Method of remanufacturing process cartridge and developing device

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6735405
  • Patent Number
    6,735,405
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, December 3, 2002
    21 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 11, 2004
    20 years ago
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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