Patent · US Active

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

US7522850B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
1References
67Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 17, 2006
Grant dateApr 21, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 4, 2027

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.