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. 25, 2003
Filed:
May. 14, 2001
Hidenori Kin, Nagano-Ken, JP;
Takehiko Okamura, Nagano-Ken, JP;
Yoshiro Koga, Nagano-Ken, JP;
Fumio Takagi, Nagano-Ken, JP;
Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A developing device includes a supply member disposed to rotate in contact with a developer carrier to supply developer layer having a predetermined thickness to the developer carrier surface. A layer forming member is disposed to abut against the developer carrier to regulate the layer thickness of the developer so as to form a thin developer layer on the developer carrier. A bias application unit applies an AC-superimposed bias voltage to the developer carrier. A latent image on a latent image carrier is developed with the thin developer layer formed on the developer carrier by the layer forming member. The minimum value of the AC-superimposed bias voltage may be lower than the exposure potential of the latent image carrier, and a maximum value of the bias voltage is to be lower then the charge potential. However, the polarities of the two voltages may be identical.