The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 26, 2018
Filed:
Apr. 11, 2017
Kyocera Document Solutions Inc., Osaka, JP;
Masayuki Mochizuki, Osaka, JP;
Tsuyoshi Terada, Osaka, JP;
KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion, a lock mechanism, an image forming unit, a first detection processing unit, a second detection processing unit, a first release processing unit, and a second release processing unit. The first detection processing unit detects a first state where a remaining amount of the developer is less than a predetermined first reference amount. The second detection processing unit detects a second state where the remaining amount of the developer is equal to or more than the first reference amount and less than a predetermined second reference amount. The second reference amount is larger than the first reference amount. The first release processing unit releases the regulation on the attachment/removal of the developer housing portion when the first state is detected. The second release processing unit releases the regulation when unit the second state is detected and a predetermined release condition is met.