Methods and apparatus for remanufacturing toner cartridges

A device for supporting printer cartridge re-manufacturing work, the device comprising at least one printer cartridge mount, the mount comprising an abutting portion configured to abut to a portion of a printer cartridge cylinder positioned on the mount, the device further comprising a drill hole template connected to the printer cartridge mount, the drill hole template defining a drill hole configured to accommodate a cutting device and to create a printer cartridge cutting pattern for the cutting device.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to electrophotography, particularly methods and apparatus for remanufacturing toner cartridges.

BACKGROUND

Used printer cartridges of fax machines, copiers, inkjet printers, and laser printers are often remanufactured. The remanufacturing of printer cartridges may include cleaning, repairing damaged parts, and replacing worn parts. The remanufacturing process may also include refilling the toner hopper with toner. Toner may be introduced into the toner hopper by drilling a hole, refilling the toner, and then covering the hole. Typically, these steps are executed by hand and a drill.

At least one problem with the conventional technique is that the toner hopper is not secured throughout the process. The toner hopper may move during the drilling or the refilling steps, which may add to the time it takes to complete the refilling process. This additional time is undesirable in a high volume re-manufacturing environment. The conventional technique may also expose the toner agitators from coming into contact with the cutting device used. These problems may add toner refilling time and hassles, which is undesirable in a high volume re-manufacturing environment. Methods and apparatus for effectively refilling the cartridge with toner are desired and are addressed by the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

A device for supporting printer cartridge re-manufacturing work, the device comprising at least one printer cartridge mount, the mount comprising an abutting portion configured to abut to a portion of a printer cartridge cylinder positioned on the mount, the device further comprising a drill hole template connected to the printer cartridge mount, the drill hole template defining a drill hole configured to accommodate a cutting device and to create a printer cartridge cutting pattern for the cutting device.

The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of embodiments of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There may be, of course, other features of the invention that will be described below and may form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The present invention comprises various embodiments of a fixture device for supporting work on a printer cartridge and related methods of use. Referring toFIG. 1, the fixture device20preferably includes a base22, a first mount24that is configured to serve as a mount for a first end26of a printer cartridge28, a second mount30that is configured to serve as a mount for a second end32of the printer cartridge28. The base22may be a piece of material known in the art, such as acrylic, wood, or metal.

The second mount30preferably includes a wall42preferably positioned substantially perpendicular to the base22. The wall42is preferably configured to directly contact and hold the printer cartridge28. The second mount30preferably also includes a frame44, which is preferably substantially L-shaped and is attached to the side of the wall42that is opposite to the side that directly contacts the printer cartridge28. The frame44is preferably attached to the wall42using fasteners29known in the art. The frame44preferably defines a first plane46having an axis that is substantially parallel to the wall42and a second plane48having an axis that is substantially parallel to the base22.

The second plane48of the frame44preferably defines a substantially lateral recess50. A screw52preferably runs through the base22and protrudes through the lateral recess50. A washer54may be positioned in between the screw end56and the second plane48. A wing nut58may also be positioned in between the screw end56and the washer54. Other fasteners known in the art may be used in lieu of the screw52, washer54, and the wing nut58. It can be appreciated that by loosening the wing nut58, the frame44and the wall42of the second mount30are allowed to slide. It can be appreciated that the movement of the second mount30relative to the base22is controlled by the position of the screw52within the lateral recess50. The second mount30can be moved toward or away from the first mount24to accommodate varying sizes of printer cartridges.

Referring now toFIG. 2, the fixture device20preferably also includes a drill hole template34, which may be attached to the first mount24and may overhang from the first mount24. The drill hole template34may be attached to other positions around the device fixture20. The drill hole template34preferably defines a recess36, which provides a cutting pattern for cutting a portion of the printer cartridge28. The drill hole template recess36is preferably shaped to accommodate a hole saw38(FIG. 1), which may include a drill end40(FIG. 1). The drill end40may be attached to an electric drill that may be used to drive the hole saw38through the printer cartridge28. A removeable collar37of a predefined height and internal diameter may be inserted in the drill hole template recess36. The collar37may function to control the depth of the cut of the hole saw. Controlling the depth of the cut of the hole saw may prevent the hole saw from damaging internal components of the printer cartridge. A plurality of collars of varying heights and internal diameters may be provided to allow the fixture device to be used with various types and sizes of printer cartridges.

With reference now toFIG. 3, the first mount24of the fixture device20preferably defines one or more recesses60and62to accommodate protruding parts of the printer cartridge28. First mount24preferably serves to support the printer cartridge28by supporting the protruding part of the printer cartridge28that is inserted through the recess60or62. Protruding parts of the printer cartridge28may include toner agitator shafts (not shown). First wall24may further include side enclosures64and66, which may be a pair of vertical structures attached to each side of the first mount24. The side enclosures64and66may be perpendicularly attached to the first mount to create individual corners with the first mount24. It can be appreciated that the side enclosures64and66may serve to further minimize movements of the printer cartridge28during work.

Referring now toFIG. 4, the wall42of the second mount30preferably defines a recess70configured to accommodate any protrusions of the printer cartridge28that may be attached to the second end32of the printer cartridge28. The wall42of the second mount30also preferably defines saddle68. The saddle68is preferably substantially U-shaped and is preferably configured to hold a cylindrically shaped printer cartridge. The U-shaped surface of the saddle68is configured to abut to a portion of the printer cartridge cylinder. It can be appreciated that a cylindrically shaped printer cartridge may roll when laterally positioned on a surface. With the saddle68of the fixture device20of the present invention, rolling movement of the printer cartridge during re-manufacturing is substantially minimized.

Referring now toFIG. 5, the fixture device20may be used by loosening the wing nut58to allow the second mount30to slide away from the first mount24to provide room for the printer cartridge28. The printer cartridge28may then be introduced in between the first mount24and the second mount30. The printer cartridge28may be oriented in a manner that would allow printer cartridge protrusion72at the first end26to enter through the recess60defined by the first mount24. The second mount30may then be moved closer to the first mount24until the saddle68abuts to and supports a cylindrical portion of the printer cartridge28. The wing nut58may then be tightened to secure the printer cartridge28within the fixture device20.

Referring now toFIG. 6, the hole saw38may then be positioned inside the drill hole36that is defined by the drill hole template34. An electric drill74may then be attached to the drill end40of the hole saw38. The electric drill74may be activated to cut the printer cartridge28according to a pattern created by the drill hole template34. After the printer cartridge hole has been created, the printer cartridge may be filled with toner and then covered.

It can now be realized that the present invention provides a device that may effectively hold a cartridge portion or an entire cartridge during assembly, toner refill, remanufacture, refurbishment, repair, or maintenance. As a result, a cartridge re-manufacturer may be able to work efficiently and quickly. Finally, the present invention provides a template for creating a refill hole on a toner hopper, which may allow for an efficient toner refill procedure and may prevent damage to the internal parts of the printer cartridge, such as the agitator.

Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the shape of the base fixture may vary. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. The invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the above description or as illustrated in the drawings.