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. 24, 2013
Filed:
Feb. 21, 2012
Hiroshi Kikuchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Yasuo Takuma, Kanagawa, JP;
Junichi Matsumoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Tomoya Ohmura, Kanagawa, JP;
Hiroshi Kikuchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Yasuo Takuma, Kanagawa, JP;
Junichi Matsumoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Tomoya Ohmura, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A development device includes a development portion to develop a latent image; an agitation container to contain developer; a circulation system through which the developer is circulated between the development portion and the agitation container; a developer replenishing device to supply fresh developer to the agitation container; an agitator, provided inside the agitation container, to agitate and mix the developer collected from the development portion and the fresh developer from the developer replenishing device; and a developer escape chamber to discharge surplus developer in the agitation container, projecting from and continuous with the agitation container, the developer escape chamber defining a communication pathway in a side of the agitation container between the agitation container and the developer escape chamber through which the developer is moved between the agitation container and the developer escape chamber and having a discharge opening whose lower end is positioned higher than the communication pathway.