EP1548520B1 - Tonercartridge with unique reloading and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a toner cartridge (1) with a receptacle (10) mounted on a frame. A toner refilling unit (2) is inserted in the receptacle and has a container (22) for containing the toner. The refilling unit has a chassis (20) cased in the receptacle and the container is rotatably mounted around a rotation axle (3) fixed on the chassis, so that the toner is evacuated towards the receptacle, in an open position of the container. An independent claim is also included for a method of implementing a toner cartridge system.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a single-refill toner cartridge system for use in a printer or facsimile type printing device. This cartridge system includes a toner cartridge which, when empty, can be refilled once with a refill adapted to that cartridge. The invention also relates to a method for implementing this system.

In general, the invention has applications in the field of digital printing. It finds, in particular, applications in the field of printing by computer devices such as printers, photocopiers or fax machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, most computer-like printing devices use a dry, colored or black ink, reduced in fine particles and containing a heat-sensitive resin, which is fixed by heating on the printing medium used, for example paper. This ink is generally called toner.

For effective use, this toner is placed in a cartridge inside the machine. Each toner cartridge is intended for a limited number of printed pages, for example 3000 or 5000 pages. When the cartridge is empty, there are two possibilities for the user of the device: either he replaces the empty cartridge with a new full cartridge, or he refills the cartridge with bottled toner.

The change of a cartridge has the disadvantage of having a relatively high cost. Indeed, an entire cartridge has a significantly higher cost than bottled toner. Also, most users choose to fill the cartridge with toner sold in bottles. In this case, to fill the cartridge, the user must open the cartridge, open the toner bottle and directly pour the toner into the cartridge. Toner is a fine powder that flakes easily, especially when is transferred from one container to another container. In addition, this fine powder is colored. It therefore dirty the elements around the cartridge to be filled and the hands and clothes of the user. In addition, opening the cap of the cartridge also causes dirt on the user's hands and inhalations of toner vapor that can affect the health of the user. the opening of the plug can, in addition, deteriorate the plug. This technique is therefore not only messy, but in addition it is relatively long to implement.

Moreover, this technique does not make it possible to control the life of the components of the cartridge and, in particular, the rollers of the cartridge which can become dirty and deteriorate the quality of the printing, or even make the printing device unusable.

To solve these problems, there are refills of toner to be placed in the empty toner cartridge. The document US-5,594,535 discloses a refillable toner cartridge using flexible plastic bags containing toner. The plastic bag containing the toner is placed upside down in the cartridge and, when the cap of this bag is opened, the toner flows into the cartridge. This cartridge can receive several toner bags superimposed, that is to say placed on top of each other as the previous bag is empty. However, to open each of these bags, it is necessary to pull on a sealing tongue (called seal, in English terms). However, one side of this tongue is in direct contact with the toner. This tab is therefore covered with toner and can dirty the user when it removes it. In addition, such tongues are relatively fragile and it is common that they break when the user pulls to open the refill. The user is then obliged to remove the refill from the cartridge, with all the disadvantages that entails, especially if the refill has been partially opened by the tab.

The document US-A-5,907,747 describes another type of refill for a toner cartridge. This refill has a shape substantially identical to the shape of the cartridge and it is inserted into the receptacle of the cartridge. The lid of the cartridge is then attached to the top of the refill to seal the assembly. When the cartridge is closed, with the refill inside, the user must pull a tab to open the refill. This recharge therefore has the same disadvantages as those stated above.

Moreover, when the user has opened the refill, he is left with a tab, covered with toner, which he does not know what to do. Generally, the user then puts this tab in a bin. However, in France and in many countries, the legislation requires the manufacturers of toner cartridges and toner refills, recover the dirty packaging, that is to say, with toner, for recycling. As a result, the manufacturers of toner cartridges and refills ask users to return the cartridge and / or the refill once it has been used. However, while most users typically return the main items, they do not return the toner-covered tab for the simple reason that they would be forced to store the dirty tab until the cartridge or refill is empty.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention is precisely to overcome the disadvantages of the techniques described above. To this end, the invention proposes a single toner refill cartridge system comprising a full cartridge of toner and a refill to be inserted into the cartridge, in a simple and clean way, when the cartridge is empty. This refill cartridge system makes it possible to refill a toner cartridge without having to pull a tab or any other element that can be stamped with toner. For this, the toner refill comprises a container inside which is initially the toner. This container is rotatable in the cartridge so that, in a closed position, the toner is contained within the container and, in an open position, the toner is evacuated to the cartridge receptacle. The passage from the closed position to the open position of the container is achieved simply by pressing the user on the container.

This single-refill cartridge system allows the cartridge to be recharged cleanly without the user being in direct contact with the toner at any time. It also ensures complete recycling of the cartridge and refill assembly since, when the refill has been introduced into the cartridge, it can no longer be removed from the cartridge. Also, when the refill is empty, the user returns the cartridge and refill assembly to the manufacturer who then has at his disposal all the "dirty" elements requiring recycling.

This system also has the advantage of allowing the manufacturer to control the life of the components and, in particular, their clogging by limiting the possible number of printed pages. In other words, if the manufacturer knows that the components have a life of 10000 pages, he adapts the amount of toner in the cartridge and the refill so that the number of pages does not exceed 10000.

This system also has the advantage of being less expensive for the user than two cartridges, for an identical number of pages with a good print guarantee.

More specifically, the invention relates to a toner refill cartridge system according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a method of implementing the refill cartridge system according to claim 13.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• The Figures 1A and 1B show a perspective view, respectively, of a cartridge and a refill of the system of the invention.
• The figure 2 represents a sectional view of a refill inserted into a cartridge, when the container of the refill is in the closed position.
• The figure 3 represents a sectional view of the refill inserted in a cartridge, when the container of the refill is in the open position.
• The Figure 4A represents an anti-opening device of the refill when the refill is not fully introduced into the cartridge.
• The Figure 4B represents the anti-opening device of the refill when the refill is fully introduced into the cartridge.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The system of the invention comprises a toner cartridge which, when empty, can be recharged by means of a suitable toner refill. The Figure 1A represents a perspective view of the cartridge of the system of the invention. This cartridge 1 comprises a receptacle 10 for receiving toner. This receptacle 10 is surmounted by a frame 11 fixed on the receptacle.

At the origin, that is to say when the cartridge is new, a lid closes the cartridge. This cover is removably attached to the frame 11 of the cartridge 1. It is easily removable by the user. Indeed, this cover must be removed from the cartridge when a refill is put in place. That's why this lid is not represented on the Figure 1A .

The Figure 1B represents a refill of the system of the invention. This recharge 2 of the Figure 1B is adapted to be inserted into the cartridge of the Figure 1A . It comprises a frame 20 and a rotating container 22 in the frame 20.

The frame 20 of the refill 2 comprises a flange 21 forming a recess on the upper part of the frame. This flange 21 serves as a stop for the refill 2, when it is inserted into the cartridge 1.

The container 22 is pivotally mounted about a longitudinal axis of rotation, fixed on the frame. An exemplary form of the container 22 will be described later. This container 22 may comprise a notch 23, made on the opposite side to the axis of rotation, to indicate to the user the location where the support must be to open the container.

The figure 2 is a sectional side view of the cartridge and refill system of the invention. This figure shows the cartridge 1 with its receptacle 10 at the bottom of which are one or more rollers 4 for spreading the toner output 5 of the receptacle 10. These rolls are identical to those of conventional printing devices.

The receptacle 10 contains the toner. When the cartridge is new, this receptacle is initially filled with toner. When the cartridge is refilled, it is filled with the toner initially contained in the container. In other words, the toner contained in the container 22 of the refill is intended to be poured into the receptacle 10 of the cartridge 1.

The receptacle 10 is surmounted by a frame 11 fixed to the receptacle by any known means, such as glue. It can also be overmoulded on the receptacle 10. Initially, when the cartridge is new, the frame 11 is closed by a cover placed and fixed on said frame 11. During the second use of the cartridge, that is to say when the cartridge is recharged, the lid is removed and it is the refill that bears on the frame 11.

The figure 2 shows the preferred form for the container 22 of the refill 2. In this embodiment, the container has a substantially triangular section. In other words, the container comprises three sides 22a, 22b and 22c. The side 22a forms the base of the triangle, opposite the top 22e. The sides 22b and 22c meet around the axis of rotation 3. In the case of the figure 2 the side 22c forms a circular arc 22d about the axis 3 to facilitate the rotation of the container in the cartridge. In the embodiment of the figure 2 the container side 22b forms an angle of approximately 45 ° with the chassis surface; it is understood that this angle may vary, depending in particular on the shape of the container, while remaining less than 90 °.

The base 22a is partly open, over the entire length of the refill. In other words, the base 22a does not completely close the container 22. The container 22 is closed by the frame 20 of the refill. So, as it will be seen in more detail later, the container 22 has a closed position, which is the one shown on the figure 2 , in which the toner is contained entirely in the container closed by the frame. An open position, which will be described later, makes it possible to rotate the container around the axis 3 and thus to tilt said container so that the opening in the base 22a is facing the receptacle of the cartridge.

The frame 20 of the refill 2 has vertical walls 20a and 20b which can be of different lengths. The walls 20a and 20b end at their upper end by a collar 21. This collar 21 may be uniform over the entire contour of the refill. It can also have different shapes depending on the considered faces of the refill. For example, the flange 21 may form a right angle with the wall 20a of the frame, as shown by reference 21a. It can also form a half U with the wall 20b of the frame, as shown by reference 21 b. Whatever its shape, the flange 21 has the role of providing abutment against the frame of the cartridge. The refill can not be introduced too deeply into the cartridge by the user.

As we see on this figure 2 , the wall 20a of the frame may be covered with a sealing material 26, for example a foam, sealing the container when it is in the closed position. In this way, the toner is contained inside the container, in a sealed manner.

On the figure 2 an example of anti-disassembly device of the refill is shown. This anti-dismounting device 12, 27, also called non-return, comprises at least one lug 12 located inside the receptacle 10 of the cartridge and at least one orifice 27 formed in the wall 20b of the frame 20 of the refill. The lug 12 is intended to fit into the orifice 27 so as to prevent disassembly of the refill once it has been inserted into the cartridge. Only one refill can be introduced into the cartridge. Once the refill toner has been fully used, it is mechanically impossible for the user to pop the refill out of the cartridge.

In the embodiment of the figure 2 , the lug 12 is a rack, molded on the inner face of the receptacle and directed towards the bottom of the receptacle 10. Thus, the rack 12 is easily introduced into the orifice 27 when the refill is pushed towards the bottom of the receptacle. By against, the rack 12 is in abutment against the portion of the wall 20b surrounding the orifice 27, which prevents the refill can be pulled up the cartridge.

In the embodiment that has just been described, the container 22 has a shape whose section is substantially triangular. However, as we see on the figure 2 to allow greater toner storage capacity, the base 22a of the container is convex which allows to increase the interior volume of the container. It is understood that other forms can be envisaged for the container, such as a straight base.

Similarly, on the figure 2 the top 22e of the container 22 is shown with a partially rounded half-U shape which is inserted into the collar 21 around the axis of rotation 3. It should be noted that the shape of the top 22d and the flange 21b may differ depending on the embodiments.

On the figure 3 schematically shows a sectional side view of the system of the invention, when the container of the refill is in the open position. In this position, the side 22b of the container 22 forms, with the surface of the flange 21, a flat angle. The 22c side of the container 22 is then parallel to the wall 20b of the frame. The base 22a is inside the chassis. The convex shape of the base 22a ensures a good flow of the toner to the receptacle 10, without any toner retention.

To move from the closed position of the container 22, shown on the figure 2 , at the open position of the container, shown on the figure 3 , the user simply has to push on the side 22b of the container, preferably on the notch 23. This pressure has the effect of pivoting the container downwards, putting the open part of the base 22a facing the receptacle 10 of the cartridge. The toner then escapes from the container 22 according to the arrow represented on the figure 3 .

Moving from the closed position to the open position, the toner escapes over the entire length of the container. Thus, it is distributed homogeneously in the receptacle. There is no need, before positioning the refill in the cartridge, to shake the refill to distribute the toner. Indeed, the refill is usually full. Also, when it evacuates container, the toner is distributed homogeneously and evenly in the receptacle at the time of opening of the container.

In the open position, the container 22 is fully inserted into the cartridge and the outer shape of the cartridge is identical to the shape of a new cartridge. The cartridge can therefore be reused, by the user, exactly like a new cartridge.

The user has reloaded his cartridge without getting dirty because he is never in direct contact with the toner. In other words, the refill cartridge system of the invention is clean since there is no contact with toner emanation when transferring it from the refill to the cartridge.

To ensure even better protection against toner fumes and soiling the lid, the new cartridge may have a protective film sealed to the cartridge frame. When the cartridge is new, this film is located under the cartridge cover. Thus, when the user removes the lid from the cartridge, in particular before the cartridge is completely empty, it can not come into contact with any residual toner. This protective film can be made of a plastic material, such as a very thin polycarbonate, or in aluminum. At the beginning of the insertion of the refill in the cartridge, the film is pierced by the frame of the refill. For easier drilling, the edges of the frame can be beveled, facilitating the cutting of the film. The protective film may also comprise reduced areas easy to pierce, so that, when it is put in place in the cartridge, the refill pierces the protective film at predetermined locations, for example in the center of the film. Once the film is pierced, the pieces of the film are distributed all around the refill so as not to hinder the evacuation of the toner.

On the Figures 4A and 4B a device for locking the container of the refill is shown. Indeed, it is interesting that the refill can not be opened before being fully inserted into the cartridge, that is to say before the collar of the refill is supported on the frame of the cartridge. According to one embodiment, this locking device comprises a deformable locking finger 6. This finger of locking 6 can be made in the same material as the refill, that is to say in ABS or PS.

In the vicinity of this locking finger, the container 22 forms a recess 22 '. In other words, the side 22c of the container is locally perpendicular to the foam 26, as shown by the reference 22 '. The dotted lines show the general shape of the container 22, out of proximity of the locking finger.

The locking finger 6 is fixed and deforms as the refill passes through the receptacle of the cartridge. It can have two positions: an outer position in which it is partly outside the receptacle and an inner position in which it is entirely housed in the receptacle.

On the Figure 4A the locking finger 6 has been shown when in its outer position, that is to say partly out of the receptacle of the cartridge. In this position, the locking finger has a curved shape which has the effect that the finger retains the side 22c of the container. The container can not open. As long as the refill is not correctly installed in the cartridge, the locking finger holds the container in its closed position. There is therefore no possible evacuation of the toner.

When the refill is correctly inserted in the cartridge, that is to say that the side 22c of the container reaches the receptacle, as shown on the Figure 4B , then the locking finger is pressed into a housing 7 of the receptacle. The container can then open.

With the refill cartridge system just described, the cartridge can be reloaded without being removed from its location in the printing device. Indeed, since most of the printing device opens at the top, by a cover to open or part of the device to be removed, reloading the cartridge from above allows the reloading can be done in place in the device, without necessarily removing the cartridge from its housing.

With the system just described, a user who orders a cartridge receives both a new cartridge and a refill. At first, he uses the cartridge alone to make his impressions. When the cartridge is empty of any toner, it can fill it with the refill. He must then remove the cover of the cartridge, easy to disassemble. Since there is no more toner in the cartridge, the lid is clean, especially if the cartridge has a protective film. The lid can be thrown into the trash without any difficulty. Then, the user introduces the refill into the cartridge and pushes the refill until the frame comes to rest on the frame of the cartridge. At this time, the refill is in its correct position and the user can press the prominent part of the container thus passing the container from its closed position to its open position. The toner is then evacuated homogeneously as the container is opened in the receptacle of the cartridge. The user then only has to use the cartridge as a new cartridge. Indeed, the dimensions of the refill are designed so that the refill fits into the cartridge and that it retains the same size as a new cartridge, the thickness of the rim of the frame then replacing the thickness of the lid of the new cartridge.

Once this cartridge with its refill has been used, the user returns the whole thing, that is to say the cartridge with the refill inside, the manufacturer who can then recycle it. This cartridge refill system has the advantage of being simple and quick to implement.

Claims (14)

1. Toner refill cartridge system, comprising:

   - a cartridge (1) including a receiver (10) topped by a frame (11),

   - a toner refill (2) able to be inserted into the receiver in the cartridge and comprising a container (22) containing the toner, and

   - a chassis (20) able to be fitted into the receiver in the cartridge, characterized in that

   - the container includes a partly open base (22a) over the length of the refill,

   - the container is mounted so as to pivot around an axis of rotation (3) fixed to the chassis so that the container has a closed position in which the toner is contained in the container by closing the opening in the base of said container with the chassis and an open position in which the opening in the base is located in front of the receiver in the cartridge in order to empty the toner from said container into the receiver in the cartridge.
2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the container has a substantially triangular section with an apex (22e) pivoting around the axis of rotation and with a partly open base (22a).
3. System according to any one of the claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, in the closed position, the container has a side (22b) forming a not flat angle, inferior to 90°, with the upper surface of the chassis.
4. System according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in the open position, the container has a side (22b) forming a flat angle with the upper surface of the chassis.
5. System according to any one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, in the closed position of the container, the open part of the base (22a) is closed by a wall (20a) of the chassis (20) of the container.
6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that at least the wall (20a) of the chassis closing the container is covered with a layer of a sealing material.
7. System according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the chassis of the refill comprises a flange (21) supported by the frame (11) of the cartridge.
8. System according any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the receiver (10) in the cartridge comprises an anti-dismounting device for the refill.
9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the anti-dismounting device comprises at least one retention pin (12) and the chassis of the refill includes at least one orifice (27) in which the retention pin is inserted.
10. System according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cartridge comprises a locking finger (6) holding the container in the closed position as long as the refill is not correctly inserted into the cartridge.
11. System according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking finger is made of a deformable material.
12. System according to any one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cartridge comprises a protective film fixed to the surface of the frame.
13. Method for using the toner refill cartridge system according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises the following operations:

    - removing a cover from the cartridge,

    - inserting the refill (2) into the cartridge (1) until the flange (21) of the refill is supported by the frame (11) of the refill,

    - pressing a side (22b) of the container in the refill in order to switch said container from the closed position to the open position.
14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the refill is inserted into the cartridge when there is no more toner in said cartridge.

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