US5557368A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Toner level detecting device and method for detecting toner level within a toner storage box
Assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1995-12-22
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Granted: 1996-09-17
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Expires: 2015-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A toner level detecting device on a toner supply box includes first and second light transmissive toner detecting portions connected by a connecting portion. An aperture between the first and second toner detecting portions is filled with toner when the toner level in the toner supply box is high. Light may be projected onto the first toner detecting portion so that it is aimed through the aperture and the second toner detecting portion. When the toner level in the toner supply box becomes low, toner will no longer fill the aperture, thus allowing light to pass through the aperture and the second toner detecting portion where it can be sensed by a light detector. Light may be attenuated as it passes through the connecting portion by an irregular surface portion on the connecting portion, by a light absorbative coating applied to a surface of the connecting portion, or by forming the connecting portion of a light absorbative material. A cleaning member may also be provided in the toner supply box to clean toner out from between the first and second toner detecting portions.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshinori Endo
- 👤 Kazuhito Ishida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:25
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0856; G03G15/0862; G03G15/0865; G03G15/0867; G03G15/087; G03G15/0872; G03G15/0877; G03G15/0881; G03G15/0886; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/08; G03G2215/0888; G03G2215/0891; G03G2215/0894; G03G2215/0897
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A toner level detecting device on a toner storage box, comprising: first and second toner detecting portions formed of a light transmissive material; and a connecting portion connecting the first and second toner detecting portions, the connecting portion having a light attenuating surface, wherein the first and second toner detecting portions and the connecting portion are formed such that toner in the toner storage box can fill an aperture between the first and second toner detecting portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A toner level detecting device on a toner storage box, comprising: first and second toner detecting portions formed of a light transmissive material; and a connecting portion connecting the first and second toner detecting portions, the connecting portion having a light attenuating surface, wherein the first and second toner detecting portions and the connecting portion are formed such that toner in the toner storage box can fill an aperture between the first and second toner detecting portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 1, wherein the light attenuating surface comprises an irregular reflection portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 2, wherein the irregular reflecting portion comprises a small-stepped portion formed on a surface of the connecting portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 2, wherein the irregular reflecting portion comprises a surface portion having a high surface roughness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 1, wherein the light attenuating surface comprises a light absorbative coating layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 5, wherein the light absorbative coating layer is provided on at least one bent portion of the connecting portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 5, wherein the connecting portion comprises a straight portion, the straight portion comprising first and second flat surfaces that are substantially parallel to one another, and wherein the light absorbative coating layer is provided on at least one of the first and second flat surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 1, wherein the light attenuating surface comprises forming at least the connecting portion of a light attenuating material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 8, wherein the light attenuating surface further comprises an irregular reflecting portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 9, wherein the irregular reflecting portion is formed on a straight portion of the connecting portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 9, wherein the irregular reflecting portion is formed on a bent portion of the connecting portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 8, wherein the light attenuating surface comprises a light absorbative coating layer formed on at least one surface of the connecting portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 12, wherein the light absorbative coating layer is formed on at least one substantially straight surface portion of the connecting portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The toner level detecting device of claim 12, wherein the light absorbative coating layer is formed on at least one bent surface portion of the connecting portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
157 words
A toner storage box, comprising: a casing for containing toner; a toner level detecting device on the casing, comprising: first and second toner detecting portions formed of a light transmissive material, and a connecting portion connecting the first and second toner detecting portions, the connecting portion having a light attenuating surface, wherein the first and second toner detecting portions and the connecting portion are formed such that toner in the toner storage box can fill an aperture between the first and second toner detecting portions; a rotating shaft provided in said casing, said rotating shaft being rotatable by a mechanism outside the casing; and a cleaning member attached to said rotating shaft, wherein rotation of the rotating shaft causes the cleaning member to pass between opposed inner surfaces of said first and second toner detecting portions to clean toner from between the first and second toner detecting portions and to clean toner off the opposed inner surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
157 words
A toner storage box, comprising: a casing for containing toner; a toner level detecting device on the casing, comprising: first and second toner detecting portions formed of a light transmissive material, and a connecting portion connecting the first and second toner detecting portions, the connecting portion having a light attenuating surface, wherein the first and second toner detecting portions and the connecting portion are formed such that toner in the toner storage box can fill an aperture between the first and second toner detecting portions; a rotating shaft provided in said casing, said rotating shaft being rotatable by a mechanism outside the casing; and a cleaning member attached to said rotating shaft, wherein rotation of the rotating shaft causes the cleaning member to pass between opposed inner surfaces of said first and second toner detecting portions to clean toner from between the first and second toner detecting portions and to clean toner off the opposed inner surfaces.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The toner storage box of claim 15, wherein the cleaning member is formed of a light transmissive material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The toner storage box of claim 15, wherein the cleaning member is formed of an opaque material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The toner storage box of claim 15, wherein the cleaning member comprises a flexible film for cleaning the opposed inner surfaces of the first and second toner detecting portions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The toner storage box of claim 15, wherein the light attenuating surface comprises an irregular reflecting portion formed on at least one surface of the connecting portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The toner storage box of claim 15, wherein the light attenuating surface comprises a light absorbative coating layer on at least one surface of the connecting portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The toner storage box of claim 15, wherein at least the light attenuating surface comprises a light attenuating material.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for detecting toner level within a toner storage box, the method comprising the steps of: forming first and second toner detecting portions of a light transmissive material on the toner box; connecting the first and second toner detecting portions by a connecting portion, said first and second toner detecting portions and said connection portion defining a toner-fillable aperture between the first and second toner detecting portions; inserting a light emitter into the first toner detecting portion and a light receptor into the second toner detecting portion; attenuating light passing through the connecting portion; and producing a toner level signal based on the amount of light detected by the light receptor.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for detecting toner level within a toner storage box, the method comprising the steps of: forming first and second toner detecting portions of a light transmissive material on the toner box; connecting the first and second toner detecting portions by a connecting portion, said first and second toner detecting portions and said connection portion defining a toner-fillable aperture between the first and second toner detecting portions; inserting a light emitter into the first toner detecting portion and a light receptor into the second toner detecting portion; attenuating light passing through the connecting portion; and producing a toner level signal based on the amount of light detected by the light receptor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22, further comprising mounting the light emitter and the light receptor within a developing chamber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the attenuating step includes using a small-stepped portion formed on a surface of the connecting portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the attenuating step includes using a roughened surface on at least one of an upper and a lower portion of the connecting portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the attenuating step includes coating a surface of the connecting portion with a light absorbative layer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the attenuating step includes forming at least the connecting portion of a light attenuating material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 22, further comprising periodically cleaning toner off opposed inner surfaces between the first and second toner detecting portions where the aperture is located.
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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) | 1999-09-17 | 2000-03-18 | 2000-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-17 | 2004-03-18 | 2004-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-17 | 2008-03-18 | 2008-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |