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:
Nov. 21, 2000
Filed:
May. 25, 1999
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A toner supplying device for supplying toner contained in a toner container to a developing device of an image forming apparatus includes a toner container insertion part configured to receive at least two inserted toner containers from a front side of the toner supplying device. A toner container holder detachably holds the toner containers inserted into the toner container insertion part. A toner container selection control device selects an arbitrary toner container from among the at least two toner containers held by the toner container holder and causes the selected toner container to discharge toner from an opening thereof while stopping a discharge of toner from an opening of the other toner containers. Toner discharged from the opening of the toner container held by the toner container holder is exhausted to a toner conveying path, and a toner/air mixture delivery device delivers the toner exhausted to the toner conveying path to the developing device of the image forming apparatus by mixing the toner with air.