# US 2008/0187357 A1 · Image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0187357 A1 - Document ID: US20080187357A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/019,268 - Filed: 2008-01-24 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-01 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Yukihiro Miura; Takayuki Suzuki; Takashi Yahagi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080187357A1 ## CPC - G03G 15/0896: {Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894} - G03G 15/0872: {the developer cartridges being generally horizontally mounted parallel to its longitudinal rotational axis} - G03G 15/0877: {Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit} - G03G 15/0879: {for dispensing developer from a developer cartridge not directly attached to the development unit} - G03G 2215/0819: two or more agitators - G03G 2215/0888: Arrangements for detecting toner level or concentration in the developing device - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member on which an electrostatic image is to be formed; a developing device for developing the electrostatic image with a developer; a developer container detachably mountable to a mounting portion provided in a main assembly of the apparatus, for accommodating a supply of developer; a discharging device for discharging the supply of developer from the developer container mounted to the mounting portion to an outside of the developer container; a first developer accommodating portion for receiving the developer from the discharging device and for accommodating an amount of the developer which exceeds a first predetermined amount, wherein the first amount is larger than a capacity of the developer container; a first detecting device for detecting an amount of the developer in the first accommodating portion; a first supplying device for supplying the developer in the first accommodating portion to an outside of the first accommodating portion; a second developer accommodating portion for receiving the developer from the first supplying device and for accommodating an amount of the developer which exceeds a second predetermined amount; a second detecting device for detecting the amount in the second accommodating portion; a second supplying device for supplying the developer from the second accommodating portion toward the developing device; a controller for controlling, when the developer is accommodated in the developing container, the discharging device such that amount of the developer in the first accommodating portion is not less than the first amount, in accordance with a detection result of the first detecting device and such that such that amount of the developer in the second accommodating portion is not less than the second amount, in accordance with a detection result of the second detecting device, and for permitting, when the developing container is substantially empty, and the amount in the first accommodating portion is less than the first value, an image forming operation to continue until the amount in the second developer portion becomes less than the second amount. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member on which an electrostatic image is to be formed; a developing device for developing the electrostatic image with a developer; a developer container detachably mountable to a mounting portion provided in a main assembly of the apparatus, for accommodating a supply of developer; a discharging device for discharging the supply of developer from said developer container mounted to said mounting portion to an outside of said developer container; a first developer accommodating portion for receiving the developer from said discharging device and for accommodating an amount of the developer which exceeds a first predetermined amount, wherein the first predetermined amount is larger than a capacity of said developer container; a first detecting device for detecting an amount of the developer in said first developer accommodating portion; a first supplying device for supplying the developer in said first developer accommodating portion to an outside of said first developer accommodating portion; a second developer accommodating portion for receiving the developer from said first supplying device and for accommodating an amount of the developer which exceeds a second predetermined amount; a second detecting device for detecting the amount of the developer in said second developer accommodating portion; a second supplying device for supplying the developer from said second developer accommodating portion toward said developing device; a controller for controlling, when the developer is accommodated in said developing container, said discharging device such that amount of the developer in said first developer accommodating portion is not less than the first predetermined amount, in accordance with a detection result of said first detecting device and such that such that amount of the developer in said second developer accommodating portion is not less than the second predetermined amount, in accordance with a detection result of said second detecting device, and for permitting, when said developing container is substantially empty, and the amount of the developer in said first developer accommodating portion is less than the first predetermined value, an image forming operation to continue until the amount of the developer in said second developer accommodating portion becomes less than the second predetermined amount. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second predetermined amount is smaller than the first predetermined amount and than a capacity of said developer container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third detecting device for detecting a state in which said first developer accommodating portion is capable of accepting an amount of the developer which is not less than a capacity of said developer container; and a display device for displaying that amount of the developer corresponding to an amount corresponding to a plurality of said developer containers can be supplied. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined amount is a capacity of said developer container multiplied by an integer not less than 2. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a state in which said first developer accommodating portion is capable of accepting an amount of the developer which is not less than a capacity of said developer container, is detected, said controller controls said discharging apparatus such that developer discharging speed is higher than a normal discharging speed.