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:
Jan. 07, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 28, 2001
Katsuhiro Aoki, Kanagawa, JP;
Hisashi Shoji, Kanagawa, JP;
Tsukuru Kai, Kanagawa, JP;
Hajime Oyama, Chiba, JP;
Noriyoshi Tarumi, Tokyo, JP;
Takashi Hodoshima, Kawagawa, JP;
Yasuo Miyoshi, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image carrier made up of a conductive base and photoconductive layer and a toner carrier to which a bias for development is applied. The toner carrier conveys toner deposited thereon to a developing position where the toner carrier faces the image carrier, thereby developing a latent image formed on the image carrier. The apparatus effects low-voltage development that protects the image carrier from electrostatic fatigue, obviates background contamination, and realizes image density as high as 0.5 ×10 g/cm2 or above in terms of the amount of toner deposition. Further, the apparatus implements faithful development of the latent image by reducing the edge effect. An image forming process unit removable from the apparatus is also disclosed.