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:
Dec. 04, 2012
Filed:
Jul. 08, 2010
Norio Kudo, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasuo Miyoshi, Yokohama, JP;
Hiroshi Hosokawa, Yokohama, JP;
Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Yokohama, JP;
Hiroaki Okamoto, Zama, JP;
Norio Kudo, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasuo Miyoshi, Yokohama, JP;
Hiroshi Hosokawa, Yokohama, JP;
Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Yokohama, JP;
Hiroaki Okamoto, Zama, JP;
Ricoh Company, Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A development device includes a developer container internally divided by a partition into a supply path and a recovery path, a developer bearing member, a supply conveyance member to apply force to convey developer to a developer retaining space through the supply path, the developer retaining space retaining the developer to be conveyed by the developer bearing member, a recovery conveyance member, a communication pathway provided between the supply path and the developer retaining space, the communication pathway passing the developer from the supply path to the developer retaining space, and a developer softening member to soften the developer that is present above the partition, provided at least one of at a position in the communication pathway and at a position close to the communication pathway.