Toner replenishment and collection apparatus and method

摘要

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.