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US 6,647,232 B2Granted
Image forming apparatus with multiple developing device assemblies
AssigneesKabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorAtsushi Suzuki
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An image forming apparatus including a plurality of developing devices, a plurality of developing device assemblies, and a controller. At least one developing device is provided for each type of toner to form multi-color images. Each developing device assembly carries a plurality of developing devices. The controller switches the developing devices carried by one of the developing device assemblies, while the developing devices carried by another developing device assembly are operating.
Claims18
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of developing devices containing different colors of toners for forming an image, at least one developing device provided for each color of toner;
- a plurality of developing device assemblies carrying the developing devices, respectively, and switching the developing devices to others when rotated;
- and
- a controller which switches the developing devices carried by one of the developing device assemblies, while the developing devices carried by another developing device assembly are operating.
1 more element
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of developing devices for containing toners of different colors for forming a multi-color image, at least one developing device being provided for toner of each color;
- a first developing device assembly which carries a plurality of developing devices containing toners of at least one of the colors and which switches one developing device to another when rotated;
- a second developing device assembly which carries a plurality of developing devices containing toners of the colors other than said at least one of the colors included in the first developing device assembly and, which switches one developing device to another when rotated;
- and
- a controller which switches developing devices carried by the second developing device assembly while the developing devices carried by the first developing device assembly are operating, and which switches the developing devices carried by the first developing device assembly while the developing devices carried by the second developing device assembly are operating.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.