JPH08305257A - Process cartridge and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a process cartridge or the like which prevents a sealing member from being drawn diagonally and which prevents the sealing member from being caught between a toner storage frame and a developing frame when the frames are coupled together. CONSTITUTION: This process cartridge comprises an electrophotographic photoconductor, a toner carrier for supplying a toner to the electrophotographic photoconductor, a toner storage frame 12 having a toner storage part for storing the toner and a toner supply opening through which the toner is supplied to the toner carrier, a sealing member 18a for sealing and closing an opening in the toner storage frame 12 and for releasing the opening at the start of use, and a developing frame 13 holding the toner carrier and coupled with the toner storage frame 12 by projecting the free end of the sealing member 18a; a seal outlet 12c into which the free end of the sealing member 18a is inserted so as to regulate the direction in which the sealing member 18a is drawn out is provided on one of the longitudinal sides of the toner storage frame 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge can be mounted.

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 himself without resorting to a serviceman, so that the operability can be markedly improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is
It is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

In such a cartridge, the toner supply opening for supplying the developer (hereinafter referred to as "toner") is sealed by a seal member (or the opening is sealed by a seal member) as a frame structure of the developing means. A developing frame is joined to a toner storage frame (which is attached with a plate and sealed) with the sealing member interposed therebetween by ultrasonic welding or the like.

When the process cartridge is used, the seal member is pulled out and removed to open the opening, and the toner is supplied from the opened toner storage frame to the developing roller, which is a toner carrying member, and electrophotographic is performed. The latent image formed on the photoconductor is developed into a visible image.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned process cartridge and the like. The object of the present invention is to prevent the sealing member from being pulled obliquely and to provide a toner accommodating frame and a developing frame. The present invention provides a process cartridge capable of preventing the seal member from being caught between the two when the two are coupled, and an image forming apparatus using the process cartridge.

Still another object is to provide a process cartridge capable of reducing the number of parts and an image forming apparatus using the process cartridge.

[0009]

To achieve the above object, a typical structure according to the present invention is a toner for supplying toner to an electrophotographic photosensitive member in a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body. A carrier, a toner storage unit having a toner storage unit for storing toner, and a toner supply opening for supplying toner to the toner support, and an opening of the toner storage frame are sealed and closed,
A seal member for opening the opening at the start of use, and a developing frame for holding the toner carrier and projecting a free end of the seal member to combine with the toner storage frame, It is characterized in that a free end of the seal member is inserted into one side in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage frame to provide a seal outlet for restricting the withdrawal direction of the seal member.

As another configuration, in a process cartridge which can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, a toner carrier for supplying toner to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a toner container for accommodating the toner, and the toner. A toner storage frame having a toner supply opening for supplying toner to the carrier and a holder for holding the toner carrier;
A seal member for sealing and closing the opening of the toner storage frame, opening the opening at the start of use, and a developing frame for coupling the toner storage frame with the free end of the seal member protruding. And a seal outlet for inserting the free end of the seal member and regulating the withdrawal direction of the seal member at one side in the longitudinal direction of the toner storage frame and at substantially the same position as the holding portion. It is characterized by that.

Further, an image forming apparatus for forming an image is constructed by using the process cartridge.

[0012]

In the above structure, the seal outlet for restricting the withdrawal direction of the seal member is provided integrally with the toner storage frame, and the seal member is passed through the outlet so that the seal member is connected to the developing frame. At that time, the seal member is not bitten during the assembly, and a large increase in the opening strength due to the oblique pulling of the seal member can be suppressed.

If the seal outlet is also used as the handle portion, the number of parts can be reduced and the pulling direction of the seal member can be regulated.

Further, when the toner carrier holding portion is provided in the toner storage frame, conventionally, it was necessary to provide a pressing member for the seal member so as not to contact the toner carrier when the seal member is opened. By integrally forming the outlet below the holding portion, the conventional seal member pressing member is not required, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] A process cartridge according to the first embodiment and an image forming apparatus using the same will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings.

{Overall Configuration of Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus} This electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) A, as shown in FIG. 2, transmits information light based on image information from an optical system 1 into 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. In synchronism with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 is separated and fed one by one from the paper feed cassette 3a by the pickup roller 3b and the feeding roller 3c, and is composed of a conveying roller pair 3d, a registration roller pair 3e and the like. The toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, which is conveyed by the conveying unit 3 and is formed into a cartridge as the process cartridge B, is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4 serving as the transfer unit, and the recording medium is recorded. 2 is guided by the conveyance guide 3f and conveyed to the fixing unit 5. The fixing unit 5 includes a driving roller 5a and a fixing roller 5c having a heater 5b built therein, and applies heat and pressure to the recording medium 2 passing therethrough to fix the transferred toner image. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the pair of discharge rollers 3g and 3h, and is discharged to the discharge section 6 through the reverse transport path. The image forming apparatus A can also be manually fed by the manual feed tray 3i and the rollers 3j.

On the other hand, the process cartridge B of this embodiment
3, the photosensitive drum 7 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer is rotated, and a voltage is applied to the charging roller 8 which is a charging means to make the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 uniform. The latent image is formed by exposing the charged photoconductor drum 7 with the light image from the optical system 1 through the exposure opening 9 and developing the latent image by the developing means 10. I am configuring.

The developing means 10 feeds the toner in the toner storage portion 10a by means of the toner feeding member 10b, and the fixed magnet 10c.
The developing roller 10d, which is a toner carrier having a built-in toner, is rotated, and a toner layer to which a triboelectric charge is applied by the developing blade 10e is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10d, and the toner is applied to the photosensitive drum according to the latent image. The toner image is formed by transferring the toner image to No. 7 to make it a visible image, which serves as a developing device. And the transfer roller 4
After the toner image is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the recording medium 2, the cleaning blade 11a scrapes off the toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 7, and the squeeze sheet 11b scoops it to remove the waste toner. The cleaning means 11 collecting in the reservoir 11c is configured to remove the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7.

Each component such as the photosensitive drum 7 is integrally formed by welding a toner containing frame 12 having a toner containing portion 10a and a developing frame 13 holding a developing roller 10d and a developing blade 10e. And the photoconductor drum 7
A cleaning frame body 14 for holding a cleaning blade 11a, etc. is housed in a cartridge frame body formed by combining the cleaning frame bodies 14a, and made into a cartridge, which is detachably attached to a cartridge attaching 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. 2), as shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge mounting guide members 17 are opposed to the left and right inner side surfaces of the cartridge mounting space. 4 (only one guide member is shown in FIG. 4), and the left and right guide members 17 are provided with guide portions 17a which are guides when the process cartridge B is inserted. There is. The process cartridge B is inserted along the guide portion 17a, and the opening / closing member 15 is closed to mount the process cartridge B in the image forming apparatus A. By this mounting, a drum gear (not shown) attached to the longitudinal end portion of the photoconductor drum 7 meshes with a drive transmission gear (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 15 to transmit the driving force to the photoconductor drum 7. It will be possible.

{Seal structure of opening of toner storage frame}
Next, the seal structure of the opening 12a of the toner storage frame 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the toner storage frame 12
An opening 12a is formed in the opening, and a flange 12b is formed around the opening 12a. The opening 12a is sealed by a seal member 18 so that it can be opened. In this embodiment, the seal member 18 is attached to the opening regulating member 19, and the opening regulating member 19 is attached to the flange 12b. I am trying to seal. Then, the developing frame 13 is joined to the toner storage frame 12 after sealing.

The seal member 18 includes a cover film 18a, which is a cover member, and a tear tape 18b, which is a flexible member.
Is formed as an integral tear seal member by welding or the like. As the cover film 18a, it is possible to use a uniaxially stretched film material or a sheet material that can maintain the airtightness of the opening 12a sufficiently and has tearability in one direction. It is made of polyethylene, uniaxially stretched polypropylene, uniaxially stretched polypropylene or the like.

The tear tape 18b is a cover film 18a.
It is necessary to have sufficient strength for tearing, and it is desirable to have about three times the tensile strength of the cover film 18a. As its material, for example, biaxially oriented polyester, biaxially oriented polypropylene, polystyrene,
Various films or sheet materials such as biaxially stretched nylon are preferably used.

A tear tape 18b is welded to the cover film 18a and integrally formed to form a seal member 18.

The opening regulating member 19 to which the seal member 18 is attached regulates the opening width when toner is supplied from the toner containing frame 12 to the developing roller 10c, and has a thickness of about 0.3 mm to 2 mm. A polyester plate, a polystyrene plate, a nylon plate, an ABS plate, or another plastic plate having a certain degree is formed into a sheet and then the opening 19a is hollowed out, or is formed into a frame shape by a normal molding. The sealing member 18 is heat-sealed to the opening regulating member 19 by corona discharge treatment or the like to seal the opening 19a, and the sealed opening regulating member 19 is attached to the flange 12a of the toner containing frame 12.
Attach by heat welding to.

As described above, the developing frame 13 is joined to the toner storage frame 12 having the opening 12a sealed, and both sides in the longitudinal direction are ultrasonically welded to integrate them. As a result, there is no risk of toner leakage from the toner storage frame 12 and the developing frame 13 in the longitudinal direction. However, since the sealing member 18 is exposed on the short side, and the tear tape 18b is pulled out at the time of opening, it cannot be welded. Therefore, in order to prevent the toner from leaking from the short side of the joint between the toner storage frame 12 and the developing frame 13, as shown in FIG. An end seal 20 made of expanded polypropylene or the like is attached.

This end seal 20 usually has a thickness of about 2 mm to 5 mm, and after the developing frame 13 is combined with the toner storage frame 12, it is compressed to a thickness of about 1/2 to 1/3. This prevents toner leakage after opening the seal member 18.

{Structure of Seal Outlet} In this embodiment, in order to regulate the pulling direction of the tear tape 18b, as shown in FIG. 1, the seal outlet 12c is provided at the end of the toner storage frame 12. Are integrated. Next, the structure of the seal outlet 12c will be described.

The seal outlet 12c has a slit structure through which the tear tape 18b can be inserted, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the width is such that the length L _W on one side is about 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm wider than the width of the tear tape 18b.

By providing the seal outlet 12c, it is possible to prevent a significant increase in unsealing strength when the tear tape 18b is pulled out. That is, when the tear tape 18b is pulled obliquely, due to the resistance of the seal outlet 12c,
The user can easily recognize that the tear tape 18b is pulled obliquely, and can pull it out in the proper pulling direction. Further, when the toner storage frame 12 and the developing frame 13 are united and joined by ultrasonic welding, as shown in FIG. 7, the tear tape 18b is previously inserted into the seal outlet 12c, and then united and joined. The tear tape 18b does not get caught in the developing frame 13. Because of this the tear tape 18
This significantly suppresses a significant increase in opening strength when pulling out b.

The dimensions of the seal outlet 12c will now be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the length L ₁ of the seal outlet 12c is preferably about 2 mm to 14 mm, preferably 5 mm.
It is desirable to set it to mm to 10 mm, and further to 5 mm to 8 mm.
This is because the seal outlet 12c for restricting the withdrawal of the tear tape 18b is an outlet integrally formed with the toner storage frame 12, so the length may be at least about 2 mm, and the mounting surface of the developing blade 10d and the developing roller 10c which will be described later. In the case of the toner containing frame body having the holding portion of the above, since the seal outlet 12c is directly below the developing roller holding portion, the length L ₁ is about 5
mm ~ 8 mm, process cartridge size is A3 ~
When B4 large size is also large developing roller holding portion, the length L ₁ of the seal outlets 12c becomes approximately 5Mm～14mm.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, in order to regulate the pull-out direction of the seal member 18, the developing frame 13 is provided with bosses 21a and 21b as pull-out regulating members, and the dowel holes into which the bosses 21a and 21b are fitted are accommodated in the toner. Provided on the frame body 12, the boss 21a,
There is also a configuration that restricts the sealing member 18 from being pulled out obliquely by 21b.

However, in the case of this construction, assuming that the seal pattern S of the seal member 18, the opening area, and the length K ₁ between the cover film 18a and the opening are the same as those in this embodiment shown in FIG. , 21b and the distance L ₂ from the tip of the toner storage frame 12 to the boss 21 when the developing frame 13 is united.
In order to prevent toner leakage from the fitting portion between the a and 21b and the dowel hole into which they are fitted, it is preferable that the distance L _{2 be} at least about 10 mm, and especially the size of the process cartridge is large for A3 to B4 sizes. In this case, it is desirable to set at least about 12 mm in consideration of blurring when the toner storage frame 12 and the developing frame 13 are combined by ultrasonic welding or the like.

Before and after the bosses 21a and 21b, the developing frame 13 is provided to prevent toner leakage after opening the seal member.
The pull-out portion of the tear tape 18b is sandwiched by the end seal 20 (/// portion in FIG. 9) provided on the cover. However, if the distance L ₃ between the tip of the cover film 18a and the bosses 21a and 21b is too close, the cover after opening is covered. In this case, in order to prevent the remaining portion of the film 18a from forming a step and causing the toner leakage from the dowel hole, it is desirable that the distance L ₃ is set to at least about 5 mm in this case.

Therefore, the distance L'between the tip of the cover film 18a and the tip of the toner containing frame 12 is L '= L ₂ + L
_Since it is ₃ , it is desirable to make it at least 15 mm or more.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the distance L ₄ between the tip of the cover film 18a and the tip of the seal outlet 12c does not need to be a particular distance, and is therefore at least 1 mm.
A certain amount is enough.

Therefore, since the distance L between the tip of the cover film 18a and the tip of the toner storage frame 12 is L = L ₁ + L ₄ , it may be at least about 3 mm, and obviously the boss 21a,
Rather than the diagonal tape pull-out regulation structure of the tear tape 18b by 21b,
The seal outlet 12c in the present embodiment requires a shorter distance for the tear tape 18b to be pulled out,
As a result, the length of the process cartridge B in the longitudinal direction is shortened, and the process cartridge can be downsized.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a jaw projection 22 is provided on the downstream side of the end seal 20 on the side where the free end of the tear tape 18b projects, in the direction in which the tear tape 18b is pulled out. The jaw projection 22 is formed integrally with the developing frame 13.

The jaw projection 22 is provided in the pull-out area of the tear tape 18b, and the toner storage frame 12 and the developing frame are
As shown in FIG. 7, the jaw convex portion 22 and the joint portion 13 are combined with each other.
The gap between the toner storage frame 12 and the toner storage frame 12 is formed as narrow as possible so as not to increase the unsealing strength when pulling out the tear tape 18b. As a result, when the tear tape 18b is pulled out, it becomes difficult for toner to leak from the gap, and the toner sealability of the cartridge is improved.

Here, the jaw protrusion 22 and the toner storage frame body
In order to prevent the toner from leaking from the clearance, the clearance between the clearance 12 and the tear tape 18b is not impaired.
About 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm, more preferably about 0.4 mm to
It is preferable to set it to about 0.6 mm, and in this embodiment 0.55 m
It is set to m.

As shown in FIG. 10, the jaw projection 22 has
The tear tape 18b is pulled out and the end seal 20
May be provided on the upstream side of the end tape 20. In this case, it is possible to prevent the end seal 20 from being turned up when the tear tape 18b is pulled out. It should be noted that the jaw projection 22 is not necessarily provided.

Further, in this embodiment, in order to ensure the combined positioning of the toner accommodating frame 12 and the developing frame 13, a fitting hole 12d is formed at the lower end of the toner accommodating frame 12 as shown in FIG. At the same time, a boss 13b which can be fitted into the fitting hole 12d is provided at the lower end of the developing frame 13.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above,
As shown in FIG. 7, attach the tear tape 18b to the seal outlet 12c.
Open with the free end through, but as shown in Fig. 11, in the tear tape pull-out direction, the seal outlet 12
A handle portion 12c1 may be provided on the downstream side of c. The handle portion 23 has a half-cut or thin-walled folded portion 12c2 formed substantially in the center of the seal outlet 12c. When the opening is opened, the handle portion 12c1 is folded from the folded portion 12c2, and the handle portion 12c1 is used to hold the tear tape 18b. Pull out. The free end of the tear tape 18b is fixed to the handle 12c1 by adhesion or the like.

As described above, since the pull-out opening remaining portion 12c3 remains even after the grip portion 12c1 is broken off, the pull-out direction of the tear tape 18b is regulated by this portion.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the developing frame 13 from being caught when the developing frame 13 is coupled and to obliquely pull the tear tape 18b, and the tear tape 18b can be easily pulled out by the grip portion 12c1. Further, since it is not necessary to use a separate member as the handle portion, the number of parts can be reduced.

[Third Embodiment] In the above-described first embodiment, the upper and lower sides of the toner containing frame 12 and the developing frame 13 in the longitudinal direction are joined by ultrasonic welding or the like, and the developing roller 10d and the developing blade are attached to the developing frame 13. Although the example in which 10e is attached is shown, as shown in FIG. 12, the toner storage frame 12 may be provided with the developing roller 10d and the holding portion for the developing blade 10e.

FIG. 12 shows the toner storage frame 12 and the developing frame.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the toner storage opening 12a when 13 is separated from the toner supply opening 12a.
A blade mounting seat surface 24 for mounting 10d is provided, and roller holding portions 25a, 25b for holding the developing roller 10c are formed upright near both ends in the longitudinal direction. Around the toner supply opening 12a, the same sealing member 18 as in the first embodiment described above is welded to seal the opening 12a, and the free end of the folded tear tape 18b is pulled out through the seal outlet 26. There is. This seal outlet 26 is
As shown in FIG. 13, it is provided as a slit at substantially the same position (just below in this embodiment) as the one roller holding portion 25a.

On the other hand, the developing frame 13 is a toner storage frame 12
A longitudinal portion 27 welded to the lower side of the longitudinal direction of the same, and seal portions 28 integrally provided at both ends thereof. A welding rib (not shown) is provided on the back side of the longitudinal portion 27 in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal portion 27 is brought into contact with the lower side 29 of the toner accommodating frame body 12 in the longitudinal direction to ultrasonically weld the toner. The frame 12 and the developing frame 13 are integrated. In addition, the seal portion 28
An end seal (not shown) is attached to the back of the
When the developing frame 13 is welded to the toner storage frame 12, the end seals prevent toner from leaking from both ends of the opening 12a in the longitudinal direction.

When welding the seal member 18,
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the distance between the roller holding portions 25a, 25b and the seal bar 30 is as narrow as about 2 to 3 mm, so that one roller holding portion 25b is located outside (in the arrow direction of FIGS. 12 and 14). Air suction is applied to the tear tape 18b. As a result, the tear tape 18b and the seal bar 30 are brought into contact with each other during welding and the tear tape 18b
b can prevent damage due to heat.

In this embodiment, by passing the free end of the tear tape 18b through the seal outlet 26, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the seal outlet 26 becomes a part of the roller holding portion, it is strengthened in strength, and the seal pressing member becomes unnecessary as in the conventional case, and the number of parts can be reduced.

Another Embodiment Next, another example of each part of the process cartridge B and the image forming apparatus according to the above-described embodiment will be described.

In the above-described first embodiment, the developing frame 13
The example in which the jaw convex portion 22 is integrally provided is shown in FIG. 1, but the jaw convex portion 22 is formed by a member different from the developing frame 13, and is attached to the toner storage frame 12 or the developing frame 13 by adhesion or the like. You may comprise.

In the above-described first embodiment, an example in which the opening regulating member 19 for regulating the opening area of the toner containing frame 12 is attached and the seal member 18 is attached to the opening regulating member 19 is shown. The seal member 18 does not necessarily need to be attached to the opening regulation member 19, and may be directly attached to the opening portion of the toner storage frame 12.

Also, in the first embodiment described above, the seal member 18 is an example in which the cover film 18a and the tear tape 18b are integrally formed and the cover film 18a is torn by the tear tape 18b. You may comprise by the so-called easy peel film which is a peeling seal member.

Although the above-mentioned process cartridge B is for forming a single color image, the process cartridge is not limited to the case of forming a single color image, but a plurality of developing means are provided and a plurality of color images (for example, 2). It can also be suitably applied to a cartridge that forms a color image, a three-color image, a full-color image, or the like.

As the developing method, various known developing methods such as a two-component magnetic brush developing method, a cascade developing method, a touch-down developing method and a cloud developing method can be used.

Further, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to the above-mentioned photosensitive drum, and includes, for example, the following. First, a photoconductor is used as the photoconductor, and examples of the photoconductor include amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and an organic photoconductor (OP).
C) etc. are included. The shape on which the photoconductor is mounted includes, for example, a drum-shaped, belt-shaped rotating body, a sheet-shaped body, and the like. Generally, a drum-shaped or belt-shaped one is used. For example, in the case of a drum type photoconductor, a photoconductor is vapor-deposited or coated on a cylinder of aluminum alloy or the like. Is.

As for the structure of the charging means, the so-called contact charging method was used in the above-mentioned first embodiment, but a tungsten wire which has been conventionally used as another structure is provided with a metal shield such as aluminum around three sides. It goes without saying that a configuration may be used in which positive or negative ions generated by applying a high voltage to the tungsten wire are moved to the surface of the photosensitive drum to uniformly charge the surface of the drum.

The charging means may be of a blade type (charging blade), a pad type, a block type, a rod type, a wire type or the like, other than the roller type.

Further, as a method of cleaning the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum, the cleaning means may be constituted by using a blade, a fur brush, a magnetic brush or the like.

The process cartridge according to the present invention comprises at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member and developing means. Therefore, as a typical mode thereof, the developing means, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the charging means and the cleaning means are integrally made into a cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Further, the developing means, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the charging means or the cleaning means are integrally made into a cartridge so that it can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Further, there is one in which the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the laser beam printer is exemplified as the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile machine or a word processor can be used. It is also possible to use for.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention, by providing the seal outlet for regulating the pulling-out direction of the seal member integrally with the toner accommodating frame body, the seal member is passed through the outlet so that the developing frame is provided. It is possible to prevent the seal member from being caught during the assembly at the time of assembling, and it is possible to suppress a significant increase in the opening strength due to the oblique pulling of the seal member. Further, if the seal outlet is also used as the handle portion, the number of parts can be reduced and the drawing direction of the seal member can be regulated.

Further, when the toner carrier holding portion is provided in the toner storage frame, conventionally, it was necessary to provide a pressing member for the seal member so as not to come into contact with the toner carrier when opening the seal member. By integrally forming the outlet below the holding portion, the conventional seal member pressing member is not required, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a state in which a toner storage frame of a process cartridge and a developing frame are separated.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is mounted.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a mounting configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a toner storage frame, an opening regulating member, and a sealing member.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a state in which a tear tape is pulled out from a seal outlet.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a convex portion provided on the downstream side of the end seal in the drawing direction of the seal member.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a seal member and a seal outlet.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a boss and a seal member having a seal withdrawing direction regulation configuration by a boss.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a convex portion provided on the upstream side of the end seal in the pull-out direction of the seal member.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which a handle portion is provided at a seal outlet.

FIG. 12 is a front explanatory view in which the developing frame is separated from the toner storing frame of the embodiment in which the developing blade mounting seat surface and the developing roller holding portion are provided in the toner storing frame.

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating an embodiment in which a developing blade mounting seat surface and a developing roller holding portion are provided on the toner storage frame.

FIG. 14 is a structural explanatory view in which a seal member is heat-sealed to the toner storage frame of the embodiment in which the developing blade mounting seat surface and the developing roller holding portion are provided in the toner storage frame.

[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 ... Opening portion, 10 ... Developing means, 10a ... Toner storage portion, 10b ... Toner feeding member, 10c ... Magnet, 10d
... developing roller, 10e ... developing blade, 11 ... cleaning means, 12 ... toner storage frame, 12a ... opening, 12b ... flange, 12c ... seal outlet, 12c1 ... handle, 12c2 ... folding portion, 12c3 ... outlet Remaining part, 12d ... Fitting hole, 13 ... Developing frame, 13a ... Boss, 13b ... Boss, 14 ... Cleaning frame body,
15 ... Device body, 16 ... Opening / closing member, 16a ... Shaft, 17 ... Guide member, 18 ... Sealing member, 18a ... Cover film, 18b ... Tear tape, 19 ... Opening regulating member, 19a ... Opening, 20 ... End seal, 21a , 21b ... boss, 22 ... jaw protrusion, 23 ... handle,
24 ... Blade mounting seat surface, 25a, 25b ... Roller holding part, 26
... Seal outlet, 27 ... longitudinal part, 28 ... seal part, 29 ... lower side of frame longitudinal direction, 30 ... seal bar

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Karama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developer carrying member for supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing device for accommodating the developer. A developer accommodating frame having a developer accommodating portion and a developer supply opening for supplying a developer to the developer carrier, and an opening of the developer accommodating frame that is sealed and closed to start the use. A seal member for unsealing the developer, and a developing frame that holds the developer carrier and that is connected to the developer accommodating frame body by protruding the free end of the seal member. A process cartridge characterized in that a free end of the seal member is inserted into one side of the frame body in the longitudinal direction to provide a seal outlet for restricting a withdrawal direction of the seal member. 2. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developer carrier for supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing device for accommodating the developer. A developer accommodating frame having a developer accommodating portion, a developer supply opening for supplying a developer to the developer carrier, and a retaining part for retaining the developer carrier, and an opening of the developer accommodating frame A seal member for sealing and closing the portion, and opening the opening portion at the start of use; and a developing frame for projecting a free end of the sealing member to be coupled with the developer accommodating frame body, A seal outlet for inserting the free end of the seal member and restricting the withdrawal direction of the seal member is provided at one side of the developer accommodating frame in the longitudinal direction and at substantially the same position as the holding portion. Special Process cartridge to be. 3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a handle portion for breaking the seal member at the time of opening the seal member is provided at the seal outlet. 4. The seal outlet has a length of 2 mm to 14 mm.
The process cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the process cartridge is set to. 5. A protrusion protruding toward the seal member is formed at an end portion of the developer accommodating frame body or the developing frame on the side where the free end of the seal member protrudes.
Alternatively, the process cartridge according to claim 2. 6. The seal member has a cover film composed of a uniaxially stretched base material and a sealant layer, and has a width narrower than an adhesive portion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cover film, and one end thereof has The process cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a base material having a free end corresponding to a grip portion and a tear tape made of a sealant layer. 7. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the width of the seal outlet is 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm wider on one side than the width of the free end of the seal member. 8. The developing frame is connected to the developer accommodating frame body in a state where the free end of the sealing member is passed through the seal outlet, and the developing frame is configured. Process cartridge. 9. The process cartridge comprises a developing means, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging means and a cleaning means which are integrally formed as 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 or claim 2. 10. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing unit, an 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. The process cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2. 11. 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. Process cartridge. 12. An image forming apparatus, wherein a process cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium, wherein the process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is detachably attached. An image forming apparatus comprising: a mounting unit; and a transport unit for transporting a recording medium. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer, or a facsimile apparatus.