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US 7,444,093 B2Granted
Liquid toner concentration detecting device and method with window in toner container for light passage
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorsNobumasa Abe, Ken Ikuma
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A first container is operable to accommodate a liquid toner, and provided with a window. A reflector is disposed in the first container. A light emitter is operable to emit light to the reflector through the window and the liquid toner. A light receiver is operable to receive the light reflected by the reflector through the liquid toner and the window. A detector is operable to detect a concentration of the liquid toner based on the light received by the light receiver.
Claims15
A liquid toner concentration detecting device comprising:
- a first container, operable to accommodate a liquid toner, and provided with a window;
- a reflector, disposed in the first container;
- a light emitter, operable to emit light to the reflector through the window and the liquid toner;
- a light receiver, operable to receive the light reflected by the reflector through the liquid and the window;
- and
- a detector, operable to detect a concentration of the liquid toner based on the light received by the light receiver, wherein
- the first container is communicated with a development device, which has a second container adapted to accommodate the liquid toner and a developer causing the liquid toner to adhere onto an image carrier to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier as a toner image,
- the first container is identical with the second container,
- a supply roller is formed with a groove adapted to accommodate the liquid toner and is operable to supply the liquid toner to the developer, and
- a part of the supply roller, not having the groove, serves as the reflector.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.