# US 2014/0193177 A1 · Heat sealed remanufactured toner cartridge

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- Number: US 2014/0193177 A1
- Document ID: US20140193177A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/168,216
- Filed: 2014-01-30
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2012-03-01
- Assignees: Clover Technologies Group, LLC
- Applicants: Clover Technologies Group, LLC
- Inventors: Heymo Hormannn; Paul Michael Korzenecki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193177A1

## CPC

- G03G 15/0875: {cartridges having a box like shape}
- G03G 15/0884: {by a sealing film to be ruptured or cut}
- G03G 15/0894: {Reconditioning of the developer unit, i.e. reusing or recycling parts of the unit, e.g. resealing of the unit before refilling with toner}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

A remanufactured toner cartridge includes a wall defining a fill hole that is used to refill the cartridge with toner. A patch covers the fill hole, and a heat activated adhesive non-removably attaches the patch to the wall. The fill hole can be formed with a heat knife such that when the heat knife is withdrawn it forms a raised ridge of material extending around the perimeter of the fill hole. The patch is attached to the wall by applying heat and pressure to the patch, which also softens and at least partially flattens the ridge of material surrounding the fill hole such that the patch is substantially flush with the wall upon completion of the operation

## Claims

### Claim 1

A remanufactured toner cartridge comprising:
a wall defining a fill hole used to refill the cartridge with toner;
a patch covering the fill hole; and,
a heat activated adhesive non-removably attaching the patch to the wall.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The remanufactured toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the wall is formed of a first material and the patch is formed of a second material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The remanufactured toner cartridge of claim 2, wherein the first material is polystyrene and the second material is polyester.

### Claim at position 4

4-5. (canceled)

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The remanufactured toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein the patch creates a substantially air tight and fluid tight seal.

### Claim 7

A remanufactured toner cartridge comprising:
a body defining a toner chamber for storing toner, the body including a wall having formed therein a fill hole communicating with the toner chamber and affording access to the toner chamber for refilling the toner chamber with toner; and,
a heat activated patch non-removably attached to the wall and completely covering the fill hole, the heat activated patch including a heat activated adhesive on at least one side thereof for forming a seal between the wall and the heat activated patch.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The remanufactured toner cartridge of claim 7, wherein the wall is formed of a first material and the patch is formed of a second material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The remanufactured toner cartridge of claim 8, wherein the first material is polystyrene and the second material is polyester.

### Claim at position 9

10-11. (canceled)

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The remanufactured toner cartridge of claim 7, wherein the seal between the wall and the heat activated patch is substantially air tight and substantially fluid tight.

### Claim 13

A method for sealing a fill hole formed in a wall of a remanufactured toner cartridge, the fill hole used to refill the toner cartridge with toner, the method comprising:
positioning a patch over the fill hole, the patch including a heat activated adhesive on at least one side thereof; and,
applying heat and pressure to the patch thereby activating the heat activated adhesive and non-removably attaching the patch to the wall.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein applying heat and pressure to the patch includes contacting the patch with a heated die.

### Claim at position 13

15-19. (canceled)

### Claim 20

A method of remanufacturing a toner cartridge, the toner cartridge including a body defining a toner chamber and a wall, the method comprising:
forming a fill hole in the wall;
filling the toner chamber with toner;
positioning a patch over the fill hole; and
applying heat and pressure to the patch to non-removably attach the patch to the wall.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein applying heat and pressure to the patch at least partially flattens the wall underneath the patch.

### Claim 22 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein applying heat and pressure to the patch includes activating a heat activated adhesive that non-removably attaches the patch to the wall.