JP2005031391A - Edge member, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a toner seal drawing-out member provided on an end member from falling owing to vibration, a fall, etc., during transportation in a package state, for example, when a process cartridge is loaded in an image forming apparatus body. <P>SOLUTION: A recessed part in which a grip member can be stored when folded toward an end member (pre-folding) is formed in the end member, and an engagement part which can temporarily stop the grip member is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an end member used in a process cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is the main body of the image forming apparatus. A process cartridge system that can be attached and detached is employed. According to this process cartridge system, since the apparatus can be maintained by the user himself / herself without depending on the service person, the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.
[0003]
Such a process cartridge includes a toner frame (developer container) for containing toner used for developing a latent image (electrostatic latent image) formed on a photosensitive drum, and a latent image on the photosensitive drum. And a developing unit having a developing frame (developing container) for supporting a developing means for developing with toner. In the case of the process cartridge, the developing unit has a toner seal member for preventing the toner in the toner frame from entering the developing frame side, and the user connects to the toner seal member before using the process cartridge. After the handle member of the toner frame is separated from the toner frame and the toner seal member is peeled off, the process cartridge is mounted in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
[0004]
On the other hand, as a packing form in transportation of the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge, the image forming apparatus main body and the process cartridge are packed in separate boxes, or the process cartridge is not attached to the image forming apparatus main body and the same box. There is a form of packing.
[0005]
Further, in order to improve transport efficiency (space and the like), a method of packing and transporting a process cartridge in a state where the process cartridge is mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus is used.
[0006]
Here, there is a form of a process cartridge in which a handle member is connected to the toner seal member so as to improve operability in peeling off the toner seal. In this case, the handle member is dropped in the transportation mode. Subject to various external forces such as vibration. Therefore, as a method of reducing the external force applied to the process cartridge, there has been proposed a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus that constitute a handle member receiving surface in which a gradient is provided in an opening for pulling out a toner seal member into which a handle member is inserted. Open 2000-131943).
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention is a further development of the above-described prior art. The main object of the present invention is to shorten the longitudinal dimension of the process cartridge. Further, even when an external force is applied to the process cartridge, the handle member is not applied with an external force. To provide a process cartridge in which members do not separate.
[0008]
Another main purpose is that the handle member for improving the operability in peeling off the toner seal member is dropped or vibrated during transportation when the process cartridge is packed or mounted on the image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge that is not separated by an external force due to the above, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge can be attached and detached.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The main present invention is
An electrophotographic photoreceptor;
Developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer used for development of the developing means;
A developer passage opening through which the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion passes when supplied to the developing means;
A sealing member that seals the developer passage opening in an openable manner;
An end member for use in a process cartridge having
A grip member connected to one end in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member for gripping when opening the sealing member;
A notch portion for bending the handle member so as not to be separated from the end member at a constant site at all times,
When the handle member is bent at the notch, the end member has a recess formed so as to surround the periphery of the handle member.
[0010]
In addition, the other main present invention is
A process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body,
An electrophotographic photoreceptor;
Developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer used for development of the developing means;
A developer passage opening through which the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion passes when supplied to the developing means;
A sealing member that seals the developer passage opening in an openable manner;
An end member for use in a process cartridge having
A grip member connected to one end in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member for gripping when opening the sealing member;
A notch portion for bending the handle member so as not to be separated from the end member at a constant site at all times,
A process cartridge having an end member having a recess formed so as to surround the periphery of the handle member when the handle member is bent at the notch.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
【Example】
Hereinafter, a developing unit, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be attached and detached will be described with reference to the drawings.
In this embodiment, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member using an electrophotographic image forming process and a process cartridge that is detachably mounted on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are illustrated. . The process cartridge includes a developing unit.
[0012]
In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is a direction (substantially orthogonal direction) intersecting with a direction in which the process cartridge is attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It intersects (substantially orthogonal) with the direction. Further, the upper surface of the process cartridge is a surface located above in a state where the process cartridge is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, and the lower surface is a surface located below.
[0013]
(Overall description of electrophotographic image forming apparatus)
First, the overall configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a laser printer loaded with a process cartridge which is an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the process cartridge, and FIG. 3 is an external view of the process cartridge. 4 is an explanatory view showing a guide for inserting the process cartridge into the image forming apparatus main body, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a toner seal configuration in the toner supply opening of the developing device frame, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a bending structure of the handle part, FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an overview of the end member, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing another form of the end member. It is.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus A in the present embodiment irradiates a laser light image based on image information from an optical system 1 to form a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum). A developer (toner t) image is formed on 7. In synchronism with the formation of the developer image (toner image), the recording material 2 as a recording medium such as recording paper or an OHP sheet is composed of a cassette 3a, a pickup roller 3b, a conveying roller 3c, a registration roller 3d, and the like. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 in the image forming unit which is transported by the transport unit 3 and formed into a cartridge as the process cartridge B is applied with a voltage to the transfer roller 4 serving as the transfer unit, thereby recording the recording material 2. The recording material 2 is guided by the guide plate 3 e and conveyed to the fixing unit 5. The fixing unit 5 includes a driving roller 5a and a fixing roller 5c having a built-in heater 5b. The fixing unit 5 conveys the recording material 2 passing therethrough by a pair of discharge rollers 3f and 3g, and discharges it to a discharge unit 6 through a reverse conveyance path. It is configured as follows. The image forming apparatus A can also manually feed paper by a manual tray and a roller (not shown).
[0016]
(Process cartridge configuration)
On the other hand, the process cartridge B constituting the image forming section includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. There are cleaning means for removing and cleaning.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge B of the present embodiment rotates a photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer and uniformly charges the surface thereof by a charging roller 8 as a charging unit. The light image from the optical system 1 is exposed to the photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure opening 9 of the cleaning frame 13 to form an electrostatic latent image, and the toner regulation of the developing means 10 of the developing frame 15 is controlled. A uniform toner layer is formed on the developing sleeve 10c by the member (developing blade) 18, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 according to the latent image, thereby forming a toner image corresponding to the latent image. Visualize. After the toner image is transferred to the recording material 2 by the transfer means 4, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning blade 11a of the cleaning means 11 and collected in the removed toner reservoir 11b. Yes. The process cartridge B includes a toner frame (developer container) 12 as a first frame having a toner storage portion 12a and the like, a developing frame (development container) 15 as a second frame, and a toner frame. A developing unit u composed of an end member 81 (see FIG. 3) fixed to the longitudinal end portions of the body 12 and the developing frame 15 and supporting the developing means 10 such as the developing sleeve 10c; A cleaning frame 13 that is a third frame having the cleaning means 11 and the like is integrally formed.
[0018]
An arm 21 e protrudes from the end member 81 toward the cleaning frame 13, and a cleaning frame is formed by a longitudinal coupling hole 21 f provided at the tip of the arm 21 e and a pin (not shown) provided in the cleaning frame 13. The body 13 and the end member 21 are rotatably supported. A compression coil spring (not shown) whose inner diameter is fitted into a spring stopper 21g on the arm 21e is contracted between the cleaning frame body 13 and a gap holding member (not shown) on both sides of the developing roller 10c and the photosensitive drum 7. Are in pressure contact. Further, one end member 81 has a developing roller gear fixed to the end of the developing roller 10c meshed with a drum gear (not shown) fixed to the end of the photosensitive drum 7, and the toner conveying member 90 from the developing roller 10c. A gear train (not shown) including an idler gear (not shown) for transmitting drive to a transport gear (not shown) is covered. The other end member 81 is provided with a handle portion 251 described later.
[0019]
As described above, the process cartridge B according to the present embodiment rotates the photosensitive drum 7 and uniformly charges the surface thereof by the charging roller 8 as a charging unit, and the optical image from the optical system 1 of the image forming apparatus A is obtained. An electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing the photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure opening 9 of the cleaning frame 13. Then, a uniform toner layer is formed on the developing sleeve 10c by the toner regulating member (developing blade) 18 of the developing means 10 of the developing frame 15, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the latent image. As a result, a toner image corresponding to the latent image is formed and visualized. After the toner image is transferred to the recording material 2 by the transfer means 4, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning blade 11a of the cleaning means 11 and collected in the removed toner storage frame 11b. Has been.
[0020]
(Process cartridge housing configuration)
In the process cartridge B integrated in this way, the developing unit U is generally constituted by a developing frame 15 that supports the developing means 10 and a toner frame 12 that contains the toner t. The process cartridge B is a cartridge in which the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, the cleaning unit 11, and the like are housed in a housing formed by rotatably coupling the cleaning frame 13 to the developing unit U. It is. The process cartridge B is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus A by the operator.
[0021]
(Configuration of process cartridge guide means)
Here, the configuration of the guide means when the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus A will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a perspective view of the left side when the process cartridge B is viewed in the direction (P direction) in which the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body A, and FIG. 4 shows an insertion guide of the process cartridge B into the image forming apparatus A. In addition, in FIG. 4, the handle part 251 has shown the state once bent based on the bending structure mentioned later.
[0022]
The process cartridge B of the present embodiment is provided with guide means serving as a guide when the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting guide G of the apparatus main body 14 on both outer side surfaces in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the guide means includes a cylindrical first guide portion 13a and a second guide portion 13b.
The first guide portion 13 a is a cylindrical member, and is disposed on the side surface of the cleaning frame 13 so as to protrude outwardly coaxially with the axis 7 a of the photosensitive drum 7. The cylindrical member supports the drum shaft supporting the photosensitive drum 7 so as not to rotate. Further, the second guide portion 13b is disposed so as to straddle the continuous side surface of the developing frame 15 and the cleaning frame 13. Here, the first guide portion 13 a and the second guide portion 13 b are formed integrally with the cleaning frame 13.
[0023]
The second guide portion 13b extends in the process cartridge insertion direction (arrow P direction), and its inclination is set to be substantially the same as the insertion angle of the process cartridge B. Therefore, when the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus A, the cleaning frame body 13 having the second guide portion 13b has the second guide portion 13b that has entered the cartridge mounting guide G developed the process cartridge B. The unit U is fixed to the image forming apparatus A and positioned. The first guide portion 13a is disposed above a second guide member 13b extending in the process cartridge insertion direction. Note that the first guide portion 13a and the second guide portion 13b are also disposed in substantially the same shape and position on the side surface opposite to the side surface of the process cartridge B shown in FIG. These two guide portions protrude from the cleaning frame 13 and the outer plane at substantially the same height.
[0024]
(Description of toner seal member and handle)
FIG. 5 is a view showing a toner seal configuration in the toner supply opening 12c to the developing device frame 15.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 5, the toner supply opening 12 c of the toner frame 12 is closed at the flange 12 f of the toner frame 12 to seal the toner t in the container, and the developing frame 15 enters the developing chamber into the developing chamber. A toner seal member 23 is affixed as a seal member for preventing toner from entering. The toner seal member 23 is affixed to the toner frame 12 along the edges of the four sides of the toner supply opening 12 c of the toner frame 12. The toner seal member 23 is folded back at one end 23e1 in the longitudinal direction of the toner supply opening 12c, and the toner seal pull-out opening (in the developing frame 15 facing the flange 12f of the toner frame 12 on the opposite side of the end 23e1 ( The other end 23e2 is pulled out through a not-shown. Further, the other end 23e2 of the toner seal member 23 is attached to a handle 251 integrally formed with the end member 81 using a double-sided tape (coupling member) 24 (not shown).
[0026]
The periphery of the handle 251 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 5, the handle 251 has an end portion in a position substantially parallel to the adhesive surface of the toner seal member 23 in the toner frame 12 (the edges of the upper and lower sides along the longitudinal direction of the toner supply opening 12c). It is integrally formed with the member 81. In addition, the handle 251 has a cutout portion 251c that can be bent at a fixed portion so as not to be separated from the end member 81 at the connecting portion with the end member 81. As shown in FIG. 4, the handle 251 is adjacent to the toner seal drawing opening 81a of the end member 81 when packing the process cartridge B for the purpose of shortening the longitudinal dimension of the process cartridge B. It is bent until it fits in the provided recess 81c. The handle 251 is provided with a hole 252 for hooking a finger when the operator pulls out the toner seal member 23.
[0027]
The user pulls the handle member by hooking his / her finger on the hole 252, thereby improving the operability in peeling off the toner seal member. 6 is a view of the handle portion 81 as viewed from above in the XX cross section shown in FIG. A ring member 253 is fitted in the hole 252 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6A, and is integrated as shown in FIG. 6B. And this ring member is comprised in orange for visibility improvement.
[0028]
(Description of toner seal member pull-out operation)
As described above, the process cartridge B having such a configuration has the toner seal member 23 as described above. Whether the operator holds the handle 251 of the toner frame 12 fixing the toner seal member 23 with the double-sided tape 24 or the like before using the process cartridge B, and separates it from the toner frame 12 at the notch 251c. Or after bending and tearing, the operator pulls the handle 251 by hand. Thus, the toner seal member 23 is pulled out from the toner seal pull-out opening 81a (see FIG. 4) of the end member 81, the toner supply opening 12c of the toner frame 12 is opened, and the developing frame from the toner frame 12 is opened. The toner can be sent to the body 15. After opening the toner supply opening 12c in this way, the process cartridge B is mounted in the image forming apparatus A.
[0029]
(Prevention of grip separation by external force)
FIG. 7 is a view showing a bent configuration of the handle member, and FIGS. 7B and 7C are views of the YY section of FIG. 7A as viewed from above. In the case of a new process cartridge B, there is a possibility that the handle 251 external force f of the developing unit U may be applied due to dropping, vibration, etc. in the packing state (see FIG. 8B). When the handle 251 of the new end member 81 is bent in the direction of the arrow Q, the notch 251c is cracked, but the handle 251 remains on the end member without being completely separated. When an external force f is applied to the handle 251 in this state, stress concentrates on the notch 251c that becomes a fulcrum when the handle 251 is cut off or bent in the direction opposite to the arrow Q direction to tear it, and the notch The handle 251 may be separated from the toner frame 12 at 251c. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to prevent the handle 251 from being separated from the end member 81 of the developing unit U by the external force f applied to the handle 251, the handle member 251 in the end member 81 in the developing unit U of the process cartridge B is used. Is provided with a recess 81c.
[0030]
In the process cartridge B according to the present embodiment and the developing unit U provided in the process cartridge B, the handle member included in the end member 81 even if dropping, vibration, or the like in the packaging state of the process cartridge B is applied. Since the handle member 251 is housed in a recess provided in the end member 81, no external force is applied. As a result, stress concentration due to the external force f does not occur in the notch 81 c serving as a fulcrum of the handle member 251, and separation of the handle member 251 from the end member 81 can be reliably prevented.
[0031]
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the end member 81 is formed with a protrusion 81d, and the handle 251 is formed with a long hole 251a. The protrusion 81d is configured to be press-fitted when engaged with the elongated hole 251a. Therefore, when the handle member 251 is folded back at the notch 251c and stored in the recess 81c, the handle member 251 is temporarily fixed while being stored in the recess 81c of the end member 81. Accordingly, the handle member 81 does not protrude from the longitudinal dimension of the process cartridge B, and the influence of the external force is small. Further, by being accommodated in the recess 81c, the maximum outer shape of the process cartridge B is accommodated not only in the longitudinal direction but also in the short direction, and the external force applied to the handle member 251 is minimized during handling when the process cartridge is packed. It is possible to prevent the handle member 251 from being separated from the end member 81.
[0032]
Further, the screw hole 81f for fixing the end member 81 to the toner frame 12 by screwing is formed one step lower than the center in the longitudinal direction than the recess 81c, and the groove 81e is provided, so that the user can make a new process. When the cartridge B is used, the ring member 253 is configured to be easily hooked by a finger to pull out the handle member 251 from the recess 81c in order to remove the toner seal.
[0033]
As described above, according to the process cartridge B of the present embodiment and the developing unit U provided in the process cartridge B, the toner seal drawing opening 81d of the end member 81 connects the toner seal member 23 to a double-sided tape or the like. The handle 251 is stored in the recess 81c formed in the end member 81 so that the external force f is not applied to the handle member 251 fixed by the member 24, and is fixed in a state where the handle member 251 is housed in the recess. Therefore, the handle 251 fits within the maximum outer shape of the process cartridge B and the handle member 251 is not separated from the end member 81, and the longitudinal width of the process cartridge B or the developing unit U is increased. Shorter and easier to use.
[0034]
Although the process cartridge B shown in the above-described embodiment has exemplified the case of forming a single color image, the process cartridge B according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of developing means, and a plurality of color images (two-color image, three-color image or The present invention can also be suitably applied to a cartridge that forms a full color or the like.
[0035]
Further, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to the photosensitive drum 7 and includes, for example, the following. First, a photoconductor is used as the photoreceptor, and examples of the photoconductor include amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and organic photoconductor (OPC). As the shape for mounting the photoconductor, for example, a drum shape or a belt shape is used. For example, in the case of a drum type photoconductor, a photoconductor is vapor-deposited or coated on a cylinder such as an aluminum alloy. Etc.
[0036]
As the developing method, various developing methods such as a known two-component magnetic brush developing method, cascade developing method, touch-down developing method, and cloud developing method can be used.
[0037]
In addition, the so-called contact charging method is used in the above-described embodiment for the configuration of the charging means. However, as another configuration, a metal shield such as aluminum is provided around three sides of a tungsten wire conventionally used, and the tungsten wire Of course, it is possible to use a configuration in which positive or negative ions generated by applying a high voltage to the surface of the photosensitive drum are moved to the surface of the photosensitive drum and the drum surface is uniformly charged.
[0038]
In addition to the roller type, the charging unit may be a blade (charging blade), a pad type, a block type, a rod type, a wire type, or the like.
[0039]
Further, as a method for cleaning the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum, the cleaning unit may be configured using a blade, a fur brush, a magnetic brush, or the like.
[0040]
The above-described process cartridge includes, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Therefore, as an aspect of the process cartridge, in addition to the above-described embodiment, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a charging unit are integrated into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. An electrophotographic photosensitive member and developing means are integrated into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. An electrophotographic photosensitive member and a cleaning means are integrated into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Further, there is a combination of an electrophotographic photosensitive member and two or more of the above process means, which are integrated into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.
[0041]
That is, the process cartridge described above is a cartridge in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed, and this cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. The process cartridge can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body by the user. Therefore, maintenance of the apparatus main body can be performed by the user himself.
[0042]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the laser printer is exemplified as the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other electrophotography such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, or a word processor is used. Of course, it can also be used in an image forming apparatus.
[0043]
Further, in this embodiment, as a fixing method when the handle member 251 is housed in the recess 81c, a method of press-fitting the protruding portion 81d provided in the recess 81c into the elongated hole portion 251a formed in the handle member 251 is used. The same effect can be obtained by providing a long hole in the recess 81c and a protrusion in the handle member 251. As another fixing method, as shown in FIG. 9, the snap fit portion 251 b provided on the handle member 251 may be engaged with the engaging portion 81 g of the end member 81.
[0044]
In the form shown in FIG. 9, the recess 81c is not configured to completely accommodate the handle member 251. However, particularly when the transport form in which the process cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus is selected, the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge is selected. It does not protrude from the dimensions, and a sufficient effect can be obtained for preventing the handle member 251 from being separated.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the end member of the present invention, the longitudinal dimension of the developing unit can be shortened, and an external force is not applied to the grip member, so that the grip is not separated from the developer unit.
[0046]
In addition, according to the process cartridge of the present invention and the image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be attached and detached, the longitudinal dimension of the process cartridge can be shortened, and an external force is applied to the tip end of the handle due to dropping / vibration at the time of packing. It is difficult to separate the handle member from the developing unit.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a process cartridge according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an appearance of a process cartridge in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a guide for inserting a process cartridge into an image forming apparatus main body according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a toner seal configuration in a toner supply opening of a developing device frame in the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a method for attaching a ring member to a handle portion in the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a bending configuration of a handle portion in the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing an overview of an end member in the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing another form of the end member in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
A Image forming apparatus
B Process cartridge
U Development unit
t Toner (Developer)
1 Optical system
2 Recording material
3 Transport means
3a cassette
3b Pickup roller
3c Conveyance roller
3d registration roller
3e Guide plate
3f, 3g discharge roller pair
4 Transfer roller
5 Fixing means
5a Drive roller
5b heater
5c Fixing roller
6 discharge part
7 Photosensitive drum
8 Charging roller
9 Exposure aperture
10 Development means
10c Development sleeve
11 Cleaning means
11a Cleaning blade
11b Removal toner reservoir
12 Toner frame (developer container)
12a Toner storage
12c Toner supply opening
13 Cleaning frame
13a 1st guide part
13b Second guide part
15 Development frame
18 Toner regulating member (developing blade)
21 End member
21a Long hole
21e Arm part
21f Spring stopper
23 Toner seal member
One end of 23e1
23e2 The other end
24 Double-sided tape (bonding member)
251 Handle part
251c Notch
252 hole
253 Ring member
81 End member
81a Toner seal drawer opening
81c recess
81d protrusion
81e Groove
81f Screw hole
81g engaging part
90 Toner conveying member

Claims (8)

An electrophotographic photoreceptor;
Developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer used for development of the developing means;
A developer passage opening through which the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion passes when supplied to the developing means;
An end member used in a process cartridge having a sealing member that seals the developer passage opening in an openable manner;
A grip member connected to one end in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member for gripping when opening the sealing member;
An end member having a recess formed so as to surround the periphery of the handle member. The end member and the handle member are made of plastic and integrally molded,
Further, the handle member has a notch for folding the handle member so that it is not always separated from the end member, and is formed so as to surround the handle member when the handle member is bent at the notch. The end member according to claim 1, further comprising a recessed portion. The end portion according to claim 1, wherein the end member has an engaging portion that engages with the handle member when the handle member is stored in the recess, and is fixed to the recess. Element. The end member extends in the longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating portion so as to cover a developer filling port provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating portion for filling the developer accommodating portion with the developer. The end member according to claim 1, wherein the end member is attached to one end in the direction. A process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body,
An electrophotographic photoreceptor;
Developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer used for development of the developing means;
A developer passage opening through which the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion passes when supplied to the developing means;
An end member used in a process cartridge having a sealing member that seals the developer passage opening in an openable manner;
A grip member connected to one end in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member for gripping when opening the sealing member;
A process cartridge comprising: an end member having a recess formed to surround the handle member. The end member and the handle member are made of plastic and integrally molded,
Further, the handle member has a notch for folding the handle member so that it is not always separated from the end member, and is formed so as to surround the handle member when the handle member is bent at the notch. 6. The process cartridge according to claim 5, further comprising a recessed portion. 6. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the end member has an engaging portion that engages with the handle member when the handle member is stored in the recess, and is fixed to the recess. . The end member extends in the longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating portion so as to cover a developer filling port provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating portion for filling the developer accommodating portion with the developer. 6. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the process cartridge is attached to one end in the direction.

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