JP7118811B2 - reproduction method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to remanufacturing of a developing device and a process cartridge provided with a developer container provided in an image forming apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming method (electrophotographic process), an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum by uniformly charging the photosensitive drum and selectively exposing the charged photosensitive drum to light. to form The electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image using toner as a developer. Then, the toner image is transferred onto a recording material such as a recording paper or a plastic sheet, and heat or pressure is applied to the toner image transferred onto the recording material to fix the toner image on the recording material, thereby performing image recording. Such image forming apparatuses generally require maintenance of various process means. In order to facilitate maintenance of these various process means, there is a cartridge system in which the above-mentioned photosensitive drum, charging means, developing means, cleaning means, and the like are assembled into a frame and detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. It has been put to practical use. According to the cartridge system, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with excellent usability.

Since such a cartridge uses toner to form an image on a recording medium, the toner is consumed as the image is formed. When the toner is consumed to such an extent that the user who purchased the cartridge cannot form an image of satisfactory quality, the cartridge loses its commercial value. In recent years, cartridges whose commercial value has been lost due to the consumption of toner have come to be commercialized again. In such a remanufacturing method, a method has been devised in which a hole is made in the frame of the toner storage container of the cartridge, toner is refilled through the hole, and the hole is sealed with a sealing member after refilling. (see Patent Document 1). Further, there is a cartridge in which toner is filled from a toner filling port of a toner storage container, and the toner filling port is sealed by press-fitting a toner cap into the toner filling port. In addition, when refilling toner, a method has been devised to remanufacture the cartridge by removing the toner cap attached to the cartridge, refilling the toner, and press-fitting a new toner cap into the cartridge to attach it (Patent Document 2). 2).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-251119 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-221855

There is a cartridge in which a toner filling port is sealed by adhering a toner cap to a toner storage container. In the case of such a cartridge, if the toner cap is removed from the adhesive surface to expose the toner filling port, the adhesive surface on the cartridge side may become rough. Therefore, when the filling port is closed with a new toner cap or the like, there is a possibility that the toner will leak through the roughened portion of the adhesive surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a developing device and a process cartridge remanufacturing method for preventing toner from leaking out.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for remanufacturing a developing device according to the present invention includes:
A reproduction method for reproducing a second developing device from a first developing device,
The first developing device is
a frame body provided with a developer containing chamber for containing a developer, the frame body having an opening communicating between the developer containing chamber and the outside of the frame body ;
a first cap member that seals the opening, the first cap member being adhered to the bonding surface of the frame with a first adhesive capable of dissolving the frame;
with
The reproduction method includes:
a peeling step of peeling the first cap member from the adhesive surface so that the adhesive surface remains on the frame and a rough surface is formed on the adhesive surface;
a refilling step of refilling the developer into the developer storage chamber;
a resealing step of adhering a sealing member to the adhesive surface via an elastic adhesive having elasticity and sealing the opening with the sealing member;
characterized by comprising

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a developing device and a method for remanufacturing a process cartridge that prevent toner from leaking out.

4A and 4B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a method for remanufacturing the developer container according to the first embodiment; Sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment FIG. 2 is a perspective view of mounting a process cartridge to the main body of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1; 1A and 1B are an exploded view and a perspective view showing the structure of a developer container according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a front view showing the structure of the toner cap according to the first embodiment; 1A and 1B are an exploded view and a perspective view showing the structure of a developer container according to the first embodiment; 1 is an exploded view showing the configuration of a process cartridge according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 4A and 4B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a method of disassembling the developer container according to the first embodiment; 4 is a perspective view showing a method for remanufacturing the developer container according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a method of remanufacturing the developer container according to the second embodiment;

Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangement of the components described in the embodiments should be changed as appropriate according to the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. It is not intended to limit the scope to the following embodiments.

<Example 1>
The configuration of the developing device, the process cartridge 7 and the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG.
<Electrophotographic image forming apparatus>
First, the overall configuration of Embodiment 1 of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "image forming apparatus") according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of mounting the process cartridge 7 in the main body of the image forming apparatus. 4 is a sectional view of the process cartridge 7. FIG. Image forming apparatus 100 includes first, second, and third image forming units for forming yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) images, respectively, as a plurality of image forming units. , and fourth image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK. In this embodiment, the configurations and operations of the first to fourth image forming units are substantially the same except that the colors of the images to be formed are different. Therefore, hereinafter, Y, M, C, and K will be omitted and a general description will be given unless a particular distinction is required. Here, the image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming process. Photo facsimile machines and the like are included.

The image forming apparatus 100 has four electrophotographic photosensitive drums (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drums”) 1 (1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K) as image carriers. The photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the direction of arrow A in FIG. A charging roller 2 and a scanner unit 3 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 1 . Here, the charging roller 2 is charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 . The scanner unit 3 is exposure means for forming an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) on the photosensitive drum 1 by irradiating a laser based on image information. Further, around the photosensitive drum 1, developing devices (hereinafter referred to as "developing units") 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K) and a cleaning blade 6 as cleaning means are arranged. Further, an intermediate transfer belt 5 as an intermediate transfer member for transferring the toner image (developer image) carried by the photosensitive drums 1 onto the recording material 12 is arranged so as to face the four photosensitive drums 1 . In this embodiment, the developing unit 4 uses toner T (TY, TM, TC, TK), which is a non-magnetic one-component developer. In this embodiment, the developing unit 4 performs contact development by bringing a developer bearing member (hereinafter referred to as "developing roller") 22 as a developing means into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 .

The photoreceptor units 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K) include a photoreceptor drum 1, a charging roller 2, a cleaning blade 6, and a waste toner storage section for storing primary transfer residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1. 14a. Further, in this embodiment, the developing unit 4 and the photosensitive member unit 13 are integrated into a cartridge to form a process cartridge 7 (7Y, 7M, 7C, 7K). The process cartridge 7 can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 via attachment means such as an attachment guide and a positioning member (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 100 . In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the process cartridge 7 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100 along the rotation axis direction (the direction of arrow G) of the photosensitive drum 1 . In this embodiment, all the process cartridges 7 for each color have the same shape. However, the process cartridges 7 for each color are not limited to this, and may have different shapes and sizes. Each color process cartridge 7 accommodates yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners T (TY, TM, TC, and TK). Incidentally, the process cartridge 7 is also simply called a cartridge.

The intermediate transfer belt 5 contacts all the photosensitive drums 1 and moves in the direction of arrow B in FIG. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is stretched over a plurality of supporting members (driving roller 26, secondary transfer counter roller 27, driven roller 28). Four primary transfer rollers 8 (8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K) serving as primary transfer means are arranged side by side on the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5 so as to face the respective photosensitive drums 1 . . A secondary transfer roller 9 as a secondary transfer unit is arranged at a position facing the secondary transfer facing roller 27 on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 5 .

<Image forming process>
When forming an image, first, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 2 . Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is scanned and exposed by a laser beam emitted from the scanner unit 3 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 according to the image information. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is then developed as a toner image by the developing unit 4 . The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the primary transfer roller 8 . For example, when forming a full-color image, the above processes are sequentially performed in the first to fourth image forming stations SY, SM, SC, and SK, and toner images of respective colors are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. Primary transfer. After that, the recording material 12 is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion in synchronization with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 5 . Then, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 5 are collectively secondary-transferred onto the recording material 12 by the secondary transfer roller 9 which is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5 via the recording material 12 .

After that, the recording material 12 to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 10 as fixing means. The toner image is fixed on the recording material 12 by applying heat and pressure to the recording material 12 in the fixing device 10 . The primary transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 after the primary transfer process is removed by the cleaning blade 6 . Secondary transfer residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 5 after the secondary transfer process is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 11 . The removed secondary transfer residual toner (waste toner) is discharged to a waste toner box (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 100 . The image forming apparatus 100 can also form monochrome or multi-color images using only one or some (but not all) image forming stations as desired.

<Process cartridge>
Next, the overall configuration of the process cartridge 7 mounted in the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7. FIG. 7A is an exploded view of the developing unit 4, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the developing unit 4. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4 , the photoreceptor unit 13 has a cleaning frame 14 as a frame that supports various components within the photoreceptor unit 13 . The photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably attached to the cleaning frame 14 in the direction of arrow A through a bearing member. A charging roller bearing 15 is attached to the cleaning frame 14 along a line passing through the center of rotation of the charging roller 2 . Here, the charging roller bearing 15 is attached so as to be movable in the direction of arrow C in FIG. The charging roller 2 is rotatably attached to the charging roller bearing 15 . The charging roller bearing 15 is biased toward the photosensitive drum 1 by a charging roller pressure spring 16 as biasing means.

The cleaning blade 6 also has an elastic member 6a for removing primary transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 after the primary transfer, and a support member 6b for supporting the elastic member. The elastic member 6a and the support member 6b are integrally formed. The primary transfer residual toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the cleaning blade 6 falls in the direction of gravity in the space formed by the cleaning blade 6 and the cleaning frame 14, and is stored in the waste toner storage portion 14a. . As shown in FIGS. 4, 7A, and 7B, the developing unit 4 has a developing frame 18 that supports various components within the developing unit 4. As shown in FIG. The developing unit 4 is provided with a developing roller 22 that contacts the photosensitive drum 1 and rotates in the direction of arrow D in FIG. The developing roller 22 is rotatably supported by the developing frame 18 via a first developing bearing unit 32 and a second developing bearing unit 33 at both ends of the developing roller 22 in the rotation axis direction.

The developing unit 4 also has a developer containing chamber 18a containing toner, a developing chamber 18b in which the developing roller 22 is disposed, and an internal opening 18c communicating between the developer containing chamber 18a and the developing chamber 18b. The internal opening 18c is provided in a partition portion 18m that partitions the developer storage chamber 18a and the developing chamber 18b. In this embodiment, the developing chamber 18b is positioned vertically above the developer containing chamber 18a. A supply roller (developer supply member) 20 rotating in contact with the development roller 22 and a developer regulating member 21 for regulating the toner layer of the development roller 22 are arranged in the development chamber 18b.

The development frame 18 has a developer storage chamber 18a. The developer storage chamber 18a of the developing frame 18 is provided with an agitating member 23 for agitating the stored toner T and conveying the toner to the supply roller 20 through the internal opening 18c. The stirring member 23 has a rotating shaft 23a extending in the rotating shaft direction of the stirring member 23 and a stirring sheet 23b having one end attached to the rotating shaft 23a. The agitation sheet 23b has portability and agitates and conveys the toner. The agitating member 23 rotates in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 4 while the agitating sheet 23b is in contact with the inner wall surface of the developer containing chamber 18a and bent. The developer storage chamber 18a has a release position 18e where the stirring sheet 23b is released from the bent state. When the agitation sheet 23b passes through the release position 18e, the toner on the agitation sheet 23b is sprung up by the force of the agitation sheet 23b being released from the flexed state, and the toner on the agitation sheet 23b is pushed up through the inner opening 18c to the supply roller 20 in the developing chamber 18b. to convey the toner.

<Detailed Configuration of Developer Container>
Next, a detailed configuration of the developing frame 18, which is a developer container, will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the developing unit 4 before the toner cap 31 (first cap member) is attached, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the developing unit 4 after the toner cap 31 is attached. 6A is a front view of the toner cap 31 viewed from the outside of the developing unit 4, and FIG. 6B is a rear view of the toner cap 31 viewed from the inside of the developing unit 4. FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the developing roller 22 is attached to the developing frame 18, the axial direction of the center of rotation of the developing roller 22 is the J direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the developing frame 18 is provided with a stirring gear 30 on one end side in the J direction. The developing frame 18 is provided with two toner filling ports (openings) 18f for filling toner into the developer storage chamber 18a, two frame-side rotation restricting portions 18g, and two frame-side adhesive surfaces 18h. there is The toner filling port 18f is a through hole, and is provided in the developing frame 18 so as to communicate the developer storage chamber 18a with the outside of the developing frame 18. As shown in FIG. The toner filling port 18f is provided in a side wall arranged at the end of the developing frame 18 in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 18 (the same direction as the axial direction of the developing roller 22). The side wall extends in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 18 . By arranging the toner filling port 18f as described above, the toner can be filled up to the vicinity of the end portion of the developer storage chamber 18a in both the filling of the toner and the refilling of the toner which will be described later.

6A shows the toner cap 31 viewed from the first surface side of the toner cap 31. FIG. The first surface of the toner cap 31 faces the outside of the developing unit 4 when the toner cap 31 is attached to the developing unit 4 . As shown in FIG. 6A, the toner cap 31 is provided with a cap-side rotation restricting portion 31a and an inlet 31b. FIG. 6B shows the toner cap 31 viewed from the second surface side of the toner cap 31 . The second surface of the toner cap 31 is opposite to the first surface of the toner cap 31 and faces the inside of the developing unit 4 when the toner cap 31 is attached to the developing unit 4 . As shown in FIG. 6B, the second surface of the toner cap 31 is provided with a cap-side adhesive surface 31c. One toner cap 31 is attached to each of the two toner filling ports 18f (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). In this case, the cap-side rotation restricting portion 31a is attached to the frame-side rotation restricting portion 18g, thereby restricting the positional deviation between the toner cap 31 and the developing frame 18. FIG. For example, the cap-side rotation regulating portion 31a is inserted between a pair of frame-side rotation regulating portions 18g, and the horizontal movement of the cap-side rotation regulating portion 31a is regulated, thereby preventing the toner cap 31 from moving with respect to the developing frame 18. Horizontal movement is restricted.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the toner cap 31 is attached to the developing frame 18 while the position of the toner cap 31 is regulated. In this embodiment, a styrene-based resin composition is used for the toner cap 31 and the developing frame 18 . The injection port 31b is a portion into which a terpene-based solvent (solution) having a property of dissolving the styrene-based resin composition is injected. The inlet 31b penetrates the toner cap 31. As shown in FIG. By injecting a terpene-based solvent (not shown) into the inlet 31b while the toner cap 31 is positioned on the developing frame 18, the terpene-based solvent is injected between the frame-side adhesive surface 18h and the cap-side adhesive surface 31c. flows in. Then, the terpene-based solvent dissolves part of the toner cap 31 and the developing frame 18, and the melted portion is then solidified, thereby joining the toner cap 31 and the developing frame 18 together. In this manner, the toner cap 31 is adhered to the frame side adhesive surface 18h on the outer surface of the developing frame 18, and seals the toner filling port 18f. As a result, leakage of toner from the gap between the toner cap 31 and the developing frame 18 can be suppressed. The toner cap 31 is a sealing member that seals the toner filling port 18f.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the development roller 22 and the supply roller 20 are supported by the development frame 18 via the first development bearing unit 32 and the second development bearing unit 33 . The first developing bearing unit 32 is composed of a developing bearing member 32a for supporting the developing roller 22 and the supply roller 20, a gear train 32b for transmitting drive to the stirring gear 30, and a side cover 32c. Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, the toner cap 31 is covered with a side cover 32c. The side cover 32c is fixed to the developing device frame 18 and the developing device bearing member 32a with three screws 34. As shown in FIG.

<Method for Disassembling and Remanufacturing Process Cartridge>
Next, a method for disassembling and remanufacturing the process cartridge 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5 to 10. FIG. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the developing frame 18 before a new toner cap 35 is attached to the developing frame 18. FIG. 1(b) and 1(c) are sectional views of the toner filling port 18f after the new toner cap 35 is attached. The new toner cap 35 is a cap member (second cap member) different from the toner cap 31 . Also, the new toner cap 35 is a sealing member that seals the toner filling port 18f. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the process in which the process cartridge 7 is separated into the photoreceptor unit 13 and the developing unit 4. As shown in FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the developing unit 4 in an example of the process of removing the toner cap 31 from the developing frame 18. FIG. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the toner filling port 18f in an example of the process of removing the toner cap 31 from the developing frame 18. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the developing unit 4 in the process of refilling toner. In the reproduction method according to this embodiment, the toner is refilled from the toner filling port 18f. Therefore, it is not necessary to make a hole in the developing frame 18 to form a new toner filling port. Therefore, compared with the case of making a hole in the developing frame 18, the generation of shavings of the developing frame 18 can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to prevent internal parts such as the stirring member 23 from being damaged.

The reproduction method according to this embodiment includes steps 1 to 7 below.
Step 1: Separation step of photosensitive unit 13 and developing unit 4 Step 2: Separation step of side cover 32c Step 3: Removal step of toner cap 31 Step 4: Toner refilling step Step 5: New toner cap Step 6: Reinstallation step of side cover 32c Step 7: Reunification step of photoreceptor unit 13 and developing unit 4 Note that the reproduction method according to the present embodiment includes steps 1 to 7 described above. includes a preparatory step of preparing the developing unit 4 (or process cartridge 7) as a material before performing the process. As the developing unit 4 and the process cartridge 7 as materials, for example, the used developing unit 4 and the process cartridge 7 in which the toner has been consumed by the image forming operation are used. In other words, the remanufacturing method according to the present embodiment is a method of remanufacturing a new developing unit (second developing device) from the developing unit 4 (first developing device) as a material. In other words, the remanufacturing method according to the present embodiment is a method of remanufacturing a new process cartridge (second process cartridge) from the process cartridge 7 (first process cartridge) as a raw material. The above seven steps will be described below in order.

(Step 1)
Step 1 is a step of separating the photoreceptor unit 13 and the developing unit 4 . A process of separating the photoreceptor unit 13 and the developing unit 4 of the process cartridge 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The connecting pin 36 for connecting the photoreceptor unit 13 and the developing unit 4 is pulled out from the hole provided in each of the photoreceptor unit 13 and the developing unit 4 to separate the photoreceptor unit 13 and the developing unit 4 from each other. The photoreceptor unit 13 and the development unit 4 are coupled by inserting the coupling pin 36 into the hole provided in each of the photoreceptor unit 13 and the development unit 4 .

(Step 2)
Step 2 is a step of separating the side cover 32c. The side cover 32c is removed from the developing unit 4 by removing the three screws 34 shown in FIG.

(Step 3)
Step 3 is a step of removing the toner cap 31 (peeling step). At least one of the plurality of toner caps 31 is removed. As described above, since the toner cap 31 is adhered to the developing frame 18, it cannot be easily separated. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, in order to remove the toner cap 31 from the developing frame 18, a slotted screwdriver 37 or the like is inserted between the cap-side adhesive surface 31c and the frame-side adhesive surface 18h (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Insert. Then, the toner cap 31 is peeled off from the cap-side adhesive surface 31c using the principle of leverage or the like. Alternatively, the toner cap 31 may be peeled off from the cap-side adhesive surface 31c by pulling with pliers (not shown) or the like. Alternatively, the toner cap 31 may be destroyed and removed by an ultrasonic cutter (not shown) or laser processing (not shown). In the toner cap 31 removing step, the method for removing the toner cap 31 is not limited. By this process, the cap-side adhesive surface 31c and the frame-side adhesive surface 18h are separated, and the toner cap 31 is peeled off from the frame-side adhesive surface 18h of the developing frame 18. FIG. At this time, a rough surface is formed on the frame-side adhesive surface 18h by peeling off the toner cap 31. As shown in FIG. Causes of the formation of the rough surface include scratches on the frame-side adhesive surface 18h, adhesive left on the frame-side adhesive surface 18h, part of the toner cap 31 left on the frame-side adhesive surface 18h, and the like.

(Step 4)
Step 4 is a toner refilling step of filling the developing frame 18 with new toner. As shown in FIG. 10, step 4 is carried out while holding the developing frame 18 so that the toner filling port 18f exposed by performing step 3 is on the vertically upper side and the developer storage chamber 18a is on the vertically lower side. preferably. By inserting a funnel 38 into the toner filling port 18f and dropping toner from a toner bottle (not shown) or the like into the funnel 38, toner is refilled from the toner filling port 18f into the developer storage chamber 18a (see FIG. 4). .

(Step 5)
Step 5 is a step of attaching a new toner cap 35 . As shown in FIG. 1A, the toner filling port 18f exposed by performing step 3 is sealed with a new toner cap 35. Next, as shown in FIG. Thus, step 5 is also a step of resealing the toner filling port 18f. A welding mark remains on the frame-side adhesive surface 18h of the developing frame 18, and the surface of the frame-side adhesive surface 18h is rough. do not have. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1B, an elastic adhesive 39 is applied or stuck to the original adhesive surface (frame-side adhesive surface 18h) on the outer surface of the developing frame 18 and the adhesive surface 35a of the new toner cap 35. wear. The elastic adhesive 39 is an adhesive that has rubber elasticity even after curing. It is preferable that the new toner cap 35 has enough elasticity to allow the new toner cap 35 to slightly move with respect to the frame-side adhesive surface 18h by deformation of the elastic adhesive 39 . Also, the elastic adhesive 39 may be applied so that the new toner cap 35 does not come into direct contact with the frame side adhesive surface 18h. The elastic adhesive 39 may be, for example, silicon bond, which is a silicon-based adhesive. Also, the elastic adhesive 39 is not limited to a silicone-based adhesive, and may be a rubber-based, vinyl-based, or urethane-based adhesive. Next, a new toner cap 35 is attached to the developing frame 18 . In this way, the new toner cap 35 is adhered to the frame side adhesive surface 18h on the outer surface of the developing frame 18 via the elastic adhesive 39, and the new toner cap 35 seals the toner filling port 18f. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B, the toner filling port 18f exposed by performing step 3 can be sealed with a new toner cap 35 without toner leaking from the developing frame 18. FIG. Even if the surface of the frame-side adhesive surface 18h is rough, the elastic adhesive 39 absorbs the surface roughness of the frame-side adhesive surface 18h, so that a new toner cap 35 is securely attached to the developing frame 18.例文帳に追加can be done.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the new toner cap 35 has a protruding portion 35b provided on the outer peripheral portion of the new toner cap 35 and a protruding portion 35c provided on the central portion of the new toner cap 35. As shown in FIG. In the configuration example of the new toner cap 35 shown in FIG. 1B, a groove (gap) is provided between the protruding portion 35b and the protruding portion 35c of the toner cap 35. As shown in FIG. The projecting portion 35b is an example of a first projecting portion. The protruding portion 35b of the new toner cap 35 protrudes toward the developing frame 18 and can be adhered to the frame-side adhering surface 18h via the elastic adhesive 39. As shown in FIG. A protruding portion 35b of the new toner cap 35 protrudes toward the developing frame 18 and can be inserted into the toner filling port 18f. The development frame 18 has a protruding portion 18j that protrudes outward. The projecting portion 18j is an example of a second projecting portion. The protruding portion 18j of the developing device frame 18 protrudes in the direction opposite to the inner direction of the developer accommodating chamber 18a. In step 5, the new toner cap 35 is placed in a state in which a portion of the side surface (inner surface) of the projecting portion 35b of the new toner cap 35 and a portion of the side surface (outer surface) of the projecting portion 18j of the developing frame 18 face each other. is adhered to the frame side adhesion surface 18h. As a result, horizontal movement of the new toner cap 35 with respect to the outer surface of the developing frame 18 is restricted, and positional deviation between the developing frame 18 and the new toner cap 35 is suppressed. As a result, peeling of the elastic adhesive 39 from the new toner cap 35 is suppressed, and leakage of toner from the gap between the new toner cap 35 and the developing frame 18 is suppressed. Further, the new toner cap 35 protrudes while a part of the side surface (inner side surface) of the protruding portion 35b of the new toner cap 35 is in contact with a part of the side surface (outer side surface) of the protruding portion 18j of the developing frame 18. The portion 35b may be adhered to the frame side adhesion surface 18h. In the example shown in FIG. 1B, the projecting portion 18j of the developing frame 18 is arranged so as to surround the toner filling port 18f when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the toner filling port 18f. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 1B, the projecting portion 35b of the new toner cap 35 is arranged so as to surround the projecting portion 18j of the developing frame 18 when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the toner filling port 18f. It is Therefore, in step 5, the protruding portion 35b of the new toner cap 35 is arranged in a direction away from the toner filling port 18f than the protruding portion 18j of the developing frame 18 when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the toner filling port 18f. be done.

Also, in step 5, the projecting portion 35c of the new toner cap 35 is inserted into the toner filling port 18f. By inserting the projecting portion 35c of the new toner cap 35 into the toner filling port 18f, misalignment between the new toner cap 35 and the developing frame 18 is suppressed. Therefore, horizontal movement of the new toner cap 35 with respect to the outer surface of the developing frame 18 is restricted, and peeling of the elastic adhesive 39 from the new toner cap 35 is suppressed. As a result, leakage of toner from the gap between the new toner cap 35 and the developing frame 18 is suppressed.

Alternatively, the projecting portion 35c of the new toner cap 35 may be press-fitted into the toner filling port 18f. That is, pressure is applied to the toner cap 35 while the protruding portion 35c of the new toner cap 35 is in contact with the inner wall 18i of the toner filling port 18f, and the protruding portion 35c of the new toner cap 35 is inserted into the toner filling port 18f. It's okay. A gap between the inner wall 18i of the toner filling port 18f and the protrusion 35c of the new toner cap 35 disappears when the protrusion 35c of the new toner cap 35 contacts the inner wall 18i of the toner filling port 18f. As a result, leakage of toner from the developing frame 18 is further suppressed.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the new toner cap 35 protrudes while the inner surface of the protruding portion 35b of the new toner cap 35 and the outer surface of the protruding portion 18j of the developing frame 18 face each other. The portion 35b is adhered to the frame side adhesion surface 18h. As shown in FIG. 1C, in step 5, the new toner cap 35 protrudes while the outer surface of the projecting portion 35b of the new toner cap 35 and the inner surface of the projecting portion 18j of the developing frame 18 face each other. The portion 35b may be adhered to the frame side adhesion surface 18h. As a result, horizontal movement of the new toner cap 35 with respect to the outer surface of the developing frame 18 is restricted, and positional deviation between the new toner cap 35 and the developing frame 18 is suppressed. As a result, peeling of the elastic adhesive 39 from the new toner cap 35 is suppressed, and leakage of toner from the gap between the new toner cap 35 and the developing frame 18 is suppressed. In the example shown in FIG. 1C, the protruding portion 35b of the new toner cap 35 is arranged so as to surround the toner filling port 18f when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the toner filling port 18f. In the example shown in FIG. 1C, the projecting portion 18j of the developing frame 18 is arranged so as to surround the projecting portion 35b of the new toner cap 35 when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the toner filling port 18f. It is Therefore, in step 5, the protruding portion 35b of the new toner cap 35 is positioned closer to the toner filling port 18f than the protruding portion 18j of the developing frame 18 when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the toner filling port 18f. be done. In addition, in the structural example of the new toner cap 35 shown in FIG. 1C, a step is provided between the protruding portion 35b and the protruding portion 35c of the new toner cap 35. As shown in FIG.

(Step 6)
Step 6 is a step of reattaching the side cover 32c. The side cover 32c removed from the developing unit 4 in step 2 is reattached to the developing unit 4 in the reverse order of step 2. For example, the side cover 32c is attached to the developing unit 4 again by aligning the developing frame 18 and the side cover 32c and attaching the screw 34 to the developing unit 4 using a screwdriver or the like.

(Step 7)
Step 7 is a step of reuniting the photoreceptor unit 13 and the developing unit 4 . The photoreceptor unit 13 separated in step 1 and the developing unit 4 refilled with toner are combined again in the reverse order of step 1. For example, the photoreceptor unit 13 and the developing unit 4 are aligned so that the hole provided in the photoreceptor unit 13 and the hole provided in the developing unit 4 are aligned. After that, the photosensitive member unit 13 and the developing unit 4 refilled with toner are reunited (rejoined) by inserting the connecting pins 36 into the holes provided in the photosensitive member unit 13 and the developing unit 4 respectively. By performing the steps 1 to 7 described above, it is possible to prevent leakage of toner from the developing frame 18 and to remanufacture the process cartridge 7 while preventing quality deterioration of the process cartridge 7 .

In this example, PS (polystyrene) is used as the styrene resin composition. However, instead of PS, HIPS (high impact polystyrene), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), etc. may be used as the styrenic resin composition. Terpene-based solvents used in this embodiment include, for example, d-limonene, I-limonene, dI-limonene, d-α-pinene, d-β-pinene, α-terpinene, β-terpinene, γ- Terpinene is mentioned. Terpinolene, 2-carene, d-3-carene, I-3-carene, and phellandrene can also be used as terpene-based solvents. As the terpene-based solvent, d-limonene, I-limonene, and dI-limonene are preferably used, and d-limonene is more preferably used.

In this embodiment, the new toner cap 35 may be made of low-density polyethylene. A new toner cap 35 is press-fitted into the toner filling port 18f, and the toner filling port 18f is
, the material of the new toner cap 35 is preferably softer than that of the developing frame 18 in terms of sealing stability and prevention of whitening. In addition, the functions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, processes, etc. of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them, unless otherwise specified. do not have.

<Example 2>
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in Example 2, a part different from Example 1 is demonstrated in detail. The material and shape of each component in Example 2, each step in Example 2, and the like are the same as those in Example 1, unless otherwise specified. Constituent elements in the second embodiment that are the same as those in the first embodiment are assigned the same numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the developing frame 18 before the toner cap 31 removed in step 3 is reattached to the developing frame 18. FIG. 11(b) and 11(c) are cross-sectional views of the toner filling port 18f after the toner cap 31 removed in step 3 is attached to the developing frame 18 again. The step 5 of this example is different from the step 5 of the first example, and the other steps of the present example are the same as the other steps of the first example.

(Step 5)
Step 5 of the second embodiment is a step of reinstalling the toner cap 31 removed in step 3 (hereinafter referred to as removed toner cap 31). As shown in FIG. 11A, the toner filling port 18f exposed by performing step 3 is sealed with the removed toner cap 31. Next, as shown in FIG. That is, the removed toner cap 31 is used as a sealing member for resealing the toner filling port 18f. Here, since the welding mark remains on the frame-side adhesive surface 18h of the developing frame 18 and the surface of the frame-side adhesive surface 18h is rough, the removed toner cap 31 is again attached to the frame-side adhesive surface 18h. It is not easy. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11B, an elastic adhesive 39 is applied to the original adhesive surface (frame-side adhesive surface 18h) on the outer surface of the developing frame 18 and the cap-side adhesive surface 31c of the removed toner cap 31. do or paste. Next, the removed toner cap 31 is attached to the developing frame 18 again. Thus, the removed toner cap 31 is adhered to the frame side adhesive surface 18h on the outer surface of the development frame 18 via the elastic adhesive 39, and the toner filling port 18f is sealed with the reattached toner cap 31. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, the toner filling port 18f exposed by performing the step 3 can be sealed with the reattached toner cap 31 without the toner leaking from the developing frame 18. . Even if the surface of the frame-side adhesive surface 18h is rough, the elastic adhesive 39 absorbs the surface roughness of the frame-side adhesive surface 18h, so that the removed toner cap 31 is securely attached to the developing frame 18.例文帳に追加be able to. By performing the steps 1 to 7 described above, it is possible to prevent leakage of toner from the developing frame 18 and to remanufacture the process cartridge 7 while preventing quality deterioration of the process cartridge 7 . Moreover, since the bonding step is not required, the man-hours for remanufacturing the process cartridge 7 can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the toner cap 31 has a protruding portion 31d provided on the outer peripheral portion of the toner cap 31 and a protruding portion 31e provided on the central portion of the toner cap 31. As shown in FIG. In the configuration example of the toner cap 31 shown in FIG. 11B, a groove (gap) is provided between the protruding portion 31d and the protruding portion 31e of the toner cap 31. As shown in FIG. The projecting portion 31d is an example of a first projecting portion. A protruding portion 31d of the toner cap 31 protrudes toward the developing frame 18 and can be adhered to the frame-side adhesive surface 18h via an elastic adhesive 39. As shown in FIG. A protruding portion 31e of the toner cap 31 protrudes toward the developing frame 18 and can be inserted into the toner filling port 18f. In step 5, the removed toner is removed while a portion of the side surface (inner surface) of the protrusion 31d of the removed toner cap 31 and a portion of the side surface (outer surface) of the protrusion 18j of the developing frame 18 face each other. The protruding portion 31d of the cap 31 is adhered to the frame side adhesion surface 18h. This restricts the horizontal movement of the reattached toner cap 31 with respect to the outer surface of the developing frame 18, and suppresses the positional deviation between the reattached toner cap 31 and the developing frame 18. FIG. As a result, peeling of the elastic adhesive 39 from the reattached toner cap 31 is suppressed, and leakage of toner from the gap between the reattached toner cap 31 and the developing frame 18 is suppressed. Further, the toner cap 31 protrudes in a state in which a portion of the side surface (inner side surface) of the protrusion 31d of the removed toner cap 31 is in contact with a portion of the side surface (outer side) of the protrusion 18j of the developing frame 18. The portion 31d may be adhered to the frame side adhesion surface 18h. In the example shown in FIG. 11B, the projecting portion 18j of the developing frame 18 is arranged so as to surround the toner filling port 18f when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the toner filling port 18f. In the example shown in FIG. 11B, the protruding portion 31d of the reattached toner cap 31 surrounds the protruding portion 18j of the developing frame 18 when viewed from the direction normal to the opening surface of the toner filling port 18f. are placed in Therefore, in step 5, the protruding portion 31d of the reattached toner cap 31 is in a direction away from the toner filling port 18f than the protruding portion 18j of the developing frame 18 when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the toner filling port 18f. placed in

Alternatively, the protruding portion 31e of the removed toner cap 31 may be press-fitted into the toner filling port 18f. Specifically, pressure is applied to the removed toner cap 31 in a state in which the protruding portion 31e of the removed toner cap 31 is in contact with the inner wall 18i of the toner filling port 18f, and the protruding portion of the removed toner cap 31 is inserted into the toner filling port 18f. 31e may be inserted. When the protruding portion 31e of the removed toner cap 31 contacts the inner wall 18i of the toner filling port 18f, the gap between the inner wall 18i of the toner filling port 18f and the protruding portion 31e of the removed toner cap 31 disappears. As a result, leakage of toner from the developing frame 18 is further suppressed.

In the example shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the removed toner cap 31 is removed while the inner surface of the protruding portion 31d of the removed toner cap 31 and the outer surface of the protruding portion 18j of the developing frame 18 face each other. is adhered to the frame side adhesion surface 18h. As shown in FIG. 11(c), in step 5, the removed toner cap 31 is removed while the outer surface of the protrusion 31d of the removed toner cap 31 and the inner surface of the protrusion 18j of the developing frame 18 face each other. may be adhered to the frame body side adhesion surface 18h. This restricts the horizontal movement of the reattached toner cap 31 with respect to the outer surface of the developing frame 18, and suppresses the positional deviation between the reattached toner cap 31 and the developing frame 18. FIG. As a result, peeling of the elastic adhesive 39 from the reattached toner cap 31 is suppressed, and leakage of toner from the gap between the reattached toner cap 31 and the developing frame 18 is suppressed. In the example shown in FIG. 11C, the protruding portion 31d of the reattached toner cap 31 is arranged so as to surround the toner filling port 18f when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the toner filling port 18f. In the example shown in FIG. 11C, the projecting portion 18j of the developing frame 18 surrounds the projecting portion 31d of the reinstalled toner cap 31 when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the toner filling port 18f. are placed in Therefore, in step 5, the protruding portion 31d of the reattached toner cap 31 is closer to the toner filling port 18f than the protruding portion 18j of the developing frame 18 when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the toner filling port 18f. placed in Note that in the configuration example of the toner cap 31 shown in FIG. 11C, a step is provided between the protruding portion 31d and the protruding portion 31e of the toner cap 31. As shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the material of the toner cap 31 may be low-density polyethylene. When the toner cap 31 is pressed into the toner filling port 18f to seal the toner filling port 18f, the material of the toner cap 31 should be softer than the material of the developing frame 18 in terms of sealing stability and prevention of whitening. is preferred. In addition, the functions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, processes, etc. of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them, unless otherwise specified. do not have.

4 Developing unit 18 Developing frame 18a Developer storage chamber 18f Toner filling port 18h Adhesive surface on frame side 31, 35 Toner cap 39 Elastic adhesive

Claims (14)

A reproduction method for reproducing a second developing device from a first developing device,
The first developing device is
a frame body provided with a developer containing chamber for containing a developer, the frame body having an opening communicating between the developer containing chamber and the outside of the frame body ;
a first cap member that seals the opening, the first cap member being adhered to the bonding surface of the frame with a first adhesive capable of dissolving the frame;
with
The reproduction method includes:
a peeling step of peeling the first cap member from the adhesive surface so that the adhesive surface remains on the frame and a rough surface is formed on the adhesive surface;
a refilling step of refilling the developer into the developer storage chamber;
a resealing step of adhering a sealing member to the adhesive surface via an elastic adhesive having elasticity and sealing the opening with the sealing member;
A reproduction method comprising: The sealing member has a first protrusion that can be adhered to the adhesive surface via the elastic adhesive,
The frame has a second projecting portion that projects toward the outside of the frame,
In the resealing step, the first protrusion is adhered to the adhesive surface in a state in which part of the side surface of the first protrusion and part of the side surface of the second protrusion face each other.
2. The reproduction method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the resealing step, the first protrusion is arranged in a direction further away from the opening than the second protrusion when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the opening.
3. The reproduction method according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the resealing step, the first protrusion is arranged in a direction closer to the opening than the second protrusion when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the opening.
3. The reproduction method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sealing member is a second cap member different from the first cap member,
5. The reproduction method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The sealing member is the first cap member,
5. The reproduction method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first cap member is adhered to the adhesive surface by the first adhesive capable of dissolving the frame and the first cap member,
7. The reproduction method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: A remanufacturing method for remanufacturing a second process cartridge from a first process cartridge,
The first process cartridge is
A frame having a developer containing chamber for containing developer, the frame having an opening communicating between the developer containing chamber and the outside of the frame, and sealing the opening. a developing device comprising: a first cap member that is attached to an adhesive surface of the frame with a first adhesive capable of dissolving the frame;
an image carrier that carries a developer image;
with
The reproduction method includes:
a peeling step of peeling the first cap member from the adhesive surface so that the adhesive surface remains on the frame and a rough surface is formed on the adhesive surface;
a refilling step of refilling the developer into the developer storage chamber;
a resealing step of adhering a sealing member to the adhesive surface via an elastic adhesive having elasticity and sealing the opening with the sealing member;
A reproduction method comprising: The sealing member has a first protrusion that can be adhered to the adhesive surface via the elastic adhesive,
The frame has a second projecting portion that projects toward the outside of the frame,
In the resealing step, the first protrusion is adhered to the adhesive surface in a state in which part of the side surface of the first protrusion and part of the side surface of the second protrusion face each other.
9. The reproduction method according to claim 8 , characterized in that: In the resealing step, the first protrusion is arranged in a direction further away from the opening than the second protrusion when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the opening.
10. The reproduction method according to claim 9 , characterized in that: In the resealing step, the first protrusion is arranged in a direction closer to the opening than the second protrusion when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the opening.
10. The reproduction method according to claim 9 , characterized in that: The sealing member is a second cap member different from the first cap member,
12. The reproduction method according to any one of claims 8 to 11 , characterized in that: The sealing member is the first cap member,
12. The reproduction method according to any one of claims 8 to 11 , characterized in that: The first cap member is adhered to the adhesive surface by the first adhesive capable of dissolving the frame and the first cap member,
14. The reproduction method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that:

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