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:
Mar. 07, 2006
Filed:
Nov. 24, 2003
Kazumichi Yamauchi, Hachioji, JP;
Ritsuo Fujii, Hachioji, JP;
Satoshi Sakata, Hino, JP;
Seiji Yamaguchi, Hino, JP;
Hiroshi Isokawa, Hino, JP;
Hiroyuki Watanabe, Hachioji, JP;
Yasuo Shiokawa, Hachioji, JP;
Kazumichi Yamauchi, Hachioji, JP;
Ritsuo Fujii, Hachioji, JP;
Satoshi Sakata, Hino, JP;
Seiji Yamaguchi, Hino, JP;
Hiroshi Isokawa, Hino, JP;
Hiroyuki Watanabe, Hachioji, JP;
Yasuo Shiokawa, Hachioji, JP;
Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A toner conveyance device for conveying toner particles including: a toner mixing unit having a toner introducing portion to introduce toner particles, for mixing the toner particles from the toner introducing portion with air to make a toner fluid; a first conveyor for receiving the toner fluid in the toner mixing unit and conveying; a toner separation unit for separating the toner fluid conveyed by the first conveyor into air and toner particles, the toner separation unit having a toner discharging portion for discharging the separated toner particles to an outside; a second conveyor for conveying the air separated by the toner separation unit back to the toner mixing unit; and a tightly closed circulation path of air, formed starting at the toner mixing unit which leads to the toner separation unit through the first conveyor and returning back to the toner mixing unit through the second conveyor.