JPH01241567A - Process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the unnecessary space in an image forming device and to reduce the size of the device by using a detachable grip and image carrier protection cover for the process cartridge. CONSTITUTION:This cartridge is equipped with an image carrier 3, a developing device 2 which contains developing toner 13, an electrostatic charger 14, a cleaning blade 15 which cleans waste toner 16 on the image carrier 3, and the grip 14. This grip 4 consists of a cover part 4a which protects the image carrier 3 and a grip part 4b. Then the grip 4 is detached from the process cartridge 1 after the process cartridge 1 is mounted on the image forming device. No unnecessary space is therefore required in the device main body. Consequently, the image forming device is reduced in size.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a process cartridge that is removably mountable to an image forming apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, a process cartridge of this type of image forming apparatus has a structure including a handle and an image carrier storage cover.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Therefore, the process cartridge itself becomes large, and the image forming apparatus itself requires extra space. This also hinders miniaturization of image forming apparatuses.

[Means to solve the problem]

According to the present invention, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier is removably attached to an image forming apparatus that develops and transfers the electrostatic latent image to a transfer material, and at least a process cartridge having an image carrier is attached to the process cartridge. A process cartridge is obtained that is detachable and includes a handle that also serves as a cover for protecting the image carrier.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings showing one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a process cartridge 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image carrier 3 and a developing toner 13.
, a charging device 14 , a cleaning blade 15 for cleaning waste toner 16 on the image carrier 3 , and a handle 4 . It consists of a part 4a and a handle part 4b.

The handle 4 is removed from the process cartridge 1 after the process cartridge 1 is installed in the image forming apparatus.

5 to 8 are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the process cartridge 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in an image forming apparatus, and FIG. Figure 6 shows the state in which the process cartridge 1 is attached, Figure 7 shows the state in which the main body cover is closed, and Figure 8 shows the state in which the handle 4 is attached to the process cartridge 1. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 6, the image carrier 3 passes through the following steps as it rotates in the direction of the arrow.

■ Potential loss due to eraser lamp 11.

■Charging by the charger 14.

(2) Formation of an electrostatic latent image by the exposure means 12.

■Toner development using developing device 2.

■Transfer of toner image onto transfer paper (not shown) by transfer charger 5.

(2) Scraping off the toner remaining on the image carrier 3 with the cleaning blade 15;

The above steps are continuously performed to form an image.

The handle/image carrier protection cover 4 can be removed from the process cartridge 1 by opening the cover part 4a and the handle part 4b after the process cartridge 1 is attached to the apparatus main body, and does not require extra space in the apparatus main body.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, by using the handle and image carrier protective cover that is removable for the process cartridge, the image forming apparatus can be made smaller without requiring extra space within the main body of the image forming apparatus. This has the effect of making it easier to handle the process cartridge and protecting the image carrier.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention, FIGS.
The figure is a side view, FIG. 4 is a perspective view, and FIGS. 5 to 8 are sectional views of an embodiment of the present invention attached to the main body of an image forming apparatus. 1: Process cartridge, 2: Developing device, 3: Image carrier, 4.4a, 4b: 5 Handle and image carrier protection cover,
5: Transfer charger, 6: Fixer, 7: Fulcrum, 8: Discharge roller, 9 stack, 10: Paper guide, 11: Eraser lamp, 12: Exposure means, 13: Developing toner, 14: Charger, 15: Cleaning blade, 16: waste toner.

Claims (1)

[Claims] It is removable from an image forming device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member and transferred to a transfer material, and is removable from the process cartridge, at least in a process cartridge having an image bearing member, and A process cartridge characterized by having a handle that also serves as a cover for protecting a carrier.