JP2001290370A - Method for regenerating developing device and processing cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry out refilling of toner and resealing without disassembling a toner developer container, to provide easy assembly, to reduce the cost of resealing and to improve productivity. SOLUTION: In this device, toner leakage is prevented by wrapping a developing roller 10d with a sheet state sheet material 46 provided with elasticity. The positions where the sheet 46 is to be tucked in are; 'between a blowing out preventing sheet 12s2 and a developing roller 10d' and 'between a developing blade 10e and the developing roller 10d' widthwise and 'between magnetic seals 34 on both sides and the developing roller 10d' lengthwise. The sealing material 46 is pulled out from a laser opening part before starting use.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of reproducing an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a method of reproducing a process cartridge and a developing device. Here, examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, and the like), an electrophotographic facsimile, an electrophotographic word processor, and the like. As the process cartridge, charging means,
The developing means or the cleaning means and the image carrier are integrated into a cartridge, and this cartridge is made detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. Alternatively, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the image carrier are integrally formed as a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Further, it refers to a device in which at least the developing means and the image carrier are integrally formed as a cartridge so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. Here, the present invention is directed to a process cartridge having a developing unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used as an electronic device. A process cartridge system that can be attached to and detached from the photographic image forming apparatus main body is employed. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a serviceman, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

Such a process cartridge forms an image on a recording medium using a developer (toner). Therefore, the toner is consumed as the image is formed. When the toner is consumed to such an extent that an image of satisfactory quality cannot be formed for a user who has purchased the process cartridge, the commercial value of the process cartridge is lost.

[0004]

Heretofore, there has been a demand for a simple process cartridge reproduction method capable of re-commercializing a process cartridge having lost its commercial value due to consumption of toner. Similarly, it has been desired to realize a simple reproduction method even in a developing device detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for reproducing a process cartridge.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge reproducing method which can prevent toner from leaking out of the process cartridge when the process cartridge is carried or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to commercialize a process cartridge which has lost its commercial value as a process cartridge because toner has been consumed to such an extent that an image of satisfactory quality cannot be formed for a user. And a method of reproducing the process cartridge.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of reproducing a developing device in place of the above process cartridges.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a toner seal for reproduction in place of the conventional toner seal. Eliminates the step of cutting or breaking the welded part with the agent storage container, does not use a dedicated connecting member or a dedicated sealing material for reconnecting them, or does not deteriorate workability due to adhesion, workability at low cost To provide an excellent reproduction method.

The main features of the present invention will be described with the same reference numerals as in the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member which is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body.
(B) a developer accommodating section for accommodating a developer used by the developing roller to develop the electrostatic latent image; (c)
A developing frame that rotatably supports the developing roller via a bearing, (d) a developer layer thickness regulating member that contacts an elastic body to the developing roller, and regulates a layer thickness of the developer; A) a developing device which has magnetism and is attached to the developing frame so as to have a predetermined gap with the developing roller on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller to prevent a developer from leaking from a gap between the developing roller and the developing frame; A roller end sealing material, and (f) a thin plate member having elasticity, one end of which in the short direction is attached to the developing frame,
A longitudinal seal member whose other end is in contact with the developing roller to prevent a longitudinal gap between the developing roller and the developing frame; and a frame constituting the developer accommodating portion and the developing frame cannot be disassembled. (1) a developing roller removing step of removing the developing roller attached to the developer developing container, and (2) attaching the developing roller to the developer developing container. (3) a developer supply opening provided for supplying the developer stored in the developer storage section to the developing roller; And (4) a developer layer thickness regulating member attaching step in which a developer layer thickness regulating member is attached to the developer developing container. When attaching the developing roller to the developer developing container, a sheet material thicker than the gap between the developing roller and the developing roller end seal is placed between the developing roller and the developer layer thickness regulating member, the developing roller and A method of mounting a developing roller between the developing roller end seal material and between the developing roller and the longitudinal seal material.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member, (b) a developing roller, and (c) the developing roller comprises the electrostatic roller. A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer used for developing a latent image; (d) a developing frame for rotatably supporting the developing roller via a bearing; and (e) an elastic body for the developing roller. And a developer layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer, and (f) having a magnetic property and having a predetermined gap with the developing roller on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller. A developing roller end seal member attached to the developing frame to prevent leakage of the developing material from a gap between the developing roller and the developing frame; and (g) a thin plate member having elasticity, and one end in the short direction of the thin plate member is Attach to developing frame And a longitudinal seal member having the other end in contact with the developing roller to prevent a longitudinal gap between the developing roller and the developing frame. In a method for remanufacturing a process cartridge which is fixed so as not to be disassembled to form a developer developing container, (1) removing pins provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge, and A container separating step of separating a developer developing container having a supply opening, a developing roller and a developing blade, and a cleaning container having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and (2) developing attached to the separated developer developing container. A developing roller removing step of removing the roller, and (3) removing the developer layer thickness regulating member attached to the separated developer developing container. An image agent layer thickness regulating member removing step, and (4) filling the developer accommodating portion with the developer from a developer supply opening provided for supplying the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion to the developing roller. (5) attaching a developer layer thickness regulating member to the separated developer developing container, and (6) attaching a developing roller to the separated developing container. A sheet material thicker than the gap between the developing roller and the developing roller end seal between the developing roller and the developer layer thickness regulating member, between the developing roller and the developing roller end sealing material, and A developing roller attaching step of sandwiching the developing roller between the developing roller and the longitudinal sealing material, and (7) a container connecting step of inserting the pin to connect the developer developing container and the cleaning container. This is a method for reproducing a process cartridge having the following.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described, and then a method of assembling the process cartridge will be described. Finally, the steps of disassembling and reassembling the process cartridge and the assembled process cartridge will be described.

Here, the reproduction of the process cartridge is the same as a new process cartridge in that the process cartridge having used up toner is separated into a toner developing container and a cleaning container, and the toner developing container is partially disassembled. Means to assemble a process cartridge having a toner developing container having a partially different configuration.

{Overall Configuration} This electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) A is, as shown in FIG.
The optical system 1 irradiates a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member with information light based on image information to form a latent image on the photosensitive member, and develops the latent image to form a toner image. Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 is fed to the sheet feeding cassette 3a.
From the feed roller 3b and the press-contact member 3c pressed against the feed roller 3b.
d, recording is performed by applying a voltage to a transfer roller 4 serving as a transfer unit by conveying the toner image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor formed as a process cartridge B by conveying by a conveying unit 3 including a pair of registration rollers 3e and the like. The image is transferred onto the medium 2, and the recording medium 2 is transported to the fixing unit 5 by the transport belt 3 f. The fixing means 5 includes a driving roller 5a and a heater 5b, and a support 5c.
The fixing roller 5d is composed of a cylindrical sheet rotatably supported by the fixing member 5 and applies heat and pressure to the recording medium 2 passing therethrough to fix the transferred toner image. The recording medium 2 is conveyed by a pair of discharge rollers 3g and 3h, and is discharged to a discharge section 6 through a reverse conveyance path. The image forming apparatus A includes a manual feed tray 3i and a roller 3j.
This allows manual feeding.

(Process Cartridge) On the other hand, the process cartridge B has an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning means for cleaning toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member Etc. As shown in FIG. 5, the process cartridge B of the present embodiment
The electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7, which is a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer, is rotated, and a voltage is applied to a charging roller 8 as charging means to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, The charged photosensitive drum 7 is exposed to light image exposure from the optical system 1 through the opening 9 to form a latent image, and the latent image is developed by the developing means 10. I have.

The developing means 10 includes a toner storage section 10a.
The toner contained in the toner container is sent into the developing lower frame 12b through an opening 12i of a developing frame 12a in which the toner container 10a is formed into a developer container by means of a rotatable toner feeding member 10b1, which is a feeding means. Stirring member 10
The developing roller 10d, which is a developing rotator incorporating the fixed magnet 10c, is rotated by stirring at b2, and a toner layer provided with a triboelectric charge by the developing blade 10e is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10d. By transferring the toner image to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the latent image, a toner image is formed and a visible image is formed.

After a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image to the recording medium 2, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 11a, and the scraper sheet 11b The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning means 11 which is scooped and collected in the removed toner storage section 11c.

{Cartridge mounting means} Photoconductor drum 7
Each member such as is housed and supported in a cartridge frame body in which the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are connected, and is formed into a cartridge.

When the opening / closing member 15 is opened about the shaft 15a, a space for the cartridge mounting portion appears as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the cartridge mounting guide members 16 and 17 are provided on the left and right sides of the cartridge mounting means. Are arranged,
The guide of the process cartridge B including the boss 18 and the rib 19 is guided by being fitted into the guide groove between the mounting guide member 16 and the guide member 17, and the boss 18 is fitted into the concave portion 16c and the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body. 14 and is mounted.

{Structure of Cartridge Frame} Next, the structure of the cartridge frame will be described. This cartridge frame is formed by injection molding a polystyrene resin. As shown in FIG. 8, a developing lower frame 12b is welded to the side of the developing frame 12a, and a lid member 12c is welded to the upper portion. Thus, a toner developing container 12 is formed, and a cleaning container 13 is connected to the toner developing container 12.

The developing frame 12a has a toner supply opening 1
2a1 and a toner filling port 12a2 on one side in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of support members 12a3 are provided upright in the longitudinal direction inside the developing frame 12a.

When assembling the developing means, after assembling the toner feeding member 10b1 in the developing frame 12a,
The lid member 12c is welded to the developing container 12a. Next, a film-shaped toner seal 31 is welded to the seal attaching seat surface 12a5 formed around the toner supply opening 12a1 of the developing container 12, and the opening 12a1 is sealed. Next, after filling the toner from the toner filling port 12a2,
a2 is covered with a cap 32 to seal the toner storage section 10a. The toner seal 31 sealing the toner supply opening 12a1 is, as shown in FIG.
2a1 is folded back on one side in the longitudinal direction, and the free end side is drawn out through a slit 12a8 provided in the developing frame 12a. When the process cartridge B is used, the toner seal 31 is pulled out and removed at the free end.

Although not shown, both ends of a longitudinal end of a plane opposed to the seal attaching seat surface 12a5 around the toner supply opening 12a1 of the developing frame body 12a of the developing lower frame 12b are respectively made of, for example, felt. An elastic sealing material is stuck. The elastic seal material on the free end side of the toner seal 31 overlaps the toner seal 31. On the folded side of the toner seal 31, an elastic sealing material (not shown) comes into contact with the seal attaching seat surface 12a5 without overlapping the toner seal 31. After the toner seal 31 is applied, the lower developing frame 12b and the developing frame body 12a are ultrasonically welded linearly in the longitudinal direction above and below the toner supply opening 12a1. The elastic sealing material is ultrasonically heated together so that both ends overlap the ultrasonic welding portion. This elastic sealing material is compressed when the lower developing frame 12b is pressed against the developing frame 12a for ultrasonic welding.

With the above configuration, even if the toner seal 31 is pulled out, the toner does not leak out of the toner developing container 12 from the slit 12a8. A blowout prevention sheet 12s2 is attached to the jaw portion 12b1 of the developing lower frame 12b. The tip of the blowout prevention sheet 12s2 is pressed against the developing roller 10d so as to follow the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the developing roller 10d. The blowout prevention sheet 12s2 is provided up to a position where the end overlaps the magnetic seal 34 in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d.

Next, a lower developing frame 12b is welded to the side of the developing frame 12a, and a toner stirring member 10b2 is attached to the lower developing frame 12b. Further, a seal 35 made of urethane foam or the like is attached below the blade mounting seat surface 12a4 formed above the opening of the developing frame 12a, and the developing blade 10e is screwed to the blade mounting seat surface 12a4. The developing blade 10e is obtained by attaching an elastic blade 10e1 such as rubber to a blade sheet metal 10e2 having an L-shaped cross section. To attach the developing blade 10e to the blade mounting seat surface 12a4, a small screw 10e4 is screwed into the blade mounting seat surface 12a4 through holes 10e3 provided at both longitudinal ends of the blade sheet metal 10e2. A positioning hole 10e6 is provided at one end of the blade sheet metal 10e2 to be fitted into the positioning dowel 12a11 provided on the blade mounting seat surface 12a4, and a projection integrally formed on the blade mounting seat surface 10a4 at the other end. 12a1
2 is provided with a notch 10e5 which fits into FIG.
6). As described above, the blade sheet metal 10e2 presses the seal 35 to seal the gap between the developing blade 10e and the developing frame 12a.

Further, the bearings 33a and 44 are connected to the developing lower frame 12b.
Attach to Then, end seals 34 having magnetism are attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lower developing frame 12b. The end seal 34 seals between both ends of the developing roller 10d and the developing blade 10e and the lower developing frame 12b, and has an arc portion 34a along the developing roller 10d and a blade sheet metal 10e2.
And the straight portions 34b along the back surface at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The arc portion 34a has a predetermined gap for magnetically sealing the outer periphery of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d. Then, the developing roller 10d is supported by the bearings 33a and 44. The developing frame 12a is formed with an arc portion 12a6 as positioning means for fixing the bearings 33a and 44. When the bearings 33a and 44 are attached to the developing frame 12a, they are fixed to the arc portion 12a6. You. For this reason, the developing roller 10d supported by the bearings 33a and 44 is accurately attached to the developing frame 12a.

A link support member 36 is attached on one side in the longitudinal direction of the toner developing container 12 so as to cover the cap 32, and a driving force is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d on the other side. After assembling the gear train (not shown), a gear cover 37 is attached so as to cover the gear train. The gear cover 37 is provided with a positioning shaft 37a.
3a1 and the holes 12a7 of the developing frame 12a are inserted and positioned, and fixed to the developing frame 12a with screws or the like.

At one end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 12a, an arm portion 38 is integrally formed as a connecting portion. The gear cover 37 attached to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 12a is also connected to the connecting portion. (See FIG. 8).

Then, the toner developing container 12 in which the members constituting the developing means are assembled, and the cleaning container 13 in which the members constituting the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8 and the cleaning means 11 are assembled are connected to the arm section. 3
8 to form a process cartridge B.

{Combined Configuration of Toner Developing Container and Cleaning Container} Next, the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 1
3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the connection between the containers 12 and 13, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a connecting portion. In addition, both containers 1
The two 2 and 13 are rotatably connected via arm portions 38 on both sides in the longitudinal direction. However, since the left and right configurations are the same, only one side will be described here.

Toner developing container 12 and cleaning container 1
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a connecting member 39 for connecting the spring 3 is formed integrally with a spring mounting portion 39a and a cylindrical portion 39d, and a compression coil spring 40 is mounted on the spring mounting portion 39a. It is. The cylindrical portion 39d has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the compression coil spring 40 attached to the spring attachment portion 39a, and has a rib 39b on the head and two flanges 39c on the side. It is.

A concave portion 38a is formed on the top surface of the arm portion 38 of the toner developing container 12, and the concave portion 38a is rotatably connected to the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 as described later. It is provided so as to be located below the mounting hole 13a of the cleaning container 13 in the state. Further, a through hole 38b through which a pin 41 to be described later penetrates is formed at the tip of the arm portion 38.

On the other hand, the cleaning container 13 is provided with a mounting hole 13a for mounting the connecting member 39. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mounting hole 13a is formed by a cylindrical hole 13a1 slightly larger than the flange 39c and the cylindrical portion 39d of the coupling member 39, and a notch 13a2. A hole 13c through which the pin 41 passes is formed on the outer wall surface 13b of the cleaning container 13, and a hole 13e for press-fitting the pin 41 is formed on the inner wall surface 13d. Hole 13c and hole 1
Reference numeral 3e is coaxially provided in parallel with an axis connecting the central axes of the similar holes 13c and the holes 13e provided on the other longitudinal side of the cleaning container 13. Further, a rib 13f is provided on the back surface near the mounting hole 13a of the cleaning container 13.

In the above configuration, when the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are connected to each other, the arm 38 provided on the toner developing container 12 is connected to the concave portion 13h of the cleaning container 13 as shown in FIGS. Into the hole 13c provided in the cleaning container 13 with the pin 41.
Through the through hole 38b of the arm portion 38 in order and press fit into the hole 13e of the inner wall surface 13d. As a result, the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are
Are connected so as to be rotatable around the center. In this state, since the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d are not biased, it is possible to easily confirm the rotation state of both.

Next, as shown in FIG.
0 is dropped into the mounting hole 13a. At the time of dropping, the notch 13a2 of the mounting hole 13a is aligned with the flange 39c of the coupling member 39, and the tip of the compression coil spring 40 is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the concave portion 38a. And the upper surface of the flange 39c of the coupling member 39 is
3f, and the cylindrical portion 39d is attached to the mounting hole 13d.
a to the position guided by the cylindrical hole 13a1. The coupling member 3 against the spring force of the compression coil spring 40
9 is pushed in, the coupling member 39 is rotated 90 °,
When the pressing on the connecting member 39 is released, the connecting member 39 is pushed upward along the cylindrical hole 13a1 by the restoring force of the compression coil spring 40, and the flange 39c
In a state of being sandwiched by f, it stops at a position where it abuts against the lower surface of the edge of the mounting hole 13a.

Thus, the developing roller 10 attached to the toner developing container 12 by the urging of the compression coil spring 40
d is the photosensitive drum 7 attached to the cleaning container 13
, And the spacer rollers 10d1 attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d abut on the photosensitive drum 7 to position the developing roller 10d with respect to the photosensitive drum 7. At this time, the drum gear 51a (see FIGS. 19 and 20) fixed to the side end of the photosensitive drum 7 meshes with the developing roller gear 10f fixed to the side end of the developing roller 10d, so that the driving force can be transmitted.

{Reproduction of Process Cartridge} When the toner in the toner storage section 10a is used up, the process cartridge B is collected and reproduced as follows.

[Embodiment 1] (Separation process of toner developing container and cleaning container) The cylindrical portion 39d of the connecting member 39 is pushed toward the spring mounting hole 13a against the spring force of the compression coil spring 40, and the flange 39c is pressed. Is removed from the rib 13f downward, and the rib 39b is
When rotated, the flange 39c of the coupling member 39 coincides with the notch 13a2 of the mounting hole 13a of the cleaning container 13. Here, when the force pushing the connecting member 39 is removed, part or all of the connecting member 39 comes out of the spring mounting hole 13a by the spring force of the compression coil spring 40. Then, when the cylindrical portion 39d is picked up by hand and pulled up, the coupling member 39 is removed with the compression coil spring 40 attached.

As a result, there is no pressure between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d, and the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 can freely rotate about the pin 41.

Next, the pins 41 are removed. When removing the pin 41, if the pin 41 is exposed to the outside of the process cartridge B, the pin 41 is pulled out by sandwiching the pin 41 with a tool such as a plier.

Another method of removing the pin 41 is to press the pin 41 from the inside of the cleaning container 13 so that the pin 41 pressed into the hole 13e of the inner wall surface 13d moves outward. The pin 41 is in a state fitted in a part of the hole 13e. Alternatively, the pin 41 is pulled out of the hole 13e. Therefore,
A pin 41 is partly outward from the outer wall surface 13b of the cleaning container 13. When the pin 41 is pulled from the outside in this state, the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are separated.

Still another method of removing the pin 41 is to push the pin 41 from the outside of the process cartridge B toward the inside by overcoming the resistance of the pin 41 pressed into the hole 13e of the inner wall surface 13d. 41 passes through the hole 13c of the outer wall surface 13b, the through hole 38b of the arm 38 of the toner developing container 12, and the hole 13e of the inner wall surface 13d, and falls between the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13.

For removing the pin 41, any of the above can be adopted, but any of them requires a tool.

As described above, the pins 41 provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B are removed, and the toner developing container having the toner storing portion 10a, the toner supply opening 12a1, the developing roller 10d, and the developing blade 10e is removed. The container separation step for separating the cleaning container 13 having the photosensitive drum 7 from the cleaning container 13 is completed. FIG. 10 shows the separated toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13.
Shown in

(Removing Step of Developing Roller) The separated toner developing container 12 has a developing roller 10d and a developing blade 10e attached thereto as shown in FIGS.

First, the developing holder-shaped bearings 44 (see FIG. 12) and the gear cover 37 (see FIG. 13) fixed to both ends of the developing frame 12a in the longitudinal direction are removed. That is, the small screw 44a fixing the bearing 44 also serving as the magnet holder shown in FIG. 12 to the developing frame 12a is removed, and the bearing 44 also serving as the magnet holder is moved outward in the longitudinal direction.
Thereby, the bearing 44 supporting the developing roller 10d is provided.
Comes off the developing roller 10d. The bearing 44 as a magnet holder has a D-shaped hole 44b into which a D-cut shaft at the end of the magnet 10c is fitted to stop rotation of the magnet 10c.

The gear cover 37 shown in FIG.
The small screw 37b fixed to 2a is removed, and the gear cover 37 is pulled out. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the positioning shaft 37a of the gear cover 37 extends through the hole 33a1 of the bearing 33a and the hole 12a7 of the developing frame 12a. Thus, the gear cover 37 is removed from the developing frame 12a. Next, the developing roller gear 10f is pulled off from the shaft 10d2 of the developing roller 10d. The bearing 33a is pulled out from the end of the developing roller 10d. Thereby, the developing roller 10d is removed.

The toner developing container 1 thus separated
The developing roller removing step of removing the developing roller 10d attached to the second roller 2 is completed. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the developing roller 10d has been removed. The gear covered by the gear cover 37 in FIG.
Except for the gear 10g coaxial with b1, it is shown removed for inspection.

(Developing Blade Removal Step) After the developing roller 10d is removed, the developing blade 10e is removed. The developing blade 10e is the same as the developing blade 10e shown in FIG.
After the small screw 10e4 fixed to the blade is removed, the blade is moved away from the blade mounting seat surface 12a4 in a direction crossing the plate surface of the blade sheet metal 10e2.

The developing blade removing step of removing the developing blade 10e attached to the toner developing container 12 separated by the above steps is completed.

(Toner Filling Step) Next, the toner container 10
a is refilled with toner. This toner filling is performed by holding the toner developing container 12 with the toner supply opening 12a1 upward and the toner storage section 10a downward as shown in FIG.
Insert the tip of the funnel 47 into the toner supply opening 12a1,
The toner t is dropped from the toner bottle 48 into the funnel 47. If a fixed-amount supply device having an auger in the main body of the funnel is used, toner can be efficiently replenished.

With the above, the toner filling step of filling the toner from the toner supply opening 12a1 into the toner storage section 10a is completed.

(Developing Blade Attachment Step) The developing blade 10e removed earlier cleans the adhered toner by air blowing or the like at the same time as air suction.

Next, the developing blade 10e is inspected to determine whether it can be reused. As a result of the inspection, if the performance does not satisfy the predetermined standard, it is appropriately replaced with a new one.

As shown in FIG. 16, the blade sheet metal 10e2
The positioning hole 10e6 of the developing blade mounting seat surface 12a4.
And the notch 10e5 is fitted into the projection 12a12 of the developing frame 12a. Next, the small screw 10e4 is inserted through the hole of the blade sheet metal 10e2 and screwed into the developing blade mounting seat surface 12a4 to fix the developing blade 10e to the developing frame 12a.

The toner developing container 1 separated as described above
The developing blade attaching step of attaching the developing blade to 2 is completed.

(Developing Roller Attachment Step) The developing roller 10d removed earlier cleans the adhered toner by air blowing or the like simultaneously with air suction.

Next, the developing roller 10d is inspected to determine whether it can be reused. As a result of the inspection, if the performance does not satisfy the predetermined standard, it is appropriately replaced with a new one.

The developing roller 10d may be rubbed against the developing blade 10e and worn. Therefore, when there is a high probability that the replacement is statistically required during the study in the development process or at the time of reproduction, it is possible to improve the work efficiency by replacing with a new one at the time of reproduction without performing inspection.

Further, the inspection of the developing roller 10d includes the developing roller main body, the magnet 10c, the bearings 33a and 44, the spacer roller 10d1, the roller electrode (not shown), and the developing roller gear 1.
It decomposes into 0f and so on, and finds usable ones. Those that cannot be used are appropriately assembled using new ones.

The developing frame 12a and the lower developing frame 12b
Feeding members 10b1 rotatably supported by
Since a gear train (not shown) for driving the toner agitating member 10b2 has the gear cover 37 removed, these gear trains are also cleaned and inspected, and reassembled using a good product before the used or new developing roller 10d. . This gear train meshes with the developing roller gear 10f.

The procedure for mounting the developing roller 10d to the toner developing container 12 is as follows.

First, when assembling the developing unit again,
As shown in FIG. 16, the sheet material 46 is sandwiched so as to close the opening of the toner developing frame 12.

The sheet material 46 having elasticity is formed by
It is sandwiched between the developing roller 10d and the blowing prevention sheet 12s2, and between the developing roller 10c and the developing blade 10e. One end 46a of the sheet material 46 is incorporated so as to come out of the exposure opening 9 when the process cartridge B is assembled (see FIG. 18). The exposure opening 9 is located on the upper surface of the cartridge frame, and the edge 12c of the lid member 12c.
1 and an edge 13p of the cleaning container 13 (see FIG. 19). At this time, the developing roller 10
In the axial direction d, the sheet material 46 is incorporated so as to be sandwiched between the magnetic seal 34 having a magnetic force for preventing toner leakage and the developing roller 10d.

Here, the sheet material 46 having compressibility and having a thickness greater than the gap between the magnetic seal 34 and the developing roller 10d is used.

As described above, the developing roller 10d, the blowing prevention sheet 12s2, and the developing blade 1
0e, a sealing portion continuously surrounding each of the magnetic seals 34 is formed, and the toner in the toner developing container 12 is sealed.

The procedure for incorporating the developing roller 10d into the toner developing frame 12 is as follows. First, the bearing 44 is fitted into the developing frame 12a (see FIGS. 8 and 12). At this time, the shaft of one end of the magnet 10c is fitted into the D-shaped hole 44b, which is located outside the bearing hole in the longitudinal direction. The shaft at one end of the magnet 10c has the same shape and the same size as the D-shaped hole 44b. A bearing 44 serving also as a magnet holder is inserted through a small screw 44a shown in FIG. 12 and screwed into the developing frame 12a.
2a. Next, the journal at one end of the developing roller 10d is fitted into the bearing hole of the bearing 44. Then, the bearing 33a is fitted to the journal at the other end of the developing roller 10d at the end opposite to the bearing 44 in the longitudinal direction, and the bearing 33a is fitted to the developing frame 12a. Then, a developing roller gear 10f having a hole of the same shape and the same size is fitted into a D-shaped shaft portion provided following the journal at the other end of the journal of the developing roller 10d protruding outside the bearing 33a. Next, the positioning shaft 37a of the gear cover 37 is connected to the hole 33 of the bearing 33a.
a1 and a hole 12a7 provided in the end plate at the longitudinal end of the developing frame 12a. And the small screw 3 shown in FIG.
7b is passed through the gear cover 37 and screwed into the developing frame 12a. As a result, the gear cover 3 is attached to the developing frame 12a.
7. The bearings 33a and 44 are fixed and the toner developing container 12
Supports the developing roller 12.

With the above, the developing roller attaching step of attaching the developing roller 10d to the separated toner developing container 12 is completed.

FIG. 17 shows the toner developing container 12 to which the developing roller 10d is attached.

(Reproduction of Cleaning Container) When the toner developing container 12 is reproduced, the separated cleaning container 1
3 are reproduced. FIG. 19 shows a cleaning container 13 to which the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, and the cleaning blade 11a are attached. FIG. 20 shows a part where the photosensitive drum 7 is assembled to the cleaning container 13. FIG. 21 shows a configuration for supporting the charging roller 8 on the cleaning container 13.

As shown in FIG. 20, the photosensitive drum 7 is a hollow aluminum cylindrical drum cylinder 7 having a photosensitive layer on the outer periphery.
A flange 51 is fixed to one end of a, and a flange 52 is fixed to the other end by bonding, caulking, or the like. Flange 51
Has an integral drum gear 51a. The flange 52 integrally has a transfer roller driving gear 52a. Flange 5
A drum shaft 53 that penetrates the drum cylinder 7a that penetrates the first and the second 52
Both ends are fitted in the holes 13k and 13m of the cleaning container 13 and supported by the cleaning container 13. When the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 14, the drum gear 51 a meshes with the drive gear 22 of the image forming apparatus main body 14 shown in FIG. 7 and meshes with a gear (not shown) fixed to the transfer roller 4. When the coupling between the cleaning container 13 and the toner developing container 12 is completed, the drum gear 51a meshes with the developing roller gear 10f of the developing roller 10d.

As shown in FIG. 19, the charging roller 8 is formed by molding a medium-resistance rubber roller around a metal shaft 8a, and the shaft 8a protrudes from both ends.

As shown in FIG. 21, the shaft 8a of the charging roller 8
Is rotatably fitted to a charging roller bearing 8c which slides into a guide groove 13g substantially on a line connecting the charging roller 8 and the center of the photosensitive drum 7 provided in the cleaning container 13. A spring seat 13s at one end of the guide groove 13g;
The charging roller bearing 8c is urged toward the photosensitive drum 7 by a compression coil spring portion 8b contracted between the bearings 8c, so that the charging roller 8 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 7. The charging roller 8 is driven to rotate by the photosensitive drum 7. The compression coil spring 8b is held by a bearing 8c.

The charging roller 8 guides an electrode (not shown) in contact with the metal shaft 8 a to the outside of the process cartridge B, and connects an external contact portion of the electrode to a contact portion leading to a high-voltage power supply of the image forming apparatus main body 14. They are connected electrically.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning blade 11a is an elastic blade 1 which is in contact with the generatrix of the photosensitive drum 7.
1a1 is fixed to a blade sheet metal 11a2.
As shown in FIG. 19, in the cleaning blade 11a, the cuts 11a3 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the blade sheet metal 11a2 are fitted into the protrusions 13i of the cleaning container 13, and the small screws 11a4 are screwed into the cleaning container 13 through the holes of the blade sheet metal 11a2 and fixed. ing.

The removal of the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, and the photosensitive drum 7 from the cleaning container 13 will be described.

The photosensitive drum 7 penetrates through the center holes 51b and 52b of the flanges 51 and 52, and is press-fitted into a hole 13k in one end wall of the cleaning container 13.
Is pushed into the cleaning container 13. Then, the other end of the drum shaft 53 comes out of the hole 13 m at the other end of the cleaning container 13. Therefore, when the drum shaft 53 is pulled using a plier or the like, the photosensitive drum 7 is removed from the cleaning container 13.

When the photosensitive drum 7 is removed, the charging roller 8 is moved in parallel in the direction perpendicular to the axis to move the bearing 8c into the guide groove 1.
When it is moved along 3g and pulled out, the bearing 8c is removed together with the charging roller 8 from the guide groove 13g. Shaft 8a
Then, the compression coil spring 8b is removed. As described above, the cleaning blade 11a
An opening G (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 23) is formed almost entirely in the longitudinal direction between the sheet and the squeeze sheet 11b.

The removed photoreceptor drum 7, charging roller 8, and bearing 8c are inspected to determine whether they can be reused or not.
In places where it cannot be reused, use new ones. However,
Normally, the photosensitive drum 7 has a long life and can be used as it is in a state where the toner of the process cartridge B is used up.

As described above, the cleaning container 13 from which the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, the bearing 8c, and the like have been removed.
Remove the removal toner accumulated inside.

The cleaning of the toner stored in the removed toner storage section 11c of the cleaning container 13 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 22 shows a cleaning device for a cleaning container. In the cleaning device 70, the cleaning container 13 is set in a sealed housing 70 a, the cleaning device 13 is hit by an impact applying device 77 supported by a swing device 73, and the cleaning device 13 is removed by a suction device 79. Suction toner. Further, the cleaning device 13 is oscillated about the shaft 76b by the oscillating device 73.

FIG. 23 shows an air block 79 of the suction device 79.
FIG. The entire air block 79a is substantially hollow, and the contact surface 79g facing the opening G of the cleaning container 13 has a spout 79d and a suction port 7d.
Except for the portion 9e, the rubber-like sealing member 7 is almost entirely formed.
9b is attached. An air supply pipe 79c for blowing air into the cleaning container 13 is provided inside the air block 79a, and a jet port 79d of the air supply pipe 79c is provided.
Is open in the vicinity of the longitudinal end of the contact surface 79g. Further, inside the air block 79a, an intake pipe 7 is provided.
9f is provided, and a suction port 79e of the suction pipe 79f is provided near the other end of the contact surface 79g. The contact surface 79g having the ejection port 79d and the suction port 79e is conveyed in the direction of arrow K3 via a receiving base 72 described later, and adheres to the cleaning blade 11a and the squeeze sheet 11b of the cleaning container 13 disposed at the cleaning position M2. And it is comprised so that the opening G between both front-end | tips may be completely covered. This is indicated by a two-dot chain line near the opening G in FIG. 23, the seal area A1, the air inlet A2, and the air outlet A3.
Are the contact surface 79g, the spout 79d, and the suction port 79, respectively.
e. As described above, the suction device 79 moves the cleaning container 13 in close contact with the air block 79a.
The compressed air Q1 supplied from the proximal end side of the air supply pipe 79c is sent into the cleaning container 13 through the opening G from the ejection port 79d closely attached to the air inlet A2 (arrow Q).
2) After removing the removed toner in the cleaning container 13, the removed toner is sucked together with the air in the cleaning container 13 from the suction port 79e closely attached to the air discharge port A3 (arrow Q3). To the base end side (arrow Q4).

At this time, the removed toner leaked to the outside of the cleaning container 13 and the air block 79a is supplied through an atmosphere suction port 78 together with the atmosphere by an auxiliary suction device (not shown) as shown in FIG. I try to suck.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the cleaning device 70.
2 and a flow chart showing the flow of operation The method for cleaning the cleaning container 13 and the operation of the cleaning device 70 will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG. 24 and appropriately referring to FIG.

First, the operation of the cleaning device (vacuum cleaner) 70 is started (S1). Next, the cleaning container 13 to be cleaned is placed on the upper surface of the receiving table 72 arranged at the origin position M1.
(S2). When the cover 70b is closed (S3),
This is detected by the detection sensor (door switch) 70d (S
4), the air cylinder of the clamp device (not shown) is turned on (S5), and the upper surface of the cleaning container 13 is pressurized.

As a result, the cleaning container 13 is clamped at a predetermined position on the receiving table 72 (S6). The air cylinder 75 whose piston rod is directly connected to the pedestal 72 is turned on (S7), and the pedestal 7
2 moves on the slide base 71 from the origin position M1 to the cleaning position M2 in the swinging device 73 (S8), and the opening G of the cleaning container 13 is brought into close contact with the contact surface 79g of the suction device 79 (see FIG. 23). . The motor 77a is turned on (S
9), the impact applying device 77 is activated, and the pin 77b of the crank fixed to the shaft of the motor 77a swings the yoke 77c about the pin 77d supporting the yoke 77c. Striking is started on a point P (FIG. 23) on the upper surface of the cleaning container 13 by the convex member 77g fixed to the tip of the leaf spring arm 77e fixed to the yoke 77c (S1).
0). Thus, the removed toner attached to the inner wall of the cleaning container 13 is forcibly dropped, and the removed toner is easily moved. The rotary actuator 76 is activated (S11), and the pivot table 73a of the pivot device 73 pivotally supports the pivot table 73a.
6b (coupled to the shaft of the rotary actuator 76 by a pair of torsion gears (not shown)).
One reciprocation is performed between 0 degrees (S12). Here the swing table 73a
Is stopped by hitting stoppers 71a and 71b whose positions can be adjusted. Compressed air stop valve for suction device 79 (not shown)
Is opened (S13, S14), and the spout 79d (FIG. 23)
The compressed air is blown into the cleaning container 13 from the cleaning container 13 through the opening G through the opening G.
The inside air is sucked together with the removed toner from the suction port 79e through the opening G. This is continued for an appropriate time.

The rocking table 73a is rocked one reciprocation (S1).
5). The rotary actuator 76 is turned off (S1
6) After the horizontal position N1 of the swing table 73a is confirmed (S
17) The motor 77a is turned off (S18, S19),
The impact of the impact imparting device 77 on the cleaning container 13 ends. The compressed air stop valve is closed (S20, S2).
1) When the air cylinder 75 is urged in the return direction (S
22) The cradle 72 located at the cleaning position M2 is at the origin position M
It returns to 1 (S23). Then, a clamp air cylinder (not shown) is turned off (S24), and the clamp of the cleaning container 13 on the receiving table 72 is released (S24).
25). Subsequently, the cover 70b is opened (S26),
The cleaning container 13 is taken out of the housing 70a (S
27), the cleaning operation for the cleaning container 13 is completed.

In the above-described cleaning process, during the period from S9 to S18 in the flowchart of FIG.
7, the cleaning container 13 is continuously struck. In parallel with this, the cleaning container 13 is swung and the removed toner is sucked. Accordingly, the removed toner adhered to the inner wall of the cleaning container 13 is knocked down, smoothly moved toward the opening G, and the removed toner in the cleaning container 13 is appropriately raised by the compressed air blown out from the ejection port 79d. And suction is performed through the suction port 79e. By a series of these operations, it is possible to reliably remove the removed toner from the cleaning container 13 without leaving it.

The cleaning container 13 from which the toner has been removed is inserted through the blade metal plate 11a2 of the cleaning blade 11a, the small screw 11a4 screwed into the cleaning container 13 is removed, and the cleaning blade 11a is removed from the cleaning container 13. Next, the squeeze sheet 11b is peeled off from the cleaning container 13. Then, compressed air is blown into the cleaning container 13 while sucking the air in the cleaning container 13 for cleaning.
Thereafter, the notch 11a3 of the new cleaning blade 11a is aligned with the positioning protrusion 13i of the cleaning container 13.
The small screw 11a4 is screwed into the cleaning container 13 through the hole of the blade sheet metal 11a2.

Next, a charging roller 8 fitted with a bearing 8c having a compression coil spring 8b mounted on the shaft 8a is mounted. In this mounting, the bearing 8c is fitted into the guide groove 13g with the compression coil spring 8b placed first with respect to the guide groove 13g. Thereafter, the photosensitive drum 7 is fitted between the end walls at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning container 13 and the center holes 5 of the flanges 51 and 52 are fitted.
1b and 52b are aligned with the holes 13k and 13m in the end walls at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning container 13, respectively, and the drum shaft 53 is assembled by inserting the holes 13k, 51b, 52b and 13m. The drum shaft 53 and the holes 51b and 52b are in sliding contact with each other. That is, the photosensitive drum 7 unitized on the drum shaft 53 rotates freely.

(Coupling of Toner Developing Container and Cleaning Container) This is the same as the step of connecting a new toner developing container 12 and a cleaning container 13, and the description thereof will be referred to.

(Method of Starting Use by User) The developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 assembled in the above steps
Are assembled as a combined process cartridge.

In order for the user to start using the process cartridge, as shown in FIG.
Pulling one end 46a of the sealing member 46 protruding from the process cartridge, the sealing member 46 is removed from the process cartridge. At this time, it is desirable to make a knob 46a so that the sealing member 46 can be easily pulled out. By this operation, the developer is supplied to the developing roller 10d, and the developer becomes usable.

In the embodiment, the developing device in which the cleaning blade of the developing member as the developing means, the developing roller, and the toner are integrally formed in a toner developing container is the same.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a combination of a toner developing frame and a cleaning frame.

FIG. 2 is an internal cross-sectional view of a coupling portion between a toner developing frame and a cleaning frame.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing, in a partial cross section, a joint portion between a toner developing frame and a cleaning frame.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a right guide structure for guiding the mounting and dismounting of a process cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a left-side guide structure for guiding attachment and detachment of a process cartridge.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge frame.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a toner developing frame to which a toner seal is attached.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a process of separating the process cartridge.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the separated toner developing container viewed in the cartridge mounting direction.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which a developing roller is removed in a disassembling step of the toner developing container.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a step of filling the toner in the toner developing container.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a process of sandwiching the toner leakage sealing member.

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view after the toner leakage sealing member is sandwiched between developing rollers.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view when starting to use the reprocessed process cartridge.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cleaning container provided with a photosensitive drum and the like.

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view showing support of the photosensitive drum.

FIG. 21 is a front view illustrating attachment of a charging roller.

FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cleaning device for cleaning the removed toner.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a toner suction device.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a removed toner cleaning step.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: Image forming apparatus B: Process cartridge G: Opening t: Toner 1: Optical means (optical system) 2: Recording medium 3: Conveying means 3a: Cassette 3b: Pickup roller 3c: Press-contact member 3d: Conveying roller 3e: Registration roller Pair 3f Conveying belt 3g, 3h Discharge roller 3i Manual feed tray 3j Roller 4 Transfer roller 5 Fixing means 5a Driving roller 5b Heater 5c
... Support 5d ... Fixing rotary body 6 ... Ejector 7 ... Photoconductor drum 7a ... Drum cylinder 8 ... Charging roller 8a ... Shaft 8b ... Compression coil spring 8
c: charging roller bearing 9: exposure opening 10: developing means 10a: toner storage section 10b1: toner feeding member 10b2: toner stirring member 10c
Fixed magnet 10d Developing roller 10d1 Spacer roller 10d2 Shaft 10e Developing blade 10e1
Elastic blade 10e2 ... Blade sheet metal 10e3 ... Hole
10e4 ... Small screw 10e5 ... Cut 10e6 ... Positioning hole 10e7 ... Blade attaching part 10f ... Developing roller gear 10g ... Gear coaxial with the toner feed member 11 ... Cleaning means 11a ... Cleaning blade 11a1 ... Elastic blade 11a2 ... Blade sheet metal 11a3 ... Cut Reference numeral 11a4: Small screw 11b: Squeeze sheet 11c: Removed toner storage unit 12: Toner developing container 12a: Development frame 12a1
Toner supply opening 12a2 ... Toner filling port 12a3 ...
Support member 12a4 ... Blade mounting seat surface 12a5 ... Seal-attached seat surface 12a6 ... Circular portion 12a7 ... Hole 12
a8: slit 12a11: positioning dowel 12a12
... Projection 12a13 ... Flange 12a14 ... Wall surface 1
2b: developing lower frame 12b1: chin 12c: lid member
12c1 ... edge 12i ... opening 12s1 ... chin
12s2: blowout prevention sheet 13: cleaning container 13a: mounting hole 13a1
Cylindrical hole 13a2 Notch 13b Outside wall 13c Hole 13d Inner wall 13e Hole 13f Rib 13g Guide groove 13h Concave 13
i: Positioning protrusion 13k, 13m: Hole 13n: Transfer opening 13p: Edge
13s Spring seat 14 Device main body 15 Opening / closing member 15a Shaft 16 Guide member 16c recess 17 Guide member 18 Boss 19 Rib 31 Toner seal 32 Cap 33a Bearing 33a1 Hole 34 Magnetic seal 34a ... Arc part 34b ... Linear part 35 ... Seal 36 ... Link support member 37 ... Gear cover 37a ... Positioning shaft 37b ... Machine screw 38 ... Arm part 38a ... Recess 38b ... Through hole 38
c: wall surface 39: coupling member 39a: spring mounting portion 39b ... rib 39c: flange 39d: cylindrical portion 40: compression coil spring 41: pin 44: bearing 44a: small screw 44b: D-shaped hole 46: sheet material 46a: one end 47 ... funnel 48 ... toner bottle 51 ... flange 51a ... drum gear 51b ... center hole 52 ... flange 52a ... transfer roller drive gear 52b
... Center hole 53 ... Drum shaft 70 ... Cleaning device 70a ... Housing 70b ... Cover 70
d ... Detection sensor 71 ... Slide base 71a, 71b ... Stopper 72 ... Receiving table 73 ... Swing device 73a ... Swing table 75 ... Air cylinder 76 ... Rotary actuator 76b ... Shaft 77 ... Shock giving device 77a ... Motor 77b ... Pin
77c: yoke 77d: pin 77e: arm 77
g: Convex member 78: Atmospheric suction port 79: Suction device 79a: Air block 79b: Seal member 79c: Air supply pipe 79d: Spout port 79e: Suction port 79f: Intake pipe 79g: Close contact surface

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member that is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body, wherein (a) a developing roller and (b) the developing roller A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer used for developing an electro-latent image; (c) a developing frame rotatably supporting the developing roller via a bearing; A developer layer thickness regulating member which is in contact with a roller to regulate the layer thickness of the developer; and (e) has a magnetic property and has a predetermined gap with the developing roller on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller. A developing roller end seal member attached to the developing frame to prevent leakage of the developing material from a gap between the developing roller and the developing frame; and (f) a thin plate member having elasticity, one end of which in the short direction is provided. Attached to the developing frame, The other end contacts the developing roller,
A developer sealing container having a longitudinal sealing material for preventing a longitudinal gap between the developing roller and the developing frame, and a frame constituting the developer accommodating portion and the developing frame are fixed so as not to be disassembled. In the method of reproducing a developing device, (1) a developing roller removing step of removing a developing roller attached to a developer developing container, and (2) a developer layer thickness regulating member attached to the developer developing container is removed. Removing the developer layer thickness regulating member; (3)
A developer filling step of filling the developer accommodating portion with the developer from a developer supply opening provided for supplying the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion to the developing roller; (4)
A developer layer thickness regulating member attaching step of attaching the developer layer thickness regulating member to the developer developing container; and (5) a step of attaching the developing roller and the developing roller end seal when attaching the developing roller to the developer developing container. A sheet material thicker than a gap is sandwiched between the developing roller and the developer layer thickness regulating member, between the developing roller and the developing roller end sealing material, and between the developing roller and the longitudinal sealing material. A method for reproducing a developing device, comprising: a developing roller attaching step. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a part of the sheet material is exposed outside the developing device. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part of the sheet material is exposed from an exposure opening of the developing device.
Or the method for reproducing a developing device according to item 2. 4. A process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member, (b) a developing roller, and (c) the developing roller is used for developing the electrostatic latent image. A developer storage section for storing the developer,
(D) a developing frame that rotatably supports the developing roller via a bearing, and (e) a developer layer thickness regulating member that contacts an elastic body to the developing roller to regulate the layer thickness of the developer. (F) having a magnetism and being attached to the developing frame at a predetermined gap from the developing roller on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller, a developing material leaking from a gap between the developing roller and the developing frame; (G) a thin plate member having elasticity, one end of which in the short direction is attached to the developing frame, and the other end of which is in contact with the developing roller; A longitudinal seal member for preventing a longitudinal gap between the developing frame and the developing frame, wherein a frame forming the developer accommodating portion and the developing frame are fixed so as not to be disassembled to form a developer developing container. In the cartridge reproduction process,
(1) By removing pins provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge, a developer developing container having a developer storage section, a toner supply opening, a developing roller and a developing blade, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (2) a developing roller removing step for removing the developing roller attached to the separated developer developing container, and (3) a developing roller removing process for attaching to the separated developer developing container. A developer layer thickness regulating member removing step of removing the developer layer thickness regulating member, and (4)
A developer filling step of filling the developer accommodating portion with the developer from a developer supply opening provided for supplying the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion to the developing roller; (5)
A developer layer thickness regulating member attaching step of attaching the developer layer thickness regulating member to the separated developer developing container; and (6) the developing roller and the developing roller end portion when attaching the developing roller to the separated developing container. A sheet material thicker than the gap between the seal and the developing roller and the developer layer thickness regulating member, between the developing roller and the developing roller end sealing material, and between the developing roller and the longitudinal sealing material. A process cartridge re-production method comprising: a developing roller attaching step of interposing the developing roller between the developer developing containers; and (7) a container connecting step of inserting the pins to connect the developer developing container and the cleaning container. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein a part of the sheet material is exposed to the outside of the process cartridge. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein a part of the sheet member is exposed from an exposure opening of the process cartridge.