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. 22, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 11, 1996
Hisashi Shoji, Kawasaki, JP;
Kiyotaka Ohta, Souka, JP;
Tsukuru Kai, Fujisawa, JP;
Nobuto Yokokawa, Yokohama, JP;
Kiyonori Tsuda, Tokyo, JP;
Satoshi Hatori, Tokyo, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
In an image forming apparatus, a developing unit for forming an image by use of a two-ingredient type developer, i.e., toner and carrier mixture includes a container for replenishing fresh toner and for replacing carrier deteriorated due to aging or a developer including such carrier. By rotating the container in one direction, both fresh toner and a two-ingredient developer can be supplied to the developing unit. Initially when a container is mounted, the developer is fed in an amount less than an amount for image formation to start and only when a second container is mounted and rotated is the developer amount sufficient for image formation to start.