Image forming apparatus having toner depletion detection feature
US5471284A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 28, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/169
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus usable with a process cartridge for forming an image on a recording material. The process cartridge includes an image bearing member, and at least one developing device for developing a latent image formed on the image bearing member with a developer. Each of said at least one developing devices includes a developer accommodating device for accommodating a respective developer to be used in said at least one developing device. The image forming apparatus includes a mounting device for mounting the process cartridge, an auxiliary developing device exterior to the process cartridge for developing a latent image formed on the image bearing member with a developer, the auxiliary developing device including an auxiliary developer accommodating device for accommodating the developer to be used in the auxiliary developing device, and a detecting device for detecting a respective predetermined level of developer in the auxiliary developer accommodating device and in each of the respective developer accommodating devices of said at least one developing device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.