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:
May. 14, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 04, 2000
Kazumasa Makino, Aichi-ken, JP;
Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nagoya, JP;
Abstract
A developing unit includes a photosensitive drum, a developing drum, and an agitator. When a charge of toner has dropped below a predetermined charging amount before a subsequent image forming operation starts, a pre-driving operation is performed so that the developing drum and the agitator are rotated before a sheet feed operation starts. Therefore, sufficient charge can be applied to the toner before a developing operation starts, thereby providing a high-quality image. Also, because the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are separated from each other during the pre-driving operation, the photosensitive drum and the developing roller are prevented from being worn down.