Toner bottle presence and level sensing using weight
US8472819B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0858
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus is adapted to distinguish a presence between a full and a partially-full toner cassette. The image forming apparatus includes a load cell positioned in a developer station. The load cell is adapted to sense a mass of a toner cassette at least during an insertion of the toner cassette into the apparatus. A processor is adapted to determine a toner volume contained in the toner cassette based on a mass differential. A controller is adapted to drive or suspend a motor in the developer station to control an operation of the image forming apparatus. The controller controls the operation based on the toner volume.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.