Patent Application
20080003013
The following detailed description of preferred embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention. In the discussion that follows, specific systems and techniques for repairing, manufacturing or remanufacturing an imaging cartridge, such as a toner cartridge are used as examples. Other embodiments having different structures and operations for the repair, remanufacture and operation of other types of replaceable imaging components and for various types of imaging devices, such as laser printers, inkjet printers, copiers, facsimile machines and the like, do not depart from the scope of the present invention.
In the toner cartridge refurbishment industry, the used toner cartridges are collected and serviced by toner cartridge remanufacturers. The first step in the refurbishment process is the disassembling of the spent cartridges. Next, the internal components are separated. Non-functioning components are replaced, and the remaining components, as well as the body of the device undergo a cleaning process. In the final step the device is reassembled and new toner is added to the toner cartridge. The refurbished device is then packaged and distributed to the consumer.
Typically the OEM uses ultrasonic welding to hold sections of the cartridge together. These welds are broken when the cartridge is disassembled by the remanufacturer. Those skilled in the art appreciate that ultrasonic welding may be utilized on plastic or plastic composite materials. No other hardware is required to hold the sections of the cartridge in place after the ultrasonic welds are done.
During the disassembly of a toner cartridge, the ultrasonic welds are broken in order to separate the sections of the toner cartridge. The remanufacturer may use some type of sharp instrument such as a sharp blade or box cutter to sever the weld. Cutting the weld may be more time consuming than prying the sections apart with brute force. Some remanufacturers may decide that it is easier to use a screw driver, chisel or other type of instrument to pry the sections apart.
After the cartridge has been completely disassembled, and the worn or used components identified and replaced, the toner cartridge is reassembled. During the reassembly of the cartridge, the remanufacturer may choose not to re-weld the sections together. In order to ultrasonically weld the sections, the remanufacturer may have to invest in expensive welding equipment that maybe too cost prohibitive. Additionally, after the ultrasonic weld is broken, material at the seam may be compromised enough that there is not be enough material remaining to re-weld.
One alternative that has been developed for securing the sections of a toner cartridge are clips. Clips are an excellent alternative to ultrasonic welding. Using a clip to hold the various sections together allows the remanufacturer to easily disassemble the cartridge during a later refurbishment. No welding equipment is necessary when utilizing a clip. However, previous clips used in the toner remanufacturing industry are designed to provide a securing and stabilizing force in diametrically opposed directions. The seams on these types of cartridges are formed from the mating of two parallel surfaces. The legs of the prior art clip fasten to these parallel surfaces and push them together. However in some newer cartridges, the two parallel surfaces that form the seam may not have enough area to attach these prior art clips. The present invention is designed to provide a securing and stabilizing force necessary to keep this type of seam sealed after the remanufacturing process.
The present invention is more clearly understood in reference to the cartridge 100 displayed in
When cartridge 100 is reassembled, a seal 206 is first placed over the toner hopper opening 216. The seal 206 has a removable plastic portion attached to a pull tab 204 that covers the toner hopper opening 216. The seal keeps toner confined in the toner hopper reservoir 110 during shipment of the cartridge 100. Prior to installing the cartridge 100 in a printer, the removable plastic portion is removed by pulling the pull tab 204. Removing the removable portion allows toner to flow from the toner hopper reservoir 110 into the magnetic roller section 120.
Once the seal 206 is place on the toner hopper reservoir 110, the magnetic roller section 120 is then placed on top of the toner hopper reservoir 110. The present invention is used to secure the magnetic roller section 120 against the seal 206 and the toner hopper reservoir 110. Next, a doctor blade 214 and magnetic roller wiper tabs 222 are secured on top of the magnetic roller section 120 with two securing screws (not shown). The magnetic roller assembly consisting of the long magnetic roller bushing 218, magnetic roller 232, short magnetic roller bushing 224, stabilizer bearing 226, stabilizer 228 and magnetic roller drive gear 230 are assembled and placed in the magnetic roller section 120.
Next, a drive side end plate 208 and a contact side end plate 212 are placed on the sides of the magnetic roller section 120 and are secured into place with end plate screws (not shown). Once the end plates 208, 212 are secured into place, a drum shutter 238 is then attached. Connected to the drum shutter is a drum shutter tension spring 234 and a drum shutter actuator arm 236. The movement of the drum shutter actuator arm 236 causes the drum shutter to open and expose the OPC (Organic Photo Conductor) drum (not shown).
The prior art clips are not usable to stabilize and secure this type of seam due to the lack of a sufficient securing surface. Prior art clips apply a securing force in opposing directions, typically a downward direction 802, and an upward direction 804. As illustrated in
A reinforcing clip 300 in accordance with one aspect of the present invention is displayed in
Located on the second securing leg is a securing protrusion 350. In the preferred embodiment, the securing protrusion 350 is a barb that is triangularly shaped. As shown in
The first securing leg extends away from the connecting member 310 by a height l1 of about 0.222″ (5.64 mm). The end of the elongated arm protrudes a height l2 from the connecting member 310 which is slightly longer than l1. In the embodiment of
The reinforcing clip 300 is substantially rigid, thus ensuring that the reinforcing clip 300 is securely attached while providing enough clamping force to securely fasten the magnetic roller section 120 to the toner hopper reservoir 110. The reinforcing clip may be formed of any type of material that provides such rigidity such as steel, aluminum, plastic or plastic composite. The rigidity of the reinforcing clip 300 causes the elongated arm 330 to act like a spring when attached.
When reassembling the toner hopper reservoir 110 with the magnetic roller section 120, several clips may be used. With the preferred embodiment as described herein, three reinforcing clips 300 are recommended to be installed on the ledge 115 of the toner hopper reservoir 110. The preferred locations 260 as shown in
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and that the invention has other applications in other environments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described herein.
