Patent US1947346A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4742370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Developing device with toner density adjustment
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1986-11-19
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Granted: 1988-05-03
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Expires: 2006-11-19
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a developing device, which develops an electrostatic latent image by applying a toner thereto. The device is provided with an auto-toner adjuster, which detects the toner content of a developing agent, and resupplies the toner in accordance with the detected value, thereby keeping the toner content constantly at a predetermined value. At the shipment from the factory, the developing device is sealed hermetically, storing the developing agent used in setting the toner content by the toner adjuster.
Inventors
- 👤 Reiji Murakami
- 👤 Kozo Matsuyama
- 👤 Shouji Takano
- 👤 Kazutaka Takahashi
- 👤 Koji Yukinaga
- 👤 Motohiko Tanigawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:31
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0896; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/0853; G03G15/0877; G03G15/0881
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A developing device which supplies a toner to an image carrier, having an electrostatic latent image thereon, thereby developing the latent image, comprising: a casing stored with a developing agent containing the toner and a carrier at a predetermined ratio, said casing having a feed port through which the developing agent is fed to the image carrier; automatic toner-content adjusting means for keeping the toner content of the developing agent, in the housing, constant, said adjusting means including content detecting means, adapted to detect the toner content of the developing agent and deliver a detection signal, and replenishing means for resupplying the toner, so as to maintain a preset toner content, in response to the detection signal from the detecting means; and sealing means for hermetically sealing the feed port of the casing, after the casing is loaded with the developing agent used in setting the automatic toner-content adjusting means to the preset toner content, so as to keep the density of the developing agent constant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A developing device which supplies a toner to an image carrier, having an electrostatic latent image thereon, thereby developing the latent image, comprising: a casing stored with a developing agent containing the toner and a carrier at a predetermined ratio, said casing having a feed port through which the developing agent is fed to the image carrier; automatic toner-content adjusting means for keeping the toner content of the developing agent, in the housing, constant, said adjusting means including content detecting means, adapted to detect the toner content of the developing agent and deliver a detection signal, and replenishing means for resupplying the toner, so as to maintain a preset toner content, in response to the detection signal from the detecting means; and sealing means for hermetically sealing the feed port of the casing, after the casing is loaded with the developing agent used in setting the automatic toner-content adjusting means to the preset toner content, so as to keep the density of the developing agent constant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said content detecting means includes an indicating lamp for giving an indication that the detected toner content is within an allowable error range from the preset value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said replenishing means is stored with the toner only, and includes a package removably mounted over the casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said casing has an opening through which the toner is supplied from the package, said opening corresponding to the mounting position of the package, and sealed with a sealing material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said developing agent is formed of a nonmagnetic toner and powdered magnetic material, as a carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said carrier is formed of a ferrite-based material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said content detecting means includes a magnetic sensor, and detects the toner content of the developing agent by measuring the permeability of the developing agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a paper sheet, comprising: a housing including a mechanism, adapted to apply a toner to an image carrier, having an electrostatic latent image thereon, thereby developing the latent image, and to transfer the developed image to the paper sheet; a developing unit formed independently of the housing, and adapted to be attached, in use, to the housing, so that a developing agent is fed to the image carrier, through a feed port in a casing, said developing unit including content detecting means, adapted to detect the toner content of the developing agent and deliver a detection signal, and adjusting means adapted automatically to resupply the toner, thereby adjusting the toner content, in response to the detection signal, when the toner content falls below a predetermined value, said developing unit being loaded with the developing agent adjusted to the predetermined toner content, said feed port being hermetically sealed, so as to keep the density of the developing agent constant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
167 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a paper sheet, comprising: a housing including a mechanism, adapted to apply a toner to an image carrier, having an electrostatic latent image thereon, thereby developing the latent image, and to transfer the developed image to the paper sheet; a developing unit formed independently of the housing, and adapted to be attached, in use, to the housing, so that a developing agent is fed to the image carrier, through a feed port in a casing, said developing unit including content detecting means, adapted to detect the toner content of the developing agent and deliver a detection signal, and adjusting means adapted automatically to resupply the toner, thereby adjusting the toner content, in response to the detection signal, when the toner content falls below a predetermined value, said developing unit being loaded with the developing agent adjusted to the predetermined toner content, said feed port being hermetically sealed, so as to keep the density of the developing agent constant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said developing agent is formed of a nonmagnetic toner and powdered magnetic material, as a carrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said content detecting means includes a magnetic sensor, and detects the toner content of the developing agent by measuring the permeability of the developing agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said carrier is formed of a ferrite-based material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said content detecting means includes an indicating lamp for giving an indication that the detected toner content is within an allowable error range from the preset value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said replenishing means is stored with the toner only, and includes a package removably mounted over the casing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said casing has an opening through which the toner is supplied from the package, said opening corresponding to the mounting position of the package, and sealed with a sealing material.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for packing a developing device, which supplies a toner, through a feed port formed in a casing, to an image carrier, having an electrostatic latent image thereon, thereby developing the latent imamge, comprising steps of: detecting the toner content of a developing agent, and setting a control toner content for an automatic toner-content adjuster, adapted to resupply the toner in response to a detection signal, said content setting process using a standard developing agent, previously adjusted to a predetermined toner content; and hermetically sealing the feed port of the casing, with the standard developing agent stored in the casing, so as to keep the density of the developing agent constant.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for packing a developing device, which supplies a toner, through a feed port formed in a casing, to an image carrier, having an electrostatic latent image thereon, thereby developing the latent imamge, comprising steps of: detecting the toner content of a developing agent, and setting a control toner content for an automatic toner-content adjuster, adapted to resupply the toner in response to a detection signal, said content setting process using a standard developing agent, previously adjusted to a predetermined toner content; and hermetically sealing the feed port of the casing, with the standard developing agent stored in the casing, so as to keep the density of the developing agent constant.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-03 | 1991-11-02 | 1992-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-03 | 1995-11-02 | 1996-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-03 | 1999-11-02 | 2000-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |