Consumables storage container, image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and service control system
AssigneeRicoh Company, Ltd.
InventorNaoyuki Okamoto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A consumables storage container has an opening through which consumables are supplied. The consumables storage container includes a seal detachably attached to the opening to seal the opening, a part ID storage disposed on the seal, and a positioning holder to position and hold the seal at a prescribed position where the part ID storage is readable after the opening is unsealed.
Claims11
A consumables storage container comprising:
- an opening through which consumables are supplied to the exterior of the consumables storage container;
- a seal detachably attachable to the opening to seal the opening;
- a part ID storage disposed on the seal;
- and
- a positioning holder to position and hold the seal at a prescribed position where the art ID storage is readable after the opening is unsealed.
5-9. (canceled)
A service controlling system connecting the image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6 to one of a maintenance division and a maintenance service station, said service controlling system comprising:
- a part ID information transmitter to transmit part ID information read in the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus;
- and
- a part ID information receiver to receive the part ID information from the image forming apparatus,
- wherein said one of maintenance division and maintenance service station controls an inventory of consumables based on the part ID information.
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- an image bearer to bear a latent image;
- a developing device to develop the latent image on the image bearer, and
- a part ID reader to read part ID information stored in the part ID storage included in the seal after the opening is unsealed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.