Abstract: A method presently disclosed provides a first portion of a housing containing at least one protrusion, removes at least a portion of the at least one protrusion, and couples a first material with a second portion of the housing.

Abstract: A reassembled laser printer toner cartridge and method of manufacture including a cartridge seal assembly in which the remains of an OEM laser printer toner cartridge's toner hopper pull seal strip(s) is left in position, or a substitute conductive strip is put in the same position to simulate the OEM pull seal strip(s) if the OEM strips have been damaged or are missing in order to enable a repaired or remanufactured cartridge to cooperate with the printer in detecting measuring and displaying the amount of toner consumed from the cartridge and shut the printer down, once the toner cartridge is empty, and a toner cartridge hopper foam seal strip assembly that covers the remnants of the OEM seal strips and provides a seal to prevent leakage of toner from the re-filled toner cartridge.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes an image-bearing member on which an electrostatic image is to be formed; a first frame; a bearing member, detachably mountable to the first frame, for rotatably supporting the image-bearing member; a first hole provided in the bearing member; a first wall, provided on the first frame, in which a second hole is provided; a second frame for rotatably supporting a developer carrying member on which a developer for developing the electrostatic image is to be carried; a second wall, provided on the second frame, in which a third hole is provided; and a connecting member including a shaft portion penetrating through the first hole, the second hole and the third hole and tightly engaging in the second hole, and including a flange portion, provided at an end portion of the shaft portion, for preventing the bearing member from being detached from the first frame.

Abstract: Remanufactured laser printer toner cartridges and methods of manufacture by which predetermined structures internal to the toner hopper section are removed preferably by a robotic laser cutter, a volume increasing cap is provided for the modified toner hopper section and the cartridge is re-assembled to yield a remanufactured toner cartridge that has a capacity to store toner that is significantly increased in comparison to the storage capacity of the OEM toner cartridge.

Abstract: A developer cartridge is provided, which includes a toner cartridge, a developer stirring device located in the toner cartridge, a supply roller for supplying a developer to a developer roller, a developer roller for developing an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor, and a power receptor for driving only one of gear sets of the above means to receive a power. The power receptor is rotatably fixed at two or more predetermined positions. An initial position of the power receptor is a power receiving position. A power receptor moving device includes a press block, a baffle block, a spring, and a torsion spring. The power receptor moving device is controlled by the press block. When the press block of the power receptor moving device is pressed downwards, the power receptor is rotated to another power receiving position due to the action of the torsion spring. The present invention is applicable to various types of machines.

Abstract: A remanufactured laser printer toner cartridge with an added primary charge roller cleaner, and methods of remanufacture, are disclosed. The added primary charge roller cleaner may be fastened to the mounting bracket of the toner cartridge's wiper blade, and functions to remove contaminants from the primary charge roller through contact with the primary charge roller.

Abstract: There is provided a device and method for remanufacturing a printer cartridge. The printer cartridge has an organic photoconductor (OPC) drum having a drum axle and a hub assembly attached to the drum axle, and the hub assembly is in a locked position in the printer cartridge. The device has a first portion having an end configured to engage the hub assembly and unlock and lock the hub assembly. The device further has a second portion connected to the first portion, the second portion having an end configured to extract the hub assembly from the printer cartridge when the hub assembly is in an unlocked position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for reconditioning an intermediate transfer member and the reconditioned intermediate transfer member. The method comprises stripping off an outer layer of the intermediate transfer member. A mixture of a polymer, conductive particles and a solvent is coated over the outer surface of a seamless intermediate transfer member. The mixture is heated to form a layer on the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt. An apparatus for reconditioning an intermediate transfer member is also described.

Abstract: A powder container includes a housing configured to house powder therein, the housing including a hole connecting between inside and outside of the housing. The powder container also includes a cover member detachably attached to the housing to close the hole; and a signal exchanging unit configured to transmit and receive a signal to and from an apparatus to which the powder container is mounted. The signal exchanging unit is provided in the cover member.

Abstract: A remanufactured toner cartridge includes a wall defining a fill hole that is used to refill the cartridge with toner. A patch covers the fill hole, and a heat activated adhesive non-removably attaches the patch to the wall. The fill hole can be formed with a heat knife such that when the heat knife is withdrawn it forms a raised ridge of material extending around the perimeter of the fill hole. The patch is attached to the wall by applying heat and pressure to the patch, which also softens and at least partially flattens the ridge of material surrounding the fill hole such that the patch is substantially flush with the wall upon completion of the operation.

Abstract: A reassembled laser printer toner cartridge and method of manufacture including a cartridge seal assembly in which the remains of an OEM laser printer toner cartridge's toner hopper pull seal strip(s) is left in position, or a substitute conductive strip is put in the same position to simulate the OEM pull seal strip(s) if the OEM strips have been damaged or are missing in order to enable a repaired or remanufactured cartridge to cooperate with the printer in detecting measuring and displaying the amount of toner consumed from the cartridge and shut the printer down, once the toner cartridge is empty, and a toner cartridge hopper foam seal strip assembly that covers the remnants of the OEM seal strips and provides a seal to prevent leakage of toner from the re-filled toner cartridge.

Abstract: An assembling method for a process cartridge the assembling method includes a step of preparing a drum unit supporting a electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a step of preparing a developing unit supporting a developing roller for developing a electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum a developer supplying roller for supplying a developer to the developing roller and a developer accommodating portion having a developer supply opening; a unit coupling process of coupling the drum unit and the developing unit with each other; a first-end developing-device spacing member mounting step after the unit coupling process of engaging with a opening provided at a first end portion of the drum unit a first-end developing-device spacing member provided rotatably about a shaft at a first end portion of the developing unit to regulate rotation of the developing unit relative to the drum unit; and a second-end developing-device spacing member mounting step of engaging, with a proje

Abstract: Remanufactured laser printer toner cartridges and methods of manufacture by which predetermined structures internal to the toner hopper section are removed preferably by a robotic laser cutter, a volume increasing cap is provided for the modified toner hopper section and the cartridge is re-assembled to yield a remanufactured toner cartridge that has a capacity to store toner that is significantly increased in comparison to the storage capacity of the OEM toner cartridge.

Abstract: There is described a bias charging member that includes a conductive core and an outer surface layer on the conductive core. The outer surface layer includes a resin of aminoplast and one of polyol or nylon, a conductive additive and p-toluene sulfonic acid. There is also described a method of refurbishing bias charging members.

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: The present invention provides an apparatus for allowing the resurfacing of a cylindrical member in a printer having a fuser member that is externally heated by a heater roller. The apparatus includes providing a cylindrical member having an outer surface of a high temperature fluorothermoplastic. When it is determined that the outer surface is in need of resurfacing, the fuser member is removed from the printer, and the cylindrical member is mounted in the place of the fuser member. The cylindrical member is rotated at a speed of at least 1 rpm while engaging the outer surface of the fuser member with the heater roller normally used to heat the fuser member at a pressure of at least 5 psi at a temperature of at least 10° C. below the fluorothermoplastic melting temperature for a time sufficient to resurface the outer surface of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A remanufactured laser printer toner cartridge with an added primary charge roller cleaner, and methods of remanufacture, are disclosed. The added primary charge roller cleaner may be fastened to the mounting bracket of the toner cartridge's wiper blade, and functions to remove contaminants from the primary charge roller through contact with the primary charge roller.

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: As set forth herein, a reusable transfer assist blade (TAB) assembly includes a replaceable blade assembly that is locked into position between a clamp assembly and an extruded portion of the TAB assembly. When the blade assembly requires replacement, spring tables on the clam assembly are biased upward to release the clamp assembly from the extruded portion, and the clamp assembly is rotated about a clamp tab-clamp pocket interface at the top of the TAB assembly. The blade assembly is removed and replaced, the clamp assembly is rotated back into position against the extruded portion, and the spring tabs re-engage interlocking features on the extruded portion to lock the replacement blade in position. The expensive extruded portion and clamp assembly are thus reused and the inexpensive blade assembly is discarded or recycled.

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: A method of modifying a printer cartridge is disclosed. The modifications increase the versatility of an existing cartridge by enabling the cartridge to be transformed into a universal cartridge. The OEM print cartridges are restricted to use in a few or only one type of printer due to specialized gear side end plates and contact side end plates. End plates contain features or portions, such as bosses, which restrict the number of models of printer that a cartridge may be fit into. The features or portions may be removed by any combination of cutting, modifying, or replacing the gear side end or the contact side end plates. Removing the portions, removes the restrictions imposed by the end plates and allows the print cartridge to been fit into a greater number of printers. The universal cartridge may be used in the printer for which it is originally designed as well as another printer or printer family, thus increasing the versatility of the cartridge.

Abstract: A low cost batch or continuous toner agglomeration process for laser printer toner cartridges that virtually eliminates generation of airborne toner and that provides associated health and safety benefits. The residual powdered toner in cartridges is solidified in a clean, low cost thermal agglomeration process.

Abstract: A cartridge is detachably mountable to the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge comprises a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, and a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum with the developer. A rotational force receiving member is provided for receiving a rotational force for rotating the developing roller. A side cover is provided with an elastic member and an inclination regulating portion for regulating an inclination of the rotational force receiving member. The side cover is mounted to a cartridge frame by the fastening member, with the rotational force receiving member being mounted to the cartridge frame integrally with the side cover.

Abstract: A unit installable in an apparatus and a method of managing a unit installed in an apparatus are provided. The unit includes a container for a consumable, and a chip mounted to the container. The chip includes a first memory to store data that is accessible and decodable by the apparatus to authenticate the unit. The chip includes a second memory to store recycling prevention information.

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: A remanufactured laser printer toner cartridge, and methods, having an added primary charge roller cleaning roller assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the cleaning roller assembly engages the bare ends the primary charge roller shafts; installation of the cleaning roller assembly into the cartridge is accomplished by reinstalling the primary charge roller, with the assembly, into the cartridge's primary charge roller shaft saddles. The cleaning roller may be adapted to rotate through contact with the primary charge roller.

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.

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: A remanufacturing method of a developing device including a developer accommodating portion partitioned by a partitioning portion, a first opening provided in the partitioning portion and a seal member welded on the partitioning portion surrounding the first opening, wherein the first opening is opened by removing the seal member to supply a developer to the outside is provided. The method includes hermetically sealing, before or after re-filling the developer in the developer accommodating portion for reuse, the first opening by boning, on the partitioning portion, a plate-like member, which is provided with a second opening corresponding to the first opening and on which a reseal member for sealing the second opening is detachably bonded, at a region outside a welding trace, a region inside the trace, or a region ranging from an inside to an outside of the trace so as to cover the welding trace.

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: A method is provided for recycling a toner container including a casing configured to house a toner, a sleeve protruding from the casing, and one cap with a brim to be bonded with a distal edge of the sleeve to be closed comprising: removing an area including an interface between the brim and the distal edge to form a new distal edge on the sleeve; removing a part of the one cap remaining in the sleeve; filling a toner in the casing; fitting another cap into the sleeve so that the brim of the another cap comes in contact with the new distal edge; and bonding the new distal edge and the brim of the another cap.

Abstract: A remanufacturing method includes dismounting, from one end of a drum frame, a supporting member while rotatably supporting one end of a drum and a developing device frame; separating the two frames; dismounting the drum; mounting one end of a fresh drum to the other end of the drum frame; a refilling developer into a developer accommodating portion of the separated developing device frame; and swingably connecting the developing device frame and the drum frame by mounting the supporting member to one end of the drum frame, while rotatably supporting, by the supporting member, the one end of the drum of the drum frame to which the fresh drum has been mounted and swingably supporting the one end of the developing device frame to the developer accommodating portion of which the developer has been refilled, by the drum frame.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer; a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum with the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion; a cartridge frame extended in a longitudinal direction of the developing roller; a bearing member, provided at one longitudinal end portion of the cartridge frame, for supporting a developing roller shaft portion at one longitudinal end portion of the developing roller; a rotational force receiving member for receiving, from the main assembly, a rotational force for rotating the developing roller, in a state in which the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; a side cover provided outside the bearing member with respect to a longitudinal direction of the cartridge frame; a first fastening member fastening the bearing member to the cartridge fram

Abstract: A customer replaceable unit installable in a printing apparatus comprises a component requiring high voltage electric power for operation, a low voltage power input, and that cooperates with the low voltage power input in order to transform low voltage electric power from the low voltage power input into high voltage electric power for use by the component. The customer replaceable unit may also include a low voltage signal input, and the high voltage power supply unit controls output of the high voltage electric power in response to signals received at the low voltage signal input. The signals received at the low voltage signal input are independent of a type of the component in the customer replaceable unit, and the high voltage power supply unit provides an appropriate high voltage for the type of the component, thereby allowing modification of the type of component without having to provide a different low voltage signal.

Abstract: A winding member winds a seal member that seals an opening of a developer storage unit. The winding member includes a first holding portion having a first engaging portion, and a second holding portion having a second engaging portion to be engaged with the first engaging portion, configured to hold the sealing member between the first and second holding portions, wherein an end of the first holding portion and an end of the second holding portion are connected, so that the first holding portion and the second holding portion are relatively movable, and wherein the first engaging portion is engaged with the second engaging portion while the sealing member is held between the first holding portion and the second holding portion.

Abstract: A reassembled laser toner cartridge and method of manufacture in which the hopper section and roller section of a previously depleted toner cartridge are rewelded together by ultrasonic welding along the length sections after an ancillary energy director strip has been positioned between the sections where the roller section interfaces with the hopper section to provide a laser toner cartridge that has the same or nearly the same specifications as the original equipment manufactured cartridges.

Abstract: This is a novel xerographic marking system having a novel toner waste dispensing assembly. The assembly comprises a hermetically sealed outer box that houses a disposable waste toner container. The container is a biodegradable carton or bag that can be removed from the outer box when filled with waste toner. A feature of this invention is that the dispensing assembly can easily be retrofitted into existing marking systems. Also because the containers are inexpensive and biodegradable, the expensive prior art non-degradable waste containers and their adverse effect on the landfills can be avoided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for reconditioning an intermediate transfer member and the reconditioned intermediate transfer member. The method comprises stripping off an outer layer of the intermediate transfer member. A mixture of a polymer, conductive particles and a solvent is coated over the outer surface of a seamless intermediate transfer member. The mixture is heated to form a layer on the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt. An apparatus for reconditioning an intermediate transfer member is also described.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing configured of a first frame and a second frame with a space formed therebetween; and a developer-carrying member that is supported in the first frame and that is configured to carry developer. The first frame includes a bottom wall and a pair of side walls erected from both sides of the bottom wall and has a box shape that is open on a side opposite the bottom wall. The second frame is mounted over the pair of side walls so as to cover the open side of the first frame and has a partition extending into the space formed in the casing. The partition contacts the bottom wall of the first frame and spans between the pair of side walls of the first frame, thereby separating the space within the casing into a first chamber on a side near the developer-carrying member and a second chamber on a side far from the developer-carrying member. Developer is accommodated in the first chamber only.

Abstract: Method of replacing an organic photo conductor (OPC) drum of an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus having a support carriage arranged to axially support the OPC drum at a first end and a second end. The method includes removing the OPC drum from the support carriage and procuring a replacement OPC drum having a first axial flange/endpin and a second axial flange/endpin. The first axial flange is inserted into the first end of the support carriage and the second end of the support carriage is elastically deformed. Then, the second axial flange is inserted into the second end of the support carriage, and a force is exerted against the second axial flange until the second end of the support carriage returns to an un-deformed state.

Abstract: A method of modifying an imaging cartridge detachably mountable to an imaging apparatus, the imaging cartridge comprising a cartridge chip, the method including detaching the cartridge chip from the imaging cartridge, the cartridge chip comprising a light emitting device adapted for emitting light in the visible spectrum; and attaching a replacement cartridge chip to the imaging cartridge, the replacement cartridge chip comprising a light emitting device adapted for emitting light outside the visible spectrum.

Abstract: Techniques for modifying an imaging cartridge includes providing the imaging cartridge including a body including a circuit holding structure sized to hold an electronic circuit and forming a modified circuit holding structure, with the modified circuit holding structure sized to hold a replacement electronic circuit. At least one dimension of the replacement electronic circuit may be greater than a corresponding dimension of the electronic circuit.

Abstract: A reassembled laser toner cartridge and method of manufacture in which the hopper section and roller section of a previously depleted toner cartridge are rewelded together by ultrasonic welding along the length sections after an ancillary energy director strip has been positioned between the sections where the roller section interfaces with the hopper section to provide a laser toner cartridge that has the same or nearly the same specifications as the original equipment manufactured cartridges.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing the processing of print data at a printing device based upon available consumable resources. A printing device includes a print process configured to determine consumable resources that are currently available at the printing device. The print process is further configured to determine which print data is to be processed based upon the consumable resources currently available at the printing device and the consumable resources required to completely process each of the print data. Print data that can be completely processed using the currently available consumable resources are selected for processing. The print process may also be configured to cause a notification to be provided to a client device to indicate the consumable resources currently available at a printing device and/or that insufficient consumable resources were available to process particular print data and to recommend other consumable resources to process the particular print data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a configuration in which an electrically connected condition can further be stabilized in electrical-connection zones between a body of an image-forming apparatus, and an image-forming unit and a plurality of image-forming cartridges. Developing electrode members 161 and wire power-feed electrodes 162 are attached to a slide frame 140. Each of the developing electrode members 161 has a first body-side contact 161e3. The developing electrode members 161 are electrically connected with developing-roller output terminals 171 through contact with the developing-roller output terminals 171. The wire power-feed electrodes 162 are electrically connected with wire output terminals 172 through contact with the wire output terminals 172. The developing electrode members 161 are elastically deformed as a result of their first body-side contacts 161e3 being pressed in an M2 direction, which is along a slide direction S, by the developing-roller output terminals 171.

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.