Toner level detection system

Claim 2

In a system for dispensing toner particles from a rotatable cylindrical toner cartridge to a developer mixture, a sensing system for detecting a low toner condition within said cartridge, said sensing system comprising: an arm assembly pivotably mounted within the toner cartridge and on its central axis, said arm assembly including a downwardly extending arm member having a magnet attached thereto, the arm member being at least partially enveloped by the toner within the cartridge, when the cartridge is filled to above a low toner level height, and a switching device adapted to generate an electrical signal when said arm assembly is in a vertical or plumb orientation within the cartridge, said arm assembly adapted to be prevented from attaining said plumb position until the toner level has been depleted to a level low enough to free the arm assembly from viscous drag forces exerted by the toner as it rotates.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein said switching device generates a first signal which is used to energize a visual display indicating a low toner level condition, and a second signal which is used to energize an acoustic device to produce an audible signal indicating a low toner level condition.

Claim 4

In a reproduction machine having a movable recording member on which latent electrostatic images are created, developing means for developing the images, and transfer means for transferring the developed images to a coy substrate material, said copy substrate being conveyed along a copy path, the developing means including a developer housing having a sump for a developer mixture for developing the images on the recording member, the developer housing further including a cylindrical toner cartridge having a series of longitudinally extending toner discharge ports; means for periodically rotating said cylinder causing toner contained within the cartridge to be dispensed therefrom into said sump, and further including a low toner level sensing system comprising an arm assembly pivotably mounted on the central axis of said cartridge, said arm assembly including a downwardly extending arm member having a magnetic means secured thereto, said arm member adapted to engage the toner stored therein while the toner is at a relatively high level and to be moved by toner viscous drag forces generated during cartridge rotation to an out of plumb position, said drag forces becoming less as toner is depleted, whereby the arm assembly achieves a plumb position when a sufficiently low toner level is reached, and circuit means actuable by proximity to said magnetic means when said arm member is in said plumb position, said circuit means generating an output signal to activate a visual or audible low toner level display.

Claim 5

In a reproduction machine having a movable recording member on which latent electrostatic images are created, developing means for developing the images, and transfer means for transferring the developed images to a coy substrate material, said copy substrate being conveyed along a copy path, the developing means including a developer housing having a sump for a developer mixture for developing the images on the recording member, the developer housing further including a cylindrical toner cartridge having a series of longitudinally extending toner discharge ports; means for periodically rotating said cylinder causing toner contained within the cartridge to be dispensed therefrom into said sump, and further including a low toner level sensing system comprising an arm assembly pivotably mounted on the central axis of said cartridge, said arm assembly including a downwardly extending arm member having a magnetic means secured thereto, said arm member adapted to engage the toner stored therein while the toner is at a relatively high level and to be moved by toner viscous drag forces generated during cartridge rotation to an out of plumb position, said drag forces becoming less as toner is depleted, whereby the arm assembly achieves a plumb position when a sufficiently low toner level is reached, and circuit means actuable by proximity to said magnetic means when said arm member is in said plumb position, said circuit means generating an output signal to activate a visual or audible low toner level display.

Claim 6

The machine of claim 3 further including counting means located along said copy path, said counting means adapted to become enabled upon receipt of a low toner signal from said circuit means, said counting means generating a machine shut-off signal after a preselected number of feet of copy have been counted.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5, further including a low toner level display connected to said magnetic sensing circuit, side display adapted to be energized by a signal generated by said sensing circuit.

Claim 12

A toner low level detection or system including in combination, a toner cartridge adapted to rotate along its longitudinal axis to dispense toner through a series of dispensing ports at approximately a six o'clock position, a magnetically activated switch circuit exterior to one end of said cartridge and in alignment with said six o'clock position, a low toner indicating means comprising an arm pivotably mounted within said cartridge, said arm having a magnet located at the suspended end, said magnet creating a force upon said switch means when the arms is in the vertical or plumb position, said force sufficient to actuate said switch circuit whereby a signal is generated which is used to produce a visual or audible signal indication of low toner.

Claim 13

A toner low level detection or system including in combination, a toner cartridge adapted to rotate along its longitudinal axis to dispense toner through a series of dispensing ports at approximately a six o'clock position, a magnetically activated switch circuit exterior to one end of said cartridge and in alignment with said six o'clock position, a low toner indicating means comprising an arm pivotably mounted within said cartridge, said arm having a magnet located at the suspended end, said magnet creating a force upon said switch means when the arms is in the vertical or plumb position, said force sufficient to actuate said switch circuit whereby a signal is generated which is used to produce a visual or audible signal indication of low toner.