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. 09, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 27, 1996
Hidetoshi Yano, Yokohama, JP;
Yasushi Nakazato, Tokyo, JP;
Takayuki Kimura, Yokohama, JP;
Masako Yoshii, Kawasaki, JP;
Hiroyasu Itou, Tokyo, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
The color image forming method of the kind sequentially forming toner images of different colors on an image carrier with developers of corresponding colors stored in a plurality of developing devices, sequentially transferring the toner images to a single paper or similar recording medium one above the other, and returning the toner left on the image carrier after the image transfer to the developing devices color by color, and an image forming apparatus practicable therewith. After the transfer of a toner image of any particular color to the paper wrapped around a transfer drum, a cleaning roller assigned to the above color each collects the toner remaining on the drum and again deposits it on the drum. The drum conveys the redeposited toner to one of the developing devices storing a developer of the same color as the toner.