Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for image forming capable of performing an effective mixing of development agent

US6615014B2 · kind B2 · utility

18Cited by
40References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 12, 2001
Grant dateSep 2, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 12, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G2215/0822
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a development mechanism using a two-component development agent and which includes a development roller and first and second transfer screws. The first transfer screw, arranged at a position approximately horizontal and in parallel to the development roller, includes a first number of screw spirals for transferring the development agent from a first end to a second end of the first transfer screw and conveying the development agent to the development roller. The second transfer screw, arranged approximately horizontal and in parallel to the first transfer screw, includes a second number of screw spirals for transferring the development agent from a first end to a second end of the second transfer screw and conveying the development agent from the second end of the second transfer screw to the first end of the first transfer screw. The first and second numbers of the screw spirals are different from each other.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.