Image forming apparatus and developing unit

Details Image forming apparatus and developing unit Image forming apparatus and developing unit

2007-07-24

2007-07-24

Brase, Sandra L. (Department: 2852)

Electrophotography

Diagnostics

Consumable

C399S258000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10976774

ABSTRACT:
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing device including a developer reservoir for accommodating a mixed developer. The mixed developer includes a plurality of types of toner having a generally identical hue and different reflection densities. The apparatus also includes a replenishment device having a plurality of toner containers each accommodating one of the plurality of types of toner for replenishing the plurality of types of toner to the developer reservoir; a first detector for detecting whether each of the toner containers is completely empty of toner; and a second detector for detecting whether the developer reservoir is nearly or completely empty of mixed developer. A controller controls the replenishment device and allows or prohibits a printing operation based on the detection result of the first and the second detectors.

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Japanese Notification of Reasons for Refusal mailed on Sep. 19, 2006.
Japanese Notification of Reasons for Refusal mailed on Oct. 31, 2006.

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