US4733267A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for developing electrostatic latent image
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-04-17
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Granted: 1988-03-22
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Expires: 2007-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A two-component toner is directly supplied to a brush which is cyclically transferred while in resilient contact with a latent image carrier for developing an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier. After the image has been developed by the toner, residual toner is directly recovered from the brush for uniformizing the toner density on the brush.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigekazu Enoki
- 👤 Noriyuki Kimura
- 👤 Shunji Katoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:04
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/09; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0856; G03G15/0862
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image, comprising: a magnetic brush for holding toner and resiliently contacting a latent image carrier in an image developing region to supply the toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the latent image carrier; toner supply means for supplying charged toner to said magnetic brush in a toner supplying region; toner recovery means for recovering residual toner from said magnetic brush in a toner recovering region after the image has been developed by the toner; and said magnetic brush being composed of a magnetically coherent carrier of particles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image, comprising: a magnetic brush for holding toner and resiliently contacting a latent image carrier in an image developing region to supply the toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the latent image carrier; toner supply means for supplying charged toner to said magnetic brush in a toner supplying region; toner recovery means for recovering residual toner from said magnetic brush in a toner recovering region after the image has been developed by the toner; and said magnetic brush being composed of a magnetically coherent carrier of particles.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image, comprising: resilient developing brush means for holding toner and resiliently contacting a latent image carrier in an image developing region to supply the toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the latent image carrier; toner supply means for supplying charged toner to said resilient developing brush means in a toner supplying region; toner recovery means for recovering residual toner from said resilient developing brush means in a toner recovering region after the image has been developed by the toner; detector means for detecting the amount of toner recovered by said toner recovery means to issue a toner signal; and toner shortage detecting means for detecting a toner shortage in a toner tank to issue a toner shortage signal based on the toner signal from said detector means.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image, comprising: resilient developing brush means for holding toner and resiliently contacting a latent image carrier in an image developing region to supply the toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the latent image carrier; toner supply means for supplying charged toner to said resilient developing brush means in a toner supplying region; toner recovery means for recovering residual toner from said resilient developing brush means in a toner recovering region after the image has been developed by the toner; detector means for detecting the amount of toner recovered by said toner recovery means to issue a toner signal; and toner shortage detecting means for detecting a toner shortage in a toner tank to issue a toner shortage signal based on the toner signal from said detector means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said resilient developing brush means comprises a magnetic brush disposed on a sleeve and having brush fibers formed by a magnetic field.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said resilient developing brush means comprises a fiber brush composed of fibers on a roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, further including toner shortage alarm means for issuing a toner shortage alarm signal, a main apparatus for effecting copying operation, and a control device for energizing said toner shortage alarm means when the toner shortage signal from said toner shortage detecting means continues for a first prescribed time, and for inhibiting the copying operation of said main apparatus when said toner shortage signal continues for a second prescribed time longer than said first prescribed time.
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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) | 1991-03-22 | 1991-09-21 | 1992-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-22 | 1995-09-21 | 1996-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-09-21 | 2000-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |