Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for remanufacturing toner printer cartridges and their components by reusing a seal for the toner opening port. The invention also provides devices and methods for remanufacturing a printer cartridge by resealing the toner opening port of the toner hopper. The invention also relates to devices and methods to install and replace seals on a toner hopper, refill toner in a toner hopper, replace a bag of toner in a toner hopper, and replace a chip for a toner cartridge. Also included are devices and methods of sealing a toner cartridge and reattaching a toner cartridge end cap to a waste hopper. A soft shell bottle suitable for use in a toner cartridge composed of a soft polymeric material is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided in one embodiment a doctor blade alignment device for aligning a doctor blade in a toner hopper of a printer cartridge. The device has an alignment assembly portion with a doctor blade contact portion having at least two magnet elements and at least two blade adjustment elements. The device further has an adjustable setting blade attached to the alignment assembly portion and substantially coextensive in length with the alignment assembly portion. The device further has a base portion attached to the adjustable setting blade and substantially coextensive in length with the adjustable setting blade. The alignment assembly portion and the adjustable setting blade calibrate the doctor blade alignment device to obtain a doctor blade alignment setting for aligning a doctor blade in a toner hopper of a printer cartridge.

Abstract: Devices and methods for remanufacturing a printer cartridge component are provided. The printer cartridge component is a drum gear assembly configured for attachment to an organic photoconductor (OPC) drum configured for use in a printer cartridge. The drum gear assembly has a drum drive gear and a drive axle attached to the drum drive gear. The drive axle has a first end with teeth portions. The device has a first portion having a drive axle engagement end configured to engage the drive axle. The device further has a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion has a teeth engagement portion to engage one or more of the teeth portions of the drive axle. The first portion and the second portion are configured for assembling and disassembling the drum gear assembly.

Abstract: A method for remanufacturing a printer cartridge component is provided. The method provides a printer cartridge component having an assembled organic photoconductor (OPC) drum with a flange portion and a cylinder portion. The flange portion has a cylinder engagement end attached and inserted in a locked position with a flange lock in a first end of the cylinder portion. The method further unlocks the flange lock so that the flange portion is in an unlocked position in the first end of the cylinder portion. The method further secures the unlocked flange portion. The method further removes the cylinder portion from the secured unlocked flange portion to obtain a removed cylinder portion and a removed flange portion. The method further assembles the removed flange portion with a replacement OPC drum cylinder portion to obtain a remanufactured printer cartridge component.

Abstract: Devices and methods for remanufacturing a printer cartridge component are provided. The printer cartridge component is a drum gear assembly configured for attachment to an organic photoconductor (OPC) drum configured for use in a printer cartridge. The drum gear assembly has a drum drive gear and a drive axle attached to the drum drive gear. The drive axle has a first end with teeth portions. The device has a first portion having a drive axle engagement end configured to engage the drive axle. The device further has a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion has a teeth engagement portion to engage one or more of the teeth portions of the drive axle. The first portion and the second portion are configured for assembling and disassembling the drum gear assembly.

Abstract: There is provided a method for remanufacturing a printer cartridge component. The method includes providing a printer cartridge component having a flanged organic photoconductor (OPC) drum with a flange portion and a cylinder portion. The flange portion has a drum cylinder engagement end attached and inserted in a locked position with a flange lock in a first end of the cylinder portion. The method further includes unlocking the flange lock so that the flange portion is in an unlocked position in the first end of the cylinder portion. The method further includes securing the unlocked flange portion. The method further includes removing the cylinder portion from the secured unlocked flange portion to obtain a removed cylinder portion and a removed flange portion. The method further includes assembling the removed flange portion with a replacement OPC drum cylinder portion to obtain a remanufactured printer cartridge component.

Abstract: There is provided a device and method for aligning a doctor blade in a toner hopper of toner printer cartridge. In one embodiment there is provided a device for aligning a doctor blade in a toner hopper of a toner printer cartridge where the device has a base portion, at least one cartridge portion holding element on the base portion, and an alignment assembly portion setting a doctor blade alignment setting and aligning a doctor blade in a toner hopper retained by the cartridge portion holding element.

Abstract: There is provided a doctor blade assembly and method for alignment in a toner hopper of a toner printer cartridge. The doctor blade assembly has a holder portion. The holder portion has a first mounting end and a second mounting end. The holder portion further has a pair of recessed openings formed in the first mounting end and the second mounting end, respectively. The holder portion further has a pair of alignment elements each having an alignment through hole and each configured to fit in and correspond to each respective recessed opening. The doctor blade assembly further has a blade portion attached to the holder portion. The doctor blade assembly further has a pair of fastener members each configured for insertion through the alignment through hole and through the recessed opening.

Abstract: Drive transmission part and system including a coupling member configured to have one or more restricted degrees of freedom, and a gear hub to rotationally engage the coupling member.

Abstract: A method for remanufacturing a printer cartridge component is provided. The method provides a printer cartridge component having an assembled organic photoconductor (OPC) drum with a flange portion and a cylinder portion. The flange portion has a cylinder engagement end attached and inserted in a locked position with a flange lock in a first end of the cylinder portion. The method further unlocks the flange lock so that the flange portion is in an unlocked position in the first end of the cylinder portion. The method further secures the unlocked flange portion. The method further removes the cylinder portion from the secured unlocked flange portion to obtain a removed cylinder portion and a removed flange portion. The method further assembles the removed flange portion with a replacement OPC drum cylinder portion to obtain a remanufactured printer cartridge component.

Abstract: A bio-toner for use in electrophotographic image forming that contains a bio-resin component that is at least partially derived from a renewable resource is provided. A method of making the bio-toner that contains a bio-resin component for use in electrophotographic image forming is also provided. A method for electrophotographic image formation using the bio-toner that contains a bio-resin is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a universal magnet roller press apparatus, assembly, and method for removing and installing a magnet and a hub of a magnet roller of a toner printer cartridge. The apparatus has a mounting base, a screw drive assembly, an alignment cradle, a front support assembly, a back support assembly, and a first rod stop and a second rod stop. The assembly has the universal magnet roller press apparatus and a plurality of magnet roller adaptors for attached to the magnet roller during removal and installation of the magnet and the hub.

Abstract: Methods and devices for remanufacturing printer cartridges are provided where the printer cartridges comprise a photoconductive drum, the photoconductive drum comprises a drum gear end, and the drum gear end of the photoconductive drum is configured to be attached to a laser printer via a rotational force transmitting assembly. In an embodiment, the method comprises removing the rotational force transmitting assembly from the photoconductive drum, providing a replacement photoconductive drum, and attaching the rotational force transmitting assembly to the replacement photoconductive drum.

Abstract: Methods and devices for remanufacturing printer cartridges are provided where the printer cartridges comprise a photoconductive drum, the photoconductive drum comprises a drum gear end, and the drum gear end of the photoconductive drum is configured to be attached to a laser printer via a rotational force transmitting assembly. In an embodiment, the method comprises removing the rotational force transmitting assembly from the photoconductive drum, providing a replacement photoconductive drum, and attaching the rotational force transmitting assembly to the replacement photoconductive drum.

Abstract: Methods and devices for remanufacturing printer cartridges are provided where the printer cartridges comprise a photoconductive drum, the photoconductive drum comprises a drum gear end, and the drum gear end of the photoconductive drum is configured to be attached to a laser printer via a rotational force transmitting assembly. In an embodiment, the method comprises removing the rotational force transmitting assembly from the photoconductive drum, providing a replacement photoconductive drum, and attaching the rotational force transmitting assembly to the replacement photoconductive drum.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a toner cartridge retaining clip. The retaining clip has a first end configured to engage a portion of a contact end cap of a toner cartridge, a second end configured to engage a portion of a toner hopper of the toner cartridge, and a body portion connecting the first end to the second end. The body portion has an abutting surface configured to abut a toner sensor contact on the toner cartridge. When the first end is securely engaged to the portion of the contact end cap, and the second end is securely engaged to the portion of the toner hopper, the first end and the second end exert opposing pressures on the toner cartridge to secure the contact end cap to the toner hopper.

Abstract: There is provided a device and method for aligning a doctor blade in a toner hopper of toner printer cartridge. In one embodiment there is provided a device for aligning a doctor blade in a toner hopper of a toner printer cartridge where the device has a base portion, at least one cartridge portion holding element on the base portion, and an alignment assembly portion setting a doctor blade alignment setting and aligning a doctor blade in a toner hopper retained by the cartridge portion holding element.

Abstract: There is provided a retaining clip apparatus and method for securing a toner feeder gear housing to a toner hopper of a toner printer cartridge. The apparatus comprises a first end configured to engage a protruding edge of the toner hopper. The apparatus further comprises a second end having a first surface configured to engage a portion of the toner feeder gear housing and having a second surface configured to engage a portion of the top cover housing, such that the second end is positioned within a space between the top cover housing and the toner feeder gear housing. The apparatus further comprises an elongated body portion connecting the first end to the second end.

Abstract: There is provided a method of promoting adhesion of a printer cartridge seal to a printer cartridge. The method comprises providing a printer cartridge seal applicator having an applicator portion configured to apply pressure on a printer cartridge seal, an applicator body connected to the applicator portion, and a handle connected to the applicator body. The method further comprises positioning the printer cartridge seal applicator in between a toner supply roller and a printer cartridge surface defining a toner opening port. The method further comprises using the applicator portion to press the printer cartridge seal against the printer cartridge surface defining the toner opening port.