Toner replenishment and collection apparatus and method

• US 6,181,886 B1
• Filed: 12/23/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Commercial Copy Innovations Inc. (Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.))
• Original Assignee: NEXPRESS SOLUTIONS LLC
• Inventors: Hockey, David E., Regelsberger, Matthias H., Garcia, Christopher S., Stern, Philip A., Zimmer, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOSES, RICHARD L
• Application Number:
  US09/471,787
• Time in Patent Office: 404 Days
• Field of Search: 399/35, 399/34, 399/358, 399/359, 399/360
• US Class Current: 399/35
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/12 Toner waste containers

Abstract

An apparatus and method for replenishing toner and collecting used toner in an electrostatographic machine. The apparatus includes a replenishment hopper having a supply of fresh toner. A development device feeds toner onto a recording member having an electrostatic image to be developed. A feeding device feeds fresh toner to the development device from a replenishment bottle. A replenishment motor drives the feeding device to feed fresh toner to the development device. A collection container or bottle collects used toner removed from a recording member. A controller tracks a first accumulated motor operating on-time and is programmed to compare the operating on-time with a first pre-programmed value for determining when the collection container is to be emptied or to be replaced or that the machine is to be cycled down. The controller also tracks a second accumulated motor operating on-time for determining when the replenishment bottle is to be replaced.

Claims

1. In an electrostatographic machine, an apparatus for replenishing toner and collecting used toner, the apparatus comprising:

a replenishment hopper having a supply of fresh toner;

a development device for depositing toner onto a recording member having an electrostatic image to be developed;

a feeding device for feeding fresh toner to the development device;

a driver for driving the feeding device to feed fresh toner to the development device;

a collection container for collecting used toner removed from a recording member; and

a controller for tracking a first accumulated driver operating on-time and being programmed to compare the first accumulated operating on-time with a first pre-programmed value for determining when the container is to be emptied or to be replaced and providing a signal to indicate that the container is full or to be emptied or to be replaced.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the controller tracks a second accumulated driver operating on-time and is programmed to compare the second accumulated operating on-time with a second pre-programmed value to determine when the supply of fresh toner is empty.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the driver is a motor and the motor operating on-time is regulated by pulse-width modulation.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the driver is a motor and the feeding device is an auger.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the driver is a motor and the motor operating on-time is regulated by pulse-width modulation.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the controller is programmed to compare the first accumulated motor operating on-time with a third pre-programmed value that is greater than the first pre-programmed value and if the amount of the first accumulated operating on-time is greater than or equal to the third pre-programmed value, the controller provides a signal to cycle down the apparatus.

7. In an electrostatographic machine, a method for replenishing toner and collecting used toner, the method comprising:

providing a replenishment hopper having a supply of fresh toner;

operating a development device for depositing toner onto a recording member having an electrostatic image to be developed;

driving a feeding device and feeding fresh toner to the development device;

collecting used toner in a collection container; and

tracking a first accumulated driver operating on-time and comparing the first accumulated operating on-time with a first pre-programmed value for determining when the container is full or to be emptied or to be replaced and providing a signal to indicate that the container is fill or to be emptied or to be replaced.

8. The method according to claim 7 and comparing a second accumulated operating on-time with a second pre-programmed value to determine when the supply of fresh toner is empty.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first and second accumulated operating on-times is accumulated from different events.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the feeding device includes a motor and the operating on-time of the motor is regulated by pulse-width modulation.

11. The method according to claim 7 wherein the feeding device includes a motor and the operating on-time of the motor is regulated by pulse-width modulation.

12. The method according to claim 11 and comparing the first accumulated motor operating on-time with a third pre-programmed value that is greater than the first pre-programmed value and if the amount of the first accumulated operating on-time is greater than or equal to the third value, a signal is provided to cycle down the machine.

13. In an electrostatographic machine, a method for replenishing toner and collecting used toner, the method comprising:

providing a replenishment hopper having a supply of fresh toner;

operating a development device for depositing toner onto a recording member having an electrostatic image to be developed;

driving a feeding device and feeding fresh toner to the development device;

collecting used toner in a collection container; and

tracking a first accumulated driver operating on-time and comparing the first accumulated operating on-time with a first pre-programmed value for determining when the container is full or to be emptied or to be replaced and providing a signal to cycle down the machine.

14. The method according to claim 13 and comparing a second accumulated operating on-time with a second pre-programmed value to determine when the supply of fresh toner is empty.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the first and second accumulated operating on-times is accumulated from different events.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the feeding device includes a motor and the operating on-time of the motor is regulated by pulse-width modulation.

17. The method according to claim 13 wherein the feeding device includes a motor and the operating on-time of the motor is regulated by pulse-width modulation.