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. 17, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 04, 2001
Matthew Christopher Coriale, Lexington, KY (US);
Jonathan Carey Frey, Lexington, KY (US);
Harald Portig, Versailles, KY (US);
John Parker Richey, Lexington, KY (US);
Wen-hsiung Adam Tseng, Lexington, KY (US);
Liqun Larry Wang, Lexington, KY (US);
Lexmark International, Inc., Lexington, KY (US);
Abstract
Waste toner is detected in a container of an image forming apparatus. An auger is provided within the container. A switch is provided which is operable depending upon a torque associated with operation of the auger. A frequency of activation of the switch is detected. A “not full”, “near full” and “full” condition of the waste toner in the container is determined depending upon the frequency of activation of the switch.