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. 06, 2011
Filed:
May. 30, 2008
Tomoya Ohmura, Yokohama, JP;
Junichi Matsumoto, Yokohama, JP;
Nobuo Iwata, Sagamihara, JP;
Natsumi Katoh, Atsugi, JP;
Tomoya Ohmura, Yokohama, JP;
Junichi Matsumoto, Yokohama, JP;
Nobuo Iwata, Sagamihara, JP;
Natsumi Katoh, Atsugi, JP;
Ricoh Company Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
The development device includes a development member and a circulation member. The development member develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a latent image carrier with a developer including toner and a carrier to make the electrostatic latent image visible. The circulation member receives the developer discharged from the development member and conveys the developer back to the development member. The circulation member includes a container provided upstream from the development member in a conveyance direction of the developer to store the developer. The container includes an agitator provided inside the container and agitates and mixes the developer and fresh toner supplied to the container. The agitator includes a rotatable agitation member in which one or more holes are formed through which the developer passes to mix the fresh toner and the developer to be agitated in the container.