Abstract: The waste toner flown into a waste toner box by way of a plurality of collection ports is leveled by means of a paddle. The waste toner collected in the waste toner box is supplied to a full condition sensing section arranged at a higher position so as to be piled up by means of an auxiliary paddle 42. A photodetector detects the waste toner that is accumulated higher at the position of the full condition sensing section than at the other area of the waste toner box to detect a full condition of the waste toner box.

Abstract: A waste toner transfer apparatus in an electrophotographic printer transfers waste toner removed by a cleaning unit from an image holding body where a toner image is temporarily held to a waste toner storage container. The waste toner transfer apparatus includes a duct connecting the cleaning unit and the storage container, a transfer unit installed in the duct and transferring the waste toner to the storage container, and an agitation member installed in the duct to move therein and guide the waste toner from the cleaning unit to the transfer unit.

Abstract: A waste toner removal system for an image forming device. The invention includes a mechanism for removing the waste toner from the cartridge and transporting it through a toner chute to a waste toner tank. One or more actuators within the device allow for the connection between the various elements to seal the waste toner path and prevent toner leakage. Methods of moving waste toner are also disclosed that include moving the waste toner through the cartridge and into a waste toner chute. The waste toner is moved through the chute and into a waste toner tank where it may be removed from the device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which conveys waste toner includes a buffer portion 101 capable of temporarily containing the waste toner and a waste toner container 102 capable of containing the waste toner and a waste toner container 102 capable of containing the waste toner. The waste toner is dominantly contained in the waste toner container 102 compared with the buffer portion 101. When the waste toner container 102 is filled with the waste toner, the waste toner can be contained in the buffer portion 101. An engine controller 120 detects whether the buffer portion 101 is filled with the waste toner 112 or not through a buffer portion waste toner full state detection sensor 105. When the buffer portion 101 is filled with the waste toner 112, the engine controller controls so that a conveyance operation by a first waste toner pipe 103 and an image forming operation are stopped.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner system that collects waste toner in a waste toner container. An amount of waste toner collected in the container is increased by using a motor-driven toner distributing member that distributes accumulated toner within the container. The waste toner system may detect the accumulation of waste toner by monitoring a motor control circuit while the toner distributing member is being driven. For example, the system may detect excess accumulation by comparing the monitored values of a speed control signal with one or more reference values corresponding to nominal accumulation conditions. Whether or not the motor is speed controlled, the apparatus may use a shared motor that drives one or more image forming process members and the toner distributing member. A drive arrangement may be used to selectively drive the toner distributing member based on motor direction to avoid interfering with image forming operations.

Abstract: A control device and a method for monitoring wear parts for printers and copiers is provided. The control device includes a counter device with which the replacement intervals or, respectively, the maintenance intervals for individual wear parts are monitored. The replacement and maintenance intervals can be individually set, so that they can be matched to the respective use conditions of the printer.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging waste toner, including a housing temporarily storing waste toner separated from a surface of a photosensitive medium; a waste toner discharge port formed at a bottom of the housing; a shutter rotatably disposed at a side of the housing to open and cover the waste toner discharge port; a pinion gear to rotate the shutter; and a fixed gear, disposed on a frame to which the housing is mounted, engaging the pinion gear, the pinion gear rotating along the fixed gear when the housing is mounted to the frame, to rotate the shutter away from the waste toner discharge port. The shutter includes a latch to hold the shutter in place when the shutter covers the waste toner discharge port.

Abstract: A collection vessel 124 is formed with a plurality of collection spaces 148a to 148f separated by partition walls 146, and collection ports 134 and 136 are connected to the collection spaces 148a to 148f. The collection spaces 148a to 148f are made to communicate with each other through a communication part 152. A developer intake section 154 implementing a full condition detector is placed below the communication part 152. A detection vessel is placed in the developer intake section 154 for detecting a full condition based on the developer overflowing the collection spaces 148a to 148f.

Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The electrophotographic forming apparatus includes a light-emitting portion, a light-receiving portion, a waste toner sensing unit which is pivotably installed in a main body where the waste toner container is attachably and detachably mounted between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion, intercepts light irradiated from the light-emitting portion when the waste toner container is not mounted in the main body, and does not intercept light when the waste toner container is mounted in the main body, such that a voltage output from the light-receiving portion is compared with a preset voltage and whether the waste toner container is mounted, the replacement time of the waste toner container can be sensed.

Abstract: When a sensor in an image forming device detects fog on the photosensitive belt, the CPU of the image forming device controls the shutter in each toner hopper unit to open and drives a discharging auger to rotate, causing degraded toner to be discharged from the developing chamber into a waste toner accommodating chamber. After this discharging operation is completed, the CPU closes the shutter and begins driving a supply auger to rotate in order to supply new toner from the accommodating chamber into the developing chamber, thereby replacing most of the old toner in the developing chamber with new toner.

Abstract: The system and methods described herein relate to calibrating an electrophotographic (EP) printing process. Calibration patches are monitored before and after transfer and cleaning functions to provide information useful in adjusting an EP process to improve overall print quality. Benefits of the described system and methods include the use of pre-existing hardware currently in use on most EP printing devices to provide improved calibration information that permits accurate control over an EP printing process.

Abstract: A toner level detector assembly includes an electrically conductive container body that defines a container cavity and an orifice. A sensor assembly includes a holder and a probe. The holder is sealingly associated with the orifice. The probe is disposed within the holder. The holder electrically isolates the probe from the container body. The probe senses a level of material within the container cavity.

Abstract: A collection vessel 124 is formed with a plurality of collection spaces 148a to 148f separated by partition walls 146, and collection ports 134 and 136 are connected to the collection spaces 148a to 148f. The collection spaces 148a to 148f are made to communicate with each other through a communication part 152. A developer intake section 154 implementing a full condition detector is placed below the communication part 152. A detection vessel is placed in the developer intake section 154 for detecting a full condition based on the developer overflowing the collection spaces 148a to 148f.

Abstract: A sensing system for detecting a full condition within a waste developer system, the sensing system including a developer waste container for receiving and holding waste developer material comprising toner and carrier deposited therein from a developer system; a sensor assembly mounted exterior to the developer waste container, the sensor including a reed switch being responsive to the level of material in the developer waste container when the material in the developer waste container reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A developing apparatus is provided in which the concentration of a toner in a developer material and the amount of developer material is kept constant by the use of simple mechanical parts so as not to deteriorate the electrification performance of the developer material. In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a pocket 25 of a discharged developer material weighing part 20 receives a discharged developer material discharged from a developer material discharge port 14. Each time the accumulated weight thereof reaches a prescribed weight, the discharged developer material thus received is discharged into a discharged developer material receiving part 30, and this discharge is detected by a sensor 27. An unillustrated control unit counts this detection and calculates an amount of carrier decreased. Based on this result, a carrier supply roller 13 of the replenishment device is driven to replenish the carrier.

Abstract: Waste toner is detected in a container of an image forming apparatus. An auger is provided within the container. A switch is provided which is operable depending upon a torque associated with operation of the auger. A frequency of activation of the switch is detected. A “not full”, “near full” and “full” condition of the waste toner in the container is determined depending upon the frequency of activation of the switch.

Abstract: A sensing system for detecting a full condition within a waste developer system, the sensing system including a developer waste container for receiving and holding waste developer material comprising toner and carrier deposited therein from the developer system; a sensor assembly mounted exterior to the developer waste container, the sensor including a reed switch being responsive to the level of material in the developer waste container when the material in the waste container reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: Waste toner is detected in a container of an image forming apparatus. An auger is provided within the container. A switch is provided which is operable depending upon a torque associated with operation of the auger. A frequency of activation of the switch is detected. A “not full”, “near full” and “full” condition of the waste toner in the container is determined depending upon the frequency of activation of the switch.

Abstract: A toner level detector assembly includes an electrically conductive container body that defines a container cavity and an orifice. A sensor assembly includes a holder and a probe. The holder is sealingly associated with the orifice. The probe is disposed within the holder. The holder electrically isolates the probe from the container body. The probe senses a level of material within the container cavity.

Abstract: System and methods for sensing a condition of a printer cartridge waste volume. In one embodiment the system provides notification when a printer cartridge needs to be replaced. The system includes a printer, a printer cartridge for the printer having a waste volume, and a sensor operably coupled with the printer cartridge for sensing the waste volume in the printer cartridge.

Abstract: System and methods for sensing a condition of a printer cartridge waste volume. In one embodiment the system provides notification when a printer cartridge needs to be replaced. The system comprises a printer, a printer cartridge for the printer having a waste volume, and a sensor operably coupled with the printer cartridge for sensing the waste volume in the printer cartridge.

Abstract: A receptacle type connector fixed to a side plate of an image forming device body includes a primary inserting and drawing recess which is open upward. A contact holding wall of an opponent plug type connector is inserted into and drawn out from the primary inserting and drawing recess. Even when toner intrudes into the primary inserting and drawing recess which is open, the toner can be discharged from the connector via the through-hole, which is formed in a lower portion of the primary inserting and drawing recess, by lightly tapping the receptacle type connector.

Abstract: An image forming system has: a developing device for causing a toner to adhere to a latent image, which is formed on a photosensitive material drum, to form a visible image; a toner supply device for supplying a toner, which is housed in a toner container, to the developing device; a toner removing device for removing a remaining toner after the visible image on the photosensitive material drum is transferred to a transfer paper; a waste toner container for accumulating therein a waste toner removed by the toner removing device; and an oscillating mechanism for oscillating the waste toner container. Thus, the waste toner in the waste toner container can be efficiently accumulated, so that the system can be miniaturized.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a container for containing a developer removed from the image bearing member, a detector for detecting an amount of developer removed from the image bearing member and contained in the container, and a failure detector for detecting a failure of the developer amount detector on the basis of the degree of use of the image bearing member and a detection result of the developer amount detector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for replenishing toner and collecting used toner in an electrostatographic machine. The apparatus includes a replenishment hopper having a supply of fresh toner. A development device feeds toner onto a recording member having an electrostatic image to be developed. A feeding device feeds fresh toner to the development device from a replenishment bottle. A replenishment motor drives the feeding device to feed fresh toner to the development device. A collection container or bottle collects used toner removed from a recording member. A controller tracks a first accumulated motor operating on-time and is programmed to compare the operating on-time with a first pre-programmed value for determining when the collection container is to be emptied or to be replaced or that the machine is to be cycled down. The controller also tracks a second accumulated motor operating on-time for determining when the replenishment bottle is to be replaced.

Abstract: A cartridge which is detachably mountable on an image forming apparatus is provided with non-volatile storing medium. In this non-volatile storing medium, a predetermined value is stored. The predetermined value is used for controlling the image forming apparatus together with the count value which is counted when forming images. The count value for counting images formed in a first image formation mode is different from the count value that is counted when forming images in a second image formation mode whose maximum amount of waste toner contained in a cleaning container is different from that of the first image mode. With the structure thus arranged, the number of printable sheets is made greater before the waste toner is filled in the cleaning container up to its limit, hence enabling the user to secure a longer period of time for preparing the cartridge.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, the apparatus includes mounting member for mounting a process cartridge, the process cartridge including: a.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to track toner waste and the level of waste toner in a toner waste receptacle. A sensor measures the amount of toner developed on a photoreceptive member. At regular intervals a signal representing this developed toner amount is sent to a machine controller. The machine controller coverts the developed toner amount into an amount of residual waste based on the machine transfer efficiency. This residual waste amount is tracked and a signal is generated for a user as the toner waste receptacle approaches capacity. At full capacity an end of life signal is generated and for preservation of machine components the machine shuts down until the waste container is replaced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a developer collection container for collecting a waste developer; a developer amount detector for detecting an amount of the waste developer in the developer collection container; a first cumulative print counter for counting a total number of prints produced during a period between a release of a filled state detection and a subsequent filled state detection, detected by the developer amount detector; and a judging device for judging whether or not the developer collection container is emptied according to the total number of prints counted by the first cumulative print counter.

Abstract: A sensing system is disclosed for detecting a full condition within a waste developer system, the sensing system including: a developer waste bottle for receiving and holding waste developer material including toner and carrier deposited therein from the developer system, the developer waste bottle having a translucent, removable viewing window for optical viewing the level of developer material therein, the viewing window comprises a sensing portion in fluid communication with the developer waste bottle, the sensing portion adapted to have developer material flow therein when the magnetic material in the toner waste bottle reaches the predetermined level.

Abstract: A sensing system for detecting a full condition within a developer waste bottle, said sensing system including a sensor assembly mounted exterior to the developer waste bottle, said sensor assembly being responsive to magnetic material in said developer waste bottle when the magnetic material in said developer waste bottle reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image bearing member, image forming device for forming a developer image on the image bearing member, cleaning device for cleaning the image bearing member, a container for containing therein the developer removed from the image bearing member, life detecting device for detecting the life of a consumptive part in the apparatus, fullness detecting device for detecting whether the quantity of the developer in the container has reached a predetermined quantity, operation stopping device for stopping the operation of the image forming device at predetermined time, and releasing device for releasing the stoppage of the operation of the image forming device.

Abstract: In order to provide an indication when it is necessary to exchange toner recovery container, an electrophotographic apparatus monitors the accumulated driving time of a toner supply drive unit, and a massage indicating "exchange the toner recovery container" is displayed at the time when a toner supply switch is operated under state in which the accumulated driving time exceeds a preset value.

Abstract: A toner collector includes a tube having at least one opening in an intermediate portion between both end portions, one of the both end portions being closed, a toner collecting bag covering the tube, and connected to the tube at the both end portions of the tube, and a waste toner transfer member, connected to the other of the both end portions of the tube, for transferring toner to the other of the both end portions from an outer side of the tube.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic image forming machine, an alternating current (AC) voltage is applied by an AC electric source with a constant frequency to a conductive wire and an electrode plate so that an electric field whose direction is inverted in synchronization with the frequency occurs. Consequently, the residual developer remaining on the front face of a photosensitive element vibrates and floats off the photosensitive element. A developer collecting roller is charged to the polarity electrically opposite to the polarity of the residual developer by application of a bias voltage from a direct current (DC) electric source. The residual developer separated from the front face of the photosensitive element is sucked and collected by the developer collecting roller with an electrostatic power developed between the developer collecting roller and the residual developer.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus contains a first and second unit. The first unit, which is a self-contained first module, contains a photo-sensitive body and structure for removing residue toner from the photo sensitive body. The second unit, which is a self-contained developer module, provides toner to the first unit and receives the residue toner from the first unit. The modules are detachably mounted in the apparatus. The second module cannot be mounted in the apparatus until the first module is mounted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a locking mechanism and a detecting switch. The locking mechanism locks a drive mechanism not to drive a waste toner container when no waste toner container is loaded in a predetermined place, and releases and thus allows the drive mechanism to drive the waste toner container when the waste toner container is loaded in the predetermined place. The detecting switch outputs, in response to the locking mechanism, a detection signal which varies depending on whether the waste toner container is loaded in the predetermined place. A transporting mechanism for transporting waste toner to the waste toner container is also locked in linkage with the locking mechanism. Consequently, the image forming apparatus has a simple structure and is low-cost and free from faulty operations in judging whether the waste toner container is loaded in the predetermined place and in preventing a faulty transportation of the waste toner to the waste toner container.