seals are between the bottom of toner hopper and the first toner transporting roller, the first toner transporting roller is longer than the second toner transporting roller and the circumferential portions of the first toner transporting roller which contact the seals do not contact the second toner transporting roller. Alternatively, when the seals are between the bottom of toner hopper and the second toner transporting roller, the second toner transporting roller is longer than the first toner transporting roller and the circumferential portions of the second toner transporting roller which contact the seals do not contact the first toner transporting roller. Additionally, when the seals contact the second toner transporting roller, side seals may be placed against the ends of the first toner transporting roller. In both of these arrangements, the length of the second toner transporting roller is shorter than a length of an effective area of a photoconductive layer on the image bearing member.