Method and apparatus for extracting toner from toner cartridges

摘要

The invention provides a method and apparatus for recycling toner cartridges. A shredder (1) breaks up the toner cartridges into pieces, thereby releasing any toner from within the otherwise substantially sealed cartridges. The toner pieces along with any free toner powder are then fed through a separation stage including a mechanical separator (3) and a trommel separator (4). Each separator employs a sifting screen, which allow smaller particles to fall though the screen while holding back the larger pieces. Both separators agitate the pieces to mobilise the smaller particles. A vacuum extraction system (7) is used to withdraw air from around the cartridge pieces and an air ioniser is included for feeding ionised air into the apparatus to reduce any static electronic charge build up. The toner is the removed from the extracted air by a dust collector.