Toner Cartridge

Sealing member for toner cartridge

Toner Cartridge Abstract
Sealing film having a substantially longitudinal central strip to be torn out between a first end and a second end, whereby the central strip has a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis, and whereby an end of the central strip adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central strip to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of central strip.

Toner Cartridge Claims
We claim:

1. Sealing member for toner cartridge comprising a sealing film, said film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal portion having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width defined between two substantially parallel linear grooves and having a substantially longitudinal central axis parallel to said two linear grooves,

whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent t the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end is defined at least by a groove having a linear part forming an angle comprised between 5.degree. and 85.degree. with respect to the longitudinal central axis so that said en portion has a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby said linear part of the end portion is connected to one of the substantially parallel linear grooves by a curved groove.

2. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the end width of said end portion is lower to 0.8 time the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion.

3. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the first end portion and the second end portion have a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion.

4. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the second end of the longitudinal portion of the film to be torn has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, while the first end is provided with a means for lowering the initial tearing force.

5. The sealing member of claim 1, whereby the sealing film is provided with a surface element selected from the group consisting of recesses, grooves and combinations thereof, said surface element defining the edge of the second end of the longitudinal portion to be torn, whereby said surface element is provided with at least one extension extending in a portion of the film not intended to be torn out.

6. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the film is provided with means for controlling the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion out of the film.

7. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the film is provided with tearing control means selected from the group consisting of grooves, partial cuts, recesses, openings and combinations thereof at least at an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion.

8. The sealing member of claim 1, in which a substantially continuous groove defines in the film the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn off.

9. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the central portion of the longitudinal portion of the film to be torn is defined between two substantially parallel grooves, and in which at least a groove defines end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a linear part of the groove of said end portion forms an angle comprised between 15.degree. an 75.degree. with respect to the pulling direction.

10. The sealing member of claim 1, in which an end portion of the longitudinal portion of the film to be torn has at least partly a curved shape.

11. The sealing member of claim 1, in which an end portion of the longitudinal portion of the film to be torn has a substantially hemi circular shape.

12. The sealing member of claim 1, said member comprising a film with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm.

13. The sealing member of claim 1, whereby said longitudinal portion of the film extending between the first line and the second line is adapted to be torn between the first end and the second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20.mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second line,

whereby said longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction.

14. The sealing member of claim 13, in which the elements are located on a face of the film intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge.

15. The sealing member of claim 1, whereby said longitudinal portion of the film extending between the first line and the second line is adapted to be torn between the first end and the second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second line,

whereby said longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction,

in which the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out is associated to a pulling means having a portion intended to extend at least partly over one face of the film before the tearing of said portion,

whereby at least the portion of the pulling means adjacent to the first end of the portion to be torn out has a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out during at least the tearing of the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film to be torn out.

16. The sealing member of claim 15, in which at least the portion of the pulling means intended to extend at least partly over one face of the film before the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film has a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film to be torn out from its first end up to its second end.

17. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the pulling means is made in a material having a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a rupture of the pulling means during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion from its first end up to its second end.

18. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the film and pulling means are made at least partly from one single flexible sheet material with a thickness of at least 40 .mu.m.

19. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the film and pulling means are made at least partly from one single flexible sheet material with a thickness of at least 100 .mu.m.

20. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the film and pulling means are made at least partly from one single flexible sheet material with a thickness of at least 200 .mu.m.

21. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the film is provided with longitudinal surface elements which are associated with a means for lowering the initial tearing force.

22. The sealing member of claim 1, whereby said longitudinal portion of the sealing film extends between the first line and the second line is adapted to be torn between the first end and the second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second line,

whereby said longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction,

in which the elements are located on a face of the film not intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge.

23. The sealing member of claim 1, whereby said longitudinal portion of the sealing film extends between the first line and the second line is adapted to be torn between the first end and the second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second line,

whereby said longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction, in which said longitudinal surface elements form an angle comprised between 5 and 175.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction and extend only partially into the thickness of the layer so as not to transverse the layer.

24. The sealing member of claim 1, whereby said longitudinal portion of the sealing film extend between the first line and the second line is adapted to be torn between the first end and the second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second line,

whereby said longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction,

in which the longitudinal surface elements form an angle between 45.degree. and 135.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear direction.

25. The sealing member of claim 1, whereby said longitudinal portion of the sealing film extends between the first line and the second line is adapted to be torn between the first end and the second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second line,

whereby said longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction,

in which the longitudinal surface elements form an angle of about 90.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear direction.

26. The sealing member of claim 1, which comprises a film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between the first end and the second end, said, longitudinal portion extending between the first line and the second line is adapted to be torn between a first end and a second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20.mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second line,

whereby said longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction,

in which the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out is associated to the pulling means having a portion intended to be bent so that the pulling means extends at least partly over one face of the film before the tearing of said portion,

in which at least one connecting means links the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out with the pulling means,

whereby said connecting means has a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out during at least the tearing of the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film to be torn out.

27. The sealing member of claim 26, in which at least one connecting means links the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out with the pulling means, whereby said connecting means has a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion from its first end up to its second end.

28. The sealing member of claim 27, in which said connecting means is selected from the group consisting of welding means, gluing means, clipping means, and mixtures thereof.

29. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the pulling means is made in a material having a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing rupture of the pulling means during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion from its first end up to its second end.

30. The sealing member of claim 1, in which at least one connecting means links the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out with the pulling means, whereby the connecting means is a means increasing the tearing resistance of the pulling means at least for a portion of the pulling means adjacent to the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out.

31. The sealing member of claim 30, in which the connecting means is a means increasing the tearing resistance of the pulling means at least for a portion of the pulling means adjacent to the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out, as well as the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out.

32. The sealing member of claim 1, in which at least one connecting means links the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out with the pulling means and in which the connecting means is selected from the group consisting of flexible tapes, longitudinal welding lines, flexible layers attached to the layer with preferred substantially linear tearing direction, and mixtures thereof.

33. The sealing member of claim 1, which is provided with gluing means for attaching the sealing member on a face of the toner holder or closing its opening.

34. The sealing member of claim 1, which is provided with removable means for facilitating the placement of the sealing member on a face of the toner holder for closing its opening.

35. The sealing member of claim 1, which comprises a foamed insert.

36. The sealing member of claim 1, which comprises a cleaning means for at least wiping the substantially longitudinal portion of the film to be torn during at least a part of its tearing out of the film.

37. The sealing member of claim 1, in which the film comprises at least two lateral portions between which extends the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out of the film, whereby after the tearing of the central portion out of the film, an opening is formed between at least said two lateral portions.

38. The sealing member of claim 1, in which at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion.

39. Sealing member for toner cartridge comprising a sealing film, said film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal portion having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis,

40. The sealing member of claim 39, in which at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion.

41. The sealing member of claim 39, in which at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, said end portion having a length of at least 1 mm, said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal central axis of the central portion.

42. The sealing member of claim 39, in which at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, said end portion having a length of at least 3 mm, said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal central axis of the central portion.

43. The sealing member of claim 39, in which at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, said end portion having a length of at least 5 mm, said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal central axis of the central portion.

44. The sealing member of claim 39, in which the central portion of the longitudinal portion of the film to be torn is defined between two substantially parallel grooves, and in which at least a groove defines an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a part of the groove of said end portion forms an angle comprised between 5.degree. and 85.degree. with respect to the pulling direction.

45. The sealing member of claim 39, in which the central portion of the longitudinal portion of the film to be torn is defined between two substantially parallel grooves, and in which at least a groove defines an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a part of the groove of said end portion forms an angle comprised between 15.degree. and 75.degree. with respect to the pulling direction.

46. The sealing member of claim 39, in which the central portion of the longitudinal portion of the film to be torn is defined between two substantially parallel linear grooves, and in which at least a groove defines an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a linear part of the groove of sail end portion forms an angle comprised between 15.degree. and 75.degree. with respect to the pulling direction, whereby said linear part of the end portion is connected to one of the substantially parallel linear grooves by a curved groove.

47. The sealing member of claim 39, in which the film comprises at least two lateral portions between which extends the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out of the film, whereby after the tearing of the central portion out of the film, an opening is formed between at least said two lateral portions.

48. Sealing member for toner cartridge comprising a sealing film, said film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis,

whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby the sealing film has two longitudinal edges and two transversal edges, in which at least one end selected from the first end and the second end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn is does not reach a transversal edge of the sealing film.

49. The sealing member of claim 48, whereby the sealing film has two longitudinal edges and two transversal edges, in which the first end and the second end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn do not reach a transversal edge of the sealing film.

50. The sealing member of claim 48, in which the film comprises at least two lateral portions between which extends the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out of the film, whereby after the tearing of the central portion out of the film, an opening is formed between at least said two lateral portions.

51. A toner holder selected from the group consisting of toner container and toner cartridge, said holder being provided with a sealing member for closing an opening of the toner holder, said sealing member comprising a sealing film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal portion having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width defined between two substantially parallel linear grooves and having a substantially longitudinal central axis parallel to said two linear grooves,

whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end is defined at least by a groove having a linear part forming an angle comprised between 5.degree. and 85.degree. with respect to the longitudinal central axis so that said end portion has a variable width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby said linear part of the end portion is connected to one of the substantially parallel linear grooves by a curved groove.

52. The toner holder of claim 51, in which the end width of the end portion with variable width is lower to 0.8 time the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion.

53. The toner holder of claim 51, in which for the sealing film the first end and the second end have a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion.

54. The toner holder of claim 51, in which for the sealing film, the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, while the first end is provided with a means for lowering the initial tearing force.

55. The toner holder of claim 51, in which the film is provided with means for controlling the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion out of the film.

56. The toner holder of claim 51, the sealing film of which is provided with a surface element selected from the group consisting of recesses, grooves and combinations thereof, said surface element defining the edge of the second end of the longitudinal portion to be torn, whereby said surface element is provided with at least one extension extending in a portion of the film not intended to be torn out.

57. The toner holder of claim 51, in which the film is provided with tearing control means selected from the group consisting of grooves, partial cuts, recesses, openings and combinations thereof at least at an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion.

58. The toner holder of claim 51, in which for the sealing film, a substantially continuous groove defines in the film the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn off.

59. The toner holder of claim 51, in which for the sealing film the central portion is defined between two substantially parallel grooves, and in which at least a groove defines an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a linear part of the groove of said end portion forms an angle comprised between 15.degree. and 75.degree. with respect to the pulling direction.

60. The toner holder of claim 51, in which the end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn has at least partly a curve shape.

61. The toner holder of claim 60, in which the end portion has a substantially hemi circular shape.

62. The toner holder of claim 51, said film having a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm.

63. The toner holder of claim 51, whereby for the sealing film, the longitudinal central portion extending between a first longitudinal line and a second longitudinal line adapted to be torn between the first end and the second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first longitudinal line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second longitudinal line,

whereby said first and second longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction.

64. The toner holder of claim 51, whereby for the sealing film, said longitudinal portion extending between the first line and the second line is adapted to be torn between the first end and the second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second line,

whereby said longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at leas 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction,

65. The toner holder of claim 51, in which for the sealing film, at least the portion of the pulling means intended to extend at least partly over one face of the film before the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film has a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film to be torn out from its first end up to its second end.

66. The toner holder of claim 51, in which for the sealing film, the pulling means is made in a material having a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a rupture of the pulling means during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion from its first end up to its second end.

67. The toner holder of claim 51, in which the film and pulling means are made at least partly from one single flexible sheet material with a thickness of at least 40 .mu.m.

68. The toner holder of claim 51, in which the film and pulling means are made at least partly from one single flexible sheet material with a thickness of at least 100 .mu.m.

69. The toner holder of claim 51, in which the film and pulling means are made at least partly from one single flexible sheet material with a thickness of at least 200 .mu.m.

70. The toner holder of claim 51, in which longitudinal surface elements defines in the sealing film the longitudinal portion to be torn out, said surface element being associated with a means for lowering the initial tearing force.

71. The toner holder of claim 70, in which the elements are located on a face of the film intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge.

72. The toner holder of claim 51, whereby for the sealing film, the longitudinal central portion extending between a first longitudinal line and a second longitudinal line is adapted to be torn between the first end and the second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first longitudinal line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second longitudinal line,

whereby said first and second longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction,

in which the elements are located on a face of the film not intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge.

73. The toner holder of claim 51, whereby for the sealing film, the longitudinal central portion extending between a first longitudinal line and a second longitudinal line is adapted to be torn between the first end and the second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first longitudinal line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second longitudinal line,

whereby said first and second longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction, in which said longitudinal surface elements form an angle comprised between 5 and 175.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction and extend only partially into the thickness of the layer so as not to transverse the layer.

74. The toner holder of claim 51, whereby for the sealing film, the longitudinal central portion extending between a first longitudinal line and a second longitudinal line is adapted to be torn between the first end and the second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first longitudinal line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second longitudinal line,

in which the first and second longitudinal surface elements form an angle between 45.degree. and 135.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear direction.

75. The toner holder of claim 51, whereby for the sealing film, the longitudinal central portion extending between a first longitudinal line and a second longitudinal line is adapted to be torn between the first end and the second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first longitudinal line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second longitudinal line,

in which the first and second longitudinal surface elements form an angle of about 90.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear direction.

76. The toner holder of claim 51, in which the film has a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between the first end and the second end, said longitudinal portion having a longitudinal central portion extending between a first longitudinal line and a second longitudinal line, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first longitudinal line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second longitudinal line,

whereby said first and second longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction,

in which the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out is associated to a pulling means having a portion intended to be bent so that the pulling means extends at least partly over one face of the film before the tearing of said portion,

in which at least one connecting means links the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out with the pulling means,

77. The toner holder of claim 51, in which for the sealing film, at least one connecting means links the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out with the pulling means, whereby said connecting means has a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion from its first end up to its second end.

78. The toner holder of claim 77, in which said connecting means is selected from the group consisting of welding means, gluing means, clipping means, and mixtures thereof.

79. The toner holder of claim 78, in which the pulling means is made in a material having a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a rupture of the pulling means during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion from its first end up to its second end.

80. The toner holder of claim 51, in which for the sealing film, the pulling means is attached to the longitudinal portion to be torn by a connecting means, whereby the connecting means is a means increasing the tearing resistance of the pulling means at least for a portion of the pulling means adjacent to the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out.

81. The toner holder of claim 80, in which for the sealing film, the connecting means is a means increasing the tearing resistance of the pulling means at least for a portion of the pulling means adjacent to the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out, as well as the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out.

82. The toner holder of claim 80, in which the connecting means is selected from the group consisting of flexible tapes, longitudinal welding lines, flexible layers attached to the layer with preferred substantially linear tearing direction, and mixtures thereof.

83. The toner holder of claim 51, in which the substantially longitudinal portion of the sealing film has a shape adapted for covering at least completely the opening of the toner holder.

84. The toner container of claim 51, in which the film comprises at least two lateral portions between which extends the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out of the film, whereby after the tearing of the central portion out of the film, an opening is formed between at least said two lateral portions.

85. The toner holder of claim 51, in which at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion.

86. A toner holder selected from the group consisting of toner container and toner cartridge, said holder being provided with a sealing member for closing an opening of the toner holder, said sealing member comprising a sealing film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis,

87. The toner holder of claim 86, in which at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion.

88. The toner holder of claim 86, in which for the sealing film, at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, said end portion having a length of at least 1 mm, said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal central axis of the central portion.

89. The toner holder of claim 86, in which for the sealing film, at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, said end portion having a length of at least 3 mm, said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal central axis of the central portion.

90. The toner holder of claim 86, in which for the sealing film, at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, said end portion having a length of at least 5 mm, said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal central axis of the central portion.

91. The toner holder of claim 86, in which for the sealing film, the central portion is defined between two substantially parallel grooves, and in which at least a groove defines an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a part of the groove of said end portion forms an angle between 5.degree. and 85.degree. with respect to the pulling direction.

92. The toner holder of claim 86, in which for the sealing film, the central portion is defined between two substantially parallel grooves, and in which at least a groove defines an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a part of the groove of said end portion forms an angle comprised between 15.degree. and 75.degree. with respect to the pulling direction.

93. The toner holder of claim 86, in which for the sealing film, the central portion is defined between two substantially parallel linear grooves, and in which at least a groove defines an end portion having width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a linear part of the groove of said end portion forms an angle comprised between 15.degree. and 75.degree. with respect to the pulling direction, whereby said linear part of the end portion is connected to one of the substantially parallel linear grooves by a curved groove.

94. The toner container of claim 86, in which the film comprises at least two lateral portions between which extends the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out of the film, whereby after the tearing of the central portion out of the film, an opening is formed between at least said two lateral portions.

95. A toner holder selected from the group consisting of toner container and toner cartridge, said holder being provided with a sealing member for closing an opening of the toner holder, said sealing member comprising a sealing film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis,

whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby the sealing film has two longitudinal edges and two transversal edges, in which at least one end selected from the first end and the second end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn is does not reach a transversal edge of the sealing film.

96. The toner holder of claim 95, whereby the sealing film has two longitudinal edges and two transversal edges, in which the first end and the second end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn do not reach a transversal edge of the sealing film.

97. The toner container of claim 95, which the film comprises at least two lateral portions between which extends the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out of the film, whereby after the tearing of the central portion out of the film, an opening is formed between at least said two lateral portions.

98. Sealing member for toner cartridge comprising a sealing film, said film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out of the film between a first and a second end, said substantially longitudinal portion having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis, in which the film comprises at least two lateral portions between which extends the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out of the film, whereby after the tearing of the central portion out of the film, an opening is formed between at least said two lateral portions,

99. The sealing member of claim 98, in which the end width of said end portion is equal to about 0 mm.

100. A toner holder selected from the group consisting of toner container and toner cartridge, said holder being provided with a sealing member for closing an opening of the toner holder, said sealing member comprising a sealing film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first and a second end, said substantially longitudinal portion having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis in which the film comprises at least two lateral portions between which extends the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out of the film, whereby after the tearing of the central portion out of the film, an opening is formed between at least said two lateral portions,

101. The toner holder of claim 100, in which the end width of said end portion is equal to about 0 mm.

102. Sealing member for toner cartridge comprising a sealing film, said film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis,

103. Sealing member for toner cartridge comprising a sealing film, said film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal having a central portion between sad first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis,

whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, in which at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, said end portion having a length of at least 1 mm, said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal central axis of the central portion.

104. Sealing member for toner cartridge comprising a sealing film, said film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis,

whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, in which at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, said end portion having a length of at least 3 mm, said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal central axis of the central portion.

105. Sealing member for toner cartridge comprising a sealing film, said film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis, whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, in which at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, said end portion having length of at least 5 mm, said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal central axis of the central portion.

106. Sealing member for toner cartridge comprising a sealing film, said film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end according to a pulling direction, said substantially longitudinal portion having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width defined between two substantially parallel grooves and having a substantially longitudinal axis,

whereby a portion of said longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a groove defines an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a part of the groove of said end portion forms an angle comprised between 5.degree. and 85.degree. with respect to the pulling direction.

107. Sealing member for toner cartridge comprising a sealing film, said film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end according to a pulling direction, said substantially longitudinal portion having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width defined between two substantially parallel grooves and having a substantially longitudinal central axis,

whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a groove defines an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a part of the groove of said end portion forms an angle comprised between 15.degree. and 75.degree. with respect to the pulling direction.

108. A toner holder selected from the group consisting of toner container and toner cartridge, said holder being provided with sealing member for closing an opening of the toner holder, said sealing member comprising a sealing film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis, whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, in which for the sealing film, at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, said end portion having a length of at least 1 mm, said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal axis of the central portion.

109. A toner holder selected from the group consisting of toner container and toner cartridge, said holder being provided with sealing member for closing an opening of the toner holder, said sealing member comprising a sealing film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis, whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, in which for the sealing film, at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to a end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, said end portion having a length of at least 3 mm, said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal central axis of the central portion.

110. A toner holder selected from the group consisting of toner container and toner cartridge, said holder being provided with a sealing member for closing an opening of the toner holder, said sealing member comprising a sealing film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis, whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, in which for the sealing film, at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, said end portion having a length of at least 5 mm, said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal central axis of the central portion.

111. A toner holder selected from the group consisting of toner container and toner cartridge, said holder being provided with a sealing member for closing an opening of the toner holder, said sealing member comprising a sealing film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end in a pulling direction, said substantially longitudinal portion having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width defined between two substantially parallel linear grooves and having a substantially longitudinal central axis,

whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a groove defines an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a part of the groove of said end portion forms an angle between 5.degree. and 85.degree. with respect to the pulling direction.

112. A toner holder selected from the group consisting of toner container and toner cartridge, said holder being provided with a sealing member for closing an opening of the toner holder, said sealing member comprising a sealing film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end in a pulling direction, said substantially longitudinal portion having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width defined between two substantially parallel linear grooves and having a substantially longitudinal central axis,

whereby a portion of said substantially longitudinal portion adjacent to the first end is connected to a pulling means, and whereby at least an end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a variable width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a groove defines an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a part of the groove of said end portion forms an angle between 5.degree. and 85.degree. between 15.degree. and 75.degree. with respect to the pulling direction.

Toner Cartridge Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sealing member for toner cartridge, said sealing member comprising a sealing film ensuring the formation of an opening with a substantially constant width after tearing a central longitudinal portion of said sealing film.

THE PRIOR ART

Up to now many researches have been made in order to find a sealing film for sealing a toner cartridge, which is flexible and which after longitudinal tearing, is suitable for defining an opening with a substantially constant width.

Prestel et al (U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,646) discloses a sealing member not having a preferred tearing direction, which is provided with a series of adjacent perforations. Such perforations cause leakage of toner particles, whereby the use of such sealing member has not be considered as useful by the man skilled in the art.

Films having a preferred tearing linear direction are nowadays used extensively for sealing toner container. However, even with means for lowering the initial tearing force, the opening formed after tearing a central strip is reduced most of the time, some times increased, from the initial tearing end up to the terminal tearing end.

For ensuring a substantially constant width of the opening formed after tearing a central strip from the sealing film, EP-0 788 033 (Canon) has proposed to use a sealing film comprising a base layer having a tearing directionality, a guide layer having a tearing guide portion formed by a laser processing, and a laser barrier layer provided between said base layer and said guide layer. Such a film is expensive and the risk to have an undesired tearing is high as the base layer and barrier layer can induce an undesired tearing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,828 (Canon) discloses a sealing film provided with a flexible tape, a first portion of which attached to the film defines the strip to be torn out, while the other portion of which acts as pulling means. The aim of the first portion of the flexible strip which extends on one surface of the sealing film (i.e. from one free end of the film up to the opposite free end of the film) is to ensure a minimum width of the strip to be torn so as to define an opening or passage for the toner with a minimum width.

Re No. 36,920 (De Kesel) discloses a seal for a toner cartridge provided with means for lowering the initial tearing force.

Applicants have searched means for reducing the end tearing force and which enables a correct initial tearing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a sealing member for toner cartridge, said member comprising at least a sealing film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said substantially longitudinal having a central portion between said first end and second end, said central portion having a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis,

For example, the end width is lower than 2 mm, most preferably equal to about 0 mm.

According to an embodiment, the sealing film has two longitudinal edges and two transversal edges, in which at least one end selected from the first end and the second end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn is does not reach a transversal edge of the sealing film. For example, the sealing film has two longitudinal edges and two transversal edges, in which the first end and the second end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn do not reach a transversal edge of the sealing film.

According to a detail of an embodiment, at least one end portion of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion.

Advantageously, the end portion has a length of at least 1 mm, advantageously of at least 3 mm, preferably of at least 5 mm (for example 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm), said length being measured in the direction of the substantially longitudinal central axis of the central portion.

Preferably, the first end portion and the second end portion have a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion

According to a specific embodiment, the second end portion has a variable width which continuously varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, while the first portion is provided with a means for lowering the initial tearing force.

The sealing film is advantageously provided with means for controlling the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion out of the film, for example a tearing control means selected from the group consisting of grooves, partial cuts, recesses, openings and combinations thereof at least at an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion.

According to an embodiment, a substantially continuous groove defines in the film the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn off.

According to a more specific embodiment, the central portion is defined between two substantially parallel grooves, while at least a groove defines an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a part (advantageously a linear part) of the groove of said end portion forms an angle comprised between 5 and 85.degree. (advantageously between 15.degree. and 75.degree., such as 20, 30, 40, 50, 60.degree., etc.) with respect to the pulling direction.

According to another specific embodiment, the central portion is defined between two substantially parallel linear grooves, while at least a groove defines an end portion having a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central portion to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of the substantially longitudinal portion, whereby at least a linear part of the groove of said end portion forms an angle comprised between 110.degree. and 160.degree. with one of the two substantially parallel grooves, whereby said linear part of the end portion is connected to one of the substantially parallel linear grooves by a curved groove.

The end portion has for example at least partly a curved shape, such as a substantially hemi circular shape.

The sealing film has advantageously a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm, such as a thickness of 50 .mu.m, 100 .mu.m, 150 .mu.m, 250 .mu.m, etc.

The sealing film is for example a film, whereby said longitudinal portion extending between a first line and a second line and to being adapted to be torn between a first end and a second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second line,

whereby said longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction.

Advantageously, the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out is associated to a pulling means having a portion intended to extend at least partly over one face of the film before the tearing of said portion,

Preferably, at least the portion of the pulling means intended to extend at least partly over one face of the film before the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film has a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film to be torn out from its first end up to its second end.

Advantageously, the pulling means is made in a material having a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a rupture of the pulling means during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion from its first end up to its second end.

The film and pulling means are for example made at least partly from one single flexible sheet material with a thickness of at least 40 .mu.m, advantageously of at least 100 .mu.m, preferably of at least 200 .mu.m.

The sealing film is advantageously associated with a means for lowering the initial tearing force.

whereby said longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction,

in which the elements are located on a face of the film not intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge.

Preferably, the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out is associated to a pulling means having a portion intended to extend at least partly over one face of the film before the tearing of said portion, while at least the portion of the pulling means adjacent to the first end of the portion to be torn out has a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out during at least the tearing of the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film to be torn out.

Advantageously, at least the portion of the pulling means intended to extend at least partly over one face of the film before the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film has a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film to be torn out from its first end up to its second end.

According to an embodiment, the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out is associated to a pulling means having a portion intended to extend at least partly over one face of the film before the tearing of said portion, whereby at least the portion of the pulling means is intended to be bent before the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion, so that the pulling means extends at least partly over one face of the film before the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film. The pulling means has a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film to be torn out from its first end up to its second end.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pulling means is made in a material having a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a rupture of the pulling means during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion from its first end up to its second end. Such a pulling means is for example a longitudinally oriented film (for example a film having for example a preferred tearing direction perpendicular to the preferred tearing direction of the sealing film), film comprising a mat of fibres, thicker flexible film, films made in a material having a high tearing resistance, film with a high stretching resistance, semi rigid supports, semi rigid plates or strips, laminated material, etc.

According to a detail of a preferred embodiment, the film and pulling means are made at least partly from one single flexible sheet material with a thickness of at least 40 .mu.m, preferably of at least 100 .mu.m, most preferably 125 .mu.m or more. The film is for example a multilayered film, i.e. comprising at least one layer having a preferred tearing direction and another layer providing tearing resistance, such a non oriented layer, a reinforced layer, etc. In this case, the grooves for defining the first and second lines extend in the thickness of the other layer(s) and partly in the thickness of the layer having a preferred tearing direction.

According to a detail, the longitudinal surface elements (grooves, recesses, etc.) are preferably associated with a means for lowering the initial tearing force.

Preferably, the elements are located on a face of the film intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge. Possibly said elements are located on a face of the film not intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge. According to a possible specific embodiment, the two opposite faces of the film are provided with one or more surface elements.

For example, the longitudinal surface elements form an angle comprised between 5 and 175.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction and extend only partially into the thickness of the layer so as not to transverse the layer. Preferably, the longitudinal surface elements form an angle between 45.degree. and 135.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear direction. Most preferably, the longitudinal surface elements form an angle of about 90.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear direction.

The invention relates also to a sealing film for a toner cartridge, said film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end, said longitudinal portion extending between a first line and a second line and to being adapted to be torn between a first end and a second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with at least: a first longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the first line, and a second longitudinal surface element selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof and extending along the second line,

whereby said longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction,

in which at least one connecting means links the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out with the pulling means, whereby said connecting means has a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out during at least the tearing of the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion of the film to be torn out.

Advantageously, at least one connecting means links the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out with the pulling means, whereby said connecting means has a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion from its first end up to its second end.

For example, said connecting means is selected from the group consisting of welding means, gluing means, clipping means, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, said connecting means is selected from the group consisting of welding lines, welding points, welding surfaces, gluing points, gluing lines, gluing surfaces, and mixtures thereof.

According to a detail of an embodiment, the pulling means is made in a material having a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a rupture of the pulling means during the tearing of the substantially longitudinal portion from its first end up to its second end.

According to an embodiment, the connecting means is a means increasing the tearing resistance of the pulling means at least for a portion of the pulling means adjacent to the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out.

For example, the connecting means is a means increasing the tearing resistance of the pulling means at least for a portion of the pulling means adjacent to the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out, as well as the first end of the substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out.

For example, the connecting means increasing the tearing resistance is selected from the group consisting of flexible tapes, longitudinal welding lines, flexible layers attached to the layer with preferred substantially linear tearing direction, and mixtures thereof.

According to an embodiment, the film and pulling means are made at least partly from one single flexible sheet material.

According to a specific embodiment, the sealing film has a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end with a variable width, said longitudinal portion extending between a first line and a second line and to being adapted to be torn between a first end and a second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with a means reducing the width of the portion adjacent to the second end of the longitudinal portion to be torn out during the tearing of said second end.

According to a detail of possible and preferred embodiment, the longitudinal surface elements are associated with a means for lowering the initial tearing force.

Advantageously, the surface elements are located on a face of the film intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge. Possibly said elements are located on a face of the film not intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge. According to a possible specific embodiment, the two opposite faces of the film are provided with one or more surface elements.

For example, the longitudinal surface elements form an angle comprised between 5 and 175.degree., preferably between 45.degree. and 135.degree., most preferably about 90.degree., with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction and extend only partially into the thickness of the layer so as not to transverse the layer.

According to an embodiment of the sealing film,

the longitudinal portion extends between a first upper line and a second lower line,

whereby when the toner cartridge is placed in a copier, laser printer, fax machine or printer, the second lower line is substantially horizontal and extends at a level lower than the level at which the first upper line extends, and

the first upper line is associated to a means intended for reducing the width of the portion adjacent to the second end of the longitudinal portion to be torn out during the tearing of said second end.

The invention further relates to a sealing film for toner cartridge, said film having a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out between a first end and a second end with a variable width, said longitudinal portion extending between a first line and a second line and to being adapted to be torn between a first end and a second end,

wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with at least one preferred substantially linear tearing direction, said layer being provided with a means intended for reducing the width of the portion adjacent to the second end of the longitudinal portion to be torn out during the tearing of said second end.

Advantageously, the longitudinal portion extends between a first upper line and a second lower line, whereby when the toner cartridge is placed in a copier, laser printer, fax machine or printer, the second lower line is substantially horizontal and extends at a level lower than the level at which the first upper line extends, while the first upper line is associated to a means intended for reducing the width of the portion adjacent to the second end of the longitudinal portion to be torn out during the tearing of said second end.

Preferably, the longitudinal surface elements (grooves, recesses, etc.) are associated with a means for lowering the initial tearing force (for example cuts).

For example, the elements are located on a face of the film intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge. Possibly said elements are located on a face of the film not intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge. According to a possible specific embodiment, the two opposite faces of the film are provided with one or more surface elements.

According to specific embodiment, the longitudinal surface elements form an angle comprised between 5 and 175.degree., preferably between 45.degree. and 135.degree., most preferably about 90.degree., with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction and extend only partially into the thickness of the layer so as not to transverse the layer.

According to a detail of an embodiment, at least the major portion of the first and second longitudinal surface elements are substantially perpendicular to the preferred linear tearing direction, and said first and second longitudinal surface elements extend substantially from the first end up to the second end.

The sealing member is advantageously adapted so that the portion to be torn out covers at least substantially completely the opening of the toner cartridge.

The invention relates also to a toner holder provided with one sealing film as disclosed here above.

With respect to the sealing film suitable for the invention, reference is made to U.S. Ser. No. 10/071,254, filed on Feb. 8, 2002, in the name of Jan De Kesel, as well as to U.S. Ser. No. 10/108,273 filed on Mar. 26, 2002 in the name of Jan De Kesel and Van Betsbrugge Alexander and to U.S. Ser. No. 10/197,240 filed on Jul. 16, 2002 in the name of Jan De Kesel, Van Betsbrugge Alexander and Sirejacob Gino.

Suitable sealing film is disclosed hereafter. Such a film is for example a sealing film for toner cartridge, said film having a longitudinal portion to be torn out, said longitudinal portion extending between a first line and a second line and to be torn between a first end and a second end, wherein said sealing film comprises a layer with a thickness comprised between 20 .mu.m and 1 mm and with a preferred substantially linear tearing direction. Said layer is provided at least with a first longitudinal surface recess, such as a groove, preferably a cut, extending along the first line and a second longitudinal surface recess such as a groove, preferably a cut, extending along the second line, whereby said longitudinal surface elements extend in a direction of at least 5.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing directions.

The total thickness of the sealing film or at least of the portion thereof to be torn out is preferably lower to 400 .mu.m, such as lower than 300 .mu.m, lower than 200 .mu.m. Examples of thickness are 40 .mu.m, 50 .mu.m, 75 .mu.m, 100 .mu.m, 120 .mu.m, 125 .mu.m, 150 .mu.m, 175 .mu.m.

The film can have a laminated structure, but has preferably a structure comprising at most two laminated layer. When the film is a laminated structure of two layers having parallel tearing directions, it is advantageous to provide the film on both faces with surface elements selected from the group consisting of cuts, grooves, recesses and combinations thereof.

A preferred substantially linear tearing direction is the direction along which a linear tear line extends due to a tearing force.

The layer provided with the longitudinal surface elements (cuts, grooves, recesses, combinations thereof) is preferably a layer which requires means for lowering the initial tearing force, such as cuts, perforations, etc.

Advantageously, said longitudinal surface cuts, grooves, recesses or combinations thereof form an angle comprised between 5 and 175.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear tearing direction and extend partially into the thickness of the layer so as not to transverse the layer.

Advantageously, the longitudinal surface cuts, grooves, recesses or combinations thereof form an angle between 45.degree. and 135.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear direction.

Preferably, the longitudinal surface cuts, grooves, recesses or combinations thereof form an angle of about 90.degree. with respect to the preferred substantially linear direction.

Advantageously, the longitudinal surface cuts, grooves, recesses or combinations thereof extend at least at a distance of more than 1 cm from the first end of the portion

Preferably, the longitudinal surface cuts, grooves, recesses or combinations thereof are associated with a means for lowering the initial tearing force.

For example, the cuts, grooves, recesses or combinations thereof are located on a face of the film intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge. Possibly said elements are located on a face of the film not intended to be directed towards the toner cartridge. According to a possible specific embodiment, the two opposite faces of the film are provided with one or more surface elements.

According to a specific embodiment, the first and second longitudinal surface cuts, recesses or grooves are substantially perpendicular to the preferred linear tearing direction, while said first and second longitudinal surface cuts, grooves or recesses extend substantially from the first end up to the second end.

According to a possible embodiment, the film comprises a first series of longitudinal surface cuts, grooves or recesses extending along the first line and a second longitudinal surface cuts, grooves or recesses extending along the second line. For example, the cuts, grooves or recesses of a series are spaced from each other with a distance of less than 10 mm, advantageously of less than 2 mm, preferably of less than 1 mm.

According to a detail of a embodiment, the cuts, grooves or recesses have a maximum depth corresponding to 95% of the thickness of the layer. The maximum depth of the cuts, grooves or recesses depends from the material, its thickness, its rigidity, etc. For example for a polypropylene film (with a linear preferred tearing direction) with a thickness of 125 .mu.m, the maximum depth can be 90% of the mean thickness, advantageously lower than 80% of said mean thickness.

According to another detail of an embodiment, at least one portion of cuts, grooves or recesses has a minimal depth corresponding to at least 10% of the thickness of the layer, preferably corresponding to at least 20% of the thickness of the layer, most preferably corresponding to at least 30% of the thickness of the layer. For material such as polypropylene with a thickness of about 125 .mu.m, the mean depth of the grooves, recesses, etc. is comprised between 10 and 90%, advantageously between 50 and 80% of the mean thickness, for example 60%, 70%, 75%. The minimum depth depends also from the material used, its thickness, its rigidity, etc.

The cuts, grooves or recesses may have a constant or variable depth.

The film is preferably a monolayer film provided with adhesive means. The film can be a bi-directional film. The adhesive can be a contact glue, a pressure glue, a hot-melt glue, etc. The adhesive, preferably the hot-melt adhesive can be associated to heating means (which can be removed or not from the adhesive after a heating step), such as conductive means, conductive layer, electric conducting wire or layer, etc. Such adhesive (with or without heating means or removable heating means) can also be used in sealing member comprising a multilayered film.

The monolayer film has advantageously a thickness of less than 400 .mu.m, preferably of less than 300 .mu.m, such as 40 .mu.m, 50 .mu.m, 70 .mu.m, 90 .mu.m, 110 .mu.m, 125 .mu.m.

The sealing film is advantageously provided with adhesive means and with a removable protecting layer to be removed for attaching the film on the toner cartridge.

The sealing film is preferably provided with a pulling means connected to the portion to be torn. The pulling means is for example a portion of the film, or can be a band attached to the strip to be torn.

The layer is for example a layer selected from the group consisting of uniaxially oriented polyethylene film, uniaxially oriented polypropylene film, bi phase polymer film, films made of incompatible compounds, biaxially oriented polypropylene, biaxially oriented polyethylene, and mixtures thereof. The layer can be reinforced (for example with a mat of fibres, a non woven material or fabric), non reinforced, laminated or not laminated, glued or not glued to a flexible support, etc.

It has also been observed that the tearing is facilitated or more precise, when reinforcing the lateral edges of the pulling means of the sealing strip, when the pulling means is integral with the sealing member. The invention relates thus also to a sealing member provided with an integral pulling means, the lateral edges of which are reinforced.

The invention relates also to a sealing member for a toner cartridge comprising a sealing film provided with at least two surface elements selected among the group consisting of grooves, recesses, series of distant recesses, series of distant grooves, and mixtures thereof, so as to define between said two surface elements a strip to be torn out, in which at least one surface element is made at least partly by an ultrasonic treatment.

Advantageously the two surface elements are at least partly made by a ultrasonic treatment.

Preferably, the film has a melting temperature, and the ultrasonic treatment is sufficient for ensuring a heating of the material up to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the film where said surface elements selected among the group consisting of grooves, recesses, series of distant recesses, series of distant grooves, and mixtures thereof have to be made.

The ultrasonic treatment is advantageously combined with one or more other treatments, such as compression, rolling, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper view of a sealing member of the invention;

FIGS. 2 to 4 are cross section views along the line II--II, III--III and IV--IV respectively;

FIG. 5 is an upper view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6 to 8 are cross section views along the line VI--VI, VII--VII and VIII--VIII respectively;

FIG. 9 is an upper view of still another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross section view along the line X--X;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 10, with the pulling means in a bent position;

FIG. 12 is an upper view of another sealing member of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross section view of FIG. 12 along the line XIII--XIII;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a cross section view of FIG. 15 along the line XV--XV;

FIG. 16 is an upper view of still another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are longitudinal cross section views of FIG. 16 along the line XVII--XVII and in bending position;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 of a further embodiment;

FIG. 20 is an upper view of still a further embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a lateral view of the sealing film of FIG. 20 with the pulling means extending along a face of the film;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are view similar to FIGS. 20 and 21;

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of a further embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1,

FIG. 25 is a schematic view showing the effect of the heat treatment on a portion of the sealing film (on enlarged scale and in perspective),

FIG. 26 is an upper view of still another embodiment of a sealing film of the invention,

FIG. 27 is a back view of the sealing film of FIG. 26,

FIG. 28 is a cross section view along the lines XXVIII--XXVIII,

FIG. 29 is a view of anther embodiment similar to FIG. 27,

FIG. 30 is a cross section view along the line XXX--XXX of the film of FIG. 29,

FIG. 31 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 27 but of a further embodiment,

FIGS. 32 to 34 are view similar to FIGS. 26 to 28 of a further embodiment,

FIG. 35 is a cross section view along the line XXXV--XXXV of FIG. 32,

FIG. 36 is a view similar to FIG. 26 of still another embodiment,

FIG. 37 is a view similar to that of FIG. 27, but for a specific embodiment,

FIG. 38 is a view similar to FIG. 37, but for an amended embodiment,

FIG. 39 is a cross section view along the line XXXIX--XXXIX of the embodiment of FIG. 37,

FIG. 40 is a cross section view along the line XXXX--XXXX of the embodiment of FIG. 38,

FIG. 41 is a further view of a further embodiment of a sealing film of the invention,

FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view of a sealing member of the invention provided with cleaning means,

FIG. 43 is a cross section view along the lines XXXXIII--XXXXIII of the sealing member of FIG. 42,

FIG. 44 is a view of the first face of the sealing film of FIG. 42,

FIG. 45 is a view of an embodiment similar to the sealing member of FIG. 42,

FIG. 46 is an exploded view of a step for the preparation of a sealing member of the type shown in FIG. 42, and

FIG. 47 shows the welding of the components of the sealing member of FIG. 46.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The sealing member 1 of FIG. 1 is intended to be used for sealing a toner cartridge, such as a recycled toner container of a toner cartridge. Toner cartridge provided with sealing member are disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,140, the content of which is incorporated by reference.

The sealing member 1 comprises:

a sealing film 2 made for example in a mono oriented polymer (such as uniaxially oriented polymer, preferably non foamed mono oriented polymer, most preferably non foamed stretched mono oriented polypropylene), said film being a mono layer with a thickness E greater than 100 .mu.m, such as 110, 150, 200, 250 .mu.m, or even more

an adhesive layer 3 on a face of the film (face intended to be directed towards the surface with the opening to be sealed of the toner cartridge), and

a removable protection layer or film 4 (such as a silicone paper) to be removed so as to render the adhesive layer free for contacting a surface of the toner container.

The sealing film 2 comprises:

a sealing portion 5 with a central portion 51 intended to be torn out and two lateral portions 52, and

a pulling portion 6 forming an extension of the central portion 51.

The other face of the film can be possibly provided with a foam layer with a central opening. In this case the central portion of the film is not bound (for example by adhesive) to said foam layer.

The sealing film is oriented and has a preferred tearing direction X. It means that in case a cut is formed in the film in the direction X, the film can be cut with an easy manual tearing. In another direction than direction X, the force required for developing a linear cut from an initial cut is not possible, except along the grooves or recesses 7I,7S formed in the films. As it can be seen the central portion or strip 51 is intended to be torn in a direction which is perpendicular to the preferred tearing direction of the film (X). The film have substantial tensile strength in the axial direction X and relatively less strength in a directional perpendicular to said direction X. The film is for example a fibrous non woven material having aligned fibres (parallel to the direction X) lightly fused together in a synthetic resinous layer. The film is preferably a non stretched film.

The grooves, cuts or recesses 7I,7S have a depth D corresponding to about 10 to 90% of the thickness E of the film (for example about 70-80% for a polypropylene film with a thickness of about 125 .mu.m). The depth depends of many factors, such as rigidity, thickness, mechanical properties, etc.

Said grooves, cuts or recesses are preferably formed by a heating process, for example by using a heated cutting means or by pressing a heating means provided with one or more longitudinal heated lines or protuberances. Said grooves, cuts or recesses are preferably made at a temperature higher than the soft temperature of the film, most preferably at a temperature higher than a glass transition temperature of the material of the film, most preferably at a temperature higher than the melting temperature of at least one polymer material present in the film or at a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the film. For example, when the film is made of a blend of two incompatible or substantially incompatible polymers, the heating step is carried out at a temperature sufficient for melting one polymer, while not melting the other. When the film consists of a series of linear wires or fibres made in a first composition or polymer, said series of wires or fibres being connected or laminated with a polymer layer, said laminated polymer layer has advantageously a softening temperature higher than the softening temperature of the first polymer, preferably a melting temperature higher than the melting temperature of the melting temperature of the first polymer or polymer composition. The grooves or recesses or cuts are for example formed by means of a linear welding head, so as to exert a pressure on the film during the fusing of at least a portion of the film, preferably the fusing of at least a portion of the longitudinal polymer fibres of the film at the place of the groove or recesses or cuts 7I,7S. The welding operation, when used is advantageously an ultrasonic welding. A laser can possibly be used for making the groove, however the risk to perforated the film is too high, when the thickness is lower than 300 .mu.m. Now, it is preferred to have thickness of less than 300 .mu.m, in order to have sufficient flexibility, so as to bent correctly the pulling means and the strip during its tearing.

The sealing portion 5 is provided with two cuts 8 at the end of the central portion 51 adjacent to the pulling means or strip 6, said cuts forming a means for lower