System for determining the open or closed state of a toner cartridge shutter
US9477178B1 · kind B1 · utility
3Cited by
31References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 2015 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0692
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a toner cartridge removably installable in the image forming device. The toner cartridge has a reservoir for storing toner and an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for exiting toner from the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge has a shutter that is movable between a closed position blocking the outlet port and an open position unblocking the outlet port. A sensor is positioned to detect whether the shutter is in the closed position or the open position when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.