# US 6,596,110 B1 · Apparatus and method for modifying toner cartridges for sealing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,596,110 B1 - Document ID: US6596110B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/627,888 - Filed: 2000-07-28 - Granted: 2003-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 1999-08-10 - Inventors: Costa G. Chitouras - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6596110B1 ## CPC - B29C 65/18: using heated tools - B29C 65/223: {comprising several heated wires} - B29C 65/4815: {Hot melt adhesives, e.g. thermoplastic adhesives} - B29C 65/526: {by printing or by transfer from the surfaces of elements carrying the adhesive, e.g. using brushes, pads, rollers, stencils or silk screens} - B29C 66/112: {Single lapped joints} - B29C 66/116: {Single bevelled joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being bevelled in the joint area} - B29C 66/5412: {said substantially flat extra element being flexible, e.g. a membrane (B29C66/5416 takes precedence)} - B29C 66/542: {joining hollow covers or hollow bottoms to open ends of container bodies} - B29C 66/80: {General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof} - B29C 66/8248: {Pressure application by weights (by the own weight of the joining tool B29C66/8282)} - B29C 66/8322: {Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis} - B29C 66/861: {Hand-held tools} - 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} - B29C 66/1222: {comprising at least a lapped joint-segment} - B29C 66/1226: {comprising at least one bevelled joint-segment} - B29L 2031/767: {Printing equipment or accessories therefor} - G03G 2215/00995: Insertion tool used - Y10T 156/1059: Splitting sheet lamina in plane intermediate of faces - Y10T 156/1082: Partial cutting bonded sandwich [e.g., grooving or incising] - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method for preparing a toner cartridge for reconditioning and resealing with a replacement seal includes providing a used toner cartridge whose seal has been removed and the toner essentially consumed with the cartridge substantially otherwise intact. The interior of the cartridge is partially separated or penetrated so as to remove, modify or by-pass any impediments present which would or could interfere with the resealing of the cartridge. A new seal is secured to the toner cartridge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for preparing a toner cartridge for reconditioning and resealing with a replacement seal, comprising the steps of: a) providing a used toner cartridge whose seal has been removed and the toner has been essentially consumed with the toner cartridge substantially otherwise intact; b) partially separating said toner cartridge along a welded seam to allow a seal entrance to sufficiently spread apart to allow insertion of the replacement seal into said toner cartridge without fully splitting said toner cartridge; and c) securing the replacement seal with an adhesive to said toner cartridge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the replacement seal is inserted with a replacement seal insertion tool into the toner cartridge, wherein said insertion tool includes a blade having a first portion of said blade in a first plane and a second portion of said blade in a second plane that is different from said first plane. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein the first plane and second plane are parallel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said toner cartridge is partially split with an insertion pin. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the replacement seal is inserted into the toner cartridge with a replacement seal insertion tool. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive. ### Claim 7 A method for resealing a toner cartridge, comprising: a) providing a used toner cartridge having a seal removed from an original seal position; b) partially separating said toner cartridge along a welded seam in the used toner cartridge without fully splitting to allow insertion of a replacement seal insertion tool into the toner cartridge for resealing with a replacement seal; c) inserting the replacement seal with the replacement seal insertion tool into the toner cartridge; and d) removing the replacement seal insertion tool from the toner cartridge while leaving the replacement seal attached in a sealing position with an adhesive, thereby resealing the toner cartridge. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the replacement seal is inserted with a replacement seal insertion tool into the toner cartridge, wherein said insertion tool includes a blade having a first portion of said blade in a first plane and a second portion of said blade in a second plane that is different from said first plane. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the first plane and second plane are parallel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein said toner cartridge is partially split with an insertion pin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive. ### Claim 12 A method for resealing a toner cartridge, comprising: a) providing a toner cartridge having a toner seal removed from an original seal position, wherein said toner cartridge includes said original seal position in a different plane from an insertion point for a replacement seal insertion tool into the toner cartridge; b) partially separating said toner cartridge along a welded seam to allow a seal entrance to sufficiently spread apart to allow insertion of a replacement seal into said toner cartridge without fully splitting said toner cartridge; c) inserting a replacement seal with said replacement seal insertion tool into the toner cartridge, wherein said replacement seal insertion tool includes a blade having a first portion of said blade in a first plane and a second portion of said blade in a second plane wherein said second plane is different from said first plane; and d) removing the replacement seal insertion tool from the toner cartridge while leaving the replacement seal attached in a sealing position, thereby sealing the toner cartridge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the replacement seal is attached with an adhesive. ### Claim 14 A method for preparing a toner cartridge for reconditioning and resealing with a replacement seal, comprising the steps of: a) providing a used toner cartridge whose seal has been removed and the toner has been essentially consumed with the toner cartridge substantially otherwise intact; b) partially separating said toner cartridge along a welded seam to allow a seal entrance to sufficiently spread apart to allow insertion of the replacement seal into said toner cartridge without fully splitting said toner cartridge; c) removing permanently an impediment in the used toner cartridge by drilling, milling, cutting or sawing said toner cartridge wherein said impediment interferes with insertion of a replacement seal insertion tool into the toner cartridge for resealing with a replacement seal; d) inserting said replacement seal into the toner cartridge; and e) securing the replacement seal with an adhesive to said toner cartridge. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the impediment is removed by drilling or milling. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the drilling, is guided by a hole guide. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein said impediment includes a weld. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein said impediment includes a post. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the impediment is removed by splitting a weld.