Image forming apparatus
US12222671B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 2023 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE05B2047/0073
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a unit, a housing, an outer cover, a lock, a detector, and circuitry. The unit is disposed in the image forming apparatus. The housing stores a toner bottle and has an insertion opening and an inner cover openably closable the insertion opening. The outer cover is openably closable to expose the inner cover and the unit or cover the inner cover and the unit. The lock locks the inner cover at a closed position. The detector detects an amount of toner remaining in the toner bottle. The circuitry controls the lock to unlock the inner cover based on the amount of the toner detected by the detector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.