Systems and methods for remanufacturing imaging components
A method of remanufacturing an imaging cartridge comprising toner hopper not including a toner hopper access port comprises forming an access hole in a surface of the toner hopper, inserting toner into the toner hopper through the access hole, and adhering a hopper cap over the access hole to seal the access hole, the hopper cap comprising apparatus for facilitating removal of the hopper cap.
1. A method of remanufacturing an imaging cartridge comprising a toner hopper, said toner hopper not including a toner hopper access port, the method comprising:
forming an access hole in a surface of the toner hopper;
inserting toner into the toner hopper through the access hole; and
adhering a hopper cap over the access hole to seal the access hole, said hopper cap comprising means for facilitating removal of the hopper cap,
wherein the hopper cap comprises a hopper seal, an adhesive layer at least partially covering one side of the hopper seal, and a release liner covering the adhesive layer, the method further comprising before the step of adhering the hopper cap;
removing the release liner from the side of a hopper cap having the adhesive layer.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the access hole is substantially circular and the surface of the toner hopper is substantially planar.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the hopper seal is sized to cover any grooves in the surface of the toner hopper.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the means for facilitating removal of the hopper cap comprises a tab or a handle.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the means for facilitating removal of the hopper cap is thermoformed to the hopper seal.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the hopper seal comprises high impact polystyrene.
7. A hopper cap for covering an access hole formed in a surface of a toner hopper comprising:
a substantially planar hopper seal;
an adhesive layer at least partially covering one side of the hopper seal;
a release liner covering the adhesive layer, said release liner for removal prior to covering the access hole formed in the toner hopper; and
a removal element for facilitating the removal of the hopper seal.
8. The hopper cap of claim 7 wherein the hopper seal is sized to cover any grooves in the surface of the toner hopper.
9. The hopper cap of claim 7 wherein the removal element is thermoformed to the hopper seal.
10. The hopper cap of claim 7 wherein the hopper seal comprises high impact polystyrene.