US20030172958A1

US20030172958A1 - Process cartridge, process cartridge recycling method and process cartridge recycling device

Info

Publication number: US20030172958A1
Application number: US10/286,751
Authority: US
Inventors: Toshiaki Murofushi; Katsuhisa Arai; Fumitaka Nakajima; Hideo Katayama; Kazunari Koga
Original assignee: Fuji Xerox Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
Priority date: 2002-03-15
Filing date: 2002-11-04
Publication date: 2003-09-18
Also published as: CN1445625A; KR20030074100A; TW200304054A; JP2003271040A; CN1332272C; TWI238300B

Abstract

A process cartridge recycling method which includes a water washing step, which washes a used process cartridge using water. In this step, so as not to cause deterioration of a working environment of washing, a casing of members which structure the process cartridge is extracted, and water is sprayed at the casing for washing. Also, a process cartridge recycled by this method, and a process cartridge recycling device which implements this method.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for recycling a process cartridge which is freely attachable and detachable at an image-forming device, to a process cartridge and to a process cartridge recycling device.

2. Description of the Related Art

A freely detachable unit referred to as a “process cartridge” is utilized in an image-forming device in view of maintainability and serviceability. This process cartridge incorporates various components including a photosensitive body, such as an electrostatic component, a developing component, a cleaning component and the like, and accommodates these in a housing or a casing.

Conventionally, when a process cartridge is recycled, a process for washing is carried out by air blowing, air suction (vacuum cleaning) and wiping with a solvent such as alcohol or the like. Here, it is necessary to wipe off residual soiling with the solvent such as alcohol, because it is difficult to clean completely with air blowing and air suction.

In such washing, there is a problem in that deterioration of a work environment can be easily caused by scattering of toner due to the air blowing or air suction. There is also a problem of deterioration of the work environment due to wiping using the solvent such as alcohol, due to the utilization of the solvent. Thus, improvements have been called for.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems that occur in the prior art, and to achieve the following object. Specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge recycling method that can recycle a process cartridge without deteriorating a work environment during washing, a process cartridge recyclable by such a method, and a process cartridge recycling device.

The above purpose can be achieved as follows. Firstly, a first aspect of the present invention is a method for recycling a used process cartridge which includes a water washing step of washing the process cartridge with water.

In this process cartridge recycling method, in the water washing step, the process cartridge may be washed with toner having been adhered thereto.

In this process cartridge recycling method, a temperature of the water may be from 30° C. to 65° C.

In this process cartridge recycling method, in the water washing step, water may be sprayed at the process cartridge and water pressure applied for washing.

In this process cartridge recycling method, a water pressure at which the water is sprayed is in a range from approximately 196 kPa to 980 kPa.

In this process cartridge recycling method, the water washing step may further include a toner separating step for separating the toner from the water that has been used.

In this process cartridge recycling method, in the toner separating step, the water and toner may be separated by collecting supernatant water after the water washing.

In this process cartridge recycling method, in the toner separating step, the water separated by the toner separating step may be recovered and used again in the water washing step.

This process cartridge recycling method may further include, after the water washing step, a drying step for drying the process cartridge.

In this process cartridge recycling method, in the drying step, the process cartridge may be dried by air blowing with an air pressure of around 196 kPa to 882 kPa.

In this drying step, an air blowing temperature may be approximately 40° C. to 90° C.

In this process cartridge recycling method, the process cartridge may include at least a photoelectric photosensitive body, and the process cartridge recycling method may include, before the water washing step, a disassembling step for removing at least the photoelectric photosensitive body from the process cartridge.

In this process cartridge recycling method, the process cartridge may include a casing that has plastic as a principal component, and the process cartridge recycling method may include a dissembling step for removing, from the process cartridge, members other than the casing whose principal component is plastic.

In this case, the casing whose principal component is plastic may be incorporated with at least one process component which is provided at a peripheral vicinity of a photoelectric photosensitive material.

In this process cartridge recycling method, the process cartridge may include a toner bottle which retains toner thereinside.

In this process cartridge recycling method, at least one of structural components of the process cartridge has a substantially hydrophobic thermoplastic resin as a principal component.

A second aspect of the present invention is a process cartridge including a casing having plastic as a principal component, to which toner has been adhered, and which has been recycled by washing the casing with water at a water temperature of at least approximately 30° C.

This process cartridge has been substantially washed by spraying water at the casing and applying a water pressure of approximately 196 kPa to 980 kPa.

The water temperature of the water used for this process cartridge may be from about 30° C. to 65° C., such that the casing that has been recycled by washing with the water has not been deformed by the heat of the water.

A label is attached at an outer surface of the casing of this process cartridge, and there is no toner remaining on the label of the recycled casing.

A third aspect of the present invention is a process cartridge recycling device which washes a process cartridge, to which toner has adhered, with water to remove the toner for recycling. The device includes a water washing nozzle which sprays water at the process cartridge, a water pressure control apparatus which controls water pressure of the water sprayed from the water washing nozzle, and a water temperature regulating apparatus which controls a water temperature of the water sprayed from the water washing nozzle.

In this process cartridge recycling device, the water pressure control apparatus controls the water pressure to approximately 196 kPa to 980 kPa, and the water temperature regulating apparatus regulates the water temperature to approximately 30° C. to 60° C.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a process cartridge recycling device used in a washing step of a process cartridge recycling method of the present invention. [0030]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of a process cartridge recycling device used in a washing step of a process cartridge recycling method of the present invention.[0031]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Below, the present invention is explained in detail. Explanations of a process cartridge recycling method of the present invention and a process cartridge of the present invention are given together. [0032]
The process cartridge recycling method of the present invention includes a water washing step for washing a used process cartridge with water. The process cartridge recycling method of the present invention is a process for recycling in which the washing process includes introducing washing water, principally to remove toner that has adhered to the process cartridge. Thus, environmental deterioration in the washing process due to scattering of toner or the use of a solvent can be prevented. Usually, parts to which a material such as toner, a principal component of which is a hydrophobic thermoplastic resin material, is attached are thought to be difficult to wash with water. However, in the present invention, even when toner is adhered to a material whose principal component is a hydrophobic thermoplastic material, such as a structural member of the process cartridge (particularly a casing), washing can be carried out effectively with water, and a work environment of the washing process can be made more excellent. Here, examples of hydrophobic thermoplastic resin materials include polyester resins, polystyrene resins, styrene-butadiene copolymers, and copolymers of a styrene-based monomer with an acrylic ester or a methacrylic ester, which are mainly binding resins. Examples of hydrophobic thermoplastic materials include acrilonitrile/butadiene/styrene resins (ABS), high-impact polystyrene resins (HIPS), polypropylenes (PP), polyethylene resins (PE), polycarbonate resins (PC), polyoxymethylene resins (POM), denatured polyphenylene oxides (denatured PPO) and PC-ABS. [0033]
In the process cartridge recycling method of the present invention, the process cartridge, which is the object of the water washing, is not necessarily a cartridge including a photoelectric photosensitive body, and includes developing units that include developing rolls but not photoelectric photosensitive bodies, toner bottles which retain toner thereinside, whose principal purpose is toner supply, and the like. These process cartridges are freely attachable and detachable at an image-forming device. Common examples of these process cartridges include cartridges in which one or more process components provided at a peripheral vicinity of a photosensitive body, such as an electrostatic component, a developing component, a cleaning component and the like, are integrally supported and incorporated by a casing, and cartridges in which, principally, a developing component such as a developing roll or the like and a toner-accommodating section are incorporated by a casing. [0034]
Here, the electrostatic component may be for an electrostatic roll system, a corotron system or the like, but is not limited to these. The developing component may be for a single-component developing system in which a carrier is not used or a two-component developing system, in which a carrier is used, or the like, but is not limited to these. A cleaning system may be a doctor blade system, a wiper blade system, a brush system or the like, but is not limited to these. The photoelectric photosensitive body may be for a photosensitive drum system, a photosensitive belt system or the like, but is not limited to these. [0035]
The following are specific examples of structure of the process cartridge: (a) a cartridge in which a photoelectric photosensitive body, an electrostatic member and a cleaning member are incorporated by a single casing; (b) a cartridge in which are incorporated a casing which integrates a photoelectric photosensitive body, an electrostatic member and a cleaning member, and a development casing which integrates a toner storage section and a developing roll; (c) a cartridge in which are incorporated a casing which integrates a photoelectric photosensitive body, an electrostatic member and a cleaning member, a toner storage casing (toner bottle) which includes a toner storage section, and a development casing which includes a developing roll; (d) a cartridge which incorporates a toner storage section and a developing roll in a single casing; and (e) a toner bottle which retains toner thereinside and does not include a developing roll. Typical structural examples of process cartridges include a process cartridge described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2001-242692, in which an image carrier unit which includes an image carrier (photosensitive body) and a developing unit which includes a developer (developing roll) are combined, and a developer cartridge (toner bottle) which is attachable/detachable at a development unit. [0036]
Usually in the process cartridge recycling method of the present invention, a disassembly process which removes bodies not to be washed from the process cartridge which is the target of water washing is carried out before the water washing process. If a photoelectric photosensitive body is included, then at least the photoelectric photosensitive body is removed from the process cartridge in the disassembly process. It is preferable that various members are integrated as described above and that members other than the casing are removed. That is, of the process cartridge, the casing may be the only member to be washed. Casings include, from the incorporated cartridges described above, a casing portion from which a photoelectric photosensitive body, an electrostatic member, a developing component, a cleaning member and the like are removed, a toner storage casing (toner bottle), a development casing and the like. These casings are structured with plastic as a principal component. Even if these casings retain types of sponge and types of metal at portions thereof, the effects of washing will not be decreased. Therefore, such sponges and metals may be left in place as appropriate in the disassembly process. [0037]
The water washing process is then carried out on the process cartridge from which items not to be washed have been removed by the disassembly process, by washing with water. [0038]
Water that is used in the water washing process is not limited, but examples thereof include tap water, groundwater, ion exchange water, purified water and high-purity water. For the purpose of improving washing effects, a solvent such as detergent, alcohol or the like may be included therein, in an appropriate amount. [0039]
The water used in the water washing process may be used only once and drained. Alternatively, in order to reduce water usage amounts and drainage amounts, the water may be recovered, circulated, and utilized in the water washing process again. Because toner removed from the process cartridge by the washing is included in the water that has been used in the washing process, it is favorable to carry out a separating process to separate the water and the toner after washing, both in the case of draining and in the case of re-use. Because the toner is commonly structured with a hydrophobic thermoplastic resin as a principal component (generally, a binding resin component), the toner is easy to separate from the water. The water and toner can be simply separated by removing a supernatant portion of the recovered water, and thus the toner can be easily collected from the water. Moreover, filtering may be carried out at a filter for the purpose of removing the toner and other foreign matter. Further, effluent processing of the water, unlike detergents, is simple. Therefore, the water is friendly to the environment and processing costs are low. [0040]
A water temperature of the water used in the water washing process is in a range from about 0° C. to 70° C. When the water temperature is low, washing effects are reduced. If the water temperature is too high, members which are mainly plastic will tend to be altered. Therefore, the water temperature is substantially in a range from about 16° C. to 65° C. The range of the water temperature may be from about 30° C. to 65° C., or from about 40° C. to 65° C. [0041]
A water washing process in the water washing step is not particularly limited, but a washing process of spraying water, an ultrasound washing process, a surfactant process and the like are available. In view of washing effectiveness, simplification of an apparatus and the like, the water-spraying washing process is preferable. If the water-spraying washing process is applied, water pressure is not particularly limited but, in view of washing effects, the water pressure would be substantially from about 196 kPa to 980 kPa (about 2 kgf/cm[0042] ²to 10 kgf/cm²). The range of water pressure may be from about 294 kPa to 784 kPa (about 3 kgf/cm²to 8 kgf/cm²), or 392 kPa to 588 kPa (about 4 kgf/cm²to 6 kgf/cm²).
The water is usually sprayed by being discharged from a nozzle. As long as the aforementioned water pressure is maintained, a discharge pattern is not limited; the water may be sprayed rectilinearly or in a radiating pattern. From the viewpoints of a surface area of spray from a single nozzle being large, and a large amount of water being sprayed on the members that are mainly plastic, the spraying may have a radiating pattern. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of washing effectiveness, the water-spraying may be carried out while the members that are mainly plastic are being conveyed unidirectionally or reciprocatingly by a conveyance apparatus. [0043]
A washing duration in the water washing process is appropriately selected in accordance with the water temperature, the water pressure (in cases where the water-spraying washing process is applied) and the like. The washing duration is of the order of 30 seconds to 30 minutes. [0044]
In the process cartridge recycling method of the present invention, after completion of the water washing process, it is necessary to remove water that has attached to the process cartridge. Therefore, a drying process is usually carried out. This drying process is not particularly limited. The process cartridge may be left to dry naturally, or may be dried by an air blowing system, high temperature drying, low humidity drying or the like. An air blowing system may be employed for the drying process, because of a short duration of drying. An air pressure of the air blowing is not particularly limited, but would be in a range from about 196 kPa to 882 kPa (about 2 kgf/cm[0045] ²to 9 kgf/cm²). The range of air pressure may be from about 490 kPa to 686 kPa (about 5 kgf/cm²to 7 kgf/cm²). The temperature of air blowing is not particularly limited, but usual air may be used, and high-temperature air may be used. If high-temperature air is used, the drying duration may be shortened. However, a range of the air blowing temperature when high-temperature air is used is substantially not more than about 100° C. This range may be from about 40° C. to 90° C. A drying process with air blowing may be repeated a number of times, and air blowing may be carried out for post-processing by spraying air in a partial manner.
In the process cartridge recycling method of the present invention, before carrying out the water washing process, in view of improving effects of the washing, toner adhered to the process cartridge may be caused to drop off naturally, and air blowing and/or air suction may be carried out. Further, after the water washing process has been carried out, supplementary solvent washing may be carried out with a solvent such as alcohol or the like. Even if these processes of air blowing/air suction and solvent washing are carried out, deterioration of the work environment caused by the toner and the solvent will be greatly reduced compared with a case in which the water washing process is not carried out. [0046]
In the process cartridge recycling method of the present invention, the members that are mainly plastic go through various washing steps including the water washing process, and are again assembled to the other members for recycling the process cartridge. [0047]
In the process cartridge recycling method of the present invention, in view of washing effects, the washing may be carried out with water at a water temperature of 30° C. or more. Further, in view of preventing deformation of the process cartridge (particularly the casing) by heat, an upper limit of the water temperature may be around 65° C. When the water temperature of the washing water is 30° C. or above, it is expected that low molecular weight components in the binding resin of the toner will be easily fluidized, and the toner will be deformed. Here, if a washing system is employed in which the water is sprayed at a water pressure in a range from about 196 kPa to 980 kPa as described above, it is expected that deformation of the toner will be promoted by this water pressure. Furthermore, it is thought that if the water temperature is 30° C. or above and molecular motion of the water is appropriately energetic, then the binding resin of the toner will be swollen by heat, and the binding resin will approach a glass transition temperature. Thus, molecular motion in the binding resin will be vigorous. This is one factor making the adhered toner easier to remove. Further, if the toner was produced by a pulverizing method, the washing water permeates into microscopic cracks in the toner. Further again, when heat is applied by the washing water at a water temperature of 30° C. or above, it is thought that the permeation of the water will be promoted at portions of the toner at which the low molecular components in the binding resin have been fluidized and deformed, and this is one factor making the adhered toner easier to remove. [0048]
In the present invention, particularly when water is sprayed at water temperatures and pressures as described above, adhered toner can be removed from the process cartridge without deformation of the process cartridge (particularly the casing) by heat. A label showing a time limit for usage, warning notices and the like is usually adhered at an outer surface of the casing structuring the process cartridge. The used process cartridge is not soiled by toner only at interior portions thereof; when the disassembly process is carried out on the process cartridge before the water washing process, and when, as described above, the toner adhered to the process cartridge is caused to drop off naturally or air blowing or air suction is carried out, the toner will also adhere in large amounts at the outer surface, and will of course adhere to the label too. Even though the toner adheres to the label thus, in the present invention the toner is removed and none of the toner remains thereat. By “none of the toner remains”, it is meant that toner will not be adhered to a finger that has touched the label. [0049]
Now, an example of the water washing process of the process cartridge recycling method of the present invention will be explained with reference to a recycling device that can be favorably used therefor (the process cartridge recycling device of the present invention) and to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this example. Features that have substantially the same functions are explained with the same reference numbers being applied thereto in each of the drawings, and explanations thereof may be omitted. [0050]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a process cartridge recycling device used in the washing process of the process cartridge recycling method of the present invention. [0051]
The recycling device shown in FIG. 1 is provided with nozzles [0052] 14 (water washing nozzles), a tank 20, a pump 22 (water pressure control apparatus), and a heater 28 (water temperature regulating apparatus). The nozzles 14 discharge water 16 to spray a casing 10 in a washing chamber 12. The tank 20 recovers the water 16 after washing. The pump 22 circulates the recovered water 16 such that the water 16 can be discharged from the nozzles 14 again, and controls the water pressure of the water 16 being discharged from the nozzles 14. The heater 28 regulates the water temperature of the water 16 being discharged from the nozzles 14.
At the recycling device shown in FIG. 1, firstly, the [0053] casing 10, of which plastic is a principal component, is extracted from a used process cartridge (the disassembly process) and the casing 10 is put into the washing chamber 12. Then, the water 16 is discharged from the nozzles 14, and water is sprayed at the casing 10. Thus, water washing is carried out (the washing process). The water 16 is discharged from the nozzles and sprayed at the casing 10 in radiating patterns. While the water is sprayed, the casing 10 is reciprocatingly moved, as shown by the arrows, by a conveyor 18. Thus, the effects of washing are increased. Here, the water pressure is controlled to be in an appropriate range as described herebefore by the pump 22, and the water temperature is controlled to be in an appropriate range as described herebefore by the heater 28.
The sprayed [0054] water 16 is recovered at the tank 20, and a supernatant portion is taken and filtered at a filter. Thus, toner and the like is removed. The water 16 passes through the pump 22 and is used again.
Then, drying of the [0055] casing 10 that has been washed with water is carried out utilizing an air blowing system or the like in the same washing chamber 12 or in another chamber (the drying process).
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a process cartridge recycling device used in the washing process of the process cartridge recycling method of the present invention. [0056]
The recycling device shown in FIG. 2 is provided with the nozzles [0057] 14 (water washing nozzles), an air blowing apparatus 24, the pump 22 (water pressure control apparatus), and the heater 28 (water temperature regulating apparatus). The nozzles 14 discharge the water 16 to spray the casing 10 in the washing chamber 12. The air-blowing apparatus 24 is side by side with the nozzles 14. The pump 22 controls the water pressure of the water 16 being discharged from the nozzles 14. The heater 28 regulates the water temperature of the water 16 being discharged from the nozzles 14.
In the recycling device shown in FIG. 2, firstly, the [0058] casing 10 of which plastic is a principal component is extracted from a used process cartridge (the disassembly process), and the casing 10 is conveyed to the washing chamber 12 by the conveyor 18. The water washing (the water washing process) is carried out as described for FIG. 1, except that the water washing is carried out with the casing 10 being moved simply in a conveyance direction. Then, in accordance with conveyance of the casing 10, the water washing is completed, and the casing 10 is next sprayed with air 26 by the air-blowing apparatus 24. Thus, drying is carried out (the drying process). Thereafter, the casing 10 is sent out from the washing chamber 12 in accordance with the conveyance.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, positions at which the [0059] nozzles 14 that discharge the water are disposed are shown as positions above the casing 10, whose main component is plastic, for the sake of simplicity. However, there is no need for the nozzles 14 to be limited to portions upward of the casing 10. The nozzles 14 may be disposed, as well as above the casing 10, to spray the water from side portions and, depending on the structure of the device, from lower portions.

EXAMPLES

Below, Examples are given to more specifically explain the present invention. The present invention is not limited by these Examples. [0060]

Example 1

A process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum (photosensitive body), an electrostatic corotron (electrostatic component) and a cleaning blade (cleaning component) were incorporated, which had been used in a FUJI XEROX DOCUCENTRE 705 including a copier function and a printer function, was recovered. Metal components, sponges and the like, such as the photosensitive drum, the electrostatic corotron, the cleaning blade and the like, were removed, and a plastic casing (a member that was mainly plastic) was extracted. Toner remaining inside the plastic casing that could be easily removed by air suction was removed. [0061]
Then, the plastic casing to which toner had adhered was set in a water washing device, and sprayed with warm water at a temperature of 55° C. for 1 minute. The water was sprayed from six upper nozzles and six lower nozzles at a pressure of 588 kPa (6 kgf/cm[0062] ²). Thereafter, the plastic casing was sprayed with room temperature air for one minute at a pressure of 686 kPa (7 kgf/cm²) from the six upper nozzles, the six lower nozzles, three nozzles at the right and three nozzles at the left. Next, the plastic casing was taken out of the washing device, and air blowing was carried out to further spray the plastic casing with room temperature air for one minute at a pressure of 686 kPa (7 kgf/cm²). Thus, locally remaining water was removed.
During these operations, no toner was scattered, and the work environment of the washing was favorable. [0063]
The total length of the plastic casing for which washing and drying had been completed was measured, and was the same as before the water washing. The plastic casing was then submitted to a process cartridge assembly process. The process cartridge was assembled, and a bite amount of the cleaning blade was measured. This was the same as a bite amount with a brand new casing. Furthermore, a copy sample was obtained from the FUJI XEROX DOCUCENTRE 705, and image quality evaluation results, such as conditions of image density and non-image portions and the like, were all the same as with brand new products. [0064]

Example 2

A process cartridge in which a casing and a development casing were incorporated, which had been used in a FUJI XEROX DOCUCENTRE 400 FS including a copier function, a printer function and a fax function, was recovered. The casing integrated a photosensitive body, an electrostatic component and a cleaning member, and the development casing included a toner storage portion. The casing with the cleaning member and the development casing were separated, and from the various casings were removed a photosensitive drum, an electrostatic roll, a cleaning blade, a development roll, a development blade, a photosensitive body cover and the like. Covers that were attached with screws were removed, and a plastic casing (a member mainly of plastic) was extracted. Sponge parts and metal parts were left attached at portions of the plastic casing, the casing was inverted, and toner remaining inside fell out naturally. [0065]
Then, the plastic casing was introduced into a water washing device, which separately included a water washing process and an air blowing process, on a conveyor. The plastic casing was conveyed through the washing device so as to be sprayed with warm water at a temperature of 40° C. for two minutes. The water was sprayed in radiating patterns from eight upper nozzles, eight lower nozzles, two nozzles at the right and two nozzles at the left, at a pressure of 392 kPa (4 kgf/cm[0066] ²). Next, the plastic casing was conveyed through the washing device so as to be sprayed with room temperature air at a pressure of 490 kPa (5 kgf/cm²) for two minutes. Thereafter, the plastic casing was taken out of the washing device, and air blowing was carried out to further spray the plastic casing with warm air at 70° C. for one minute at a pressure of 490 kPa (5 kgf/cm²). Thus, locally remaining water was removed.
During these operations, no toner was scattered, and the work environment of the washing was favorable. [0067]
The total length of the plastic casing for which washing and drying had been completed was measured, and was the same as before the water washing. The plastic casing was then submitted to a process cartridge assembly process. The process cartridge was assembled, and a bite amount of the cleaning blade was measured. This was the same as a bite amount with a brand new casing. Furthermore, a copy sample was obtained from the FUJI XEROX DOCUCENTRE 400 FS, and image quality evaluation results, such as conditions of image density and non-image portions and the like, were all the same as with brand new products. [0068]
According to the present invention hereabove, a process cartridge recycling method which can recycle a process cartridge without causing deterioration to a washing work environment, a process cartridge recycled by this method, and a process cartridge recycling device can be provided. [0069]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for recycling a used process cartridge, comprising a water washing step for washing the process cartridge with water.

2. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 1, wherein the water washing step comprises washing process cartridge to which toner has adhered.

3. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 1, wherein a temperature of the water is from 30° C. to 65° C.

4. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 1, wherein the water washing step comprises washing by spraying water at the process cartridge and applying water pressure.

5. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 1, further comprising, after the water washing step, a drying step for drying the process cartridge.

6. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 2, wherein a temperature of the water is from 30° C. to 65° C.

7. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 2, wherein the water washing step comprises washing by spraying water at the process cartridge and applying water pressure.

8. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 2, further comprising a toner separating step for separating the toner from the water that has been used in the water washing step.

9. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 2, wherein at least one of structural members of the process cartridge includes a hydrophobic thermoplastic resin as a principal component, and the toner includes a hydrophobic thermoplastic resin as a principal component.

10. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 3, further comprising a toner separating step for separating the toner from the water that has been used in the water washing step.

11. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 3, wherein the process cartridge comprises a toner bottle which retains toner at an interior portion.

12. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 4, wherein a water pressure of the water being sprayed is from 196 kPa to 980 kPa.

13. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 4, further comprising, after the water washing step, a drying step for drying the process cartridge.

14. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 5, wherein the drying step comprises drying by air blowing with an air pressure from 196 kPa to 882 kPa.

15. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 5, wherein the process cartridge comprises a casing body including plastic as a principal component, and the method further comprises a disassembling step for removing a member other than the casing body that includes plastic as a principal component from the process cartridge.

16. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 8, wherein the toner separating step comprises separating the toner and the water by collecting a supernatant portion of the water after the water washing step.

17. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 10, further comprising recovering the water that has been separated in the toner separating step, and using the water in the water washing step again.

18. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 12, further comprising a toner separating step for separating toner from the water that has been used in the water washing step.

19. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 13, wherein the drying step comprises drying by air blowing with an air pressure from 196 kPa to 882 kPa.

20. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 14, wherein the process cartridge includes at least a photoelectric photosensitive body, and the method further comprises, before the water washing step, a disassembling step for removing at least the photoelectric photosensitive body from the process cartridge.

21. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 15, wherein the casing body that includes plastic as a principal component comprises a casing which incorporates at least one process component provided at a peripheral vicinity of a photoelectric photosensitive material.

22. The process cartridge recycling method of claim 19, wherein, in the drying step, an air blowing temperature is from 40° C. to 90° C.

23. A process cartridge comprising a casing body which includes plastic as a principal component, wherein toner has been adhered to the casing body and the process cartridge has been recycled by washing the casing body with water at a temperature of at least 30° C.

24. The process cartridge of claim 23, wherein the casing body has been washed by spraying water at the casing body and applying a water pressure of from 196 kPa to 980 kPa.

25. The process cartridge of claim 23, wherein a temperature of the water is from 30° C. to 65° C., and the casing body that has been washed by the water and recycled has not been deformed by heat of the water.

26. The process cartridge of claim 23, wherein the process cartridge further comprises a label attached at an outer surface of the casing body, and the label of the casing body that has been recycled is free of residual the toner.

27. A process cartridge recycling device which washes a process cartridge to which toner has adhered with water and removes the toner for recycling the process cartridge, the device comprising:

a water washing nozzle which sprays water at the process cartridge;

a water pressure control apparatus which controls water pressure of the water sprayed from the water washing nozzle; and

a water temperature regulating apparatus which controls water temperature of the water sprayed from the water washing nozzle.

28. The process cartridge recycling device of claim 27, wherein the water pressure control apparatus controls the water pressure to from 196 kPa to 980 kPa, and the water temperature regulating apparatus regulates the water temperature to from 30° C. to 60° C.