Developing device using a toner and carrier mixture
US5771426A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 23, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0609
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In a developing device for an image forming apparatus and of the type using a developer consisting of toner and magnetic carrier, a toner hopper has an opening for replenishing toner stored therein. The developer is regulated by a doctor blade to form a thin layer on a developing sleeve. The developer scraped off by the doctor blade is introduced into a developer storing chamber and caused to move toward the opening of the hopper due to its own internal pressure and gravity. The developer from the hopper is returned toward the doctor blade along the surface of the sleeve. The developer on the sleeve and regulated by the doctor blade is conveyed to a developing position where the sleeve faces an image carrier. The toner contained in the developer is a magnetic toner. When the toner concentration of the developer has reached an upper limit, a space or gap exists in the developer storing chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.