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:
Apr. 30, 2013
Filed:
Nov. 23, 2010
Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Kanagawa, JP;
Yasuo Miyoshi, Kanagawa, JP;
Hiroshi Hosokawa, Kanagawa, JP;
Norio Kudo, Kanagawa, JP;
Hiroaki Okamoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Kanagawa, JP;
Yasuo Miyoshi, Kanagawa, JP;
Hiroshi Hosokawa, Kanagawa, JP;
Norio Kudo, Kanagawa, JP;
Hiroaki Okamoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A development device includes a developer carrier, a supply compartment having a downstream end portion positioned outside the development area in the axial direction of the developer carrier, a collection compartment disposed lower than the supply compartment, first and second communication ports respectively formed in the downstream end portion and an upstream end portion of the supply compartment, a developer circulation unit including first and second developer conveyance members respectively provided in the supply compartment and the collection compartment, a toner supply port formed in an upper portion of the downstream end portion of the supply compartment, and an airflow path limiter provided in the downstream end portion of the supply compartment, closer to the development area than the toner supply port in the axial direction of the developer carrier, to restrict an airflow path above the developer in the downstream end portion of the supply compartment.