Method and apparatus for reconditioning and resealing a toner cartridge

A device for separating a toner cartridge having a hopper, a mounting member and spacers, the hopper having lengthwise and widthwise peripheral portions, the mounting member having lengthwise and widthwise peripheral portions, the each of spacers having a top, a bottom and an outer edge, the hopper lengthwise peripheral portions being integral with the bottom of the spacers and the mounting member lengthwise peripheral portions being connected to the top of the spacers, the device comprising:

• means for cutting the outer edge of the spacers flush with the lengthwise peripheral portions of the toner hopper;
• a container shaped to accommodate the cartridge, wherein said container has first and second connectable halves, the cartridge being accommodated between said halves and each half having walls, the walls of the first half engaging the peripheral portions of the hopper and the walls of the second half engaging the peripheral portions of the mounting member, the container allowing the cutting means access to the outer edge of the spacers;
• means for aligning the cartridge relative to the cutting means, the cutting means being aligned to engage the outer edge of the spacers so that the finished cut is substantially flush with the peripheral portions of the toner hopper;
• and
• means for moving the cartridge linearly relative to the cutting means to cut away the outer edge of the spacers.