APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING TONER FROM TONER CARTRIDGES

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for extracting toner from a toner cartridge comprising an inlet opening (1), a first outlet opening (2) for discharging toner, and a second outlet opening (3) for discharging toner cartridges. The apparatus (100) also comprises: a toner cartridge opening device (10) configured to break a toner cartridge so that the toner may be removed from inside said toner cartridge; a separating device (20) connected to said opening device (10) for receiving broken toner cartridges from said opening device, and configured to separate toner from a respective toner cartridge broken by said opening device (10), said separating device (20) being further configured to separately convey the broken toner cartridge to said second outlet opening (3) and toner separated from said broken toner cartridge to said first outlet opening (2).

Claims

1. An apparatus (100) for extracting toner from a toner cartridge, said apparatus (100) comprising an inlet opening (1), a first outlet opening (2) for discharging toner, and a second outlet opening (3) for discharging toner cartridges, said apparatus (100) further comprising: a toner cartridge opening device (10) configured to break a toner cartridge so that the toner may be removed from inside said toner cartridge; a separating device (20) connected to said opening device (10) for receiving broken toner cartridges from said opening device, and configured to separate toner from a respective toner cartridge broken by said opening device (10), said separating device (20) being further configured to separately convey the broken toner cartridge to said second outlet opening (3) and toner separated from said broken toner cartridge to said first outlet opening (2).

2. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, comprising a compacting device (30) connected to said separating device (20) for receiving toner therefrom and configured to compact toner in such a way as to limit a risk of ignition thereof.

3. The apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein said compacting device (30) is interposed between said separating device (20) and said first outlet opening (1) and is configured to compact toner received, in use, from said separating device (20) and convey it to said first outlet opening (2).

4. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein said opening device (10) comprises at least one pair (17) of counterrotating elements (11, 12) which between themselves define a first passage for a toner cartridge and which are configured to open a toner cartridge passing through said passage.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said opening device (10) comprises: first pair (17) of counterrotating elements (11, 12) of said at least one pair of counterrotating elements, a second pair (18) of counterrotating elements (13, 14) of said at least one pair of counterrotating elements, wherein said second pair (18) is arranged in series with respect to said first pair (17) in such a way that a toner cartridge which in use passes through the first passage of said first pair (17), is subsequently directed into a second passage defined between the counterrotating elements (13, 14) of said second pair (18) of counterrotating elements (13, 14).

6. The apparatus (100) according to claim 4, wherein the counterrotating elements (11, 12, 13, 14) of each pair (17, 18) of counterrotating elements are mutually coupled by at least one elastic element (15, 16) so that said counterrotating elements impart a compression force to a toner cartridge passing between said counterrotating elements (11, 12, 13, 14).

7. The apparatus (100) according to claim 4, wherein said counterrotating elements (11, 12, 13, 14) comprise cylinders or grooved cylinders or consist of cylinders or grooved cylinders.

8. The apparatus (100) according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of the cylinders or grooved cylinders of said first pair (17) of counterrotating elements (11, 12) is smaller than the diameter of the cylinders or grooved cylinders of said second pair (18) of counterrotating elements (13, 14), and/or the first passage of said first pair (17) of counterrotating elements (11, 12) has a smaller crosssection than a crosssection of the second passage of said second pair (18) of counterrotating elements (13, 14).

9. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the separating device (20) comprises: at least one filter element (21) having a surface suitable for receiving toner and a toner cartridge broken by said opening device (10); said at least one filter element (21) being crossed by a plurality of passages extending from said surface and crossing said at least one filter element (21) and configured to allow toner to pass through them and to counter a passage, through them, of fragments of said toner cartridge; an actuating device (25) mechanically connected to said at least one filter element (21) to actuate the latter in movement so as to implement, by means of the latter, a sieving action of material received from said opening device (10).

10. The apparatus (100) according to claim 9, wherein said separating device (20) comprises a first filter element (21) of said at least one filter element (21) and a second filter element (22) of said at least one filter element (21); wherein said first filter element (21) and said second filter element (22) are mutually positioned in such a way that material coming from said opening device (10) may reach said second filter element (22) only following a passage through said first filter element (21).

11. The apparatus (100) according to claim 10, wherein said second filter element (22) has a filtration capacity greater than said first filter element (21), i.e. said first filter element (21) only allows particles having a particle size smaller than a first value to pass through it, wherein said second filter element (22) only allows particles having a particle size smaller than a second value to pass through it, wherein said second value is smaller than said first value.

12. The apparatus (100) according to claim 9, wherein said actuating device (25) comprises at least one vibrator connected to each of said at least one filter element (22) for driving it into vibration and configured to generate vibrations having a frequency between 3 Hz and 5 Hz, and preferably about 4 Hz.

13. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein said separating device (20) comprises at least one cleaning member (26) configured to remove toner from toner cartridges broken by said opening device (10).

14. The apparatus (100) according to claim 13, wherein said at least one cleaning member (26) is facing the surface of said at least one filter element (21) for removing toner from broken toner cartridges retained on said surface.

15. The apparatus (100) according to claim 13, wherein said at least one cleaning member (26) comprises at least one rotating brush.

16. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, comprising: a casing (40) enclosing at least said separating device (20), possibly said opening device (10) and, if provided, said compacting device (30); a suction device placed in communication with the inside of said casing (40) to suck air from said casing in order to keep said apparatus under pressure towards the environment so as to prevent toner from being dispersed outside.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for extracting pulverized toner from a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an apparatus for extracting pulverized toner from a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] With reference to the attached figures, an apparatus for extracting toner from a toner cartridge is indicated as a whole by 100.

[0040] Specifically, in use or printing configuration, the toner cartridge comprises an internal surface that defines, in use, a housing configured to contain pulverized toner. The toner cartridge further comprises an outer surface which, in use, comes into contact with the members of a printer or fax machine.

[0041] The extraction apparatus 100 according to the present invention is configured to extract toner, preferably in the form of powder and/or granules, from said toner cartridge housing and to separate the latter from the toner in the form of powder and/or granules itself.

[0042] For this purpose, the apparatus 100 comprises an inlet opening 1, a first outlet opening 2 for discharging toner, and a second outlet opening 3 for discharging toner cartridges. More specifically, the first outlet opening 2 is configured for discharging toner, preferably in the form of powder or granules, while the second outlet opening 3 is configured for discharging toner cartridge fragments and possibly fragments of a toner cartridge casing, which could be made of cardboard.

[0043] In particular, the inlet opening 1 is configured for the insertion of a toner cartridge, possibly inserted in a paper or cardboard container. Preferably, a conveyor belt 5 may be provided at said inlet opening 1 in order to increase the overall safety of the apparatus 100.

[0044] As previously mentioned, the apparatus 100 further comprises a first outlet opening 2 for discharging toner and a second outlet opening 3 for discharging toner cartridges. These first and second outlet openings 2, 3 are different and separate so that the relevant outlet materials may be collected and processed separately. For example, the materials coming out of the second outlet opening 3 may be mainly plastic and metal and may be collected and recycled appropriately.

[0045] In general terms, the apparatus 100 for extracting toner from a toner cartridge comprises a toner cartridge opening device 10 and a separating device 20. Optionally, the apparatus 100 may further comprise a compacting device 30. Furthermore, according to a preferred aspect, the apparatus 100 further comprises a casing 40 enclosing at least the opening device 10, the separating device 20 and, if provided, the compacting device 30, and a suction device placed in communication with the inside of the casing 40 configured to suck air from the latter in order to keep the apparatus 100 under pressure towards the environment, thus preventing the dispersion of toner in the form of powder to the outside. Preferably, the suction device comprises at least one filter member configured to intercept toner in the form of powder.

[0046] Specifically, the toner cartridge opening device 10 is configured to break a toner cartridge so that the toner may be removed from inside the toner cartridge. In particular, the opening device 10 is configured to fragment a toner cartridge in such a way as to expose the inner surface of the toner cartridge itself so that the toner, preferably made of powder and/or granules, contained in the toner cartridge may be released from the housing.

[0047] Preferably, according to an embodiment, the opening device 10 comprises at least one pair 17 of counter-rotating elements 11, 12. Such counter-rotating elements 11, 12 may comprise cylinders or grooved cylinders or may consist of cylinders or grooved cylinders. Further, the counter-rotating elements 11, 12 are arranged so as to define a first passage for a toner cartridge and are configured to open a toner cartridge passing through said first passage.

[0048] More particularly, preferably the opening device 10 comprises a first pair 17 of counter-rotating elements 11, 12 and a second pair 18 of counter-rotating elements 13, 14. The counter-rotating elements 13, 14 of the second pair 18 may comprise cylinders or grooved cylinders or may consist of cylinders or grooved cylinders. Said counter-rotating elements 13, 14 are arranged to define a second passage for a toner cartridge and are configured to open a toner cartridge passing through said second passage.

[0049] Clearly, a separating apparatus according to the present invention may comprise a number of pairs of counter-rotating elements, in series, chosen according to the contingent requirements for implementing the present invention.

[0050] According to a preferred aspect, the first and/or second passages are arranged along a main feed direction D. When the apparatus 100 is arranged on a substantially horizontal support plane, said main feed direction D is a substantially vertical direction, or substantially orthogonal to said support plane.

[0051] In this way, the action of gravity will promote a natural advancement of the cartridges through the separating apparatus. Alternatively, chutes and/or conveyors may be provided, for example belt and/or roller conveyors for moving the toner cartridges and in general the material introduced into the separating apparatus, through the apparatus in non-vertical directions.

[0052] Preferably, in order to achieve a first coarse and then finer break, the diameter of the cylinders or grooved cylinders of the first pair 17 of counter-rotating elements 11, 12 is smaller than the diameter of the cylinders or grooved cylinders of the second pair 18 of counter-rotating elements 13, 14. More specifically, according to a preferred embodiment, the counter-rotating elements 11, 12 of the first pair 17 have a diameter of 270 mm, while the counter-rotating elements 13, 14 of the second pair have a diameter of 350 mm. In combination or alternatively, the first passage of the first pair 17 of counter-rotating elements 11, 12 has a smaller cross-section than the cross-section of the second passage of the second pair 18 of counter-rotating elements 13, 14, where the cross-section of a passage may be defined as the minimum distance between the counter-rotating elements forming a pair of counter-rotating elements.

[0053] In order to break and open a cartridge passing through a passage, the counter-rotating elements 11, 12, 13, 14 of each pair 17, 18 of counter-rotating elements are mutually coupled by at least one elastic element 15, 16 which may comprise at least one possibly helical spring and/or at least one elastically extensible tie-rod. In particular, the elastic elements 15, 16 are arranged so that the counter-rotating elements 11, 12, 13, 14 impart a compression force to a toner cartridge passing between the counter-rotating elements 11, 12, 13, 14 themselves.

[0054] In detail, the counter-rotating elements 11, 12 of the first pair 17 of counter-rotating elements 11, 12 are coupled by a first elastic element 15. Similarly, the counter-rotating elements 13, 14 of the second pair 18 of counter-rotating elements 13, 14, if present, are coupled by a second elastic element 16. In this way, it is possible to select the compression force that each pair 17, 18 of counter-rotating elements 11, 12, 13, 14 imparts to a toner cartridge. In particular, preferably the elastic elements 15, 16 are configured in such a way that the respective counter-rotating elements impart a compression force to a cartridge. Preferably, the elastic elements 15, 16 are configured in such a way that each pair 17, 18 of counter-rotating elements 11, 12, 13, 14 applies a pressure to a toner cartridge preferably between 3 and 7 bar, even more preferably between 4 and 6 bar. These pressure values allow the toner cartridges to be broken and opened, with the toner being released, without shattering the cartridge itself.

[0055] Preferably, the elastic elements 15, 16 are configured such that each pair 17, 18 of counter-rotating elements 11, 12, 13, 14 applies a pressure to a toner cartridge that is preferably less than 10 bar. Higher pressures would significantly increase the likelihood of starts of a fire.

[0056] According to a preferred embodiment moreover, the second pair 18 of counter-rotating elements 13, 14 is arranged in series with respect to said first pair 17 of counter-rotating elements 11, 12. In particular, in this way, a toner cartridge which, in use, passes through the first passage of the first pair 17 is subsequently directed into the second passage of the second pair 18 of counter-rotating elements 13, 14.

[0057] The apparatus 100 further comprises a separating device 20. Such separating device 20 is connected to the cartridge opening device 10 so as to receive open or broken toner cartridges from the latter. Further, the separating device 20 is configured to separate toner from a respective toner cartridge broken by the opening device 10 and to separately convey the latter to the second outlet opening 3 and the toner released from the broken toner cartridge to the first outlet opening 2.

[0058] Preferably, the separating device 20 comprises at least one filter element 21 and an actuating device 25 mechanically connected to the at least one filter element 21 to drive it in movement so as to implement, by means of the at least one filter element 21 itself, a sieving action of the material received from the opening device 10. In practice, the separating device 20 performs a sieving action of the toner and broken toner cartridges arriving from the opening device 10.

[0059] In particular, the at least one filter element 21 has a surface suitable for receiving toner and a toner cartridge broken by the opening device 10. Preferably, said surface of the at least one filter element 21 is substantially orthogonal to said main feed direction D.

[0060] Furthermore, the at least one filter element 21 is crossed by a plurality of passages extending from the surface of the filter element 21 itself and crossing the filter element 21. These passages are configured at the same time to allow toner, preferably in the form of powder and/or granules, to pass through them and to counter toner cartridge fragments from passing through them. According to an embodiment, each filter element of the at least one filter element 21 comprises — or consists of — a mesh or net filter.

[0061] Specifically, preferably the separating device 20 comprises a first filter element 21 and a second filter element 22. Such first and second filter elements 21, 22 are mutually arranged or positioned so that the material from the opening device may only reach the second filter element 22 after passing through the first filter element 21. In practice, the filter elements 21, 22 are arranged in series or in succession along the main feed direction D which may be straight for structural simplicity, of the separating apparatus 100, or follow a trajectory chosen according to the contingent requirements for implementing the present invention.

[0062] Preferably also, the second filter element 22 has a higher filtration capacity than the first filter element 21. That is to say, the first filter element 21 only allows particles having a particle size smaller than a first value to pass through it, while the second filter element 22 only allows particles having a particle size smaller than a second value to pass through it, wherein the second value is less than the first value. Preferably, according to an embodiment, the first filter element 21 is configured to retain toner cartridge fragments having a particle size greater than 4 mm, and the second filter element 22 is configured to retain toner cartridge fragments having a particle size greater than 2 mm.

[0063] Preferably, the actuating device 25 comprises a vibrator. Said vibrator is preferably connected to at least one and/or each filter element 21, 22 of said at least one filter element 21 in order to drive it in vibration. Preferably, the vibrator is connected to both said first filter element 21 and said second filter element 22. Preferably also, the vibrator is configured to generate vibrations having a frequency between 3 Hz and 5 Hz, preferably about 4 Hz, on the at least one vibrating element to which it is connected.

[0064] The vibrator may include a rotating hammer to generate impulsive impacts, preferably 250 pulses per minute.

[0065] Preferably, the separating device 20 further comprises at least one cleaning member 26. Such cleaning member 26 is configured to remove toner from toner cartridges broken by the opening device 10.

[0066] Preferably, said at least one cleaning member 26 faces the surface of the at least one filter element 21, 22 to remove toner from the cartridges broken by the opening device 10 and retained on said surface. Even more preferably, the at least one cleaning member 26 faces the surface of the first filter element 21. In this way, toner cartridges broken by the opening device 10 and which do not pass through the first filter element 21 are cleaned by such at least one cleaning member 26.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the at least one cleaning member 26 comprises at least one rotating brush, for example a cylindrical or drum-shaped rotating brush. According to an embodiment, the cleaning member comprises a pair of rotating brushes.

[0068] Preferably, such at least one rotating brush of the cleaning member 26 is housed in a recess 40a of the casing 40 of the apparatus 100. Preferably, said recess is at least partially flanked by the opening device 10 in such a way as to prevent a return of broken toner cartridges to said opening device 10. In other words, the opening device 10, and in particular said first and/or second passage defined by the counter-rotating elements 11, 12, 13, 14, does not directly face said recess of the casing 40 housing the at least one rotating brush of the cleaning member 26. This prevents a return of the broken cartridges to the opening device 10, for example in the direction opposite to the main feed direction D, following the action of the cleaning member 26 itself on the broken cartridges.

[0069] According to a preferred aspect, the apparatus 100 further comprises a compacting device 30. In particular, said compacting device 30 is connected to the separating device 20 so as to receive toner from the separating device 20 itself. In addition, the compacting device 30 is configured to compact toner, preferably at the first outlet opening 2, in order to limit the risk of ignition of the toner itself. Specifically, preferably the compacting device 30 is interposed between the separating device 20 and the first outlet opening 2 and is configured to compact toner received, in use, from the separating device 20 and convey it to the first outlet opening 2. According to a preferred embodiment, such compacting device 30 is a variable pitch screw, i.e., having a pitch that decreases towards the first outlet opening 2.

[0070] The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of protection of the appended claims.

[0071] In addition, all details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0072] Where the operating and technical features mentioned in the following claims are followed by signs or reference numbers, the signs or reference numbers have been used only with the aim of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves and, consequently, they do not constitute in any way a limitation to the interpretation of each element identified, purely by way of example, by the signs or reference numerals.