Empty bottle detection using a one time foil seal
US8331806B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 2010 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0668
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus comprises a controller that stores instructions, which cause the image forming apparatus to determine a characteristic measurement in response to a toner cartridge being partially inserted into the image forming apparatus. A pair of spaced apart sensors included on the image forming apparatus each contact an outer cross-sectional surface of a film on a delivery aperture of the toner cartridge. The image forming apparatus further includes an auger having at least one sensor for conducting a characteristic measurement on the film. The characteristic measurement corresponds to criteria programmed in the image forming apparatus for determining if the toner cartridge has a full toner level or a partially full (or low) toner level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.