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. 13, 2012
Filed:
Mar. 27, 2009
Takamasa Ozeki, Yokohama, JP;
Katsumi Masuda, Yokohama, JP;
Yoshio Hattori, Kawasaki, JP;
Hiroyuki Uenishi, Yokohama, JP;
Yuji Suzuki, Tokyo, JP;
Kyohta Koetsuka, Fujisawa, JP;
Masayuki Ohsawa, Atsugi, JP;
Yoshiyuki Takano, Hachioji, JP;
Takeroh Kurenuma, Ebina, JP;
Akira Azami, Yokohama, JP;
Nobuyuki Taguchi, Kawasaki, JP;
Takamasa Ozeki, Yokohama, JP;
Katsumi Masuda, Yokohama, JP;
Yoshio Hattori, Kawasaki, JP;
Hiroyuki Uenishi, Yokohama, JP;
Yuji Suzuki, Tokyo, JP;
Kyohta Koetsuka, Fujisawa, JP;
Masayuki Ohsawa, Atsugi, JP;
Yoshiyuki Takano, Hachioji, JP;
Takeroh Kurenuma, Ebina, JP;
Akira Azami, Yokohama, JP;
Nobuyuki Taguchi, Kawasaki, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A developing unit includable in a process cartridge and in an image forming apparatus includes a developer bearing member including a magnetic field generator and a nonmagnetic hollow member, a developer container, an agitation/conveyance member, a developer regulating member to regulate the thickness of a layer of the two-component developer. The magnetic field generator has first and second magnetic poles to generate respective magnetic forces for removing the developer from the developer bearing member after the developer passes the development region. The second magnetic pole generates a magnetic force to attract the developer to form a magnetic brush on the developer bearing member. The developer regulating member includes a magnetic member outwardly disposed on an exterior perimeter surface of the developer bearing member upstream from the developer regulating member, and one planar surface of the magnetic member faces the second magnetic pole across an effective development region.