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:
Oct. 24, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 22, 2004
Satoshi Muramatsu, Tokyo, JP;
Nobuo Iwata, Kanagawa, JP;
Nobutaka Takeuchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Junichi Matsumoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Takayuki Koike, Kanagawa, JP;
Eriko Maruyama, Kanagawa, JP;
Satoshi Muramatsu, Tokyo, JP;
Nobuo Iwata, Kanagawa, JP;
Nobutaka Takeuchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Junichi Matsumoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Takayuki Koike, Kanagawa, JP;
Eriko Maruyama, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier with a two-ingredient type developer, i.e., a toner and carrier mixture. A toner replenishing device replenishes toner stored in a toner storing portion to the developing unit. A carrier storing portion, storing a carrier therein, is constructed independently of the toner storing portion. The carrier is fed from the carrier storing portion to the developing unit by a toner conveying force available with the toner replenishing device.