WO2007091982A2

WO2007091982A2 - Seal of a toner container

Info

Publication number: WO2007091982A2
Application number: PCT/SK2007/050004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander Van Betsbrugge; Dusan Hanula
Original assignee: Goset, S.R.O.
Priority date: 2006-02-09
Filing date: 2007-01-31
Publication date: 2007-08-16
Also published as: WO2007091982A3; SK212006A3

Abstract

Seal of a toner container, which is used in printers, copying and fax machines, consists of the actual closing element which overlaps the discharge aperture of toner container, of an opening means (5) and possibly of a sealing (9), for example of an elastic foam material, along the seal circumference, which prevents toner spilling from the cartridge during its usage in a printing device. The closing element of seal is an elastic preloaded layer (3) to which an easily breakable strip may be attached, or an elastic preloaded layer (3) joined with a closing layer; also in the latter case an easily breakable strip may be attached either to the elastic preloaded layer (3) or to the closing layer.

Description

Seal of a toner container

Technical Field

The invention concerns a seal of a toner container for laser printers, copying and fax machines, especially to protect the toner against moisture and to prevent its losses during manipulation and transport.

Background Art

The main purpose of the toner container seal in a cartridge consists in creating a mechanical barrier (tight joint) against spilling the toner from the container during transport and manipulation with the cartridge, as well as in preventing moisture admission into the container during the toner storage. When installing the cartridge, the seal must be able to be easily removed or opened so that fluent flow of the toner from the container into working parts of the cartridge is allowed.

Known sealing seals of the containers which are produced from foils or a foam layer and a foil (GB 2 321 219), consist of two directly joined parts: a wider rectangle - a body overlapping the aperture destined for passage of the toner into the working part of the cartridge, and - a tapered part in the form of a strip - a tail intended to be stripped off to create an aperture. At the contact place of both parts, the tapered part in the form of a strip - the tail - is bent and moved through 180° so as to return over the seal body back to its beginning, where it is led out of the cartridge. The toner container is opened by pulling the end of the tapered part projecting from the cartridge, whereby the seal or a part of it is pulled out of the cartridge and opens the working aperture of the container, through which the toner contained in the container is poured, either by gravitation or mechanically, into further working parts of the cartridge. To ensure correct functioning of the toner cartridge, it is important for the aperture arising after opening the seal to have prescribed dimensions and position, so that the seal or some of its parts do not form any hindrance blocking the toner movement. From the point of view of the user installing the cartridge, its opening must be simple, without the need to develop excessively high pulling power when creating an aperture, and the pulled out part of the seal should not cause any risk of messing the operator up with the toner, which might have been deposited on the pulled out part. Simultaneously, the operator should have cognizance of the fact that opening the container was successful - for example by that the pulled out part of the seal has definite dimensions without any sign of material deformation.

For example, the seal is often made of a material consisting of a bundle of fibers, which are placed in parallel to the longer sides of the seal, thus in the direction of the tail. The material has a greater tensile strength in the direction of fibers than in the perpendicular direction. The aperture in this type of seal is created by pulling the tail and pulling through the power joining the fibers transversely and subsequent separating the material along the fibers (US 5 523 828, 6 350 503; GB 2 289 238). Such seals are structurally simple, their creation and aperture geometry in the seal depend on the properties of the basic material. The need to lower the pulling power necessary to tear off the central strip - tail delimitating the aperture, as well as requirements for precise aperture created have led to reinforcing the strip either with local areas of joining the material or with laminated transverse backings at given intervals (US 6 041 202). A further solution is a seal described in EP 0 895 138 A2, consisting of several layers, where in one of the layers longitudinal cavities are created by means of laser. In this case a layer of reflecting material to stop and reflect the laser ray must be present over the layer in which the cavities are created.

From the point of view of the installation method, there are seals with basic structure, which are used for the cartridges, where the discharge aperture of the toner container is directly accessible after disassembling them mechanically, and seals with a sealing. Seals with a sealing are used for the cartridges, where it is necessary to make the discharge aperture of the toner accessible by modifying the toner part of the cartridge. In these cases, when assembling the cartridge back, it is necessary to seal the aperture created for the purpose of allowing the seal installation. The sealing may be installed separately, but it is preferred, if the sealing is an integral part of the seal.

The method of opening various seal variants used in the toner cartridges is based on the principle that a seal part in the form of a strip is removed, whereby an aperture is created, through which the toner is delivered from the container into working parts of the cartridge. A disadvantage of such system of opening consists in the dependence on the properties of the material used, and also in the fact that to be able to create a sufficiently large aperture, through which the toner may flow from the container unhindered, a considerable part of the original seal must be manually removed from the cartridge before it can be used.

The aim of the sealing seal of a toner container according to the present invention is to provide such seal, which will eliminate as many of existing shortcomings as possible.

Disclosure of Invention

The above aim can be achieved by a toner container seal of laser printers, copying and fax machines, especially to protect the toner from moisture and to prevent its losses during manipulation and transport. The toner container seal consists of a closing element, which is opened at an assigned place in a line of opening by an opening means, and of the opening means. The subject-matter of the invention consists in that the seal has a closing element formed of an elastic preloaded layer, which after opening the seal by the opening means shrinks to its basic dimensions without internal strain, thus creating the discharge aperture of the toner container.

The closing element may be also designed so that an easily breakable strip is attached to the elastic preloaded layer.

In a further possible solution, the closing element has the elastic preloaded layer joined with a closing layer or possibly it may have an easily breakable strip attached either to the elastic preloaded layer or to the closing layer.

A closing element according to a preferred embodiment may be attached to a reinforcing element. It is preferred, if the reinforcing element consists of a rigid material and it is beneficial, if the material is rigid against forces acting in the closure plane and compressible in the direction perpendicular to its surface. The reinforcing element may be made of cardboard or plastic with honeycomb structure. - -

To prevent toner leakage from the cartridge after opening the container, it is preferred, if strips of compressible foam material are attached to the closing element. In another preferred embodiment, a frame of compressible foam material or strips of compressible foam material are attached to the reinforcing element.

The opening means may be a pulling opening means, like a wire, fiber or a strip attached to the closing element by, for example, gluing, welding or by mechanical elements.

The opening means may be also a cutting mechanism. In a further possible solution, the opening means is an electrically heated wire.

The opening means is preferably integrated into the closing element.

In a solution, in which a spot cut at the place of opening is created in the elastic preloaded layer or in the closing layer or in an additional easily breakable strip, the opening means is a fixation band, which closes and fixes the spot cut until the seal is opened.

If the elastic preloaded layer is joined with the closing layer, the elastic preloaded layer may be formed by at least one frame or at least one strip. If there are more than one strip, they may be arranged either in parallel to each other or in the shape of the letter "V" or "U".

It is preferred, if in the line of opening the elastic preloaded layer or closing layer or easily breakable strip - depending on where the assigned place of opening is located - directional guiding elements are provided, which may be present in the form of cuts, depressions or notches. Present invention describes an improved seal, which can be used both for new and recycled toner cartridges. The use of elastic elements, which are preloaded so that they facilitate creation of the discharge aperture, eliminates the danger of incorrect opening which might be caused by tearing the sealing material at a wrong place, it minimizes the seal part, which must be pulled out of the cartridge when opening it and also the power necessary to be applied to open it.

By using mechanical power or electric current to initialize the container opening one can achieve automatic opening of the discharge aperture after inserting the cartridge into a printer, without the need of user intervention. - - An overview of figures in the drawings

The invention will be further explained in more detail by means of concrete examples of invention embodiments and drawings, in which the Figures show: Fig. 1 a toner container,

Fig. 2 a seal according to the present invention with closing element shown, which consists of an elastic preloaded layer, a pull opening means and an opening line,

Fig. 3 cross-section of the seal from Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a toner container with the seal according to the present invention mounted,

Fig. 5 seal from Fig. 2 after it had been opened; the elastic preloaded layer is shown in its shrunk state without preload,

Fig. 6 schematic view of a seal, where the elastic preloaded layer is attached to a reinforcing element,

Fig. 7 schematic view of a seal, where the elastic preloaded layer is attached to a multiple reinforcing element,

Fig. 8 schematic view of a seal, where the elastic preloaded layer is attached to a multiple reinforcing element reduced to several transverse strips, Fig. 9 schematic view of a seal from Fig. 6, where the opening means is an electrically heated wire,

Fig. 10 schematic view of a seal, where an easily breakable strip is added to the elastic preloaded layer and the layer is attached to a reinforcing element,

Fig. 1 1 schematic view of a seal from Fig. 10, where the opening means is an electrically heated wire,

Fig. 12 schematic view of a seal, where a closing layer is added to the elastic preloaded layer and is joined with it,

Fig. 13 schematic view of a seal from Fig. 12, where the elastic preloaded layer consists of several frames, Fig. 14 schematic view of a seal from Fig. 12, where the elastic preloaded layer consists of several strips,

Fig. 15 schematic view of a seal from Fig. 12, where the elastic preloaded layer consists of strips, arranged in the form of the letter V, Fig. 16 schematic view of a seal, where an easily breakable strip (without reinforcing element) is attached to the elastic preloaded layer,

Fig. 17 schematic view of a seal, where an elastic preloaded layer, a reinforcing element and compressible foam strips are used, Fig. 18 schematic view of a seal, where an elastic preloaded layer, a closing layer, a reinforcing element and compressible foam strips are used,

Fig. 19 schematic view of a seal, where an elastic preloaded layer, a closing layer and compressible foam strips (without the reinforcing element) are used,

Fig. 20 schematic view of a seal, where an example of cutting mechanism is used, before the seal is opened,

Fig. 21 schematic view of a seal, where an example of cutting mechanism is used, after the seal has been opened and an aperture for toner passage has been created,

Fig. 22 schematic view of a seal, where an example of removable fixation covering for the place of opening on the easily breakable strip is used,

Fig. 23 schematic view of a seal, where an example of initiation of opening the easily breakable strip by its spot melting by means of an electrically heated wire is used,

Fig. 24 schematic view of a seal with an elastic preloaded layer and a closing layer, which would be opened by cutting the closing layer with a cutting mechanism,

Fig. 25 schematic view of a seal with an elastic preloaded layer and a closing layer, which would be opened by spot melting the closing layer by means of an electrically heated wire, Fig. 26 schematic view of a seal with modified arrangement of the particular layers, the reinforcing element being placed under the elastic preloaded layer.

Examples of invention embodiments

The invention solves seal 2 of toner container 1 (Fig. 1 , 4) for toner cartridges, which are used in printers, copying and fax machines. Seal 2 protects toner in container 1 against moisture during the cartridge storage and prevents its losses during the cartridge transport and manipulation with it before its installation. Seal 2 of the toner container 1 consists of the actual closing element, which overlaps the discharge aperture of toner container 1_, of an opening means 5 and possibly of a sealing, for example of elastic foam material, along the seal 2 circumference, which prevents toner spilling from the cartridge during its usage in a printing device. The closing element in a basic type of seal is formed by an elastic preloaded foil 3, which is opened at an assigned place in the opening line 6 by tearing it off, for example by pulling the pull opening means 51_, projecting from the cartridge, and pulling it out of the cartridge. The elastic preloaded foil 3 shrinks after opening to its basic dimensions without internal strain, and opens the discharge aperture, which allows continuous passage of the toner into the inner working parts of toner container 1_. Present invention results in lowering the power necessary to open the seal and in the fact that only the part necessary for cutting the seal (fiber, strip) must be pulled out of the cartridge, thus eliminating the danger of making the operator or the environment dirty by the toner during opening and, moreover, it reduces considerably the risk that the seal part which is being pulled out will be blocked in the cartridge by the toner which might adhere to the part.

Example 1

Seal 2 has a closing element formed of the elastic preloaded layer 3 (Fig. 2,

3, 17), which is opened at an assigned place in the opening line 6 by tearing it, namely by pulling the pull opening means 51_, which may be a wire, a fiber or a strip attached to the elastic preloaded layer 3. Simultaneously, the pull opening means 51 (Fig. 6, 7, 8, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 22) is pulled out of the toner container 1. Seal 2 is attached to the neck of the toner container 1 by means of an adhesive layer 9. It may be attached also by welding or by other mechanical means.

After opening, the elastic preloaded layer 3, which contains a component preloaded in a direction perpendicular to the opening line, shrinks to its basic dimension without internal strain (Fig. 5) and opens the discharge aperture 7 of toner container 1. The pull opening means 51 may be also integrated inside the elastic preloaded layer 3. The opening means 5 may be also a moving cutting mechanism 53 (Fig. 20, 21 ). Elastic preloaded layer 3 may be cut also thermally, for example by using an electrically heated wire 52 (Fig. 9, 1 1 ). Another possible method of opening seal 2 consists in using thermoplastic adhesive to fix it to the neck of the discharge aperture 7 of toner container 1. Seal 2 is then opened by heating the thermoplastic adhesive, for example by an electrically heated wire 52, which is located in the assigned line 6 of opening seal 2 at its contact place with the discharge edge of the neck of toner container 1.

Example 2

Seal 2 has a closing element formed by the elastic preloaded layer 3 with an easily breakable strip IJ. added (Fig. 10, 1 1 , 16). Easily breakable strip IJ. is attached to the elastic preloaded layer 3 by using an adhesive, welding or mechanical means. Seal 2 is attached to the neck of toner container 1_, as mentioned in Example 1. The line 6 of opening seal 2 passes through the easily breakable strip IJ.. The opening means 5 may be a pull opening means 5J_, like a wire, a fiber or a strip, attached to the easily breakable strip IJ. by gluing, welding or by mechanical means. The pull opening means 5J_ may be also integrated inside the easily breakable strip IJ.. The easily breakable strip IJ. may be opened also by other opening means 5, as mentioned in Example 1.

Example 3

In this example, seal 2 is solved in such a way that the discharge aperture 7 of toner container 1 is overlapped by a closing layer 12 of a strong non-extensible foil, to which the elastic preloaded layer 3 is attached (Fig. 12, 18, 19, 24). The elastic preloaded layer 3 is joined with the closing layer 12 by gluing, welding or by mechanical means. The elastic preloaded layer 3 may be formed by one or more frames 3J_ (Fig. 13), or possibly by one or more strips 32 (Fig. 14), which may be arranged either in parallel to each other or in the shape of the letter "V" (Fig. 15) or in the shape of the letter "U" (not shown). The described seal 2 is attached to the neck of toner container 1 by means of an adhesive layer 9. It may be attached also by welding or by other mechanical means. The opening means 5 is a pull opening means 5J_, like a wire, a fiber or a strip, attached to the elastic preloaded layer 3 or closing layer 12 by gluing, welding or by mechanical means. The pull opening means 5J_ may be also integrated inside the elastic preloaded layer 3 or closing layer 12. In another solution, the closing layer 12 may be cut by a moving cutting mechanism 53 (Fig. 20, 21 , 24) or by using electrically heated wire 52, which replaces the pull opening means 5J_. Another possible method of opening seal 2 consists in using thermoplastic adhesive to fix it to the neck of the discharge aperture 7 of toner container 1. Seal 2 is then opened by heating the thermoplastic adhesive, for example by an electrically heated wire 52, which is located on the assigned line 6 of opening seal 2 at the contact place of seal 2 with the discharge edge of the neck of toner container 1. Opening the closing layer 12 allows the elastic preloaded layer 3 to shrink to its basic dimension without internal strain, whereby it takes along also the closing layer 12, attached to it, thus opening the discharge aperture 7 of toner container 1.

Example 4

Seal 2, as described in Example 3, in this case the closing element, is created by joining the elastic preloaded layer 3 with closing layer 12 and easily breakable strip H (not shown). The easily breakable strip H is attached either to the elastic preloaded layer 3 or to the closing layer 12. Seal 2 is attached to the neck of toner container 1 by means of the adhesive layer 9. It may be attached also by welding or by other mechanical means. The line 6 of opening seal 2 passes through the easily breakable strip IJ.. The opening means 5 may be a pull opening means 5J_, like a wire, a fiber or a strip, attached to the easily breakable strip H by gluing, welding or by mechanical elements. The pull opening means 51 may be also integrated inside the easily breakable strip IJ_.. The easily breakable strip H may be cut by a moving cutting mechanism 53 or it may be cut thermally, for example by using electrically heated wire 52.

Example 5

Seal 2, as described in Examples 1 to 4, wherein the closing element is attached to a reinforcing element 4 (Fig. 6, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 22, 23, 26) using an adhesive, welding or by mechanical means. The reinforcing element 4 may consist also of the frames 4J_ (Fig. 7), or it may be formed by strips 42 (Fig. 8). The reinforcing element 4 may be realized as a by the set of parallel bars (Fig. 7, 8). The reinforcing element 4 made of a rigid material prevents bending of seal 2 by the action of forces of the elastic preloaded layer 3. For the toner cartridges, in which parts hindering access to the neck of discharge aperture 7 of the toner container, are removed before seal 2 is mounted, it is preferred, if the reinforcing element 4 is made of a material, which is compressible in the direction perpendicular to its surface. The reinforcing element 4 may be made of cardboard or plastic with honeycomb structure. When installing seal 2, compressibility of the reinforcing element 4 allows to fill in and to seal the space in the surrounding of the installed seal 2. The inner part of the reinforcing element 4, which is removed only after seal 2 has been fixed on the neck of the discharge aperture 7 of the toner container 1, serves to further strengthen seal 2. Seal 2 is attached to the neck of toner container 1 by, for example, gluing, while before application the permanently adhesive layer 9 is protected against contamination by overlapping it with siliconized paper 8. An alternative method of attaching seal 2 is welding or the use of mechanical means. Seal 2 is opened using opening means 5, described in Examples 1 to 4. The closing element may be attached to a reinforcing element 4 using thermoplastic adhesive, and seal 2 will be opened by heating the thermoplastic adhesive, for example by electrically heated wire 52, which is located at the assigned place in the line 6 of opening seal 2 at the contact place of the closing element with the reinforcing element 4.

Example 6

Seal 2, described in Examples 1 to 5, contains a frame 13 of a compressible foam material or strips 131 of a compressible foam material to prevent toner leakage from the cartridge after the toner container 1 is opened (Fig. 17, 18, 19). Strips 1_3_1 of a compressible foam material may be attached to the closing element. Frame 13 of a compressible foam material or strips 1_3J_ of a compressible foam material may be attached to the reinforcing element 4.

Example 7

Seal 2 according to the preceding Examples, in which the opening means 5 is formed by a cutting mechanism 53 (Fig. 23, 25), which creates a spot cut in the elastic preloaded layer 3 or in the closing layer 12 or in the additional easily breakable strip IJ. at the place 61 of opening. Inner forces of the elastic preloaded layer 3 after creating the spot cut in the place 6J_ of opening cause that the seal 2 will open along the whole its length at the assigned place in the opening line 6, whereby the discharge aperture 7 for pouring toner into the working parts of toner container 1 will be created. The opening line 6 may be defined by tearing properties of the material used or it may also be defined by directional guiding elements, like cuts, perforations, depressions or notches at the assigned place in the line 6 of opening the elastic preloaded layer 3, closing layer 12 or easily breakable strip IJ..

Example 8

Seal 2 according to Example 7, in which the opening means 5 is formed by an electrically heated wire 52, by which a spot cut at the place 6J_ of opening (Fig.

23, 25) is created by thermal melting of the material of elastic preloaded layer 3, closing layer 12 or easily breakable strip IJ.. Inner forces of the elastic preloaded layer 3 after creating the spot cut at the place 6J_ of opening cause that seal 2 will open along the whole its length at the assigned place in the opening line 6, whereby the discharge aperture 7 for pouring toner into the working parts of the toner container 1 will be created. The opening line 6 may be defined by tear properties of the material used or it may also be defined by directional guiding elements, like cuts, perforation, depressions or notches at the assigned place in the line 6 of opening of the elastic preloaded layer 3, closing layer 12 or easily breakable strip IJ..

Example 9

Seal 2 according to the preceding Examples 1 to 5 of embodiments, in which is a spot cut provided at the place 6J_ of opening in the elastic preloaded layer 3, closing layer 12 or additional easily breakable strip IJ., which cut is closed and fixed by a removable glued-on fixation band 14 (Fig. 22) until the seal 2 is opened. When opening seal 2, fixation band 14, which in this case represents the opening means 5, is removed and inner forces of the elastic preloaded layer 3 will cause that seal 2 will open along the whole its length at the predefined line 6 of opening, whereby the discharge aperture 7 for pouring toner into the working parts of toner container 1 will be created. The opening line 6 may be defined by tear properties of the material used or it may also be defined by directional guiding elements, like cuts, perforation, depressions or notches at the assigned place in the line 6 of opening of the elastic preloaded layer 3, closing layer 12 or easily breakable strip IJ..

It is obvious that there may exist also further various modifications of the described invention, which do not exceed the scope of the invention which is given by the following patent claims.

List of reference marks

1 container

2 seal

3 elastic preloaded layer

31 frame of elastic preloaded layer

32 strips of elastic preloaded layer

4 reinforcing element

41 frames of reinforcing element

42 strips of reinforcing element

5 opening means

51 pull opening means

52 electrically heated wire

53 cutting mechanism

6 opening line

61 place of opening

7 discharge aperture of toner container

8 siliconized paper

9 adhesive layer

1 1 easily breakable strip

12 closing layer

13 frame of a compressible foam material

131 strip of a compressible foam material

14 fixation band

Claims

- - P A T E N T C L A I M S

1. Seal of a toner container of laser printers, copying and fax machines, especially to protect the toner against moisture and to prevent its losses during manipulation and transport, consisting of a closing element and an opening means (5), characterized i n that the closing element is an elastic preloaded layer (3).

2. Seal according to claim 1, characterized i n that an easily breakable strip (11) is attached to the elastic preloaded layer (3).

3. Seal according to claim 1, characterized i n that the elastic preloaded layer (3) is joined with a closing layer (12).

4. Seal according to claim 3, characterized i n that an easily breakable strip (11 ) is attached either to the elastic preloaded layer (3) or to the closing layer (12).

5. Seal according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized i n that a closing element is attached to a reinforcing element (4).

6. Seal according to claim 5, characterized i n that the reinforcing element (4) is of a rigid material.

7. Seal according to claims 5 and 6, characterized i n that the material is rigid against forces acting in the closure plane and compressible in the direction perpendicular to its surface.

8. Seal according to any of the claims 5 to 7, characterized i n t h a t the reinforcing element (4) is of cardboard.

9. Seal according to any of the claims 5 to 7, characterized i n that the reinforcing element (4) is of plastic with honeycomb structure. - -

10. Seal according to any of the claims 1 to9, characterized i n that strips (131 ) of a compressible foam material are attached to the closing element.

11. Seal according to any of the claims 5 to 9, characterized i n that a frame (13) of a compressible foam material or strips (131 ) of a compressible foam material are attached to the reinforcing element (4).

12. Seal according to any of the claims 1 to 11 , characterized i n that the opening means (5) is a pull opening means (51).

13. Seal according to claim 12, characterized i n that the pull opening means (51 ) is a wire, a fiber or a band.

14. Seal according to the claims 1 to 11, characterized i n that the opening means (5) is a cutting mechanism (53).

15. Seal according to any of the claims 1 to 11 , characterized i n that the opening means (5) is an electrically heated wire (52).

16. Seal according to any of the claims 1 to 14, characterized i n that the opening means (5) is integrated into the closing element.

17. Seal according to any of the claims 1 to 11 , characterized i n that the opening means (5) is a fixation band (14).

18. Seal according to any of the claims 3 to 17, characterized i n that the elastic preloaded layer (3) is formed by at least one frame (31 ).

19. Seal according to any of the claims 3 to 18, characterized i n that the elastic preloaded layer (3) is formed by at least one strip (32).

20. Seal according to claim 19, characterized i n that the strips (32) are arranged either in parallel to each other or in the shape of the letter "V" or "U".

21. Seal according to any of the claims 3 to 20, characterized i n that directional guiding elements are provided in the opening line (6).

22. Seal according to claim 21, characterized i n that the directional guiding elements are cuts, perforations, depressions or notches.