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:
Sep. 14, 2010
Filed:
Nov. 27, 2006
Kenichi Taguma, Sagamihara, JP;
Chiemi Kaneko, Setagaya-ku, JP;
Hirokatsu Suzuki, Zama, JP;
Emiko Shiraishi, Sagamihara, JP;
Kenichi Taguma, Sagamihara, JP;
Chiemi Kaneko, Setagaya-ku, JP;
Hirokatsu Suzuki, Zama, JP;
Emiko Shiraishi, Sagamihara, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A developing unit circulates a developer unidirectionally and includes a developer carrier having a magnetic field generator therein. The developing unit further includes a supply part housing a supply screw, a collecting part housing a collecting screw, an agitation part housing an agitation screw, a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening. The developer is transported by the supply screw, the collecting screw, and the agitation screw from the collecting screw to the agitation screw through the first opening, from the agitation screw to the supply screw through the second opening, and from the supply screw to the collecting screw though the third opening in a developer circulation. A height of a bottom surface of the downstream part of the agitation screw is higher than a height of a bottom surface of the supply screw.