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. 12, 2016
Filed:
Jul. 08, 2014
Emiko Shiraishi, Tokyo, JP;
Tadashi Kasai, Kanagawa, JP;
Makoto Yasuda, Kanagawa, JP;
Yuichi Aizawa, Ibaraki, JP;
Mutsuki Morinaga, Kanagawa, JP;
Hitoshi Yamamoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Emiko Shiraishi, Tokyo, JP;
Tadashi Kasai, Kanagawa, JP;
Makoto Yasuda, Kanagawa, JP;
Yuichi Aizawa, Ibaraki, JP;
Mutsuki Morinaga, Kanagawa, JP;
Hitoshi Yamamoto, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image bearing members, replaceable development units, replaceable toner replenishing members, toner supply units, and a control unit. The development units are each provided for a corresponding one of the plurality of image bearing members. The toner replenishing members are each provided for a corresponding one of the development units. The toner supply units are arranged between the respective toner replenishing members and the development units. The control unit causes the image forming apparatus to execute a toner supply unit cleaning mode to convey a last-used toner inside the toner supply unit into the development unit which is last used and to be replaced to empty the toner supply unit, when replacement of the development unit and the corresponding toner replenishing member is designated to use a toner of a type different from the last-used toner.