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:
Apr. 28, 2009
Filed:
Sep. 21, 2006
Toshiki Takiguchi, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Kazuhiro Matsuyama, Ikoma, JP;
Hirokazu Yamauchi, Uji, JP;
Hiroyuki Murai, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Yuji Kumagai, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Toshiki Takiguchi, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Kazuhiro Matsuyama, Ikoma, JP;
Hirokazu Yamauchi, Uji, JP;
Hiroyuki Murai, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Yuji Kumagai, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus for executing image forming process on a page by page basis including: a toner image forming section for producing a visible image formed of toner as a toner image on an image carrier; a transfer section which performs a transfer process for transferring the formed toner image onto a recording medium; a cleaning section which removes toner remaining on the image carrier after the transfer process; a waste toner storing section in which the removed toner is accumulated; and a waste toner amount detecting section which detects an amount of the toner accumulated in the waste toner storing section on the basis of at least three detection levels.