Method of detecting waste toner in a container of an image forming apparatus
US6580881B2 · kind B2 · utility
28Cited by
41References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G21/12
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Waste toner is detected in a container of an image forming apparatus. An auger is provided within the container. A switch is provided which is operable depending upon a torque associated with operation of the auger. A frequency of activation of the switch is detected. A “not full”, “near full” and “full” condition of the waste toner in the container is determined depending upon the frequency of activation of the switch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.