Toner cartridge with an external reflector for a developer apparatus capable of optically end-detecting
US5899597A · kind A · utility
31Cited by
14References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 4, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0894
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and a system for optically detecting an empty condition in a toner cartridge has a light reflector placed on an outside surface of a toner cartridge wall. A light source emits light directly or ultimately towards the light reflector and the reflected light is detected by a light detection device if the toner cartridge is sufficiently empty.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.