# US 8,543,032 B2 · Devices and methods for remanufacturing printer cartridges > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,543,032 B2 - Document ID: US8543032B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/068,183 - Filed: 2011-05-04 - Published: 2011-11-10 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2010-05-05 - Assignees: Mitsubishi Kagaku Imaging Corporation - Applicants: Gary Silva; Tigran Ohanyan; Denny Holmes - Inventors: Gary Silva; Tigran Ohanyan; Denny Holmes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8543032B2 ## CPC - G03G 21/181: {Manufacturing or assembling, recycling, reuse, transportation, packaging or storage} - G03G 15/757: {Drive mechanisms for photosensitive medium, e.g. gears} - G03G 21/1821: {means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation (G03G21/1825 takes precedence)} - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract There is provided a device and method for remanufacturing a printer cartridge. The printer cartridge has an organic photoconductor (OPC) drum having a drum axle and a hub assembly attached to the drum axle, and the hub assembly is in a locked position in the printer cartridge. The device has a first portion having an end configured to engage the hub assembly and unlock and lock the hub assembly. The device further has a second portion connected to the first portion, the second portion having an end configured to extract the hub assembly from the printer cartridge when the hub assembly is in an unlocked position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for remanufacturing a printer cartridge, the printer cartridge comprising an organic photoconductor (OPC) drum having a drum axle and a hub assembly attached to the drum axle, the hub assembly being in a locked position in the printer cartridge, the device comprising: a first portion having an end configured to engage the hub assembly and unlock and lock the hub assembly; and, a second portion connected to the first portion, the second portion having an end configured to extract the hub assembly from the printer cartridge when the hub assembly is in an unlocked position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the hub assembly comprises a drive hub and a locking ring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the end of the first portion comprises one or more raised flanges configured for insertion into one or more corresponding recessed portions formed in the hub assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the end of the second portion comprises a U-shaped fork portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion is connected to the second portion via a connector means selected from the group consisting of a fastener and fastener receiving connector assembly, a threaded shaft and threaded opening connector assembly, a magnetic connector assembly, a groove and spring plunger connector assembly, a ball and clip socket connector assembly, and an O-ring and corresponding groove connector assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, brass, acrylic, resilient plastic, and a mixture thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the second portion further comprises a drum axle stop element configured to engage an end of a replacement OPC drum axle opposite the hub assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion is removably connected to the second portion. ### Claim 9 A tool for replacing an organic photoconductive (OPC) drum of a printer cartridge, the OPC drum having a drum axle and a hub assembly attached to the drum axle, the hub assembly being in a locked position in the printer cartridge, the tool comprising: a first portion having a hub assembly engagement end configured to engage the hub assembly and rotatably unlock and lock the hub assembly; and, a second portion connected to the first portion, the second portion having a hub assembly extraction end configured to extract the hub assembly from the printer cartridge when the hub assembly is in an unlocked position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The tool of claim 9, wherein the hub assembly engagement end comprises one or more raised flanges configured for insertion into one or more corresponding recessed portions formed in the hub assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The tool of claim 9, wherein the hub assembly extraction end comprises a U-shaped fork portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The tool of claim 9, wherein the first portion has a threaded opening end opposite the hub assembly engagement end. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The tool of claim 9, wherein the second portion has a threaded screw shaft end opposite the hub assembly extraction end. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The tool of claim 9, wherein the first portion is connected to the second portion via a connector means selected from the group consisting of a fastener and fastener receiving connector assembly, a threaded shaft and threaded opening connector assembly, a magnetic connector assembly, a groove and spring plunger connector assembly, a ball and clip socket connector assembly, and an O-ring and corresponding groove connector assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The tool of claim 9, wherein the tool is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, brass, acrylic, resilient plastic, and a mixture thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The tool of claim 9, wherein the second portion further comprises a drum axle stop element configured to engage an end of a replacement OPC drum axle opposite the hub assembly. ### Claim 17 A method for remanufacturing a printer cartridge, the printer cartridge comprising an organic photoconductor (OPC) drum having a drum axle and having a hub assembly attached to the drum axle, the hub assembly being in a locked position in the printer cartridge, the method comprising: providing a device comprising: a first portion having an end configured to engage the hub assembly; and, a second portion connected to the first portion, the second portion having an end configured to extract the hub assembly from the printer cartridge; unlocking the hub assembly with the end of the first portion; removing the hub assembly from the printer cartridge with the end of the second portion; removing the OPC drum from the printer cartridge; installing a replacement OPC drum in the printer cartridge; using the end of the first portion to attach the hub assembly that has been removed to a replacement OPC drum axle; coupling a drum axle stop element to an end of the replacement OPC drum axle opposite the hub assembly; and, locking the hub assembly with the end of the first portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the drum axle stop element comprises an opening having a recessed pin in the second portion and configured to stop movement of the second end of the replacement OPC drum axle in order to align and hold the replacement OPC drum in place. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the end of the first portion comprises one or more raised flanges configured for insertion into one or more corresponding recessed portions formed in the hub assembly. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the end of the second portion comprises a U-shaped fork portion.