Patent US4616918A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4616918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Developing apparatus
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1984-08-01
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Granted: 1986-10-14
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Expires: 2004-08-01
Abstract
Abstract A developing apparatus is constructed so that a first rugged surface portion is formed on that portion of the surface of an elastic blade which faces and is pressed against a developing roller, thereby reducing the conveying force to carry the developing agent in contact with the first rugged surface portion under the pressure of the elastic blade. In this way, the layer of the developing agent flowing to the contact point between the developing roller and the elastic blade is gradually thinned to form a uniformly thin layer of developing agent on the surface of the developing roller.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsuaki Kohyama
- 👤 Takashi Shimazaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:46
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0806; G03G15/0812; G03G15/0818
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A developing apparatus comprising a developing agent carrier for carrying a developing agent thereon, and an elastic member pressed against the surface of the developing agent carrier to apply the developing agent thereto, so that the developing agent is applied to the surface of the developing agent carrier by the elastic member to form a thin layer on the surface of the developing agent carrier, and that the thin layer is opposed to an image carrier at a predetermined space to deposit the developing agent on a latent image on the image carrier, wherein a first rugged surface portion is formed on that part of the surface of the elastic member which faces the developing agent, carrier, said first rugged surface portion being located in a region on the upper-course side with respect to the flow of the developing agent and not in contact with a monolayer of the developing agent touching the surface of the developing agent carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A developing apparatus comprising a developing agent carrier for carrying a developing agent thereon, and an elastic member pressed against the surface of the developing agent carrier to apply the developing agent thereto, so that the developing agent is applied to the surface of the developing agent carrier by the elastic member to form a thin layer on the surface of the developing agent carrier, and that the thin layer is opposed to an image carrier at a predetermined space to deposit the developing agent on a latent image on the image carrier, wherein a first rugged surface portion is formed on that part of the surface of the elastic member which faces the developing agent, carrier, said first rugged surface portion being located in a region on the upper-course side with respect to the flow of the developing agent and not in contact with a monolayer of the developing agent touching the surface of the developing agent carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
130 words
A developing apparatus comprising a developing agent carrier for carrying a developing agent thereon, and an elastic member pressed against the surface of the developing agent carrier to apply the developing agent thereto, so that the developing agent is applied to the surface of the developing agent carrier by the elastic member to form a thin layer on the surface of the developing agent carrier, and that the thin layer is opposed to an image carrier at a predetermined space to deposit the developing agent on a latent image on the image carrier, wherein a recess of a predetermined depth is formed in the surface of the developing agent carrier, corresponding to a developing region, and a second rugged surface portion is formed on the bottom surface of the recess.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
130 words
A developing apparatus comprising a developing agent carrier for carrying a developing agent thereon, and an elastic member pressed against the surface of the developing agent carrier to apply the developing agent thereto, so that the developing agent is applied to the surface of the developing agent carrier by the elastic member to form a thin layer on the surface of the developing agent carrier, and that the thin layer is opposed to an image carrier at a predetermined space to deposit the developing agent on a latent image on the image carrier, wherein a recess of a predetermined depth is formed in the surface of the developing agent carrier, corresponding to a developing region, and a second rugged surface portion is formed on the bottom surface of the recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein smooth surfaces are formed on nondeveloping regions of the surface of the developing agent carrier on both sides of the recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each said smooth surface has a surface roughness less than 0.01D where D is the average particle size of the developing agent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the depth of the second rugged surface portion below the smooth surfaces is set so that the surface of the thin layer of the developing agent on the second rugged surface portion is substantially flush with the smooth surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a backup member for pressing the elastic member against the smooth surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said elastic member has a first rugged surface portion constituting that part of the surface of the elastic member which faces the developing agent carrier, the first rugged surface portion being located in a region on the upper-course side with respect to the flow of the developing agent and not in contact with a monolayer of the developing agent touching the surface of the developing agent carrier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first rugged surface portion has a surface roughness of 0.1D to 2.0D where D is the average particle size of the developing agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second rugged surface portion has a surface roughness of 0.07D to 1.5D where D is the average particle size of the developing agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
A developing apparatus comprising a developing agent carrier for carrying a developing agent thereon, and an elastic member pressed against the surface of the developing agent carrier to apply the developing agent thereto, so that the developing agent is applied to the surface of the developing agent carrier by the elastic member to form a thin layer on the surface of the developing agent carrier, and that the thin layer is opposed to an image carrier at a predetermined space to deposit the developing agent on a latent image on the image carrier, wherein a second rugged surface portion and smooth surfaces on each side thereof are formed on the surface of the developing agent carrier, said smooth surfaces corresponding to nondeveloping regions, and third rugged surface portions are formed on those portions of the surface of the elastic member which face the smooth surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
145 words
A developing apparatus comprising a developing agent carrier for carrying a developing agent thereon, and an elastic member pressed against the surface of the developing agent carrier to apply the developing agent thereto, so that the developing agent is applied to the surface of the developing agent carrier by the elastic member to form a thin layer on the surface of the developing agent carrier, and that the thin layer is opposed to an image carrier at a predetermined space to deposit the developing agent on a latent image on the image carrier, wherein a second rugged surface portion and smooth surfaces on each side thereof are formed on the surface of the developing agent carrier, said smooth surfaces corresponding to nondeveloping regions, and third rugged surface portions are formed on those portions of the surface of the elastic member which face the smooth surfaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a second rugged surface portion is formed on the surface of the developing agent carrier, corresponding to a developing region, and said smooth surfaces are located individually on both sides of the second rugged surface portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a recess is formed in the surface of the developing agent carrier, corresponding to the developing region, and said second rugged surface portion is formed on the bottom surface of the recess.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the depth of said recess is set so that the surface of the thin layer of the developing agent on the second rugged surface poriton is substantialiy flush with the smooth surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said elastic member has a first rugged surface portion constituting that part of the surface of the elastic member which faces the developing agent carrier, the first rugged surface portion being located in a region on the upper-course side with respect to the flow of the developing agent and not in contact with a monolayer of the developing agent touching the surface of the developing agent carrier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said first rugged surface portion has a surface roughness of 0.1D to 2.0D where D is the average particle size of the developing agent.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-10-13 | 1990-04-14 | 1990-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-13 | 1994-04-14 | 1994-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-13 | 1998-04-14 | 1998-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |