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US 2006/0140652 A1Published application
Developer device and image forming apparatus
AssigneeBrother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorNao Itabashi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser printer is configured so that a process unit having a developing cartridge is detachably attachable to an apparatus body. A frame of the developing cartridge is formed with a toner chamber storing toner and a toner inlet that communicates with the toner chamber. A capping member is either permanently or detachably attachable with respect to the toner inlet. The capping member is provided with a light-transmitting portion through which light transmits to detect the toner level.
Claims27
A developer unit comprising:
- an accommodating flame having a toner storing portion capable of storing toner and a toner inlet communicating with the toner storing portion;
- and
- a capping member attached to the accommodating frame to close the toner inlet and said capping member having a light-transmitting portion.
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- a developer unit including
- an accommodating frame having a toner storing portion capable of storing toner and a toner inlet communicating with the toner storing portion;
- and
- a capping member provided to be detachably attachable to the accommodating frame, the capping member attached to the accommodating frame to close the toner inlet and having a light-transmitting portion, and wherein the accommodating frame has a first wall portion and a second wall portion disposed opposite to the first wall portion, the first wall portion includes the capping member in a detachable manner, the second wall portion has a window portion having light transparency disposed facing the capping member, and a drive gear transmitting a drive force from a drive device to a developing device is provided on at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion in the accommodating frame;
- and
- a light projecting portion that emits light to detect toner level;
- and
- a light receiving portion that receives the light emitted from the light projecting portion via the light transmitting portion or the window portion.
5 more elements
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- a toner detection optical sensor;
- an accommodating frame having a toner storing portion capable of storing toner and a toner inlet communicating with the toner storing portion;
- and
- a capping member provided to be detachably attachable to the accommodating frame and attached to the accommodating frame to close the toner inlet;
- and
- wherein the capping member has a light-transmitting portion through which light is transmitted.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.