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:
Oct. 23, 2012
Filed:
Jan. 25, 2008
Kiyonori Tsuda, Kanagawa, JP;
Junichi Terai, Kanagawa, JP;
Keiko Matsumoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Kentaroh Tomita, Kanagawa, JP;
Kohichi Utsunomiya, Kanagawa, JP;
Kiyonori Tsuda, Kanagawa, JP;
Junichi Terai, Kanagawa, JP;
Keiko Matsumoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Kentaroh Tomita, Kanagawa, JP;
Kohichi Utsunomiya, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A developing device capable of preventing scattered developer from being discharged and of stably supplying a developer to a latent image carrier by preventing the developer from being discharged despite that the amount of developer within the developing device is not increased, and an image forming apparatus including the developing device. When the bulk of the developer existing in the vicinity of the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the supply conveyance path exceeds the height level of the developer discharge port, the developer that has reached the height level of the developer discharge port is discharged to the outside of the developing device by the developer discharge port and developer conveyance path serving as the developer discharge device.