Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Image forming apparatus and developer cartridge having light transmitting portion to allow amount of developer to be detected
- Patent Title (中): 具有透光部分的图像形成装置和显影剂盒，以允许检测显影剂量
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Application No.: US11675672Application Date: 2007-02-16
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Publication No.: US07751728B2Publication Date: 2010-07-06
- Inventor: Yasushi Okabe
- Applicant: Yasushi Okabe
- Applicant Address: JP Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken
- Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Current Assignee Address: JP Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken
- Agency: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
- Priority: JPP2006-041250 20060217
- Main IPC: G03G15/08
- IPC: G03G15/08
Abstract:
A light emitting device and light receiving device are positioned to face each other to sandwich the developer cartridge. A pair of light transmitting tubes is installed in the casing of a developer cartridge. Light emitted from the light emitting device travels inside the casing via the light transmitting tubes and is received by the light receiving device. The direction of light traveling through light transmitting tubes changes along the light path to the light receiving device. When a developer cartridge is attached to the housing, toner blocks light from traveling through the toner chamber to the light receiving device. When the toner is consumed and the developer cartridge is ready to be replaced, light passes through the toner chamber and is received by the light receiving device, prompting exchange of the developer cartridge.
Public/Granted literature
- US20070196114A1 Image Forming Apparatus and Developer Cartridge Public/Granted day:2007-08-23
Information query
