Abstract:
Image recording devices, such as electrophotographic devices, laser printers, copiers, and fax machines, often have a cartridge that utilizes an encoder wheel assembly in addition to or instead of a chip for determining toner load. It may be desirable to alter the encoder wheel or part of the cartridge, either by the printer or the cartridge, to permit a deliberate end of life function situation that requires the replacement of the cartridge, encoder wheel, or encoder wheel assembly components. This thereby controls the remanufacture or replacement of the toner cartridge in a way that is desirable to the manufacturer and prevents unauthorized refilling of the cartridge.
Abstract:
A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface.
Abstract:
Imaging devices, such as laser printers, often use a toner cartridge to print images on a recording medium. For both environmental and economical reasons, it is often desirable to reuse an exhausted toner cartridge. Some imaging devices use toner cartridges comprised of two sections that are fixed together with some limited movement. This limited movement is necessary to compensate for any misalignment in the cartridge and to reduce printer defects. Disclosed is a method and device for remanufacturing this type of toner cartridge.
Abstract:
The present application is directed to methods and devices for remanufacturing imaging cartridges. An installation handle for positioning an electronic circuit on the imaging cartridge includes a first end, and an adhesive is releasably attached to the first end. The installation handle is adapted for positioning an electronic circuit on a surface of the imaging cartridge while the electronic circuit is releasably secured to the installation handle by the adhesive.
Abstract:
Techniques for spoofing an imaging device adapted for reading data from an electrical storage device to determine a volume of ink in an ink container include providing a replacement electrical storage device for use with the ink container, the replacement electrical storage device comprising memory locations; and responding, by the replacement electrical storage device, to reads of memory locations of the replacement electrical storage device by returning data to the imaging device which causes the imaging device to calculate an inaccurate initial volume of ink stored in the ink container.
Abstract:
A toner hopper seal assembly is disclosed. The toner hopper seal assembly has a gasket which has a gasket opening, a pull strip having a first and second end, the pull strip attached to a first side of the gasket and covering the gasket opening. The first end of the pull strip is positioned near the gasket opening. The toner hopper seal assembly also having an integrated pull tab disposed at an end of the gasket, the integrated pull tab has a first side and a second side, the integrated pull tab is formed from a same material as the gasket and separated from the gasket by a cut in the material. The toner hopper seal assembly also has an adhesive layer covering a second side of the gasket and the second side of the integrated pull tab as well as a release liner covering the adhesive layer on the second side of the gasket and the second side of the integrated pull tab. The release liner secures the integrated pull tab in place adjacent to the end of the gasket. Also disclosed is a method of affixing the toner hopper seal assembly to a toner cartridge.
Abstract:
Techniques for attaching a replacement chip to an imaging cartridge are described. An exemplary method of modifying a toner hopper assembly for use in a toner cartridge consists of providing the toner hopper assembly having a generally cylindrical shape and an at least partially non-functioning electronic chip with electrical contacts disposed in an endplate section of the generally cylindrical shape. The method further modifies the toner hopper assembly by affixing a replacement chip to the toner hopper assembly to form a modified toner hopper assembly. The replacement chip includes replacement electrical contacts which allow the replacement chip to communicate with a printer when the modified toner cartridge is installed in the printer.
Abstract:
Techniques for remanufacturing a toner cartridge include providing the toner cartridge comprising an end plate secured to an end of the toner cartridge, removing the end plate from the toner cartridge, attaching an anchoring fixture to the end of the toner cartridge, and securing the end plate to the anchoring fixture of the toner cartridge.
Abstract:
Systems and methods of remanufacturing an imaging cartridge including the replacement an organic photo conductor (OPC) drum in the imaging cartridge having end caps which are fixedly secured to the waste bin or other portion of the toner cartridge. In one aspect, the method involves removing the existing OPC drum without detaching the end caps and installing a replacement OPC drum without disturbing the end caps.
Abstract:
Systems and methods of remanufacturing an imaging cartridge include providing the imaging cartridge adapted to receive a signal from an imaging device and apply the signal to a component of the imaging cartridge, and attaching a signal modification element to the imaging cartridge to form a modified imaging cartridge, the signal modification element adapted to receive the signal from the imaging device, modify the signal to form a modified signal, and apply the modified signal to the component of the modified imaging cartridge.