Recyclable and remanufacturable microprocessor-based postal evidencing module and method of recycling and remanufacturing
AssigneeClover Technologies Group, LLC
InventorsRandall Ellis Hooker, Eric Tuvesson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to postal evidencing modules that can be recycled in a non-destructive fashion for reuse and remanufacturing. The modules comprise a cartridge-receiving portion and a lid, which can be manually disengaged from one another by the user in order to assist in reuse and remanufacturing. The modules further comprise flex circuits with one or more microprocessors to electrically engage the ink cartridges and a postage evidencing system. The present invention is designed to use commercially available ink cartridges and microprocessors.
Claims16
A recyclable and remanufacturable postal evidencing module comprising:
- a housing including a cartridge-receiving portion configured to receive one or more ink cartridges, and a lid portion removably coupleable with the cartridge-receiving portion;
- and,
- an elongated circuit including a first portion positioned inside the cartridge-receiving portion and electrically engageable with at least one of the one or more ink cartridges, and a second portion positioned outside the cartridge-receiving portion and electrically engageable with a postal evidencing system, the elongated circuit further including a microprocessor and programming points for reprogramming the microprocessor, wherein the programming points are accessible from outside of the cartridge-receiving portion while the lid portion is coupled to the cartridge-receiving portion.
A recyclable and remanufacturable postal evidencing module comprising:
- a cartridge-receiving portion having an open top portion and lateral side portions configured to receive one or more ink cartridges;
- a lid portion removably coupleable with the cartridge-receiving portion to overlie the open top portion, the lid portion including a top wall defining at least one viewing opening positioned to correspond to a position of labeling information on the one or more ink cartridges when the one or more ink cartridges are received within the cartridge-receiving portion and the lid portion is coupled to the cartridge-receiving portion;
- and
- an elongated circuit including a first portion positioned inside the cartridge-receiving portion and electrically engageable with at least one of the one or more ink cartridges, and a second portion positioned outside the cartridge-receiving portion and electrically engageable with a postal evidencing system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.