Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6735405
-
Patent Number
6,735,405
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, December 3, 200221 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 11, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 399 27
- 399 102
- 399 103
- 399 105
- 399 106
- 399 109
- 399 111
- 399 113
- 399 119
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A method of remanufacturing a process cartridge includes a step of removing a pin to thereby separate a drum unit and a developing container, a step of separating a developing frame and a developer frame from each other to thereby separate the developing container, a step of resupplying the developer to a developer containing portion of the developer frame, a step of superposing a reseal member on end portion seal members provided at lengthwise one end and other end of a developer supply opening for supplying the developer contained in a developer containing portion to a developing roller, and interposing the reseal member on each of widthwise one end and other end of the developer supply opening along the lengthwise direction of the developer supply opening, and reuniting the developing frame and the developer frame, and a step of reuniting the reconstructed developing container and the drum unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a developing device.
Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by the use of the electrophotographic image forming process. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (such as a laser printer or an LED printer), a facsimile apparatus and a word processor.
Also, the process cartridge refers to charging means, developing means or cleaning means as process means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member integrally made into a cartridge, which is made detachably mountable to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It also refers to at least one of charging means, developing means and cleaning means as process means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member integrally made into a cartridge, which is made detachably mountable to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It further refers to at least developing means as process means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member integrally made into a cartridge, which is made detachably mountable to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Also, the developing device refers to developing means and a developer containing portion integrally made into a cartridge which is made detachably mountable to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
In image forming apparatuses using the electrophotographic image forming process, there has heretofore been adopted a process cartridge system in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means for acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge which is made detachably mountable to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be done by a user himself without resort to a serviceman and therefore, operability can be markedly improved. So, this process cartridge system is widely used in the electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.
Also, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatuses of such a process cartridge type, the user himself must interchange the cartridge. Therefore, some of the electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are provided with developer amount detecting means to inform the user when a developer has been consumed. As the developer amount detecting means, there is a method of detecting any change in the capacitance among a plurality of electrodes disposed in the process cartridge to thereby detect the amount of developer.
As the constructions of these electrodes, there are a construction in which electrode bars are disposed at predetermined intervals from a developing roller (the capacitance between the developing roller and the electrode bars is detected), a construction in which a plurality of opposed electrode plates are disposed at a location the developer can enter, and a combination of these.
There is also a construction in which the connecting portion of these electrodes is disposed in the ultrasonic welding united portion between a developing container and a developer container to thereby improve the reliability of the contact.
There has heretofore been desired a simple method of remanufacturing a process cartridge and a developing device which have lost their commercial values with a developer therein consumed and capable of commercializing them again.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge or a developing device having the above-described construction.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a remanufacturing method in which the maintenance of the sealability of a developer when a developing container and a developer container that are separated from each other are reunited and the remanufacturability are compatible.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge and a developing device from which a developer does not leak in spite of their having been remanufactured.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple method of remanufacturing a process cartridge and a developing device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge and a developing device which can again commercialize a process cartridge and a developing device that have lost their commercial value as a process cartridge and a developing device with a developer therein consumed to such a degree that they cannot form an image of a quality with which the user will be satisfied.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge and a developing device which can seal two frames having their united surfaces disassembled without the leakage of a toner.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge and a developing device which can improve the reliability of an electrical contact and can easily remanufacture a process cartridge and a developing device.
There and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
schematically shows the construction of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3
shows the toner amount detecting circuit of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4
illustrates the attachment construction of the toner amount detecting electrode of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5
illustrates the attachment construction of the toner amount detecting electrode of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6
is a side view of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7
shows a mounting portion for mounting the process cartridge to the main body of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 8
illustrates the attachment construction of the toner amount detecting electrode of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9
illustrates a method of disassembling a developing container according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 10
illustrates the method of disassembling the developing container according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 11
illustrates a method of remanufacturing a toner containing portion according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 12
illustrates a method of remanufacturing a developing frame according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 13
illustrates a seal member according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 14
illustrates the method of remanufacturing the developing frame according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 15
illustrates the method of remanufacturing the developing frame according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 16
illustrates the construction of the seal member.
FIG. 17
illustrates the construction of the seal member.
FIG. 18
illustrates the construction of the seal member.
FIG. 19
illustrates the construction of the seal member.
FIG. 20
illustrates the construction of the seal member.
FIG. 21
illustrates the construction of a seal member according to another embodiment.
FIG. 22
illustrates the construction of a seal member according to another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Some embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings.
(First Embodiment)
[Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus A and Process Cartridge B]
A description will first be provided of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable.
FIG. 1
is a cross-sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus A according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2
is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge B.
The image forming apparatus A has a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, i.e., an electrophotographic photosensitive drum
7
. The photosensitive drum
7
is charged by a charging roller
8
which is charging means, and then is irradiated with a laser beam conforming to image information from optical means
1
having a laser diode, a polygon mirror, a lens and a reflecting mirror, whereby a latent image conforming to the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum
7
. This latent image is developed into a visible image, i.e., a toner image, by developing means
10
.
The developing means
10
as a developing device is such that a developing frame
13
for holding a developing roller
12
and a toner containing portion (developer containing portion)
14
for containing therein a toner which is a developer are united together to thereby constitute a developing container D.
The developing frame
13
has a developing chamber
13
a
, and the toner in the toner containing portion
14
adjacent to the developing chamber
13
a
is fed to the developing roller
12
in the developing chamber
13
a
by the rotation of a toner feeding member
15
. The developing frame
13
is provided with a toner agitating member
16
near the developing roller
12
, and circulates the toner in the developing chamber
13
a
. Also, the developing roller
12
contains a stationary magnet
17
therein, and the developing roller
12
is rotated, whereby the toner is carried and is given triboelectrification charges by a developing blade
18
and is made into a toner layer of a predetermined thickness, and is carried to the developing area of the photosensitive drum
7
. The toner supplied to this developing area is shifted to the latent image on the photosensitive drum
7
to thereby form a toner image. The developing roller
12
is connected to a developing bias circuit, and usually has applied thereto a developing bias voltage comprising a DC voltage superimposed on an AC voltage.
On the other hand, in synchronism with the formation of the toner image, a recording medium (such as recording paper or an OHP sheet)
2
set in a feed cassette is transported to a transferring position by a pick-up roller
3
b
and pairs of transport rollers
3
c
,
3
d
and
3
e
. A transfer roller
4
as transferring means is disposed at the transferring position, and a voltage is applied thereto to thereby transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum
7
to the recording medium.
The recording medium
2
to which the toner image has been transferred is transported to fixing means
5
by a transport guide
3
f
. The fixing means
5
is provided with a driving roller
5
c
and a fixing roller
5
b
containing a heater
5
a
therein. It applies heat and pressure to the recording medium
2
passing therethrough and fixes the transferred toner image on the recording medium
2
.
The recording medium
2
is transported by pairs of delivery rollers
3
g
and
3
h
, and delivered to a delivery tray via a surface reverse path
3
j
. This delivery tray is provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus A. A rockable flapper
3
k
can be operated to deliver the recording medium
2
without the intermediary of the surface reverse path
3
j
. In the present embodiment, transporting means is constituted by the pick-up roller
3
b
, the pairs of transport rollers
3
c
,
3
d
,
3
e
, the transport guide
3
f
and the pairs of delivery rollers
3
g
,
3
h.
After the toner image has been transferred to the recording medium
2
by the transfer roller
4
, any toner residual on the photosensitive drum
7
is removed by cleaning means
9
. The photosensitive drum
7
is then used for the next image forming process. The cleaning means
9
scrapes off the residual toner on the photosensitive drum
7
by an elastic cleaning blade
9
a
provided in contact with the photosensitive drum
7
and collects it into a waste toner reservoir
9
b.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the process cartridge B, as shown in
FIG. 2
, contains the toner therein and is such that the developing frame
13
for supporting developing means such as the developing roller
12
and the developing blade
18
is welded to the toner containing portion
14
having the toner feeding member
15
to thereby integrally constitute a developing container D. Further, the photosensitive drum
7
, the cleaning means
9
such as the cleaning blade
9
a
and a drum unit
19
having the charging roller
8
mounted thereon are pivotably united together by a round pin
40
. Thereby, the process cartridge B is constituted.
According to the present embodiment, the process cartridge B is provided with first and second toner amount detecting means to detect the remaining amount of toner in accordance with the consumption of the toner in the developing chamber
13
a.
(First Detecting Means)
In the present embodiment, the first detecting means is such that as shown in
FIG. 2
, a first electrode
81
, a second electrode
82
and a third electrode
83
are measuring electrode members constituting a toner amount detecting portion that are disposed along the developing roller
12
. The first electrode
81
and the third electrode
83
, as will be described later, are connected together in the developing frame
13
and are at the same potential. The detecting means induces a capacitance among the electrodes by a voltage being applied to the first electrode
81
or the second electrode
82
. The capacitance is measured by the main body
100
of the apparatus to thereby detect the amount of toner. In the present embodiment, a voltage is applied to the second electrode
82
(the input side), and the first electrode
81
and the third electrode
83
are the output side.
The first electrode
81
, the second electrode
82
and the third electrode
83
are disposed at a location at which the toner transported by the toner feeding member
15
enters. When the amount of toner in the process cartridge B is great, the toner is pushed into a space surrounded by the electrodes by the toner feeding member
15
. The capacitance among the electrodes continues to exhibit a high value. As the process cartridge is used, the toner is consumed. In accordance with it, the height of the toner among the electrodes decreases and the capacitance also decreases. Finally the toner near the distal end of the developing blade
18
for scraping off the toner on the surface of the developing roller
12
is consumed, whereby there is brought about a toner-absent state. In the present embodiment, the developing bias voltage applied to the developing roller
12
is an input voltage, and the capacitance between the developing roller
12
and the first electrode
81
, is also detected. Thereby, the toner-absent state is detected. That is, the first detecting means can detect any change in the capacitance to thereby detect the amount of toner sequentially.
(Detecting Circuit)
FIG. 3
shows an example of a toner amount detecting circuit
110
provided in the main body
100
of the image forming apparatus.
A detecting portion
80
having a capacitance Ca fluctuating in conformity with the amount of toner has its one input side electrode as an impedance element, in the present embodiment, the second electrode
82
, connected to a developing bias circuit
101
as developing bias applying means through an electrical contact
23
. The other output side electrodes, in the present embodiment, the first and third electrodes, are connected to the control circuit
102
of the toner amount detecting circuit
110
through an electrical contact
22
. A reference capacitance element Cb is also connected to the developing bias circuit
101
. Thereby, a reference voltage V1 in detecting the amount of toner by the use of an AC (alternating current) I1 applied through the developing bias circuit
101
is set. A contact
103
disposed in the main body
100
of the apparatus is electrically connected to the electrical contact
12
a
of the developing roller
12
, whereby a developing bias voltage is applied from the developing bias circuit
101
to the developing roller
12
.
The control circuit
102
adds an AC I1′, which is a value obtained by dividing the AC I1 applied to the reference capacitance element Cb, i.e., a reference impedance element, by a volume control VR1, and a voltage drop amount caused by a resistor R2 to V3 set by resistors R3 and R4, and determines a reference voltage V1.
Accordingly, an AC I2 applied to the toner amount detecting portion
80
is inputted to an amplifying circuit
104
, and is outputted as the detected value V4(V1−I2×R5) of the amount of toner. The output value is utilized as the detected value of the remaining amount of toner.
According to the present embodiment, the remaining amount of toner in the process cartridge B is sequentially detected. On the basis of the information, the amount of consumed toner is indicated. Thereby, a user is called upon to prepare a new process cartridge B or a replenishment cartridge. Further, the user can be called upon to interchange the process cartridge B or supply the toner by toner-absence detection information.
(Second Detecting Means)
A second toner amount detecting device will now be described. The second toner amount detecting device, as shown in
FIG. 2
, is a portion of an antenna rod
89
of an electrically conductive material, e.g. a metal wire, provided along the lengthwise direction of the developing roller
12
. The antenna rod
89
, if made of an electrically conductive material, is equal in action, but in the present embodiment, a non-magnetic SUS material is used so as not to affect the circulation of the toner. As previously described, the antenna rod
89
is provided over the full length of the developing roller
12
at a predetermined distance from the developing roller
12
. The capacitance between the antenna rod
89
and the developing roller
12
is changed by the amount of toner present between the two. So, any change in this capacitance is detected as a change in potential difference by a toner amount detecting contact in the main body
100
of the apparatus to thereby detect the amount of toner. The antenna rod
89
, which is the second toner amount detecting device, unlike the aforedescribed first toner amount detecting device, does not sequentially detect the amount of toner, but effects only the detection of the vicinity of toner-absence. The process cartridge B according to the present embodiment is provided with two toner amount detecting devices as described above, whereby it can cope with both of the main body
100
of an image forming apparatus having a mechanism for sequentially detecting the amount of toner and the main body
100
of an image forming apparatus having no sequentially detecting mechanism but effecting only the detection of toner-absence.
A description will now be provided of a construction for attaching the first electrode
81
, the second electrode
82
and the third electrode
83
of the first toner amount detecting device and the antenna rod
89
which is the second toner amount detecting device to a developing device constituting portion. The toner amount detecting devices constituted by the first electrode
81
, the second electrode
82
, the third electrode
83
and the antenna rod
89
are realized by detecting the capacitance between the space surrounded by the electrodes
81
,
82
,
83
or the antenna rod
89
and the developing roller
12
. Accordingly, the positional accuracy of each electrode is very important. Particularly the intervals among the electrodes
81
,
82
and
83
and the position of each electrode relative to the developing roller
12
and the developing blade
18
need to be determined accurately to detect the amount of toner accurately. Also, in the present embodiment, each electrode is disposed near the developing roller
12
on which the toner may remain to the last so that the time when a blank image occurs can be detected accurately. So, in the present embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 4
,
5
and
8
, the electrodes
81
,
82
,
83
and the antenna rod
89
are attached to the developing frame
13
.
(Attachment of the Electrodes)
The first electrode
81
is positioned by a positioning boss
13
c
provided on the attachment surface
13
b
of the developing frame
13
. It is stuck on the attachment surface
13
b
by a pressure-sensitive-adhesive double coated tape. The method of attaching the electrode is not limited to the pressure-sensitive-adhesive double coated tape, but yet in order to detect a blank image, the first electrode
81
is provided near the developing roller
12
and the developing blade
18
by which the toner is consumed lastly. Therefore, in some cases, it is difficult to secure a space for screwing in the developing frame
13
. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the fixing by the pressure-sensitive-adhesive double coated tape, which does not require such a space, is adopted.
There is an arm portion
81
a
on one end portion of the first electrode
81
, and an incised clinch
81
b
is constructed on that end portion. When the first electrode
81
is attached to the developing frame
13
, the incised clinch
81
b
comes into the groove
13
d
of the developing frame
13
. On the other hand, there is a hole
13
e
extending from the interior to the exterior of the developing frame
13
laterally of the groove
13
d
of the developing frame
13
. The position of that hole is aligned with the hole
81
c
of the incised clinch
81
b
. The third electrode
83
has arm portions
83
a
and
83
b
on the opposite ends thereof. The arm portions
83
a
and
83
b
are placed on the attachment portions
13
i
and
13
j
, respectively, of the developing frame
13
and fixed by screws. Incised clinch
83
c
, which is similar in shape to the incised clinch
81
b
of the first electrode
81
, is constructed on the end portion of the arm portion
83
a
, and when the third electrode
83
is attached to the developing frame
13
, the incised clinch
83
c
, which is and the incised clinch
81
b
are arranged side by side. The third electrode
83
is attached to the developing frame
13
after the attachment of the first electrode
81
. When the third electrode
83
is incorporated, the incised clinch
83
c
thereof comes into contact with the arm portion
81
a
of the first electrode
81
. In this state, the holes of the incised clinch
81
b
and the incised clinch
83
c
are arranged side by side. Thereby, the incised clinch
83
c
corrects the position of the incised clinch
81
b
. Thereby, the assembling property of the press-fit of an electrode bar
25
thereafter is improved. Also, an elastic seal member
24
is shaped so as to fit into the hole
13
e
of the developing frame
13
. Here, the elastic seal member
24
is press-fitted in from the outside of the developing frame
13
. The elastic seal member
24
is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-314359. Thereafter, the electrode bar
25
is inserted into the developing frame
13
through the seal member
24
. It is then press-fitted into the incised clinch
81
b
and incised clinch
83
c
in the interior of the frame, and the first electrode
81
and the third electrode
83
are electrically connected together.
As shown in
FIGS. 5 and 8
, the second electrode
82
is positioned by the positioning boss
13
h
of the developing frame
13
. It is fixed by screws. At this time, by one of the screws, an electrode plate
26
is fastened with the second electrode
82
, and effects the wiring to the outside of the developing frame
13
. It is desirable to assemble the second electrode
82
after the attachment of the first electrode
81
so that the assembling property of the first electrode
81
may not be spoiled.
A description will now be provided of a uniting construction for the developing frame
13
and the toner containing portion
14
. As shown in
FIGS. 5
,
8
and
11
, convex portions
13
f
and
13
g
fitted in uniting concave grooves
14
f
and
14
g
, respectively, formed in the toner containing portion
14
are provided on the joined surface of the developing frame
13
with the toner containing portion
14
. Triangular ribs for ultrasonic welding are provided on the top surfaces of these convex portions
13
f
and
13
g
. Also, seal members
27
,
28
and
29
for preventing the leakage of the toner from between the developing frame
13
and the toner containing portion
14
are stuck around the opposite end portions of the developing frame
13
and the contact portion
26
a
of the electrode plate
26
. The seal members
27
,
28
and
29
use a sponge-like material.
The developing frame
13
and the toner containing portion
14
, into each of which the parts have been incorporated, are pressed with the concave grooves
14
f
and
14
g
of the toner containing portion
14
and the convex portions
13
f
and
13
g
of the developing frame
13
fitted together. Ultrasonic vibration is applied to between the concave grooves and the convex portions. Thereupon, the aforementioned triangular ribs are melted by frictional heat and are welded to the bottoms of the concave grooves, whereby the developing frame
13
and the toner containing portion
14
are integrally united together.
In the present construction, an electrical contact
23
is attached to the toner containing portion
14
. The electrical contact
23
is provided with a contact portion
23
a
to be contacted with the main body
100
of the apparatus and a contact portion
23
b
to be contacted with the electrode plate
26
. The contact portion
23
b
and the electrode plate
26
are electrically connected together when the developing frame
13
and the toner containing portion
14
are united together.
As shown in
FIG. 4
, a holder
90
for rotatably supporting the developing roller
12
through a bearing is attached to a side portion of the developing frame
13
. This holder
90
has attached thereto an electrical contact
22
for electrically connecting the image forming apparatus A and the process cartridge B together. The electrical contact
22
is provided with a contact portion
22
a
, and when the holder
90
is attached to the developing frame
13
, the contact portion
22
a
comes into contact with the electrode bar
25
. Thereby, the electrical contact
22
, the first electrode
81
and the third electrode
83
are electrically connected together. On a side of the thus assembled process cartridge B, as shown in
FIG. 6
, there are disposed the electrical contacts
22
and
23
of the toner amount detecting devices. As shown in
FIG. 7
, the electrical contacts
22
and
23
are electrically connected to contacts
30
and
31
, respectively, disposed in the main body
100
of the image forming apparatus when the process cartridge B is mounted to the main body
100
of the apparatus in the direction indicated by the arrow X.
[Method of Disassembling and Remanufacturing the Process Cartridge B]
(Method of Disassembling the Process Cartridge B)
A description will now be provided of a method of disassembling the process cartridge B.
The aforedescribed pin
40
is first removed by pulling it out from the outside of it or pushing it out from the inside of it to thereby separate the drum unit
19
and the developing container D from each other.
The drum unit
19
removes the waste toner in the waste toner reservoir
9
b
. The photosensitive drum
7
, the cleaning means
9
such as the cleaning blade
9
a
and the charging roller
8
are then reused or interchanged. Thereby, the drum unit
19
is remanufactured.
(Method of Disassembling the Developing Container D)
As regards the disassembled developing container D, the developing roller
12
and the developing blade
18
are detached, whereafter the toner remaining in the toner containing portion (developer containing portion)
14
is removed, and the opening portion
14
p
of the toner containing portion
14
is resealed by the seal member. In order to effect the resupply of a fresh toner, the developing frame
13
and the toner frame (developer frame)
11
are separated from each other. The toner frame
11
has a toner containing portion
14
.
As previously described, the developing frame
13
and the toner containing portion
14
are united together as by ultrasonic welding and cannot be easily separated from each other. So, as shown in
FIG. 9
, to separate the developing frame
13
and the toner frame
11
from each other, their welded surfaces are cut by a cutter
51
, ultrasonic cutting work, laser working or the like. When for example, the welded surfaces are to be cut by the cutter
51
, a welded joined surface
41
is cut as shown in FIG.
9
. Besides, as shown, for example, in
FIG. 10
, escape may be made from the welded portion and cutting may be made along the joined surface
41
. In the case of ultrasonic cutting work as well, the joined surface
41
is melted and likewise cut by a cutter to which ultrasonic vibration is applied. Also, in the case of laser working, the arrival distance of a laser beam is restricted to a portion to be cut.
(Method of Uniting the Developing Frame
13
and the Toner Containing Portion
14
Together)
In the separated toner containing portion
14
, the removal of the toner is effected. Thereafter, as shown in
FIG. 11
, a toner seal member
61
is fixed to an opening portion as by heat welding, adhesive securing or a pressure sensitive adhesive double coated tape to thereby reseal the opening portion. The resupply of a fresh toner is then effected.
The disassembled developing frame
13
is in a state as shown in
FIG. 12
wherein the overlapping portions
27
f
,
28
f
,
29
f
,
27
g
and
28
g
of the triangular ribs of the convex portions
13
f
and
13
g
melted and united by an ultrasonic wave during uniting and the convex portions
13
f
and
13
g
of seals
27
,
28
and
29
are melted. Therefore, these portions are sealed so that the toner may not leak therefrom when they are reunited.
So, use is made of a sponge-like seal member
71
f
(
FIG. 13
) made of foamed polyurethane having substantially the same cross-sectional shape. This seal member
71
f
, as shown in
FIG. 14
, is stuck astride the seals
27
,
28
and
29
between the overlapping portions
27
f
,
28
f
,
29
f
and the opening upper side (the lower side of the overlapping portions
27
f
,
28
f
,
29
f
as viewed in
FIG. 14
) of the toner containing portion
14
, by a pressure sensitive adhesive double coated tape. Thereby, the upper side of the developing frame
13
is sealed. Likewise a seal member
71
g
is stuck between the overlapping portions
27
g
,
28
g
and the opening lower side (the upper side of the overlapping portions
27
g
,
28
g
as viewed in FIG.
14
). Thereby, the lower side of the developing frame
13
is sealed.
By thus sticking the seal members, it becomes possible to seal all of the seals
27
,
28
and
29
by the sponge-like seal members
71
f
and
71
g
of a simple shape with respect to the upper and lower portions of the developing frame
13
. Accordingly, the number of the remanufacturing steps and the number of parts for remanufacturing can be curtailed. Further, the existing seal portion can be utilized effectively. Also, the sponge-like seal member
71
f
is stuck on the contact portion
26
a
of the electrode plate
26
to the opening side of the toner containing portion
14
. Thereby, the adherence of the toner to the contact connecting portion between the contact portion
23
b
for detecting the remaining amount of toner and the contact portion
26
a
of the electrode plate
26
can be prevented. Accordingly, the reliability of the contact can be improved.
Thereafter, as shown in
FIG. 15
, the remanufactured developing frame
13
and toner containing portion
14
are united together by a uniting metal fitting
52
which is a clip comprised of a U-shaped spring material. This uniting can also be accomplished by the use of a method such as adhesive securing, pressure sensitive adhesive double coated tape sticking, ultrasonic welding or heat welding.
(Assembling of the Process Cartridge)
Next, the reassembling of the process cartridge B is done by a procedure converse to that of disassembling. First, the parts of the drum unit
19
and the developing container D are suitably inspected, and reusable parts are cleaned and assembled. Also, unreusable parts are interchanged with new ones, which are then assembled. Thereafter, the assembled drum unit
19
and developing container D are united together by a uniting pin
40
. Thus, the process cartridge is remanufactured.
In the first embodiment, a description has been provided of a construction in which the seal members are stuck on the developing frame
13
to thereby unite it. However, a similar effect can also be obtained by adopting a construction in which a seal member is stuck on the corresponding portion of the toner containing portion
14
.
In the aforedescribed embodiment, used process cartridges are collected and disassembled. The same parts taken out of the respective process cartridges by disassembling are gathered. Thereafter, these parts are used, or in some cases, new parts (parts which are not reused) are used instead of some parts, and the process cartridges are remanufactured by the aforedescribed remanufacturing method. Also, in the aforedescribed embodiment, a used process cartridge is collected and disassembled. Parts taken out of the process cartridge are used, or in some cases, new parts (parts which are not reused) or parts taken out of another process cartridge are used instead of some parts, and the process cartridge is remanufactured by the aforedescribed remanufacturing method.
As described above, according to the aforedescribed embodiment, when the developing frame and the toner frame are to be reunited after being separated from each other, remanufacturing which is high in toner sealing effect can be accomplished. Also, a remanufacturing method which is high in the reliability of the aforedescribed remaining amount detecting contact portion can be realized at a low cost.
Further, it is possible to reutilize the existing seal members partly as seal members without stripping them off. Therefore, a remanufacturing method which can curtail the number of the disassembling steps can be realized.
A description will now be provided of another embodiment of the toner seal when the toner frame
11
and the developing frame
13
are reunited.
The seal member
29
melted by welding is removed, and sponge-like seal members
135
b
and
135
c
shown in
FIGS. 16 and 17
, respectively, are stuck astride the seal members
27
and
28
between the overlapping portions
27
f
,
28
f
and the opening upper side of the toner containing portion
14
shown in FIG.
12
. Thereby, the upper side of the developing frame
13
is sealed. Likewise a seal member
136
is stuck between the overlapping portions
27
g
,
28
g
and the lower side of the opening. Thereby, the lower side of the developing frame
13
is sealed.
By thus sticking the seal members, it becomes possible to seal all of the seal members
27
,
28
and
29
by the sponge-like seal member
135
b
or
135
c
and the seal member
136
. The seal member
135
b
need not always be a sponge-like one, but may be divided into a plurality like seal members
135
d
,
135
e
and
137
c
shown in FIG.
18
.
Also, as shown in
FIGS. 19 and 20
, the seal members
27
and
28
partly melted by welding and effecting the sealing of the lengthwisely opposite ends are removed. Seal members
134
b
and
134
c
in which sponge-like seal members for sealing the widthwise opposite ends and seal members at the lengthwise opposite ends are integral with each other may be stuck and united together. Again by this method, sealing can be reliably accomplished. Also, as shown in
FIGS. 16
,
17
,
18
,
19
and
20
, the sponge-like seal members
135
b
,
135
c
,
137
c
,
134
b
and
134
c
are stuck between the contact portion
26
a
of the electrode plate
26
and the upper side of the opening of the toner containing portion
14
as viewed in the figures. Thereby, the adherence of the toner to the contact connecting portion between the contact portion
23
b
for detecting the remaining amount of toner and the contact portion
26
a
of the electrode plate
26
can be prevented. Accordingly, the electrical reliability of the contact portions can be improved.
Another embodiment of the method of remanufacturing the developing device and the process cartridge will now be described with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 21 and 22
illustrate the construction of seal members according to the present embodiment.
The aforedescribed embodiment is one in which the seal members
135
b
,
135
c
, etc. are stuck on the developing frame
13
when the developing device and the process cartridge are remanufactured. In contrast, the present embodiment is one in which seal members are stuck on the toner frame
11
.
FIGS. 21 and 22
are views of the toner frame
11
as it is seen from the opening
14
p
side.
FIG. 21
shows the state before seal members are stuck, and
FIG. 22
shows the state after the seal members have been stuck. The stuck position of a seal member
138
on the upper side of the toner frame
11
is a position corresponding to between the portions
27
f
,
28
f
(the vicinity of the concave groove
14
f
) melted when the developing frame
13
and the toner frame
11
were weld-united and the upper side of the opening
14
p
, and avoiding the contact portion
26
a
of the electrode plate
26
. Also, the stuck position of a seal member
139
on the lower side of the toner frame
11
is a position corresponding to between the portions
27
g
,
28
g
(the vicinity of the concave groove
14
g
) melted when the developing frame
13
and the toner frame
11
were weld-united and the lower side of the opening
14
p
. When the seal members
138
and
139
are thus stuck on the toner frame
11
side, the leakage of the toner to the outside of the process cartridge B can also be prevented as in the aforedescribed embodiment. Further, the adherence of the toner to the contact portion
26
a
can also be prevented. Accordingly, the electrical reliability of the contact portion can be improved.
The afore described embodiments are summarized as follows.
1. A method of remanufacturing a process cartridge B detachably mountable to the main body
100
of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprises:
the separating step of removing a pin
40
to thereby separate a drum unit
19
, for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive drum
7
, and a developing container D, having a developing frame
13
for supporting a developing roller
12
and a developer frame
11
having a developer containing portion
14
containing a developer therein, from each other;
the developing container separating step of separating the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
from each other to thereby separate the developing container D;
the developer resupplying step of resupplying the developer to the developer containing portion
14
of the developer frame
11
;
the developing container reconstructing step of superposing reseal members
71
f
,
71
g
on end portion seal members provided at one and the other lengthwise ends of a developer supply opening
13
p
for supplying the developer contained in the developer containing portion
14
to the developing roller
12
, and interposing reseal members
71
f
,
71
g
on one and the other widthwise ends of the developer supply opening along the lengthwise direction of the developer supply opening
13
p
, and reuniting the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
to thereby reconstruct the developing container D; and
the reuniting step of reuniting the reconstructed developing container D and the drum unit
19
.
2. At the developing container reconstructing step, the reseal member
71
f
is superposed and interposed on a connecting portion seal member
29
sealing an electrical contact
26
a
so that the developer may not adhere to the electrical contact
26
a
disposed at the uniting portion between the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
to effect electrical connection astride the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
.
3. A method of remanufacturing a process cartridge B detachably mountable to the main body
100
of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprises:
the separating step of removing a pin
40
to thereby separate a drum unit
19
, for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive drum
7
, and a developing container D, having a developing frame
13
for supporting a developing roller
12
and a developer frame
11
having a developer containing portion
14
containing a developer therein, from each other;
the developing container separating step of separating the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
from each other to thereby separate the developing container D;
the developer resupplying step of resupplying the developer to the developer containing portion
14
of the developer frame
11
;
the developing container reconstructing step of stripping off a connecting portion seal member
29
sealing an electrical contact
26
a
so that the developer may not adhere to the electrical contact
26
a
disposed in the uniting portion between the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
to effect electrical connection astride the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
, and thereafter interposing reseal members
71
f
,
71
g
on one and the other widthwise ends of a developer supply opening
13
p
for supplying the developer contained in the developer containing portion
14
to the developing roller
12
along the lengthwise direction of the developer supply opening
13
p
, and reuniting the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
to thereby reconstruct the developing container D; and
the reuniting step of reuniting the reconstructed developing container D and the drum unit
19
.
4. At the developing container reconstructing step, the reseal members
71
f
,
71
g
are superposed on and interposed between end portion seal members
27
,
28
provided at one and the other lengthwise ends of the developer supply opening
13
p.
5. The reseal member
71
f
is interposed between the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
inside the electrical contact in the widthwise direction of the developing frame
13
.
6. The reseal members
71
f
,
71
g
are stuck on the developing frame
13
, whereby they are interposed between the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
.
7. The reseal members
71
f
,
71
g
are stuck on the developer frame
11
, whereby they are interposed between the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
.
8. The reseal members
71
f
,
71
g
are formed into a sponge-like shape.
9. A method of remanufacturing a developing device
10
for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum
7
comprises:
the developing container separating step of separating a developing frame
13
, for supporting a developing roller
12
, and a developer frame
11
, having a developer containing portion
14
containing therein a developer to be used for the development of the electrostatic latent image by the developing roller
12
, from each other;
the developer resupplying step of resupplying the developer to the developer containing portion
14
of the developer frame
11
; and
the developing container reconstructing step of superposing reseal members
71
f
,
71
g
on end portion seal members
27
,
28
provided at one and the other lengthwise ends of a developer supply opening
13
p
for supplying the developer contained in the developer containing portion
14
to the developing roller
12
, and interposing the reseal members
71
f
,
71
g
on one and the other widthwise ends of the developer supply opening
13
p
along the lengthwise direction of the developer supply opening
13
p
, and reuniting the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
to thereby reconstruct a developing container D.
10. A method of remanufacturing a developing device
10
for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum
7
comprises:
the developing container separating step of separating a developing frame
13
, for supporting a developing roller
12
, and a developer frame
11
, having a developer containing portion
14
containing therein a developer to be used for the development of the electrostatic latent image by the developing roller
12
, from each other;
the developer resupplying step of resupplying the developer to the developer containing portion
14
of the developer frame
11
; and
the developing container reconstructing step of stripping off a connecting portion seal member
29
sealing an electrical contact
26
a
so that the developer may not adhere to the electrical contact
26
a
disposed at the uniting portion between the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
to effect electrical connection astride the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
, and thereafter interposing reseal members
71
f
,
71
g
on one and the other widthwise ends of a developer supply opening
13
p
for supplying the developer contained in the developer containing portion
14
to the developing roller
12
along the lengthwise direction of the developer supply opening
13
p
, and reuniting the developing frame
13
and the developer frame
11
to thereby reconstruct a developing container D.
Collecting, disassembling and remanufacturing the used process cartridge according to the present invention includes not only simply disassembling and reassembling it as described above, but also interchanging unreusable parts with new parts, disassembling a plurality of process cartridges and gathering the same parts and effecting reassembly by them, and effecting reassembly by the use of parts taken out of another process cartridge.
The present invention covers the following cases:
(1) A case where in remanufacturing a process cartridge, only parts detached from a process cartridge are reused to effect the remanufacturing of the process cartridge;
(2) A case where in the above-described case (1), regarding parts which have reached the end of their lives, or which are damaged or otherwise cannot be reused, new parts or reusable parts detached from other cartridges are used to effect the remanufacturing of the process cartridge;
(3) A case where in remanufacturing a process cartridge, the same parts detached from a plurality of process cartridges are once gathered, and necessary parts are chosen from those gathered parts and are reused to effect the remanufacturing of the cartridge; and
(4) A case where in the above-described case (3), regarding parts which have reached the end of their lives or which are damaged or otherwise cannot be reused, new parts are used to effect the remanufacturing of the cartridge.
The above-mentioned parts are articles constituting the construction described in the appended claims, i.e., some portions of the cartridge. They also cover a minimum unit which can be disassembled, or a case where they are units.
As described above, according to the remanufacturing method of the present invention, the leakage of the developer to the outside can be prevented more reliably.
While the invention has been described with respect to the structure disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth and this application is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the purposes of the improvements or the scope of the following claims.
Claims
- 1. A method of remanufacturing a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising:a separating step of removing a pin from the process cartridge that holds together a drum unit and a developing container, to thereby separate the drum unit, configured and positioned to support an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the developing container, having a developing frame configured and positioned to support a developing roller and a developer frame having a developer containing portion containing a developer therein, from each other; a developing container separating step of separating the developing frame and the developer frame from each other to thereby separate components of the developing container; a developer resupplying step of resupplying developer to the developer containing portion of the developer frame; a developing container reconstructing step of superposing a reseal member on end portion seal members provided at one lengthwise end and the other lengthwise end of a developer supply opening of the developer containing portion, the developer supply opening being configured and positioned to supply the developer contained in the developer containing portion to the developing roller, interposing the reseal member on each of one widthwise end and the other widthwise end of the developer supply opening along a lengthwise direction of the developer supply opening, and reuniting the developing frame and the developer frame to thereby reconstruct the developing container; and a reuniting step of reuniting the reconstructed developing container and the drum unit.
- 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the developing frame and the developer frame include a united portion at which the developing frame and the developer frame are to be reunited in said reuniting step of said developing container reconstructing step to reconstruct the developing container and wherein said developing container reconstructing step further comprises the step of interposing the reseal member on a connecting portion seal member sealing an electrical contact disposed at the united portion of the developing frame and the developer frame to effect electrical connection astride the developing frame and the developer frame when the developing frame and the developer frame are reunited to reconstruct the developing container.
- 3. A method of remanufacturing a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising:a separating step of removing a pin from the process cartridge that holds together a drum unit and a developing container, to thereby separate the drum unit, configured and positioned to support an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the developing container, having a developing frame configured and positioned to support a developing roller and a developer frame having a developer containing portion containing a developer therein, from each other; a developing container separating step of separating the developing frame and the developer frame from each other to thereby separate components of the developing container; a developer resupplying step of resupplying developer to the developer containing portion of the developer frame; a developing container reconstructing step of: stripping off a connecting portion seal member sealing an electrical contact, disposed at a united portion of the developing frame and the developer frame at which the developing frame and the developer frame unite when the developing frame and the developer frame are reunited to reconstruct the developing container, to effect electrical connection astride the developing frame and the developer frame when the developing frame and the developer frame reunite to reconstruct the developing container, so that the developer may not adhere to the electrical contact and thereafter interposing a reseal member on one widthwise end and the other widthwise end of a developer supply opening of the developer containing portion, the developer supply opening being configured and positioned to supply the developer contained in the developer containing portion to the developing roller along a lengthwise direction of the developer supply opening, and reuniting the developing frame and the developer frame to thereby reconstruct the developing container; and a reuniting step of reuniting the reconstructed developing container and the drum unit.
- 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said developing container reconstructing step further comprises the step of superposing the reseal member on and interposing the reseal member between end portion seal members provided at one lengthwise end and the other lengthwise end of the developer supply opening.
- 5. A method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising the step of interposing the reseal member between the developing frame and the developer frame inside the electrical contact in the widthwise direction of the developing frame.
- 6. A method according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising the step of sticking the reseal member on the developing frame, whereby the reseal member is interposed between the developing frame and the developer frame.
- 7. A method according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising the step of sticking the reseal member on the developer frame, whereby the reseal member is interposed between the developing frame and the developer frame.
- 8. A method according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the reseal member has a sponge-like shape.
- 9. A method of remanufacturing a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum comprising:a developing container separating step of separating a developing frame of a developing container of the developing device, configured and positioned to support a developing roller of the developing device, and a developer frame of the developing container, from each other, the developer frame having a developer containing portion containing therein a developer to be used for the development of the electrostatic latent image by the developing roller; a developer resupplying step of resupplying developer to the developer containing portion of the developer frame; and a developing container reconstructing step of: superposing a reseal member on end portion seal members provided at one lengthwise end and the other lengthwise end of a developer supply opening of the developer containing portion, the developer supply opening being configured and positioned to supply the developer contained in the developer containing portion to the developing roller, interposing the reseal member on each of one widthwise end and the other widthwise end of the developing supply opening along a lengthwise direction of the developer supply opening, and reuniting the developing frame and the developer frame to thereby reconstruct the developing container.
- 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the developing frame and the developer frame include a united portion at which the developer frame and the developing frame are reunited to reconstruct the developing container in said developing container reconstructing step, wherein an electrical contact is disposed at the united portion to effect electrical connection astride the developing frame and the developer frame when the developing frame and the developer frame are united in said developing container reconstructing step, and wherein said developing container reconstructing step further comprises the step of superposing and interposing the reseal member on a connecting portion seal member sealing the electrical contact so that the developer may not adhere to the electrical contact.
- 11. A method of remanufacturing a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum comprising:a developing container separating step of separating a developing frame of a developing container of the developing device, configured and positioned to support a developing roller, and a developer frame of the developing container from each other, the developer frame having a developer containing portion containing therein a developer to be used for the development of the electrostatic latent image by the developing roller; a developer resupplying step of resupplying developer to the developer containing portion of the developer frame; and a developing container reconstructing step of: stripping off a connecting portion seal member sealing an electrical contact, disposed at a united portion of the developing frame and the developer frame at which the developing frame and the developer frame unite when the developing frame and the developer frame are reunited to reconstruct the developing container, to effect electrical connection astride the developing frame and the developer frame when the developing frame and the developer frame reunite to reconstruct the developing container, so that the developer may not adhere to the electrical contact, and thereafter interposing a reseal member on one widthwise end and the other widthwise end of a developer supply opening of the developer containing portion, the developer supply opening being configured and positioned to supply the developer contained in the developer containing portion to the developing roller along a lengthwise direction of the developer supply opening; and reuniting the developing frame and the developer frame to thereby reconstruct the developing container.
- 12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said developing container reconstructing step further comprises the step of superposing the reseal member on and interposing the reseal member between end portion seal members provided at one lengthwise end and the other lengthwise end of the developer supply opening.
- 13. A method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising the step of interposing the reseal member between the developing frame and the developer frame inside the electrical contact in the widthwise direction of the developing frame.
- 14. A method according to claim 9 or 11, further comprising the step of sticking the reseal member on the developing frame, whereby the reseal member is interposed between the developing frame and the developer frame.
- 15. A method according to claim 9 or 11, further comprising the step of sticking the reseal member on the developer frame, whereby the reseal member is interposed between the developing frame and the developer frame.
- 16. A method according to claim 9 or 11, wherein the reseal member has a sponge-like shape.
- 17. A method of remanufacturing a process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge having a developer container containing a developer therein, and a developing container having a developing roller configured and positioned to bear on the surface thereof the developer supplied from the developer container and transporting it to a developing position, the developer container and the developing container being united together and being capable of being separated and reunited, wherein the developer container and the developing container include a united portion at which the developer container and the developing container are united when the developer container and the developing container are united, the process cartridge also having end portion seal members configured and positioned to seal the lengthwise opposite end portions of the united portion, a connecting portion astride the united portion of the developing container and the developer container and electrically connected near the united portion, and a connecting portion seal member configured and positioned to seal the connecting portion from the developer, the method comprising the step of:superposing a reseal member, having substantially the same cross section in the lengthwise direction thereof as the end portion seal members, on the end portion seal members and the connecting portion seal member to thereby seal a reunited portion of the developing container and the developer container at which the developing container and the developer container are reunited when the developing container and the developer container are reunited after being separated.
- 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the reseal member has a sponge-like shape.
- 19. A method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of sealing an inner side portion of the developing container with respect to the connecting portion with the reseal member.
- 20. A method of remanufacturing a developing device used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the developing device having a developer container containing a developer therein, a developing container having a developing roller configured and positioned to bear on the surface thereof the developer supplied from the developer container and carrying it to a developing position, the developer container and the developing container being united together at a united portion, end portion seal members configured and positioned to seal the opposite lengthwise end portions of the united portion, a connecting portion astride the united portion of the developing container and the developer container and electrically connected near the united portion, and a connecting portion seal member configured and positioned to seal the connecting portion from the developer, said method comprising the step of:superposing a reseal member, having substantially the same cross section in the lengthwise direction thereof as the end portion seal members, on the end portion seal members and the connecting portion seal member to thereby seal a reunited portion of the developing container and the developer container at which the developing container and the developer container are reunited when the developing container and the developer container are reunited after being separated.
- 21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the reseal member has a sponge-like shape.
- 22. A method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of sealing the inner side portion of the developing container with respect to the connecting portion with the reseal member.
- 23. A method of remanufacturing a developing device used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the developing device having a developing frame configured and positioned to support a developing roller configured and positioned to develop an electrostatic latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developer containing frame united with the developing frame at a united portion by welding, an electrical contact disposed near the united portion of the developing frame and the developer containing frame, and an elastic seal member provided between the electrical contact and an opening portion of the developing frame, said method comprising the steps of:removing the elastic seal member when the developing frame and the developer containing frame are to be reunited after being separated from each other; and thereafter disposing elastic seal members on a lengthwise side portion of the united portion, and on the portion between the electrical contact and the opening portion of the developing frame.
- 24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the elastic seal members disposed on the lengthwise side portion of the united portion and on the portion between the electrical contact and the opening portion of the developing frame are integral with each other.
- 25. A method according to claim 23, wherein the elastic seal members are also disposed on the lengthwise end portion of the united portion, and wherein the elastic seal members disposed on the lengthwise end portion of the united portion, the lengthwise side portion of the united portion, and the portion between the electrical contact and the opening portion of the developing frame are integral with one another.
- 26. A method according to claim 23, further comprising the step of disposing the elastic seal members to surround the electrical contact.
- 27. A method of remanufacturing a process cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing roller configured and positioned to develop an electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing frame configured and positioned to support the developing roller, a developer containing frame united with the developing frame at a united portion by welding, an electrical contact disposed near the united portion of the developing frame and the developer containing frame, and an elastic seal member provided between the electrical contact and an opening portion of the developing frame, said method comprising the steps of:removing the elastic seal member when the developing frame and the developer containing frame are to be reunited after being separated from each other; and thereafter disposing elastic seal members on a lengthwise side portion of the united portion, and on the portion between the electrical contact and the opening portion of the developing frame.
- 28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the elastic seal members disposed on the lengthwise side portion of the united portion, and the portion between the electrical contact and the opening portion of the developing frame are integral with each other.
- 29. A method according to claim 27, wherein the elastic seal members are disposed on the lengthwise end portion of the united portion, and wherein the elastic seal members disposed on the lengthwise end portion of the united portion, the lengthwise side portion of the united portion and the portion between the electrical contact and the opening portion of the developing frame are integral with one another.
- 30. A method according to claim 27, further comprising the step of disposing the elastic seal members to surround the electrical contact.
Priority Claims (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2001-374207 |
Dec 2001 |
JP |
|
2001-394033 |
Dec 2001 |
JP |
|
2002-342057 |
Nov 2002 |
JP |
|
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Feb 1999 |
A |
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