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:
Aug. 09, 2011
Filed:
Mar. 10, 2009
Norio Kudo, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasuo Miyoshi, Yokohama, JP;
Hisashi Kikuchi, Kawasaki, JP;
Nobuo Iwata, Sagamihara, JP;
Tsukuru Kai, Fujisawa, JP;
Norio Kudo, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasuo Miyoshi, Yokohama, JP;
Hisashi Kikuchi, Kawasaki, JP;
Nobuo Iwata, Sagamihara, JP;
Tsukuru Kai, Fujisawa, JP;
Ricoh Company Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A developing device including a developer container casing, a developer bearing member to supply toner to a latent image, a supply path to convey developer in an axial direction of the developer bearing member, a supply conveyance member to apply a force to the developer in the supply path to convey the developer, a recovery path to return the developer reaching a downstream end of the supply path to an upstream end of the supply path relative to a direction of conveyance of the developer, and a recovery conveyance member to apply a force to the developer in the recovery path to convey the developer. A bottom surface of the supply path is tilted such that the bottom surface at the downstream end of the supply path relative to the direction of conveyance of the developer is lower than the bottom surface at the upstream end of the supply path.