Image forming apparatus and developing unit
US7248805B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0877
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing device including a developer reservoir for accommodating a mixed developer. The mixed developer includes a plurality of types of toner having a generally identical hue and different reflection densities. The apparatus also includes a replenishment device having a plurality of toner containers each accommodating one of the plurality of types of toner for replenishing the plurality of types of toner to the developer reservoir; a first detector for detecting whether each of the toner containers is completely empty of toner; and a second detector for detecting whether the developer reservoir is nearly or completely empty of mixed developer. A controller controls the replenishment device and allows or prohibits a printing operation based on the detection result of the first and the second detectors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.