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:
May. 12, 2015
Filed:
Aug. 23, 2011
Tomoya Ohmura, Kanagawa, JP;
Yasuo Takuma, Kanagawa, JP;
Junichi Matsumoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Hiroshi Kikuchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Natsumi Matsue, Kanagawa, JP;
Tomoya Ohmura, Kanagawa, JP;
Yasuo Takuma, Kanagawa, JP;
Junichi Matsumoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Hiroshi Kikuchi, Kanagawa, JP;
Natsumi Matsue, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A development device having a development portion with a developer spout, to develop a latent image formed on an image carrier with developer including toner and carrier particles. The development unit also includes a circulation unit to convey developer collected from the development portion to the developer spout, a developer container, provided in the circulation unit, to contain the developer at a position upstream from the development portion in a developer circular direction, the developer container having a cylindrical upper portion and a funnel-shaped lower portion continuous with the cylindrical upper portion through a joint so that a level of the developer contained in the developer container at rest is positioned near the joint between the cylindrical upper portion and the funnel-shaped lower portion. An agitator is provided inside the developer container, to agitate and mix the collected developer and fresh toner supplied to the developer container.