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:
Apr. 12, 2011
Filed:
Mar. 17, 2008
Tetsuya Senoh, Machida, JP;
Eisaku Murakami, Tokyo, JP;
Masahiko Satoh, Kawanishi, JP;
Masanori Kawasumi, Yokohama, JP;
Hideki Zemba, Kawasaki, JP;
Takeshi Uchitani, Kamakura, JP;
Kenichi Taguma, Yokohama, JP;
Shunichi Hashimoto, Yokohama, JP;
Tetsuya Senoh, Machida, JP;
Eisaku Murakami, Tokyo, JP;
Masahiko Satoh, Kawanishi, JP;
Masanori Kawasumi, Yokohama, JP;
Hideki Zemba, Kawasaki, JP;
Takeshi Uchitani, Kamakura, JP;
Kenichi Taguma, Yokohama, JP;
Shunichi Hashimoto, Yokohama, JP;
Ricoh Company Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A novel development device includes a developer roller, a developer reservoir, a rotatable conveyor, and a replenisher unit. The developer roller is configured to supply toner particles to the electrostatic latent image. The developer reservoir is configured to hold the developer therewithin for application to the developer roller. The rotatable conveyor is configured to rotate within the developer reservoir to convey the developer toward the developer roller. The replenisher unit has a tubular member terminating at a port opening in the developer reservoir. The replenisher unit is configured to direct a particulate material through the tubular member into the developer reservoir via the port. The particulate material is toner particles, carrier particles, or a mixture of toner particles and a given amount of carrier particles. The port is submerged in the developer within the developer reservoir as the rotatable conveyor rotates.