Ninestar continues to take the lead in technology innovation relating to toner cartridges. In response to two ITC cases filed by Canon based upon patents which describe a pivotable coupling member, many companies in the aftermarket have brought new designs to the market to avoid these patents. However, Ninestar is the first to develop two different designs which avoid infringement of these patents and still provide a smooth and proper engagement.  

One of these designs is the “piston style” gear in which a button or lever causes the gear to move in and out of the drum. This gear has been widely recognized by the market as providing high quality, stable performance with a great user experience. Ninestar has continued to improve the performance of this design and has received over 53 patents, with additional 36 patent applications still pending. Some competitors were so impressed that they copied this proprietary design, forcing Ninestar to file litigation to enforce its patents.

The second of these designs has been in the works for some time at Ninestar. It uses a technology that assists the user in putting the cartridges into or out of printers at an angle, some with a special gear that moves parallel to the axis of the drum rather than in and out. The design again provides a great user experience. Ninestar will market this design as the “Sidewinder.” Ninestar recently made further improvements to this design, which was the first to be cleared by Canon in the most recent ITC proceeding. Ninestar has also filed several patents and patent applications for the Sidewinder. Competitors have recently introduced similar designs, and Ninestar will enforce its patents as necessary.

Ninestar will continue its role as the industry leader in innovation, and provide state of the art solutions to fill customers’ needs for superior performance which they have come to expect from Ninestar.