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. 08, 1993
Filed:
Apr. 17, 1992
Tetsuo Matsushita, Shinshiro, JP;
Shoji Kashiwagi, Okazaki, JP;
Tsuneo Kitagawa, Toyohashi, JP;
Hiromitsu Saijo, Toyokawa, JP;
Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus is provided with a developing unit for making a visible image out of an electrostatic latent image with use of developer. The apparatus has a determination unit for making a determination as to whether the developer is stored or not in the developing unit, a supply unit for supplying the developer from a bottle detachably provided to body of the apparatus to the developing unit, and a control unit for actuating supply operation by the supply unit when it is determined by the determination unit that no developer is stored in the developing unit.