US4624545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Developing device with regulated developer supply
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1983-10-14
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Granted: 1986-11-25
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Expires: 2003-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A device is provided for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member with a developer comprised of magnetically attractable, electrically insulating toner particles for developing the latent image by applying the toner particles in the form of a thin film uniform in charge and thickness. The developing device generally comprises a developing sleeve, which is driven to rotate to carry thereon toner particles, and a pressure plate is held in pressure contact with the sleeve to thereby form a thin film of charged toner particles on the sleeve upstream of the developing station. In one aspect of the present invention, the pressure plate has a low hardness or relatively easily wearable region which is in pressure contact with the sleeve so as to prevent toner particles from permanently sticking to the pressure plate. In another aspect, the pressure plate is structured to have a locally defined relatively easily deflectable region which is in pressure contact with the sleeve. In a further aspect, the pressure plate is movable with respect to the sleeve to thereby remove stuck toner particles from the pressure plate and from the sleeve. In a still further aspect, a separator strip is provided, interposed between the pressure plate and the sleeve, which also keeps toner particles from sticking to the pressure plate. In a still further aspect, a cleaner is provided for cleaning the pressure plate periodically or continuously in order to keep toner particles from sticking to the pressure plate and to allow a thin film of uniformly charged toner particles to be formed on the sleeve for use in developing the latent image at the developing station.
Inventors
- 👤 Wataru Yasuda
- 👤 Koji Sakamoto
- 👤 Toshio Kaneko
- 👤 Fuchio Kanno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:23
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/09; G03G15/0914
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member at a developing station, comprising: transporting means for transporting developer as carried thereon along a predetermined path and past said developing station; supply means for supplying said developer to said transporting means; and regulating means disposed downstream of said supply means for regulating the supply of said developer to said transporting means to thereby form a thin film of charged developer on said transporting means, said regulating means including a pressure plate having an easily deflectable portion which is in pressure contact with said transporting means for forming said thin film of charged developer; wherein said pressure plate has a free end extending, at said pressure contact, in a direction opposite to that of said path; wherein said easily deflectable portion is defined by a reduced thickness region; and wherein said pressure plate has a composite structure in which a plurality of spring plates having differing widths are integrally overlaid on top of another such that their bottom ends terminate short of the next one.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member at a developing station, comprising: transporting means for transporting developer as carried thereon along a predetermined path and past said developing station; supply means for supplying said developer to said transporting means; and regulating means disposed downstream of said supply means for regulating the supply of said developer to said transporting means to thereby form a thin film of charged developer on said transporting means, said regulating means including a pressure plate having an easily deflectable portion which is in pressure contact with said transporting means for forming said thin film of charged developer; wherein said pressure plate has a free end extending, at said pressure contact, in a direction opposite to that of said path; wherein said easily deflectable portion is defined by a reduced thickness region; and wherein said pressure plate has a composite structure in which a plurality of spring plates having differing widths are integrally overlaid on top of another such that their bottom ends terminate short of the next one.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member at a developing station, comprising: transporting means for transporting developer as carried thereon along a predetermined path and past said developing station; supply means for supplying said developer to said transporting means; and regulating means disposed downstream of said supply means for regulating the supply of said developer to said transporting means to thereby form a thin film of charged developer on said transporting means, said regulating means including a pressure plate having an easily deflectable portion which is in pressure contact with said transporting means for forming said thin film of charged developer; wherein said pressure plate has a free end extending, at said pressure contact, in a direction opposite to that of said path; and wherein said easily deflectable portion is defined by a region having a reduced spring constant.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member at a developing station, comprising: transporting means for transporting developer as carried thereon along a predetermined path and past said developing station; supply means for supplying said developer to said transporting means; and regulating means disposed downstream of said supply means for regulating the supply of said developer to said transporting means to thereby form a thin film of charged developer on said transporting means, said regulating means including a pressure plate having an easily deflectable portion which is in pressure contact with said transporting means for forming said thin film of charged developer; wherein said pressure plate has a free end extending, at said pressure contact, in a direction opposite to that of said path; and wherein said easily deflectable portion is defined by a region having a reduced spring constant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said region having a reduced spring constant is formed as a less tempered region.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
197 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member at a developing station, comprising: transporting means for transporting developer as carried thereon along a predetermined path and past said developing station; supply means for supplying said developer to said transporting means; regulating means disposed downstream of said supply means and pressed against said transporting means for regulating the supply of said developer to said transporting means to thereby form a thin film of charged developer on said transporting means; and cleaning means for cleaning said regulating means to thereby prevent said developer from being permanently stuck to said regulating means; wherein said developer is carried in a selected direction relative to said regulating means, and said regulating means extends in a direction opposite said selected direction; further comprising first position control means for moving said regulating means between first and second positions with respect to said transporting means, wherein said cleaning means is fixed in position and partly in contact with said regulating means, so that developer sticking to said regulating means is scrubbed and removed by said cleaning means when the regulating means is moved between said first and second positions.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
197 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member at a developing station, comprising: transporting means for transporting developer as carried thereon along a predetermined path and past said developing station; supply means for supplying said developer to said transporting means; regulating means disposed downstream of said supply means and pressed against said transporting means for regulating the supply of said developer to said transporting means to thereby form a thin film of charged developer on said transporting means; and cleaning means for cleaning said regulating means to thereby prevent said developer from being permanently stuck to said regulating means; wherein said developer is carried in a selected direction relative to said regulating means, and said regulating means extends in a direction opposite said selected direction; further comprising first position control means for moving said regulating means between first and second positions with respect to said transporting means, wherein said cleaning means is fixed in position and partly in contact with said regulating means, so that developer sticking to said regulating means is scrubbed and removed by said cleaning means when the regulating means is moved between said first and second positions.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
181 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member at a developing station, comprising: transporting means for transporting developer as carried thereon along a predetermined path and past said developing station; supply means for supplying said developer to said transporting means; regulating means disposed downstream of said supply means and pressed against said transporting means for regulating the supply of said developer to said transporting means to thereby form a thin film of charged developer on said transporting means; and cleaning means for cleaning said regulating means to thereby prevent said developer from being permanently stuck to said regulating means; wherein said developer is carried in a selected direction relative to said regulating means, and said regulating means extends in a direction opposite said selected direction; further comprising second position control means for moving said cleaning means between first and second positions with respect to said regulating means so that developer sticking to said regulating means is scrubbed and removed by said cleaning means when the cleaning means is moved between its first and second positions.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
181 words
A device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member at a developing station, comprising: transporting means for transporting developer as carried thereon along a predetermined path and past said developing station; supply means for supplying said developer to said transporting means; regulating means disposed downstream of said supply means and pressed against said transporting means for regulating the supply of said developer to said transporting means to thereby form a thin film of charged developer on said transporting means; and cleaning means for cleaning said regulating means to thereby prevent said developer from being permanently stuck to said regulating means; wherein said developer is carried in a selected direction relative to said regulating means, and said regulating means extends in a direction opposite said selected direction; further comprising second position control means for moving said cleaning means between first and second positions with respect to said regulating means so that developer sticking to said regulating means is scrubbed and removed by said cleaning means when the cleaning means is moved between its first and second positions.
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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) | 1989-11-24 | 1990-05-26 | 1990-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-24 | 1994-05-26 | 1994-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-24 | 1998-05-26 | 1998-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |