Developing device for use in image forming apparatus
US5659837A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 8, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0855
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A developing device in an image forming apparatus having a cartridge loading portion for loading a replaceable toner cartridge, a frame including a hollow portion for receiving a developer supplied from the cartridge, a photosensitive drum installed in the hollow portion and having a surface exposed to the exterior of the frame, and a developer roller installed adjacent to the photosensitive drum, the developing device having a cartridge control device installed on the one side of the cartridge loading portion to control the installation and removal of the toner cartridge, in which the cartridge control device includes a cartridge installation and removal device for allowing a user to install or remove the toner cartridge, a counter for counting the number of toner cartridge replacements, and a cartridge removal protector for prohibiting removal of the toner cartridge from the developing device when a predetermined number of toner cartridge replacements is reached so as to prevent contamination resulted from an imbalance between the total amount of the toner supplied and the capacity of a waste toner container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.