Developing device for a color image forming apparatus
AssigneeRicoh Company, Ltd.
InventorTakeyoshi Sekine
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A developing device for an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus and having a plurality of developing units each storing a two-component developer of particular color. In each developing unit, to bring the developer deposited on a developing sleeve to an inoperative position, the sleeve is rotated in a direction opposite to a direction for development. At this instant, the developer flowing in the opposite direction is introduced partly into a gap between the developing sleeve and a doctor and partly into a bypass formed between the doctor and the casing of the developing unit.
Claims10
A developing device capable of bringing a developer deposited on a developing sleeve to an inoperative position by rotating said developing sleeve in a direction opposite to a direction for development, said device comprising:
- a doctor means for regulating a thickness of a layer formed by the developer on said developing sleeve, said developer flowing through a gap between the said doctor means and said developing sleeve when transported toward the inoperative position in a reverse direction;
- and
- a bypass for causing part of the developer being transported in the reverse direction of flow therethrough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.