TONER FEED MEANS FOR A DEVELOPER STATION OF A PRINTER OR A PHOTOCOPIER

摘要

PCT No. PCT/DE96/01144 Sec. 371 Date Sep. 4, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Sep. 4, 1998 PCT Filed Jun. 27, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97/16769 PCT Pub. Date May 9, 1997A pneumatic toner feed mechanism for a developer station of a printer or copier is disclosed. The feed mechanism includes at least two storage containers which are separately allocated to the developer chambers of the developer station. The toner storage containers act as intermediate storage units which are linked to the developer chambers of the developer station by supply ducts. Toner is supplied from bottle-shaped transport containers by a vacuum transport mechanism to the toner storage containers. The transport mechanism includes controllable solenoid valves. The toner level is detected by way of a control mechanism that preferably includes associated capacitive sensors. When a level of toner in a storage container exceeds a predetermined level, the associated valves are opened thereby eliminating the vacuum and associated automatic toner refill. A controller or control means may include a priority control system which preferably refills the toner of the main printing color.