Recyclable printing mechanism and related method
OwnerBradford Dixon, John Meyer +1inventors
InventorsBradford Dixon, John Meyer, David Towery
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An embodiment of a printing apparatus is provided as including a chassis, a print engine supported by the chassis, and a casing of a cardboard material comprising cellulose fiber attached to the chassis and surrounding the print engine when attached to the chassis. A business method for recycling or refurbishing a recyclable printing mechanism is also provided.
Claims46
A printing apparatus, comprising:
- a chassis;
- a print engine supported by the chassis;
- and
- a casing of a cardboard material comprising cellulose fiber attached to the chassis and surrounding the print engine when attached to the chassis.
A printing apparatus, comprising:
- a chassis;
- a print engine supported by the chassis;
- and
- a casing attached to the chassis and surrounding the print engine when attached to the chassis, with the casing being devoid of user input controls.
A printing apparatus, comprising:
- a chassis;
- a print engine supported by the chassis;
- and
- a casing attached to the chassis to surround the print engine, wherein the casing is devoid of an access mechanism to prohibit user access to the print engine when attached to the chassis.
A printing apparatus, comprising:
- a chassis;
- a print engine supported by the chassis;
- a casing attached to the chassis to surround the print engine;
- and
- a battery disposed inside the casing and chassis.
A printing apparatus, comprising:
- a chassis;
- a print engine supported by the chassis;
- a casing of a cardboard material comprising cellulose fiber detachably attached to the chassis and surrounding the print engine when attached to the chassis, wherein the casing is devoid of user input controls, and wherein the casing prohibits user access to replenish colorant dispensed by the print engine when attached to the chassis;
- a battery disposed inside the casing when attached to the chassis;
- a media handling system a media handling system which places media in a printzone for receiving colorant dispensed from the print engine;
- a controller in communication with the print engine and the media handling system;
- and
- a data transmission system that receives input information from an external source and communicates the input information to the controller, wherein the data transmission system receives the input information via wireless communication technology, memory storage device technology, docking station technology, or universal serial bus technology.
A business method, comprising:
- selling a printer having a controller configured with return criteria;
- and
- instructing the customer to return the printer when said return criteria is met.
A business method, comprising:
- purchasing a printer;
- inserting media into the printer;
- requesting the printer to print;
- waiting while the printer determines whether the printer is ready for return;
- when the printer is ready for return, returning the printer for refreshing;
- and
- following refreshing, receiving the refreshed printer for subsequent printing.
A business method, comprising:
- receiving a printer having a depleted colorant from a customer;
- and
- replenishing said depleted colorant.
A printing apparatus, comprising:
- means for supporting a print engine in a printzone;
- means for supplying media to the printzone to receive colorant dispensed from said print engine;
- means for surrounding said print engine with a cardboard material comprising a cellulose fiber to prohibit user access to said printhead;
- and
- means for storing an expiration use date, or a maximum number of printed upon media sheets, beyond which colorant is no longer dispensed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.