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. 11, 2008
Filed:
Feb. 23, 2007
Katsuaki Miyawaki, Kanagawa, JP;
Takeshi Iijima, Kanagawa, JP;
Yusuke Takeda, Kanagawa, JP;
Shuji Hirai, Tokyo, JP;
Sadayuki Iwai, Kanagawa, JP;
Hideki Kosugi, Kanagawa, JP;
Makoto Obu, Kanagawa, JP;
Katsuaki Miyawaki, Kanagawa, JP;
Takeshi Iijima, Kanagawa, JP;
Yusuke Takeda, Kanagawa, JP;
Shuji Hirai, Tokyo, JP;
Sadayuki Iwai, Kanagawa, JP;
Hideki Kosugi, Kanagawa, JP;
Makoto Obu, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A tandem image forming device for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of image forming means arranged side by side along an intermediate image transfer belt. The image forming means each include a developing device and a cleaning device arranged around an image carrier. One of nearby image forming means has its cleaning device positioned above the developing device of the other image forming means, e.g., an agitating section forming part of the image forming means. This configuration insures smooth circulation of a developer and therefore obviates an irregular developer distribution while reducing the overall size of the image forming device.