Toner Container Recycling Strength Prediction via Residue Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for recycling toner containers face challenges in accurately estimating deterioration and efficiently sorting them, leading to damage and reduced impact strength due to the accumulation of toner residue, which worsens with increased recycling frequency.

Innovation Solution

A method that measures the amount of toner residue within the container and correlates it with mechanical strength to estimate recycling frequency, allowing for sorting and processing to prevent further deterioration, involving steps to measure toner content, acquire mechanical strength information, and adjust resin content for subsequent recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If toner containers are recycled multiple times, then resource utilization is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates due to toner residue accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecycling frequencyVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent measures the toner residue amount before recycling processing to predict mechanical strength in advance. This preliminary measurement allows the system to determine the appropriate mixing ratio of virgin resin beforehand, preventing strength deterioration before it occurs during the recycling process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of virgin resin mixing ratio based on the measured toner residue amount. By adjusting this parameter according to the deterioration level indicated by toner residue, the system optimizes the balance between recycling frequency and mechanical strength maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If existing recycling methods are used without toner residue measurement, then processing is simpler, but accurate estimation of deterioration state is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoiddeterioration estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical testing methods with a simpler measurement approach that quantifies toner residue amount. This substitution enables accurate deterioration estimation through a straightforward measurement and prediction process, avoiding the need for complex mechanical strength testing equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The toner residue itself serves as the indicator of deterioration. By measuring the toner residue that naturally accumulates in the container, the system uses the container's own state as the measurement target, eliminating the need for separate deterioration testing procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11556079B2Toner container information acquiring method, toner container sorting method, toner container pulverizing method, toner container processing method, and toner container manufacturing method

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A toner container information acquiring method includes: measuring a toner amount contained in a resin forming a toner container; and acquiring information regarding mechanical strength of the toner container based on the measured toner amount.