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:
Dec. 19, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 22, 1993
Masanobu Maeshima, Osaka, JP;
Hiroshi Kubota, Osaka, JP;
Koichi Yasuda, Osaka, JP;
Shigeki Hayashi, Osaka, JP;
Masahiro Hashizume, Osaka, JP;
Kyocera Mita Corporation, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
The image-forming machine has an electrostatic latent image-bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image will be formed and an exchangeable developing unit. The developing unit includes a developing housing, a developing agent contained in the developing unit and a developing agent applicator for applying the developing agent onto the surface of the electrostatic latent image-bearing member. A counter is provided that counts the number of times the developing unit has been used and that can be reset. In the developing unit is disposed a developing agent depletion detector that detects the depletion of the developing agent. The developing unit further has a reset that resets the counter when the use of the developing unit is started. When the developing agent depletion detector has detected the depletion of the developing agent, a developing unit exchange signal is formed to indicate that the developing unit be renewed. The developing unit exchange signal is formed even when the counter has counted a predetermined number that corresponds to the life of the developing unit.