Image forming apparatus having toner replenishment container control
US12032324B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 2023 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G21/1647
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus to and from which a replenishment container accommodating toner is detachable and which forms an image on a recording material includes an apparatus body, and a cartridge including an image bearing member, a developer container to accommodate toner, and a developing portion to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member into a toner image by using the toner. A replenishment port allows replenishment of toner from the replenishment container, which is arranged outside of the image forming apparatus, to the developer container therethrough in a state where the replenishment container is attached to the replenishment port, and a controller notifies a user of information related to a toner amount if it is determined that a lifetime of the cartridge will expire before a sum of toner accommodated in the developer container and toner accommodated in the replenishment container is consumed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.