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:
Nov. 27, 2012
Filed:
Sep. 14, 2010
Ryuji Yoshida, Yokohama, JP;
Mikio Ishibashi, Yokohama, JP;
Nobuyuki Koinuma, Yokohama, JP;
Hideki Zenba, Kawasaki, JP;
Naoyuki Ozaki, Zama, JP;
Hiroaki Maeda, Ebina, JP;
Mugijirou Uno, Isehara, JP;
Shunichi Hashimoto, Yokohama, JP;
Yoshinori Nakagawa, Yokohama, JP;
Tomoko Takahashi, Yokohama, JP;
Ryuji Yoshida, Yokohama, JP;
Mikio Ishibashi, Yokohama, JP;
Nobuyuki Koinuma, Yokohama, JP;
Hideki Zenba, Kawasaki, JP;
Naoyuki Ozaki, Zama, JP;
Hiroaki Maeda, Ebina, JP;
Mugijirou Uno, Isehara, JP;
Shunichi Hashimoto, Yokohama, JP;
Yoshinori Nakagawa, Yokohama, JP;
Tomoko Takahashi, Yokohama, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a first image formation unit that forms a black toner image, and a detachable second image formation unit that forms a color toner image. A first toner supply unit is provided to supply the black toner to the first image formation unit. A second toner supply unit is provided to supply one of a black and component color toner to the first and second image formation units in accordance with a color mode. A first conveyance path is provided to convey the black toner to the first image formation unit. A second conveyance path is also provided to convey the component color toner stored in the second toner container section to the second image formation unit. The second toner supply unit is selectively connected to one of the first and second conveyance paths in accordance with the color mode.