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:
Jun. 19, 2012
Filed:
Dec. 19, 2008
Hideo Yoshizawa, Kanagawa, JP;
Yukinori Sakuma, Ibaraki, JP;
Hideo Yoshizawa, Kanagawa, JP;
Yukinori Sakuma, Ibaraki, JP;
Ricoh Company, Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A shutter mechanism is provided in a supply port through which powder is supplied to a second device from a first device. The shutter mechanism includes a shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device and a guide groove that is provided in a recess manner so as not to be exposed from the supply port as viewed from the second device and guides the opening and closing operation of the shutter. A space is formed between the guide groove and an end portion of the supply port making contact with the shutter when the shutter closes the supply port.