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:
Mar. 12, 2013
Filed:
Dec. 04, 2008
Minori Ichimura, Tokyo, JP;
Kazuyoshi Matsumoto, Tokyo, JP;
Shinji Imoto, Tokyo, JP;
Manabu Izumikawa, Tokyo, JP;
Yasuhisa Kato, Kanagawa, JP;
Yasuo Katano, Kanagawa, JP;
Minori Ichimura, Tokyo, JP;
Kazuyoshi Matsumoto, Tokyo, JP;
Shinji Imoto, Tokyo, JP;
Manabu Izumikawa, Tokyo, JP;
Yasuhisa Kato, Kanagawa, JP;
Yasuo Katano, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A disclosed image forming apparatus comprises an image forming unit configured to form an image on a to-be-recorded medium, and a foam application unit configured to apply foam of at least one of a liquid and a gel to the to-be-recorded medium or an intermediate member. The intermediate member is configured to apply the foam to the to-be-recorded medium. The foam application unit includes a storage unit configured to store the foam and spread the foam in a width direction of the to-be-recorded medium or the intermediate member, an applicator configured to apply the foam to the to-be-recorded medium or the intermediate member, and a transport unit configured to transport the foam from the storage unit to the applicator.