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: Systems and methods of remanufacturing an imaging cartridge including the replacement a rotatable member, such as an organic photo conductor (OPC) drum or toner adder roller, for example, in the imaging cartridge without detaching the rotatable member retaining elements, such as end caps, for example, and installing a replacement rotatable element without disturbing the rotatable member retaining elements end caps.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for modifying an image processing cartridge. In one aspect, a method of modifying one such imaging process cartridge is disclosed. The method provides the imaging process cartridge, the imaging process cartridge has a waste bin assembly, and the waste bin assembly further has an organic photo conductor (OPC) drum which is coupled with a first wiper blade. The first wiper blade exerts a first abutment pressure when the first wiper blade is coupled to the OPC drum. The method removes the first wiper blade and installs a second wiper blade, wherein the second wiper blade exerts a second abutment pressure when coupled to the OPC drum.

Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a replaceable consumable unit includes providing the replaceable consumable unit including a first electronic circuit, with the first electronic circuit being at least partially inoperable; providing a second electronic circuit; communicatively connecting the second electronic circuit to the first electronic circuit; and intercepting, by the second electronic circuit, signals sent by an imaging system to the first electronic circuit.

Abstract: Techniques for attaching a replacement chip to an imaging cartridge are described. a method of replacing a component of an imaging cartridge includes: providing the imaging cartridge including a chip and a chip holding structure holding the chip, the chip holding structure including a left upper flange, a right upper flange, a rear retaining member, bottom supporting rails, a left forward retaining element extending from the left upper flange, and a right forward retaining element extending from the right upper flange; removing at least a portion of the left forward retaining element and the right forward retaining element to form a modified chip holding structure; removing the chip from the cartridge; installing a replacement chip in the modified chip holding structure; and attaching the replacement chip to the imaging 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: An improved valve element for a spray nozzle assembly of a steam desuperheating device that is configured to spray cooling water into a flow of superheated steam in a generally uniformly distributed spray pattern. The valve element includes a valve body and an elongate valve stem that is integrally attached to the valve body and extends axially therefrom. The valve body itself includes a nozzle cone which is integrally connected to the valve stem, and defines an outer surface. Integrally formed on a bottom surface of the nozzle cone is a hub having multiple ribs protruding therefrom. Integrally connected to each of the ribs is a generally circular fracture ring. The fracture ring is disposed in spaced relation to the lower edge of the nozzle cone which circumvents the bottom surface thereof.

Abstract: A method of cleaning and coating a used organic photoconductive drum is disclosed. Using this method remanufacturers can reliably reuse certain used organic photoconductive drums which could not be reused without this method. The method comprises providing a used organic photoconductive drum, cleaning the surface of the used organic photoconductive drum, applying a new surface layer comprising a non-volatile non-polar dielectric fluid such as a silicone oil with a viscosity of less than 200 cSt at 40 degrees Celsius. The resulting liquid surface on the used organic photoconductive drum provides wear resistance, and improved electrical characteristics allowing the used organic photoconductive drum to be used at least a second time.

Abstract: A universal ink cartridge seal is disclosed. The seal is used to seal an exit port on an ink jet cartridge. The seal has a top and a surrounding wall. The surrounding wall extends perpendicularly away from the circumference of the top. The surrounding wall has an inside surface. The seal further has a rib positioned on the inside surface of the surrounding wall, the rib providing a securing force when the seal is installed on the exit port of the ink jet cartridge.

Abstract: An ink jet remanufacturing chip verifier for new ink jet chips attached to remanufactured ink jet cartridges includes a controller for verifying during the process of remanufacturing the ink jet cartridges: if the new ink jet chips attached to the remanufactured ink jet cartridges are new ink jet chips, if the new ink jet chips attached to the remanufactured ink jet cartridges were manufactured by a predetermined manufacturer of new ink jet chips, if the new ink jet chips attached to the remanufactured ink jet cartridges are functional, and if the new ink jet chips attached to the remanufacture ink jet cartridges are a predetermined type of new ink jet chip; the controller for rejecting during the process of remanufacturing the ink jet cartridges: ink jet chips attached to remanufactured ink jet cartridges which have been previously used, ink jet chips attached to remanufactured ink jet cartridges which produced by manufacturers other than the predetermined manufacturer of inkjet chips, inkjet chips attached

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.

Abstract: A toner cartridge comprises toner and electrical development components which consume a portion of the toner by printing a plurality of images. An electronic circuit stores an indication of the amount of toner remaining, and a value controlling a voltage applied to at least one of the electrical development components. The electronic circuit determines when a predetermined amount of the toner remains in the toner cartridge. When the predetermined amount of toner remains in the toner cartridge, the electronic circuit alters the amount of toner consumed to form images by changing a voltage level applied to at least one of the electrical development components. The electronic circuit alters the amount of toner consumed by replacing the stored value controlling the voltage applied to at least one of the electrical development components with a new value controlling the voltage applied to at least one of the electrical development components.

Abstract: A method of cleaning and coating a used organic photoconductive drum is disclosed. Using this method remanufacturers can reliably reuse certain used organic photoconductive drums which could not be reused without this method. The method comprises providing a used organic photoconductive drum, cleaning the surface of the used organic photoconductive drum, applying a new surface layer comprising a non-volatile non-polar dielectric fluid such as a silicone oil with a viscosity of less than 200 cSt at 40 degrees Celsius. The resulting liquid surface on the used organic photoconductive drum provides wear resistance, and improved electrical characteristics allowing the used organic photoconductive drum to be used at least a second time.

Abstract: A cartridge chip for use with a first type of imaging cartridge and a second type of imaging cartridge comprises a controller and a resistive element connected between the controller and a reference potential, the cartridge chip adapted for operation in a first mode of operation compatible with the first type of imaging cartridge when the controller detects the reference potential through the resistive element, the cartridge chip adapted for operation in a second mode of operation compatible with the second type of imaging cartridge when the controller cannot detect the reference potential through the resistive element.

Abstract: A universal inkjet cartridge usable in an inkjet printer the inkjet cartridge having an inkjet tank, the inkjet tank storing ink and having an upper surface and a lower surface is disclosed. Mounted on the lower surface are configurable color identification tabs and mounted on the upper surface are printer identification fins, the configurable color identification tabs are configured to allow the universal inkjet cartridge to be used in multiple inkjet cartridge locations within the inkjet printer identified by the printer identification fins.

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.

Abstract: Provided is a motion converter which comprises a housing, a cam plate reciprocal to the housing, a lower link and an upper link. The cam plate has a groove which extends diagonally across the width thereof. The lower link is pivotably mounted to the housing and has a cam pin and a slot formed at a free end thereof. The cam pin is engageable to the groove of the cam plate. The upper link is also pivotably mounted to the housing in offset relationship to the lower link. A free end of the upper link has a link pin which is engageable to the slot. The motion converter is configured such that the lower link pivots in response to slidable movement of a cam pin within the groove during reciprocation of the cam plate. The upper link is configured to pivot in response to the slidable movement of the link pin within the slot during pivoting in a lower link.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for modifying an image processing cartridge. In one aspect, a method of modifying one such imaging process cartridge is disclosed. The method provides the imaging process cartridge, the imaging process cartridge has a waste bin assembly, and the waste bin assembly further has an organic photo conductor (OPC) drum which is coupled with a first wiper blade. The first wiper blade exerts a first abutment pressure when the first wiper blade is coupled to the OPC drum. The method removes the first wiper blade and installs a second wiper blade, wherein the second wiper blade exerts a second abutment pressure when coupled to the OPC drum.