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. 06, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 09, 2004
Masanori Horike, Kanagawa, JP;
Yoichiro Miyaguchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Nobuaki Kondoh, Kanagawa, JP;
Katsuo Sakai, Kanagawa, JP;
Masanori Horike, Kanagawa, JP;
Yoichiro Miyaguchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Nobuaki Kondoh, Kanagawa, JP;
Katsuo Sakai, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image-forming device that is capable of minimizing toner charge deficiency while feeding an adequate amount of toner to an electrostatic toner transport substrate for transporting toner by an EH effect, having a first storage chamber for storing a mixture of toner and a friction-promoting substance; a second storage chamber; a first transport screw for stirring the mixture in the containers; a second transport screw; and a mesh provided to the first storage chamber; wherein a toner feeding unit is provided for sifting the toner in the mixture in the first storage chamber through the mesh and feeding the toner to a first electrostatic toner transport substrate (not pictured). A potential difference generator is also provided for creating an electrical potential difference between the first transport screw and the mesh, and between the mesh and the first electrostatic toner transport substrate.