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:
Feb. 07, 2012
Filed:
May. 23, 2008
Junichi Matsumoto, Yokohama, JP;
Nobuo Iwata, Sagamihara, JP;
Natsumi Katoh, Yokohama, JP;
Tomoya Ohmura, Yokohama, JP;
Junichi Matsumoto, Yokohama, JP;
Nobuo Iwata, Sagamihara, JP;
Natsumi Katoh, Yokohama, JP;
Tomoya Ohmura, Yokohama, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A development agent circulation unit includes a development unit, an agitation unit, and a rotary feeder. The development unit develops a latent image on an image carrier using a developing agent. The agitation unit agitates developing agent recovered from the development unit. The rotary feeder receives the developing agent from the agitation unit and discharges the developing agent in predetermined discrete amounts. The discharged developing agent is transported to the development unit using a gas stream. The rotary feeder includes a rotor and a stator having a clearance 't' between the rotor and the stator. The clearance 't' satisfies a relation “t<2D” where D denotes a developing agent particle diameter, and a toner particle diameter dt of a toner particle of the developing agent and a carrier particle diameter dc of a carrier particle of the developing agent satisfy a relation D=dc+2dt.