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:
Feb. 12, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 29, 2000
Hideki Kosugi, Kanagawa, JP;
Sadayuki Iwai, Kanagawa, JP;
Katsuhiro Echigo, Saitama, JP;
Makoto Obu, Kanagawa, JP;
Takashi Kawashima, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus allowing an image carrier included therein to be desirably cleaned is disclosed. A developing device uses a developing liquid consisting of a carrier liquid and toner dispersed therein. A toner image produced by the developing device is transferred to an intermediate image transfer belt. A cleaning roller cleans the surface of the intermediate image transfer belt after the transfer of the toner image to a paper sheet or similar recording medium. A liquid cleaning device feeds a cleaning liquid to the cleaning roller. The developing liquid may be replaced with a dry developer containing at least powdery toner.