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. 17, 1997
Filed:
Nov. 29, 1995
Keiji Katoh, Nara, JP;
Hiroshige Araki, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Yasuo Imai, Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP;
Shigeyuki Wakada, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Eiichi Kido, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Toshihiro Ota, Nara, JP;
Yuhi Yui, Nabari, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A developer cartridge for image forming apparatuses which performs development to form images with non-magnetic, one-component type developer. The cartridge includes a developing roller for supplying developer to a photoconductor drum, a developer feed roller in non-contact with the developing roller for supply developer to the developing roller, and a developer-layer thickness control member for controlling the thickness of the developer layer on the developing roller. The developer feed roller is shaped as a regular polygonal prism. Since no recesses are formed in the surface of the regular polygonal prism, driving torque does not increase when developer is scrubbed from the prism, thus ensuring consistent operation and improved image quality. Non-magnetic, one-component type developer is compressed onto the developing roller by supplying the developer via the developer feed roller into a bottleneck between the developing roller and a developer applying member. The amount of developer which passes through the bottleneck onto the developing roller is controlled by a temporary reservoir, the pressurization thereof ensuring application of the developer to the developing roller. A control roller may be used against the developing roller to lower friction of developer, thereby preventing deposition of developer on the control roller while establishing a consistent amount of developer on the developing roller.