Abstract: Provided is a printer cartridge equipped with a magnetic wastebin-hopper coupling. A combination of magnets and magnetically attractive materials are mounted on the wastebin assembly (or photoconductor unit) and hopper assembly of the printer cartridge in order to bias the two assemblies together. This allows an end user to remove the hopper assembly from the wastebin assembly (or photoconductor unit) and replace the expelled hopper assembly without having to latch or unlatch any mechanisms.

Abstract: Provided is an improved drive mechanism for an imaging machine. A tapered outboard tooth guide is disposed along the circumference of the drive dog and at least one tapered radius tooth guide is adjacent the tapered outboard tooth guide whereby a tooth of the imaging machine drive mechanism is centered and directed into the drive dog seat. The leading edge of the drive dog seat contacts the base of the imaging machine drive mechanism thus making full contact between the drive dog seat and the imaging machine drive mechanism tooth.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging cartridge with a universal body sculpted to mate with the imaging cartridge-receiving cavity of a plurality of imaging machine models. The universal body of the imaging cartridge enables the cartridge to be used with imaging machines made by different manufacturers, and different imaging machine models made by a common manufacturer. A plurality of recesses is formed in the leading end of the imaging cartridge body that accepts protuberances in an imaging machine's cartridge-receiving cavity and enables the cartridge to mate with a plurality of printers.

Abstract: An actuating structure formed in a toner cartridge adapted to actuate a physical sensor inside the printer which activates the printer when the door is closed. The actuating structure is displaced when the cartridge is inserted in printers that do not use a physical sensor in that location. Accordingly, the toner cartridge is functional in a plurality of printers. The toner cartridge can also have a plurality of actuating structures.

Abstract: Provided is a toner cartridge equipped with multiple drives adapted to engage the printer-drive mechanisms of multiple printers. Each drive is associated with at least one of the cartridge-drive structures found on most toner cartridges. Each drive can be associated with one or more cartridge-drive structures such as the toner adder roller gear, toner developer roller gear, toner agitator gear, idler gear and toner sifter gear. Moreover, each drive is adapted to prevent interference with the other drive. This is accomplished in numerous ways, including making each drive removeable or by making the engaging structures on the drives displaceable.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging cartridge with a universal body sculpted to mate with the imaging cartridge-receiving cavity of a plurality of imaging machine models. The universal body of the imaging cartridge enables the cartridge to be used with imaging machines made by different manufacturers, and different imaging machine models made by a common manufacturer. A plurality of recesses is formed in the leading end of the imaging cartridge body that accepts protuberances in an imaging machine's cartridge-receiving cavity and enables the cartridge to mate with a plurality of printers.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a waste bin and hopper designed for the elimination of non-essential parts between the waste bin and the hopper via an enhanced interconnection between the waste bin and the hopper, improved drive dogs and cluster gear assembly to facilitate complete engagement with the printer drive mechanism, an improved door to protect the photoconductive drum from light, and improved electrical contacts between the doctor bar, toner adder roller and developer roller.

Abstract: A toner cartridge wherein the waste bin and the hopper are attached to one another in a non-pivotal interconnection. The parts are attached via a hopper wheel horizontal retainer and a hopper wheel vertical lock formed integrally with the waste bin. The hopper wheel horizontal retainer and the hopper wheel vertical lock are disposed in cooperative relation to one another and are adapted to engage a hopper wheel that forms a part of the hopper. To assemble the toner cartridge, the waste bin is held above the hopper so that the hopper wheel horizontal retainer and the hopper wheel vertical lock are positioned directly above the hopper wheel. The waste bin is lowered until the hopper wheel horizontal retainer engages the hopper wheel and the hopper wheel vertical lock.

Abstract: Provided is a toner cartridge having a microcontroller configured to store data necessary to create a message authentication code required by the printer. The microcontroller contains data values capable of generating acceptable MACs for a plurality of printers. The microcontroller recognizes a variety of unique parameters displayed by the printer's processor to identify the printer being used. Once the printer is identified, the microcontroller loads the data values associated with the printer and generates an acceptable MAC to enable printer operation.

Abstract: A toner cartridge adapted to fit within a toner cartridge-receiving cavity of a printer. The body of the cartridge comprises a front section, which houses the photoconductive drum common in all printers, capable of being biased in relation to the rest of the cartridge which houses the developer roller. The placement of a mechanical biasing element, or developer roller preserver, between the main body and front section creates a gap between the rigid photoconductive drum and the relatively soft developer roller. This gap prevents a “flat spot” from forming along the length of the developer roller during periods of long storage or non-use.

Abstract: Provided is a printer cartridge equipped with a magnetic wastebin-hopper coupling. A combination of magnets and magnetically attractive materials are mounted on the wastebin assembly (or photoconductor unit) and hopper assembly of the printer cartridge in order to bias the two assemblies together. This allows an end user to remove the hopper assembly from the wastebin assembly (or photoconductor unit) and replace the expelled hopper assembly without having to latch or unlatch any mechanisms.

Abstract: Provided is a printer cartridge having a resilient pliable body. The resilient pliable body of the printer cartridge conforms to obstructions located in different positions inside the printer cartridge receiving cavity of different models and brands of printers. When the resilient pliable front of the printer cartridge contacts an obstruction in the cartridge receiving cavity of a printer, it is displaced in that area so that it is not an obstruction any longer, allowing the printer cartridge to fit and operate in multiple brands and families of printers.

Abstract: Provided is a printer chip having a plurality of sets of contacts, each set of contacts capable of interoperation with a different type of printer, cartridge, or photoconductor unit. The chip is installed on the cartridge with the chosen set of contacts oriented to mate with the electrical contacts in the printer cartridge receiving cavity of the printer. The result is a chip that can be installed on a printer cartridge or photoconductor unit in a plurality of orientations in order to allow the printer cartridge or photoconductor unit to interoperate with a plurality of types of printers, or allow a plurality of types of printer cartridges or photoconductor units to interoperate with a printer.

Abstract: A toner cartridge having a microcontroller configured to store data necessary to create a message authentication code required by the printer. The microcontroller contains data values capable of generating acceptable MACs for a plurality of printers. The microcontroller recognizes a variety of unique parameters displayed by the printer's processor to identify the printer being used. Once the printer is identified, the microcontroller loads the data values associated with the printer and generates an acceptable MAC to enable printer operation.

Abstract: A toner cartridge with a handle formed centrally in a trailing end of the cartridge. The handle is dished to comfortably accept a hand and is adapted such that a user will recognize that said handle is dedicated to receiving the user's hand. The cartridge is therefore installed and removed without binding since the user's hand is centered as a result of the placement of the user's hand in said handle.

Abstract: A toner cartridge having a microcontroller configured to store data necessary to create a message authentication code required by the printer. The microcontroller contains data values capable of generating acceptable MACs for a plurality of printers used in a plurality of geographic regions. The microcontroller recognizes a variety of unique parameters displayed by the printer's processor to identify the geographic region of the printer being used. Once the printer and geographic region are identified, the microcontroller loads the data values associated with the printer and generates an acceptable MAC to enable printer operation.

Abstract: An improved communication method for use in a toner cartridge with two independently-generated electrical signals used to activate a printer. A first connection pad and a second connection pad mounted on a first circuit board to make electrical contact with upper door-mounted electrical contacts that are provided on printers of a particular family of printers. A first connector provides electrical communication between the first end of the conductor and the first circuit board. A second connector provides electrical communication between a second end of said connector and a second circuit board having a second terminal connector secured to said second end of said conductor and a second receiver connector secured to said second circuit board.

Abstract: A toner cartridge with a universal printer chip that can interpret a signal, identifying a family of printers. The universal printer chip then selects the correct data for the identified printer from the universal printer chip data base. The printer may then be activated with the correct electrical handshake and other required data.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes improved sealing mechanisms to prevent the escape of toner from the cartridge. Soft and rigid seals are used to seal the distal ends of the developer roller and doctor bar.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a waste bin and hopper designed with a rigid agitator assembly. A non-yieldable agitator is mounted on a shaft whereby the rotation of the shaft results in the synchronous rotation of the agitator. As the shaft rotates, the agitator enters into, through, and out of engagement with the toner within said toner chamber.