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:
Aug. 17, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 12, 2003
Applicant:
Inventors:
Tsukuru Kai, Fujisawa, JP;
Nobutaka Takeuchi, Yokohama, JP;
Hisashi Shoji, Kawasaki, JP;
Kei Yasutomi, Yokohama, JP;
Takeyoshi Sekine, Meguro-ku, JP;
Osamu Ariizumi, Yokohama, JP;
Assignee:
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G03G 1/509 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G03G 1/509 ;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a lubricator for applying a lubricant to an image carrier or a process unit around the image carrier to thereby reduce friction. The apparatus of the present invention insures a uniform halftone image, prevents the trailing edge of an image from being lost, and faithfully reproduces even a horizontal line.