EP0507528A2 - Process cartridge and image forming system with it - Google Patents
Process cartridge and image forming system with it Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0507528A2 EP0507528A2 EP92302768A EP92302768A EP0507528A2 EP 0507528 A2 EP0507528 A2 EP 0507528A2 EP 92302768 A EP92302768 A EP 92302768A EP 92302768 A EP92302768 A EP 92302768A EP 0507528 A2 EP0507528 A2 EP 0507528A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- process cartridge
- image bearing
- bearing member
- image
- protection
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
- G03G21/1803—Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof
- G03G21/1828—Prevention of damage or soiling, e.g. mechanical abrasion
- G03G21/1832—Shielding members, shutter, e.g. light, heat shielding, prevention of toner scattering
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/1642—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements for connecting the different parts of the apparatus
- G03G21/1647—Mechanical connection means
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/1661—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements means for handling parts of the apparatus in the apparatus
- G03G21/1671—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements means for handling parts of the apparatus in the apparatus for the photosensitive element
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
- G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
- G03G2221/1606—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for the photosensitive element
- G03G2221/1609—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for the photosensitive element protective arrangements for preventing damage
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
- G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
- G03G2221/1651—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for connecting the different parts
- G03G2221/1654—Locks and means for positioning or alignment
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
- G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
- G03G2221/1651—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for connecting the different parts
- G03G2221/1657—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts for connecting the different parts transmitting mechanical drive power
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
- G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
- G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
- G03G2221/183—Process cartridge
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a process cartridge and an image forming system within which such process cartridge can be mounted.
- the image forming system may be an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer (LBP), a facsimile system, a word processor or the like.
- an image forming system having a removable process cartridge including a desired process means necessary for forming an image, thereby permitting the easy replacement of the cartridge due to the expiration of the service life of the cartridge or the like has been proposed (refer to U.S. Patent No. 3,985,436).
- a plurality of process cartridges having developer of different colors therein can be used to form a color image, and, thus, have high frequency in exchange, and, in some cases, the process cartridge alone is disposed outside the image forming system.
- the process cartridge is provided with a cover member for protecting the photosensitive member and shielding the interior of the cartridge from ambient light.
- the inventors invented the particularly effective techniques in this technical field and disclosed them in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,470,689 and 4,462,677.
- the present invention relates to the inprovement in the above invented techniques.
- Fig. 1 shows a process cartridge 3.
- a photosensitive drum 4 disposed in the process cartridge 3 is easily overcome by shock and frictional wear.
- a drum shutter 20 is provided at a transfer opening 3a of the cartridge 3 and the photosensitive drum 4 is protected by the drum shutter 20.
- the drum shutter 20 is shifted from a closed position to an open position (shown by the broken line 20a), thus permitting the transferring of an image formed on the photosensitive drum.
- the closed position of the drum shutter is limited or regulated by abutting a projection 20b of the drum shutter against an end 7a of a cleaner 7.
- the reference numeral 21 denotes a shutter arm.
- a width of the drum shutter 20 is long (for example, in a process cartridge 3 capable of forming an image on a sheet of A4 size, the width L is about 270 mm, and, in a process cartridge 3 capable of forming an image on a sheet of A3 size, the width L is about 350 mm).
- the drum shutter 20 is generally formed from the engineering plastics.
- a protection sheet as a drum guard 23 for protecting the drum is adhered to an inner surface of the drum shutter 20 to protect the drum.
- a protection sheet as a drum guard 23 for protecting the drum is adhered to an inner surface of the drum shutter 20 to protect the drum.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming system within which such process cartridge can be mounted which can maintain the image quality.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming system which can prevent an image bearing member from being damaged by a protection member for protecting the image bearing member.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming system wherein, even if a cover of a drum shutter is deformed by an operator's hand, an image bearing member such as a photosensitive drum is not contacted with the cover, thus protecting the image bearing member.
- the other object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming system which comprises a cover shiftable between a first position where it covers an exposed surface of an image bearing member and a second position where it is retarded from the first position, wherein, when the cover is positioned in the first position, the cover is abutted against a non-imaging area of the image bearing member (including a flange fixed to the image bearing member), thus regulating the position of the cover.
- the present invention is applicable to an image forming system such as an electrophotographic system, an electrostatic recording system and the like which utilizes electrophotographic technique and which can be embodied as an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer and the like.
- a laser beam printer 1 includes a process cartridge 3 removably mounted within a frame 2 of the printer.
- the process cartridge 3 has a frame 3a within which there are arranged a photosensitive drum 4 acting as an image bearing member, and a conventional process means comprising a charger 5, a developing device 6 (including a toner containing portion 6a and a developing sleeve 6b) and a cleaner 7 (including a cleaning blade 7a and a waste toner reservoir 7b) which are disposed around the photosensitive drum.
- the reference numerals 33a and 33b denote cartridge mounting means on which the process cartridge 3 can be mounted from a direction shown by the arrow A.
- a scanner unit 8 for illuminating a laser beam 8a on a photosensitive member 4a of the drum and scanning the drum, and a reflection mirror 9.
- the scanner unit 8 receives image information from an information processing system (not shown) such as a computer or a word processor and emits the laser beam 8a in correspondence to the information.
- a latent image corresponding the image information is formed on the drum.
- the latent image is developed by the developing device 6 to form a toner image.
- a sheet supply cassette 10 containing sheets (recording media) S therein.
- a sheet supply roller 11 is arranged above the sheet supply cassette 10. The sheet S contained in the sheet supply cassette 10 is supplied one by one by means of the sheet supply roller 11 to reach a pair of regist rollers 12 which in turn send the sheet between the photosensitive drum 4 and a transfer charger 13 in registration with the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 4.
- the toner image on the photosensitive drum 4 is transferred onto the sheet S at a transfer station.
- the sheet to which the image was transferred is sent, by a convey belt unit 14, to a fixing device 15 (including a heat roller 15a and a pressure roller 15b), where the toner image is permanently fixed to the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet is ejected out of the frame 2.
- the frame 3a of the cartridge has an exposure opening 3b and a transfer opening 3c and supports the photosensitive drum 4, developing device 6 and cleaner 7.
- the laser beam printer 1 there are two methods for ejecting the sheet S after the image formation, one of which is a method for ejecting the sheet S with face-up, i.e., with facing an imaged surface upside.
- the sheet S is sent by face-up ejector rollers 16 toward a face-up ejection tray 17.
- the other method for ejecting the sheet is a method for ejecting the sheet S with face-down, i.e., with facing the imaged surface downside at the page order.
- the sheet S fed from the face-up ejector rollers 16 is guided upwardly via a switching means 31 such as a flapper and a sheet guide member 32 to invert the sheet, and then is ejected onto a face-down ejection tray 19 via face-down ejector rollers 18.
- the switching means 31 may be automatically switched by the activation of a plunger (not shown) when an operator turns a switch button (not shown) ON or may be manually switched by manipulating a manual lever (not shown).
- the maintenance of the laser beam printer 1 according to the illustrated embodiment is effected from a direction shown by the arrow A after an upper portion 2a of the frame 2 is rotated upwardly with respect to a lower portion 2b around a pivot P to expose the interior of the printer.
- the process cartridge 3 is mounted on the upper portion 2a.
- Figs. 5A and 5B show the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the process cartridge and Fig. 5B is a side view of the cartridge.
- two ribs 20c are formed on an inner surface 20e of a drum shutter 20 as a cover (surface facing a photosensitive drum 4 when the shutter is in a closed position) near both ends thereof along a width thereof (i.e., along an opening/closing direction of the shutter), so that the ribs are abutted against the photosensitive drum (image bearing member) 4 when the shutter is closed.
- the position of the ribs 20c is so selected that they are abutted against non-imaging areas or non-photosensitive surfaces (cylindrical peripheral surfaces) 4b disposed on both ends of the drum, thus preventing the ribs from contacting with a photosensitive surface (imaging area) 4a of the drum.
- the ribs 20c are protruded from the drum shutter 20 toward the drum at areas out of the photosensitive surface or imaging area 4a.
- the ribs 20c have semi-cylindrical surfaces 20d adapted to be smoothly abutted against the photosensitive drum 4.
- the areas of the photosensitive drum 4 against which the ribs 20c are abutted are not limited to the non-photosensitive surfaces, but may be photosensitive surfaces on which an image is formed.
- the ribs 20c are protruded from the inner surface 20e of the drum shutter 20 by about 3 - 7 mm, preferably about 4 - 6 mm and most preferably about 5.5 mm.
- the height d of each rib 20c may be selected so that the height d becomes greater than the flexed amount ⁇ (d > ⁇ ).
- the ribs 20c on both ends of the drum shutter 20 are abutted against the non- photosensitive surfaces 4b, since such surfaces are out of the image forming area, if such surfaces are damaged, the image to be formed is not influenced upon such damage. Furthermore, the ribs 20c may be abutted against the portions of the photosensitive surface 4a so long as such portions are non-imaging areas. Also in this case, the image to be formed is not influenced badly.
- any protection sheet is not required, thus reducing the cost of the cartridge. Furthermore, since the drum shutter are directly positioned with respect to the photosensitive drum 4, the positioning accuracy of the drum shutter is improved, thus enhancing the protecting ability of the drum shutter 20 regarding the photosensitive drum 4.
- FIGs. 6A and 6B show a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the process cartridge and Fig. 6B is a side view of the cartridge.
- flanges 24a, 25a having drum gear portions 24, 25 are adhered to or pressfitted into an inner cylindrical surface of the sylinder 4b and each has an outer diameter sufficiently larger than on outer diameter of the photosensitive drum 4 and tip circles of the drum gear portions 24, 25. Outer surfaces of the flanges 24a, 25a are adapted to be abutted against an inner surface 20e of a drum shutter 20.
- the gear portion 24 serves to receive a driving force for driving the photosensitive drum 4 from the printer 1 and the gear portion 25 serves to drive the developing sleeve 6b and the like.
- such flanges 24a, 25a serves to prevent the toner adhered to the photosensitive drum 4 from scattering on and adhering to surfaces of teeth or grooves of the drum gear portions 24, 25, thus reducing the discrepancy in the gearing. Further, when any lublicant is applied to the gearing portions to obtain the smooth gearing, the flanges 24a, 25a can prevent the lublicant from flowing from the gear portions onto the photosensitive drum 4.
- the drum shutter 20 covers the exposed area (transfer area) of the photosensitive drum 4; whereas, when the process cartridge 3 is inserted into the printer, the drum shutter 20 is retarded from this position.
- the drum shutter 20 is integrally formed from high impact plastic resin such as polystyrol, and a thickness thereof is about 0.5 - 3 mm, preferably about 1 - 2 mm and most preferably about 1.5 mm.
- Figs. 7A and 7B show a condition that the process cartridge 3 is started to be inserted into the frame 2 of the printer, where Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the process cartridge and Fig. 7B is a side view of the cartridge.
- Figs. 8A and 8B show a condition that the process cartridge 3 is completely inserted into the frame 2 of the printer, where Fig. 8A is a perspective view of the process cartridge and Fig. 8B is a side view of the cartridge.
- the reference numeral 3b denotes an exposure opening through which the light corresponding to the image information is illuminated onto the photosensitive member 4a.
- the frame 3a of the process cartridge 3 is inserted from the position shown in Figs. 7A and 7B toward a direction shown by the arrow V.
- a projection 40c of a movable link 40 for releasing the drum shutter (protection member) 20 is abutted against a fixed member 41 formed on the frame 2 of the printer.
- the link 40 is rotated around a pivot 40a, with the result that the drum shutter 20 is opened while being guided by links 42a, 42b disposed on both sides of the shutter.
- the process cartridge 3 is mounted in a predetermined mounting position, the shutter 20 is maintained in the open condition in the vicinity of the frame 3a near the cleaner 7.
- the cartridge 3 when the cartridge 3 is dismounted from the frame 2 of the printer, the cartridge is drawn in a direction opposite to the direction V. Meanwhile, when the movable link 40 is disengaged from the fixed member 41, the drum shutter 20 is returned to the closed position covering the transfer opening 3b of the frame 3a, by a biasing force of a spring 43 disposed on the pivot 40a. In this position, the shutter 20 is maintained in the closed position by abutting a portion 40d of the movable link 40 against the frame 3a by the biasing force of the spring 43.
- the movable link 40 is rotatably mounted on the frame 3a via the pivot 40a, and the other end of the movable link is rotatably connected to a lateral edge 20f of the shutter 20 via a pin 40b.
- the links 42a, 42b are rotatably mounted at their one end 42c on the frame 3a, and are also rotatably connected at their other end 42d to the lateral edge 20f of the shutter 20.
- Fig. 9 As a side view. Incidentally, in Fig. 9, several positions of the drum shutter 20 transited from the closed position to the open position are also illustrated.
- the reference numeral 50 denotes a guide disposed outside the frame 3a for guiding the cartridge 3 in the mounting direction during the insertion of the cartridge.
- the movable link 40 has a "convex" shape so that it encircles a right half of the photosensitive drum 4 and is pivotally mounted on the frame 3a via the pivot 40a, and the end of the link is rotatably connected to a central portion of the lateral edge 20f of the shutter 20 via the pin 40b.
- the link 42a has an end portion bent at a right angle, and a distal end of the bent portion is rotatably connected to the lateral edge 20f of the shutter 20 at a corner 20g of the end thereof to be opened.
- the end 42c of this link is pivotally mounted on the frame 3a.
- the attachment end 42c of the link 42a is disposed between the photosensitive drum 4 and the pin 40a for the movable link 40c in the vertical direction. Further, in the horizontal direction, the end 42c is disposed on the frame 3a outside the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 4 and the pivot 40a for the movable link 40.
- the drum shutter 20 is opened along the proximity of the frame 3a near the cleaner 7.
- the opening/closing movement of the shutter 20 is effected along the proximity of the frame 3a, it is possible to further reduce the cartridge mounting space in the frame 2 of the printer in comparison with the conventional case.
- Figs. 10A and 10B are perspective view of the above-mentioned shutter 20 (Figs. 7, 8, 9).
- Fig. 10B is a perspective view of the shutter to which the links are attached.
- vertical projections 20h are formed on lateral edges of a cover portion 20a of the shtuter 20.
- Each projection 20h has a semi-cylindrical surface 201 which is adapted to be abutted against the drum 4, and a flat surface 20j.
- the flat surfaces 20j of the projections 20h are firstly abutted against the peripheral surface of the drum 4.
- the drum shutter 20 is molded from polystyrol resin similar to the frame 3a.
- the drum shutter 20, when closed, is positioned with respect to the peripheral surface of the drum 4 with high accuracy, and, thus, when the operator grasps the cartridge 3, even if the shutter 20 is flexed (normally, the shutter is subjected to the load of about 2 Kg), it is possible to prevent the surface of the photosensitive member 4a from being damaged by the flexed shutter 20. Further, when the shutter 20 is closed, since the projections 20h mate with the peripheral surface of the drum, the protection ability for the photosensitive member 4a can be further improved.
- the concrete dimension of the shutter will be described hereinbelow.
- the following example is a case where the shutter 20 is used with a process cartridge capable of recording an image on a sheet having A4 size:
- the process cartridges of the aforementioned embodiments had the charger, developing device and cleaner, as well as the photosensitive drum as the image bearing member
- the process cartridge according to this embodiment may have at least image bearing member, and preferably has at least one of a charger, developing device and cleaner. That is to say, the above-mentioned process cartridge incorporates therein an image bearing member (for example, electrophotographic photosensitive member and the like), and at least one of a charger means, developing means and cleaning means (as action means) as a unit which can be removably mounted within a image forming system.
- the process cartridge incorporates therein a charger means, developing means or cleaning means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as a unit which can be removably mounted within an image forming system (for example, a copying machine, laser beam printer or the like); or incorporates therein at least one of a charger means, developing means and cleaning means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as a unit which can be removably mounted within an image forming system (for example, a copying machine, laser beam printer or the like); or incorporates therein at least a developing means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as a unit which can be removably mounted within an image forming system (for example, a copying machine, laser beam printer or the like).
- the cover portion of the drum shutter for protecting the image bearing member such as the photosensitive drum is abutted against the non-imaging area of the photosensitive drum or the flanges formed on the photosensitive drum to position the former, even if the drum shutter is subjected to the excessive load, the image bearing surface of the photosensitive drum can be protected effectively.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
- Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)
- Discharging, Photosensitive Material Shape In Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a process cartridge and an image forming system within which such process cartridge can be mounted. The image forming system may be an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer (LBP), a facsimile system, a word processor or the like.
- In the past, an image forming system having a removable process cartridge including a desired process means necessary for forming an image, thereby permitting the easy replacement of the cartridge due to the expiration of the service life of the cartridge or the like has been proposed (refer to U.S. Patent No. 3,985,436). Further, a plurality of process cartridges having developer of different colors therein can be used to form a color image, and, thus, have high frequency in exchange, and, in some cases, the process cartridge alone is disposed outside the image forming system. Under the circumstances, it is necessary to prevent a photosensitive member from being smudged or damaged and to prevent the photosensitive member from being exposed to light (which leading to the deterioration of the photosensitive member). To this end, the process cartridge is provided with a cover member for protecting the photosensitive member and shielding the interior of the cartridge from ambient light.
- The inventors invented the particularly effective techniques in this technical field and disclosed them in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,470,689 and 4,462,677. The present invention relates to the inprovement in the above invented techniques.
- Now, the background art for the present invention that is, art of the process cartridge will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.
- Fig. 1 shows a
process cartridge 3. Aphotosensitive drum 4 disposed in theprocess cartridge 3 is easily overcome by shock and frictional wear. Thus, normally, adrum shutter 20 is provided at atransfer opening 3a of thecartridge 3 and thephotosensitive drum 4 is protected by thedrum shutter 20. Incidentally, when the cartridge is inserted into an image forming system, thedrum shutter 20 is shifted from a closed position to an open position (shown by thebroken line 20a), thus permitting the transferring of an image formed on the photosensitive drum. - The closed position of the drum shutter is limited or regulated by abutting a
projection 20b of the drum shutter against anend 7a of acleaner 7. Thereference numeral 21 denotes a shutter arm. - However, a width of the
drum shutter 20 is long (for example, in aprocess cartridge 3 capable of forming an image on a sheet of A4 size, the width L is about 270 mm, and, in aprocess cartridge 3 capable of forming an image on a sheet of A3 size, the width L is about 350 mm). Further, thedrum shutter 20 is generally formed from the engineering plastics. Thus, when thecartridge 3 is dismounted from theimage forming system 2, if an operator grasps theprocess cartridge 3 by his hand as shown in Fig. 2A, a central portion of theshutter 20 will be flexed as shown in Fig. 2B. Accordingly, it was feared that thedrum shutter 20 was contacted with the photosensitive drum 4 (Fig. 2B), thus damaging the latter. To avoid this, as shown in Fig. 3, it is considered that a protection sheet as adrum guard 23 for protecting the drum is adhered to an inner surface of thedrum shutter 20 to protect the drum. However, also in this case, it is difficult to completely prevent the damage of thephotosensitive drum 4 due to the contact between the drum and thedrum shutter 20. - An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming system within which such process cartridge can be mounted which can maintain the image quality.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming system which can prevent an image bearing member from being damaged by a protection member for protecting the image bearing member.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming system wherein, even if a cover of a drum shutter is deformed by an operator's hand, an image bearing member such as a photosensitive drum is not contacted with the cover, thus protecting the image bearing member.
- The other object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming system which comprises a cover shiftable between a first position where it covers an exposed surface of an image bearing member and a second position where it is retarded from the first position, wherein, when the cover is positioned in the first position, the cover is abutted against a non-imaging area of the image bearing member (including a flange fixed to the image bearing member), thus regulating the position of the cover.
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- Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a process cartridge for explaining the backgorund art for the present invention;
- Figs. 2A and 2B are views for explaining the background art for the present invention, where Fig. 2A is a side view of a process cartridge grasped by an operator's hand, and Fig. 2B shows a relation between a photosensitive member and a drum shutter;
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a drum shutter for explaining the background art for the present invention;
- Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view of a laser beam printer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 5A is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5B is a side view of the process cartridge;
- Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6B is a side view of the process cartridge;
- Figs. 7A and 7B are views showing a process cartridge according to the present invention in a condition that it is started to be inserted into an image forming system, where Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the process cartridge and Fig. 7B is an end view of the process cartridge;
- Figs. 8A and 8B are views showing the process cartridge in a condition after it is completely inserted into the image forming system, where Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the process cartridge and Fig. 7B is an end view of the process cartridge;
- Fig. 9 is a side view of the process cartridge for explaining the operation thereof; and
- Figs. 10A and 10B are perspective view of a drum shutter.
- The present invention is applicable to an image forming system such as an electrophotographic system, an electrostatic recording system and the like which utilizes electrophotographic technique and which can be embodied as an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer and the like.
- First of all, as an example of the image forming system, a compact laser beam printer using as an output device for an information processing system will be explained.
- As shown in Fig. 4, a
laser beam printer 1 includes aprocess cartridge 3 removably mounted within aframe 2 of the printer. Theprocess cartridge 3 has aframe 3a within which there are arranged aphotosensitive drum 4 acting as an image bearing member, and a conventional process means comprising acharger 5, a developing device 6 (including atoner containing portion 6a and a developingsleeve 6b) and a cleaner 7 (including acleaning blade 7a and awaste toner reservoir 7b) which are disposed around the photosensitive drum. Incidentally, thereference numerals process cartridge 3 can be mounted from a direction shown by the arrow A. Further, within theframe 2 of the printer at an upper portion thereof, there are arranged ascanner unit 8 for illuminating alaser beam 8a on aphotosensitive member 4a of the drum and scanning the drum, and areflection mirror 9. Thescanner unit 8 receives image information from an information processing system (not shown) such as a computer or a word processor and emits thelaser beam 8a in correspondence to the information. - When the
photosensitive drum 4 uniformly charged by thecharger 5 is illuminated by thelaser beam 8a, a latent image corresponding the image information is formed on the drum. The latent image is developed by the developingdevice 6 to form a toner image. Within a lower portion of theframe 2, there is disposed asheet supply cassette 10 containing sheets (recording media) S therein. A sheet supply roller 11 is arranged above thesheet supply cassette 10. The sheet S contained in thesheet supply cassette 10 is supplied one by one by means of the sheet supply roller 11 to reach a pair ofregist rollers 12 which in turn send the sheet between thephotosensitive drum 4 and atransfer charger 13 in registration with the toner image formed on thephotosensitive drum 4. Then, the toner image on thephotosensitive drum 4 is transferred onto the sheet S at a transfer station. The sheet to which the image was transferred is sent, by a conveybelt unit 14, to a fixing device 15 (including aheat roller 15a and apressure roller 15b), where the toner image is permanently fixed to the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet is ejected out of theframe 2. Incidentally, theframe 3a of the cartridge has anexposure opening 3b and atransfer opening 3c and supports thephotosensitive drum 4, developingdevice 6 andcleaner 7. - In the
laser beam printer 1 according to the illustrated embodiment, there are two methods for ejecting the sheet S after the image formation, one of which is a method for ejecting the sheet S with face-up, i.e., with facing an imaged surface upside. In this case, the sheet S is sent by face-upejector rollers 16 toward a face-upejection tray 17. The other method for ejecting the sheet is a method for ejecting the sheet S with face-down, i.e., with facing the imaged surface downside at the page order. In this case, the sheet S fed from the face-upejector rollers 16 is guided upwardly via a switching means 31 such as a flapper and asheet guide member 32 to invert the sheet, and then is ejected onto a face-downejection tray 19 via face-down ejector rollers 18. Incidentally, the switching means 31 may be automatically switched by the activation of a plunger (not shown) when an operator turns a switch button (not shown) ON or may be manually switched by manipulating a manual lever (not shown). - Further, the maintenance of the
laser beam printer 1 according to the illustrated embodiment (for example, the jam treatment or the replacement of the process cartridge) is effected from a direction shown by the arrow A after anupper portion 2a of theframe 2 is rotated upwardly with respect to alower portion 2b around a pivot P to expose the interior of the printer. Incidentally, theprocess cartridge 3 is mounted on theupper portion 2a. - Next, the process cartridge according a first embodiment will be explained. Incidentally, in the embodiment described hereinbelow, the constructural elements having the same functions as those in the aforementioned embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.
- Figs. 5A and 5B show the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the process cartridge and Fig. 5B is a side view of the cartridge.
- In this embodiment, two
ribs 20c are formed on aninner surface 20e of adrum shutter 20 as a cover (surface facing aphotosensitive drum 4 when the shutter is in a closed position) near both ends thereof along a width thereof (i.e., along an opening/closing direction of the shutter), so that the ribs are abutted against the photosensitive drum (image bearing member) 4 when the shutter is closed. In this case, the position of theribs 20c is so selected that they are abutted against non-imaging areas or non-photosensitive surfaces (cylindrical peripheral surfaces) 4b disposed on both ends of the drum, thus preventing the ribs from contacting with a photosensitive surface (imaging area) 4a of the drum. That is to say, according to this embodiment, theribs 20c are protruded from thedrum shutter 20 toward the drum at areas out of the photosensitive surface orimaging area 4a. Incidentally, theribs 20c havesemi-cylindrical surfaces 20d adapted to be smoothly abutted against thephotosensitive drum 4. Further, the areas of thephotosensitive drum 4 against which theribs 20c are abutted are not limited to the non-photosensitive surfaces, but may be photosensitive surfaces on which an image is formed. Furthermore, theribs 20c are protruded from theinner surface 20e of thedrum shutter 20 by about 3 - 7 mm, preferably about 4 - 6 mm and most preferably about 5.5 mm. - In Fig. 5B, when a flexed amount of the
process cartridge 3 at loading points (normally, load of about 2 Kg) generated by forces F due to the operator's grasp of theprocess cartridge 3 is δ, the height d of eachrib 20c may be selected so that the height d becomes greater than the flexed amount δ (d > δ). With this arrangement, even if thedrum shutter 20 is flexed, it does not contact with thephotosensitive surface 4a, thus preventing the damage of thephotosensitive surface 4a. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, although theribs 20c on both ends of thedrum shutter 20 are abutted against the non-photosensitive surfaces 4b, since such surfaces are out of the image forming area, if such surfaces are damaged, the image to be formed is not influenced upon such damage. Furthermore, theribs 20c may be abutted against the portions of thephotosensitive surface 4a so long as such portions are non-imaging areas. Also in this case, the image to be formed is not influenced badly. - Further, because of d > δ, any protection sheet is not required, thus reducing the cost of the cartridge. Furthermore, since the drum shutter are directly positioned with respect to the
photosensitive drum 4, the positioning accuracy of the drum shutter is improved, thus enhancing the protecting ability of thedrum shutter 20 regarding thephotosensitive drum 4. - Next, Figs. 6A and 6B show a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the process cartridge and Fig. 6B is a side view of the cartridge.
- In this embodiment,
flanges drum gear portions sylinder 4b and each has an outer diameter sufficiently larger than on outer diameter of thephotosensitive drum 4 and tip circles of thedrum gear portions flanges inner surface 20e of adrum shutter 20. In this case, when the height d1 of each flange is so selected to be greater than the above-mentioned flexed amount δ (d1> δ), it is possible to obtain the same technical effect as that of the first embodiment. Incidentally, for example, thegear portion 24 serves to receive a driving force for driving thephotosensitive drum 4 from theprinter 1 and thegear portion 25 serves to drive the developingsleeve 6b and the like. - Further,
such flanges photosensitive drum 4 from scattering on and adhering to surfaces of teeth or grooves of thedrum gear portions flanges photosensitive drum 4. - Incidentally, in the above-mentioned conditions shown in Figs. 5B and 6B, the
drum shutter 20 covers the exposed area (transfer area) of thephotosensitive drum 4; whereas, when theprocess cartridge 3 is inserted into the printer, thedrum shutter 20 is retarded from this position. - In this embodiment, the
drum shutter 20 is integrally formed from high impact plastic resin such as polystyrol, and a thickness thereof is about 0.5 - 3 mm, preferably about 1 - 2 mm and most preferably about 1.5 mm. - Next, an opening/closing mechanism for the
drum shutter 20 during the mounting and dismounting of theprocess cartridge 3 with respect to theframe 2 of the printer will be explained with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. Incidentally, Figs. 7A and 7B show a condition that theprocess cartridge 3 is started to be inserted into theframe 2 of the printer, where Fig. 7A is a perspective view of the process cartridge and Fig. 7B is a side view of the cartridge. Further, Figs. 8A and 8B show a condition that theprocess cartridge 3 is completely inserted into theframe 2 of the printer, where Fig. 8A is a perspective view of the process cartridge and Fig. 8B is a side view of the cartridge. Incidentally, thereference numeral 3b denotes an exposure opening through which the light corresponding to the image information is illuminated onto thephotosensitive member 4a. - First of all, the
frame 3a of theprocess cartridge 3 is inserted from the position shown in Figs. 7A and 7B toward a direction shown by the arrow V. As a result, aprojection 40c of amovable link 40 for releasing the drum shutter (protection member) 20 is abutted against a fixedmember 41 formed on theframe 2 of the printer. When theprocess cartridge 3 is further inserted into theframe 2, thelink 40 is rotated around apivot 40a, with the result that thedrum shutter 20 is opened while being guided bylinks process cartridge 3 is mounted in a predetermined mounting position, theshutter 20 is maintained in the open condition in the vicinity of theframe 3a near thecleaner 7. - On the other hand, when the
cartridge 3 is dismounted from theframe 2 of the printer, the cartridge is drawn in a direction opposite to the direction V. Meanwhile, when themovable link 40 is disengaged from the fixedmember 41, thedrum shutter 20 is returned to the closed position covering the transfer opening 3b of theframe 3a, by a biasing force of aspring 43 disposed on thepivot 40a. In this position, theshutter 20 is maintained in the closed position by abutting aportion 40d of themovable link 40 against theframe 3a by the biasing force of thespring 43. - Incidentally, in this embodiment, the
movable link 40 is rotatably mounted on theframe 3a via thepivot 40a, and the other end of the movable link is rotatably connected to alateral edge 20f of theshutter 20 via apin 40b. Further, thelinks end 42c on theframe 3a, and are also rotatably connected at theirother end 42d to thelateral edge 20f of theshutter 20. - Now, the details of the process cartridge are shown in Fig. 9 as a side view. Incidentally, in Fig. 9, several positions of the
drum shutter 20 transited from the closed position to the open position are also illustrated. Thereference numeral 50 denotes a guide disposed outside theframe 3a for guiding thecartridge 3 in the mounting direction during the insertion of the cartridge. - As clearly seen in Fig. 9, the
movable link 40 has a "convex" shape so that it encircles a right half of thephotosensitive drum 4 and is pivotally mounted on theframe 3a via thepivot 40a, and the end of the link is rotatably connected to a central portion of thelateral edge 20f of theshutter 20 via thepin 40b. On the other hand, thelink 42a has an end portion bent at a right angle, and a distal end of the bent portion is rotatably connected to thelateral edge 20f of theshutter 20 at acorner 20g of the end thereof to be opened. Theend 42c of this link is pivotally mounted on theframe 3a. Incidentally, theattachment end 42c of thelink 42a is disposed between thephotosensitive drum 4 and thepin 40a for themovable link 40c in the vertical direction. Further, in the horizontal direction, theend 42c is disposed on theframe 3a outside the peripheral surface of thephotosensitive drum 4 and thepivot 40a for themovable link 40. - By properly selecting the lengths of the
movable link 40 and thelinks drum shutter 20 is opened along the proximity of theframe 3a near thecleaner 7. Thus, in the process cartridge according to this embodiment, since the opening/closing movement of theshutter 20 is effected along the proximity of theframe 3a, it is possible to further reduce the cartridge mounting space in theframe 2 of the printer in comparison with the conventional case. - Figs. 10A and 10B are perspective view of the above-mentioned shutter 20 (Figs. 7, 8, 9). Incidentally, Fig. 10B is a perspective view of the shutter to which the links are attached.
- In the
shutter 20 according to this embodiment,vertical projections 20h are formed on lateral edges of acover portion 20a of theshtuter 20. Eachprojection 20h has asemi-cylindrical surface 201 which is adapted to be abutted against thedrum 4, and aflat surface 20j. In this embodiment, when theshutter 20 is shifted from the open position to the closed position, theflat surfaces 20j of theprojections 20h are firstly abutted against the peripheral surface of thedrum 4. Then, thesemi-cylindrical surfaces 20i of theprojections 20h reach the peripheral surface of thedrum 4 while being guided by theflat surfaces 20j, with the result that theshutter 20 is in the closed condition with thesemi-cylindrical surfaces 20j of the projections mated with the peripheral surface of thedrum 4. Now, thedrum shutter 20 is molded from polystyrol resin similar to theframe 3a. Accordingly, also in this embodiment, thedrum shutter 20, when closed, is positioned with respect to the peripheral surface of thedrum 4 with high accuracy, and, thus, when the operator grasps thecartridge 3, even if theshutter 20 is flexed (normally, the shutter is subjected to the load of about 2 Kg), it is possible to prevent the surface of thephotosensitive member 4a from being damaged by the flexedshutter 20. Further, when theshutter 20 is closed, since theprojections 20h mate with the peripheral surface of the drum, the protection ability for thephotosensitive member 4a can be further improved. -
- Incidentally, while the process cartridges of the aforementioned embodiments had the charger, developing device and cleaner, as well as the photosensitive drum as the image bearing member, the process cartridge according to this embodiment may have at least image bearing member, and preferably has at least one of a charger, developing device and cleaner. That is to say, the above-mentioned process cartridge incorporates therein an image bearing member (for example, electrophotographic photosensitive member and the like), and at least one of a charger means, developing means and cleaning means (as action means) as a unit which can be removably mounted within a image forming system. More specifically, the process cartridge incorporates therein a charger means, developing means or cleaning means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as a unit which can be removably mounted within an image forming system (for example, a copying machine, laser beam printer or the like); or incorporates therein at least one of a charger means, developing means and cleaning means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as a unit which can be removably mounted within an image forming system (for example, a copying machine, laser beam printer or the like); or incorporates therein at least a developing means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as a unit which can be removably mounted within an image forming system (for example, a copying machine, laser beam printer or the like).
- According to the above-mentioned embodiment, since the cover portion of the drum shutter for protecting the image bearing member such as the photosensitive drum is abutted against the non-imaging area of the photosensitive drum or the flanges formed on the photosensitive drum to position the former, even if the drum shutter is subjected to the excessive load, the image bearing surface of the photosensitive drum can be protected effectively.
- As mentioned above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a process cartridge which can form an image with high quality without damaging an image bearing member, an image forming sytem within which such process cartridge can removably be mounted.
Claims (38)
- A process cartridge removably mountable within an image forming system, comprising:
an image bearing member;
process means acting on said image bearing member;
a protection member shiftable between a protection position where said protection member protects said image bearing member and a retard position where said protection member is retarded from said protection position; and
abutment means formed on a surface of said protection member which can face said image bearing member, said abutment means being adapted to be abutted against a non-image forming area of said image bearing member. - A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said abutment means comprises a projection projecting toward said image bearing member more than a surface portion of said protection member which faces an image forming area of said image bearing member.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said abutment means comprises projections provided on both lateral sides of said protection member along an opening/closing direction of the latter.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said abutment means projects from an inner surface of said protection member by about 3 - 7 mm, preferably about 4 - 6 mm and most preferably about 5.5 mm.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said image bearing member comprises a cylinder and a photosensitive member disposed on a peripheral surface of said cylinder, and said abutment means is abutted against the peripheral surface portion of said cylinder which has no photosensitive member.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said image bearing member comprises a cylinder and a photosensitive member disposed on a peripheral surface of said cylinder, and said abutment means is abutted against a non-image forming area of said photosensitive member.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said protection member is formed from high impact plastic resin.
- A process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein said high impact plastic resin is polystyrol.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of said protection member is about 0.5 - 3 mm, preferably about 1 - 2 mm and most preferably about 1.5 mm.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said protection member is shiftably supported by a frame of the process cartridge via three arms.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said image bearing member is supported by a frame having a transfer opening for transferring a developed image on said image bearing member onto a recording medium, and said protection member covers said transfer opening when the former is in said protection position.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said protection member can be retarded toward a frame in which a cleaning means is disposed, by an arm pivotally mounted on said frame.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said image bearing member has an electrophotographic photosensitive member.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said process means includes developing means.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said process means includes charger means.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said process means includes cleaning means.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said process cartridge incorporates therein charger means, developing means or cleaning means as said process means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as said image bearing member as a unit which can be detachably mounted within said image forming system.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said process cartridge incorporates therein at least one of charger means, developing means or cleaning means as said process means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as said image bearing member as a unit which can be detachably mounted within said image forming system.
- A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said process cartridge incorporates therein at least developing means as said process means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as said image bearing member as a unit which can be detachably mounted within said image forming system.
- An image forming system for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising:
mounting means capable of mounting a process cartridge including an image bearing member, process means acting on said image bearing member, a protection member shiftable between a protection position where said protection member protects said image bearing member and a retard position where said protection member is retarded from said protection position, and abutment means formed on a surface of said protection member which can face said image bearing member, said abutment means being adapted to be abutted against a non-image forming area of said image bearing member; and
conveying means for conveying said recording medium. - An image forming system according to claim 20, wherein the image forming system is a laser beam printer.
- An image forming system according to claim 20, wherein the image forming system is an electrophotographic copying machine.
- A process cartridge removably mountable within an image forming system, comprising:
an image bearing member;
process means acting on said image bearing member;
a protection member shiftable between a protection position where said protection member protects said image bearing member and a retard position where said protection member is retarded from said protection position; and
abutment means formed on a non-image forming area of said image bearing member and adapted to be abutted against protection member. - A process cartridge according to claim 23, wherein said abutment means comprises a projection projecting toward said protection member more than an image forming area of said image bearing member.
- A process cartridge according to claim 23, wherein said abutment means comprises a flange having a drum gear and connected to a cylinder of said image bearing member.
- An image forming system for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising:
mounting means capable of mounting a process cartridge including an image bearing member, process means acting on said image bearing member, a protection member shiftable between a protection position where said protection member protects said image bearing member and a retard position where said protection member is retarded from said protection position, and abutment means formed on a non-image forming area of said image bearing member and adapted to be abutted against said protection member; and
conveying means for conveying said recording medium. - An image forming system according to claim 26, wherein the image forming system is a laser beam printer.
- An image forming system according to claim 26, wherein the image forming system is an electrophotographic copying machine.
- A process cartridge removably mountable within an image forming system and having at least an image bearing member, characterized by a cover shiftable between a first position where said cover covers an exposed portion of said image bearing member and a second position where said cover is retarded from said first position;
wherein a position of said cover is regulated by abutting said cover against a non-image area of said image bearing member when said cover is in said first position. - A process cartridge removably mountable within an image forming system and having at least an image bearing member, characterized by a cover shiftable between a first position where said cover covers an exposed portion of said image bearing member and a second position where said cover is retarded from said first position;
wherein a position of said cover is regulated by abutting said cover against a flange connected to said image bearing member when said cover is in said first position. - A process cartridge according to claim 30, wherein said flange has a gear portion for transmitting a driving force.
- A process cartridge according to claim 29, further including at least one of charger means, developing means and cleaning means which act on said image bearing member.
- A process cartridge according to claim 30, further including at least one of charger means, developing means and cleaning means which act on said image bearing member.
- A process cartridge according to claim 31, further including at least one of charger means, developing means and cleaning means which act on said image bearing member.
- A process cartridge for an image processing apparatus, the process cartridge having an image bearing member (4) and a movable cover (20) which in a first position covers the image bearing member, characterised by
support means (20c;24a,25a) for supporting the cover (20) intermediate its ends when it is in the first position, so as to tend to hold the cover (20) off an image bearing portion (4a) of the image bearing member (4) when the cover (20) is deformed by a force intermediate its ends. - A process cartridge according to claim 35 in which the support means (20c) are mounted on the cover (20).
- A process cartridge according to claim 35 in which the support means (24a,25a) are mounted on the image bearing member (4) but not on the said image bearing portion (4a).
- A process cartridge for an image bearing apparatus, the process cartridge having a movable cover (20), driving means (40) connected to the movable cover (20) so as to allow relative rotation therebetween and to drive the cover (20) from a closed position to an open position by abutment between the driving means (40) and a part (41) of the image bearing apparatus, and further means (42) for controlling the path of the cover (20) from the closed position to the open position.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP68484/91 | 1991-04-01 | ||
JP6848491 | 1991-04-01 | ||
JP62305/92 | 1992-03-18 | ||
JP06230592A JP3200139B2 (en) | 1991-04-01 | 1992-03-18 | Process cartridge and image forming apparatus mountable with the process cartridge |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0507528A2 true EP0507528A2 (en) | 1992-10-07 |
EP0507528A3 EP0507528A3 (en) | 1993-03-17 |
EP0507528B1 EP0507528B1 (en) | 1996-09-11 |
Family
ID=26403377
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP92302768A Expired - Lifetime EP0507528B1 (en) | 1991-04-01 | 1992-03-30 | Process cartridge and image forming system with it |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0507528B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3200139B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69213525T2 (en) |
HK (1) | HK121297A (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0736820A1 (en) * | 1995-04-03 | 1996-10-09 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Image forming apparatus |
EP0764893B1 (en) * | 1991-12-20 | 1999-07-28 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Process cartridge and image forming system |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE60319329T2 (en) | 2002-09-24 | 2009-03-12 | Ricoh Co., Ltd. | Protective closure for image carrier unit, and process unit and image forming apparatus using this image carrier unit |
JP2004170904A (en) | 2002-11-08 | 2004-06-17 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Image carrier unit and image forming apparatus |
US7039340B1 (en) * | 2002-12-13 | 2006-05-02 | Tonerhead, Inc. | Universal drum cover for xerographic device cartridges |
JP2006078840A (en) * | 2004-09-10 | 2006-03-23 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Worm gear unit and image forming apparatus |
JP5091543B2 (en) * | 2006-05-29 | 2012-12-05 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Detachable unit and image forming apparatus |
JP5754578B2 (en) * | 2010-03-08 | 2015-07-29 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Photosensitive unit of image forming apparatus |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3220538A1 (en) * | 1981-06-02 | 1982-12-23 | Canon K.K., Tokyo | IMAGE GENERATION DEVICE |
JPS6286370A (en) * | 1985-10-11 | 1987-04-20 | Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd | Image recording device |
EP0304314A2 (en) * | 1987-08-19 | 1989-02-22 | Xerox Corporation | Process unit for an imaging apparatus |
EP0351894A2 (en) * | 1986-05-28 | 1990-01-24 | Mita Industrial Co., Ltd. | Image-forming machine |
EP0389267A2 (en) * | 1989-03-24 | 1990-09-26 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Structure and method of mounting recording units in electrophotographic recording apparatus |
-
1992
- 1992-03-18 JP JP06230592A patent/JP3200139B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-03-30 DE DE1992613525 patent/DE69213525T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-03-30 EP EP92302768A patent/EP0507528B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1997
- 1997-06-26 HK HK121297A patent/HK121297A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3220538A1 (en) * | 1981-06-02 | 1982-12-23 | Canon K.K., Tokyo | IMAGE GENERATION DEVICE |
JPS6286370A (en) * | 1985-10-11 | 1987-04-20 | Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd | Image recording device |
EP0351894A2 (en) * | 1986-05-28 | 1990-01-24 | Mita Industrial Co., Ltd. | Image-forming machine |
EP0304314A2 (en) * | 1987-08-19 | 1989-02-22 | Xerox Corporation | Process unit for an imaging apparatus |
EP0389267A2 (en) * | 1989-03-24 | 1990-09-26 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Structure and method of mounting recording units in electrophotographic recording apparatus |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 11, no. 291 (P-618)19 September 1987 & JP-A-62 086 370 ( KONISHIROKU ) 20 April 1987 * |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0764893B1 (en) * | 1991-12-20 | 1999-07-28 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Process cartridge and image forming system |
EP0736820A1 (en) * | 1995-04-03 | 1996-10-09 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Image forming apparatus |
US5787326A (en) * | 1995-04-03 | 1998-07-28 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Image forming apparatus having a cover for protecting a transfer region of an intermediate transfer member when a door is opened |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69213525T2 (en) | 1997-02-06 |
DE69213525D1 (en) | 1996-10-17 |
JP3200139B2 (en) | 2001-08-20 |
EP0507528A3 (en) | 1993-03-17 |
EP0507528B1 (en) | 1996-09-11 |
HK121297A (en) | 1997-09-12 |
JPH0580600A (en) | 1993-04-02 |
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