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:
Sep. 24, 2013
Filed:
Dec. 04, 2008
Shinji Imoto, Tokyo, JP;
Kazuyoshi Matsumoto, Tokyo, JP;
Minori Ichimura, Tokyo, JP;
Manabu Izumikawa, Tokyo, JP;
Yasuhisa Kato, Kanagawa, JP;
Yasuo Katano, Kanagawa, JP;
Seiji Hoshino, Kanagawa, JP;
Masaaki Tsuda, Kanagawa, JP;
Shinji Imoto, Tokyo, JP;
Kazuyoshi Matsumoto, Tokyo, JP;
Minori Ichimura, Tokyo, JP;
Manabu Izumikawa, Tokyo, JP;
Yasuhisa Kato, Kanagawa, JP;
Yasuo Katano, Kanagawa, JP;
Seiji Hoshino, Kanagawa, JP;
Masaaki Tsuda, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A disclosed image forming apparatus is capable of solving the problems of deterioration of a foam application function and driving systems caused by the dried and fixed foam remaining without being applied. The image forming apparatus includes a foam forming section forming foam, a reservoir section supplying foam formed by the foam forming section to an application roller, a discharge channel through which extra foam is collected from the reservoir section, and a heating unit for heating the extra foam to return the extra foam to a liquid form. The discharged liquid prepared by defoaming the foam discharged through the discharge channel is returned to a container containing the defoamed liquid.