Patent ID: 8068748
Filing Date: 2011-11-29
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A method for sensing an amount of a material in a container held in a horizontal position within a machine the method comprising: sensing by a level sensor an amount of the material within a dispensing unit which causes the level sensor to issue a signal, the dispensing unit being external to the container; rotating the container holding the material in a rotation direction reverse to a direction to dispense the material, wherein the reverse rotation direction moves the material to a closed end of the container; rotating the container in a forward rotation direction following the rotating of the container in the reverse rotation direction, wherein the forward rotation direction moves the material to an open end of the container; moving the material from the open end of the container into the dispensing unit; generating a signal indicating a sufficient amount of material is in the dispensing unit; determining a time period representing a time it took to move the material from the closed end of the container, until the signal indicating the sufficient amount of material is in the dispensing unit; and estimating the amount of the material in the container, by use of the determined time period.