Patent ID: 6535699
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A developer container for containing a developer, comprising:(a) a first detecting member which is an electrode member having a pair of input-side and output-side electrodes formed in parallel and in one plane at a predetermined interval for detecting the capacitance between the electrodes and which has a measurement-side electrode that is in contact with the developer and a reference electrode that is out of contact with the developer; (b) a developer removing member for removing any developer adhering to a detection region of the first detecting member; and (c) a second detecting member formed of a conductive material for detecting the capacitance between the second detecting member and a developer bearing member, wherein a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus first detects the developer amount partway from a start of use of the developer container based on detection information from the first detecting member, and then detects the developer amount based on detection information from the second detecting member.