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:
Nov. 14, 2017
Filed:
Sep. 21, 2016
Takahiro Seki, Hyogo, JP;
Masanari Fujita, Tokyo, JP;
Takeshi Sakashita, Tokyo, JP;
Takeshi Yamashita, Osaka, JP;
Naoki Takai, Tokyo, JP;
Takuya Akiyama, Kanagawa, JP;
Takahiro Seki, Hyogo, JP;
Masanari Fujita, Tokyo, JP;
Takeshi Sakashita, Tokyo, JP;
Takeshi Yamashita, Osaka, JP;
Naoki Takai, Tokyo, JP;
Takuya Akiyama, Kanagawa, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer body, a plurality of image bearers, a plurality of developing devices, a plurality of primary transfer devices, a secondary transfer device, and a cleaner. The plurality of image bearers are disposed side by side along the intermediate transfer body. In a refreshing mode, the plurality of developing devices form toner images on the plurality of image bearers during a non-image-formation period and the cleaner cleans a surface of the intermediate transfer body. In the refreshing mode, a toner image formed on one image bearer of the plurality of image bearers, which differs from a most downstream image bearer of the plurality of image bearers in a direction of conveyance of the intermediate transfer body, reaches the cleaner first of the toner images formed on the plurality of image bearers.