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. 25, 1996
Filed:
Aug. 10, 1993
Yoji Houki, Kawasaki, JP;
Makoto Matsuoka, Kawasaki, JP;
Takeo Kojima, Kawasaki, JP;
Akira Takahashi, Kawasaki, JP;
Mitsuhito Furukawa, Ryouzen-machi, JP;
Hiroshi Kera, Fukushima, JP;
Fujitsu Limited, Kawasaki, JP;
Fujitsu Isotec Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus having a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum with a one-component toner, consisting of an endless latent image carrier; an image forming unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier; a developing unit, for causing the developing roller to contact the image carrier to develop the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier; a mechanism for driving the developing unit; a toner sensor for detecting the presence/absence of the toner in the developing unit; and an abutting/detaching mechanism for abutting or detaching the developing roller of the developing unit on or from the image carrier. According to one aspect of this invention, this apparatus further has a controller for executing an image forming mode to control image formation in response to an image forming instruction, and a developer supply mode for, with the developing roller set apart from the image carrier, driving the driving mechanism to supply the toner to the developing roller in accordance with an output of the toner sensor indicating an insufficient amount of the toner.