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:
Jan. 03, 2012
Filed:
Aug. 10, 2009
Yuji Arai, Kawasaki, JP;
Hiroyuki Nagashima, Yokohama, JP;
Nobuo Kuwabara, Yokohama, JP;
Fumihito Itoh, Kawasaki, JP;
Hiroshi Ono, Tokyo, JP;
Ken Amemiya, Tokyo, JP;
Masahiko Shakuto, Zama, JP;
Toshio Koike, Machida, JP;
Michiya Okamoto, Zama, JP;
Tomokazu Mochizuki, Sagamihara, JP;
Masayuki Yamane, Yokohama, JP;
Takeshi Uchitani, Yamato, JP;
Eisuke Hori, Tokyo, JP;
Hideki Kimura, Yokohama, JP;
Yuji Arai, Kawasaki, JP;
Hiroyuki Nagashima, Yokohama, JP;
Nobuo Kuwabara, Yokohama, JP;
Fumihito Itoh, Kawasaki, JP;
Hiroshi Ono, Tokyo, JP;
Ken Amemiya, Tokyo, JP;
Masahiko Shakuto, Zama, JP;
Toshio Koike, Machida, JP;
Michiya Okamoto, Zama, JP;
Tomokazu Mochizuki, Sagamihara, JP;
Masayuki Yamane, Yokohama, JP;
Takeshi Uchitani, Yamato, JP;
Eisuke Hori, Tokyo, JP;
Hideki Kimura, Yokohama, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A process cartridge detachably attached to an image forming apparatus includes a first subunit, a second subunit, a first positioning member, and a second positioning member. The first subunit accommodates a photoconductor therein. The second subunit accommodates a developer applicator therein. The photoconductor and the developer applicator are arranged substantially parallel to each other to define a development gap therebetween. The first positioning member is fastened to both the first and second subunits to position ends of the photoconductor and the developer applicator on a first side of the respective subunits. The second positioning member is fastened to only one of the first and second subunits to position ends of the photoconductor and the developer applicator on a second side of the respective subunits opposite to the first side. An image forming apparatus employing such a process cartridge is also disclosed.