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:
Apr. 09, 2002
Filed:
May. 12, 2000
Keiji Okano, Toride, JP;
Koichi Suwa, Kawasaki, JP;
Masahiro Yoshida, Kashiwa, JP;
Hideki Matsumoto, Mishima, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A developing apparatus includes a developer containing portion containing a developer having a weight average particle diameter of not more than 7 &mgr;m, a developer bearing member for bearing a developer, and an agitating member that agitates the developer contained in the developer containing portion. The agitating member is intermittently driven with respect to rotation of a developing sleeve. The agitating member is driven to rotate for one page every time the image forming apparatus performs a predetermined number of printing operations. A rod member having a crank-like shape may be used as the agitating member and both of the end portions serve as the center of rotation. By controlling the drive of the agitating member, it is possible to effectively adjust the supply of toner to the developing sleeve and prevent the density lowering phenomena caused due to inflow of a large amount of the new toner presented at the rear of the developing container. The agitating member may be positioned closest to the developing sleeve and may be arranged below the toner container. Accordingly, to these arrangements, the image density after printing a low print pattern can be prevented from being lessened to obtain a uniform image density even though a one-component magnetic developer having the weight average particle sized diameter of not more than 7 &mgr;m is used.