Abstract:
A method is provided for recycling a previously-used gear assembly that includes a portion having pair of slots. The method includes obtaining a previously-used gear assembly that has been removed from a first photosensitive drum-cylinder, inserting the portion of the gear assembly into a second drum-cylinder; positioning the portion of the gear assembly and the second drum-cylinder between a pair of moveable arms, and moving the moveable arms toward the portion of the gear assembly to couple the gear assembly to the second drum-cylinder by crimping the second drum-cylinder into the pair of slots.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/079,780, filed Apr. 4, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of laser printer toner cartridges and more specifically to the field of remanufacturing such cartridges. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A laser toner cartridge contains a few significant components that directly affect the print quality and durability over time. These significant components are all located in the development section of the cartridge. The above mentioned components are the photosensitive drum that is made of an electrically conducting material such as aluminum, the developing roller, the regulating member and the primary charge roller. 
         [0004]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , as known in the art, a photosensitive drum assembly  20  also known in the art as Organic-Photo-Conductor (OPC) may include an aluminum cylinder, also known as drum-cylinder  22 , whose outer surface has been treated with anodizing and a photosensitive coating (not shown), a helical gear assembly  24  with helical teeth  26 , and a helical drive gear assembly  28  with helical teeth  30 . 
         [0005]    As known in the art, during operation of a laser printer cartridge, the photosensitive drum assembly  20  rotates as its drive gear assembly  28  is rotated. Specific models of laser cartridges are known to have specific gear designs for the drive gear assembly  28 . The drive gear assembly  28  is typically attached to the aluminum cylinder  22  by a mechanical crimping and coupling process, such as, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,248,814. After some testing, it has been determined that an application of about 5 ft. lbs. of torque to the drive gear assembly  28  could cause the mechanical crimping and coupling process to fail and cause the photosensitive drum assembly  20  to separate from the drive gear assembly  28 . 
         [0006]    As a result of constant friction between the photosensitive drum assembly  20  and the primary charge roller (not shown), as well as friction between the developing roller (not shown), the printed media (not shown), and the cleaning member/wiper blade (not shown), the photo-conductive coating (not shown) on the aluminum cylinder  22  typically wears off and/or degrades as the laser cartridge is depleted. This wearing off and/or degradation of the coating (not shown) on the aluminum cylinder  22  may in turn reduce print quality of the laser cartridge when it is remanufactured. The amount of wear and/or degradation of the coating depends on multiple factors such as, for example: type of media printed, average coverage area of the printed documents, type of toner used, type of documents printed (short: 1-2 pages or long: 100+ pages), and/or type of coating etc. To improve print quality in the remanufactured cartridges, the aluminum cylinder  22  is typically treated as an exhausted component and is replaced by a new one during the remanufacturing processes. 
         [0007]    While the aluminum cylinder  22  may become exhausted during a single lifecycle of the laser cartridge, the photosensitive drum assembly  20 &#39;s drive gear assembly  28  typically does not degrade and/or wear out with such use, and may be reused. In order to reduce costs of remanufacturing a laser toner cartridge and to improve print quality of the remanufactured laser cartridges, and to reduce waste, a need exists for a process and associated apparatus by which the aluminum cylinder  22  with worn out/degraded coating is replaced and the drive gear assembly  28  from the original laser toner cartridge is reused. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In some aspects a method includes obtaining a previously-used gear assembly that has been removed from a first photosensitive drum-cylinder. The gear assembly includes a portion defining a pair of slots. The portion of the gear assembly is inserted into a second drum-cylinder, and the portion of the gear assembly and the second drum-cylinder are positioned between a pair of moveable arms. The moveable arms are moved toward the portion of the gear assembly to couple the gear assembly to the second drum-cylinder by crimping the second drum-cylinder into the pair of slots. 
         [0009]    In other aspects, a method includes obtaining a previously-used drive assembly that has been removed from a first drum-cylinder. The drive assembly includes a pair of slots. The drive assembly is positioned in a holding plate between a pair of moveable arms, and a second drum-cylinder is positioned over a portion of the drive assembly. The moveable arms are moved to crimp the second drum-cylinder into the slots, thereby coupling the drive assembly to the second drum-cylinder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a prior art photosensitive member assembly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2   a  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary prior art drive gear assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   b  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary prior art helical gear assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   c  depicts a perspective view of another exemplary prior art helical gear assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3   a  depicts a perspective view of another prior art photosensitive member assembly. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3   b - c  depict a perspective view of an exemplary apparatus according to the present disclosure for removing the drive gear assembly gear from the original photosensitive member assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   d  depicts a perspective view of the drive gear assembly separated from the photosensitive member assembly. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3   e  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary apparatus according to the present disclosure for removing the helical gear assembly gear from the original photosensitive member assembly. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3   f  depicts a perspective view of the helical gear assembly separated from the photosensitive member assembly. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 4   a - b  depict a perspective view of another exemplary apparatus according to the present disclosure for removing the helical gear assembly gear from the original photosensitive member assembly. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5   a  depicts a perspective view of the helical gear assembly and the drive gear assembly coupled to a new photosensitive member assembly. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5   b  depicts a perspective view of the orientation of the drive gear assembly and the drum-cylinder before installation. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5   c  depicts a perspective view of the orientation of the helical gear assembly and the drum-cylinder before installation. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6   a  depicts an exemplary embodiment of coupling the drive gear assembly and the new drum-cylinder. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6   b  depicts an exemplary embodiment of coupling the helical gear assembly and the new drum-cylinder. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 7   a - c  and  8  depict a perspective view of an exemplary apparatus according to the present disclosure for coupling the drive gear assembly to a new photosensitive member assembly. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 9   a - b  depict another exemplary embodiment of coupling the drive gear assembly and the new drum-cylinder. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 10   a - b  depict another exemplary embodiment of coupling the drive gear assembly and the new drum-cylinder. 
       
    
    
       [0028]    In the following description, like reference numbers are used to identify like elements. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to illustrate major features of exemplary embodiments in a diagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of every implementation nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements, and are not drawn to scale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various specific embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the presently claimed invention may be practiced without all of the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well known features have not been described so as not to obscure the invention. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 2   a,  as known in the art, a conventional drive gear assembly  28  may include a molded helical gear  30  with helical teeth  32  as well as a metal grounding contact plate  34  in the form, for example, of a disc. The grounding plate  34  may include two opposing pairs of parallel tabs with predetermined lengths as identified by reference numbers  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42 . The parallel tabs  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  may be cut from the periphery of the grounding contact plate  34 . The tabs  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  may have an end portion that is slightly bent towards the helical teeth  32  of the helical gear  30 . The tabs  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  may be used to create a conductive path for electrical continuity between the drum-cylinder  22  shown in  FIG. 1 , and the drum ground contact member  48 . Grounding contact plate  34  may be positioned towards the helical molded gear  30  using, for example, two holes/openings  44 ,  46  that may be force-fitted on dowel plastic pins  45 ,  47  on the helical gear  30 . The pins  45 ,  47  may be part of the drive gear assembly  28  and may be mushroomed (heat staked) over the grounding plate  34 . The ground contact member  48  may provide a path to ground for the photosensitive drum assembly  20 , shown in  FIG. 1 , through a contact on the toner cartridge (not shown) that is in turn grounded to the printing apparatus (not shown). The grounding member  48  may be pressure fitted into the grounding plate  34  and electrically connected to the plate  34  using, for example, two leaf spring contacts  50 ,  52 . Although the present disclosure refers to a drive gear assembly  28  with a metal grounding contact plate  34 , it is to be understood that the present invention may also be applied to drive gear assemblies  28  without any metal grounding contact plates  34 . 
         [0031]    The drive gear assembly  28  may also include surfaces  54 . The surfaces  54  may include a gear flange  56  and a tapered area  58 , as marked in the  FIG. 2   a  by dashed lines. The tapered area  58  may be used to guide travel of the gear into the drum-cylinder  22  shown in  FIG. 1  once it is inserted into the drum-cylinder  22 . In the original photosensitive drum assembly  20 , the drum-cylinder  22  may be crimped to the drive gear assembly  28  using one or more tabs  94  on the drum-cylinder  22  shown in  FIG. 1 . It is to be understood that another tab (not shown), similar to tab  94 , may be located on the opposite side of the drum-cylinder  22 . The one or more tabs  94  may be bent or made to fit into one or more slots  62  in the drive gear assembly  28 , as shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  3   d.  It is to be understood that another slot (not shown), similar to slot  62 , may be located on the opposite side of the drive gear assembly  28 . A limiting rail  60 , shown in  FIG. 2   a,  may be used as a location guide when the drive gear assembly  28  is inserted into the drum-cylinder  22 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2   b - FIG. 2   c,  as known in the art, the helical gear assembly  24  may also be crimped to the drum-cylinder  22 . The helical gear assembly  24  may comprise helical teeth  26 , and one or more openings/slots  705 . The helical gear assembly  24  may also comprise grounding plates/tabs  701  and  702  as shown in  FIG. 2   b.  The plates/tabs  701  and  702  may be used to create a conductive path for electrical continuity between the drum-cylinder  22  shown in  FIG. 1 , and the drum ground contact member  703 . The ground contact member  703  may provide a path to ground for the photosensitive drum assembly  20 , shown in  FIG. 1 , through a contact on the toner cartridge (not shown) that is in turn grounded to the printing apparatus (not shown). Although the present disclosure refers to the helical gear assembly  24  with grounding plates/tabs  701  and  702 , it is to be understood that the present invention may also be applied to helical gear assemblies  28  without any grounding plates/tabs  701  and  702  as shown in  FIG. 2   c.    
         [0033]    Similarly to the drive gear assembly  28  described above, in the original photosensitive drum assembly  20 , the drum-cylinder  22  may be crimped to the helical gear assembly  24  using one or more tabs  91  on the drum-cylinder  22  as shown in  FIG. 1 . It is to be understood that another tab (not shown), similar to tab  91 , may be located on the opposite side of the drum-cylinder  22 . The one or more tabs  91  may be bent or made to fit into one or more slots  705  in the helical gear assembly  24 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 3   a - FIG. 3   f  and  FIG. 4   a - FIG. 4   b,  exemplary processes for removing the original drive gear assembly  28  and the original helical gear assembly  24  from a photosensitive drum assembly  66  are disclosed. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3   b - FIG. 3   d,  an exemplary process for removing the original drive gear assembly  28  from a drum-cylinder  68  using a pneumatic clamp apparatus  70  will be described. The pneumatic clamp apparatus  70  may comprise clamp housing positioning legs  74 ,  76 ; a base or housing, one wall of which is shown at  72 ; a stationary grip  78 ; and a sliding grip  80 . The sliding grip  80  may slide back and forth in the directions of the arrow  82  and may have two positions, “open” and “closed”. Once the sliding grip  80  is in the open position, as shown in  FIG. 3   b , the drive gear assembly  28  is inserted into sleeve  84  in order to hold it in position. A pneumatic air cylinder  90  drives the sliding grip  80  in the directions of the arrow  82  to open and close the clamp. The apparatus  70  may also include an air switch  92  that has two positions “open” and “closed”, and a compressed air delivery hose  93 . In order to operate the apparatus  70  and to insert the drive gear assembly  28 , the switch  92  has to be on “open” mode. The drive gear assembly  28  is then vertically inserted into the sleeve  84  in the direction of arrow  96 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 3   c , once the drive gear assembly  28  is in the sleeve  84 , the switch  92  is then actuated or pushed to the “closed” position (not shown) and the sliding grip  80  clamps the drive gear assembly  28  in a fixed position as shown in  FIG. 3   b . Then the drum-cylinder  68  may be rocked back and forth in the directions of the arrows  98 ,  100  in order to break the connection between the crimping tab  94  and the slot  62 , thus releasing the drive gear assembly  28  from the drum-cylinder  68 . Referring to  FIG. 3   d,  once the drive gear assembly  28  is released from the drum-cylinder  68 , the drum-cylinder  68  will have an open/exposed end  83 . 
         [0037]    Although the pneumatic clamp apparatus  70  may also be used to remove the helical gear assembly  24  from the drum-cylinder  68  as shown in  FIG. 3   e - FIG. 3   f,  the sliding grip  80  and the stationary grip  78  may damage the helical teeth  26  that are around the perimeter of the helical gear assembly  24 . An exemplary process of removing the original helical gear assembly  24  from a drum-cylinder  68  without damaging the helical teeth  26  according to the present disclosure is disclosed with reference to  FIG. 4   a - FIG. 4   b.    
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 4   a - FIG. 4   b,  an exemplary process for removing the original helical gear assembly  24  from a drum-cylinder  68  using a pneumatic piston apparatus  570  will be described. The pneumatic piston apparatus  570  may comprise a frame  572  and a sliding rod  581 . The sliding rod  581  may slide back and forth in the direction of the arrow  583  and may have two positions “retract” and “extend”. The pneumatic piston apparatus  570  may also comprise a stationary grip  578  and a moving grip  580 . The moving grip  580  may move up and down in the directions of the arrow  582  by raising or lowering of a lever  585 . The moving grip  580  may have two positions “open” and “closed”. When the lever  585  is raised, the moving grip  580  is in the “open” position and when the lever  585  is lowered, the moving grip  580  is in the “closed” position. When the sliding grip  580  is in the “open” position and the sliding rod  581  is in the “retracted” position, the open/exposed end  83  of the drum-cylinder  68  slides onto the sliding rod  581  towards the moving grip  580 . Once the drum-cylinder  68  is on the sliding rod  581 , it is locked in place between the moving grip  580  and the stationary grip  578  by lowering the lever  585  and causing the moving grip  580  to be in the “closed” position. Once the drum-cylinder  68  is locked in place between the moving grip  580  and the stationary grip  578 , the sliding rod  581  may be activated to slide into the “extend” position to push against the helical gear assembly  24  and break the connection between the one or more tabs  91  shown in  FIG. 3   a  and the slot (not shown) that may be in the helical gear assembly  24 , thus releasing the helical gear assembly  24  from the drum-cylinder  68 . Referring to  FIG. 3   a,  once the helical gear assembly  24  is released from the drum-cylinder  68 , the drum-cylinder  68  will have an open/exposed end  87 . 
         [0039]    In one exemplary embodiment, the sliding rod  581  may be activated to slide into the “extend” position by activating an air switch (not shown) and supplying compressed air through a hose (not shown) to an air piston  579 . 
         [0040]    In another exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the pneumatic piston apparatus  570  may also be used to release the drive gear assembly  28  from the drum-cylinder  68  after the helical gear assembly  24  has been released from the drum-cylinder  68  using, for example, the pneumatic clamp apparatus  70 . In another exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the pneumatic piston apparatus  570  may be used to release the drive gear assembly  28  and the helical gear assembly  24  from the drum-cylinder  68  by cutting the drum-cylinder  68  in half using saws known in the art. 
         [0041]    Although the present disclosure refers to a helical gear assembly  24  shown in  FIG. 1 , helical gear assemblies  24  are manufactured in different shapes and sizes and may not have helical teeth  26 . The embodiment presently disclosed may be applied to helical gear assemblies  24  irrespective of size, shape and/or with or without helical teeth  26 . 
         [0042]    Once the helical gear assembly  24  and the drive gear assembly  28  are released from the drum-cylinder  68  as shown in  FIG. 3   d  and  FIG. 3   f,  the drum-cylinder  68  may be recycled or discarded while the drive gear assembly  28  and/or the helical gear assembly  24  may be reused with a new drum-cylinder  200  as shown in  FIG. 5   a.    
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 5   a - FIG. 5   b,  in one exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the drive gear assembly  28  may be recycled after being removed from the drum-cylinder  68  by being coupled with a new drum-cylinder  200 . To couple the drive gear assembly  28  with the new drum-cylinder  200 , the drive gear assembly  28  may be positioned adjacent the end  118  of the drum-cylinder  200  so as to facilitate electrical contact between the tabs  36 ,  38  and the inner surface of the drum-cylinder  200 . Once properly aligned, at least a portion of the drive gear  28  may be inserted into the first end  118  of the new drum-cylinder  200 . In one exemplary embodiment, the drive gear assembly  28  may be inserted into the first end  118  of the new drum-cylinder  200  until the edge of the first end  118  abuts the limiting rail  60  and the tabs  36 ,  38  are in electrical contact with the inner surface of the new drum-cylinder  200 . Once the drive gear assembly  28  is inserted into the first end  118  of the new drum-cylinder  200 , a portion of the new drum-cylinder  200  may be crimped/bent  601  into the slot  62  of the drive gear assembly  28  to prevent the drive gear assembly  28  from being separated from the new drum-cylinder  200  as the drive gear assembly  28  rotates the new drum-cylinder  200 . Although the present disclosure refers to a drive gear assembly  28  with a metal grounding contact plate  34  and tabs  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 , it is to be understood that the present invention may also be applied to drive gear assemblies  28  without the metal grounding contact plates  34  and tabs  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   c,  in one exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the helical gear assembly  24  may be recycled after being removed from the drum-cylinder  68  by being coupled with a new drum-cylinder  200 . To couple the helical gear assembly  24  with the new drum-cylinder  200 , the helical gear assembly  28  may be positioned adjacent the end  119  of the drum-cylinder  200  so as to facilitate electrical contact between the tabs  701 ,  702  and the inner surface of the drum-cylinder  200 . Once properly aligned, at least a portion of the helical gear assembly  24  may be inserted into the second end  119  of the new drum-cylinder  200 . In one exemplary embodiment, the helical gear assembly  24  may be inserted into the second end  119  of the new drum-cylinder  200  until the tabs  701 ,  702  are in electrical contact with the inner surface of the new drum-cylinder  200 . Once the helical gear assembly  24  is inserted into the second end  119  of the new drum-cylinder  200 , a portion of the new drum-cylinder  200  may be crimped/bent  603  into the slot  705  of the helical gear assembly  24  to prevent the helical gear assembly  24  from being separated from the new drum-cylinder  200 . Although the present disclosure refers to a helical gear assembly  24  with a metal grounding contact plate/tabs  701 ,  702 , it is to be understood that the present invention may also be applied to helical gear assemblies  24  without the metal grounding contact plates/tabs  701 ,  702  as shown in  FIG. 2   c.    
         [0045]    In one exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the drive gear assembly  28  may be inserted into the first end  118  of the new drum-cylinder  200  manually by hand. Similarly, the helical gear assembly  24  may be inserted into the second end  119  of the new drum-cylinder  200  manually by hand. In another exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the drive gear assembly  28  and the helical gear assembly  24  may be inserted into the new drum-cylinder  200  using any apparatus as known in the art. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 6   a,  once the drive gear assembly  28  is inserted into the new drum-cylinder  200 , a portion of the new drum-cylinder  200  may be crimped/bent  601  on one or more sides to prevent the drive gear assembly  28  from being released from the new drum-cylinder  200  as the drive gear assembly  28  rotates the new drum-cylinder  200 . In one exemplary embodiment, a portion of the new drum-cylinder  200  may be crimped/bent  601  into the one or more pre-existing slots  62  shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3   d  and  5   b.    
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 6   b,  once the helical gear assembly  24  is inserted into the new drum-cylinder  200 , a portion of the new drum-cylinder  200  may be crimped/bent  603  on one or more sides to prevent the helical gear assembly  24  from being released from the new drum-cylinder  200 . In one exemplary embodiment, a portion of the new drum-cylinder  200  may be crimped/bent  603  into the one or more pre-existing slots  705  shown in  FIGS. 2   b - c  and  3   f.    
         [0048]    The new drum-cylinder  200  may be crimped/bent  601 ,  603  using hand tools or crimping presses as known in the art. In one exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the force required to release the drive gear assembly  28  or the helical gear assembly  24  from the new drum-cylinder  200  may be about 5 ft. lbs. of torque or more. 
         [0049]    In one exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the new drum-cylinder  200  may be crimped/bent  601 ,  603  using crimping apparatus  610  shown in  FIG. 7   a - FIG. 7   c  and  FIG. 8 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 7   a - FIG. 7   c  and  FIG. 8 , an exemplary process according to the present disclosure for coupling the original drive gear assembly  28  to the new drum-cylinder  200  using the crimping apparatus  610  will be described. Referring to  FIG. 7   b , the crimping apparatus  610  may comprise a holding plate  620  configured to hold a portion of the original drive gear assembly  28 ; an opening  615  for accommodating the holding plate  620  and accommodating at least a portion of the original drive gear assembly  28  during the coupling process. Because the drive gear assemblies  28  are manufactured in different shapes and sizes, the opening  615  may be configured to accommodate different holding plates  620 , wherein each holding plate  620  may be designed to hold/accommodate a specific model and/or shape of the drive gear assembly  28 . The holding plate  620  may also have one or more gear rails  630  configured to hold and/or guide the drive gear assembly  28  as it is being inserted into the holding plate  620  and/or as it is being coupled to the new drum-cylinder  200 . Referring to  FIG. 7   b  and  FIG. 8 , the crimping apparatus  610  may also comprise movable arms  635  and  640  each comprising at least one crimping tooth  645  and  650 . As the drive gear assembly  28  is placed into the holding plate  620  and the new drum-cylinder  200  is placed over, at least a portion of, the drive gear assembly  28 , the movable arms  635  and  640  may be activated to move towards each other so that the crimping teeth  645  and  650  may crimp/bend  601  the drum-cylinder  200  thereby coupling the drum-cylinder  200  to the drive gear assembly  28 . In one exemplary embodiment, the holding plate  620  may be configured to position the drive gear assembly  28  so as to allow the crimping teeth  645  and  650  to crimp/bend  601  the drum-cylinder  200  into the pre-existing opening/slots  62  as shown in  FIG. 5   b.  In another exemplary embodiment the crimping teeth  645  and  650  may be made from hardened steel to prevent breakage. 
         [0051]    As stated above, the drive gear assemblies  28  come in different shapes and sizes and may have different size opening/slots  62 . In order to accommodate the different drive gear assemblies  28 , in another exemplary embodiment, the crimping apparatus  610  may be configured to accommodate different movable arms  635  and  640  with different size/shape crimping teeth  645  and  650 , wherein different movable arms  635  and  640  may be designed for a specific model and/or shape of the drive gear assembly  28  and/or opening/slots  62 . 
         [0052]    In another exemplary embodiment, the crimping apparatus  610  may use systems  660  and  665  to move the movable arms  635  and  640  towards and away from each other. In one exemplary embodiment, the systems  660  and  665  may be a mechanical system, where the movable arms  635  and  640  are operated by a manual lever (not shown). In another exemplary embodiment, the systems  660  and  665  may be a compressed air system, where the movable arms  635  and  640  are moved with compressed air and/or air pistons  670 ,  675  as known in the art. In another exemplary embodiment, the systems  660  and  665  may be an electric system, where the movable arms  635  and  640  are moved with either motors (not shown) and/or electrical actuators (not shown) as known in the art. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 7   c,  the crimping apparatus  610  may also comprise a holding arm  680  capable of being raised or lowered in the direction of the arrow  690  with, for example, a lever  685 . As the drive gear assembly  28  is placed into the holding plate  620  and the new drum-cylinder  200  is placed over, at least a portion of, the drive gear assembly  28 , the holding arm  680  may be lowered to hold the drive gear assembly  28  and the drum-cylinder  200  in place during the crimping process. The holding arm  680  may be used to assure that the drum-cylinder  200  does not move and the drive gear assembly  28  is firmly in the holding plate during the crimping process. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 7   c , the crimping apparatus  610  may also comprise a lever  695  configured to release the drive gear assembly  28  from the holding plate  620  by lowering and raising a drum (not shown) within the opening  615 . By lowering the lever  695 , the operator of the crimping apparatus  610  may raise the drum (not shown) within the opening  615  thereby pushing the drive gear assembly  28  out of the holding plate  620 . 
         [0055]    Although  FIG. 7   a - FIG. 7   c  depict the crimping apparatus  610  as having two movable arms  635  and  640 , in another exemplary embodiment the crimping apparatus  610  may have more than two movable arms  635  and  640 . The number of movable arms  635  and  640  would depend on the number of crimps/bends  601  required to provide sufficient coupling between the drum-cylinder  200  and the drive gear assembly  28 . 
         [0056]    In another exemplary embodiment, the crimping apparatus  610  may be configured to have and/or operate and/or move only one of the movable arms  635  and  640 . In this embodiment, the crimping apparatus  610  would provide only one crimp/bend  601  for coupling the drum-cylinder  200  to the drive gear assembly  28 . 
         [0057]    Although  FIG. 7   a - FIG. 7   c  and  FIG. 8  depict and describe the process of coupling the original drive gear assembly  28  to the new drum-cylinder  200 , in another exemplary embodiment according to the present application, the crimping apparatus  610  may also be used to couple the helical gear assembly  24  to the new drum-cylinder  200 . In this embodiment, the crimping apparatus  610  may be configured with moving arms  635  and  640  and holding plate  620  that are configured to accommodate the helical gear assembly  24  instead of the drive gear assembly  28 . 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 9   a - FIG. 9   b,  in another exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, once the drive gear assembly  28  is inserted into the new drum-cylinder  200 , one or more pins  401  may be used to prevent the drive gear assembly  28  from being removed from the new drum-cylinder  200  as the drive gear assembly  28  rotates the new drum-cylinder  200 . The one or more pins  410  may be inserted into pre-existing slots  62  shown in  FIG. 2  or into one or more openings  63  that may be drilled into the drive gear assembly  28  and the new drum-cylinder  200  after the drive gear assembly  28  is inserted into the new drum-cylinder  200 . Although  FIG. 9   a - FIG. 9   b  depict and describe the process of coupling the original drive gear assembly  28  to the new drum-cylinder  200 , in another exemplary embodiment according to the present application, the one or more pins  401  may be used to couple the helical gear assembly  24  to the new drum-cylinder  200 . 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 10   a - FIG. 10   b,  in another exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, once the drive gear assembly  28  is inserted into the new drum-cylinder  200 , one or more screws  405  may be used to prevent the drive gear assembly  28  from being removed from the new drum-cylinder  200  as the drive gear assembly  28  rotates the new drum-cylinder  200 . The one or more screws  405  may be screwed through the new drum-cylinder  200  and into pre-existing slots  62  shown in  FIG. 2  or the one or more screws  405  may be screwed through one or more openings  67  after the drive gear assembly  28  is inserted into the new drum-cylinder  200 . The one or more openings  67  may be pre-drilled prior to insertion of the screws  405  or the one or more openings  67  may be formed as the screws  405  are being screwed into the drive gear assembly  28  through the new drum-cylinder  200 . Although  FIG. 10   a - FIG. 10   b  depict and describe the process of coupling the original drive gear assembly  28  to the new drum-cylinder  200 , in another exemplary embodiment according to the present application, the one or more screws  405  may be used to couple the helical gear assembly  24  to the new drum-cylinder  200 . 
         [0060]    The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that additions, subtractions, deletions, and other modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. 
         [0061]    While several illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0062]    As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “plurality” includes two or more referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains. 
         [0063]    The foregoing detailed description of exemplary and preferred embodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and disclosure in accordance with the requirements of the law. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise form(s) described, but only to enable others skilled in the art to understand how the invention may be suited for a particular use or implementation. The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. No limitation is intended by the description of exemplary embodiments which may have included tolerances, feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineering specifications, or the like, and which may vary between implementations or with changes to the state of the art, and no limitation should be implied therefrom. Applicant has made this disclosure with respect to the current state of the art, but also contemplates advancements and that adaptations in the future may take into consideration of those advancements, namely in accordance with the then-current state of the art. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims as written and equivalents as applicable. Reference to a claim element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated. Moreover, no element, component, nor method or process step in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for . . . ” and no method or process step herein is to be construed under those provisions unless the step, or steps, are expressly recited using the phrase “step(s) for . . . .”