JPH08305162A - Process cartridge, image forming device and method for sealing process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily seal a toner supply aperture again by pressing and fitting a seal member to a seating surface around the toner supply aperture by an elastic auxiliary member and a shape memory member. CONSTITUTION: The toner supply aperture 12a is sealed by the film-like seal member 19 whose length is twice or more than the longitudinal-direction length of the aperture 12a. When a process cartridge is used, a grip 19a fitted to the free end of the seal member 19 is grasped and pulled out. Then, since the seal member 19 is peeled from the aperture 12a, the aperture 12a is opened. The seal member 19 is fitted to the fitting seating surface 12b formed around the aperture 12a. At this time, the shape memory member is provided on a joining surface on a developing frame body side. Then, toner is prevented from being leaked by pressing the seal member 19 to the seating surface 12b by using the shape memory member. Besides, when the seal member 19 is fitted, the elastic auxiliary member is allowing to intervene so as to surely press the seal member 19.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be attached, and a method for sealing a toner supply opening of the process cartridge.

Here, the image forming apparatus includes, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile machine, an electrophotographic word processor and the like.

Further, as the process cartridge, a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and this cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.
Also, at least one of the charging means, the developing means, and the cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be integrally attached and detached. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge so as to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an 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 the cartridge is formed into an image forming apparatus. A process cartridge system that can be attached to and detached from the main body is adopted. According to this process cartridge system, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user without having to rely on a serviceman, so that the operability can be significantly improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is
It is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a further development of the process cartridge described above, which enables recycling.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of sealing a process cartridge capable of easily resealing the toner supply opening, a process cartridge thereof, and an image forming apparatus using the same.

[0007]

A typical constitution according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The developing means connects a toner frame having a toner storage portion and a toner supply opening with a developing frame holding a toner carrier, and seals the toner supply opening with a seal member that can be pulled out. And then configure
The process cartridge is characterized in that the seal member is pressed against and mounted on the seat surface around the toner supply opening by the elastic auxiliary member and the shape memory member.

In another configuration, a plate member is inserted through a slit between the toner frame and the developing frame to deform the shape memory member around the toner supply opening, and the shape memory member is deformed. While inserting the seal member that can be pulled out from the gap to cover the toner supply opening and expose the free end portion folded back at one end in the longitudinal direction of the toner supply opening to restore the shape of the shape memory member, The toner supply opening is sealed by pressing the inserted seal member around the toner supply opening due to the elasticity of the auxiliary member.

[0009]

In the above structure, when the plate member is inserted through the slit between the toner frame and the developing frame, the shape memory member is deformed and a gap is created between the slits. The seal member can be easily inserted through this gap, and when the shape of the shape memory member is restored by bringing it to a predetermined temperature thereafter, the member presses the seal member around the toner supply opening. As a result, the toner supply opening can be easily sealed.

[0010]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, as the order of the description, the overall structure of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus using the process cartridge will be described first, and then the seal structure of the toner supply opening will be described.

{Overall Construction of Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus} This electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) A, as shown in FIG. 1, transmits information light based on image information from an optical system 1 in a drum shape. The latent image is formed on the photoconductor by irradiating the electrophotographic photoconductor, and the latent image is developed to form a toner image. Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 is conveyed from the cassette 3a by a conveying means 3 including a pickup roller 3b, a feeding roller 3c, a conveying roller pair 3d, a registration roller pair 3e, and the process cartridge B. The toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member formed as a cartridge is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4 serving as a transfer unit.

Then, the recording medium 2 after the image transfer is guided by the conveyance guide 3f and conveyed to the fixing means 5 composed of the fixing roller 5c having the driving roller 5a and the heater 5b, and heat and pressure are applied to the transferred toner image. Is fixed to the recording medium 2. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by a pair of discharge rollers 3g and 3h, and is discharged to a discharge section 6.

On the other hand, the process cartridge B has at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing means. As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge B of this embodiment rotates a photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and applies a voltage to a charging roller 8 which is a charging unit to apply a voltage to the surface thereof. In this manner, the information light from the optical system 1 is exposed to the photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure opening 9 to form a latent image, and the latent image is developed by the developing means 10.

The developing means 10 feeds out the toner in the toner storage portion 10a by the toner feeding member 10b, rotates the developing roller 10d having the fixed magnet 10c built therein, and at the same time, causes the developing blade 10e to apply a toner layer to which a triboelectric charge is applied. The latent image is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10d, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 according to the latent image to form a toner image, thereby visualizing the latent image. Then, after applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image to the recording medium 2, the cleaning blade 11a
The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is scraped off by the scooping sheet 11b, and the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning means 11 that collects the waste toner in the storage portion 11c.

Each member such as the photosensitive drum 7 includes a toner frame 12 having a toner storage portion 10a, and a developing roller 10.
The toner developing frame body, in which the developing frame body 13 holding d is welded and integrated, and the cleaning frame body 14 holding the photosensitive drum 7, the cleaning means 11, etc., are supported by a cartridge frame body and supported by the cartridge frame body. And is detachably attached to the cartridge attachment means provided in the apparatus main body 15.

In the cartridge mounting means, when the opening / closing member 16 is opened around the shaft 16a (see FIG. 1), a cartridge mounting space is provided as shown in FIG. The cartridge mounting guide portions 17 are provided so as to face each other (FIG. 3 shows only one side). The left and right guide portions 17 are provided with guide rails 17a for inserting the process cartridge B. On the other hand, on both outer side surfaces of the process cartridge B, there are provided bosses 18 (see FIG. 4) projecting outward from the rotation center position of the photosensitive drum 7, and the bosses 18 are inserted along the guide rails 17. Then, the process cartridge B is attached to the image forming apparatus A by closing the opening / closing member 16.

{Seal structure of toner supply opening} The toner frame 12 has a toner supply opening 12a for supplying the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 10a to the developing roller 10d. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the toner supply opening 12a is connected to the opening 12a.
It is sealed by a film-like sealing member 19 made of polyester or the like having a length twice or more the length in the longitudinal direction. This is to prevent the toner filled in the toner storage portion 10a from leaking when the cartridge is shipped or transported. Therefore, when using the process cartridge B, the handle 19a attached to the free end of the seal member 19 is pulled out to open the seal member 19.
The toner supply opening 12a is opened by peeling from the toner 12a.

As shown in FIG. 5, the seal member 19 has a mounting seat surface 12 formed around the toner supply opening 12a.
Attach to b. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, a shape memory member 20 is provided on the joint surface on the side of the developing frame 13, and the seal member 19 is pressed against the mounting seat surface 12b by this shape memory member 20 to prevent toner leakage. ing. The shape memory member 20 is such that even if the shape is deformed, the shape is restored at a constant temperature. The material and the like of the shape memory member 20 will be described later. Further, the shape memory member 20 is attached to the developing frame body 13.
An elastic auxiliary member 21 is interposed in order to ensure the pressing of the seal member 19 when attaching.

The attachment of the seal member 19 differs depending on whether the process cartridge B is a new cartridge or a recycle cartridge.

In the case of a new cartridge, the toner frame 12
7 and the developing frame body 13 are not welded, and the two frame bodies 12 and 13 are separated from each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Of the seal member 19 (the seal member 19
When the shape memory member 20 as a pressing member and the auxiliary member 21 are placed in this order, and the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13 are welded to each other, they are heated to a predetermined temperature. The shape memory member 20 returns to the restored state, and the seal member 19 is pressed against the mounting seat surface 12b to seal the toner supply opening 12a.

On the other hand, when the toner supply opening 12a is resealed in order to collect and recycle the used cartridge, the toner frame 12 and the developing frame 13 are welded and cannot be separated. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, a plate member 22 for expanding the gap is inserted from a slit (drawing port of the seal member 19) between the toner frame body 12 and the developing frame body 13, and the shape memory member 20 is pushed away to form the gap. spread. Next, the developing roller 10
An easily removable component such as d is removed, and air is blown into the toner frame 12 or the like for cleaning.

Next, a new seal member 19 is inserted through the above-mentioned gap. This gap is, as shown in FIG. 9, a shape memory member.
Since the member 20 is deformed in the pushed-out state, it is enlarged, and the seal member 19 can be easily inserted through the gap 23. A plate member or the like for an insertion guide may be used for this insertion.

As described above, the seal member 19 is attached to the seat surface.
After being inserted into the predetermined position of 12b, the shape memory member 20 is heated to a predetermined temperature. The heating temperature of the shape memory member 20 preferably used in this embodiment is about 50 ° C. to 80 ° C. as described later, and the whole process cartridge is placed in, for example, a tunnel furnace or a batch type dryer and heated for about 10 minutes. Good.
As a result, the shape of the shape memory member 20 is restored from the deformed state, and as shown in FIG.
The toner supply opening 12a is resealed to press against the 12b.

Next, it is confirmed by an air leak test or the like that the seal is surely secured, the toner container 10a is refilled with toner, and the filling port is covered with a cap. Then, the developing roller 10d is attached and the process cartridge B is assembled again.

As a result, a recycle cartridge having the same function as the new cartridge can be constructed.

{Description of Shape Memory Material} Next, the shape memory material constituting the shape memory member 20 will be described. The shape memory material can be composed of an alloy or a resin.

An example of the shape memory alloy is shape memory accompanied by transformation. This is because the alloy that has undergone shape memory treatment at high temperature has an As value higher than the Ms point (martensitic transformation start temperature).
When it is deformed at a temperature below the point (austenite transformation end temperature) and cooled below the Mf point (martensite transformation end temperature), it is once fixed in its deformed shape. This is the Af point (austenite transformation end point). When heated to the above, the original shape is restored by thermoelastic martensitic transformation.

There is an effect of shape memory utilizing pseudo elasticity.
This is because when stress is applied to an alloy in an austenite state at a temperature of Af or higher, stress-induced transformation causes martensite having a preferred orientation to be deformed, and when the stress is removed, the original shape is restored.

As a method of using the strain, a stress is applied at a point of Ms or higher to generate a superelastic strain, which is then cooled to temporarily restrain the strain. If this is heated to release the restraint factor, the shape is restored.

Further, the effect of shape restoration due to the superplasticity of fine crystal grains is also known. This is because, for example, the elongation strain generated by pulling at 200 ° C remains expanded when quickly returned to room temperature and cooled, but returns to the original value when heated again to 200 ° C. As an example, Zn-22Al alloy,
22Al-78Zn alloy is mentioned.

Known examples of shape memory alloys include Ti
There is a Ni alloy (Nitinol), which is used as a wire for a recording pen drive unit, as a blood coagulation filter, as a medical clip, as artificial muscle of an artificial heart, and as a device for fixing a fractured part. There is also a Cu-based alloy system, which is used as a clamp, a disk seal, a pipe joint, a spring for an automatic opening / closing window starter, a radiator valve, a fan clutch, and a carburetor. Since it is cheaper than the TiNi alloy, it is often used.

In the above example, for example, a TiNi alloy has a transformation point at about 40 ° C. and is in a martensite phase at 40 ° C. or lower, so that it is easily deformed when a force is applied in this state. If this deformed state is cooled as it is below the Ms point, it is once stabilized. When this is heated until it becomes a parent phase above the As point, it transforms from the martensite phase to the austenite phase and returns to its original shape.

An example of a shape memory alloy showing a thermoelastic martensitic transformation such as TiNi alloy is as follows. The Ms point can be set anywhere from -190 ℃ to 100 ℃.

Ag-Cd (44 to 49 at% Cd), Au-C
d (46.5 to 50 at% Cd), Cu-Al-Ni (14 to 14.5)
wt% Al, 3 to 4.5 wt% Ni), Cu-Au-Zn
(23-28 at% Au, 45-47 at% Zn), Cu-Sn (-
15at% Sn), Cu-Zn (38.5-41.5at% Zn), C
u-Zn-Si, Cu-Zn-Sn, Cu-Zn-A
1, Cu-Zn-Ga, IN-Tl (18-23at% T
l), Ni-Al (30-38 at% Al).

Next, as an example using superelasticity, TiN
There is one in which a wire of i alloy is used for an eyeglass frame.
This means that a strain of about 2% has been applied from the beginning, and even if the strain amount fluctuates a little, it returns to rubber-like behavior with superelasticity. Further, an orthodontic dental wire is a wire for orthodontic treatment by superelasticity of the wire. Moreover, the use as a wire for maintaining the shape of a brassiere also utilizes superelasticity.

It is said that the restoring force of the shape memory effect by the thermoelastic martensitic transformation is the largest,
It goes without saying that a memory material having the necessary properties may be used according to the application.

Next, an example of the shape memory resin will be described. Although the shape memory resin has a certain amount of deformation, it is known that the plastic material originally has a property called the shape memory effect.

Nylon 66, for example, behaves like a memory alloy. If the material is bent at a temperature of Tg (glass transition point) or higher and cooled as it is, the shape remains the same even if the force is removed, but if it is heated to Tg or higher, the deformation returns.

Here, there is a structure for holding the restored shape,
In addition, there is a structure that tries to retain its shape once it is deformed. The following is said to be an explanation of shape memory in resin.

As a mechanism for maintaining the restored shape, there are an entangled structure of molecular chains, a crosslinked structure, a crystal formation, a phase structure and the like. Further, as a mechanism for retaining the shape after deformation or secondary molding, there are a glass transition point, melting re-formation of crystal, melting re-formation of phase structure and the like.

The following materials are known as materials specifically designed to exhibit shape memory characteristics.

Nippon Zeon's polynorbornene is designed to have a shape memory temperature of 150 ° C. or higher and a shape recovery temperature of 35 ° C.

Kuraray's trans-1,4-polyisoprene is vulcanized and crosslinked when fixing the original shape (the shape when restored), and the shape cannot be changed again.

The styrene-butadiene copolymer manufactured by Asahi Kasei utilizes the difference in the glass transition points of polystyrene and butadiene, and has a shape memory temperature of 120 ° C or higher and a shape recovery temperature of 60 to 90 ° C.

The polyurethane-based memory resin of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is
The partial crystal structure of polyurethane is used as a means for fixing the shape. Shape memory temperature is around 200 ℃, and recovery temperature is wide at -30 to 60 ℃.

Next, a method of using the method will be described. First, the restored shape is chemically or physically fixed by primary molding. Further, it is secondary molded at a temperature lower than the primary molding temperature. At this time, since the shape is merely fixed by the physical structural change, the shape is restored to the restored shape by giving an appropriate temperature condition for transition from the low temperature solidified state to the rubber state.

As an example of the shape memory resin, a conventional memory alloy that has been developed for use in place of the resin is used, and it is used as an automobile choke part, pipe joint, orthodontic wire, spectacle vine, brassiere. There are wires for shape maintenance. Further, as examples in which the characteristics of the resin are utilized, it is known to use lining materials for various containers, tightening pins, gap preventing materials, medical fixtures, toys, and the like.

The shape memory resin has a restoring force at the time of shape recovery that is weaker than that of the shape memory alloy, a recovery speed is slower than that of the alloy, and the recovery accuracy is inferior. There are advantages. Therefore, an alloy or resin may be used according to its characteristics.

A seal member 19 is formed by using the shape memory member 20.
The seal member 19 has a thickness of 80 μm, for example.
~ 250 μm, preferably 100 μm to 200 μm polyester (polyethylene terephthalate, etc.), polypropylene, nylon or composite film construction of polyester and polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, etc., or a metal such as an ultra thin metal such as aluminum foil A composite structure with a foil is conceivable. This seal member 19 is pulled back and folded back,
A handle 19a is attached, which is exposed from the outlet and is pulled by hand.

Shape memory member for pressing the seal member 19
20 is a hemispherical or similar apex part so that the contacting apex part does not have an acute angle but a smooth curved surface in order to reduce the contact area with the seal member 19 on the side that presses the seal member 19. It is desirable to form by embossing having.

Further, in order to complement the seal holding effect of the shape memory member 20, an elastic auxiliary member 21 is provided.
The auxiliary member 21 is preferably rubber-shaped, spring-shaped, foam-shaped or the like.

In this embodiment, polyethylene terephthalate having a thickness of 120 μm is used as the sealing member 19, and the shape memory member 20 has a smooth embossed spherical convex portion (height of about 0.05 to 0.1 mm). A polyurethane-based shape memory resin (thickness: approximately 0.2 mm), which is a restored shape, is used. Further, the spherical convex portion of the shape memory member 20 is configured so as to wrap around at least a couple of times in the seal member pressing portion (portion of the mounting seat surface 12b) to ensure the seal pressing. Further, as the auxiliary member 21, a polyethylene foam (thickness: 3 mm) is used, and when the sealing member 19 is pressed down, the auxiliary member 21 is at least one.
It is designed to be compressed to / 3 or more.

[Second Embodiment] The elasticity of the auxiliary member 21 may utilize the restoring force of the shape memory member 20. In this case, the foam is used as the auxiliary member 21 as in the above-described embodiment.
Differently from the case described above, the restored shape of the shape memory member 20 and the nature of the force at the time of restoration become a problem.

That is, in the first embodiment, since the pressing force can be adjusted by the foam, the shape memory member 20 can be adjusted.
It can also be configured by replacing alloy with. However, when utilizing the restoring force of the shape memory member 20 as the elasticity of the auxiliary member 21,
As the shape memory member 20, a member that generates an elastic return force is used. Therefore, as the shape memory member 20, it is desirable to use a shape memory resin based on a thermoplastic elastomer or one in which the restored shape is a foamed shape.

Therefore, in this case, from the description of the shape memory material as the auxiliary member 21, for example, a urethane shape memory resin (thickness: about 0.1 mm) plate is restored to a finely wavy shape at around 200 ° C. Shape memory as
The one that is cooled is used.

[Third Embodiment] Next, an example will be described in which the frictional resistance when the seal member 19 is pulled out is reduced.

Since frictional resistance between the seal members is considered at the folded back joint portion of the seal member 19, it is preferable to perform low friction treatment on the contact surface in order to further reduce the pulling force. For example, it is configured such that the silicone fine particles are attached to the folded joint surface of the seal member 19 or the tetrafluoroethylene fine particles are attached to the joint surface. still,
In the above example, it is preferable to attach silicone fine particles which may be added to the toner and used.

By doing so, the folded seal member
The frictional resistance of the joint surface is reduced when pulling out the seal member 19, and the seal member 19 can be smoothly pulled out.

[Fourth Embodiment] In order to smoothly pull out the seal member 19, a structure as shown in FIG. 10 may be adopted. This is because the seal member 19 is connected to the toner supply opening 12a.
While being folded back at the seal mounting seat surface 12b at one end in the longitudinal direction, the folded back portion protrudes from the shape memory member 20 to form a free loop portion 19b.

When pulling out the folded seal member 19, the greatest force is required in the initial stage of pulling out,
By forming the free loop 19b in the folded-back portion of the seal member 19 as described above, when the seal member 19 is pulled out, the folded-back portion is not pressed by the shape memory member 20 in the initial stage of pulling-out, so the folded-back portion It has no repulsive force and can be pulled out with relatively little resistance. Therefore, the seal member 19 can be smoothly pulled out.

In order to further reduce the withdrawal resistance in the initial stage of withdrawal, as shown in FIG. 10, a slope 20a having a shape similar to the loop shape is formed at the end of the shape memory member 20 on the side where the seal member is folded back. It is desirable to form it.

Further, by combining the above-mentioned embodiments, FIG.
As shown in, a loop portion is provided at the folded end of the seal member 19.
19b is provided, the smooth spherical convex portion 20c described above is formed on the pressing surface of the shape memory member 20 for pressing the seal member 19 against the mounting seat surface 12b, and low friction treatment is applied to the contact surfaces of the folded seal members. If so, the seal member 19 can be pulled out more smoothly. [Fifth Embodiment] The sealing member 19 has to be pressed against the mounting seat surface 12b in order to secure the sealing property, but if this force is increased, a great force is required when pulling out, which is a contradictory situation. Occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to make a reliable seal while balancing the two. For example, when the substantial area of the shape memory member 20 holding the seal member 19 is reduced, the shape memory member 20 bites into the seal member 19 at an acute angle, and the force is concentrated at the apex thereof and the seal member 19 is damaged when the seal member 19 is pulled out. There is a risk.
Therefore, the shape of the pressing portion of the shape memory member 20 is such that the pressing pressure is highest at the apex and is gradually relaxed as it moves to the periphery, for example, a hemispherical projection shape as described in the above-mentioned embodiment. By doing so, it is preferable that the spherical projection presses the seal member 19 to seal it, and the force pressing the seal member 19 is substantially smaller than the force pulling out the seal member 19.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a punched hole 20b is provided near the center of the shape memory member 20 for pressing the seal member 19, and the auxiliary member 21 holds the seal member 19 in the hole 20b. It may be pressed against the mounting seat surface 12b. For example, a styrene-butadiene-based material having a thickness of 0.2 mm and a height of about 0.1 mm is used as the shape memory member 20, rectangular holes 20b are alternately provided in the longitudinal portion, and the auxiliary member 21 has a thickness of 3.5 mm. Using foamed polyurethane, the auxiliary member 21 is configured to press the seal member 19 through the hole 20b.

By doing so, the auxiliary member having elasticity
Since the sealing member 19 is partially pressed by 21,
The pressing pressure of the seal member 19 can be adjusted.

[Sixth Embodiment] Further, in order to facilitate resealing of the process cartridge, the process cartridge may be constructed as shown in FIG. This is because the shape memory member 20 is easily deformed and the auxiliary member 21 and the shape memory member 20 can escape when the plate member 22 is inserted so as to widen the gap at the time of resealing so that the shape memory member 20 can escape. A groove or step 13a is provided.

By doing so, it is possible to make a large gap for inserting the seal member 19 when the plate member 22 is inserted, and it becomes easy to insert the seal member 19.

[Seventh Embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which an auxiliary member 21 separate from the shape memory member 20 is provided as an aid when the seal member 19 is pressed by the shape memory member 20, is shown. The shape memory member 20 may also function as an auxiliary member, and the shape memory member 20 alone may press the seal member 19 as shown in FIGS. The figure
14 (a) is a state diagram in which the plate member 22 is inserted to deform the shape memory member 20, and FIG. 14 (b) is a state diagram in which the shape memory member 20 is deformed and a gap 23 is formed. (c) is a state diagram in which the seal member 19 is inserted into the gap 23 to restore the shape memory member 20 and resealed.

In this case, the seal member 19 of the shape memory member 20
Consists of a smooth curved convex shape so that the shape of the part that holds down is in contact with a much smaller area than it hits the entire surface,
The restored shape on the side of the developing frame 13 is, for example, a set of brush-like protrusions, and is configured to be crushed when the plate member 22 is inserted at the time of resealing of the cartridge to form an insertion space for the seal member 19. .

For example, as the sealing member 19, a composite film of polyethylene terephthalate and nylon (thickness of about 1
00 μm) and a polyurethane-based shape-memory resin as the shape-memory member 20 to form a restored shape into a shape that substantially meets the above-mentioned conditions.

Further, in the molding process of the shape memory member 20, if the whole is injected with foam and the surface contacting with the sealing member 19 is put in a mold, the surface is molded in a covered state. Furthermore, at this time, foam the opposite side in a free state,
It is created by setting the foaming condition so that it is thicker than the insertion space width.

For example, in the process of forming a polyurethane foam shape memory resin, an appropriate amount of a foaming agent that does not react with the element material in urethane formation is mixed and poured into a mold, and foamed as described above. Examples of the foaming agent include barium azodicarboxylate, azobisisobutyronitrile, sodium bicarbonate and the like.

{Experimental Results} Next, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the presence / absence of toner leakage during transportation of the recycle cartridge having the toner supply opening 12a resealed by the above-mentioned sealing method and the operability at the time of opening. Regarding the evaluation of toner leakage during transportation, it was considered that the toner was at a tentative level if the drop test was cleared, and an experiment was conducted in which the toner dropped from a height of 60 cm. The operability of tearing the seal member after dropping was judged from the comprehensive results of a plurality of samples.

As a result, in the recycle cartridge in which the seal member is pressed by the shape memory member as described above, there is no problem in the toner leakage and the operability at the time of opening. Depending on the drop test, the sealing member 19
There were some cases where the position of was slightly deviated, but this ensures that the restored shape of the shape memory member 20 is restored to the designed shape, or the foam of the auxiliary member 21 is made slightly thicker. By doing so, it was possible to prevent the displacement of the seal member.

[0074]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the plate member can be inserted through the slit between the toner frame and the developing frame, the shape memory member can be deformed, and the seal member can be easily inserted. As a result, resealing can be easily performed, and the process cartridge can be efficiently recycled.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a mounting configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a state in which a seal member of the process cartridge is pulled out.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a state where the toner supply opening of the toner frame is sealed with a seal member.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a state in which the toner supply opening is sealed.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory view at the time of sealing.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a state in which a plate member is inserted for resealing.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the shape memory member is deformed to create a gap for resealing.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which a free loop is formed at a folded portion of a seal member.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a state in which a free loop portion is formed at a folded portion of the seal member and a spherical convex portion is formed on the shape memory member.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which a hole is provided in the shape memory member.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of an embodiment in which a developing frame is provided with a relief groove or a step.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a shape memory member also serves as an auxiliary member.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical system, 2 ... Recording medium, 3 ... Conveying means, 4 ... Transfer roller, 5 ... Fixing means, 6 ... Ejecting section, 7 ... Photosensitive drum,
8 ... Charging roller, 9 ... Exposure opening, 10 ... Developing means, 10a ...
Toner storage unit, 10b ... Toner feeding member, 10c ... Magnet, 10
d ... Developing roller, 10e ... Developing blade, 11 ... Cleaning means, 11a ... Cleaning blade, 11b ... Squeeze sheet, 11c ... Waste toner storage section, 12 ... Toner frame, 12a ...
Toner supply opening, 12b ... Mounting surface, 12c ... Convex portion, 13 ... Developing frame, 13a ... Escape groove or step, 14 ... Cleaning frame, 15 ... Device body, 16 ... Opening / closing member, 16a ... Shaft, 17 ... Guide part, 17a ... Guide rail, 18 ... Boss, 19 ... Seal member, 19a ... Handle, 19b ... Loop part, 20 ... Shape memory member,
20a ... Slope, 20b ... Hole, 20c ... Spherical convex, 21 ... Auxiliary member, 22 ... Plate member, 23 ... Gap

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; and a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A toner frame having a toner accommodating portion and a toner supply opening, and a developing frame holding a toner carrier are coupled, and the toner supply opening is sealed by a pullable seal member, A process cartridge characterized in that a seal member is attached by being pressed against a seating surface around the toner supply opening by an elastic auxiliary member and a shape memory member. 2. The seal member is folded back at one longitudinal end of the toner supply opening, and the folded back free end is exposed from a slit between the toner frame and the developing frame. The joint surface of the seal member
The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is subjected to low friction treatment. 3. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the low friction treatment is constituted by adhering silicone fine particles or tetrafluoroethylene fine particles to a seal member. 4. The seal member is folded back at one end of the toner supply opening in the longitudinal direction, and the folded portion protrudes from the shape memory member to form a free loop, and the shape memory member has a seal member folded side. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein an inclined surface is formed at an end portion. 5. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory member has a small contact area with the seal member. 6. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein a contact portion of the shape memory member with the seal member is formed of a spherical curved surface. 7. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory member has a hole, and the auxiliary member presses the seal member against a seat surface through the hole. . 8. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory member also serves as the auxiliary member. 9. The elasticity of the auxiliary member is due to the restoring force of the shape memory member.
Process cartridge described. 10. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the elasticity of the auxiliary member is due to the restoring force of the foamed resin. 11. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing device frame has an escape groove or a step when the shape memory member is deformed. 12. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which the developing unit, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit and a cleaning unit are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein 13. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which the developing unit, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a charging unit or a cleaning unit are integrally formed as a cartridge and can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Item 1. The process cartridge according to Item 1. 14. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge so as to be attachable to and detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. 15. An image forming apparatus, wherein a process cartridge is detachably mountable and which forms an image on a recording medium, for detachably mounting the process cartridge according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a mounting unit; and a transport unit for transporting a recording medium. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer, or a facsimile machine. 17. A process of connecting a toner frame body having a toner storage portion and a toner supply opening to a developing frame body holding a toner carrier, and sealing the toner supply opening with a sealing member. In a cartridge sealing method, a plate member is inserted through a slit between a toner frame and a developing frame to deform a shape memory member around the toner supply opening, and the shape memory member is pulled out from a gap generated by the deformation. A sealable member that can be inserted to cover the toner supply opening and expose the free end portion that is folded back at one end of the toner supply opening in the longitudinal direction to restore the shape of the shape memory member and to reduce the elasticity of the auxiliary member. The toner supply opening is sealed by pressing the inserted seal member around the toner supply opening by A method for sealing a process cartridge, which is characterized in that