Patent Publication Number: US-7221888-B2

Title: Printing device cartridge having position in which rollers are separated from photoconductor

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   Laser printers have become very popular, especially where fast printer output is desired. Other types of printers that operate on the same principle as laser printers, such as printers that utilize light-emitting diodes (LED&#39;s) instead of lasers, are also available and have become popular. A laser printer generally works as follows. An image transfer roller, which may also be referred to as a photoreceptor drum, a photoconductor drum, an organic photoconductor, an optical photoconductor, or a photoconductor, is pre-charged using a charge roller or corona wire. A laser then writes the desired image onto the photoconductor, electrostatically discharging the photoconductor according to the desired image. Meanwhile, a toner transfer roller, or developer roller, is coated with charged toner from a toner hopper, or toner cartridge sump. 
   Traditionally, laser printers maintained a small gap between the photoconductor and the developer roller and/or the charge roller. This is especially the case with black-and-white laser printers. However, more recently laser printers have had the photoconductor come into contact with the developer roller and/or the charge roller. 
   Photoconductors can be relatively hard, however. Therefore, if the relatively soft developer and/or charge rollers remain in contact with them constantly, especially during shipment of toner cartridges of which the photoconductors and these rollers are a part, these rollers can go out of round, developing flat spots. Such deformation of the rollers can result in image quality degradation. At best, the rollers regain their round shape over time, and image quality improves. At worst, though, the rollers retain their deformed shape, and image quality may not improve. 
   Furthermore, the photoconductors may develop what is referred to as rub memory if the developer and/or charge rollers remain in contact with them constantly. Rub memory is the build up of a charge onto the surface of a photoconductor, due to constant contact with the rollers. This build up of charge is exhibited in the images formed on media by repeating lines throughout the image. At best, the rub memory dissipates over time, and the repeating lines cease. At worst, however, the rub memory does not dissipate, and the repeating lines do not stop. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings referenced herein form a part of the specification. Features shown in the drawing are meant as illustrative of only some embodiments of the invention, and not of all embodiments of the invention, unless otherwise explicitly indicated. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of the manner by which laser printing can be accomplished, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams of a laser printer having toner cartridges of differently colored toner to achieve full-color laser printing, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of a cross-sectional side view of a toner cartridge partially inserted into or partially removed from a printer, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram of a cross-sectional front view of a toner cartridge, depicting a locking mechanism thereof, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram of a cross-sectional side view of a toner cartridge fully inserted into a printer in which a roller of the cartridge is in contact with a photoconductor drum of the cartridge, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram of a cross-sectional side view of a toner cartridge fully inserted into a printer in which a roller of the cartridge is separated from a photoconductor drum of the cartridge, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a toner cartridge, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a method of use, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
   In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized, and logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     FIG. 1  shows an example laser-printing mechanism  100  by which laser printing can be accomplished, according to one embodiment of the invention. The laser-printing mechanism  100  may be a part of a laser printer or another type of laser-printing device. The photoconductor drum  108  is made from highly photoconductive material that is discharged by light photons. The photoconductor drum  108  may also be referred to as a photoreceptor drum, a photoconductor, an optical photoconductor, or an organic photoconductor. Initially, the drum  108  is given a total positive charge via a charge roller  110 . The charge roller  110  is in contact with the drum  108  during image formation on the media  120  for precise alignment of the image to be formed on the media  120 . At other times, during non-use, the charge roller  110  may be separated from the photoconductor drum  108 , as will be described. 
   As the drum  108  revolves, the printing mechanism  100  shines a laser beam emanating from the laser beam light source  102 , and reflected by the reflector  104 , onto the surface  106  of the drum  108  to discharge certain points in accordance with an image. In this way, the laser draws, or scans, the image to be printed as a pattern of electrical charges, which can be referred to as an electrostatic image. The drum  108  rotates counter-clockwise, as indicated by the arrow  112 . After the pattern has been set, the printing mechanism  100  coats the drum  108  with charged toner, which is a fine powder. The toner also has a positive charge, so the toner clings to the discharged areas of the drum  108 , but not to the positively charged background. 
   The toner is dispensed by a developer roller  114  that rotates clockwise, as indicated by the arrow  116 , against the drum  108 , after having rotated through the toner hopper  118  to pick up toner. The developer roller  114  is also in contact with the drum  108  during image formation on the media  120  for precise alignment of the image to be formed on the media  120 . At other times, during non-use, the developer roller  114  may be separated from the photoconductor drum  108 , as will be described. With the powder pattern affixed, the drum  108  rolls over a sheet of media  120 , which moves in the direction indicated by the arrow  122 . Before the media  120  rolls under the drum  108 , it is given a negative charge by the transfer roller  124 . This charge is stronger than the charge of the electrostatic image, so the media  120  pulls the powder away from the drum  108 . Since it is moving at the same speed as the drum  108 , the media  120  picks up the image pattern exactly. 
   The printing mechanism  100  finally passes the media  120  through the fuser  130 , which can be a pair of heated rollers  132  and  134  that move in opposite direction. As the media  120  passes through these rollers  132  and  134 , the loose toner powder melts, fusing with the fibers in the media  120 . The fuser  130  rolls the media  120  to an output tray, providing a printed page. After depositing the toner on the media  120 , the drum  108  passes the discharge lamp.  128 , which is a bright light. This exposes the entire photoreceptor surface of the drum  108 , erasing its electrical image, so that the process is ready to be repeated. 
   At least some components of the laser-printing mechanism  100  of  FIG. 1  may be encased within a removable toner cartridge that can be replaced when the toner supply of the cartridge has been depleted. For instance, the toner hopper  118  or a corresponding component thereto, the photoconductor drum  108 , the developer roller  114 , and the charge roller  110  may all be encased within a removable toner cartridge. As such, when the toner supply present in the toner hopper  118  or the corresponding component thereto has been depleted, the toner cartridge is replaced with a new, fresh toner cartridge to continue forming images on media. 
   Furthermore, the laser-printing mechanism  100  of  FIG. 1  is a single color mechanism, in that the toner stored within the toner hopper  118  is a single color. For multiple-color printers, there can be more than one laser-printing mechanism within a given printer, which may share some components. As one example, there may be a black laser-printing mechanism, a cyan laser-printing mechanism, a magenta laser-printing mechanism, and a yellow laser-printing mechanism to achieve full-color printing. 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B  show an example of a multiple-color laser printer  200  that can be used to achieve full-color printing, according to an embodiment of the invention. The laser printer  200  is more generally a laser-printing device. In  FIG. 2A , the cover  202  of the laser printer  200  is closed, whereas in  FIG. 2B  the cover  202  of the laser printer  200  is opened. As such,  FIG. 2B  shows that four different toner cartridges  204 K,  204 C,  204 M, and  204 Y can be inserted into the laser printer  200  to achieve full-color printing. The toner cartridge  204 C is removed from the printer  200  in  FIG. 2B , whereas the other cartridges  204 K,  204 M, and  204 Y have been inserted into the printer  200  in  FIG. 2B . The toner cartridges  204 K,  204 C,  204 M, and  204 Y correspond to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toner, where combinations of these four colors can be used to achieve full-color printing. 
     FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional side profile of a toner cartridge  300  being inserted into the printer  200 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The toner cartridge  300  is representative of any of the toner cartridges  204 K,  204 C,  204 M, and  204 Y of  FIG. 2 . The toner cartridge  300  includes a lower portion  304  and an upper portion  306 . The lower portion  304  may be considered the lower side supply of the cartridge  300 , whereas the upper portion  306  may be considered the upper side waste of the cartridge  300 . It is noted that the toner cartridge  300  may have other components in addition to those depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
   The upper portion  306  has a pin  308  coupled thereto such that a corresponding hole of the lower portion  304  mates with the pin  308  to couple the lower portion  304  to the upper portion  306 . That is, the pin  308  is mounted within this hole. The lower portion  304  therefore is capable of pivoting relative to the upper portion  306  about the pin  308 , which acts as the pivot point. Most generally, it can be stated that the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  are capable of moving relative to each other. Such movement is indicated in  FIG. 3  by the bi-directional arrow  318 . However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to the inclusion of the pin  308  so that the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  can move relative to one another. 
   The lower portion  304  of the toner cartridge  300  includes the developer roller  114 , such that the roller  114  is situated at the lower portion  304 , whereas the upper portion  306  includes the photoconductor drum  108 , such that the drum  108  is situated at the upper portion  306 . The lower portion  304  may further include other rollers, such as the charge roller  110  of  FIG. 1 , but such inclusion is not depicted in  FIG. 3  for illustrative convenience. When the lower portion  304  rotates clockwise towards the upper portion  306 , the roller  114  and the drum  108  separate, as indicated by the gap  330  therebetween. This is specifically depicted in  FIG. 3 . By comparison, when the lower portion  304  rotates counter-clockwise away from the upper portion  306 , the roller  114  and the drum  108  come into contact with one another, which is not specifically depicted in  FIG. 3 . The portions  304  and  306  thus have a first position in which the roller  114  and the drum  108  contact one another, and a second position in which the roller  114  and the drum  108  are separated from one another. 
   The lower portion  304  of the toner cartridge  300  includes a guide  310 , whereas the upper portion  306  includes a guide  316 . The upper portion  306  further includes a slot  312  within which the guide  310  fits so that the lower portion  304  is able to move relative to the upper portion  306 . When the toner cartridge  300  is inserted into the printer  200 , the guide  316  of the upper portion  306  fits in a path or slot  320  of a sidewall  302  of the printer  200 . Fitment of the guide  316  into the slot  320  maintains the upper portion  306  in place, whereas the lower portion  304  is capable of pivoting relative to the upper portion  306 . 
   Furthermore, when the toner cartridge  300  is inserted into the printer  200 , the guide  310  is inserted into an upper part  322  of a path of the sidewall  302  of the printer  200 . The upper part  322  of the path is connected to a lower part  324  of the path via a transitional part  326  of the path that segues the upper part  322  to the lower part  324 . The upper part  322  is parallel but non-collinear with the lower part  324 . As the toner cartridge  300  is pushed into the printer  200 , the lower portion  304  is forced to pivot counter-clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 . This is because the guide  310  of the lower portion  304  moves from the upper part  322 , through the transitional part  326 , and to the lower part  324  of the path of the printer  200 , whereas the upper portion  306  maintains its relative position due to its guide  316  being lodged in the slot  320 . Counter-clockwise movement of the lower portion  304  relative to the upper portion  306  causes the roller  114  to contact the photoconductor drum  108 . 
   It can be stated that the path defined by the parts  322 ,  324 , and  326  thereof is receptive to the guide  310  of the toner cartridge  300 , and causes the lower portion  304  of the cartridge  300  to move relative to the upper portion  306  of the cartridge  300  upon insertion of the cartridge  300  into the printer  200 . The upper part  322  of the path makes initial contact with the guide  310  as the cartridge  300  is inserted into the printer  200 , as compared to the other parts  324  and  326  of the path. The upper part  322  of the path further makes last contact with the guide  310  as the cartridge  300  is removed from the printer  200 , as compared to the other parts  324  and  326  of the path. The path defined by the parts  322 ,  324 , and  326 , thus interacts with the path or slot  320  so that the lower portion  304  of the cartridge  300  moves relative to the upper portion  306  of the cartridge  300  upon removal or insertion of the cartridge  300  into the printer  200 . 
   When the toner cartridge  300  is pulled from the printer  200 , the lower portion  304  is conversely forced to pivot clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 . This is because the guide  310  of the lower portion  304  moves from the lower part  324 , through the transitional part  326 , and to the upper part  322  of the path of the printer  200 , whereas the upper portion  306  maintains its relative position due to its guide  316  being lodged in the slot  320 . Clockwise movement of the lower portion  304  relative to the upper portion  306  causes the roller  114  to separate from the photoconductor drum  108 . The printer  200  also includes a cam  328  in  FIG. 3 , the function of which is described later in the detailed description. 
   The toner cartridge  300  has a spring or other mechanism, not depicted in  FIG. 3 , to normally cause the lower portion  304  to move counter-clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 , such that the roller  114  is in contact with the drum  108 . That is, such a mechanism causes the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  to default to the position in which the roller  114  and the drum  108  are in contact with one another. Thus, the lower portion  304  defaults to counter-clockwise movement relative to the upper portion  306  when there is not a counteracting force to hold the lower portion  304  in place relative to the upper portion  306  so that the roller  114  and the drum  108  remain separated after the lower portion  304  has moved clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 . The spring mechanism may be a coiled spring that is part of the pin  308 , and which causes the lower portion  304  to normally pivot counter-clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 . Such a coiled spring may be of the same general type as typically found in wristwatches, albeit on a larger scale. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to a particular type of spring mechanism, such as such a coiled spring. 
     FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional front view of a part of the toner cartridge  300  in which there is a locking mechanism to hold or maintain the lower portion  304  in place relative to the upper portion  306  after the lower portion  304  has moved relative to the upper portion  306 , according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, the lock mechanism includes a spring-loaded pin  402  coupled to the lower portion  304  and to the guide  310  of the lower portion  304 , and which is capable of mating with a corresponding detent  404  within the upper portion  306 . When the lower portion  304  moves clockwise relative to the upper portion  306  in  FIG. 3 , which corresponds to the lower portion  304  moving upwards relative to the upper portion  306  in  FIG. 4 , the pin  402  mates with the detent  404 . As such, the lower portion  304  remains in position relative to the upper portion  306 . 
   When the lower portion  304  is locked in position relative to the upper portion  306  via the pin  402  mating with the detent  404  in  FIG. 4 , the roller  114  is separated from the photoconductor drum  108  in  FIG. 3 . To unlock this locking mechanism, a sufficient force is needed to dislodge the spring-loaded pin  402  from the detent  404 . Once the spring-loaded pin  402  has been dislodged from the detent  404 , the spring or other mechanism that has been described again causes the lower portion  304  to move counter-clockwise relative to the upper portion  306  in  FIG. 3 , which corresponds to the lower portion  304  moving downwards relative to the upper portion  306  in  FIG. 4 . In this default position, the roller  114  is in contact with the drum  108  in  FIG. 3 . Thus, when the locking mechanism is not maintaining the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  in a position in which the roller  114  is separated from the drum  108 , the spring or other mechanism reverts the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  into another position in which the roller  114  is in contact with the drum  108 . 
   As has been described, in  FIG. 3 , inserting the toner cartridge  300  into the printer  200  results in the guide  310  of the lower portion  304  following the upper part  322  of the path defined by the sidewall  302 , through the transitional part  326 , and to the lower part  324  of this path. As the guide  310  moves from the upper part  322  to the lower part  324  in  FIG. 3 , the lowering of the guide  310  causes the pin  402  to be dislodged from the detent  404  in  FIG. 4 . Because the default position of the lower portion  304  relative to the upper portion  306  is when the lower portion  304  has pivoted counter-clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 , dislodging of the pin  402  from the detent  404  results in the lower portion  304  pivoting counter-clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 . As such, the roller  114  comes into contact with the photoconductor drum  108 . Thus, insertion of the toner cartridge  300  into the printer  200  results in the guide  310  releasing the locking mechanism, such that the roller  114  contacts the drum  108 . 
   Furthermore, as has been described, in  FIG. 3 , removing the toner cartridge  300  from the printer  200  results in the guide  310  moving from the lower part  324  of the path defined by the sidewall  302 , through the transitional part  326 , and to the upper part  322  of this path. As the guide  310  moves from the lower part  324  to the upper part  322  in  FIG. 3 , the raising of the guide  310  causes the pin  402  to again mate with the detent  404  in  FIG. 4 . The lower portion  304  thus is forced to remain in place upon its pivoting clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 . As such, the roller  114  is again separated from the photoconductor drum  108 . 
   The pin  402  and the detent  404  are one type of locking mechanism that can be employed, and other embodiments of the invention may use other types of locking mechanism. In general, the locking mechanism is such that during shipment of the toner cartridge  300 , the forces typically encountered by the cartridge  300  during shipping are insufficient to cause the locking mechanism to unlock, such as the spring-loaded pin to dislodge from the detent  404 . As such, when removed from the printer  200 , such as during shipping, the cartridge  300  maintains separation of the roller  114  from the photoconductor drum  108 , without any additional spacers or other parts. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  show how the cam  328  can be used to move the lower portion  304  relative to the upper portion  306  while the toner cartridge  300  is inserted into the printer  200 , according to an embodiment of the invention. Like-numbered components among  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  6  operate identically within these figures, and where a given numbered component is not particularly described in relation to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , its operation is identical to that as has been described in relation to  FIG. 3 . The operation of such components is not duplicated in the description of  FIGS. 5 and 6  to avoid descriptive redundancy. 
   As has been described in relation to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , as the toner cartridge  300  is inserted into the printer  200 , the guide  310  moves from the upper part  322  of the path defined by the sidewall  302 , through the transitional part  326 , and to the lower part  324  of the path. This movement of the guide  310  causes the lower portion  304  to move counter-clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 . As a result, the roller  114  is in contact with the photoconductor drum  108 . This is the position in which the toner cartridge  300  is depicted in  FIG. 5  upon complete insertion of the cartridge  300  into the printer  200 . 
   In  FIG. 5 , the cam  328  is in a lowered position (as also denoted by reference number  602  in  FIG. 6 ), whereas in  FIG. 6 , the cam  328  has been rotated or moved to an upright position (as also denoted by reference number  502  in  FIG. 5 ). Movement of the cam  328  to the upright position in  FIG. 6  causes the cam  328  to push or press upwards against the lower portion  304  of the toner cartridge  300 . As a result, the lower portion  304  is forced to rotated clockwise relative to the upper portion  306  of the cartridge  300 , causing the roller  114  to separate from the photoconductor drum  108 . 
   However, movement of the cam  328  to its upright position in  FIG. 6  is not sufficient to cause the locking mechanism to engage. Referring briefly back to  FIG. 4 , where the lower portion  304  has been moved lower than is indicated in  FIG. 4  in relation to the upper portion  306 , movement of the cam  328  as in  FIG. 6  causes the lower portion  304  to move upwards, but not so far upwards as to cause the pin  402  to engage the detent  404 . Thus, the separation between the roller  114  and the photoconductor drum  108  indicated by the gap  330 ′ is less than the separation between the roller  114  and the drum  108  indicated by the gap  330  in  FIG. 3 . 
   Therefore, movement of the cam  328  from its upright position in  FIG. 6  back to its lowered position in  FIG. 5  results in the spring or other mechanism causing the lower portion  304  to rotate counter-clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 , resulting in the roller  114  again contacting the photoconductor drum  108 . That is, the cam  328  in its upright position in  FIG. 6  acts as a counteracting force to the spring or other mechanism, to force the lower portion  304  to rotate clockwise relative to the upper portion  306  and stay in this position. Rotation or movement of the cam  328  to its lowered position in  FIG. 5  removes this counteracting force to the spring or other mechanism. The spring or other mechanism thus forces the lower portion  304  to again rotate counter-clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 . The lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  thus revert or default to the position in which the roller  114  contacts the photoconductor drum  108 . 
   In an embodiment of the invention in which there is no spring or other mechanism to force the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  to revert or default to the position in which the roller  114  contacts the drum  108 , there may be an additional cam that is positioned over the lower portion  304  of the cartridge  300 . Such an additional cam would be used to push the lower portion  304  back downwards so that it moves counter-clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 , after the cam  328  has been rotated to its lowered position. That is, two cams may be employed in one embodiment of the invention to cause the lower portion  304  to move clockwise or counter-clockwise relative to the upper portion  306  as desired. 
   The cam  328  is more generally a mechanism movable between two positions. In one of the positions, it does not contact any portion of the cartridge  300 , such as the lower portion  304 , so that the roller  114  remains in contact with the photoconductor drum  108 . In the other position, the mechanism contacts a portion of the cartridge  300 , such as the lower portion  304 , so that the roller  114  is separated from the photoconductor drum  108 . 
   The lower part  324  of the path defined by the sidewall  302  of the printer  200  has a larger height than the upper part  322  and the transitional part  326  of the path have. This is so that the guide  310  is able to move upwards within the lower part  324  of the path when the cam  328  is in its upright position in  FIG. 6  and is pushing against the lower portion  304  of the cartridge  300  such that the lower portion  304  rotates clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 . During movement of the lower portion  304  resulting from the cam  328  pushing up against the lower portion  304  as depicted in  FIG. 6 , the upper portion  306  does not move because its guide  316  is lodged within the path or slot  320 , and has a slot  312  to allow the guide  310  of the lower portion  304  to move therein. 
   There is a downwards-extending protrusion  604  on the top surface of the lower part  324  of the path defined by the sidewall  302  of the printer  200 , as the lower part  324  segues to the transitional part  326  of the path. Upon removal of the toner cartridge  300  from the printer  200  while the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  are in the position depicted in  FIG. 6 , this protrusion  604  causes the guide  310  to move downward, thus causing the lower portion  304  to first rotate counter-clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 . Once the cartridge  300  has been partially removed from the printer  200  such that the guide  310  is within the transitional part  326  of the path, the lower portion  304  again rotates clockwise relative to the upper portion  306 . When the guide  310  has reached the upper part  322  of the path, the lower portion  304  has moved sufficiently clockwise relative to the upper portion  306  to engage the locking mechanism, such as the pin  402  engaging in the detent  404  in  FIG. 4 . As a result, the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  are locked in a position so that the roller  114  is not in contact with the photoconductor drum  108 . 
     FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of the toner cartridge  300 , according to an embodiment of the invention, in relation to which a summary of the cartridge  300  is presented. The toner cartridge  300  in  FIG. 7  includes the following components: the lower portion  304 , the upper portion  306 , one or more rollers  702 , the photoconductor drum  108 , a lock mechanism  704 , a spring mechanism  706 , the lower portion guide  310 , and the upper portion guide  316 . As can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill within the art, the cartridge  300  may have other components, in addition to and/or in lieu of those shown in  FIG. 7 . For instance, the cartridge  300  may have a supply of toner, within a toner hopper or toner sump. 
   The lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  are coupled to one another and are capable of moving relative to each other, such as in the manner as has been described in relation to  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  6 . The rollers  702  can include the developer roller  114 , as well as the charge roller  110  and/or other rollers in one embodiment. The photoconductor drum  108  may also be referred to as an optical photoconductor, a photoconductor, a drum, an organic photoconductor, or by another term. The lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  are capable of moving relative to one another to a first position in which the rollers  702  and the drum  108  contact one another, and to a second position in which the rollers  702  and the drum  108  are separated from one another. 
   The lock mechanism  704  maintains the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  in their second position, so that the rollers  702  and the drum  108  are separated from one another. Upon release of the lock mechanism  704 , the spring mechanism  706  reverts the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  to their first position, so that the rollers  702  and the drum  108  are in contact with one another. The lock mechanism  704  may in one embodiment include a spring-loaded pin  402  and a detent  404 , as has been described in relation to  FIG. 4 . The spring mechanism  706  may in one embodiment include a coiled spring that is part of or attached or coupled to a pin, of the same general type as typically found in wristwatches, albeit on a larger scale. 
   The lower portion guide  310 , as has been described in relation to  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  6 , releases the lock mechanism  704 , upon insertion of the cartridge  300  into the laser printer  200 , so that the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  enter their first position in which the rollers  702  and the drum  108  are in contact with one another. The lower portion guide  310 , in other words, causes the lower portion  304  to move relative to the upper portion  306  to result in the rollers  702  and the drum  108  contacting one another. The lower portion guide  310  may be coupled to the lock mechanism  704 , as has been described in relation to  FIG. 4 . The upper portion guide  316 , as has been described in relation to  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  6 , maintains the upper portion  306  in place, upon insertion of the cartridge  300  into the printer  200 . Holding of the upper portion  306  in place by the upper portion guide  316  in this sense allows the lower portion guide  310  to cause the lower portion  304  to move relative to the upper portion  306 , in one embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 8  shows a method  800  that may be performed in relation to the toner cartridge  300  of  FIG. 7  that has been described, according to an embodiment of the invention. It is noted that while the method  800  is substantially described in relation to multiple rollers, it is applicable to just one roller, such as just the charge roller or just the developer roller, as well. Initially the toner cartridge  300 , prior to insertion into the laser printer  200 , has its rollers  702  and its photoconductor drum  108  separated from one another in a first position ( 802 ). (It is noted that the first position of the rollers  702  and the drum  108  corresponds to the second position of the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  as has been described.) The toner cartridge  300  is then inserted into the laser printer  200  ( 804 ). As has been described in relation to  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  6 , such insertion results in or causes the rollers  702  and the drum  108  to contact one another and thus enter a second position ( 806 ). (It is noted that the second position of the rollers  702  and the drum  108  corresponds to the first position of the lower portion  304  and the upper portion  306  as has been described.) 
   While the toner cartridge  300  is inserted into the laser printer  200 , a cam  328  or other mechanism within the printer  200  may be moved or rotated to again separate the rollers  702  from the photoconductor drum  108  such that they reenter their first position ( 808 ). Similarly, while the toner cartridge  300  is inserted into the printer  200 , the cam  328  or other mechanism may subsequently be moved or rotated to cause the rollers  702  to again contact the drum  108 , in their second position ( 810 ). The toner cartridge  300  is ultimately removed from the laser printer  200  ( 812 ). As has been described in relation to  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  6 , such removal results in or causes the rollers  702  and the drum  108  to be separated, in their first position ( 814 ). 
   It is noted that, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. For example, embodiments of the invention have been largely described in relation to a printing device that is a laser printer. However, other embodiments of the invention may be implemented in relation to other printers that employ a photoconductor and one or more rollers. In addition, whereas embodiments of the invention have been largely described in relation to a toner cartridge for a laser printer, other embodiments may be implemented in relation to other types of cartridges for other types of printers. 
   Furthermore, embodiments of the invention have largely been depicted where there is one roller, a developer roller, being in contact with or separated from a photoconductor drum. In other embodiments, however, there may be more than one roller, such as both a developer roller and a charge roller, being in contact with or separated from the photoconductor drum. Furthermore, these rollers may be positioned so that one of them is in contact with the drum while the other is not. For instance, the charge roller may be caused to contact the drum upon insertion of the cartridge into the printer, such that it remains in contact with the drum at all times while the cartridge is inside the printer. Conversely, the developer roller may either be separated from or in contact with the drum while in the printer, by appropriate usage of a cam or other mechanism, as has been described. 
   This application is thus intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention. For instance, whereas embodiments of the invention have been described in relation to rollers being separated from the photoconductor, such that there are two states: contact of the rollers with the photoconductor in a first position and separation of the rollers from the photoconductor in a second position, in other embodiments of the invention, there may be more than two such states. For example, in a state “A” two rollers may be in contact with the photoconductor, in a state “B” one roller may be in contact with the photoconductor and the other roller may not be in contact with the photoconductor, and in a state “C” both rollers may not be in contact with the photoconductor. The claims that follow read on this embodiment, because “one or more rollers” can be interpreted in one instance to mean only one of these rollers, such that it is in contact with the photoconductor in a first state “A” and not in contact in a second state “B” (or “C”). The claims can then be interpreted so that “one or more rollers” means that the other roller is in contact with the photoconductor in a first state “A” and not in contact in a second state “C”. That is, “one or more rollers” can be interpreted to mean just one roller, even where there is more than one roller in the cartridge. 
   It is noted that embodiments of the invention may have contact or no contact between the rollers and the photoconductor in different situations while the cartridge is in the printing device. For instance, during printing at least one of the rollers (or just one of the rollers) may not be in contact with the rollers, in so-called “gap” printing, whereas in another embodiment, at least one of the rollers may be in contact with the photoconductor, in so-called “contact” printing. A control logic within the printing device may thus cause the rollers to individually contact or not contact the photoconductor as needed, based on whether printing is occurring or not, for instance. 
   Finally, it is noted that separating the rollers from the photoconductor upon removal of the cartridge from a printing device is desirable, because it allows a softer mail to be considered for the rollers, especially the developer roller. A softer developer roller allows less wear and tear on the toner, due to smaller stresses, and this increases developer life. It is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.