Developing device and image forming apparatus
US8208837B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 4, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0838
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A developing device includes a conveyance path, a conveyance member, a return path, and a pre-agitation region. The conveyance path conveys a toner while agitating the toner. The conveyance member has a rotational shaft, which is rotatably disposed along an upstream end to a downstream end of the conveyance path, and conveys the toner toward the downstream end due to rotation of the rotational shaft. The return path communicates with the downstream end and an intermediate portion of the conveyance path, thereby forming a circulation path, and returns the toner from the downstream end to the intermediate portion. The pre-agitation region is formed at the upstream end side, extending from the intermediate portion and outside the circulation path, and pre-agitates the toner to be conveyed to the circulation path.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.