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:
Nov. 22, 2011
Filed:
Apr. 17, 2009
Maiko Koeda, Numazu, JP;
Koichi Kato, Yokohama, JP;
Emi Kita, Tokyo, JP;
Keiko Matsumoto, Yokohama, JP;
Takuzi Yoneda, Tokyo, JP;
Yuki Oshikawa, Yamato, JP;
Kohichi Utsunomiya, Atsugi, JP;
Maiko Koeda, Numazu, JP;
Koichi Kato, Yokohama, JP;
Emi Kita, Tokyo, JP;
Keiko Matsumoto, Yokohama, JP;
Takuzi Yoneda, Tokyo, JP;
Yuki Oshikawa, Yamato, JP;
Kohichi Utsunomiya, Atsugi, JP;
Ricoh Company Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A developer supply system includes a container, a memory, and a positioning mechanism. The container has a deformable bag formed of flexible material to accommodate developer therein. The memory is attached to a given planar surface of the deformable bag to store information for communication to the image forming apparatus. The positioning mechanism holds the container therein while maintaining the given planar surface in position relative to the image forming apparatus when the deformable bag collapses as it discharges developer. An image forming apparatus employing such a developer supply system is also disclosed.