Cartridge discriminating system

The present invention relates to a system for making discriminations between cartridges for housing toners to be equipped on image forming apparatus such as electrostatic copiers, laser beam printers, facsimiles, etc. in which while a cartridge indicating means is provided on a part of a toner housing cartridge, an indication detecting means for detecting the aforementioned cartridge indicating means is provided on the image forming apparatus proper side, so that the suitability of the type or position of the cartridge inserted is detected by detecting the cartridge indicating means by the aforementioned detecting means, when the cartridge has been inserted into the cartridge inserting part of the image forming apparatus proper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a system for making discriminations 
between cartridges for housing toners to be equipped on image forming 
apparatus such as electrostatic copiers, laser beam printers, facsimiles, 
etc. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Supplementing toner into an image forming apparatus such as aforementioned 
is done in many cases with a cartridge housing toners therein (hereinafter 
merely referred to as cartridge) loaded in a cartridge inserting part of 
the image forming apparatus. 
Such a cartridge is sealed on its toner supplementing port with a flexible 
sheet folded in two plies. Accordingly, when supplementing the toner, this 
cartridge is loaded in the cartridge inserting part such as a toner 
hopper, etc., on the developing device side. Thereafter, the toner 
supplementing port is unsealed by stripping off the aforementioned 
flexible sheet by pulling its turned-up portion, thereby charging the 
toner into the toner hopper. 
Such a conventional toner supplementing device involved following problems: 
Conventional toner supplementing devices are of a structure such that even 
if the loading of a cartridge in a toner hopper is somewhat imperfect, the 
flexible sheet is strippable. For this reason, the toner supplementing 
port will be sometimes inadvertently unsealed, not withstanding the 
cartridge has not been properly loaded. As the consequence, the toner 
sometimes scatters through clearances. Particularly, during the image 
treating operation, the toner has sometimes been blown and leaked out due 
to the cooling air inside the image forming apparatus or the revolution of 
toner supplementing rollers, etc. 
Cartridges are often so composed as to have a common size, so that their 
components may be put to common use with different types of image forming 
apparatuses. Accordingly, when various types of image forming apparatuses 
are available, there has been a possibility of supplementing toners which 
are different in properties and color, etc. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, a first object of this invention is to detect the cartridge 
inserted in the cartridge inserting part of an image forming apparatus, to 
see whether or not it has been inserted to its appropriate position, 
thereby enabling prevention of blow-out leakage of toner. 
Further, a second object of this invention is to detect the inserted 
cartridge, to see whether or not it is an appropriate cartridge having the 
desired toner housed therein. In that way, it becomes possible to 
supplement a toner of the specified properties or color, thereby averting 
the trouble of allowing different types of toners to be mixed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In the following description of embodiments, a copier is explained as a 
typical example of image forming apparatuses. This invention is, of 
course, applicable to laser beam printers and facsimilies, and other image 
forming apparatuses 
In a first embodiment, a magnetism producing means exemplifying a cartridge 
indicating means is provided in a part of a hollow container for housing a 
powder toner, so that the existence or type of a cartridge may be detected 
by sensing the magnetism coming from said magnetism producing means and, 
moreover, that the copying operation may be stopped so as to avoid 
producing reject. 
In the following, detailed explanation is given using accompanying 
drawings. 
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the whole of a cartridge. 
Both ends of a hollow cylinder 1 for housing powder toner in its interior 
are closed with resin made covers 2, 3 and on the covers 2, there is 
provided a handle part 4 for turning the opening part 5a of the cartridge 
toward the toner supplying port of a developing section, after inserting 
the cartridge into the copier. The opening part 5a is sealed with a 
sealing member 5 which is to be stripped off, after the cartridge has been 
loaded in a copier. 
In a part of the cartridge, a magnetism producing means 6 such as permanent 
magnet is provided. And the position where the aforementioned magnetism 
producing means is placed is where it is nearest to and facing a lead 
switch 8 being an example of magnetism detecting members mounted on a 
copier, when the cartridge has been brought under its toner supplementing 
state by inserting it into the cartridge inserting part, as shown by an 
arrow 7. 
Just as the lead switch 8 has sensed the magnetism, the copier operates. 
But if it has not sensed any magnetism, indication is made by whatever 
means that the cartridge is absent or that it is not inserted to its 
normal position. The operation of the copier may be stopped, as the case 
may be, lest unacceptable image be erroneously formed For this purpose, a 
well-known mechanism which makes the indication as well as making the 
copier immovable, when no paper feeding cassette nor copying paper of the 
copier exists, is applicable. 
As magnetism producing means, normally well-known permanent magnets, 
electromagnets, magnetic cards, etc., may be employed. As a simple and low 
cost means, a plate shape rubber magnet may be utilized. And for the 
magnetism detecting members, lead switches, coils, etc., which are 
normally available on the market are often used. Particularly, a 
well-known magnetic head is provided to work with magnetic cards, in this 
instance, enabling the type, date of manufacture of the toner housed or 
the color, in the case of color toners, etc., to be written in. These 
information will be read out by the magnetic head, to conduct functions of 
a copier such as operation, stop and copying speed change, etc 
Or it is also feasible to change the position where a permanent magnet or 
an electromagnet such as abovementioned is placed, depending on the type 
of the toner housed in the cartridge, and to provide indication detecting 
means such as a plurality of lead switches, etc., on the copier side in 
correspondence with these plurality of mounting positions. In this 
instance, arrangement may be made so that the type discrimination of the 
toner housed in may be detected by sensing which indication detecting 
means operates. As other examples of combinations of cartridge indication 
means and indication detecting means, those adapted for detecting such 
patterns as employed in embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-12 may be utilized. 
Further, as a means for making a large capacity of memory storage on a 
small area, like magnetic card, IC card may be mentioned, besides it. As 
characteristics of the toner to be stored on magnetic card or IC card, 
said production date, color of toner, and production related items such as 
guarantee period, manufacturing place, manufacturing machine, lot number, 
etc., or physical properties related items such as various specific 
gravities, grain size distribution, electric resistance, etc., may be 
mentioned. As an indication detecting means provided on the copier side 
for reading out the IC card, a well-known analyzer is used. 
In an embodiment shown in FIG. 2, in part of a hollow container, a 
compartment is formed, to house a developer formed of a toner and a 
carrier. Existence of appropriate toner cartridge is detected by sensing 
the permeability of said developer with a magnetic sensor located on a 
side of the copier proper. 
Generally, a copier is of a structure such that a magnetic sensor called 
toner control sensor for keeping constant the toner concentration in the 
developer is provided in a developing apparatus, to make supplementation 
of toner, when the toner concentration has undergone a change (it normally 
declines). This embodiment takes advantage of this phenomenon; thus, as 
shown in FIG. 2, a small container 9 is provided in a part of a cartridge, 
to house therein a developer consisting of a toner and a carrier being a 
magnetic body which ensures the best conditions for the copier. 
The specified place is where it is brought to a neighborhood of and facing 
a permeability sensor 11 being an example of magnetic sensors mounted on a 
copier, when the toner supplementing state is brought about by loading a 
cartridge in the cartridge inserting section. If the permeability of the 
developer 10, as sensed by a permeability sensor 11, falls within the 
permissible range, as compared with the value of permeability which has 
been preset, the copier will be operated. If values outside this range are 
detected or no permeability is sensed, absence of appropriate cartridge 
will be indicated by whatever means. The copier's operation is to be 
stopped, as the case may be, lest unacceptable image be erroneously 
prepared. Accordingly, the well-known mechanism that makes indication or 
makes the copier inoperable, when no paper feeding cassette or copying 
paper of the copier exists will be usable. If such a permeability sensor 
11 is used in common as an already installed permeability sensor for 
detecting the developer concentration inside the developing apparatus, 
reduction in cost will be further promoted. 
In the devices shown in FIG. 2, same code numbers are used for elements 
common to those shown in FIG. 1 without giving their definitions. 
In the aforementioned embodiment, the suitability of cartridge or whether 
it is adequately inserted or not is detected, when the cartridge is in the 
state of being inserted to the toner supplementing position. However, 
particularly, for detecting the suitability of a cartridge, there is no 
necessity of inserting the cartridge to the toner supplementing position. 
But it is rather desirable to make the judgement of suitability in the 
state that only the tip part of the cartridge is a little inserted. This 
will facilitate the operation. 
In embodiments represented by FIGS. 3-12, this concept is particularly 
taken into account. 
Thus in the following embodiments, while a cartridge indicating means is 
provided on a part of a cartridge for housing toner, an indication 
detecting means for detecting the aforementioned cartridge indicating 
means and a cartridge insertion preventing means for preventing complete 
insertion of the cartridge are provided on the image forming apparatus 
side, so that when the cartridge has been inserted in the cartridge 
inserting part of the image forming apparatus, the type suitability of the 
cartridge inserted is checked by the aforementioned indication detecting 
means; then, only when proper cartridge is inserted, its perfect insertion 
will be permitted by unlocking the aforementioned cartridge insertion 
preventing means; such a cartridge discriminating system is provided. 
In the following, detailed description is made with reference to the 
accompanying drawings: 
In a copier of this embodiment, a plural number of types of toners are 
housed in a common shape cartridge and replenishment of toner is made by 
displacement of the cartridge. Such a copier is, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, 
comprised of an indication 22, being an example of cartridge indicating 
means, which is formed on the outside surface of a cartridge 21 and 
corresponding to the type of toner, an indication detecting means 23 for 
detecting the aforementioned indication 22, when the aforementioned 
cartridge 21 is loaded into the copier not shown in this figure, an 
operation section 30 for selecting and specifying the indication to be 
used as the reference, a reference indication storing means 24 for storing 
the indication to be used as the reference which has been selected and 
specified by the aforementioned operation section 30, a comparing means 25 
for comparing the signal from the aforementioned indication detecting 
means 23 with the information from the reference indication storing means 
24 and a cartridge insertion preventing means 26 for permitting the 
cartridge 21 to be loaded, only when the signal from the aforementioned 
indication detecting means 23 and the information from the reference 
indication storing means 24 are in agreement with each other. 
The aforementioned indication 22 is, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), composed of a 
marker code 22' differentiated corresponding to the type of toner. This 
indication 22 is stuck on the bottom wall 21a at the end part, as seen in 
its loading direction (as shown by arrow 27) into the copier, not shown in 
this figure, of a cartridge 21 formed in a cylindrical shape and having on 
its side wall an opening 21' for supplying toner (sealed with a tape, when 
out of use). 
The aforementioned indication detecting means 23 is composed of a plurality 
of photoelectric reflection type sensors 23', 23', . . . , as shown in 
FIG. 5 (b). And this indication detecting means 23 is provided at a 
position on the front of the later described cover 28, being a component 
of the aforementioned cartridge insertion preventing means 26, and facing 
the marker code 22' of the cartridge 21, when the cartridge 21 is loaded 
into the copier This indication detecting means 23 is connected to the 
input part of the I/0 port 29 (refer to FIG. 3) which is linked to the 
later described CPU 25', being a component of the aforementioned 
comparison means 25. 
Such an indication detecting means 23 detects the type of the cartridge 21 
through combination of output signals from a plurality of photoelectric 
reflection type sensors 23', 23', which make on or off, corresponding to 
the marker code 22' of the cartridge 21, when loaded into the copier 
proper. 
The aforementioned operating section 30 is composed of ten keys 30' (refer 
to FIG. 3) on the operation panel equipped on the copier proper not shown 
in this figure and is connected to the input part of the I/0 port 29. By 
these ten keys 30', a set code corresponding to the marker code 22' of the 
proper cartridge 21 is input to the I/0 port 29. 
The aforementioned reference indication storing means 24 is composed of an 
nonvolatile RAM 24' and is linked to CPU 25'. This nonvolatile RAM 24' is 
used for storing the preset code corresponding to the marker code 22', 
which has been input from the aforementioned ten keys 30' through the I/0 
port 29 and CPU 25'. The preset code may be rewritten, whereby it is 
possible to respond to use of different types of toners. 
The aforementioned comparison means 25 is composed of such memories as ROM 
31, RAM 32, etc., and CPU 25'; it compares the information from the 
indication detecting means 23 which has been entered through the 
aforementioned I/0 port 29 with the preset code stored in the nonvolatile 
RAM 24' and when they are in agreement, delivers an operation signal to 
the later-described solenoid 33 of the cartridge insertion preventing 
means 26. 
The aforementioned cartridge insertion preventing means 26 is equipped with 
a set switch 35 as shown in FIG. 4, located in the neighborhood of the 
cartridge inserting part 34 of a copier proper, not shown in this figure. 
This set switch 35 is adapted to detect the aforementioned cartridge 21, 
when its end has been inserted into the cartridge inserting section, 
thereupon to start reading of the information from the aforementioned 
indication detecting means 23; it is connected to the input port of the 
aforementioned I/0 port 29. 
On the shaft 36 placed upward of the aforementioned cartridge inserting 
part 34, a cover 28 for opening--closing said cartridge inserting part 34 
is movably slung to make free opening--closing. On the front of this cover 
28, the indication detecting means 23 is mounted, as hereabove described. 
Further, at one end part (free end) of the cover 28, a part to be engaged 
28' is formed. 
Downward of the aforementioned cartridge inserting part 34, a solenoid 33 
is fitted. On the armature of this solenoid 33, there is provided an 
engaging part 33' which engages with the part 28' to be engaged. Numeral 
37 is a reset spring for the aforementioned armature. The aforementioned 
solenoid 33 is connected with the output port of the aforementioned I/0 
port 29. 
When the aforementioned solenoid 33 is in off state, the aforementioned 
cover 28 is prevented from opening, with the engaging part 33' engaging 
with the part to be engaged 28'(the state shown by a real line in FIG. 4) 
When it is on state, their engagement is undone, making the cover freely 
openable, whereby loading of cartridge 21 is permitted (the state shown in 
FIG. 4 by a double dotted chain line). 
Next, the operation of the apparatus composed as hereabove-described is 
described based on flow charts given in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. 
Here, the codes S1, S2, . . . , etc., in FIG. 6 show the numbers of 
respective process (step). 
First, in order to select and specify, as an initial presetting, only the 
cartridge 21 in which a certain type of toner the user is to use is 
housed, the preset code corresponding to the marker code 22' of said 
cartridge 21 is in-putted by operating the ten keys 30'. Said preset code 
is, then, stored in the nonvolatile RAM 24'. 
Next, as an operator is to load a new cartridge into the copier proper, 
after drawing out a used cartridge, when replacing toner, an end part of 
said cartridge abuts on the set switch 35, as shown by a real line in FIG. 
4; as a consequence, the set switch 35 is made on. At the same time, the 
marker code 22' of the cartridge 21 and the indication detecting means 23 
on the cover 28 approach and face each other (S1) As a result, the 
information of the marker code 22' on the cartridge 21 is read into CPU 
25' from the aforementioned indication detecting means 23 through the I/0 
port 29 (S2). 
The aforementioned CPU 25' makes a comparison between the information of 
the aforementioned marker code 22' and the preset code of the 
aforementioned nonvolatile RAM 24'. When both codes are in agreement with 
each other (S3), the solenoid 33 is made on (S4) through I/0 port 29. Then 
the engagement between the part 28' to be engaged of the cover 28 and the 
engaging part 33' of the solenoid 33 is undone; consequently, the cover 28 
is brought into openable state. 
As a result, the cartridge 21 pushes and opens the cover 28 by its end 
part, for it to be loaded into the copier proper (the state shown by a 
double dotted chain line in FIG. 2). 
At this time, the set switch 35 stays being in its on state, while the 
indication detecting means 23 fitted on the cover 28 detects a part other 
than the marker code 22'(a state identical to that in which the 
information of the marker code 22' and the preset code in the nonvolatile 
RAM 24' are not in agreement with each other, as later described, is 
brought about); therefore, the solenoid 33 is made off and reset to its 
state shown by a real line in FIG. 4 by dint of the repulsive force of the 
spring 37. 
On the other hand, when the information of the marker code 22' and the 
preset code of the nonvolatile RAM 24' are not in agreement (S3), that is, 
when an inadequate cartridge 21 has been inserted, the solenoid 33 will 
not be made on, but remain in its off state (S5). Accordingly, the 
engagement between the part to be engaged 28' of the cover 8 and the 
engaging part 33' of the solenoid 33 is not undone. Consequently, the end 
part of the cartridge 1 can not push and open the aforementioned cover 28; 
thus, the cartridge cannot be loaded into the copier proper. 
That is to say, loading into the copier proper of cartridges other than 
those whose codes have been registered beforehand will be all prevented. 
Next, when the aforementioned cartridge 21 is drawn out in the direction of 
the arrow 38, in order to take said cartridge 21 out of the copier proper, 
the cover 28 will swing downward, to restore its former state (the state 
shown by a real line in FIG. 4) by its own weight or by the action of a 
spring not shown in this figure. 
And when the indication detecting means 23 on the cover 28 has reached the 
position where it again faces the marker code 22' of the cartridge 1, the 
information of said marker code 22' is again read into CPU 25' from the 
aforementioned indication detecting means 23; then, since it is in 
agreement with the preset code of the nonvolatile RAM 24', the solenoid 33 
is made on. Thereby, the cover 28 returns to the real line position shown 
in FIG. 4. 
As the aforementioned cartridge 21 has been completely taken out, the 
aforementioned solenoid 33 is again made off, so that it is restored to 
its former state by the repulsive force of the spring 37. Thus the part 
28' to be engaged of the cover 28 and the engaging part 33' of the 
solenoid 33 are locked, making the cover 28 unable to open (the cartridge 
insertion preventing state is brought about). 
As hereabove described, in this embodiment, it is not only possible to 
freely select and specify any appropriate one from among a plurality of 
cartridges by the use of ten keys 30', but once a cartridge is selected 
and specified by the aforementioned operation section 30, loading of 
cartridges 21 other than the specified one is all prevented. 
While in the aforementioned embodiment, the operation section 30 and the 
reference indication storing means 24 (refer to FIG. 1) are composed of 
ten keys 30' and an nonvolatile RAM 24', respectively, it is also feasible 
to compose them in such a way as to input the preset code, using a DIP 
switch 39, to be stored by hard-ware as shown in FIG. 7. 
Further, in the aforementioned embodiment, while the solenoid 23 is off, 
when the cartridge 21 is loaded in the copier proper, even though the 
preset switch 35 is on, it is possible to keep the aforementioned solenoid 
33 always in its on state, so long as the set switch 35 is on, even when 
the cartridge 21 is loaded in the copier proper. 
The processing procedure of this case is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 8. 
This flow chart gives a composition such that when the set switch 35 is in 
its off state, the solenoid 13 is also off. 
Next, a modified form 26' of the cartridge insertion preventing means 26 is 
explained, based on FIG. 9. 
The cartridge insertion preventing means 26' is nearly similar in basic 
structure as the aforementioned one shown in FIG. 4. 
In said cartridge insertion preventing means 26', a bevel 33b is formed on 
the top surface of the engaging part 33a of the solenoid 33. Further, on 
the part of the cover 28 for hanging it by a shaft 36, a spring 40 for 
restoring the cover 28 is provided. The elastic biasing force of said 
spring 40 is so set that it can push down the armature in defiance of the 
elastic biasing force of the spring 37 attached to the solenoid 33. 
Since the cartridge insertion preventing means 26' is composed as 
hereabove-described, the solenoid 33 need not be made on as in the case of 
the aforementioned cartridge insertion preventing means 6, when the cover 
28 is restored to its former state (the state shown by a real line in FIG. 
9). Thus the aforementioned cover 28 can recover its former state, while 
getting the part 28' to be engaged of said cover 28 abutting on and 
pressuring downward the aforementioned bevel part 33b by elastic biasing 
force of spring 40. 
The processing procedure when the aforementioned cartridge insertion 
preventing means 26' is used is shown in a flow chart of FIG. 10. 
According to this flow chart, the system is so composed that when the set 
switch 35 is in off state or when the information code from the indication 
detect means 23 in the comparing means 25 does not coincide with the set 
code stored in the nonvolatile RAM 24', the solenoid 33 be made off. 
The indication 22 of aforementioned embodiment and the indication detecting 
means 23 (refer to FIGS. 5 (a) and (b)) may be composed of a printed 
pattern 22a and a CCD sensor 23a for detecting said pattern 22a (refer to 
FIGS. 11 (a) and (b)), or an undulatingly configured logo mark 22b and a 
plurality of juxtaposed microswitches 23b, 23b, . . . for detecting the 
undulating configuration of said logo mark 22b (refer to FIGS. 12 (a), 
(b), (c) and (d)) and so forth. For the aforementioned pattern, those 
differing in lightness or those with colors may be contemplated. As the 
indication detecting means in aforementioned embodiments, photosensors for 
detecting the light and shade or those for detecting colors may be 
employed. 
Such cartridge indicating means and indication detecting means for 
detecting them shown in FIGS. 5, 11 and 12 are of course applicable to the 
embodiment shown in FIG. 1. 
The aforementioned embodiment is so composed that the stored data may be 
freely up-dated, using an nonvolatile RAM 24 or a DIP switch 39 as a 
reference indication storing means, but use of ROM is permissible, when 
up-dating of the stored data is unnecessary or when exchange of storage 
element will do. 
In the following, embodiments for preventing to select wrong color of toner 
are described with reference to FIGS. 13-15. In this instance, as for the 
cartridge insertion preventing means, the one shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 9 
may be utilized as it is; therefore, its detailed explanation is omitted. 
This embodiment is characterized in that the cartridge indication means is 
a transparent window formed in the cartridge and that the indication 
detecting means is a color sensor. 
This embodiment is comprised, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, of a cartridge 
41 equipped with a transparent window 42 which enables observance from 
outside of the color toner housed in this cartridge 41, an indication 
detecting means 43 for detecting the color of the color toner inside the 
cartridge 41 through the aforementioned transparent window 42, when the 
aforementioned cartridge 41 is loaded into a copier proper not shown in 
these figures, a reference color storing means 44, being an example of 
reference indication storing means, for storing the preset code 
corresponding to the color selected as the reference, a comparison means 
45 for making comparison between the signal from the aforementioned 
detecting means 43 and the information from the reference color storing 
means 44 and a cartridge insertion preventing means 26 (FIG. 4) or 
26'(FIG. 9) which permits loading of the cartridge 1, only when the signal 
from the aforementioned detecting means 43 and the information of the 
reference color storing means 44 is in agreement with each other. 
The aforementioned transparent window 42 is, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), is 
sealed with a transparent film. The cartridge 41 has a toner supplying 
opening part 41' (sealed with a tape, when not in use) formed in its 
periphery and the aforementioned transparent window 42 formed in the 
bottom wall 41a of the end part, as seen in its loading direction (the 
arrow direction 47) toward the copier proper not shown in this figure. 
The aforementioned indication detecting means 43 is composed of color 
sensors 43a, 43b and 43c consisting of photodiodes with blue, red and 
yellow filters attached and a light emitting part, as shown in FIG. 13 
(b). These color sensors of the indication detecting means 43 are 
juxtaposed on the front surface of the cover 28, being a component of the 
aforementioned cartridge insertion preventing means 26 or 26', and are to 
be brought to a position where they face the transparent window 42 of the 
cartridge 41, when the cartridge 41 is loaded into the copier proper. 
Further, this indication detecting means 43 is, as shown in FIG. 14 is 
connected through amplifiers 49', 49', 49' to the input part of the I/0 
port 49 linked to CPU 45' being a component of the aforementioned 
comparing means 45. 
The aforementioned reference color storing means 44 is composed of an 
nonvolatile RAM 44' and is connected to CPU 45'. This nonvolatile RAM 44' 
is adapted for storing the preset code corresponding to the color of the 
color toner to be used. 
The aforementioned comparison means 45 is composed of such memories as ROM 
51, RAM 52, etc., and CPU 45', compares the information inputted from the 
detecting means 43 through the aforementioned amplifiers 49', 49', 49' and 
I/0 port 49 with the preset code in the involatile RAM 44'. And when they 
are in agreement with each other, the comparison means 45 will deliver an 
operation signal to the solenoid 33 of the cartridge insertion preventing 
means 26. 
Since the operation of this embodiment is quite similar to those 
represented by flow charts shown in the aforementioned FIGS. 6, 8 and 10, 
its explanation is omitted. And a block diagram representing its operation 
when a DIP switch 39 is used as the reference color storing means is 
presented as in FIG. 15. 
In the embodiment described hereunder, a data (indication) intrinsic to the 
developing device is attached to the developing equipment and this data 
and the indication attached to a cartridge are referenced to each other 
and when they are in agreement with each other, the state in which the 
toner supplementation is possible is evidenced. 
Thus this embodiment may be summarized as a cartridge discriminating system 
for image forming apparatus replaceably equipped with a developing 
equipment for developing static latent image by supplying toner to a 
photoreceptor, in which while a cartridge indicating means is provided on 
a part of a cartridge for housing toner, a developing equipment indicating 
means is provided on a part of the developing equipment; and while an 
indication detecting means which detects the aforementioned cartridge 
indication means is provided on the image forming apparatus proper side, 
there is provided a developing equipment detecting means for detecting the 
aforementioned developing equipment, when the aforementioned developing 
equipment is attached to the image forming apparatus proper, so that when 
the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge inserting part of the image 
forming apparatus proper, the suitability of the type of the cartridge 
inserted may be detected by making comparison between the indication data 
detected by the aforementioned indication detecting means and the data 
detected by the developing equipment detecting means. 
In the following, this embodiment is described in detail in conjunction 
with accompanying drawings; While this embodiment is described in 
discriminating color toners color by color, it goes without saying that it 
is applicable to discrimination of toners on a basis of their other 
characteristics, etc. 
FIG. 16 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a principal part of this 
embodiment, in which 61 denotes a developing equipment for red color to be 
replaceably mounted on a copier proper (not shown in this figure); 62A, a 
toner hopper for red color, being an example of a cartridge, which is 
replaceably mounted on the developing equipment 61; 63a and 63b, lead 
switches, being an example of developing equipment detecting means, which 
are, respectively, installed on the wall 65 of the copier proper; 64a and 
64b, magnetic material pieces, being an example of developing equipment 
indicating means, which make on respective lead switches 63a and 63b, when 
the developing equipment 61 has been mounted on the copier proper (in the 
state of FIG. 1 (a)); 65a and 65b, lead switches, being an example of 
indication detecting means respectively installed on the developing 
equipment 61; 66a and 66b, magnetic material pieces, being an example of 
cartridge indicating means, for making lead switches 65a and 65b on, 
respectively, when the toner hopper 62A is mounted on the developing 
equipment 61 (in the state of FIG. 1 (a); 67, a toner concentration sensor 
for detecting the toner concentration inside the developing equipment 61; 
68, a toner supplementing roller for supplementing toner from a toner 
hopper 62A to the developing equipment 61; 69, a photoreceptor drum; 70, a 
developer roller for use in developing static latent image by supplying 
toner to the surface of photoreceptor drum 69; and ;71 and 72, stirring 
rollers for mixing toner and carrier inside the developing equipment 61. 
In FIG. 16 (b), 62B designates a toner hopper for blue, on which a 
magnetic material piece 66a is provided. 
FIG. 17 is an electric circuit diagram showing an essential part of the 
control circuit for the apparatus shown in FIG. 16 (a), in which R 
represents series connected resistances which respectively connect lead 
switches 63a, 63b, 65a, 65b to power sources V; IO.sub.1 and IO.sub.2, 
exclusive NOR circuits each of which out-puts 1, when respective two input 
signals are both 1 or both 0; A.sub.1, and A.sub.2, respectively AND 
circuits; S, a toner supplementing signal circuit which outputs 1, when 
the toner concentration sensor 67 (FIG. 16 (a)) gives a value lower than 
the specified value; and M, a motor for turning the toner supplementing 
roller 68. 
In this composition, as the red color developing equipment 61 and the red 
color toner hopper 62A are installed in place, lead switches 63a, 63b and 
65a, 65b are respectively made on by the magnetic material pieces 64a, 64b 
and 66a, 66b, respectively facing them. Later, referring to FIG. 2, into 
the exclusive NOR circuits IO.sub.1 IO.sub.2 both 1 is inputted and both 
output 1. Later, the AND circuit A.sub.1 outputs 1 and, then, when the 
toner supplementation signal circuit S outputs 1, the AND circuit A.sub.2 
outputs 1; then, the motor M is driven, to let the toner supplementing 
roller 68 turn, until the toner supplementation signal circuit S outputs 
0. 
However, when a blue color toner hopper 62B shown in FIG. 1 (b) is 
mistakenly mounted on the red color developing equipment 61, the lead 
switch 65b is made off, and the lead switches 63a, 63b and 65a, on; 
therefore, the exclusive NOR circuit IO.sub.1 outputs 1, but the exclusive 
NOR circuit IO.sub.2 outputs 0. Accordingly, the output from the AND 
circuit A.sub.1 becomes 0, so that even when the toner supplement signal 
circuit S outputs 1, the AND circuit A.sub.2 does not output 1; 
consequently, the motor M will not run; thus, no supplementation of toner 
from the blue color toner hopper 62B will take place. 
Thus in this embodiment, by the circuit shown in FIG. 17, the toner inside 
the developing equipment 61 and the toner inside the toner hopper 62 are 
judged to be the same type, only when the lead switches 63a and 63b and 
the lead switches 65a and 65b are in the same on--off combination state. 
In this way, discrimination can be made between different four color 
toners. 
FIG. 18 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 16 (a) showing another 
embodiment, in which in place of the replaceable red color toner hopper 
62A in FIG. 16 (a), a toner hopper 62C equipped with a replaceable red 
color toner cartridge 74 is integrally combined with a red color 
developing equipment 61. Further, in place of lead switches 65a, 65b 
installed on the red color developing equipment 61 in FIG. 16 (a), there 
are installed lead switches 75a, 75b on a toner hopper 62C; in place of 
the magnetic material pieces 66a, 66b provided on the toner hopper 62A in 
FIG. 16 (a), magnetic material pieces 76a, 76b on the red color toner 
cartridge 74; and in place of the lead switches 63a, 63b installed on the 
wall surface 65 of the copier proper, DIP switches 73a, 73b preset in 
closed circuit state on the red color developing equipment 61. 
In this composition, when the developing equipment 61 and the toner 
cartridge 74 are respectively installed, as shown in FIG. 18, the control 
circuit of FIG. 17 will come into operation similarly as in the 
above-described embodiment. 
In an embodiment described hereunder, a mechanical cartridge indication 
part normally prevents stripping of the flexible sheet which seals the 
toner supplementing port of the cartridge and only when a proper cartridge 
is inserted into the cartridge inserting part, the aforementioned 
cartridge indication part's prevention is unlocked, thereby to permit 
stripping of the flexible sheet. 
Thus the gist of this embodiment is summarized as a cartridge 
discriminating system for an image forming apparatus using a toner housing 
cartridge of a composition such that the toner supplementing port is 
sealed with a flexible sheet folded in two plies and the toner 
supplementing port is to be unsealed by stripping off the flexible sheet 
by pulling the turned-up part of portion of said flexible sheet, in which 
there are provided on a part of the toner housing cartridge a swingable 
lever form indication part which prevents the flexible sheet's stripping, 
and on the cartridge inserting part on the image forming apparatus proper 
side, an indication detecting means which unlocks the stripping preventing 
state by means of the swingable lever form indication part by loading the 
aforementioned cartridge in the specified position therein. 
In the following, this embodiment is described in conjunction with 
accompanying drawings: 
FIG. 19 is a schematic longitudinal sectional side view of a toner 
supplementing device showing the state of a hopper 81 of a developing 
equipment in a copier loaded with a cartridge 82 by inserting it thereinto 
from above. 
The aforementioned cartridge 82 comprises, as shown in FIGS. 20 through 23, 
a cartridge proper 84 having a toner supplementing port 83 (FIG. 22) at 
the bottom and a flexible sheet 85 folded in two plies for sealing the 
aforementioned toner supplementing port 83 (forming a portion 85a stuck on 
the rim of the toner supplementing port 83 and a turned-up portion 85b for 
unsealing operation) The flexible sheet 85 is composed that the toner 
supplementing port 83 may be unsealed by stripping off the flexible sheet 
85 by pulling its turned-up portion 85b in the arrow mark direction C 
(FIG. 22). 
On the aforementioned cartridge 82, there is provided a locking mechanism A 
for preventing the stripping of the aforementioned flexible sheet 85, and 
on the aforementioned hopper 81 side, an unlocking mechanism B for lifting 
the preventing state by means of the aforementioned locking mechanism A by 
loading the aforementioned cartridge 82 in the specified position. Numeral 
86 designates a cap for sealing the toner filling-in port, and 87; a slit 
for letting the tuned- up portion 85b of the flexible sheet 85 pass there- 
through. 
Details of the aforementioned locking mechanism A are as follows: 
Thus, as shown in FIG. 21, a small hole 88 is formed in the turned-up 
portion 85b of the flexible sheet 85. On the other hand, on a bracket 89 
(FIG. 22) provided at the front end side bottom portion of the cartridge 
proper 84, a swingable lever 90 made of a highly conductive material such 
as metal, etc., which exemplifies the cartridge indication part, is 
pivotally swingably held on a horizontal shaft 91. At one end portion of 
the swingable lever 90, there is provided a rising portion 90a to be 
inserted in the aforementioned small hole 88. And on the other end 
portion, a first drooping portion 90b is provided. 
Under the normal state, the swingable lever 90 is maintained in the state 
of its rising portion 90a being inserted in the aforementioned small hole 
88, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 23, by dint of its frictional resistance 
around the horizontal shaft 91 or by such a means as its slight adhesion 
on the bracket 89, such that the stripping off of the flexible sheet 85 is 
prevented by the rising portion 90a. Identification code 90c designates a 
second drooping portion provided at one end portion of the aforementioned 
swingable lever 90. 
Details of the aforementioned unlocking mechanism B are as follows: 
As shown in FIGS. 21, 22 and 24, on the outside part of the hopper 81, 
there are provided abutting members 92a and 92b having electrical contacts 
on their upper surfaces respectively at a position corresponding to the 
aforementioned first drooping portion 90b and at a position corresponding 
to the aforementioned second drooping portion 90c. And as the cartridge 82 
is loaded into the specified position in the hopper 81, as shown in FIG. 
24, the aforementioned first drooping portion 90b touches on the abutting 
member 92a, thereby to be thrusted up; consequently, the swingable lever 
90 swings around the horizontal shaft 91, causing the rising portion 90a 
to leave from the small hole 88, thereby lifting the aforementioned 
preventing state. 
In this unlocked state, the aforementioned second drooping portion 90c 
impinges on the other abutting member 92b, thereby establishing a circuit 
between a power source 93 and an indicator 94, whereby proper loading of 
the cartridge 82 is indicated by this indicator 94. 
Identification code 81a in FIG. 24 is an engaging protrusion for preventing 
floating-up of the cartridge by its elastic fit with a flange portion of 
the cartridge proper 84. 
The copier may be composed in such a way that the copying operation can not 
be performed, unless the cartridge 82 has not been loaded correctly, with 
a switch for checking the copying operation is installed in place of the 
indicator 94. The position of the afore-mentioned first drooping portion 
90b (the length from the swinging center of the swingable lever 90) and 
the position of the abutting member 92a are preset type by type of the 
copier or the toner to be housed in the cartridge. 
FIGS. 25 and 26 give an alternative embodiment. This embodiment is 
characterized in that there is provided a locking mechanism A of a similar 
composition as the aforementioned forward, as seen in the inserting 
direction of the cartridge 82 which is so composed being loading in the 
horizontal direction toward the hopper 81. At this embodiment not only a 
small hole 88 is formed in each of the flexible sheets 85 at the portion 
where such two sheets are plied, but a small hole 95 is also formed in the 
longitudinal plate part 84a which supports this two-ply sheets, to let the 
rising portion 90a of the swinging lever 90 fit into these small holes 88, 
95. Other composition and action are substantially same as in the 
aforementioned embodiment; therefore, the explanation is omitted, with the 
same codes attached to the same components. 
It should be noted also that both in the above-mentioned embodiments, a 
second drooping portion 90c and the abutting member 92b corresponding 
thereto are provided, but they may be omitted. 
This embodiment, being of such a composition as hereabove-described, is 
able to attain the following effect: 
Unless the cartridge 82 is properly loaded, the preventing state effected 
by means of the locking mechanism A can not be unlocked; therefore, the 
flexible sheet 85 can not be stripped off. 
Accordingly, the toner supplementing port 83 will never be unsealed 
carelessly, while the loading of the cartridge 82 is imperfect, thereby 
foreclosing scattering of toner to the outside. 
Even when the cartridges 82 are formed in a specified size, so that their 
component parts may be commonly used in a plurality of types of copiers, 
etc., it is possible to make judgement on whether a cartridge 82 is 
matched to the machine type by individually presetting the positional 
relation in each machine type between a locking mechanism A provided 
beforehand on the cartridge 82 and the unlocking mechanism B provided on 
the hopper side; accordingly, mingling of different types of toners is 
preventable, even if a cartridge 82 not matched to the machine type has 
been loaded.