Genicom Corp.

Vytas A Kavolius

Joseph E White

Edward D Furrow

Bradford G Buttner

Used, spent or physically degraded primary charge rollers (PCR's) may be rejuvenated to an extent that is operationally comparable to (or exceeds) the print quality and service life of an OEM-supplied PCR. The used PCR is treated so as to apply an overcoating of a dispersion which includes an electrically conductive particulate material, such as graphite or carbon black, and a polymeric binder (e.g., polyurethane latex). The electrically conductive material imparts the necessary electrical properties to the PCR for purposes of 'rejuvenation', while the presence of the polymeric binder serves to impart long-term service life to the PCR and also permits the use of less electrically conductive material.

Reconditioning primary charge rollers for electrostatographic imaging

The triboelectric harmony of reconditioned electrostatographic cartridges may be reestablished by coating a flexible charge blade with a quantity of dry, particulate electrically conductive material, for example, particulate carbon black or graphite. Preferably, the electrically conductive material is carbon black having an average particle diameter of between about 15 to about 95 nm. The surface-coated charge blade will most preferably exhibit a surface resistivity of less than about 1.times.10.sup.7 .OMEGA./cm (i.e., between 0 to about 1.times.10.sup.7 .OMEGA./cm), more preferably between about 1.times.10.sup.5 to about 7.5.times.10.sup.5 .OMEGA./cm.

Methods for reconditioning used charge blades for electrostatographic

Electrostatographic cartridges having a cartridge base, a toner hopper having a toner fill hole attached to the cartridge base, and a gear housing assembly which blocks access to the toner fill hole and which includes an interior gear housing component integral with the cartridge base are remanufactured by severing the interior gear housing component and then reattaching it to the cartridge base through the exterior gear housing component. Specifically, the one-piece interior gear housing component is severed so that it can be removed thereby providing unobstructed access to the original toner fill hole. Most preferably, the interior part of the gear housing is cut at a five degree angle relative to the cartridge base. The angular cut thereby ensures that the attachment bosses on the cartridge base which serve to couple the base to the toner cartridge cover are not damaged to an extent that would defeat their coupling function. Paired reattachment holes are formed in the interior and exterior gear housing components to allow them to be reattached to one another via screw and nut assemblies extending therethrough. The reattached interior and exterior gear housing components may then be connected to the cartridge base by screws supplied originally with the cartridge by original equipment manufacturer (OEM). In such a manner, fresh toner may be introduced into the toner hopper in a convenient fashion during the remanufacturing operation.

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Charlottesville, VA, United States of America

Vytas A Kavolius