1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge that is attached in a detachable manner to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a method of assembling a process cartridge, and a connecting member.
Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (such as a laser beam printer or an LED printer), a facsimile device and a word processor.
In addition, a process cartridge is a cartridge in which charging means, developing means or cleaning means is integrated with an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and which can be attached to or detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, for an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, a process cartridge system is adopted in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated as a cartridge, which is attached in a detachable manner to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. According to this process cartridge system, maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by a user without a service person, so that usability can be improved largely.
Such a process cartridge is used for forming an image on a recording medium utilizing a developer. Therefore, as images are formed, the developer is consumed. When the developer is consumed and it becomes impossible to form an image having a quality good enough to satisfy a user who bought a process cartridge, the process cartridge looses its value.
Conventionally, it is desired to realize a simple remanufacture method of a process cartridge that can remanufacture a process cartridge that lost its value as the developer was consumed. It is also desired to realize a simple assembling method of a process cartridge.
Therefore, as the conventional remanufacturing method and the assembling method of a process cartridge, there are methods described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,519,430 and 5,966,566. In these methods, for a cartridge having a structure in which a developer frame or a developing frame and a drum frame are connected in a rotatable manner, a pin or others that connects the both members is removed so as to explode a main body of the cartridge for remanufacture.
Another conventional method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 6-130740. In this method, the cartridge has plural frames that can be separated from each other. A developer frame and a developing frame are separated from each other for remanufacture and assembly.
An ultrasonic welding method is used for bonding frames that constitute a process cartridge. The ultrasonic welding method is also used for bonding the developing frame and the developer frame for containing the developer. A support frame for supporting a developing roller is attached to the developing frame in a movable manner (see U.S. patent application Publication No. 02-159788).
In addition, there is another conventional remanufacturing and assembling method of a process cartridge having a frame connection portion by a resin connection, in which a resin connection portion is cut off and then the frames are connected again using a spacer at the connection portion (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-18482).
Furthermore, there are other conventional methods for remanufacturing and assembling two parts on purpose of improving remanufacture property. One is a method of using a supporting member made of a resin for attaching a casing cover of an electronic apparatus as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-55015. Another method uses a bonding member made of an elastomer having a wave-like portion as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,445.
Furthermore, there is another conventional remanufacturing method for recycling a process cartridge, in which cleaning means is removed from the process cartridge and replaced with new one. First, screws that fix the cleaning means to a frame are removed, and then the cleaning means is removed. In addition, there is a remanufacturing and assembling method in which new cleaning means is fixed to a frame using screws (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,577,829 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-177651).
An object of the present invention is to provide a simple method for remanufacturing a process cartridge, a simple method for assembling a process cartridge, and a connecting member for the methods.
It is another object to provide a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge, in which a process cartridge that lost its value as developer was consumed can be used again as merchandise.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of remanufacturing a process cartridge that is detachably attachable to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the method including:
(a) a first cover removing step of removing a first cover member from a drum frame and one of a developing frame and a developer frame on one end side in a longitudinal direction of the process cartridge;
(b) a second cover removing step of removing a second cover member on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge;
(c) a frame separating step of separating one of the developing frame and the developer frame from the drum frame;
(d) a pin removing step of separating the developing frame from the first end cover by removing the pin;
(e) a developing roller removing step of removing the first end cover and the second end cover from the supporting frame to remove the developing roller;
(f) a developer refilling step of refilling a developer in a developer containing portion through a developer supply opening of the developer frame that is exposed by removing the developing roller from the supporting frame;
(g) a step of provisionally positioning the supporting frame on the developing frame;
(h) a developing roller fixing step of rotatably attaching the developing roller by attaching the first end cover and the second end cover to the supporting frame;
(i) a supporting frame attaching step of rotatably connecting the first end cover to the developing frame by attaching the fixing pin;
(j) a first frame connecting step of positioning and fixing a drum frame and one of the developing frame and a developer frame by the first cover member on one end side in a longitudinal direction thereof; and
(k) a second frame connecting step of positioning and fixing a drum frame and one of the developing frame and the developer frame by the second cover member on the other end side in the longitudinal direction thereof.
These 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.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings.
In the following description, a short side direction of a process cartridge C means the direction in which the cartridge C is attached to or removed from an apparatus main body 200. The short side direction is the same as the direction in which the recording medium is fed.
Furthermore, a longitudinal direction of the cartridge C is the direction crossing (substantially perpendicular to) the direction in which the cartridge C is attached to or removed from the apparatus main body 200. The longitudinal direction is parallel with a surface of a recording medium and is the direction crossing the feeding direction of the recording medium.
<Entire Structure of Image Forming Apparatus>
First, with reference to
On the other hand, in synchronization with formation of the toner image, the recording medium 4 set in a feeding cassette 6a is fed by a pick up roller 6b, a feeding guide 6c and a resist roller pair 6e. After that, the recording medium 4 passes through a nip portion between the photosensitive drum 10 and a transfer roller 3 to which a constant voltage is applied. On this occasion, the toner image that is formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred onto the recording medium 4. The recording medium 4 that received the transferred toner image is fed to a fixing means 5 by a feeding guide 6f. This fixing means 5 includes a fixing roller 5b that houses drive rollers 5c and 5a. Heat and pressure are applied to the recording medium 4 passing through another nip portion between the rollers 5b and 5c. In this way, the toner image is fixed on the recording medium 4. After that, the recording medium 4 is fed by a delivery roller pair 6i and is delivered to a delivery tray 7.
<Process Cartridge>
Next, the cartridge C will be described with reference to
In
The developing means supplies the toner in the developer frame 21 to the developing roller 20 by rotation of toner feeding members 23a and 23b. Then, the toner makes the developing roller 20 housing a stationary magnet 28 rotate and is charged with an friction electrostatic charge by a blade 29e that is formed integrally with the developing blade 29 or is bonded to the same. Then a toner layer having a controlled thickness is formed on the surface of the developing roller 20 by the blade 29e. The developing roller 20 keeps a clearance via a spacer runner 26 and is pressed to the photosensitive drum 10 by a biasing spring 32 (see
In
In
A voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 3 that is provided to the image forming apparatus main body so that the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred onto the recording medium 4. After that, residual toner on the photosensitive drum 10 is removed by the blade 14. The blade 14 scrapes the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 10 by the blade 14a that is provided so as to abut the photosensitive drum 10, and collects the toner in the waste toner container 12.
<Structure of Housing of Cartridge C>
Next, a structure of a housing of a cartridge C according to the embodiment will be described. The cartridge C shown in this embodiment includes the developing device unit A and the photosensitive unit B that are integrated as a unit. The developing device unit A includes the developer frame 21 and the developing frame 50 connected to each other and further includes the supporting frame 40 for supporting the developing blade 29 that is connected to the same. The photosensitive unit B includes a drum frame 13 housing the photosensitive drum 10, the charging roller 11, the cleaning blade 14 and others. This cartridge C is attached to a cartridge attachment means that are provided to the apparatus main body 200 in a detachable manner.
(Description of Developing Device Unit A)
As shown in
As shown in
At one end of the developing roller 20, there are provided a developing roller gear 72 for transmitting rotation drive power to the developing roller 20, a dropout stopper of the developing roller gear 72, and a fixing member 73 for determining a phase of the stationary magnet 28 housed in the developing roller 20. A toner regulating member 100 that scrapes the toner on the end of developing roller 20 forward the inner in the longitudinal direction is provided at each end of the developing blade 29 in the longitudinal direction.
In addition, a thin plate roller scraper 101 is provided between the developing blade 29 and the toner regulating member 100. The tip 101d of the scraper 101 abuts the runner 26. Thus, the roller scraper 101 scrapes the toner and dust sticking to the runner 26. Therefore, the scraper 101 can prevent a distance between the photosensitive drum 10 and the developing roller 20 from fluctuating.
A magnetic seal 60 is provided at both ends of the developing roller 20 in the longitudinal direction.
The developing frame 50 and the developer frame 21 are fixed by performing the welding of welding ribs 50e and 50f provided to upper and lower portions of an opening portion 50g of the developing frame 50 shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
(Description of Photosensitive Unit B)
With reference to
A method of supporting the photosensitive drum 10 includes fixing a drum bearing 30 to an end portion 13a of the drum frame 13 by a screw 99 in the state where an inner diameter portion 30a of the drum bearing 30 is engaged with the shaft portion 10a2 of the flange 10a in a rotatable manner at the right (drive input) side. This drum bearing 30 includes the inner diameter portion 30a and an outer diameter portion 30c having the same axis and protruding inwardly. This outer diameter portion 30c is engaged with a cut portion 13o having an arc shape provided to the drum frame 13. The cut portion 13o has a center angle sufficiently larger than 90 degrees. The width of an opening portion of the cut portion 13o is larger than the diameter of the shaft portion 10a2.
The coupling projection portion 10a1 has a shape like a twisted polygon column. When the cartridge C is attached to the apparatus main body 200, the coupling projection portion 10a1 engages a drive transmission member 503 having a shape like a twisted polygon hole 503a provided to the apparatus main body 200 shown in
Similarly at the left (non-drive input) side, the centering shaft 31 is fixed to a side portion 13b of the drum frame 13 by a screw 98 in the state where the centering shaft 31 is engaged with the inner diameter portion 10b1 of the flange 10b.
Next, a method of supporting the charging roller 11 will be described. A bearing guide 19 is provided to the inner wall 13d of the drum frame 13 (at two portions). The bearing 15 can move along the guide 19. In addition, the biasing member 82 is attached to a boss 15a of the bearing 15 at one end, and the other end is contacted with a bottom surface 13g of the drum frame 13. Accordingly, there is always a biasing force that is applied to the biasing member 82 toward the photosensitive drum 10. In addition, the bearing 15 does not drop from the bearing guide 19 owing to a stopper 19a of the guide 19. The charging roller 11 is supported by the drum frame 13 by attaching a core metal 8a to the bearing 15. The charging roller 11 abuts the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 by the biasing member 82. The biasing member 82 is a compressed coil spring.
As shown in
In addition, the blade 14 and the drum frame 13 have a rib 122a of the frame 122 covering a surface of a blade supporting portion 14b at the attachment side of the photosensitive drum 10 as shown in
These units A and B are positioned by a first cover member 80 and a second cover member 81 at both sides in the longitudinal direction as shown in
<Method of Assembling Developing Device Unit A>
A method of assembling partially the unit A to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described. First, a method of welding the developing frame 50 with the developer frame 21 will be described with reference to
As shown in
Next, a method of attaching the magnetic seal 60 to the developing blade 29 will be described. As shown in
(Process of Attaching Developing Blade)
As shown in
The scraper 101 is positioned when the positioning holes 101a and 101c engage the boss 40a and the rib 100c, respectively.
The developing blade 29, the regulating member 100, and the scraper 101 are fastened together to the supporting frame 40 by the same screw 95. The other end portion in the longitudinal direction (not shown) is also assembled in the same way.
(Process of Setting Supporting Frame)
Next, as shown in
(Process of Attaching Developing Roller)
Next, as shown in
In the process of attaching the developing roller, the boss 43c and the boss engaging the positioning hole 40h are engaged with positioning holes 60b (see
(Process of Connecting Supporting Frame)
Next, the swinging hole 47 that is provided to the swinging arm 46 of the end cover 42 and a fixing hole 56 that is provided to the swinging arm 55 of the developing frame 50 are connected to each other by using the fixing pin 83.
<Method of Assembling Cartridge C>
Next, as shown in
In the same way, a positioning pin 81a of the second cover member 81 with the unit A and a positioning hole 81b with the unit B are respectively engaged with the positioning hole 50b that is provided to the developing frame 50 and an centering shaft 31 of the photosensitive drum 10 of the unit B. Thus, the both units A and B are positioned. After that, the unit B and the cover member 81 are connected by a screw 97. The unit A and the cover member 81 are fixed by a resin bonding as follows.
As shown in
The molten resin 90 for connecting the cover member 81 and the unit A is injected from the injection opening 81d. The injected molten resin 90 passes the injection path 81e and reaches a downstream opening 81g. After that, the injected resin 90 forms a second connection portion 90b between the inner rim of the protruding portion 81f and the outer rim of the protruding portion 21d. As a result, the injected resin 90 becomes the state as shown in
By the above-mentioned process, the unit A and the unit B can be positioned relatively and are connected as a unit.
<Method of Remanufacturing Cartridge C>
Next, a method of disassembling and remanufacturing the cartridge C according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
(Process of Removing First and Second Covers)
As shown in
In the same way, a screw 97 is removed from the unit B at the other end of the cartridge C in the longitudinal direction. The resin bonding portion between the cover member 81 and the frame 21 is separated and removed from the unit A.
The method of separating the resin bonding portion is performed as shown in
(1) In one method, a force is applied to the cover member 81 in the direction indicated by the arrow Y (the direction indicated by the arrow Z in
(2) In another method, the resin bonding portion 81c of the cover member 81 is cut at a position of a broken line L (outside the protruding portion 81f) (see
(3) In still another method, the injection opening 81d of the cover member 81, the injection path 81e and the first connection portion 90a (the area surrounded by a broken line M in
However, the method is not limited to the above-mentioned three methods.
(Process of Separating Developer Frame 21 and Drum Frame 13)
In this way, the connection between the frames 21 and 13 is released by removing the cover members 80 and 81. Thus, the unit A is separated from the unit B. When the unit A is separated from the unit B, the remanufacture process that will be described below is facilitated.
Next, with reference to
(Process of Removing Pin)
First, the fixing pin 83 that connects the end cover 42 to the developing frame 50 in a rotatable manner is removed. Thus, the connection between the developing frame 50 and the end cover 42 is released. In addition, the fixing member 73 and the developing roller gear 72, which are positioned and fixed to the end cover 42, are removed.
(Process of Removing Developing Roller)
Next, a screw 92 that fastens the end cover 42 to the supporting frame 40 is removed. Furthermore, the end cover 42 is removed from the supporting frame 40 together with the bearing 27. In the same way, a screw 93 that fastens the end cover 43 to the supporting frame 40 is removed. In addition, the end cover 43 is removed from the supporting frame 40 together with the bearing 27.
In this way, the developing roller 20 can be removed by removing the end covers 42 and 43 from the supporting frame 40.
In this case, it is also possible to remove the developing roller 20 by removing only one of the end covers 42 and 43 from the supporting frame 40.
(Process of Removing Developing Blade and Toner Regulating Member)
Next, the process of removing the developing blade 29 from the supporting frame 40 will be described with reference to
After removing the developing roller 20, the screw 95 that fastens the developing blade 29, the scraper 101 and the regulation member 100 to the supporting frame 40 is removed. In the same way, the screw 95 is removed on the opposite side in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the developing blade 29 is removed together with the scraper 101 and the regulation member 100. In this way, it is possible to exchange parts when remanufacturing.
(Process of Removing Supporting Frame 40)
Next, the supporting frame 40, from which the blade 29 was removed, is removed from the developing frame 50 (see
(Process of Removing Developing Frame 50)
As described above, the developing frame 50 and the developer frame 21 are connected to each other by an ultrasonic welding or other methods. Therefore, the frames 21 and 50 cannot be separated easily. As show in
(Process of Refilling Developer)
Next, with reference to
First, residual toner in the developer frame 21 is cleaned by sucking it through the opening 51 or by air blowing. After that, the frame 21 is held in a posture so that the opening 51 is positioned at upper side and the frame 21 is down. The leading end of a funnel 501 is inserted in the opening 51 so that the toner T is poured from a toner bottle 502 into the funnel 501.
In this way, the toner is filled into the frame 21 through the opening 51.
After that, the opening 51 is sealed again with a new developer seal member. Thus, leak of toner through the opening 51 is prevented. The step of resealing the opening 51 is not always necessary, but it is possible to remanufacture without resealing.
In addition, the filling of the toner may be performed without removing the supporting frame 40 and the developing blade 29.
The above-mentioned step of filling toner is not limited to the method of filling toner through the opening 51. For example, as shown in
(Process of Attaching Developing Blade 29)
The developing blade 29 is assembled in the same step as the above-described (Process of attaching developing blade 29) of <Method of assembling developing device unit A>.
If the developing blade 29 that is reattached to the supporting frame 40 is not replaced with new one, it is possible to add the cleaning and inspection steps as follows.
The developing blade 29 is cleaned by removing sticking toner by using air suction and air blowing simultaneously before being attached to the supporting frame 40. After the cleaning, inspection is performed so as to decide whether or not it can be reused. If it can be reused, the blade 29 is attached to the frame 40. If the performance thereof is below a predetermined standard as a result of the inspection, it is replaced with new one as appropriate.
(Process of Attaching Developing Roller 20)
The developing roller 20 is assembled in the same step as the above-described (Process of installing supporting frame) and (Process of fixing developing roller) of <Method of assembling developing device unit A>.
The developing roller 20 can be worn out by rubbing with the developing blade 29. Therefore, if there is high probability in necessity of statistically replacing it upon remanufacture, it is efficiency to replace it with a new one without inspection when remanufacturing it.
However, in order to improve the remanufacture performance, if the developing roller 20 is not replaced with new one, it is possible to add the cleaning and inspection steps as follows.
The developing roller 20 is cleaned by removing sticking toner by using air suction and air blowing simultaneously. Next, inspection of the developing roller 20 is performed so as to decide whether or not it can be reused. If it can be reused, the developing roller 20 is attached to the frame 40. If the performance thereof is below a predetermined standard as a result of the inspection, it is replaced with new one.
The inspection of the developing roller 20 is performed for each member such as the main body, the stationary magnet 28, the bearing 27, the runner 26 and gear 72 of the developing roller 20, after disassembling. Then, members that can be reused are found, and members that cannot be reused may be replaced with new ones.
(Process of Connecting Supporting Frame)
The supporting frame is assembled in the same step as the above-described (Process of connecting supporting frame) of <Method of assembling developing device unit A>.
Next, a method of disassembling and remanufacturing the photosensitive unit B will be described.
A method of disassembling and remanufacturing the photosensitive unit B after the above-mentioned (Process of removing first and second covers) and (Process of separating developing frame and drum frame) will be described.
(Process of Removing Shaft 31)
As shown in
(Process of Removing Bearing 30)
In the same way, the screw 99 is removed from the right side portion 13a of the drum frame 13. Thus, the drum bearing 30 is removed from the drum frame 13. Either the step of removing the shaft 31 or the step of removing the bearing 30 can be performed first.
(Process of Removing Drum)
After removing the shaft 31 and the bearing 30 as described above, the photosensitive drum 10 can be removed in the direction crossing the longitudinal direction thereof.
When removing the photosensitive drum 10, it is possible to remove only the shaft 31 so that the drum 10 is removed from the frame 13. In this case, the steps can be shortened. On this occasion, the photosensitive drum 10 is removed by shifting the non-drive side first (see
By removing the photosensitive drum 10, it becomes possible to exchange the photosensitive drum 10 and to remove toner contained in the waste toner container 12 as being described later.
(Process of Removing Charging Roller 11)
Next, as shown in
(Process of Removing Blade 14)
As described above, the drum frame 13 in this embodiment includes the frames 121 and 122 that are integrated by ultrasonic welding. In addition, as shown in
Therefore, when removing the blade 14 from the drum frame 13, the rib 122a is cut off by using a tool 128 such as a cuter, an ultrasonic cutter or a milling cutter as shown in
By performing this process, the blade 14 can be removed from the drum frame. 13 easily and securely.
(Process of Removing Developer)
Furthermore, after removing the blade 14, toner is removed from the toner container 12. Since the blade 14 is removed, the opening 12a of the container 12 is large enough to remove the toner easily (see
In the step of removing the developer, the toner is removed from the container 12 by vacuum suction of the toner from the inside of the container 12 or by blowing the toner by compressed air. In addition, it is preferable to supply the compressed air into the container 12 and to perform the suction simultaneously so that the toner is not dispersed and is removed fast.
In the above description, a process of removing the charging roller 11 is omitted. In the step of removing the developer, the step of removing the charging roller 11 may be omitted.
(Process of Reassembling Photosensitive Unit B)
The photosensitive unit B is reassembled by attaching the cleaning blade 14, the charging roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 10 to the drum frame 13 in this order.
The blade 14 that passed the inspection is reused. If the blade 14 cannot be reused as a result of the inspection, a new one is used. As shown in
As shown in
By using the above-mentioned resealing method, a single material and a single step can be used for resealing. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced and the resealing can be performed by minimum man power. In addition, since the fluid material 125 is used, the tiny gap between the frame 13 and the blade 14 can be sealed securely. Thus, reliability can be improved.
Alternatively, as shown in
By utilizing the above-mentioned resealing method, a major part of the gap 124 can be sealed by the inexpensive adhesive tape 126. Thus, the used amount of the fluid material 125, which requires higher cost and more difficult management of a storage condition, a heating condition and vaporization than the adhesive tape 126, can be reduced. That is, by using both the inexpensive adhesive tape 126 and the fluid material 125 having high sealing performance, a low cost and high reliability of the sealing can be realized.
Alternatively, as shown in
By utilizing the above-mentioned resealing method, a major part of the gap 124 can be sealed by the inexpensive elastic material 127 such as a sponge. Thus, the used amount of the fluid material 125 can be reduced. That is, by using both the inexpensive elastic material 127 and the fluid material 125 having high sealing performance, a low cost and high reliability of the sealing can be realized.
Although the above-mentioned structures are desired, it is possible to use the adhesive tape 126 or the elastic material 127 to seal the entire area in the longitudinal direction.
Next, the core metal 8a of the charging roller 11 is engaged with the bearing 15. If the bearing 15 and the biasing member 82 are removed in the disassembling process, the biasing member 82 and the bearing 15 are engaged with a bearing guide 19 (not shown) of the inner wall 13d of the drum frame 13. Then, the core metal 8a of the charging roller 11 is engaged with the bearing 15.
(Process of Inserting Drum 10)
Next, as shown in
(Process of Attaching Drum 10)
The drum bearing 30 to be a bearing portion for supporting the shaft portion 10a2 that is provided to one end of the new photosensitive drum 10 is attached to one end of the drum frame 13 in the longitudinal direction by using a screw 99. In addition, the centering shaft 31 is attached to one end of the drum frame 13 in the longitudinal direction by using a screw 98.
If the photosensitive drum 10 was removed from the frame 13 by removing only the shaft 31, the drive side flange 10a of the new photosensitive drum 10 is inserted first in the inner diameter portion 30a of the drum bearing 30. Then, by shifting the non-drive side in the direction of the arrow (direction indicated by the arrow X) shown in
Next, the case where the toner supplying opening 51 is resealed by a new sealing member will be described. As described above, the reseal of the opening 51 is not always necessary.
When performing this reseal process, it is performed in accordance with the following (Process of resealing developer seal), (Process of resealing between developing frame and developer frame), and
(Process of Reconnecting Developing Frame with Developer Frame).
Next, the following description is made with reference to
(Process of Resealing Developer Seal)
As shown in
(Process of Resealing Between Developing Frame 50 and Developer Frame 21)
As shown in
Therefore, as shown in
In this way, it is possible to seal the entire periphery of the opening 51 by gluing the seal members 38 and 39. Further, as shown in
The elastic seal members 38, 39, 61, and 62 can be glued on the developer frame 21 in the same way as glued on the developing frame 50 for sealing. In addition, the elastic seal members 38, 39, 61 and 62 can be formed as one unit.
(Process of Reconnecting Developing Frame 50 with Developer Frame 21)
After that, the developing frame 50 is reconnected with the developer frame 21. A method of connecting the frames will be described as follows.
As shown in
As shown in
Among the above-mentioned connection methods, use of the clip made of the U-shaped spring provides a good property of assembling since it is performed only by pinching. However, if the connection portion does not have the flange shape as in the upper side of the frame 21 of this embodiment, the clip cannot be used. Therefore, by using the connecting member 64 thus structured, when connecting the frames 21 and 50 that do not take a flange shape, they can be assembled easily. That is, even if the connection portion of the frame 21 does not have a flange shape, the developing frame 50 can be connected to the developer frame 21 easily.
As described above, the method of remanufacturing the cartridge C, which includes the step of resealing the opening 51 includes the following steps.
The method of remanufacturing a process cartridge C that is detachably attachable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 200 includes:
(a) a first cover removing step of removing a first cover member 80 on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge C from a drum frame 13 and a developing frame 50 or a developer frame 21;
(b) a second cover removing step of removing a second cover member 81 on the other end side in the longitudinal direction;
(c) a frame separating step of separating the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21 from the drum frame 13;
(d) a fixing pin removing step of separating the developing frame 50 from the first end cover 42 by removing the fixing pin 83;
(e) a supporting frame removing step of removing the supporting frame 40 from the developing frame 50 by removing the first end cover 42 and the second end cover 43;
(f) a developing frame removing step of removing the developing frame 50 from the developer frame 21;
(g) a developer refilling step of refilling developer T in a developer containing portion 21x through a toner supplying opening 51;
(h) a resealing step of resealing the toner supplying opening 51 by the seal member 35 that can be ripped off;
(i) a reconnecting step of reconnecting the developing frame 50 and the developer frame 21 by the connecting member 110;
(j) a step of positioning provisionally the supporting frame 40 to the developing frame 50;
(k) a developing roller attaching step of attaching the first and the second end covers 42 and 43 to the supporting frame 40 and rotatably attaching the developing roller 20;
(l) a supporting frame attaching step of attaching a fixing pin 83 so that the first end cover 42 is rotatably connected to the developing frame 50;
(m) a first frame connecting step of positioning and fixing a drum frame 13 and the developing frame 50 or a developer frame 21 with the first cover member 80 on one end side in the longitudinal direction; and
(n) a second frame connecting step of positioning and fixing the drum frame 13 and the developing frame 50 or a developer frame 21 by the second cover member 81 on the other end side in the longitudinal direction.
In addition, in the step of connecting the developing frame 50 to the developer frame 21 by using a connecting member 110, a biasing member (the clip 64c) for biasing the developing frame 50 and the developer frame 21 to each other, and a biasing member (the spring portion 64b) for biasing the developing frame 50 to the developer frame 21 are provided.
Furthermore, the connecting member 110 includes the biasing member (the clip 64c) for biasing the developing frame 50 and the developer frame 21 to each other, and the biasing member (the spring portion 64b) for biasing the developing frame 50 to the developer frame 21, which are integrated into one unit.
In addition, the biasing member (the spring portion 64b) of the connecting member for biasing the developing frame 50 to the developer frame 21 is glued or fastened to either or both of the developing frame 50 and the developer frame 21.
A connecting member 64 for connecting a developing frame 50 and a developer frame 21 of a process cartridge C detachably attachable to a main body 200 of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge C including:
an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10;
a drum frame 13 for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10;
a developing roller 20 for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 by using the developer T;
a supporting frame 40 for attaching the first end cover 42 and the second end cover 43 that support the developing roller 20 in a rotatable manner;
the developing frame 50 for supporting the supporting frame 40 in a movable manner;
a fixing pin 83 for fixing the first end cover 42 to the developing frame 50 in a rotatable manner;
the developer frame 21 that has a developer containing portion 21x for containing the developer T and supplying the developer T to the developing roller 20 through a toner supplying opening 51 and is connected to the developing frame 50 via a first developing frame connection portion and a second developing frame connection portion opposed to each other with respect to the toner supplying opening 51, at least one of the first developing frame connection portion and the second developing frame connection portion not being in the flange shape;
a developer seal member 35 for sealing the toner supplying opening 51, which is detachable;
a first cover member 80 for positioning and fixing the drum frame 13 to the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21 at one end in the longitudinal direction; and
a second cover member 81 for positioning and fixing the frames 13, 21 and 50 at the other end in the longitudinal direction, in which the connection means 64 includes:
a biasing member (clip 64c) for biasing the developing frame 50 and the developer frame 21 to each other; and
a biasing member (spring portion 64b) for biasing the developing frame 50 to the developer frame 21.
In the connecting member 64, the biasing member (the clip 64c) for biasing the developing frame 50 and the developer frame 21 to each other and the biasing member (the spring portion 64b) for biasing the developing frame 50 to the developer frame 21 are integrated into one unit.
Moreover, the biasing member of the connecting member 64 for biasing the developing frame 50 and the developer frame 21 to each other is glued or fastened to one or both of the developing frame 50 and the developer frame 21.
According to the method of remanufacturing the cartridge C and the connecting member, the developing frame 50 can be connected to the developer frame 21 easily even if the connection portion of the developer frame 21 does not have a flange shape.
Next, a method of reassembling the cartridge C will be described.
(Process of Connecting Frames)
Finally, as shown in
In the same way, the positioning pin 81a of the cover member 81 with the unit A and the positioning hole 81b with the unit B are respectively engaged with the positioning hole 50b of the developing frame 50 and the centering shaft 31 of the photosensitive drum 10 of the unit B. Thus, positioning of both the units A and B is completed. After that, the unit B is connected to the cover member 81 by using the screw 97.
The unit A and the cover member 81 are connected at the separated resin bonding portions in the following connecting process.
(Process of Connecting Resin Bonding Portions)
Next, a method of connecting the separated resin bonding portions will be described with reference to
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the end surface 110c of the connecting member 110 is positioned by abutting against the cover member 81. In addition, the end surface 110d of the connecting member 110 is positioned by abutting against the frame 21. That is, the cover member 81 and the frame 21 are positioned according to the length of the connecting member 110. Therefore, the length of the connecting member 110 is defined so that the cover member 81 and the frame 21 become in positions similar to positions before disassembled. Such a structure for positioning is not always necessary for obtaining the effect of this embodiment. However, by adopting this structure, it is possible to realize easier positioning and connection.
In this way, when connecting the cover member 81 with the frame 21, the separated resin bonding portions can be connected easily without providing a step of gluing or a post-process. The material of the connecting member is not limited to a specified one but can be any material that can provide sufficient connection force for connecting the cover member 81 with the frame 21 in accordance with a shape and a size of the press fitting portion.
As described above, the cartridge C can be reassembled easily and securely.
(Modifications of Process of Connecting Resin Bonding Portion)
The connecting member for connecting the cover member 81 with the frame 21 can have following shapes in addition to the cylindrical shape as described above.
(1) As shown in
(2) A rib 112a is provided to the inner circumferential surface of a connecting member 112. When the cylindrical portions 81h and 21e are inserted, the rib 112a is crushed so as to generate a connection force. The material of the connecting member 112 may be a resin having an elastic property so that the rib 112a is crushed (see
(3) As shown in
According to the structure described above, the connection between the resin bonding portions can be performed easily and securely.
In this way, the cartridge C can be assembled again.
<Case Where Connectors are Provided>
There is the case where a memory tag as shown in
Hereinafter, rubbing of the tag will be described. Each of the contact points of the memory tag 160 in the connector 440 is provided with one or two metal electric contacts 442 that generate contact pressure by deforming elastically. In addition, an abutting portion 441 that abuts against a contact portion of the memory tag 160 is provided to each end in the longitudinal direction at a portion close to the contact 442. A lead wire is connected to the opposite side of the contact portion with the memory tag 160, and the other end of the lead wire is connected to a control portion of the main body (not shown).
The connector 440 is fixed to a connector holder 450 by a snap fit, a screw and others (not shown). In addition, as shown in
Next, connection of the connector 440 to the memory tag 160 in accordance with the operation of attaching the cartridge C to the apparatus main body 200 will be described.
Furthermore, a regulation abutting portion 113i at the right side of the cartridge C is disposed in a groove 113j that is an attachment guiding portion having a rib 113m as a wall member for opening and closing a shutter that is a laser beam shielding member (exposure light shielding member) of the apparatus main body 200 (see
That is, the end walls of the grove 113j, one of which is end wall 113k, are are also a positioning portion of the cartridge supporting member for positioning in the longitudinal direction of the connector 440 to the cartridge C. The fixed member (not shown) that is a rotation regulating member is also a main body cartridge attachment guiding portion for guiding the cartridge C in the direction crossing the insertion direction of the cartridge C.
Moreover, plural connector holder guides 113r having a shape of parallel ribs in the insertion direction of the cartridge C to the apparatus main body 20 are provided to a vicinity of each end portion in the longitudinal direction of the attachment portion of the tag 160 in the cartridge C. Then, the holder 450 is biased in the direction of the arrow Y by the spring (not shown) as described above. As shown in
The tag 160 stores used amount of the cartridge C at any time. The cartridge used amount that is stored in the tag 160 should be judged by the image forming apparatus main body without other special limitation. For example, it may store rotation time of each unit such as a photosensitive drum 10, the charging roller 11, or the developing roller 20, a bias application time to the charging roller 11, the developing roller 20 or others, a residual amount of the toner, the number of printed sheets, the number of dots of an image that is formed on the photosensitive member, an accumulated value of a laser irradiation time for exposing the photosensitive member, a thickness of the photosensitive member, and a combination value of used amount with weighting.
A method of assembling the above-mentioned cartridge C is as follows.
The method of assembling a process cartridge C that is detachably attachable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 200 is characterized by including:
(a) a developing blade attaching step of attaching a developing blade 29 for regulating developer T on a developing roller 20 to a supporting frame 40 after attaching a magnetic seal member 60 for preventing the developer from leaking at both ends of the developing roller 20 to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the supporting frame 40;
(b) a step of provisionally positioning and installing the supporting frame 40 onto a developing frame 50;
(c) a step of positioning the magnetic seal member 60 by a first end cover 42 and a second end cover 43 when attaching the first end cover 42 and the second end cover 43 to the supporting frame 40 to attach the developing roller 20 to the supporting frame 40, the first end cover 42 rotatably supporting one end of the developing roller 20, the second end cover 43 rotatably supporting the other end of the developing roller 20;
(d) a supporting frame attaching step of rotatably connecting the first end cover 42 to the developing frame 50 by attaching a fixing pin 83;
(e) a first frame connecting step of positioning and fixing a drum frame 13 and the developing frame 50 or a developer frame 21 by a first cover member 80 on one end side in the longitudinal direction; and
(f) a second frame connecting step of positioning and fixing the drum frame 13 and the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21 by a second cover member 81 on the other end side in the longitudinal direction.
Further, a method of remanufacturing the above-mentioned process cartridge C is as follows.
The method of remanufacturing a process cartridge C that is detachably attachable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 200 includes:
(a) a first cover removing step of removing a first cover member 80 on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge C from a drum frame 13 and a developing frame 50 or a developer frame 21;
(b) a second cover removing step of removing a second cover member 81 on the other end side in the longitudinal direction;
(c) a frame separating step of separating the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21 from the drum frame 13;
(d) a fixing pin removing step of separating the developing frame 50 from the first end cover 42 by removing the fixing pin 83;
(e) a developing roller removing step of removing the first end cover 42 and the second end cover 43 from the supporting frame 40 and removing the developing roller 20;
(f) a developer refilling step of refilling developer T in a developer containing portion 21x through a developer supply opening 51 of the developer frame 21 that is exposed when the developing roller 20 is removed from the supporting frame 40;
(g) a step of provisionally positioning the supporting frame 40 to the developing frame 50;
(h) a developing roller attaching step of attaching the first end cover 42 and the second end cover 43 to the supporting frame 40 and rotatably attaching the developing roller 20;
(i) a supporting frame attaching step of attaching a fixing pin 83 so that the first end cover 42 is rotatably connected to the developing frame 50;
(j) a first frame connecting step of positioning and fixing a drum frame 13 and the developing frame 50 or a developer frame 21 by the first cover member 80 on one end side in the longitudinal direction; and
(k) a second frame connecting step of positioning and fixing a drum frame 13 and the developing frame 50 or a developer frame 21 by the second cover member 81 on the other end side in the longitudinal direction.
The method of remanufacturing a process cartridge C further includes the steps as follows after the developing roller removing step:
(a) a developing blade and toner regulating member removing step of removing a screw 95 that is fastened at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade 29 for regulating the developer on the developing roller 20 so as to remove the one end in the longitudinal direction of developing blade 29 and a toner regulating member 100 that is attached to one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade 29 from the supporting frame 40, and of removing a screw that is fastened at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade 29 so as to remove the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade 29 and a toner regulating member 100 that is attached to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade 29 from the supporting frame 40;
(b) the developer refilling step including refilling developer T in a developer containing portion 21f through a developer supply opening 51 that is exposed when the developing roller 20, the developing blade 29, and the toner regulating member 100 are removed from the supporting frame 40;
(c) a developing blade positioning step of positioning the developing blade 29 to the supporting frame 40;
(d) a toner regulating member positioning step of positioning the toner regulating member 100 at one end or the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade 29 that is positioned to the supporting frame 40; and
(e) a developing blade and toner regulating member attaching step of fastening one end or the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade 29 together with the toner regulating member 100 to the supporting frame 40 by using a screw.
The method of remanufacturing a process cartridge C further includes the steps as follows after the developing roller removing step:
(a) a supporting frame removing step of removing the supporting frame 40 from the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21;
(b) the developer refilling step including refilling developer T in a developer containing portion 21f through a developer supply opening 51 that is exposed when the supporting frame 40 is removed from the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21; and
(c) a step of provisionally positioning and installing the supporting frame 40 onto the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21.
The method of remanufacturing a process cartridge C further includes a step of gluing a developer seal member 35 to the developer supply opening 51 after the developer refilling step.
The method of remanufacturing a process cartridge C that is detachably attachable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 200 includes:
(a) a first cover removing step of removing a first cover member 80 on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge C from a drum frame 13 and a developing frame 50 or a developer frame 21;
(b) a second cover removing step of removing a second cover member 81 on the other end side in the longitudinal direction;
(c) a frame separating step of separating the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21 from the drum frame 13;
(d) a shaft removing step of removing a shaft 31, which supports one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 and is at least provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame 13, from the drum frame 13;
(e) a drum removing step of shifting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 from the drum frame 13 to remove the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 from the drum frame 13;
(f) a developer removing step of removing developer T from a developer containing portion 12 that contains developer T that is removed from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 by a cleaning blade 14;
(g) a drum inserting step of inserting a new electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 into the drum frame 13 in the direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the drum 10, with a shaft portion 10a2 provided to one end of the drum 10 being inserted into a bearing portion 30 of the drum frame 13 when the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 is inserted into the drum frame 13;
(h) a drum attaching step of attaching a shaft 31 to one end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame 13 so as to support the other end of the new electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10;
(i) a first frame connecting step of positioning and fixing the drum frame 13 and the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21 by a first cover member 80 at one end in the longitudinal direction; and
(j) a second frame connecting step of positioning and fixing the drum frame 13 and the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21 by a second cover member 81 at the other end in the longitudinal direction.
The method of remanufacturing a process cartridge C further includes:
(a) a bearing portion removing step of removing a bearing portion 10a2, which supports the shaft portion 30 provided to one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 and is provided to one end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame 13, from the drum frame 13; and
(b) a bearing portion attaching step of attaching the bearing portion 30 to one end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame 13 so as to support the shaft portion 10a2 provided to one end of the new electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 in the drum attaching step.
The method of remanufacturing a process cartridge C further includes a cleaning blade removing step of removing the cleaning blade 14 from the drum frame 13.
Further, in the method, the developer removing step includes removing the developer from the removed developer containing portion 12 that contains developer removed from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 by a cleaning blade 14 after removing the cleaning blade 14.
In addition, the second cover member 81 and the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21 are connected to each other by injecting a molten resin 90 into the resin bonding portion 81c that is provided to the second cover member 81 and the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21, and
the second frame connecting process includes:
(a) a step of press-fitting the first press fitting portion 110a of the connecting member 110 having the first press fitting portion 110a and the second press fitting portion 110b to fit in the resin bonding portion 81c of the second cover member 81 for fixing; and
(b) a step of press-fitting the second press fitting portion 110b of the connecting member 110 to fit in the resin bonding portion 81c of the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21.
Moreover, in the above-mentioned method of remanufacturing the process cartridge, if the memory tag 160 that stores information about the process cartridge C is provided to the process cartridge C, the memory tag 160 is exchanged if necessary.
The method of remanufacturing a process cartridge C that is detachable attachable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body 200 includes:
(a) a first cover removing step of removing a first cover member 80 at one end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge C from a drum frame 13 and a developing frame 50 or a developer frame 21;
(b) a second cover removing step of removing a second cover member 81 at the other end in the longitudinal direction;
(c) a frame separating step of separating the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21 from the drum frame 13;
(d) a shaft removing step of removing a shaft 31 that supports one end of an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 and is at least provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame 13 from the drum frame 13;
(e) a drum removing step of removing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 from the drum frame 13;
(f) a step of removing a rib of the drum frame 13 that is arranged on a surface of a cleaning blade 14 facing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10;
(g) a step of removing the cleaning blade 14 from the drum frame 13 after removing the rib;
(h) a developer removing step of removing a developer from a developer containing portion 12 that contains the developer that is removed from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 by the cleaning blade 14 after removing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10;
(i) a step of sealing between the cleaning blade 14 and the drum frame 13;
(j) a step of attaching the cleaning blade 14 to the drum frame 13;
(k) a drum inserting step of inserting a new electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 into the drum frame 13 in the direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10, with a shaft portion 10a2 provided to one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 being inserted into a bearing portion 30 of the drum frame 13 when the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 is inserted into the drum frame 13;
(l) a drum attaching step of attaching a shaft 31 to one end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame 13 so as to support the other end of the new electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10;
(m) a first frame connecting step of positioning and fixing the drum frame 13 and the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21 by a first cover member 80 at one end in the longitudinal direction; and
(n) a second frame connecting step of positioning and fixing the drum frame 13 and the developing frame 50 or the developer frame 21 by a second cover member 81 at the other end in the longitudinal direction.
The method of remanufacturing a process cartridge C further includes:
(a) a bearing portion removing step of removing a bearing portion 30, which supports the shaft portion 10a2 provided to one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 and is provided to one end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame 13, from the drum frame 13; and
(b) a bearing portion attaching step of attaching the bearing portion 30 to one end in the longitudinal direction of the drum frame 13 so as to support the shaft portion 10a2 provided to one end of the new electrophotographic photosensitive drum 10 in the drum attaching step.
Further, in the method, the sealing between the cleaning blade 14 and the drum frame 13 is performed by injecting a fluid material 125.
Further, in the method, the sealing between the cleaning blade 14 and the drum frame 13 is performed by gluing an adhesive tape 126.
Further, in the method, the sealing between the cleaning blade 14 and the drum frame 13 is performed by disposing a sponge member 127 between the cleaning blade 14 and the drum frame 13.
In addition, the operation for seal between the cleaning blade 14 and the drum frame 13 includes injection of the fluid material 125 in both ends in the longitudinal direction.
In the above-described embodiment of the assembling method and the remanufacturing method, an example of a process cartridge is described in which the unit A and the cover member 81 are fixed to each other by utilizing a bonding process with the molten resin. However, without being bound to this method, other bonding methods such as welding or caulking may be adopted.
Furthermore, although the method of fixing with a screw for portions except for the portion bonded with the molten resin has been described, any other methods including welding and caulking can be adopted as long as plural parts can be fixed.
Furthermore, each process in the remanufacturing method of the present invention is not limited to the steps in the described order, but the order can be changed if necessary.
The present invention includes any cases as described below.
(1) The case where only parts removed from one process cartridge are used for remanufacturing a process cartridge.
(2) The case where if there is a part that cannot be reused because the service life expires or it is damaged in the case (1), a new part or a part removed from another cartridge is used for remanufacturing a process cartridge.
(3) The case where parts removed from plural process cartridges are provisionally collected for each type of the part before remanufacturing a process cartridge. Then, a necessary part is selected from the collected parts for each type and is reused for remanufacturing a process cartridge.
(4) The case where if there is a part that cannot be reused because the service life expires or it is damaged in the case (3), a new part is used for remanufacturing a process cartridge.
Furthermore, the part means a structure described in the following claims, i.e., a part that constitutes a certain portion of the cartridge. It also includes the case where it is a minimum unit or a unit that can be disassembled.
As described above, according to the present invention, simple methods for assembling and remanufacturing a process cartridge can be realized.
While the invention has been described with reference 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.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2002-325327 | Nov 2002 | JP | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5294960 | Nomura et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5543898 | Shishido et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5623328 | Tsuda et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5749027 | Ikemoto et al. | May 1998 | A |
5828928 | Sasago et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5966566 | Odagawa et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
6519430 | Higeta et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6574445 | Higeta et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6577829 | Higeta et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6658224 | Yokoi et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6754460 | Lewis et al. | Jun 2004 | B1 |
20010041080 | Higeta et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020028087 | Higeta et al. | Mar 2002 | A1 |
20020131791 | Yokoi et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020159788 | Miyabe et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20030108358 | Yokoi et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030113131 | Watanabe et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030161657 | Yokoi et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
6-130740 | May 1994 | JP |
2000-55015 | Feb 2000 | JP |
2001-18482 | Jan 2001 | JP |
2003-177651 | Jun 2003 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20040136746 A1 | Jul 2004 | US |