US5594535A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refillable toner cartridge
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1995-11-07
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2015-11-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for refilling an electrophotographic imaging system. A refill pack is constructed around a frame. A collapsible bag, which is permanently attached to the top of the frame, along with a removable seal, which is attached to the bottom of the frame, defines an internal volume that contains the developer particles. The refill pack attaches to a receiving area on the cartridge. A new cartridge includes a flexible cover attached over an opening in the receiving area. Once the refill pack is attached to the receiving area, the removable seal is removed. As the removable seal is removed, a cutting edge on the removable seal cuts the flexible cover, opening the cartridge. Removal of the removable seal also releases the developer particles from the internal volume, allowing them to enter the cartridge thereby refilling the cartridge. Additional refill packs may be added over the top of a spent refill pack. However, the receiving area of the cartridge allows a maximum number of refill packs.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard F. Beaufort
- 👤 Robin P. Yergenson
- 👤 Howard G. Hooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:20
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0894; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0877; G03G15/0881; G03G15/0884; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00987; G03G2215/06; G03G2215/066; G03G2215/0682; G03G2215/069; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/183; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for refilling an electrophotographic imaging system, said apparatus comprising: a pack which defines an interior volume, said pack comprising: a frame having a top face and a bottom face, said frame having an opening extending from said top face to said bottom face; a removable seal attached to said frame between said top face and said bottom surface along said opening; a collapsible bag permanently attached to said top face of said frame; developer particles contained in said interior volume of said pack; and a cartridge having a receiving area arranged to receive said pack, said receiving area further having an opening passing from within said cartridge to outside said cartridge, said apparatus further comprising a flexible cover attached over said opening in said receiving area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for refilling an electrophotographic imaging system, said apparatus comprising: a pack which defines an interior volume, said pack comprising: a frame having a top face and a bottom face, said frame having an opening extending from said top face to said bottom face; a removable seal attached to said frame between said top face and said bottom surface along said opening; a collapsible bag permanently attached to said top face of said frame; developer particles contained in said interior volume of said pack; and a cartridge having a receiving area arranged to receive said pack, said receiving area further having an opening passing from within said cartridge to outside said cartridge, said apparatus further comprising a flexible cover attached over said opening in said receiving area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cutting member pivotally mounted to said bottom surface of said frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, said pack further comprising a cutting edge attached to said removable seal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for attaching said pack to said cartridge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for indicating an amount of collapse of said collapsible bag.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
A refill pack which defines an interior volume for filling an electrophotographic imaging system with developer particles, said refill pack comprising: a frame having a rectangle shape and a top face and a bottom face, said frame having an opening extending from said top face to said bottom face; a removable seal attached to said frame between said top face and said bottom surface along said opening; a collapsible bag joined to said top face of said frame; said developer particles contained in said interior volume of said pack; and cutting edge attached to said removable seal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
A refill pack which defines an interior volume for filling an electrophotographic imaging system with developer particles, said refill pack comprising: a frame having a rectangle shape and a top face and a bottom face, said frame having an opening extending from said top face to said bottom face; a removable seal attached to said frame between said top face and said bottom surface along said opening; a collapsible bag joined to said top face of said frame; said developer particles contained in said interior volume of said pack; and cutting edge attached to said removable seal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The refill pack of claim 6 wherein said frame further having a seal on said bottom face.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a means for indicating an amount of collapse of said collapsible bag.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |