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:
Mar. 06, 2012
Filed:
Dec. 04, 2008
Kazuyoshi Matsumoto, Tokyo, JP;
Minori Ichimura, Tokyo, JP;
Shinji Imoto, Tokyo, JP;
Manabu Izumikawa, Tokyo, JP;
Yasuhisa Kato, Kanagawa, JP;
Yasuo Katano, Kanagawa, JP;
Kazuyoshi Matsumoto, Tokyo, JP;
Minori Ichimura, Tokyo, JP;
Shinji Imoto, Tokyo, JP;
Manabu Izumikawa, Tokyo, JP;
Yasuhisa Kato, Kanagawa, JP;
Yasuo Katano, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A disclosed image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; and a foam application unit configured to apply foam generated by foaming a liquid and/or a gel onto the recording medium. The foam application unit includes an application part configured to apply the foam onto the recording medium, a supply opening configured to supply the foam to the application part, and a spreading part configured to spread the foam on the application part. The spreading part is disposed at an angle with respect to the movement direction of the application part; and the supply opening is disposed near the most upstream portion of the spreading part with respect to the movement direction of the application part.