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:
Jul. 08, 2014
Filed:
Feb. 14, 2012
Applicants:
Kenji Tsuru, Hachioji, JP;
Teruo Nagashima, Toyohashi, JP;
Inventors:
Kenji Tsuru, Hachioji, JP;
Teruo Nagashima, Toyohashi, JP;
Assignee:
Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc., Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, JP;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G03G 21/00 (2006.01); G03G 21/12 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
In an image forming apparatus wherein a developing unit forms a toner image on an image carrier by using a developer including a toner and a carrier, wherein a toner recovery unit recovers the toner remaining on the image carrier after the transfer of the toner image to a transfer receiving body and wherein the recovered toner is returned to the developing unit by a return transport mechanism, a recovered toner reservoir for storing the toner recovered by the toner recovery unit is disposed independently from the return transport mechanism.