Cartridge and method for its manufacture

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge (K1-K5) for a printer (2), comprising a housing (1A-1E) which defines a receiving chamber (10) for receiving a consumable material (3A-3D), said housing being at least partly made of a material that comprises a plastic which is: a polymer secondary raw material and / or a biodegradable polymer and / or a bio-based polymer.

Description

[0001] Cartridge and method for its manufacture

[0002] The invention relates to a cartridge for a printer according to claim 1 and a method for producing such a cartridge.

[0003] Such cartridges typically have a housing for accommodating consumables. Such housings can also hold electronic components, populated circuit boards, and / or wires, such as electrical cables, photonic conductors, and even worn-out conductor tracks on a circuit carrier, in or at various positions. These housings are typically designed to meet high requirements for proper use. For example, they are configured and designed in particular to protect the electronic components, populated circuit boards, and / or wires, as well as the consumables, arranged on or in the housing, which serves as the base body, from the effects of external environmental influences. Furthermore, they are designed to ensure functional reliability over a specified life cycle and trouble-free operation of the cartridge. At the same time, they should not pose any health risks.

[0004] EP 0490 545 B1 describes an inkjet head cartridge and ink cartridge made of degradable plastic material for structural components or packaging. Consumables in the form of ink are housed in a bag inserted into the cartridge.

[0005] Further devices are described in WO 2014 / 126698 A1 and in US 9,162,467 B2.

[0006] Cartridge housings are typically made of polymer or metal. Polymers have established themselves very early on as cost-effective and easily moldable materials for a variety of applications and industries, covering a very wide range of uses. The problem with plastic materials, however, is that they can pose a significant environmental impact.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to improve the environmental balance of a cartridge for a printer and its production.

[0008] This object is achieved by an object having the features of claim 1. Accordingly, a cartridge for a printer is specified, comprising a housing that defines a receiving space for accommodating consumables, made at least partially from a material that comprises a plastic that is a polymeric secondary raw material and / or a bio-based polymer (e.g., made from a renewable raw material) and / or a biodegradable polymer. The material can form an inner surface of the receiving space that is contactable (or contacted) by the consumables.

[0009] This is based on choosing from a selection of plastics that are used alone or in combination to increase the environmental compatibility of the housing or to reduce its environmental impact. This enables a cartridge with a significantly improved environmental balance. The invention solves its assigned problem through a material-based approach to reducing the environmental impact. To solve the problem, the invention moves away from an approach that reduces the use of a polymer derived from a fossil raw material simply by changing the geometry of the housing in order to use the fossil raw materials to a lesser extent. Furthermore, the invention moves away from the approach of replacing a plastic material with another material such as a metal.

[0010] This is achieved by providing a selection of plastics that are recyclable and / or made from renewable resources and / or biodegradable. The selection is thus not limited to any one of the aforementioned plastics, meaning they can also be combined with one another.

[0011] The material can consist of at least one of the aforementioned plastics, but can also contain other material additives, such as additives or other polymers or polymer components. Furthermore, composite materials can also be used for the material. Furthermore, it is possible to mix the aforementioned plastics with other components, such as additives or primary polymers.

[0012] The cartridge described herein not only makes it possible to noticeably reduce environmental pollution, but also to significantly reduce the burden on raw material resources. Furthermore, the cartridge can meet the sometimes stringent requirements for its usability, e.g. with regard to electrical breakdown safety, fire protection and / or electrical insulation, which are usually achieved with primary materials. Optionally, the material comprises several different plastics. Each of the several different plastics can be a polymeric secondary raw material and / or made from a renewable raw material and / or be biodegradable. For example, the material comprises a polymeric secondary raw material and a renewable raw material. Or the material comprises a polymeric secondary raw material and a biodegradable raw material. Or the material comprises a renewable raw material and a biodegradable raw material.Or the material comprises a polymeric secondary raw material, a renewable raw material, and a biodegradable raw material. Optionally, one and the same plastic in the material can be both a polymeric secondary raw material and a renewable raw material. Or one and the same plastic can be both a polymeric secondary raw material and a biodegradable raw material. Or one and the same plastic can be both a renewable raw material and a biodegradable raw material. Or one and the same plastic can be both a polymeric secondary raw material and a renewable raw material and a biodegradable raw material. This makes it possible to provide particularly environmentally friendly housings.

[0013] The housing can therefore be made from several different materials, each of which can comprise a plastic that is a polymeric secondary raw material, made from a renewable raw material, and / or is biodegradable. This makes it possible to create a housing that is both environmentally friendly and particularly well-adapted to application-specific requirements. For example, the housing has a first housing part or a first housing section made from a first such material and a second housing part or a second housing section made from a first such material. The housing sections can be connected to one another in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material-fitting manner.

[0014] The polymeric secondary raw material can be a mechanically and / or chemically recycled thermoplastic. Mechanically recycled thermoplastics differ from corresponding primary, i.e., non-recycled, thermoplastics in their correspondingly shorter polymer chains. Mechanically recycled materials also differ from the corresponding standard materials in their additional thermal stress, as the polymers are melted at least once more than the original standard material. If additional granulation processes are planned before the second processing / use, the additional thermal stress / damage increases. Certificates for reduced CO2 content are typically issued for chemically recycled materials. These can usually be used retrospectively to claim the corresponding CO2 reduction.

[0015] For example, the material consists of at least 25% by weight of the plastic, which is a mechanically and / or chemically recycled thermoplastic, in particular at least 50% by weight or even 100% by weight. This enables a substantial improvement in the environmental footprint.

[0016] Optionally, the polymeric secondary raw material is a mechanically recycled thermoplastic, which can be an engineering thermoplastic. For example, the polymeric secondary raw material is a mechanically recycled thermoplastic and / or selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene. These materials enable particularly good properties for many applications.

[0017] Optionally, the material can consist of 10 to 100 wt.% (or 10 to 80 wt.%) of the plastic made from renewable raw materials. This allows for a particularly resource-efficient housing.

[0018] For example, the plastic used in the material is made from renewable raw materials, with the renewable raw materials being selected from sugar, starch, protein, cellulose, lignin, fat, and / or vegetable oil, especially castor oil. This enables an environmentally friendly yet robust housing.

[0019] The plastic used for the material can be made from renewable raw materials and can be in the form of polylactide, polyhydroxyalkanoate, cellulose derivatives, especially cellulose esters or cellulose butyrate, polyethylene, starch derivatives, polyamide 4.6, or polycarbonate. This also enables an environmentally friendly yet robust housing.

[0020] The plastic used for the material is optionally biodegradable and can be in the form of polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polylactide, starch blend, or polyester. This allows the housing to be easily composted after use, optionally with the inclusion of composting additives. This makes disposal particularly environmentally friendly. Consumables can be arranged in the housing in the form of toner, ink, a ribbon, and / or printing material. This allows for a variety of applications.

[0021] At least one component (e.g., electrical and / or electronic) located within the housing can be secured to the housing via a predetermined breaking point. This allows the component to be easily removed prior to recycling, thus ensuring optimal recycling of the housing material.

[0022] The cartridge is specifically designed for use in a printer by inserting it into a slot in the printer. This allows for easy cartridge replacement.

[0023] According to one aspect, a method for producing a cartridge for a printer is specified. The method comprises providing a material comprising a plastic, wherein the plastic is produced by recycling a thermoplastic, is made from a renewable raw material, and / or is biodegradable; and forming a housing, which defines a receiving space for receiving consumables, at least partially (in particular completely) from the material, such that the material forms an inner surface of the receiving space that can be contacted by the consumables. With regard to the advantages, reference is made to the above information on the cartridge. The method can be used to produce the cartridge according to any embodiment described herein.

[0024] To manufacture the housing, a selection can be made from a variety of polymers, in particular polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone, polysulfone, polyphenylene oxide, styrene acrylonitrile, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, polypropylene, polyethylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyacetal, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyarylates, polysulfones, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ketone, polyimides, polyetherimide, polyphthalamide, polyoxymethylene, polyetheretherketone and / or polyamide, e.g. PA 66.

[0025] Optionally, the plastic is produced through chemical recycling of a thermoplastic. This enables particularly high performance and quality of the plastic while simultaneously achieving a particularly good environmental impact. Alternative or additional mechanical recycling may include shredding. Chemical recycling includes, for example, depolymerization, pyrolysis, and / or gasification. This allows for the production of particularly high-quality recycled thermoplastics.

[0026] In a further step, the consumable material can be placed in the receiving chamber. This allows the consumable material to come into contact with the inner surface of the receiving chamber.

[0027] The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. They show:

[0028] Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a cartridge for a printer with a housing;

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a method for producing and filling a cartridge for a

[0030] Printer;

[0031] Fig. 3-6 schematic views of further cartridges, each for a printer and with a housing; and

[0032] Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a printer.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a cartridge K1 for a printer for printing on print media. The cartridge K1 is embodied as an inkjet cartridge. The cartridge K1 comprises a housing 1A. The housing 1A is generally made at least partially, in particular entirely, from a material comprising a plastic that is (a) a polymeric secondary raw material and / or (b) made from a renewable raw material and / or (c) biodegradable.

[0034] The polymeric secondary raw material is, for example, a mechanically and / or chemically recycled thermoplastic. The material consists, for example, of at least 25 wt.% of the polymeric secondary raw material. The polymeric secondary raw material can be an engineering thermoplastic, in particular polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene. Thermoplastics have the advantageous property of good formability and processability, as they can, for example, soften to the point of flow through the application of heat and are thus easily moldable. After a cooling phase, they become solid again and retain their shape. Industrial plastic waste is often available in large quantities and is often sorted by type, which means that sorting or cleaning costs can be kept to a minimum and the material is then immediately available for recycling.For example, they are crushed and can then be reused to form the 1 A housing.

[0035] Furthermore, the material can consist of 10 to 100 wt.% plastic made from renewable raw materials. The renewable raw material can be sugar, starch, protein, cellulose, lignin, fat and / or vegetable oil. In particular, the renewable raw material can be castor oil. Bio-based polymers can also be referred to as technical biopolymers and can be produced from biogenic raw materials, preferably renewable plant raw materials. Biowaste can also be used for this purpose, which further increases sustainability. Available renewable raw materials include, for example and in particular, rapeseed and corn, which are available or can be grown in large quantities. A bio-based polymer that is also biodegradable is particularly environmentally friendly. Examples of bio-based polymers are polybutyrate adipate terephthalate (PBAT), so-called starch-based biodegradable blends andPolylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), cellulose derivatives, e.g., cellulose esters (CA) and cellulose butyrate (CAB), so-called biodegradable polyesters, and starch derivatives. These also include biopolyethylene and can match the properties of conventional polyethylene based on a fossil raw material (primary polymer).

[0036] Furthermore, the plastic of the material can be biodegradable and be present, for example, in the form of polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polylactide, starch blend, or polyester. A biodegradable portion of the material can be detected by carbon detection. A material is biodegradable in particular if the degradation in question occurs through a chemical process in which microorganisms present in the environment convert the material into natural substances such as water, carbon dioxide, and compost (where artificial additives are not required). The process of biodegradation depends on the environmental conditions (e.g., location or temperature), the material, and the application. Biodegradable polymers include, among others, PBAT, PLA, and PHA.

[0037] Biodegradable plastics can be enhanced with additional properties using additives based on fossil or renewable raw materials, allowing for additional, possibly specific material properties compared to conventional polymers, such as desired labeling and / or printability, light resistance, water vapor permeability, or even biodegradability. These polymers thus open up a broad spectrum of applications through specific adaptation of the material.

[0038] In the example of Fig. 1, the material of the housing 1 A consists of a chemically recycled thermoplastic.

[0039] The housing 1A has an outer wall defining a receiving space 10. A consumable material 3A, in this case in the form of a liquid ink, is arranged in the receiving space 10. The material of the housing 1A forms an inner surface 100 of the receiving space 10 that can be touched by the consumable material 3A (and touched in the filled state as shown in Fig. 1). The consumable material 3A is thus in direct contact with the described environmentally friendly material of the housing 1A.

[0040] As an alternative to a liquid consumable (here, consumable 3A in the form of ink), a solid consumable could also be arranged in the receiving space 10, e.g., in the form of a solid marking material, such as a powder. It is worth mentioning that particularly long service lives are possible with the material described here.

[0041] It can be seen that the housing 1A has a single-shell structure. In particular, the housing 1A forms a wall that defines both an outer surface and the inner surface 100 of the receiving space 10. This allows for a particularly simple structure and simplified recycling.

[0042] In the example shown, the cartridge K1 has a component 12 in the form of an electronic print head which comprises electrical lines. Optionally, further components, e.g. in the form of a circuit board with several electronic components, are arranged on or in the housing 1A. The component 12 is connected to the receiving space 10 via a line in the form of a channel, so that the consumable 3A can flow from the receiving space 100 via the channel to the component 12 and can be printed onto a print medium by means of the component 12. Furthermore, the component 12 is connected to the housing 1A via a predetermined breaking point 13. For recycling, the component 12 can then be easily separated from the housing 1A by destroying the predetermined breaking point 13, for example by manually breaking it out.The cartridge K1 thus also serves as a line carrier with at least one line, with a base body, namely the housing 1A, on which the at least one line is arranged (here the electrical lines and the channel), wherein the housing 1A has a section (here the section shown in Fig. 1) which consists of a polymer composition or has such a polymer composition, wherein at least one component of the polymer composition consists of at least one of the following substances or has at least one of the following substances: polymeric secondary raw material, biodegradable polymer, bio-based (i.e. produced from renewable raw material) polymer.

[0043] The polymer composition can be or be based on a thermoplastic polymer, in particular a polypropylene or a polyethylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyvinyl chloride, or a combination of at least two thereof. The polymeric secondary raw material can be or comprise a polymer recyclate, in particular a reused and / or recycled polymer. The polymer recyclate can be formed from a post-industrial material or comprise such a material. The polymer recyclate can be formed from a post-consumer material or comprise such a material, for example as PA 6 staple fibers, for example for carpet or clothing production, which are then melted again and additives added for the new application. The polymer recyclate can have the same material properties as the primary recyclate on which it is based.At least one additive, in particular another polymer and / or a masterbatch, can be added to the polymeric secondary raw material. The masterbatch is, for example, an additive or a composition of additives in the form of granules, in particular with an added colorant. This is used to color or to change the material properties. Masterbatches make it possible to concentrate several additives in themselves. Compared to powdered additives, masterbatches can increase technical process reliability and ensure good processability. In addition to coloring, for example, UV stabilization, flame retardancy, antistatic properties or anti-blocking can be realized as required. Other often important material properties are, in particular, chemical, e.g. relating to resistance to particularly aggressive media, odor formation, environmental and health neutrality and the like; thermal, e.g.B. relating to a melting and continuous use temperature as well as a thermal expansion coefficient; mechanical, e.g. relating to a specific density, the configuration as crystalline or amorphous, resistance to fatigue, the achievement of a desired stiffness, hardness, strength and / or the like. The biodegradable polymer can be based on or comprise a cellulose acetate, in particular a secondary acetate derived therefrom, preferably a diacetate, wherein in particular at least the bio-based polymer is designed and formed as a drop-in polymer, wherein in particular at least the biodegradable polymer is designed to be UV-resistant.

[0044] Polymers obtained from fossil raw materials can also be referred to as primary polymers. Accordingly, polymers obtained through recycling from primary polymers can be referred to as secondary polymers. These can, for example, and in particular, have a specific chemical structure, e.g., molecular chains, that distinguishes them from primary materials.

[0045] Optionally, the inner surface 100 of the housing 1A is provided with a surface treatment, e.g., a seal. Optionally, a physical surface treatment has been performed, e.g., by means of a plasma, or by applying material, for example, via a gas phase. Furthermore, a chemical sealing of the inner surface 100 is possible.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows a method for producing a cartridge (e.g., cartridge K1 according to Fig. 1) for a printer and for filling such a cartridge. The method comprises the following steps.

[0047] In a first step S1, a material is provided. The material comprises a plastic or consists of a plastic. The plastic is produced in a step S10 by recycling, in particular chemical recycling, a thermoplastic, in a step S11 from a renewable raw material, and / or in a step S12 provided in the form of a biodegradable plastic. The chemical recycling of the thermoplastic in step S10 comprises, for example, solvolysis, depolymerization, pyrolysis, and / or gasification. To avoid repetition, reference is made here to the possible properties and compositions of the material described elsewhere herein.

[0048] In a further step S2, a housing of the cartridge is formed at least partially, in particular completely, from the material, for example by primary forming and / or by reshaping. An injection mold can be provided for molding, into which the material is introduced by plastic injection molding. The housing is formed in such a way that the housing defines a receiving space for accommodating consumables, wherein the material forms an inner surface of the receiving space that can be contacted by the consumables. The housing is then ready. Optional further components can be mounted; alternatively, the cartridge only comprises the housing. Furthermore, several housing parts of the cartridge can be manufactured according to steps S1 and S2 and then assembled together. The cartridge is then manufactured as a result.

[0049] In order to fill the cartridge, the method further comprises a further step S3 in which the consumable material is arranged in the housing.

[0050] It should be noted that the process can be used to recycle a polymer by breaking it down into its original monomers or other, particularly petrochemically recyclable, materials through pyrolysis. Examples of such materials include methanol and synthesis gases. To obtain monomers, recycling can be carried out using a single-variety plastic. This makes it possible to recover not only monomers but also petrochemical raw materials. Furthermore, it is possible to extract gases, waxes, and oils of equivalent raw material value and correspondingly recyclable from, particularly mixed, plastic waste using degradative extrusion. This makes it possible to recycle even polymers that are difficult to separate.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows another cartridge K2 with a housing 1B for accommodating consumable material 3B, in this case in the form of one or more ink ribbons. Several movable parts 16, here in the form of a gear and a shaft, are movably mounted on the housing 1B. The movable parts 16 serve to advance the consumable material 3B. In this case, the movable parts 16 are also made of a material composed as described herein.

[0052] The housing 1B comprises a first housing part 17 in the form of an upper shell and a second housing part 18 in the form of a lower shell, which together define the receiving space. Both housing parts 17, 18 are made of the material described herein and are manufactured using the method described herein, each of any desired configuration. Both housing parts 17, 18 of the example shown are made of the same material, although it is also conceivable that the materials are different from one another.

[0053] Further, in particular mechatronic components of the cartridge K2 (or the other cartridges described herein) can also be made of a material as described herein, in particular gears, holding plates, covers, locking hooks, covers, intervention guards, decorative components, sensor housings, motor housings and / or the like.

[0054] Fig. 4 shows a further cartridge K3 with a housing 1C. The housing 1C has a cover 11. The cover 11 and the remaining housing 1C are each made of a material described herein and are each manufactured in any desired configuration using the method described herein. The cover 11 consists of a first material and at least part of the remaining housing 1C consists of a second material, wherein the first and the second material are different from one another. In the present case, the cover 11 is made of a renewable raw material that is biodegradable and transparent. The remaining housing 1C is made of a polymeric secondary raw material and is not transparent. Due to the transparency, in the present example, a fill level of consumable 3C can be checked when the cover 11 is closed. Optionally, the transparent cover 11 has an opacity of 0.6 Haze according to ASTM D 1033.

[0055] In this case, the consumable 3C comprises an ink ribbon and printing material. An electronic component of the cartridge K3 can be connected to the housing 1C via predetermined breaking points.

[0056] Fig. 5 shows another cartridge K4 for a printer, namely for printer 2 according to Fig. 7. Consumable 3D in the form of cleaning tape is accommodated in the receiving space defined by the housing 1D of the cartridge K4. The cartridge K4 has guides that guide the cartridge K4 during insertion into the printer 2. To easily remove the cartridge K4 from the printer 2, the cartridge has a handle 14. The guides and the handle are made of the same material as the housing 1D.

[0057] Fig. 6 shows a further cartridge K5 for a printer, namely for the printer 2 according to Fig. 7. In the receiving space defined by the housing 1 E of the cartridge K5, consumables in the form of ink (alternatively, for example, toner) are accommodated and contact the material of the housing 1 E. The consumables can be removed via a nozzle 15 formed by the housing 1 E and fed to a printing unit. A component 12 in the form of an electronic component is connected to the housing 1 E via predetermined breaking points 13. Fig. 7 shows an example of a printer 2. The printer 2 has a removable input magazine 23 and a removable output magazine 24. Print media can be arranged in the input magazine 23 in order to feed them to a printing unit of the printer 2 according to Fig. 7. The print media can be films, plates, strips or signs, in particular rigid print media.In the input magazine 23, a stack of unprinted print media can be fed to the printing unit. The printed print media are collected in the output magazine 24, again in a stack.

[0058] The printer further includes a display 27, which is designed and configured as a control panel for entering commands. The display 27 represents an electronic component.

[0059] At least one cover 20 can be opened to expose receptacles for the cartridges K4, K5 according to Figs. 5 and 6, into which the cartridges K4, K5 can be inserted. The printer 2 can then use the 3D consumables of the cartridges K4, K5.

[0060] Printer 2 provides, for example, thermal transfer printing, inkjet printing, and / or laser printing. Furthermore, the application of a marking can be carried out in other ways, for example and in particular by means of a pen plotter.

[0061] Surprisingly, it has been shown that the housings 1A-1 E described herein allow the implementation quality to be maintained at the same level as conventional production, despite reduced CO2 emissions. For example, it has been surprisingly shown that polymers made from a secondary raw material can be used that represent an equivalent substitute for a polymer produced from a fossil raw material. The housings 1A-1 E described herein have the advantage that recycled polymers can be used for high-quality products, components, or assemblies, as well as sections thereof, and their use is not limited to packaging purposes or applications with low requirements. In this respect, the housings 1A-1 E described herein make it possible to significantly reduce the CO2 burden on the environment by opening up a broad range of applications for secondary polymers.

[0062] Optionally, at least the compostable / biodegradable polymer meets at least the requirements of DIN CERTCO DIN EN 13432 in the version valid in 2021. List of reference symbols

[0063] K1-K5 cartridge

[0064] 1A-1 E housing

[0065] 10 Recording room

[0066] 100 surface

[0067] 11 Cover

[0068] 12 components

[0069] 13 Predetermined breaking point

[0070] 14 Handle

[0071] 15 nozzles

[0072] 16 movable part

[0073] 17 first housing part

[0074] 18 second housing part

[0075] 2 printers

[0076] 20 Cover

[0077] 23 Input magazine

[0078] 24 issue magazine

[0079] 27 Display

[0080] 3A-3D consumables

Claims

Patent claims 1. Cartridge (K1-K5) for a printer (2), comprising a housing (1A-1E) defining a receiving space (10) for receiving consumables (3A-3D), at least partially made of a material comprising a plastic which is: a polymeric secondary raw material and / or a biodegradable polymer and / or a bio-based polymer.

2. Cartridge (K1-K5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material comprises several different plastics, each of which is a polymeric secondary raw material, a biodegradable polymer and / or a bio-based polymer.

3. Cartridge (K1-K5) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (1A-1E) is made of several different materials, each of which comprises a plastic which is a polymeric secondary raw material, a biodegradable polymer and / or a bio-based polymer.

4. Cartridge (K1-K5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polymeric secondary raw material is a mechanically and / or chemically recycled thermoplastic.

5. Cartridge (K1-K5) according to claim 4, characterized in that the material consists of at least 20 wt.%, in particular at least 25 wt.%, in particular more than 50 wt.% of the plastic which is a conventionally and / or chemically recycled thermoplastic.

6. Cartridge (K1-K5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic is a mechanically and / or chemically recycled thermoplastic, which is an engineering, standard or high-performance thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyamide, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene.

7. Cartridge (K1-K5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material consists of 10 to 100 wt.% of the plastic made from renewable raw materials.

8. Cartridge (K1-K5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic of the material is made from renewable raw material, wherein the renewable raw material is selected from, for example, sugar, starch, protein, cellulose, lignin, fat and / or vegetable oil, in particular castor oil, rapeseed oil, biogas, biomethanol, bioliquids, organic waste.

9. Cartridge (K1-K5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic of the material is made from renewable raw material and is in the form of polylactide, polyhydroxyalkanoate, cellulose derivative, in particular cellulose ester or cellulose butyrate, polyethylene, starch derivative, polyamide 4.6 or polycarbonate.

10. Cartridge (K1-K5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic of the material is biodegradable and is in the form of polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polylactide, starch blend or polyester.

11. Cartridge (K1-K5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that consumable material (3A-3D) in the form of toner, ink, an ink ribbon and / or printing material is arranged in the receiving space (10).

12. Cartridge (K1-K5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrical and / or electronic component (12) arranged in the housing (1A, 1C-1E) is fastened to the housing (1A, 1C-1E) via a predetermined breaking point (13) of the housing (1A, 1C-1E).

13. Cartridge (K1-K5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cartridge (K1-K5) is designed for use in the printer (2) by insertion into a receptacle of the printer (2).

14. A method for producing a cartridge (K1-K5) for a printer (2), comprising: Providing (S1) a material comprising a plastic, wherein the plastic is produced by recycling a thermoplastic, is produced from a renewable raw material and / or is biodegradable; and forming (S2) a housing (1A-1E) defining a receiving space (10) for receiving consumable material (3A-3D), at least partially from the material, such that the material forms an inner surface (100) of the receiving space (10) that can be contacted by the consumable material.

15. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the plastic is produced by chemical recycling of a thermoplastic.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the chemical recycling of the thermoplastic comprises solvolysis, depolymerization, pyrolysis and / or gasification.

17. Method according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that consumable material (3A-3D) is arranged in the receiving space (100) (S3).