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:
Sep. 26, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 21, 1998
Applicant:
Inventors:
Hisashi Shoji, Kawasaki, JP;
Kiyotaka Ohta, Souka, JP;
Tsukuru Kai, Fujisawa, JP;
Nobuto Yokokawa, Yokohama, JP;
Kiyonori Tsuda, Tokyo, JP;
Satoshi Hatori, Tokyo, JP;
Assignee:
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G03G / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
399 29 ; 399257 ;
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. The developer in the developing unit will be collected based on the number of times that a part of the developer has been replenished.