JP3126968B1 - Reproduction method of process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to reproduce a process cartridge in which a toner is filled and sealed without using a toner seal on a used process cartridge by pulling out a toner seal. SOLUTION: During a reproduction process, (d) between the developing blade and the toner developing container 12,
(E) a seal member peeling step of peeling off the seal 35 as a seal member adhered to the seal member, and (e) a seal member sticking step of sticking a seal member 35k having a thickness t larger than the seal member 35 peeled off in the seal member peeling step. ,
(F) a developing blade attaching step of attaching a developing blade to the separated toner developing container 12 so that the thick seal member 35k is sandwiched between the toner developing container 12 and the developing member. Thus, the portions 12a42 and 12a43 having continuous flat surfaces without the ribs 12a41 can be hermetically sealed, and the sealing performance with respect to the toner can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for reproducing a process cartridge.

Here, a process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least a developing roller as a developing means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is made detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium (for example, recording paper, cloth, etc.) by using an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer ( For example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, and the like, an electrophotographic facsimile machine, an electrophotographic word processor, and the like.

[0004]

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 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.

[0006]

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.

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

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge reproducing method capable of preventing 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 recommercialize 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.

[0010]

The main aspects of the present invention are as described below with reference to the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of reproducing a process cartridge for reproducing a process cartridge, comprising: (a) removing pins provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge; A container separating step of separating a toner developing container having a toner storing portion, a toner supply opening, a developing roller and a developing blade, and a cleaning container having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and (b) being attached to the separated toner developing container. (C) a developing blade removing step of removing the developing blade attached to the separated toner developing container; and (d) a developing blade removing step between the developing blade and the toner developing container. hand,
(E) a sealing member peeling step of peeling off the sealing member stuck to the toner developing container; (e) a sealing member sticking step of sticking a sealing member thicker than the sealing member peeled in the sealing member peeling step; A developing blade attaching step of attaching a developing blade to the separated toner developing container such that a thick seal member is sandwiched between the toner developing container and a developing roller attaching step of attaching a developing roller to the separated toner developing container. And (h) a toner refilling step of refilling the toner in the toner storage section, and (i) a container connecting step of connecting the toner developing container and the cleaning container by inserting a pin to reproduce the process cartridge. Is the way.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of reproducing a process cartridge for reproducing a process cartridge, comprising the steps of: (a) removing pins provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge; A toner developer container having a toner storage portion, a toner supply opening for supplying toner stored in the toner storage portion in the direction in which the developing roller is provided, a developing roller and a developing blade, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. (B) a developing roller removing step of removing a developing roller attached to the separated toner developing container; and (c) a developing roller removing step of removing the developing roller attached to the separated toner developing container. A developing blade removing step of removing the developing blade; and (d) a developing blade and a toner developing container. Between
(E) a sealing member peeling step of peeling off the sealing member stuck to the toner developing container; (e) a sealing member sticking step of sticking a sealing member thicker than the sealing member peeled in the sealing member peeling step; (G) a toner refilling step of refilling toner from the toner supply opening into the toner storage unit; and (g) a developing blade for attaching a developing blade to the separated toner developing container so that a thick seal member is sandwiched between the toner developing container and the toner developing container. A mounting step; (h) a developing roller mounting step of mounting a developing roller to the separated toner developing container; and (i) a container connecting step of inserting a pin to connect the toner developing container and the cleaning container. This is a method for reproducing cartridges.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge remanufacturing method for remanufacturing a process cartridge, comprising: (a) removing pins provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge; A container separating step of separating a toner developing container having a toner storing portion, a toner supply opening, a developing roller and a developing blade, and a cleaning container having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and (b) being attached to the separated toner developing container. (C) a developing blade removing step of removing the developing blade attached to the separated toner developing container; and (d) a side of the removed developing blade facing the developing roller. And the other end of the developing blade at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction. (E) a toner developing container provided along an inner side surface of an end seal provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller. (F) a sealing material embedding step of embedding the sealing material in the gap; and (f) the toner storage portion of the end seal provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller. (G) attaching a flexible seal to the toner developing container along the longitudinal direction of the developing roller attached to the toner developing container. (H) after the step of attaching the flexible seal, the first side seal spans one end in the longitudinal direction of the flexible seal attached to the toner developing container and the toner developing container. Attaching a second side seal across the other end of the flexible seal in the longitudinal direction and the toner developing container; and (i) attaching the second side seal to a sheet metal portion of the removed developing blade. A seal member peeling step of peeling the seal member, (j) a seal member sticking step of sticking a seal member thicker than the seal member peeled in the seal member peeling step, and (k) a separated toner developing container. A developing blade attaching step of attaching a developing blade such that a thick seal member is sandwiched between the toner developing container, (l) a developing roller attaching step of attaching a developing roller to the separated toner developing container, and (m) a toner storage section. A toner refilling step of refilling the toner into the toner container, and (n) inserting a pin into the toner developing container and the cleaning container. A container coupling step of coupling to a remanufacturing method of a process cartridge having.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for reproducing a process cartridge for reproducing a process cartridge, comprising the steps of: (a) removing pins provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge; A toner developer container having a toner storage portion, a toner supply opening for supplying toner stored in the toner storage portion in the direction in which the developing roller is provided, a developing roller and a developing blade, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. (B) a developing roller removing step of removing a developing roller attached to the separated toner developing container; and (c) a developing roller removing step of removing the developing roller attached to the separated toner developing container. A developing blade removing step of removing the developing blade; and (d) developing the removed developing blade. An end seal member attaching step of attaching an end seal member to one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade on the surface opposite to the side facing the roller; A sealing material embedding step of embedding a sealing material in a gap between toner developing containers provided along inner side surfaces of end seals provided on one end side and the other end side in the direction; A tip seal member attaching step of attaching a tip seal member to a side of the end seal provided on one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction opposite to the side on which the toner storage portion is provided; Attaching a flexible seal to the toner developing container along the longitudinal direction of the developing roller attached to the toner developing container; and (h) attaching the flexible seal to the toner developing container after the flexible seal attaching step. Attaching a first side seal over one end of the attached flexible seal in the longitudinal direction and the toner developing container; and attaching a second side seal over the other end of the flexible seal in the longitudinal direction and the toner developing container. (I) a toner refilling step of refilling toner from the toner supply opening into the toner storage section, and (j) a seal for peeling off the seal member attached to the removed metal plate portion of the developing blade. A member peeling step; (k) a seal member sticking step of sticking a seal member thicker than the seal member peeled in the seal member peeling step; and A developing blade mounting step of mounting the developing blade so as to be sandwiched between the developing blade and the developing container; A developing roller mounting step of mounting the roller, insert the (n) pin, a remanufacturing method of a process cartridge having a container coupling step of coupling the toner developing container and the cleaner container.

[0015]

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 remanufacturing 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.

A process cartridge and an image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be mounted will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. Here, as the order of the description, first, the overall configuration of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus using the same will be described, then the configuration of the cartridge frame will be described, and further, the coupling configuration of the frame will be described.

<< Overall Configuration >> This electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer)
A irradiates the drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member with information light based on image information from the optical system 1 to form a latent image on the photosensitive member, and develops the latent image as shown in FIG. Form a toner image. Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 is moved from the paper feed cassette 3a to the pickup roller 3b.
The sheet is separated and fed one by one by a separation claw 3c which is pressed against both corners of the upper surface of the recording medium 2, and is conveyed by a conveying means 3 including a conveying path 3d and a pair of registration rollers 3e. The toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to a transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit,
The recording medium 2 is transported to the fixing unit 5 through the transport path 3f. The fixing unit 5 includes a driving roller 5a, a heater 5
The fixing roller 5c includes a fixing roller 5b 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 discharge rollers 3g and 3h, and is discharged to a discharge section 6 through a reverse conveyance path.

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. 4, the process cartridge B of the present embodiment rotates an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 which is a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer, and applies a voltage to a charging roller 8 as a charging unit. The surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly charged by applying the light, and a light image from the optical system 1 is exposed to the charged photosensitive drum 7 through the opening 9 to form a latent image. Developing means 1 for developing the latent image
0 is developed.

The developing means 10 includes a toner storage section 10a.
The toner inside is fed by rotatable toner feeding members 10b1 and 10b2 as feeding means, and a developing roller 10d as a developing member incorporating a fixed magnet is rotated, and a toner layer provided with triboelectric charge by a developing blade 10e is removed. The toner image is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10d, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the latent image, thereby forming a toner image and visualizing the toner image. Here, the developing roller 10d supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 7. The developing blade 10e regulates the thickness of the toner layer adhering to the surface of the developing roller 10d.

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 cleaning unit 11 that scoops up and collects the toner in the removed toner storage unit 11c to remove residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is formed.

{Cartridge Mounting Means} Each member such as the photosensitive drum 7 is housed and supported in a cartridge frame in which the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are connected, and is mounted as a cartridge.

When the opening / closing member 15 is opened around the shaft 15a (see FIGS. 1 and 2), as shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge mounting means faces the left and right sides of the cartridge mounting space and falls forward. The formed guide grooves 16 are provided substantially symmetrically. The guide groove 16 is substantially straight. Further, the main body side positioning portion 16 is provided at the entrance side of the guide groove 16.
c is provided.

On the other hand, the guide grooves 1 are provided on both outer side surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B corresponding to the guide grooves 16.
A guide portion guided along 6 is formed. The guide portion is configured to protrude from substantially left-right symmetric positions on both longitudinal outer surfaces of the cartridge frame,
As shown in FIG. 5, the boss 18 and the rib 19 are integrally formed. The boss 18 and the rib 19 are formed integrally with the cleaning container 13 on which the photosensitive drum 7 is mounted. The boss 18 is located on an extension of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 7, and the rib 19 is continuous with the boss 18. In addition, the process cartridge B extends obliquely downward in the insertion direction of the process cartridge B indicated by an arrow C in FIG.

In the above configuration, when the process cartridge B is mounted, as shown in FIG.
5 is opened, the rib 19 is fitted in the guide groove 16, and the process cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main body 14. The boss 18 of the process cartridge B sits on the main body positioning portion 16c formed at the entrance of the guide groove 16. As a result, the drum gear 51a fixed to the side end of the photosensitive drum 7 meshes with the drive gear 22 (see FIG. 2) on the apparatus main body 14 side, and the driving force can be transmitted to the process cartridge B.

Next, when the opening / closing member 15 is closed, the opening / closing member 1 is closed.
The shutter opening lever 55, which is interlocked with 5, rotates counterclockwise from the position 55a to the position 55b about the shaft 55c, and the pin 2 provided on the drum shutter member 28 shown in FIG.
The transfer opening 13n is opened against the spring force of the torsion coil spring 27 about the pin 29 which engages the drum shutter member 28 with the cleaning container 13 by engaging with the shutter 8a.
The torsion coil spring 27 is inserted into the pin 29, one end is locked to the cleaning container 13, and the other end is locked to the drum shutter member 28.
When the process cartridge B is open and the process cartridge B is outside the apparatus main body 14, the drum shutter member 28 is
Closes the transfer opening 13n.

When removing the process cartridge B, the shutter opening lever 55 returns from the position 55b to the position 55a around the shaft 55c when the opening / closing member 15 is opened. Then, the drum shutter member 28 rotates around the pin 29 by the spring force of the torsion coil spring 27 to close the transfer opening 13n. With the process cartridge B in this state, the boss 18
After being lifted away from the positioning portion 16c, the process cartridge B can be pulled out obliquely to the right in FIG.

{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, and as shown in FIG.
The lower developing frame 12b is welded to the side of the toner developing container 12 and the lid member 12c is welded to the upper portion to form the toner developing container 12. Further, the cleaning container 13 is formed as an integral container by welding a lid member 13b to an upper portion of the cleaning frame 13a.
The cleaning container 13 is connected to the toner developing container 12 to form a cartridge frame.

The developing frame 12a has a toner supply opening 1
2a1 and a toner filling port 12a2 on one side in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIGS. A plurality of support members (not shown) are provided upright in the longitudinal direction inside the developing frame 12a. Here, the toner supply opening 12a1 is for supplying the toner t stored in the toner storage section 10a to the developing roller 10d. The toner t in the toner storage unit 10d is supplied to the developing roller 10d through the toner supply opening 12a1.

When assembling the developing means, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, the toner feeding member 1 is provided in the developing frame 12a.
After incorporating 0b1 and 10b2, the lid member 12c is welded to the developing container 12. Next, a seal-attaching seat surface 1 formed around the toner supply opening 12a1 of the toner developing container 12.
The opening 12a1 is sealed by welding a film-shaped toner seal 31 to 2a5. Next, the toner filling port 12a
After filling the toner from Step 2, the filling port 12a2 is covered with a cap 32 to seal the toner accommodating portion 10a. still,
Toner seal 31 sealing toner supply opening 12a1
As shown in FIG. 13, the opening 12a1 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.

When the toner seal 31 is pulled out, it passes inside and outside at a portion where the toner seal 31 passes through the toner developing container 12, and the sealing property is impaired.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
a of the seat surface 1 with the seal attached around the toner supply opening 12a1
An elastic sealing material 1 such as a felt, for example, is provided at the end (free end) on the drawing side of the toner seal 31 in the longitudinal direction of 2a5.
0h is provided toward the aforementioned slit 12a8.

The elastic seal material 10h overlaps the toner seal 31 and presses the toner seal 31 as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the toner seal 31 is pulled off, the elastic seal material 10h fills the slit 12a8 occupied by the toner seal 31 and presses against the wall of the developing frame 12a so that the toner does not leak outside.

The attachment of the elastic sealing material 10h will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, the arc portion 12 of the developing frame 12a is
A part of a6 is provided with a square groove 12a26 penetrating in the longitudinal direction. The bottom of the square groove 12a26 is flush with the toner seal sticking seat surface 12a5. An elastic sealing material 10 such as felt is attached to the piece 10j to be fitted into the square groove 12a26.
h is affixed.

With the above structure, even if the toner seal 31 is pulled out, the toner does not leak out of the toner developing container 12 through the slit 12a8.

Next, a lower developing frame 12b is welded to the side of the developing frame 12a. As shown in FIG. 8, circular arc portions 12a6 to which the end seals 34 are attached are provided on the developing frame 12a at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner supply opening 12a1. A seat surface 12a with a seal attached between the arc portions 12a6.
5, a flat flange 12a16 is provided substantially perpendicular to the seal-attaching seating surface 12a5 (see FIGS. 4 and 8). On the other hand, the developing lower frame 12b has such a size that it can enter between the facing surfaces of the arc portions 12a6 facing each other on both sides in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, in consideration of variations in dimensions in manufacturing, the lower developing frame 12b is shorter than the distance L between the opposing surfaces of the arc portions 12a6 by twice the dimension g to be a gap. Hole 12a17 is provided in flange 12a16,
The dowels 12b3 fitted into the holes 12a17 are
2b. With the dowels 12b3 fitted in the holes 12a17, the lower surface of the lower developing frame 12b and the developing frame 12a are
Is welded or bonded and fixed.
At this time, a gap g is formed between the arc portion 12a6 and the developing frame 12b. The size of the gap g depends on the size of the developing frame 12.
There is a dimensional variation when the developing lower frame 12b is fixed to a.

Projections 12b2 (see FIGS. 4 and 8) are provided outward on both longitudinal end surfaces of the developing lower frame 12b.
The developing frame 12a is provided with a recess 12a18 into which the projection 12b2 fits when the dowel 12b3 fits into the hole 12a17 for welding or bonding the lower developing frame 12b.
As shown in FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG.
A gap g between the a18 and the periphery of the protrusion 12b2 when viewed from the outside.
There is one. This gap is formed between the developing lower frame 12b and the arc 1
The gap g is substantially equal to the gap g between the facing portion 2a6.

As shown in FIG. 34, the space between the projection 12b2 and the recess 12a18 is sealed with a sealing material 39 interposed therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 8, the arc portion 12a6 of the developing frame 12a is provided with a sticking portion 12a20 of an end seal 34. This pasting portion 12a20 is a circular arc portion 12a
6 has a circular arc-shaped peripheral surface having the same center line as the longitudinally outer circular portion 12a21. The center line is the toner developing container 1
2 is a center line of the developing roller 10d assembled in FIG.
The pasting portion 12a20 is the outer side arc portion 1 of the arc portion 12a6.
It has an arc surface with a radius smaller than the radius of 2a21 and rises up from the outer side arc portion 12a21. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the pasting portion 12a20 has an outer circular arc portion 12a2.
The end ends on the inner side than the circumferential end.

As shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, when the lower developing frame 12b is welded or adhered to the developing frame 12a, a notch 12d is formed between the arc portion 12a6 and the lower developing frame 12b. Is done.

As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the notch 12d forms a gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d caused by the contact between the photosensitive drum 7 and the spacer rollers 10d1 provided at both ends of the developing roller 10d. Development gap)
On the optical path of the laser light passing through. A hole 13b3 provided in the cleaning frame 13a is located on this optical path.

21 to 23, the laser light source 86
Is a gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d (about 30
0 μm). Laser light source 86
The laser beam emitted from the photosensitive drum 7
The light is received by the photodetector 87 through the gap between the developing roller 10d and the notch 12d. The width of the laser beam received by the light receiver 87 in the direction parallel to the plane of FIG. 21 is equal to the gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d. Thereby, the developing gap can be known.

The measurement of the gap between the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d by such a laser beam is performed at two places at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 7. Therefore, hole 1
3b3 and the notch 12d are provided at two locations in the longitudinal direction.

After welding the lower developing frame 12b to the developing frame 12a, the end seal 34 and the seal 35 are attached.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the end seal 34 seals between both ends of the developing roller 10d and the developing blade 10e and the developing frame 12a, and is an arcuate portion which contacts along the developing roller 10d. 34a and a linear portion 34b that contacts along the back surface of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the blade sheet metal 10e2. The outer diameter side of the arc portion 34a is attached to the arc portion 12a6 of the developing frame 12a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a seal 35 made of urethane foam or the like is attached along the longitudinal direction between blade mounting seat surfaces 12a4 formed above the toner discharge opening 12a1 of the developing frame 12a, and the blade mounting seat surface 12a4 is attached to the blade mounting seat surface 12a4. The developing blade 10e is attached by screwing. Thereby, the seal 35 is compressed between the blade sheet metal 10e2 and the developing frame 12a, and the blade sheet metal 10e2 and the developing frame 1 are compressed.
The space between 2a is sealed.

A developing holder 37 shown in FIG. 24 is fixed to one end of the developing frame 12a, and a developing holder 36 shown in FIG. 25 is fixed to the other end. Developing holder 36,
37 is fixed to the developing frame 12a by small screws 56 and 57, respectively.

The shaft 10d2 at one end of the developing roller 10d is fitted in a bearing 33b integral with the holder 37 shown in FIG. The bearing 33a at the other end of the developing roller 10d has its bearing hole 33a2 fitted in the developing roller shaft 10d2, and as shown in FIG. 15, a positioning dowel 12a7 provided outside one longitudinal end of the developing frame 12a. Hole 33a
4 is inserted. Next, the developing roller gear 10f is fitted to the developing roller shaft 10d2. And the hole 36 of the developing holder 36
d is fitted into the positioning dowel 12a7 protruding from the hole 33a4 of the bearing 33a. At this time, the developing roller gear 10f is accommodated in the gear housing portion 36b of the developing holder 36. Therefore,
The small screw 56 is inserted through the hole 36c of the developing holder 36 and the hole 33a1 of the bearing 33a, and the female screw 12a of the developing frame 12a is inserted.
13 and fix it. Note that the gear housing portion 36b outside the developing holder 36 has a cylindrical shape, and the toner developing container 12
When the cleaning container 13 is coupled with the developing roller gear 10f, the developing roller gear 10f meshes with the drum gear 51a through the missing portion of the gear housing 38b.

The developing holder 37 includes the toner developing container 12
An arm 38 at one end in the longitudinal direction as a connecting portion for connecting the cleaning container 13 to the cleaning container 13 is integrally formed. The arm 38 at the other end in the longitudinal direction is formed integrally with the developing frame 12a.

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

{Combined Structure of Toner Developing Container and Cleaning Container} Next, the combined structure of the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 11, 24, 25, and 26.
This will be described with reference to FIG. 7 and 11 show both containers 1.
26 and 27 are a side view and a perspective view for explaining the connection of the parts 2 and 13, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a coupling portion of the toner developing container 12. The two containers 12 and 13 are rotatably connected via arms 38 on both sides in the longitudinal direction. However, since the configuration is substantially the same on the left and right, only one side will be described here. However, portions where the arm portion 38 differs between the left and right will be described each time.

The distal end of the arm 38 is formed with through holes 38b, 38b1 through which a pin 41 described later penetrates. As shown in FIG. 26, a hole 13c through which the pin 41 passes is formed on the outer wall surface 13q of the cleaning container 13, and a hole 13e for press-fitting the pin 41 is formed on the inner wall surface 13d. . The holes 13c and 13e are on an axis parallel to the photosensitive drum 7. The axis connecting the centers of the long hole 38b1 and the hole 13e provided on the arm 38 on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning container 13 passes through the holes 13c and 13e. The long hole 38b1 is long in a direction parallel to a line connecting the center of the photosensitive drum 7 and the center of the developing roller 10d, and has a hole width equal to that of the pin 41.

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. And the pin 41 is provided in the hole 13 provided in the cleaning container 13.
c, 13c to the through hole 38b of the arm portion 38, the long hole 38
b1 and the holes 13 in the inner wall surface 13d.
e and 13e. As a result, the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are rotatably connected around the pin 41.

Since the long hole 38b1 is provided as described above, the photosensitive drum 7 and the spacer roller 10d1 of the developing roller 10d come into contact with each other by their generatrix.

At both ends in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B, a spring hook 13p provided on the cleaning container 13 and a spring hook 1 provided on the developing frame 12a of the toner developing container 12 are provided.
Both ends of the tension coil spring 59 are locked to 2a29, respectively. The extending direction of the tension coil spring 59 is substantially parallel to a line connecting the photosensitive drum 7 and the center of the developing roller 10d.

As a result, the developing roller 10 attached to the toner developing container 12 is urged by the tension coil spring 59.
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 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} [Embodiment 1] (Separation Step of Toner Developing Container and Cleaning Container) The tension coil spring 59 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is removed from the locking portion 13p of the cleaning container 13.

As a result, the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 can be turned around the pin 41.

Next, the pins 41 are removed. The pin 41 is detached by pulling the pin 41 out of the process cartridge B with a tool such as a plier.

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. 27 shows the separated toner developing container 12 and cleaning container 13.
Shown in

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

First, the developing holders 36 fixed to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 12a are removed. The developing holder 36 removes the small screw 56 which fastens the developing holder 36 and the bearing 33a together with the developing frame 12a shown in FIG. 15, and moves the developing holder 36 outward in the longitudinal direction. Next, the developing roller gear 10f is removed from the developing roller shaft 10d2.
The bearing 33a supporting the developing roller 10d is removed from the shaft 10d2 of the developing roller 10d. The developing roller 10d is pulled in the axial direction, is removed from the bearing 33b of the developing holder 37, and the developing roller 10d is removed from the toner developing container 12.

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 developing holder 3
7 is a gear train 61 for driving the toner feeding member 10b.
When checking (see FIG. 13), the small screw 57 is removed and removed from the developing frame 12a.

(Developing Blade Removal Step) After the developing roller 10d is removed, the developing blade 1
Remove 0e. The developing blade 10e is a small screw 10e4 for fixing the developing blade 10e shown in FIG. 14 to the blade mounting seat surface 12a4 (see FIG. 16) of the developing frame 12a.
Is removed and then moved in a direction away from the blade mounting seat surface 12a4.

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. The toner developing frame 12a from which the developing blade 10e has been removed is shown in a plan view in FIG. The removed developing blade 10e is shown in FIG. 29 in a perspective view.

Here, the removal of the object to be removed from the toner developing frame 12a is completed. The drum shutter 28 is not removed.

(Step of Applying Sealant for Toner Developing Container) According to the restoration of the toner seal 31, a process cartridge similar to a new process cartridge is completed.
In the present invention, the toner sill 31 is not repaired. Even if the toner seal 31 is not reattached, it is only necessary to have a sealing property so that the toner does not leak when the developing means is attached to the toner developing container.

(End Seal Replacement Step) If the end seal 34 is damaged, the end seal 34 is replaced.

(Step of embedding a sealing material in a gap between the developing frame and the lower developing frame) A developing roller 10 is provided between the developing frame 12a and the lower developing frame 12b.
The gaps g and g1 are provided along the inner side surface of the end seal 34 provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of d. As shown in FIG. 20, the gaps g and g1 are separated from each other with the sealing member 39 therebetween. The seal member 39 is a packing such as a felt that seals a corner between corners where the developing frame 12a and the lower developing frame 12b fit.

First, the gaps g and g1 are sealed. As shown in FIG. 30, the sealing is performed by the arc portion 12a6 and the developing lower frame 1
2b and the developing lower frame 12
Sealing materials 64a and 64b are applied to both sides of the sealing material 39 which is formed at each corner and corner of the longitudinal end face of b. Both sides of the sealing material 39 are portions having the above-mentioned gaps g and g1.

Next, the gaps g and g1 are filled by applying the sealing materials 64a and 64b.

The sealing members 64a and 64b are preferably plastically deformable sealing members. Plastically deformable sealing materials 64a, 64
b is a curable polymer material or a thermoplastic polymer material. Here, the curable polymer material is a silicon bond. The thermoplastic polymer material is a hot melt plastic.

When, for example, a silicon bond is applied as the sealing material 64, it is left to dry for about 6 hours.

(Side Pad Attaching Step) As shown in FIG. 33, a gap s is formed between the longitudinal end of the elastic blade 10e1 of the developing blade 10e and the end seal 34. During the image forming operation, the toner does not leak outward in the longitudinal direction due to the end seal 34 even if there is the gap s. However, as it is, the end seal 34 and the seal 35 (as will be described later) The (replace) corner is a straight portion 34b of the end seal 34, which is not in close contact with the developing roller 10d, so that toner may leak. Therefore, a side pad is provided.

As shown in FIG. 29, the developing blade 10e
A side pad 65 is attached as a seal to the end of the elastic blade 10e1 in the longitudinal direction so as to protrude in the longitudinal direction. The surface to be attached is the back surface of the elastic blade 10e1 (the side that does not contact the developing roller 10d), and is attached using an adhesive. This side pad 65 is used for the end seal 34.
And the seal 35 (blade lower seal 35k) is compressed so as to be in contact with the crossing corner thereof, and one side substantially coincides with the tip of the elastic blade 10e1.

With the developing roller 10d attached,
Longitudinal end of elastic blade 10e1 and end seal 34
The space is closed by the side pad 65. Then, the side pad 65 is pressed against the end seal 34 and the seal 35.

As a result, during distribution, the developing blade 10e and the developing frame 12
The toner is prevented from leaking outward from the interval a.

The side pad 65 is provided on the reused developing blade 10e when the removed developing blade 10e can be reused. Further, the developing blade 10
When replacing e with a new one, use a new developing blade 10
For e, a developing blade 10e provided with a side pad 65 is used. The side pad 65 is made of an elastic member such as a sponge.

(End Tip Seal Mounting Step) Since the height of the seat surface of the jaw seal 42 and the upper surface of the end seal 34 described later are different, a gap is formed between both ends in the longitudinal direction of the jaw seal 42 and the end seal 34. it can. Therefore, in order to eliminate this gap, a U-shaped end tip seal 6 serving as a sealing member is provided.
3k was provided. As shown in FIG. 39, the end seal 63k surrounds the arc 12a6 of the developing frame 12a and the lower developing frame so as to surround the end of the end seal 34 opposite to the side where the toner storage portion 10a is provided. 12b is affixed to the longitudinal end. This attachment is performed with an adhesive. The end tip seal 63k is made of sponge. The seal 6 is attached to the end of the end seal 34 and the side surface following the end.
3k is in contact.

(Jaw Seal Attaching Step) When the attachment of the end tip seal 63k to the toner developing container 12 is completed, the jaw seal 42 is attached next. The jaw seal 42 is made of a flexible sheet.

When the developing roller 10d is attached to the toner developing container 12, the jaw seal 42
Is attached to the lower developing frame 12b along the longitudinal direction.
The jaw seal 42 straddles a part of the end tip seal 63k and a part of the end seal 34 (see FIG. 38). In addition,
Both ends in the longitudinal direction of the jaw seal 42 are 63k at the end tip.
It is cut out in a square shape so that it does not go outside.

The seat surface 1 where the chin seal 42 is attached
Reference numeral 2b5 denotes the upper surface of the tip of the jaw portion of the developing lower frame 12b as shown in FIGS. The chin seal 42 is the end tip seal 6
3k, not attached to the end seal 34.

(Attaching Step of Side Cover Seal) In order to reinforce both ends of the jaw seal 42 in the longitudinal direction and to prevent toner leakage between both ends in the longitudinal direction of the jaw seal 42 and the end tip seal 63k as a mating member. Is provided with a side cover seal 69.

Both ends in the longitudinal direction of the jaw seal 42 only overlap the end tip seal 63k. Therefore,
As shown in FIG. 34 and FIG.
At the position corresponding to the longitudinal extension of 2b5, the end tip seal 6
A side cover seal 69 is attached to the outside of both ends of the developing lower frame 12b so as to involve 3k. As shown in FIG. 35, the width of the side cover seal 69 is an inner edge 63k1 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the short rib 12a36 on the outer side of the arc portion 12a6 of the developing frame 12a and the longitudinal end seal 63k.
(See FIG. 39). The side cover seal 69 uses an adhesive or an adhesive tape as shown in FIG.
5 is used as a bonding starting point, and folded back along the ends (D portions) at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the jaw portion 12b1 of the lower developing frame 12b, and the jaw seal 42 and the end tip seal are folded. Paste to hold 63k.

As a result, the sealing performance against the outside at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the jaw seal 42 is improved.

(Replacement of Developing Blade Lower Seal) A section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction between the developing blade mounting seat surfaces 12a4 of the developing frame 12a is stepped as shown in FIG. 37, and a recess 12a40 is formed in the middle of the step. A large number of ribs 12a41 are arranged in the longitudinal direction. The lower portion of the recess 12a40 is a flange 12a42. The upper surface of the step is the peripheral edge 12a43, and the lid member 12c is fitted into the peripheral edge 12a43. The upper surface of the peripheral edge 12a43 is slightly lower than the blade mounting seat surface 12a4.

The collected seal 35 of the process cartridge B is adhered to the rib 12a41 and
e (see FIG. 4).

If the flange 12a42 of the developing frame 12a is bent in the longitudinal direction, toner may leak from between the developing blade 10e and the developing frame 12a. Then, in the collected process cartridge B, after removing the developing roller 10d and the developing blade 10e from the toner developing container 12, the seal 35 is peeled off. Then, a blade lower seal 35k (see FIG. 37) is attached.

Here, the blade lower seal 35k has a rectangular cross section and its thickness t is such that one corner of the seal 35k abuts on the top end of the flange 12a42 and the corner adjacent to this corner abuts the side surface of the peripheral edge 12a43. That's it.

Then, both corners of the blade lower seal 35k, the flange 12a42, and the peripheral edge 12a43 are respectively bonded with an adhesive.

When the developing blade 10e is attached in a state where the blade lower seal 35k is stuck, the blade lower seal 35k is attached to the flange 12 extending continuously in the longitudinal direction.
The developing blade 10e and the developing frame 12a are sealed by being compressed against the a42 and the peripheral edge 12a43.

In the above description, the shape is not limited because the blade lower seal 35k may be brought into contact with the flange 12a42 and the peripheral edge 12a43. Generally, it is sufficient that the thickness is larger than that of the seal 35 and reaches the flange 12a42 and the peripheral edge 12a43.

The blade lower seal 35k is an elastic member such as a sponge.

The blade lower sheet 35k is connected to the developing frame 12a.
Alternatively, the developing blade 10e may be attached to the surface of the developing blade 10e opposite to the side in contact with the developing roller 10d.

(Toner Refilling Step) Next, the toner is refilled into the toner storage section 10a. This toner filling is performed as shown in FIG.
Is carried out, and the toner developing container 12 is held with the toner storing section 10a down. The tip of the funnel 47 is inserted into the toner supply opening 12a1, and the toner bottle 48 is inserted into the funnel 47.
From the toner. When a fixed-amount supply device provided in an auger in a funnel-shaped main body is used, toner can be efficiently replenished.

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

(Developing Blade Attachment Step) The developing blade 10e removed earlier cleans the adhered toner by air blowing or the like simultaneously with 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 a predetermined standard, the performance is appropriately replaced with a new one.

The developing blade 10e is a blade sheet metal 10e.
In a state where the lower seal 35k is compressed by pushing the second bent portion 10e3 toward the flange 12a42 and the peripheral edge 12a43 of the developing frame 12a shown in FIG. 37, the lower seal 35k is provided at both longitudinal ends of the blade sheet metal 10e2 as shown in FIG. The notch 10e8 is fitted into a positioning dowel (not shown) provided on the developing blade mounting seat surface 12a4. Next, the small screw 10e4 is inserted into the hole 10e7 of the blade sheet metal 10e2 to be screwed into the developing blade mounting seat surface 12a4, and the developing blade 10e is fixed to the developing frame 12a.

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

(Developing Roller Attaching Step) The developing roller 10d removed earlier cleans the adhered toner using air blowing or the like at the same time as 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, the device 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 replacement is required statistically at the time of inspection or reproduction during the development process, replacing with a new one at the time of reproduction without performing inspection improves the work efficiency.

The inspection of the developing roller 10d is performed by disassembling the developing roller main body, the magnet 10c, the bearings 33a and 33b, the spacer roller 10d1, the roller electrode (not shown), the developing roller gear 10f, and the like. Find out. If it cannot be used, assemble using new parts as appropriate.

The gear train 61 for driving the toner feed members 10b1 and 10b2 rotatably supported by the developing frame 12a respectively removes the developing holder 37, and cleans and checks these gear trains to use non-defective products. Re-assembly before the used or new developing roller 10d.

In order to attach the developing roller 10d to the toner developing container 12, the following procedure is performed.

The developing holder 37 is fitted into the developing frame 12a. By inserting the small screw 57 through the developing holder 37, the developing frame 1
2a, and fix the developing holder 37 to the developing frame 12a. Next, the shaft 10d2 at one end of the developing roller 10d is fitted to the bearing 33b of the developing holder 37. Then, in a state where the bearing 33a is fitted to the shaft 10d2 at the other end of the developing roller 10d at the end opposite to the bearing 33b in the longitudinal direction, the hole 33 of the bearing 33a is inserted into the dowel 12a7 of the developing frame 12a.
Combine a4. 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 at an end of the shaft 10d2 of the developing roller 10d protruding outside the bearing 33a. Then, the hole 36d of the developing holder 36 is inserted into the dowel 12a7 projecting from the hole 33a4 of the bearing 33a.
At this time, the shaft of one end of the magnet 10c is fitted into the D-shaped hole 36e which is located outside the bearing hole in the longitudinal direction outside the bearing hole. The shaft at one end of the magnet 10c has the same shape and the same size as the D-shaped hole 36e. Then, the small screw 56 is inserted into the hole 36c of the developing holder 36 and the hole 33a1 of the bearing 33a and screwed into the female screw 12a13 of the developing frame 12a. by this,
The developing holders 37 and 36 are fixed to the developing frame 12a, and the developing roller 10d is supported by the toner developing container 12.

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

FIG. 40 shows the toner developing container 12 to which the developing roller 10d is attached.

(Other Toner Refilling Step) After each seal is applied to the toner developing frame 12a, as described above, the toner is supplied from the toner supply opening 12a1 to the toner storage section 10a.
May be filled with the toner in the toner developing container 12 to which the developing blade 10e and the developing roller 10d are remounted.

That is, the toner developing frame 12a sealed as described above fills the toner from the toner filling port 12a2, and the toner cap 32 is attached to the toner filling port 12a.
Press into 2 and seal.

As described above, the toner developing container 12 filled with toner leaks from the gaps g and g1 between the longitudinal ends of the developing frame 12a and the lower developing frame 12b because the sealing material 64 is applied thereto. Nothing.

The toner leaking to the outside between the chin seal (blowout prevention seal) 42 and the end seal 34 is stopped by the end tip seal 63k and the side cover seal 69.

Further, the side pad 65 contacting the corner where the seal 35k and the end seal 34 meet is attached to the developing blade 10e.
Since the elastic blade 10e1 is adhered to the developing blade 10d, the longitudinal end of the elastic blade 10e1 is in close contact with the developing roller 10d and is closed by the side pad 65. It is possible to prevent the toner from leaking from between the spaces 34.

[0116] Therefore, from the toner developing container 12 having the developing roller 10d and the developing blade 10e, normal conveyance and transfer are performed.
The internal toner does not leak during handling.

Toner developing container 12 and cleaning container 1
The connecting step 3 is the same as the step of connecting the toner developing container 12 with the toner seal and the cleaning container 13. Therefore, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 11, and 26.

In FIG. 11, the arm 38 of the toner developing container 12 is inserted into the recess 13h of the cleaning container 13. Then, as shown in FIG. 26, the through hole 38b (the long hole 38b1) of the arm portion 38 is aligned with the hole 13c of the outer wall surface 13q of the cleaning container 13. Hole 13c and through hole 3
When the holes 8b (the long holes 38b1) match, the through holes 38b match the holes 13e of the inner wall surface 13d of the cleaning container 13. Here, the pin 41 is connected to the hole 13 c of the outer wall surface 13 q of the cleaning container 13 and the arm 3 of the toner developing container 12.
8 into the hole 38b (elongated hole 38b1). Further, the pin 41 is further pressed into the hole 13e of the inner wall surface 13d of the cleaning container 13. The spring hook 12a29 of the toner developing container 12 and the spring hook 1 of the cleaning container 13
The tension coil spring 59 is stretched over 3p by hanging both ends of the tension coil spring 59, respectively. Thereby, the developing roller 10d
The spacer rollers 10d1 at both ends and the photosensitive drum 7 are pressed against each other.

As described above, the process cartridge can be reproduced without reattaching the toner seal.

(Reproduction of Cleaning Container) When the toner developing container 12 is reproduced, the separated cleaning container 13 is reproduced.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the cleaning container 13 to which the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, and the cleaning blade 11a are attached. FIG. 41 of a longitudinal sectional view shows a part where the photosensitive drum 7 is assembled to the cleaning container 13. FIG. 42 shows a configuration for supporting the charging roller 8 on the cleaning container 13.

As shown in FIG. 41, 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 a drum gear 51a. The flange 52 has a transfer roller drive gear 52a. The drum shafts 53a, 53b penetrate the flanges 51, 52, and one end of the cleaning container 1
3 fit into the holes 13k and 13m, and the cleaning container 1
3 supported. When the process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 14, the drum gear 51a meshes with the drive gear 22 of the image forming apparatus main body 14 shown in FIG. It is something that meshes with. 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. 42, 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. 42, 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. The charging roller bearing 8c is compressed by a compression coil spring portion 8b contracted between spring seats 13s at one end of the guide groove 13g.
The charging roller 8 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 7 by being urged toward 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 8a to the outside of the process cartridge B, and connects an external contact portion of the electrode to a high-voltage power supply of the image forming apparatus main body 14. They are connected electrically.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning blade 11a has an elastic blade 11a1 such as rubber, which is in contact with the generatrix of the photosensitive drum 7, fixed to a blade plate 11a2. As shown in FIG.
1a is fixed by screwing small screws 11a4 into the cleaning container 13 through holes at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the blade sheet metal 11a2.

In the above, 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 is removed from the cleaning container 13 when the shafts 53a and 53b passing through the center holes 51b and 52b of the flanges 51 and 52 are pulled out of the cleaning container 13, respectively.

When the photosensitive drum 7 is removed, the charging roller 8 is moved in parallel in a 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. 4) is formed almost entirely in the longitudinal direction between the squeeze sheet 11b.

The removed photosensitive drum 7, charging roller 8c, and bearing 8c are inspected to determine whether or not they can be reused.
Attach to No. 3 and use a new one if it cannot be reused. However, the photoreceptor drum 7 usually 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.

With reference to FIGS. 43, 44 and 45, the cleaning of the toner accumulated in the removed toner storage section 11c of the cleaning container 13 will be described.

FIG. 43 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. At the same time, the cleaning container 13 is oscillated about the shaft 73b by the oscillating device 73.

FIG. 44 shows an air block 79 of a 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 through 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 the two-dot chain line near the opening G in FIG. 29, the seal area A1, the air inlet A2, and the air outlet A3.
Indicated by The seal area A1, the air inlet A2, and the air outlet A3 indicated by these two-dot chain lines are
g, the ejection port 79d, and the suction port 79e. As described above, the suction device 79 opens the compressed air Q1 supplied from the base end side of the air supply pipe 79c to the cleaning container 13 which is in close contact with the air block 79a from the ejection port 79d which is in close contact with the air inlet A2. Cleaning container 1 via G
3 (arrow Q2) to scatter the removed toner in the cleaning container 13 and suck the removed toner together with the air in the cleaning container 13 from the suction port 79e closely attached to the air discharge port A3 (arrow Q2). Q3), the suctioned removed toner is sent to the base end side of the suction pipe 79f (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. 4 shows the structure of the cleaning device 70.
A method for cleaning the cleaning container 13 and the operation of the cleaning device 70 will be described in detail with reference 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.

Thus, the cleaning container 13 is clamped at a predetermined position on the receiving table 72 with respect to 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. 44). . The motor 77a is turned on (S
9) The impact applying device 77 is activated, and the pin 77b of the clamp fixed to the shaft of the motor 77a swings the yoke 77c about the pin 77d supporting the yoke 77c. Striking is started at a point P (see FIG. 44) 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 (S).
10). As a result, the removed toner attached to the inner wall of the cleaning container 13 is forcibly dropped, and
Make the removed toner easier to move. The rotary actuator 76 is activated (S11), and the rocking table 73a of the rocking device 73 makes one reciprocation between α = 0 to 80 degrees around the shaft 76b that supports the rocking table 73a in a swingable manner. (S12). Here, the swing table 73a is stopped by hitting stoppers 71a and 71b whose positions can be adjusted. Suction device 7
9, the compressed air stop valve (not shown) is opened, and (S13,
S14) In parallel with blowing the compressed air into the cleaning container 13 from the ejection port 79d (see FIG. 44) through the opening G, the air in the cleaning container 13 is sucked through the opening G together with the removed toner through the opening G. Aspirate from 79c.
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 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. Next, the inside of the cleaning container 13 is cleaned by blowing compressed air into the cleaning container 13 while sucking the air in the cleaning container 13. Thereafter, a new squeeze sheet 11b is attached to the cleaning container 13. Then, the hole 11a3 of the new cleaning blade 11a is fitted into the positioning projection 13i of the cleaning container 13, and the small screw 11a4 is screwed into the cleaning container 13 through the hole of the blade sheet metal 11a2.

Next, the charging roller 8 fitted with the bearing 8c having the 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 hole 13m are tightly fitted, and the drum shaft 53 and the holes 13k, 51b, 52b are in smooth contact. That is, the photosensitive drum 7 unitized on the drum shaft 53 rotates freely.

(Separation between Photosensitive Drum and Developing Roller) When the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d are in contact with each other, the drum gear 51a and the developing roller gear
And are engaged. When the drum gear 51a and the developing roller gear 10f are transported in a meshed state, the tooth surfaces of the gears rotate due to the vibration of the transport due to the vibration of the transport. There is no problem if this rotation is always in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 46 (rotation direction at the time of operation). When the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d rotate in the direction of arrow B, that is, in the direction opposite to the operation, the toner leaks from between the chin seal (blow-out prevention sheet) 42 and the developing roller 10d. Since the sheet comes into contact with the developing roller in the counter direction, the blowout prevention sheet may be rolled up. Further, the scraper 60 attached to both ends of the developing blade 10e and guiding the toner at both ends of the developing roller 10d to the inside can perform its operation by the normal (operating) rotation of the developing roller 10d. , The toner leaks from both ends of the developing roller 10d.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the drum gear 51 is used.
The distribution is made in a state in which the gap between the gear a and the developing roller gear 10f is made larger than the gap at the time of image formation so that the tooth surfaces do not collide due to vibration during transportation. Of course, distribution may be performed in a state where the meshing is released.

As shown in FIG. 47, means for maintaining the above-described enlarged back gap or engagement between the drum gear 51a and the developing roller gear 10f will be described below. FIG.
In a state where the back gap between the drum gear 51a and the developing roller gear 10f is large or the meshing is released, the tape 8 extends over the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13.
1 was pasted.

Drum gear 51a and developing roller gear 10f
48, the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are pivoted by pins 41 as shown by an arrow N in FIG. A force is applied so that the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 are approached on the side opposite to the side where the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d are provided. At this time, a force is applied against the spring force of the tension coil spring 59 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) for pressing the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 10d. Accordingly, tension acts on the tape 81 based on the spring 59. Therefore, the tape 81 has a width and a thickness so that the stress against the tensile force at the time of distribution is within an allowable range, and the tape 81 is made of an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive that does not peel off the adhesive portion to the toner developing frame 12 and the cleaning container 13. Used.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are summarized and supplemented as follows.

The first is a process cartridge remanufacturing method in which the process cartridge B is remanufactured. (A) The pin 41 provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B is removed, and the toner storage portion is removed. 1
Developing container 12 having toner supply opening, developing roller and developing blade, and electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7
(B) a developing roller removing step of removing the developing roller 10d attached to the separated toner developing container 12, and (c) a separating toner developing container 12. A developing blade removing step of removing the developing blade 10e attached to the developing device; and (d) a seal 35 member which is a sealing member affixed to the toner developing container 12 between the developing blade 10e and the toner developing container 12. (E) a seal member attaching step of attaching a seal member 35k thicker than the seal member 35 removed in the seal member removing step, and (f) a sealant member removing step. , A developing blade such that a thick seal member 35 k is sandwiched between the developing member and the toner developing container 12. A developing blade mounting step of mounting a 0e, developing roller 10 to the toner developing container 12 which is (g) separating
(h) a toner refilling step of refilling the toner in the toner storage unit 10a; (i) a container for inserting the pin 41 to connect the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 And a coupling step.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent toner from leaking from between the developing blade and the toner developing container even if the toner supply opening is not provided with a toner seal.

Second, in the first case, the thick seal member 35 is used.
k is an elastic member. Therefore, the thick sealing member is compressed by merely attaching the developing blade, and the sealing performance is increased.

Thirdly, in the first or second embodiment, the thickness of the sealing member 35k to be attached in the sealing member attaching step is about 2.5 to 4.5 mm.

Fourthly, in any one of the first to third embodiments, further provided along the inner side surface of an end seal 34 provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d. And a sealing material embedding step of embedding the sealing materials 64a and 64b in the gaps g and g1 of the toner developing container 12.

As a result, toner does not leak from the inside of the developing roller to the outside through the gaps g and g1.

Fifth, in any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the toner storage portion 10a of the end seal 34 provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d is further provided. A tip seal member attaching step of attaching the tip seal member 63k to the end opposite to the end provided. As a result, it is possible to prevent toner from leaking from a portion where the chin seal 42 and the end seal 34 overlap.

Sixth, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the tip seal member 63k is attached so as to surround the tip of the end seal.

As a result, the bonding area of the leading end seal member to the toner developing container 12 increases, and the attachment becomes strong.

Seventh, in any one of the first to sixth embodiments, a surface of the removed developing blade 10e on the side opposite to the side facing the developing roller 10d, which is in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade 10e. A developing blade end seal attaching step of attaching the developing blade end seal 65 to one end side and the other end side.

This prevents toner from leaking from between the elastic blade 10e1 and the end seal 34.

Eighth, in any one of the first to seventh embodiments, prior to the developing roller attaching step, a flexible seal is applied along the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d attached to the toner developing container 12. A flexible seal attaching step of attaching a certain jaw seal 42 to the toner developing container 12.

The ninth is the first to eighth aspects, in which, after the flexible seal attaching step, the longitudinal end of the flexible seal 42 attached to the toner developing container 12 and the toner developing container 12 are straddled. First side seal 69
And a step of attaching the second side seal 69 over the other end of the flexible seal 42 in the longitudinal direction and the toner developing container.

In this way, it is possible to further sufficiently prevent toner leakage from between the jaw seal 42 and the end tip seal 63k on the longitudinal extension of the portion of the jaw seal 42 attached to the toner developing frame 12.

Tenthly, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the toner refilling step is performed after the developing roller is attached, and the toner refilling step is performed before the developing blade attaching step and the developing roller attaching step. The operation is performed from a toner supply opening 12a1 provided for supplying the toner stored in the storage section 10a to the developing roller 10d.

Thus, the toner can be filled even when the toner filling opening 12a2 cannot be opened.

Eleventh, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, in the toner refilling step, after the developing blade attaching step and the developing roller attaching step, the toner filling opening
2a2.

As a result, the equipment used for filling the toner in the new process cartridge can be used as it is for filling the toner.

Twelfth is a process cartridge remanufacturing method for remanufacturing the process cartridge B. (a) A pin 41 provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B is removed to remove 1
0b, a toner supply opening 12a1, a toner developing container 12 having a developing roller 10d and a developing blade 10e, and a cleaning container 13 having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7; and (b) separated toner development. A developing roller removing step of removing the developing roller 10d attached to the container 12, (c) a developing blade removing step of removing the developing blade 10e attached to the separated toner developing container 12, and (d) the removed development. Developing roller 10 of blade 10e
d is a surface opposite to the side opposite to the side d, and an end seal 34 is provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade 10e.
(E) a toner developing container provided along an inner side surface of an end seal 34 provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d. A sealing material embedding step of embedding the sealing materials 64a, 64b in the gaps g, g1 of (12); and (f) the sealing of the end seals 34 provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d. Toner storage unit 10
a on the side opposite to the side where the
(g) a flexibility in which a jaw seal 42, which is a flexible seal, is attached to the toner developing container 12 along the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 10d attached to the toner developing container 12. And (h) after the flexible seal attaching step, the first side seal 69 spans one longitudinal end of the flexible seal 42 attached to the toner developing container 12 and the toner developing container 12. Attaching the second side seal 69 over the other end of the flexible seal 42 in the longitudinal direction and the toner developing container; and (i) refilling the toner in the toner storage portion 10a with toner. A filling step, and (j) a sheet metal portion 10e of the removed developing blade 10e.
(K) a seal member peeling step of peeling off the seal 35 member stuck on 2; (k) a seal member sticking step of sticking a seal member 35k thicker than the seal 35 member peeled off in the seal member peeling step; A) a developing blade attaching step of attaching the developing blade 10e to the separated toner developing container 12 so as to sandwich the thick seal member 35k between the toner developing container 12; 10
This is a process cartridge remanufacturing method including: a developing roller attaching step of attaching d; and (n) a container connecting step of connecting the toner developing container 12 and the cleaning container 13 by inserting the pin 41.

Thus, it is possible to provide a process cartridge in which the toner in the toner storage section does not leak outside without applying a toner seal to the toner supply opening.

Thirteenth, in the twelfth aspect, the toner refilling step is provided to supply the toner stored in the toner storage part 10a to the developing roller 10d prior to the developing blade mounting step and the developing roller mounting step. This is performed from the supplied toner supply opening 12a1.

Thus, the toner can be filled even when the toner filling opening 12a2 cannot be opened.

Fourteenth, in the twelfth aspect, the toner refilling step is performed from the toner charging opening 12a2 after the developing blade mounting step and the developing roller mounting step, instead of being performed before the sealing member peeling step.

Thus, the equipment used for filling the toner of the new process cartridge can be used as it is for filling the toner.

The fifteenth embodiment is different from the fourteenth embodiment in that the toner container 1
Toner filling opening 12a for refilling toner into
Reference numeral 2 denotes an opening which communicates with a toner storage portion 10a used for filling a toner when a process cartridge is newly produced.

[0173]

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

An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge remanufacturing method capable of preventing toner from leaking out of the process cartridge.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a partial cross section of the process cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a frame of the toner developing container.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a drum shutter.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a toner developing container and a cleaning container.

FIG. 12 is a development schematic diagram of a cleaning container.

FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a toner developing container without a developing roller.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a developing roller supporting means.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the toner developing container with the developing roller and the developing blade removed.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a portion E in FIG. 17;

19 is an enlarged view of a portion F in FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a front view of the toner developing container viewed from the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the process cartridge.

FIG. 21 is a vertical sectional view of a process cartridge.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 24 is a side view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 26 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a coupling portion between a toner developing container and a cleaning container.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a cleaning container and a toner developing container.

FIG. 28 is a plan view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a cleaning blade.

FIG. 30 is a front view showing a step of sealing a notch.

31 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a front view showing a side pad.

FIG. 34 is a vertical cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axis of an end seal portion.

FIG. 35 is a front view showing a side cover seal.

FIG. 36 is a front view showing the end of the blade lower seal.

FIG. 37 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a blade lower seal portion.

FIG. 38 is a plan view showing a chin seal, an end tip seal, and an end seal.

FIG. 39 is a plan view of an end tip seal.

FIG. 40 is a plan view of the toner developing container.

FIG. 41 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a supporting structure of a photosensitive drum.

FIG. 42 is a side view showing a configuration for supporting a charging roller.

FIG. 43 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cleaning device for a cleaning container.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a nozzle of the cleaning device.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing a cleaning operation.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view showing the photosensitive drum and the developing roller during operation for image formation.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a photosensitive drum and a charging roller in a distribution process.

FIG. 48 is a longitudinal sectional view of the process cartridge in a distribution process.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a process cartridge in a physical distribution process.

FIG. 50 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a toner filling step.

FIG. 51 is a perspective view showing a seal configuration of an end portion of a developing roller.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: Image forming apparatus B: Process cartridge G: Opening t: Toner 1: Optical means (optical system) 2: Recording medium 3: Transporting means 3a: Cassette 3b: Pickup roller 3c: Separating claw 3d: Transport path 3e: Registration roller Pair 3f: Conveying path 3g, 3h: Discharge roller 4: Transfer roller 5: Fixing means 5a: Drive roller 5b: Heater 5c
... Fixing roller 6 ... Discharge unit 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, 1
0b2: toner feeding member 10c: magnet 10d: developing roller 10d1: spacer roller 10d2: shaft 10
e: developing blade 10e1 ... elastic blade 10e2
... Blade sheet metal 10e3 ... Bent part 10e4 ... Machine screw 10e7 ... Hole
10e8: Notch 10f: Developing roller gear 10h: Elastic sealing material 10
j ... piece 11 ... cleaning means 11a ... cleaning blade 11a1 ... elastic blade 11a2 ... blade sheet metal 11a3 ... hole 11a4 ... small screw 11b ... squeeze sheet 11c ... removed toner storage unit 12 ... toner developing container 12a ... developing frame 12a1 ...
Toner supply opening 12a2 ... toner filling opening 12a3
… Groove 12a4… Blade mounting seat surface 12a5… Seal affixing seat surface 12a6… Circular arc portion 12a7… Dowel 12a
8 Slit 12a11 Positioning dowel 12a13 Female thread 12
a16 Flange 12a17 Hole 12a18 Concave part 12a20 Pasting part 12a21 Longitudinal outer side arc part 12a26 Square groove 12a29 Spring hook 1
2a36 ... rib 12a40 ... concave part 12a41 ... rib 12a42 ... flange 12a43 ... peripheral edge 12b ... developing lower frame 12
b1 chin 12b2 protrusion 12b3 dowel 12b5 seat surface with chin seal pasted 12b6 rib 12
c: lid member 12d: notch 12d1: lateral wall 13: cleaning container 13a: cleaning frame
13a1 cylindrical part 13b lid member 13b3 hole 1
3c ... hole 13d ... inner wall surface 13e ... hole 13h ... recess 13i ... protrusion 13j ... recess 13k, 13m ... hole 13n ... transfer opening 13p ... spring hook 13q ... outer wall surface 13s ... spring seat 14 ... device body 15 ... opening and closing member 15a ... Shaft 16 Guide groove 16c Positioning portion 18 Boss 19 Rib 22 Drive gear 27 Torsion coil spring 28 Drum shutter member 28a Pin 29 Pin 31 Toner seal 32 Cap 33a, 33b Bearing 33a1 Hole 33a2: Bearing hole 33a4: Hole 34: End seal 34a: Arc part 34b: Linear part
34c: wool felt portion 34d: sliding portion 35: seal 35k: blade lower seal 36: developing holder 36b: gear storage portion 36c: hole
36d: D-shaped hole 37: developing holder 38: arm portion 38a: concave portion 38b: through hole 38
b1 ... long hole 39 ... sealing material 41 ... pin 42 ... chin seal 42a ... both ends 46 ... sealing member 47 ... funnel 48 ... toner bottle 51 ... flange 51a ... drum gear 51b ... center hole 52 ... flange 52a ... transfer roller drive gear 52b
... Center holes 53a, 53b ... Drum shafts 54, 55 ... Shutter opening levers 55a, 55b ... Position 55c ... Shafts 56, 57 ... Machine screws 59 ... Tension coil springs 60 ... Scrapers 60a ... Tips 61 ... Gear trains 62 ... Cover side seals 63k ... end tip seal 63k1 ... edge 64 ... sealing material 65 ... side pad 66 ... end side horizontal seal 69 ... side cover seal 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 ... atmosphere suction port 79 ... suction device 79a ... air block 79b ... seal member 79c ... air supply pipe 79d ... jet port 79e ... suction port 79f ... intake pipe 79g ... adhesion surface 81 ... tape 86 ... laser light source 87 ... Receiver

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-3-249781 (JP, A) JP-A-5-80601 (JP, A) JP-A-6-195000 (JP, A) JP-A-6-308819 (JP) JP-A-7-92887 (JP, A) JP-A-7-181857 (JP, A) JP-A-7-219295 (JP, A) JP-A 8-202242 (JP, A) JP-A-9-81013 (JP, A) JP-A-11-24533 (JP, A) JP-A-11-143225 (JP, A) JP-A-11-237821 (JP, A) A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/00 550 G03G 21/16-21/18 G03G 15/08

Claims (25)

(57) [Claims] 1. A process cartridge remanufacturing method for remanufacturing a process cartridge, comprising the steps of: (a) removing a pin provided at one end and the other end of the process cartridge in a longitudinal direction, thereby removing a toner storage portion and a toner supply opening; A container separating step of separating a toner developing container having a developing roller and a developing blade from a cleaning container having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and (b) developing removing the developing roller attached to the separated toner developing container. A roller removing step; (c) a developing blade removing step of removing the developing blade attached to the separated toner developing container; and (d) a developing blade and the toner developing container.
(E) a sealing member peeling step of peeling off the sealing member stuck to the toner developing container; (e) a sealing member sticking step of sticking a sealing member thicker than the sealing member peeled in the sealing member peeling step; A developing blade attaching step of attaching a developing blade to the separated toner developing container such that a thick seal member is sandwiched between the toner developing container and a developing roller attaching step of attaching a developing roller to the separated toner developing container. (H) a toner refilling step of refilling the toner in the toner storage section; and (i) a container connecting step of connecting the toner developing container and the cleaning container by inserting a pin, to reproduce the process cartridge. Method. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thick seal member is an elastic member. 3. The process cartridge reproductive method according to claim 1, wherein in the sealing member attaching step, a thickness of the sealing member attached is about 2.5 to 4.5 mm. 4. A seal for embedding a sealing material in a gap between toner developing containers provided along inner side surfaces of end seals provided at one end and the other end of the developing roller in the longitudinal direction. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of embedding a stopper material. 5. 5. An end seal member provided at one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller, a tip seal member at an end opposite to the side on which the toner storage portion is provided. 5. A method for remanufacturing a process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: attaching a tip seal member. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tip seal member is attached so as to surround a tip of the end seal. 7. A developing blade having a developing blade end seal attached to one end and the other end of the removed developing blade on the side opposite to the side facing the developing roller and at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a step of attaching a blade end seal. 8. A method for attaching a flexible seal to the toner developing container along a longitudinal direction of the developing roller attached to the toner developing container prior to the step of attaching the developing roller. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the process cartridge is reproduced. 9. A step of attaching a first side seal over one end in the longitudinal direction of the flexible seal attached to the toner developing container and the toner developing container after the step of attaching the flexible seal, 9. The process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: attaching a second side seal across the other end of the flexible seal in the longitudinal direction and the toner developing container. Reproduction method. 10. The toner refilling step is performed from a toner filling opening after a developing blade attaching step and a developing roller attaching step.
The method for re-producing a process cartridge according to any one of the above. 11. A process cartridge remanufacturing method for remanufacturing a process cartridge, comprising the steps of: (a) removing a pin provided at one end and the other end of the process cartridge in a longitudinal direction, thereby removing a toner accommodating portion and the toner accommodating portion; A toner supply opening for supplying the toner stored in the section in the direction in which the developing roller is provided, a toner developing container having a developing roller and a developing blade, and a cleaning container having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are separated. A container separating step, (b) a developing roller removing step of removing a developing roller attached to the separated toner developing container, and (c) a developing blade removing removing a developing blade attached to the separated toner developing container. And (d) between the developing blade and the toner developing container,
(E) a sealing member peeling step of peeling off the sealing member stuck to the toner developing container; (e) a sealing member sticking step of sticking a sealing member thicker than the sealing member peeled in the sealing member peeling step; (G) a toner refilling step of refilling toner from the toner supply opening into the toner storage unit; and (g) a developing blade for attaching a developing blade to the separated toner developing container so that a thick seal member is sandwiched between the toner developing container An attaching step, (h) a developing roller attaching step of attaching a developing roller to the separated toner developing container, and (i) a container connecting step of inserting a pin to connect the toner developing container and the cleaning container. How to reproduce cartridges. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the thick seal member is an elastic member. 13. The process cartridge reproductive method according to claim 11, wherein in the sealing member attaching step, the thickness of the sealing member attached is about 2.5 to 4.5 mm. 14. A seal for embedding a sealing material in a gap of a toner developing container provided along an inner side surface of an end seal provided at one end and the other end of the developing roller in the longitudinal direction. 14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of embedding a stopper. 15. An end seal provided at one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller, a tip seal member at an end opposite to the side on which the toner storage portion is provided. 15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: attaching a tip seal member. 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the tip seal member is attached so as to surround a tip of the end seal. 17. A developing blade having a developing blade end seal attached to one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the removed developing blade on the surface opposite to the side facing the developing roller. 17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of attaching a blade end seal. 18. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: attaching a flexible seal to the toner developing container along a longitudinal direction of the developing roller attached to the toner developing container prior to the developing roller attaching process. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the process cartridge is reproduced. 19. A step of attaching a first side seal over one end in the longitudinal direction of the flexible seal attached to the toner developing container and the toner developing container after the step of attaching the flexible seal. 19. A process according to any one of claims 11 to 18, comprising attaching a second side seal across the other longitudinal end of the flexible seal and the toner developer container. How to reproduce cartridges. 20. A process cartridge remanufacturing method for remanufacturing a process cartridge, comprising the steps of: (a) removing a pin provided at one end and the other end of the process cartridge in a longitudinal direction, thereby removing a toner storage portion and a toner supply opening; A container separating step of separating a toner developing container having a developing roller and a developing blade from a cleaning container having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and (b) developing removing the developing roller attached to the separated toner developing container. A roller removing step, (c) a developing blade removing step of removing a developing blade attached to the separated toner developing container, and (d) a removing surface of the removed developing blade opposite to a side facing the developing roller. Attach end seal members to one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the developing blade (E) sealing in a gap of a toner developing container provided along an inner side surface of an end seal provided at one end and the other end of the developing roller in the longitudinal direction. (F) a sealing material embedding step of embedding a material; (G) attaching a flexible seal to the toner developing container along a longitudinal direction of the developing roller attached to the toner developing container; h) attaching a first side seal over one end in the longitudinal direction of the flexible seal attached to the toner developing container and the toner developing container after the flexible seal attaching process; Attaching a second side seal over the other end of the flexible seal in the longitudinal direction and the toner developing container; and (i) peeling off the seal member attached to the sheet metal portion of the removed developing blade. (J) a sealing member attaching step of attaching a sealing member having a thickness greater than that of the sealing member peeled off in the sealing member peeling step; and (k) attaching the thick sealing member to the separated toner developing container. (L) a developing roller attaching step of attaching the developing roller to the separated toner developing container; and (m) a toner for refilling the toner in the toner container. A refilling step, and (n) a container connecting step of inserting a pin to connect the toner developing container and the cleaning container. A method for reproducing a process cartridge, comprising: 21. The process cartridge reproductive method according to claim 20, wherein the toner refilling step is performed from a toner filling opening after the developing blade attaching step and the developing roller attaching step. 22. A toner filling opening for refilling the toner in the toner storage section is an opening that communicates with a toner storage section used for filling the toner when a process cartridge is newly produced. 22. The method according to claim 10, wherein the process cartridge is reproduced. 23. A process cartridge remanufacturing method for remanufacturing a process cartridge, comprising the steps of: (a) removing a pin provided at one end and the other end of the process cartridge in the longitudinal direction to remove the toner accommodating portion and the toner accommodating portion; A toner supply opening for supplying the toner stored in the section in the direction in which the developing roller is provided, a toner developing container having a developing roller and a developing blade, and a cleaning container having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum are separated. A container separating step; (b) a developing roller removing step of removing a developing roller attached to the separated toner developing container; and (c) a developing blade removing removing a developing blade attached to the separated toner developing container. And (d) the side of the removed developing blade facing the developing roller. An end sealing member attaching step of attaching an end sealing member to one end and the other end of the developing blade on the opposite side, and (e) one end and the other end of the developing roller in the longitudinal direction A sealing material embedding step of embedding a sealing material in a gap of a toner developing container provided along an inner side surface of an end seal provided on a side of the developing roller; A tip seal member attaching step of attaching a tip seal member to a side of the end seal provided on the other end side opposite to the side on which the toner accommodating portion is provided; and (g) attaching the end seal to the toner developing container. A flexible seal attaching step of attaching a flexible seal to the toner developing container along the longitudinal direction of the developing roller; and (h) a flexible seal attached to the toner developing container after the flexible seal attaching step. Attaching a first side seal over one end in the longitudinal direction of the printer and the toner developing container, and attaching a second side seal over the other end in the longitudinal direction of the flexible seal and the toner developing container. (I) a toner refilling step of refilling toner from the toner supply opening into the toner storage section, and (j) a sealing member peeling step of peeling off a sealing member attached to a sheet metal portion of the removed developing blade. k) a sealing member sticking step of sticking a sealing member thicker than the sealing member peeled off in the sealing member peeling step; and (l) a thick sealing member between the separated toner developing container and the toner developing container. A developing blade attaching step of attaching the developing blade so as to sandwich the developing blade; and (m) developing the attaching of the developing roller to the separated toner developing container. And over La mounting step, insert the (n) pins, remanufacturing method of a process cartridge having a container coupling step of coupling the toner developing container and the cleaner container. 24. The process cartridge, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the developing roller are coaxially fixed and have gears meshing with each other, and after the container connecting step, the toner developing container and the cleaning container are rotated about the pins. The gears are disengaged, and the state in which the gears are disengaged is maintained.
3. The method for reproducing a process cartridge according to item 1. 25. The gears are kept disengaged by moving a pin between the toner developing container and the cleaning container on the side opposite to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein a tape is attached to each of the containers on the approaching side.