Indicator for a dispensing device

Claim 2

An indicating device for a developer dispensing mechanism for use in a copier machine, said dispensing mechanism dispensing a quantity of developer comprising a toner material and a magnetizable carrier material, said indicating device comprising: a container for storing a quantity of said developer for use in said copier machine; dispensing means associated with said container for dispensing said quantity of developer from said container to said copier machine; magnetic means movably disposed with respect to said container between a first position and a second position, said first position being adjacent said container in sufficient proximity therewith to establish a magnetic holding attraction between said magnetic means and said magnetizable carrier material when sufficient developer remains in said container, and said second position being of insufficient proximity to said container to establish a holding attraction between said magnetic means and said magnetizable carrier material; indicating means responsive to movement of said magnetic means for indicating the position of said magnetic means with respect to said container, so as to provide an indication whether there is sufficient developer in said container to maintain said magnetic means in holding attraction with said carrier material, which is further indicative of whether there is need to replenish said copier machine with developer; and jogging means to jog said magnetic means into said first position from said second position, when said developer is substantially fully dispensed from said container.

Claim 3

The indicating device of claim 1, wherein said magnetic means is a permanent magnet pivotably disposed with respect to said container, and pivotably movable between said first and second positions.

Claim 4

The indicating device of claim 1, wherein said indicating means comprises a switch which is operatively responsive to the position of said magnetic means, and which is operative to pass a signal every time said magnetic means moves from said first positIon to said second position.

Claim 5

The indicating device of claim 1, wherein said dispensing means comprises a rotative drive mechanism for rotating said container in order to dispense said developer, and wherein said jogging means is a pin-like abutment operatively connected to said rotative drive mechanism and engageable with said magnetic means during every rotative cycle of said rotative drive mechanism.

Claim 6

A flashing indicator device for a developer dispensing mechanism for use in a copier machine, said dispensing mechanism dispensing a quantity of developer comprising a toner material and a carrier material, said developer dispensing mechanism providing a flashing signal indicating that substantially all of the developer has been dispensed, said indicator device comprising: a container for storing a quantity of said developer for use in to said copier system; dispensing means associated with said container for dispensing said quantity of developer from said container to said copier system; sensing means disposed in proximity to said container for sensing when said container has substantially emptied of developer, said sensing means being movable between a first position indicative that developer still remains in said container, and a second position indicative that substantially all the developer has been dispensed from said container, said sensing means remaining in said first position while sufficient developer remains in said container, and moving to said second position when substantially all of the developer has been dispensed from said container; signalling means engageable with said sensing means, for providing a signal each time said sensing means moves from said first position to said second position; and urging means operatively connected to said dispensing mechanism for periodically engaging with said sensing means during operation of the dispensing means when substantially all of the developer has been dispensed, said urging means urging the sensing means towards said first position so as to provide a flashing signal indicating that substantially all of the developer has been dispensed.

Claim 7

A flashing indicator device for a developer dispensing mechanism for use in a copier machine, said dispensing mechanism dispensing a quantity of developer comprising a toner material and a carrier material, said developer dispensing mechanism providing a flashing signal indicating that substantially all of the developer has been dispensed, said indicator device comprising: a container for storing a quantity of said developer for use in to said copier system; dispensing means associated with said container for dispensing said quantity of developer from said container to said copier system; sensing means disposed in proximity to said container for sensing when said container has substantially emptied of developer, said sensing means being movable between a first position indicative that developer still remains in said container, and a second position indicative that substantially all the developer has been dispensed from said container, said sensing means remaining in said first position while sufficient developer remains in said container, and moving to said second position when substantially all of the developer has been dispensed from said container; signalling means engageable with said sensing means, for providing a signal each time said sensing means moves from said first position to said second position; and urging means operatively connected to said dispensing mechanism for periodically engaging with said sensing means during operation of the dispensing means when substantially all of the developer has been dispensed, said urging means urging the sensing means towards said first position so as to provide a flashing signal indicating that substantially all of the developer has been dispensed.

Claim 8

The flashing indicator device of claim 5, wherein said carrier material comprises magnetizable material, and said sensing means comprises a magnet which is magnetically attracted to said carrier material, said sensing means being in said first position during said attraction of the magnet to said carrier material, and wherein said magnet moves to said second position when said magnet is no longer magnetically attracted to said carrier material, as when said carrier and toner materials are fully dispensed from said container.

Claim 9

The flashing indicator device of claim 6, wherein said signalling means comprises a switch and an indicator light, said switch being actuated to a closed circuit position every time said magnet moves to said second position, causing said indicator light to signal that said developer has been dispensed from said container.

Claim 10

The flashing indicator device of claim 5, wherein said dispensing means comprises a mechanism for rotating said container for the purpose of dispensing said material, and said means for urging the sensing means comprises a jogging mechanism connected to said dispensing means for periodically jogging said sensing means every time said dispensing means rotates said container through one rotative cycle, when substantially all of said developer has been dispensed from said container.