# US 2019/0171133 A1 · Toner supply device and 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 2019/0171133 A1 - Document ID: US20190171133A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/160,774 - Filed: 2018-10-15 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-04 - Assignees: Konica Minolta, Inc. - Applicants: Konica Minolta, Inc. - Inventors: Hideji HAYASHI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190171133A1 ## CPC - G03G 15/104: {Preparing, mixing, transporting or dispensing developer} - G03G 15/0877: {Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit} - G03G 15/556: {for toner consumption, e.g. pixel counting, toner coverage detection or toner density measurement} - G03G 2215/066: Toner cartridge or other attachable and detachable container for supplying developer material to replace the used material - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A toner supply device includes a toner container, a detector, and a determiner. The toner container is configured to contain toner to be supplied to a developing device. The toner container is capable of discharging a prescribed amount of toner contained therein. The detector is configured to detect an amount of toner to be supplied to the developing device. The determiner is configured to estimate a timing at which toner remaining in the toner container is completely consumed, based on a driving amount applied for discharging toner from the toner container during a time period from when the prescribed amount of toner is discharged from the toner container until when the detector detects an amount of toner equal to the prescribed amount of toner. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A toner supply device comprising: a toner container in which toner to be supplied to a developing device is contained, the toner container being capable of discharging a prescribed amount of toner contained therein; a detector configured to detect an amount of toner to be supplied to the developing device; and a determiner configured to estimate a timing at which toner remaining in the toner container is completely consumed, based on a driving amount applied for discharging toner from the toner container during a time period from when the prescribed amount of toner is discharged from the toner container until when the detector detects an amount of toner equal to the prescribed amount of toner. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the driving amount is a cumulative rotation speed or a cumulative rotation time of the toner container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the toner container includes a first container portion in which the prescribed amount of toner is contained. and the determiner is configured to estimate a timing at which toner remaining in the toner container is completely consumed, based on the driving amount applied during a time period from when the prescribed amount of toner is discharged from the first container portion until when the detector detects an amount of toner equal to the prescribed amount of toner. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The toner supply device according to claim 3, wherein the toner container further includes a second container portion, the toner container is configured to rotate in a normal rotation direction to discharge toner contained in the first container portion, the toner container is configured to rotate in a reverse rotation direction to discharge toner contained in the second container portion, and the determiner is configured to estimate a timing at which toner contained in the second container portion is completely consumed, based on the driving amount applied during a time period from when the prescribed amount of toner is discharged from the first container port ion until when the detector detects an amount of toner equal to the prescribed amount of toner. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The toner supply device according to claim 4, wherein the first container portion and the second container portion are disposed side by side in an axis direction of the toner container formed in a cylindrical shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the toner container has an inner wall formed in a spiral shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The toner supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a toner storage unit in which toner discharged from the toner container is stored, wherein the toner storage unit is capable of storing the prescribed amount of toner. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The toner supply device according to claim 7, wherein the toner container is configured to refrain from discharging toner to the toner storage unit during a time period from when the prescribed amount of toner is discharged from the toner container to the toner storage unit until when the detector detects an amount of toner equal to the prescribed amount of toner. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An image forming apparatus comprising: the toner supply device according to claim 1; and a container accommodating unit in which the toner container is accommodated. ### Claim 10 A toner supply device comprising: a toner container in which toner to be supplied to a developing device is contained, the toner container being capable of discharging a prescribed amount of toner contained therein; a supply unit configured to supply toner to the developing device; a detector configured to detect an amount of toner to be supplied to the developing device; and a determiner configured to estimate a timing a t which toner remaining in the toner container is completely consumed, based on a driving amount for the supply unit applied during a time period from when the prescribed amount of toner is discharged from the toner container until when the detector detects an amount of toner equal to fire prescribed amount of toner. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The toner supply device according to claim 10, wherein the supply unit is a conveyance screw provided downstream from the toner container, and the driving amount is a cumulative rotation speed or a cumulative rotation time of the conveyance screw. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The toner supply device according to claim 10, wherein the toner container includes a first container portion in which the prescribed amount of toner is contained. and the determiner is configured to estimate a timing at which toner remaining in the toner container is completely consumed, based on the driving amount applied during a time period from when the prescribed amount of toner is discharged from the first container portion until when the detector detects an amount of toner equal to the prescribed amount of toner. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The toner supply device according to claim 12, wherein the toner container further includes a second container portion, the toner container is configured to rotate in a normal rotation direction to discharge toner contained in the first container portion, the toner container is configured to rotate in a reverse rotation direction to discharge toner contained in the second container portion, and the determiner is configured to estimate a timing at which toner contained in the second container portion is completely consumed, based on the driving amount applied during a time period from when the prescribed amount, of toner is discharged from the first container portion until when the detector detects an amount of toner equal to the prescribed amount of toner. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The toner supply device according to claim 13, wherein the first container portion and the second container portion are disposed side by side in an axis direction of the toner container formed in a cylindrical shape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The toner supply device according to claim 10, wherein the toner container has an inner wall formed in a spiral shape. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The toner supply device according to claim 10, further comprising a toner storage unit in which toner discharged from the toner container is stored, wherein the toner storage unit is capable of storing the prescribed amount of toner. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The toner supply device according to claim 16, wherein the toner container is configured to refrain from discharging toner to the toner storage unit during a time period from when the prescribed amount of loner is discharged from the toner container to the toner storage unit until when the detector detects an amount of toner equal to the prescribed amount of toner. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) An image forming apparatus comprising: the toner supply device according to claim 10; and a container accommodating unit in which the toner container is accommodated.