Patent · US Expired

Image forming apparatus, process cartridge, developing unit, and image forming method

US7158730B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
42References
120Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 6, 2004
Grant dateJan 2, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 6, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G2215/0695
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A carrier and a dummy toner are stored in a developing unit of a process cartridge in a brand new status. A plurality of process cartridges corresponding to a plurality of color toners is used in common. The color toners are respectively supplied to the developing unit from toner supply units after the process cartridges in the brand new status are installed in installation sections in a main unit of an image forming apparatus.

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