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:
Sep. 11, 2012
Filed:
Feb. 27, 2009
Emiko Shiraishi, Tokyo, JP;
Kentaroh Tomita, Sagamihara, JP;
Takehide Mizutani, Sagamihara, JP;
Takayuki Tamaki, Sagamihara, JP;
Masumi Sato, Yokohama, JP;
Emiko Shiraishi, Tokyo, JP;
Kentaroh Tomita, Sagamihara, JP;
Takehide Mizutani, Sagamihara, JP;
Takayuki Tamaki, Sagamihara, JP;
Masumi Sato, Yokohama, JP;
Ricoh Company, Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A developing unit, which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, includes a developer case to accommodate a two-component developer including toner and carrier, a developer bearing member bearing the two-component developer to supply the developer to an image, a developer supply path formed inside the developer case to supply the developer along the developer bearing member, an agitation and conveyance member disposed in the developer supply path, a toner collecting mechanism to collect toner after development, and a collected toner conveyance path formed inside the developer case and including a collected toner conveying member. The collected toner conveyance path and the developer supply path are arranged in communication with each other in the vicinity of one end portion of the collected toner conveyance path in a direction of conveyance of collected toner so as to circulate toner unused for development.