US3920154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toner level detector
Assignee: Xerox Ltd
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Filing: 1974-03-15
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1994-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A detector for providing an operator of an electrostatographic copier with an early warning of impending exhaustion of the supply of toner in the reservior of a toner dispenser comprises a flexible member bridged across the reservior for actuating a switch to, in turn, activate a suitable indicator when the supply of toner drops below a predetermined level.
Inventors
- 👤 Kiyoshi Sugawara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/226; G01F23/0007; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0856
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
In a toner dispenser having a reservoir for storing a supply of toner, a detector for sensing impending exhaustion of the toner supply; said detector comprising the combination of a flexible member horizontally bridged between opposed ends of said reservoir to flex downwardly in response to loading thereof by said supply of toner, a pair of substantially vertical baffles disposed on opposite sides of said flexible member for maintaining a space below said member to accomodate downward flexure of said member when said member is loaded with toner, and a switch positioned to be actuated by said member when said supply of toner drops below a predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a toner dispenser having a reservoir for storing a supply of toner, a detector for sensing impending exhaustion of the toner supply; said detector comprising the combination of a flexible member horizontally bridged between opposed ends of said reservoir to flex downwardly in response to loading thereof by said supply of toner, a pair of substantially vertical baffles disposed on opposite sides of said flexible member for maintaining a space below said member to accomodate downward flexure of said member when said member is loaded with toner, and a switch positioned to be actuated by said member when said supply of toner drops below a predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The toner dispenser and detector of claim 1 wherein said flexible member comprises a plurality of substantially horizontal plates for supporting toner in an upper area of said reservior: and further including means for vibrating said plates from time-to-time to thereby maintain a flow of toner from said upper area to a lower area of said reservior as toner is discharged by said dispenser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The toner dispenser and detector of claim 1 wherein said flexible member is flexed downwardly into said space under the weight of toner supported in an upper area of said reservoir: and further including means for maintaining a flow of toner from said upper area of said reservoir as toner is discharged by said dispenser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The toner dispenser and detector of claim 3 wherein said flexible member comprises a plurality of substantially horizontal plates supported in spaced apart relationship between the opposed ends of said reservior, and said flow maintaining means includes means for vibrating said plates from time-to-time as toner is discharged by said dispenser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The toner dispenser and detector of claim 1 wherein said flexible member comprises a plurality of generally horizontal plates and a flexible rod for supporting said plates in spaced apart relationship between the opposed ends of said reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
The toner dispenser and detector of claim 2 further including a plunger, an outwardly opening cavity at one end of said reservior for guiding said plunger, and means for biasing said plunger away from said reservior; and wherein said switch is a pressure sensitive switch having an actuator aligned with said plunger, and said plunger is connected to one end of said rod, whereby said plunger ultimately engages the switch actuator as the level of toner in said reservior is reduced.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
The toner dispenser and detector of claim 6 further including a rotatably driven roll for dispensing toner from said reservoir, said roll having an annular groove with at least one projection extending outwardly therefrom: and wherein said finger has one end riding in said groove, whereby said shaft is rotated first in said one direction and then released to rotate in the opposite direction as the end of said finger engages with and disengages from, respectively, said projection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
The toner dispenser and detector of claim 5 further including a shaft journalled in the opposed ends of said reservior, a finger secured to sadi shaft and extending therefrom into adjacent relationship with said rod, means for biasing said shaft against rotation in one direction, and means for rotating said shaft from time-to-time against said bias and for then releasing said shaft to rotate in the opposite direction so that said finger snaps back against said rod, whereby said rod and plates are vibrated from time-to-time to maintain a flow of toner from an upper area to a lower area of said reservior as toner is discharged by said dispenser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
The toner dispenser and detector of claim 8 further including a plunger, an outwardly opening cavity at one end of said reservoir for guiding said plunger, and means for biasing said plunger away from said reservoir; and wherein said switch is a pressure sensitive switch having an actuator aligned with said plunger, and said plunger is connected to one end of said rod, whereby said plunger ultimately engages the switch actuator as the level of toner in said reservoir is reduced.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |