JP2007072107A - Cartridge and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cartridge where a developing blade is surely separated from a developing roller in physical distribution and storage, and the developing blade is made to abut against the developing roller without consuming time at use, using a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: The cartridge, having the developing roller; the developing blade made to abut against the developing roller and regulating the toner layer; a toner container for supplying toner to the developing roller and storing the toner; and a sealing member for sealing a toner supply port formed on the toner container is constituted so that the developing blade abuts against the developing roller interlocked with operation to remove the sealing member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a process cartridge or a developing cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or an electrophotographic printer, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using these.

  Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming process.

  For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (such as an LED printer or a laser beam printer), an electrophotographic facsimile apparatus, and an electrophotographic word processor are included.

  Here, the process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, and an intermediate transfer unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum as an image carrier are integrally formed, and this cartridge is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It is detachable from the main body.

  In addition, the developing cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a toner storage portion for storing toner are integrally formed as a cartridge. Detachable.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a process cartridge system has been adopted in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit, and the like are integrated into a cartridge and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body.

  The operability is further improved by this cartridge system, and the user can easily perform maintenance of the process means. Therefore, this cartridge system is widely used in the image forming apparatus main body.

  The toner coating method in the developing means of the cartridge is roughly divided into a contact blade method in which the toner coating is performed with the developing blade in contact with the developing roller, and the toner coating is performed with the developing blade provided with a predetermined gap with respect to the developing roller. Two configurations of a non-contact blade system to perform are known.

  The former is often used in one-component jumping development of monochrome and color printers by controlling the toner by bringing a rubber plate or a metal thin plate spring into contact with the developing roller. The latter is a one-component jumping development and a two-component magnetic brush development using a magnetic metal blade as a toner regulating member and has been conventionally used in monochrome printers and copying machines.

  In the cartridge, various auxiliary members have been proposed as means for maintaining quality between manufacture and shipment and initial use by the user. For example, JP-A-7-311536, JP-A-2001-290370, USP5749026, USP6009287, and the like have a configuration in which a sheet member is sandwiched between a developing blade and a developing roller.

  In the above-described developing method, in the case of jumping development using magnetic toner, toner scattering in the developing portion is hardly a problem. This is because toner that is not developed, in other words, floating toner that has no electric charge, is supplemented by the magnetic force of the magnet roller fixed inside the developing roller and returned to the developing unit.

  On the other hand, in the jumping development of the non-magnetic toner, since there is no magnet roller, there are few effective means for supplementing the floating toner generated when the AC bias is applied. For this reason, it may be necessary to arrange a sheet for preventing toner scattering in the gap of the cartridge or to adhere a special sheet to which the toner is difficult to electrostatically adhere to the cover. It was.

  In order to solve these problems, a product using a developing method using a contact developing method in which a developing roller is brought into contact with an image carrier (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) and development is performed by applying a DC bias. Has been put to practical use.

  Here, in the case of a contact development method in which a non-magnetic toner and a developing roller are brought into contact with a photosensitive drum to form a toner image, development is performed in order to reduce deterioration due to scratches or wear due to sliding friction with the photosensitive drum. The roller is preferably a roller having an elastic body.

  As shown in FIG. 10, as the elastic body of the developing roller 305, a solid rubber single layer or a solid rubber layer coated with a resin coating in consideration of charge imparting property is used. In addition, a configuration is widely used in which a developing roller 305 is in pressure contact with a toner supply roller 304 formed of foam and a developing blade 332 that regulates a toner layer on the developing roller 305.

  By the pressure contact of the developing blade 332, a thin layer of toner is formed on the outer periphery of the developing roller 305, and a charge is imparted (frictionally charged) to the toner.

  The developing blade 332 is a metal plate such as phosphor bronze, stainless steel or carbon steel provided with pressure contact means, a metal thin plate having spring properties such as phosphor bronze, stainless steel or carbon steel, or resin on the surface of the metal thin plate. The coated one is preferred.

In either case, the developing blade is configured to ensure a predetermined contact pressure against the developing roller and to always contact with the developing roller during use.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-311536 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-290370 USP5749026 USP6009287

  In this way, the contact developing type developing blade 332 is always in contact with each other during use, and the surface of the developing roller 305 is brought into contact with the developing roller 305 and the developing blade 332 (a nip having a width of about 1 mm) by the contact pressure. Is slightly deformed.

  By the way, the cartridge is subjected to environmental fluctuations such as leaving time, vibration, impact, heat, etc., from the time of manufacture and shipment until the initial use by the user. Depending on these conditions, the contact portion of the developing roller 305 may be deformed and become a dent, and the deformation may be difficult to recover.

  This dent is because the developing roller 305 is formed of an elastic material, and is a phenomenon caused by plastic deformation of the contact portion due to deterioration of the material or concentration of strain.

  In a state where a part of the developing roller 305 is recessed, the toner coat thickness, toner charging characteristics, etc. of the recessed part change when passing through the contact part of the developing blade 332 through the recessed part, and the corresponding part is changed in the circumferential direction. It becomes uneven.

  Then, immediately after arrival when the dent does not recover immediately or when the amount of the dent is remarkably large, image unevenness of a developing roller rotation period called a horizontal streak occurs, which may deteriorate the image quality.

  In order to cope with this problem, an elastic member called a sandwiching member 345 composed of two layers of a soft thin foam sheet and a thin resin sheet is inserted between the nip of the developing roller 305 and the developing blade 332 as shown in FIG. A cartridge having the above-described configuration has been commercialized, and some of the above-described problems have been solved.

  This is because the contact portion between the developing blade 332 and the developing roller 305 is apparently enlarged by the soft thin foam sheet being crushed, and the contact pressure of the contact portion is dispersed. Thereby, since distortion per unit area is reduced, there is no abrupt dent, and image unevenness can be remarkably reduced.

  However, the configuration in which the sandwiching member is inserted between the nips of the developing roller 305 and the developing blade 332 generates a slight gap at both ends of the developing roller 305 and the developing blade 332, so that the toner seal remains with the sandwiching member attached. When the 342 is pulled out, there is a possibility that the toner leaks out from the gap and stains the surroundings. For this reason, since it is necessary to remove the sandwiching member before the toner seal 342 is pulled, there is a side face that reduces usability and design freedom.

  Further, when the sandwiching member 345 is pulled out, the nip portion of the developing roller 305 may be rubbed and strongly charged. In this case, since the toner coat thickness, toner charging characteristics, and the like change as in the case of the dent, there is a possibility that image unevenness in the rotation cycle of the developing roller may occur.

  Therefore, it is necessary to select a special foam sheet in which the nip portion of the developing roller 305 is less likely to be electrostatically charged even when rubbed by the sandwiching member 345. Further, since the sandwiching member 345 is always in contact with the developing roller until the start of use, it is necessary that the surface of the developing roller 305 does not cause chemical contamination. Further, when the sandwiching member 345 is pulled out, it is necessary to select a resin sheet that does not damage the surface of the developing blade 305.

  The sandwiching member having these functions has an aspect of inevitably becoming an expensive material structure, and has been one problem that hinders the cost reduction of consumables.

  On the other hand, conventionally, a configuration in which a thin resin toner seal 342 is adhered to an opening which is a toner supply port of a toner container so that the toner does not leak from the toner container is often used. And the user needed the operation | work which pulls out this at the time of use. At this time, there is a concern that the toner adheres to the user and the surroundings during the toner seal pulling operation. Further, although it is a small amount, the toner seal 342 needs to be processed by the user as waste.

  The present invention is a further development of the above-described conventional technique, and with a simple configuration, the developing blade is reliably separated from the developing roller during physical distribution storage, and the developing blade is brought into contact with the developing roller at a predetermined contact pressure during use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge and an image forming apparatus that can obtain a good image by being brought into contact with each other.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge and an image forming apparatus capable of simplifying the opening structure of the toner seal and realizing low cost and improved operability.

  The present invention is a developing cartridge having the following configuration and an image forming apparatus using the same, and the following numbers are given corresponding to the claims.

(1) At least a developing roller that is a toner carrying member, a developing blade that presses against the developing roller and regulates a toner layer, a toner container that contains toner for supplying toner to the developing roller, and the toner container In the cartridge having a sealing member for sealing the toner supply port,
1) The developing blade is movably fixed from the first position where the developing blade retracts and separates from the developing roller to the second position where the developing blade presses against the developing roller. 2) The sealing member seals the toner supply port. It is fixed so as to be movable from the third position where it stops to the fourth position where the toner supply port is opened. 3) The movement of the developing blade from the first position to the second position, and the third position of the sealing member 4) A cartridge for an image forming apparatus, wherein the development blade and the sealing member are integrally connected or integrated.

  (2) In the cartridge according to (1), the movement of the developing blade from the first position to the second position and the movement of the sealing member from the third position to the fourth position are protections attached to the cartridge. A cartridge for an image forming apparatus, which is performed in conjunction with removal of a member.

  (3) In the cartridge according to (1), the development blade moves from the first position to the second position, the sealing member moves from the third position to the fourth position, and the development blade with respect to the development roller. A cartridge for an image forming apparatus, wherein the pressure contact is performed by a force of a pressure spring attached to a developing blade.

  (4) A main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the cartridge according to (1) to (3) can be detachably mounted.

  As described above, the cartridge of the present invention and the image forming apparatus using the same have the effects described below.

  (1) Since the developing blade is completely separated from the developing roller, a local dent does not occur on the surface of the developing roller, and a good image can be printed at the time of arrival.

  (2) Since the developing blade comes into contact with the removal of the protective cover and the toner supply port is opened, it is possible to eliminate the toner seal pulling work that has been required in the past and to improve usability.

  (3) Since it is not necessary to sandwich special foam sheets in the nip portion between the developing roller and the developing blade, it is possible to reduce cartridge parts and assembly costs.

  (4) Since the pressure contact force of the developing blade against the developing roller is performed by the force of the pressure spring, the force can be finely adjusted, and stable pressure contact force can be expected.

  Such effects can be achieved.

  Embodiments of a color image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In the following description, the front surface of the apparatus refers to the upstream surface in the conveyance direction of the recording medium from the transfer process to the fixing process (right side in FIG. 1). Left or right. The longitudinal direction is a direction parallel to the surface of the recording medium and intersecting (substantially orthogonal) with the recording medium conveyance direction.

{Outline of image forming operation of color image forming apparatus}
First, the overall configuration of the color image forming apparatus will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus embodying the present invention. A color laser in which a process cartridge 5 in which a developing cartridge 4, a photosensitive drum 1, and an intermediate transfer belt 5a are integrated is loaded in the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows schematic structure of a beam printer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the color image forming apparatus main body irradiates a light image based on image information from an exposure unit 3 to form an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum 1), and develops it. By developing with a means, an image agent image (hereinafter, toner image) is formed. Then, the transfer material is conveyed by a conveying means in synchronism with the formation of the toner image, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 5a.

  Next, the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 5a is transferred to the transfer material by the second transfer means, and the transfer material is conveyed to the fixing means 8 having the pressure roller 8a and the heating roller 8b, and the toner on the transfer material. The image is fixed and discharged to the discharge unit 10.

  The image forming process will be described in more detail.

  In synchronization with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 5a, the photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the arrow direction (counterclockwise) in FIG. Here, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging device 2 and, for example, a yellow image is irradiated by the exposure unit 3 to form a yellow electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1.

  The exposure means is performed through the following steps. The exposure means 3 irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with a light image by irradiating light based on image information read from an external device or the like, and includes a laser diode, a polygon mirror, a scanner motor, an imaging lens, and a reflection mirror. Is stored.

  When an image signal is given from an external device or the like, the laser diode emits light according to the image signal and irradiates the polygon mirror as the image light. The polygon mirror is rotated at a high speed by a scanner motor, and image light reflected by the polygon mirror selectively exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 through an imaging lens and a reflecting mirror. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

  Simultaneously with the formation of the electrostatic latent image, the yellow developing device 4Y is rotated to the developing position, a predetermined bias voltage is applied, and yellow toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image for development. Thereafter, a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller 5j disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum 1 with the intermediate transfer belt 5a interposed therebetween, so that the yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is intermediate transferred. Primary transfer is performed on the belt 5a.

  As described above, when the primary transfer of the yellow toner image is completed, the next developing device rotates and is positioned at a position facing the photosensitive drum. By repeating the above steps for magenta, cyan, and black colors, four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5a.

  During this time, the secondary transfer roller 11 is not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5a. At this time, the cleaning charging roller 5f as a cleaning unit is also in a non-contact state with the intermediate transfer belt 5a.

  Then, after the four color toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5a, the secondary transfer roller 11 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 5a as shown in FIG. Further, in synchronization with the pressure contact of the secondary transfer roller 11, the transfer material waiting at a predetermined position in the vicinity of the registration roller pair 7 serving as the feeding means is placed at the nip portion between the intermediate transfer belt 5 a and the secondary transfer roller 11. Sent out.

  Here, immediately before the registration roller pair 7, a pre-registration sensor 14 is provided that detects the leading edge of the transfer material, interrupts the rotational driving force of the registration roller pair 7, and waits the transfer material at a predetermined position.

  A bias voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 11, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 a is secondarily transferred collectively onto the surface of the transferred transfer material.

  The transfer material onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 8 via the conveying belt unit 12 and fixed, and is conveyed along the sheet discharge guide 15 by the sheet discharge roller pair 13. 9 is discharged to a paper discharge tray 10 at the top of the color image forming apparatus to complete image formation.

  On the other hand, after completion of the secondary transfer, the cleaning charging roller 5f is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 5a, and a predetermined bias voltage is applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt and the residual toner remaining after the secondary transfer to remove the residual charge.

  The removed residual toner is electrostatically retransferred from the intermediate transfer belt 5a to the photosensitive drum 1 through the primary transfer nip portion, and the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5a is cleaned. The residual toner remaining after the secondary transfer that has been retransferred to the photosensitive drum 1 is removed and collected by the cleaning blade 6 for the photosensitive drum 1.

  The collected residual toner follows a conveyance path to be described later as waste toner, and is collected and accumulated in the waste toner box 216.

{Configuration of developing cartridge}
As shown in FIG. 2, the developing cartridge is roughly divided into a toner container 302 and a developing unit 309. The toner container 302 is filled with toner of a predetermined color, and the agitating unit 303 rotates to convey a predetermined amount of toner to the developing unit. The conveyed toner is supplied to the surface of the developing roller 305 by the rotation of the sponge-like toner supply roller 304 in the developing unit, and is further thinned by being charged with friction between the thin plate-like developing blade 332 and the developing roller 305. . The toner on the developing roller 305 that has been thinned is conveyed to the developing unit 309 by rotation, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is visualized as a toner image by applying a predetermined developing bias.

  Residual toner that has not contributed to the visualization of the latent image on the photosensitive drum 1, that is, undeveloped toner on the surface of the developing roller 305 is peeled off again by the toner supply roller 304, and at the same time, new toner is developed by the developing roller 305. The new developing operation is continuously performed by being supplied above.

{Removal of cartridge}
As shown in FIG. 8, when the upper lid 64 of the apparatus main body is opened counterclockwise, the mounting opening 65 for mounting the cartridge is exposed. In this embodiment, all the cartridges of the developing cartridge 4 and the process cartridge 5 can be attached and detached from the mounting opening 65.

  The developing cartridge 4 is detachably mounted in four directions on a rotary 67 fixed in the main body so as to be detachable.

  On the other hand, jam processing or the like can be performed from the mounting opening 65 by removing the process cartridge 5 from the apparatus main body.

  In this way, replacement of consumables, jam processing, and the like can be accessed by opening one door (upper lid 64) of the apparatus main body, and the usability is improved.

{Specific Examples of the Invention}
Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the developing cartridge of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developing blade 332 of the developing cartridge 4 of this embodiment is composed of a metal thin plate 333 and a metal base plate 334 that supports the metal thin plate 333, and is integrally joined by spot welding or the like. Further, a metal support shaft 335 that is a rotation fulcrum of the developing blade 332 is integrally joined to both sides of the base plate 33 in the same manner.

  One end of a pressure spring 337 is locked to both ends of the base plate, and the other end of the pressure spring 337 is locked to a hook portion 343 formed in the toner container 302. The developing blade 332 is rotated clockwise to a predetermined position by the pressure spring 337 with the support shaft 335 as a fulcrum.

  At the initial stage of a new product, a protective member 338 (hereinafter referred to as a protective cover 338) is attached to the developing cartridge, and a stopper rib 344 protruding from the protective cover 338 presses one end of the base plate 334 of the developing blade 332.

  When the protective cover is attached, the stopper rib 344 prevents the developing blade 332 from rotating. The base plate 334 is in close contact with a seal member 336 bonded to a toner supply port 339 (hereinafter referred to as an opening 339) of the toner container 302, and seals the opening 339 of the toner container. That is, in this embodiment, the base plate of the developing blade 332 is used as a sealing member for the opening 339.

  At this time, the thin metal plate 333 of the developing blade 332 is completely separated from the developing roller 305 with a predetermined gap. Therefore, as described in the conventional example, since the developing blade 332 is not in contact with the developing roller 305, a part of the developing roller 305 is not recessed, and the periodic unevenness caused by the recess is immediately after arrival. Does not occur.

  Further, there is no need to insert a special sandwiching member between the developing blade 332 and the developing roller 305, and further, there is no need for a thin resin toner seal 342 adhered around the opening 339 of the toner container 302. It is possible to reduce the cost of cartridge parts.

  4 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge of the present embodiment, with the protective cover removed, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view thereof.

  When the protective cover is removed, the base plate of the developing blade 332 is rotated clockwise with the support shaft as a fulcrum by the force of the pressure spring 337 as shown in FIG. 4, and the metal thin plate 333 comes into contact with the developing roller 305. At the same time, the base plate 334 that has sealed the opening 339 is separated, and the opening 339 of the toner container 302 is opened.

  As described above, since the toner can be supplied to the developing unit 309 in conjunction with the removal of the protective cover 338, the conventionally used operation of pulling the toner seal 342 can be abolished, and there is a concern during the toner seal pulling operation. It is possible to eliminate toner adhesion to the worker who has been. In addition, the toner seal 342, which has been a waste in the past, can be eliminated even in a small amount.

  Conventionally, the pressing force of the developing blade 332 against the developing roller 305 is generated only by the bending elastic force of the thin metal plate. The pressing force W can be approximately calculated by the following cantilever model calculation formula.

この圧接力Ｗを変更したい場合、金属薄板のたわみ量δ、材料のヤング率E、厚みｔ、自由長ｌのいづれかを変更する必要があり、大きな設計変更となっていた。

When it is desired to change the pressure contact force W, it is necessary to change any of the deflection amount δ of the metal thin plate, the Young's modulus E, the thickness t, and the free length 1 of the material, which is a large design change.

  However, in this embodiment, the setting of the pressing force of the developing blade 332 to the developing roller 305 is performed by the force of the pressure spring 337. Therefore, by changing the force of the pressure spring 337, the pressing force is reduced. It can be adjusted and easily changed to desired conditions. Further, since the metal thin plate 333 of the developing blade 332 does not need to be an expensive spring material, a general rolled steel plate can be used.

  In addition, since the pressure contact force is proportional to the cube of the plate thickness t as shown in the above-described calculation formula, there is a problem that the pressure contact force varies for each plate thickness unless the tolerance of the plate thickness is strictly controlled. In this embodiment, since the press contact force can be controlled by setting the pressurizing spring 337, a stable press contact force can be secured with a general rolled steel plate, and a good toner coat is possible.

  Thus, it is possible to easily prepare for installation of the cartridge in the main body as compared with the conventional case, and usability can be improved. Since the pressing force of the developing blade 332 to the developing roller 305 is performed by the force of the pressure spring 337, it is possible to finely adjust the pressing force, and stability of the pressing force can be expected.

  The developing blade 332 of the present embodiment is formed by integrally forming a thin metal plate 333, a base plate 334, and a support shaft 335, but as shown in FIG. 6, a thick plate made of carbon steel or the like. It goes without saying that the same effect as described above can be obtained with the developing blade 332 in which the support shafts 335 are disposed at both ends of the metal. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the developing blade 332 is rotated clockwise around the support shaft 335 by the force of the pressure spring 337 in conjunction with the removal of the protective cover 338 in the direction of the arrow. 7 abuts against the developing roller 305 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the developing blade 332 that has sealed the opening 339 is separated to open the opening 339 of the toner container 302.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus embodying the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge of the present invention (with a protective cover attached). FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge of the present invention (with a protective cover attached). FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge according to the present invention (when a protective cover is not attached). FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the developing cartridge according to the present invention (when a protective cover is not attached). Sectional drawing of the developing cartridge of the 2nd structure of this invention (protective cover wearing state). The perspective view of the developing cartridge of the 2nd composition of the present invention (protection cover wearing state). Sectional drawing which shows attachment or detachment of a cartridge. Sectional drawing of the developing cartridge of a prior art example (protective cover wearing state). Sectional drawing of the developing cartridge of a prior art example (protective cover non-mounting state).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 2 Charging roller 3 Exposure means 4 Developing cartridge 5 Process cartridge 6 Cleaning blade 5a Intermediate transfer belt 5f Cleaning charging roller 5j Primary transfer roller 216 Waste toner container 20 Photosensitive drum unit 21 Intermediate transfer belt unit 28 First screw 64 Upper lid 65 Mounting opening 67 Rotary 80 Connector 302 Toner container 303 Toner stirring member 304 Toner supply roller 305 Development roller (developer carrier)
307 Drive input gear 308 Drive input shaft 309 Developing unit 332 Developing blade 333 Metal thin plate 334 Base plate 335 Support shaft 336 Seal member 337 Pressure spring 338 Protective cover (protective member)
339 Opening (toner supply port)
340 Resin sheet 341 Foam sheet 342 Toner seal 343 Hook part 344 Stopper rib 345 Nipping member

Claims (4)

At least a developing roller that is a toner carrier, a developing blade that presses against the developing roller to regulate a toner layer, a toner container that contains toner for supplying toner to the developing roller, and a toner supply formed in the toner container In the cartridge having a sealing member for sealing the mouth,
1) The developing blade is movably fixed from the first position where the developing blade retracts and separates from the developing roller to the second position where the developing blade presses against the developing roller. 2) The sealing member seals the toner supply port. It is fixed so as to be movable from the third position where it stops to the fourth position where the toner supply port is opened. 3) The movement of the developing blade from the first position to the second position, and the third position of the sealing member 4) A cartridge for an image forming apparatus, wherein the development blade and the sealing member are integrally connected or integrated.   2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the developing blade from the first position to the second position and the movement of the sealing member from the third position to the fourth position are performed by removing a protective member attached to the cartridge. The cartridge of the image forming apparatus, wherein the cartridge is performed in conjunction with the cartridge.   The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the developing blade from the first position to the second position, the movement of the sealing member from the third position to the fourth position, and the pressure contact of the developing blade with the developing roller, A cartridge of an image forming apparatus, which is performed by a force of a pressure spring attached to a developing blade.   An electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, wherein the cartridge according to claim 1 can be detachably mounted.

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