JP3265082B2 - Resealing member, developing device, process cartridge, process cartridge reproducing method, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reseal member for closing an opening of a toner container used in an apparatus for forming an image using a toner, a developing device, a process cartridge, and the like.
The present invention relates to a process cartridge reproducing method and an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus, such as a printer, forms a latent image by selectively exposing a uniformly charged image carrier (hereinafter referred to as a "photosensitive drum") to form a latent image. , And the toner image is transferred to a recording medium to record an image. In such an apparatus, the toner must be supplied each time the toner runs out.

Therefore, the photosensitive drum, the charger, the developing device, the cleaning section, and the like are integrated into a cartridge to form a cartridge. By loading the cartridge into the apparatus main body, the user can replenish the toner and reduce the life. A photosensitive drum that has been replaced can be replaced and its maintenance has been facilitated.

[0004]

In such a cartridge, after the toner is used, the cartridge has been collected, and components such as rollers have been taken out and reproduced and reused.

When a process cartridge is recycled, a used cartridge is collected, disassembled, and a usable part is reused. However, even if the toner container is refilled with toner, toner leakage does not occur. It was not easy to close the opening again.

The developing device has a toner container and a developing frame for supporting the developing sleeve, and a horizontally long rectangular opening is formed between the toner container and the developing frame so as to face the surface of the developing sleeve. I have. In the case of a new process cartridge, a seal member is attached to this opening to prevent the toner in the toner container from leaking out of the opening when the cartridge is transported. The free end of this seal member is exposed outward from one end in the longitudinal direction of the slit between the toner container and the developing frame. At the start of use, the operator pulls the free end to pull out the seal member, and opens the toner container opening. After opening, the toner in the toner container is supplied to the developing sleeve through the opening.

The sticking of the seal member can be easily performed in a new process cartridge. This is because in the new process cartridge, the toner container and the developing frame are formed separately, and the sealing member may be attached to the opening of the toner container and then the developing frame may be integrated so as not to be disassembled. is there.

However, in the case of the process cartridge collected after use, the toner container and the developing frame cannot be separated, so that it takes time to attach the seal member.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reseal member, a developing device, a process cartridge, a method for regenerating a process cartridge, and a method for improving the workability of attaching a seal member. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.

[0010]

A representative configuration according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a reseal member for resealing the opening of the toner storage container when the toner storage container is reused. Having a flexible sheet and an elastic sheet provided integrally with the flexible sheet,
A reseal member that is inserted into a gap between the toner container and the developing frame to reseal the opening.
The elastic sheet is compressed and adhered to the opening of the toner storage container by being inserted into the gap by using a plug-in member with a thickness that is larger than the gap and cannot be inserted into the gap by the reseal member itself. Thus, the opening is sealed.

[0011]

In the above construction, the elastic sheet is compressed and deformed by inserting a reseal member, in which the flexible sheet and the elastic sheet are integrated, from between the toner container and the developing frame. Close contact with the opening edge of the container.
Therefore, the opening of the toner storage container is sealed by the re-sealing member, and the toner storage container can be filled with toner for use.

[0012]

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

[First Embodiment] As a sequence of the description, first, the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is mounted will be described, then the configuration of each part of the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge will be described, and then the toner container will be described. The configuration of the opening seal will be described.

<< Overall Configuration >> This image forming apparatus A is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), a light image based on image information is emitted from the optical system 1 to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the conveying unit 3 in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum in the image forming unit formed as a process cartridge B is transferred by the transfer unit 4 to the recording medium. 2, the recording medium 2 is conveyed to a fixing unit 5, and the transferred toner image is fixed and discharged to a discharge unit 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge B constituting the image forming section rotates the photosensitive drum 7 to uniformly charge the surface thereof by the charging means 8, and the light from the optical system 1 is emitted. The image is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure unit 9.
To form a latent image, and the developing unit 10 forms a toner image corresponding to the latent image to visualize the latent image. After the transfer unit 4 transfers the toner image to the recording medium 2, the cleaning unit 11 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7. The components such as the photosensitive drum 7 are attached to a resin toner container 12a, a developing frame 12b, and a cleaning container 12c, and these are integrally formed into a cartridge by a housing frame 12d.

{Image Forming Apparatus} The configuration of each part of the image forming apparatus A will be described in the order of an optical system, a conveying means, a transferring means, a fixing means, and a cartridge mounting means.

(Optical System) The optical system 1 irradiates a light image on the photosensitive drum 7 by irradiating light based on image information sent from an external device or the like to be described later. As shown in FIG. 1, a laser diode 1b, a polygon mirror 1c, a scanner motor 1d, and an imaging lens 1e are housed in an optical unit 1a provided in the apparatus main body 13.

When an image signal is sent from an external device such as a computer or a word processor, the laser diode 1b emits light according to the image signal and irradiates the polygon mirror 1c with image light. This polygon mirror 1c is rotated at high speed by a scanner motor 1d,
The image light reflected by the polygon mirror 1c forms an image forming lens 1
e and the photosensitive drum 7 rotating via the reflection mirror 1f
To form a latent image corresponding to image information by selectively exposing the surface of the drum 7 to light.

(Recording Medium Conveying Means) Next, the conveying means 3 for conveying the recording medium 2 (for example, recording paper, OHP sheet, cloth or thin plate) is detachably attached to a mounting portion provided in the apparatus main body 13. Recording medium 2 in loaded cassette 3a
Is fed to the pair of registration rollers 3c1 and 3c2 one by one from above by the pickup roller 3b. Then, the registration rollers 3c1 and 3c2 rotate so as to synchronize with the image forming operation, and convey the recording medium 2 to the image transfer unit. Then, the recording medium 2 after the image transfer is conveyed to the fixing unit 5 by the conveying rollers 3d and the guide plate 3e, and the recording medium 2 after the fixing is discharged by a discharge roller 3f to a discharge unit 6 provided at the upper part of the apparatus.
Discharge to

(Transfer Means) The transfer means 4 is for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 in the image forming section to the recording medium 2, and the transfer means 4 of this embodiment is, as shown in FIG. , And the transfer roller 4. That is, the recording medium 2 is pressed by the transfer roller 4 against the photosensitive drum 7 of the process cartridge B mounted on the apparatus main body 13, and a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is applied to the transfer roller 4. By applying the voltage, the toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2.

(Fixing Unit) The fixing unit 5 fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording medium 2 by the transfer roller 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing roller 5a has a driving roller 5a for driving and rotating, and a fixing roller 5c having a heater 5b therein and driven to rotate by being pressed against the driving roller 5a. That is, when the recording medium 2 onto which the toner image has been transferred in the image forming unit passes between the driving roller 5a and the fixing roller 5c, pressure is applied by the pressing of the rollers 5a and 5c, and the pressure from the fixing roller 5c is applied. Heat is applied by the heat generation, and the toner on the recording medium 2 is fixed to the recording medium 2.

(Process Cartridge Mounting Means) A cartridge mounting means for mounting the process cartridge B is provided in the image forming apparatus A. The attachment and detachment of the process cartridge B with respect to the apparatus
Do by opening 14. That is, an opening / closing cover 14 that can be opened / closed by a hinge 14a is attached to an upper portion of the apparatus main body 13. Then, open the opening / closing cover 14, and open the apparatus main body.
The process cartridge B is inserted into the cartridge mounting space provided in the cartridge 13 along the guides 36a and 36b. Then, by closing the opening / closing cover 14, the mounting of the process cartridge B to the image forming apparatus A is completed.

{Process Cartridge} Next, the structure of each part of the process cartridge B mounted on the image forming apparatus A will be described.

The process cartridge B is provided with an image carrier and at least one process means. Here, examples of the process means include a charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, a developing means for forming a toner image on the image carrier, and a cleaning means for cleaning toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier. As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge B of this embodiment has a charging unit 8, an exposing unit 9, a developing unit 10, and a cleaning unit 11 arranged around an image bearing member, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7. To the toner container 12a and the cleaning container 12c.
The housing is integrated with a housing having the same and the like, and is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 13.

Next, the structure of each part of the process cartridge B will be described with reference to a photosensitive drum 7, a charging means 8, an exposure part 9, and a developing means.
10, and the cleaning means 11 will be described in this order.

(Photosensitive Drum) The photosensitive drum 7 according to this embodiment is constituted by applying an organic photosensitive layer to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical drum base made of aluminum. The photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably attached to the frame, and the driving force of a drive motor provided on the apparatus main body side is transmitted to a flange gear fixed to one longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum 7 as described later. The photosensitive drum 7 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 according to the image forming operation.

(Charging Means) The charging means is for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and in this embodiment, a charging roller 8 is rotatably mounted on the frame, so-called contact charging. Method. The charging roller 8 is formed by providing a conductive elastic layer on a metal roller shaft 8a, further providing a high-resistance elastic layer thereon, and further providing a protective film on the surface thereof. The conductive elastic layer is formed by dispersing carbon in an elastic rubber layer such as EPDM or NBR, and functions to guide a bias voltage supplied to the roller shaft 8a. The high-resistance elastic layer is made of urethane rubber or the like and contains a small amount of conductive fine powder as an example.
Even when the pinholes and the highly conductive charging roller are opposed to each other, the leak current to the photosensitive drum 7 is limited to prevent the bias voltage from dropping sharply. The protective layer is made of N-methylmethoxylated nylon so that the plastic material of the conductive elastic layer and the high-resistance elastic layer does not touch the photoconductor drum 7 and deteriorate the surface of the photoconductor drum 7. Works.

The charging roller 8 is moved to the photosensitive drum 7
During image formation, the charging roller 8 rotates following the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7, and at this time, a DC voltage and an AC voltage are applied to the charging roller 8 in a superimposed manner so that the photosensitive drum 7 Charge the surface uniformly.

(Exposure Unit) The exposure unit 9 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 uniformly charged by the charging roller 8 to a light image irradiated from the optical system 1 and exposes the surface of the drum 7 to an electrostatic latent image. Is formed. Therefore, in this embodiment, an opening 9a for guiding the optical image is provided on the upper surface 37 of the cartridge frame as the exposure unit 9.

(Developing Means) As shown in FIG. 2, the developing means 10 stores toner in a toner container 12a for storing toner, and a toner feeding member 10a for sending out the toner.
Is provided rotatably. The developing frame 12b attached to the opening 12a1 side of the toner container 12a has a non-rotating magnet 10b inside, and a developing sleeve 10c that forms a thin toner layer on the surface by rotating the photosensitive drum 7b.
And at a very small interval.

The developing sleeve 10c is formed by roughening the surface of an aluminum cylindrical member by sandblasting or the like, and applying a conductive paint dispersed with a pigment thereon. Is formed, a triboelectric charge sufficient to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7 is obtained by friction between the toner and the developing sleeve 10c. A developing blade 10d is provided to regulate the thickness of the toner layer.

(Cleaning means) Cleaning means 11
As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic cleaning blade 11a comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 to scrape off the toner remaining on the drum 7, and the above-described structure for scooping the scraped toner. It comprises a squeeze sheet 11b located below the blade 11a and in weak contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and a waste toner reservoir 11c for storing the scooped waste toner.

{Seal Configuration of Toner Container} Next, a configuration for sealing the opening 12a1 of the toner container 12a will be described. The configuration of the process cartridge B differs between the case of a new cartridge and the case of sealing a recycle cartridge to be collected after use and reused.

(Sealing Configuration of New Cartridge) The opening 12a1 of the toner container 12a is closed by a sealing member so that toner does not leak from the opening 12a1 when the cartridge is transported. In the configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, an opening regulating member 15 for regulating an opening area is attached to the opening 12a1 of the toner container 12a. In this embodiment, the opening 15a of the opening regulating member 15 is sealed by a seal member 16.

The opening regulating member 15 regulates the amount of toner passing when the toner is supplied from the toner container 12a to the developing sleeve 10c by appropriately setting the size of the opening 15a. This opening regulating member 15 has a thickness of about 0.3 mm
A plastic plate such as a polyester plate, a polystyrene plate, a nylon plate, and an ABS plate having a thickness of about 2 mm is formed into a sheet, and then the opening 15a is hollowed out to produce a sheet. This is formed on the flange 12a2 provided at the opening 12a1 of the toner container 12a. Attach by ultrasonic welding or the like.

A sealing member 16 made of a polyethylene film, a polypropylene film, or the like is heat-sealed so as to cover the opening 15a of the opening regulating member 15.
a, and its free end 16a is folded back.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the developing frame 12b is combined with the toner container 12a. The developing frame 12b is for mounting the developing sleeve 10c and the developing blade 10d, and has a rectangular opening 12b1 for allowing toner from the toner container 12a to reach the developing sleeve 10c. The opening regulating members 15 are attached to both sides in the direction by ultrasonic welding or the like, and the free ends 16a of the sealing members 16 are exposed from one side in the short direction. In this way, the toner container 12a and the developing frame 12b are welded to each other to form a non-separable developing unit 17. The developing frame 12
b and the toner container 12a,
The protrusion 12b2 of 12b fits into the hole 12a5 of the toner container 12a for positioning. Also, as in the present embodiment, the toner container 12a and the developing frame 12b are integrated by ultrasonic welding, so that the toner does not leak from between the two and there is a great effect.

As described above, in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 12b and the opening regulating member 15, since they are welded,
There is no danger of toner leaking during that time. However, in the short direction, welding cannot be performed because the seal member 16 is pulled out. Therefore, the developing frame 12b and the opening regulating member 15
A slit is formed in the short side direction, and toner leaks from the slit portion. Therefore, an end seal is provided on both sides in the short direction of the developing frame 12b to prevent toner leakage.
18 is installed to prevent toner leakage from the short side.

When the use of the process cartridge B with the opening 15a sealed as described above is started, the operator must insert the process cartridge B from between the toner container 12a and the developing frame 12 before mounting the process cartridge B in the apparatus main body 13. By pulling out the exposed free end 16a of the seal member 16 by hand, the seal member 16 is peeled off from the opening regulating member 15, and the toner in the toner container 12a can be supplied to the developing sleeve 10c.

(Seal Configuration of Recycle Cartridge)
Next, the case where the used cartridge is collected, the process cartridge is disassembled, and the toner is refilled in the toner container 12a will be described. Here, the procedure for disassembling the used process cartridge collected from the market will be described first, and then the method for sealing the opening of the toner container 12a will be described.

The collected process cartridge B is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the left and right wall portions 12d1, 12d of the housing frame 12d.
Four pins 19 are removed from the left and right sides of d2, which are fixed to the developing unit 17 and the cleaning container 12c. next,
As shown in FIG. 5, the left and right sides of the housing frame 12d are grasped by hands (two-dot chain lines), the right and left thumbs are respectively applied to the two hatched portions in the upper part of the figure, and these parts are pressed down while With other fingers, the left and right wall portions 12d1, 12 of the housing frame 12d
The entire hatch is opened by opening the hatched portion (only one side is shown in FIG. 5) below d2 to the left and right sides, respectively. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the protrusions protrude at two places on the upper surface of the cleaning container 12c, and engage with the engagement holes 12d3 of the housing frame 12d.
The engagement of the claw 12c1 locked on the housing is released, and the housing frame 12d is removed from the cleaning container 12c. The housing frame 12d blows air in an air duct to remove foreign substances such as toner and dust adhered to the surface and the inner surface and reuse the same.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG.
12b and the cleaning container 12c are disposed on the left and right sides,
A pressure spring for urging the developing sleeve 10c on the developing frame 12b side toward the photosensitive drum 7 on the cleaning container 12c side
20 (only one side spring is shown in FIG. 7), and FIG.
As shown in (1), the connection of the arm 21 screwed to the left and right ends of the developing frame 12b with the cleaning container 12c is released. The developing unit 17 can be taken out by a series of disassembly operations.

The developing unit 17 is once cleaned before being further disassembled. This cleaning is performed by, for example, the cap 12 fitted to the toner supply port 12a3 (see FIG. 9) of the toner container 12a.
a4 (see FIG. 12A), a hose (not shown) connected to a suction device (not shown) is inserted through the toner supply port 12a3, and the inside of the toner container 12a and the developing frame 12 are removed.
The remaining toner in b is sucked out.

Next, the cleaned developing unit 17 is disassembled into details. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the screw 22 is removed, the developing blade 10d is removed, and the screws 23 at the left and right ends are removed, and the left and right arms 21 are pulled out. The developing sleeve 10c fixed to the developing frame 12b by the left and right arms 21
Then, the magnet 10b inside is removed. Further, the developing sleeve 10c is disassembled into details, and the sleeve gear is reused.
24a, a bearing 24b, a magnet 10b, a developing sleeve 10c to be replaced with a new one, a roller 24c, and a sleeve electrode (not shown), and those to be reused are cleaned by blowing air or the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the developing frame 12b
, A long seal 25a, a short seal 25b, and a film at the lower end of the developing frame 12b, which are adhered with a double-sided tape.
Peel off 25c (shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 10)
After removing the adhesive material from the adhesive part on the 12b side, clean it with air or the like, and then buy a new long seal 25a, short seal 25b, film
Attach 25c with double-sided tape and open the toner container 12a
Reseal 12a1.

Next, a reseal member for resealing the opening 12a1 of the toner container 12a and a method for resealing will be described.

The reseal member according to the present embodiment is different from the seal member 16 of the new cartridge, as shown in FIG.
A flexible sheet 26b is adhered to the elastic sheet 26a with an adhesive or a double-sided tape or the like to be integrally formed.
As the elastic sheet 26a, foamed polyurethane, foamed polyethylene, silicone rubber, or the like is preferably used,
Among them, foamed polyurethane has a small compression set,
It is particularly preferable because the slidability is good without lowering the sealing property. Specifically, hardness 20-70 degrees, compression set 4%
Below, friction coefficient μ = 0.8 or less, cell size 60 to 300 μm
, 5 to 50 low foam polyurethane having a specific gravity of 0.2 to 0.5
% Is preferably used. In particular, as the low-foam polyurethane, it is preferable to use PORON (trade name) manufactured by Inoac Corporation.

As the flexible sheet 26b, polyester, stretched polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene or the like is preferably used. Among them, polyester is particularly preferable because it has a tensile strength even if it is thin. The elastic sheet 26a serves as a main body of the reseal member 26,
The opening is closed by the elastic compressive strain of the elastic sheet 26a. The flexible sheet 26b has a tension reinforcing function for preventing the elastic sheet 26a from breaking when the operator pulls out the reseal member 26 before using the recycle cartridge. Projecting to one side in the longitudinal direction, and the projecting side serves as a handle portion 26b1 when the reseal member 26 is pulled out.

Therefore, the flexible sheet 26b needs to have a certain tensile strength.
3 About 2kgf / 15mm to 40kgf / 15mm in plastic tensile test value
It is preferred that it is about.

The dimensions preferably used as the re-seal member 26 used in the present embodiment are illustrated by way of example. The length L ₁ of the elastic sheet 26a in the longitudinal direction shown in FIG.
240 mm, a width direction length L ₂ is approximately 35Mm～50mm, the thickness t ₁ is
0.5 mm to 2 mm. The longitudinal length L ₃ approximately 250Mm～ 350 mm of the flexible sheet 26b, the width direction length L ₄ are about 35mm
5050 mm, and the thickness t ₂ is 10 μm-200 μm. In this embodiment, the space between the elastic sheet 26a and the flexible sheet 26b is adhered with a double-sided tape, and the thickness t of the double-sided tape is adjusted.
₃ is 50-500 μm.

For reference, the seal member 26 of the present embodiment has the above-mentioned L ₁ = 235 mm, L ₂ = 45 mm, t ₁ = 0.8 mm to 0.9 mm,
L ₃ = 335 mm, L ₄ = 45 mm, t ₂ = 0.1 mm, t ₃ = 0.15
mm is used.

In this embodiment, the elastic sheet 26a and the flexible sheet 26b are bonded with a double-sided tape. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the elastic sheet 26a and the flexible sheet 26b may be bonded with an adhesive. In this case, the thickness of the adhesive layer is smaller than that of the double-sided tape. In any case, the total thickness of the bonded elastic sheet 26a and flexible sheet 26b needs to be larger than the interval between the slits 27.

Next, the installation worker is required to reseal
A procedure for attaching 26 to the opening 12a1 of the toner container 12a will be described.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the toner container 12a
With the opening 12a1 of the toner container 12a facing downward, the reseal member 26
Is attached in the direction of the arrow. At this time, since the sealing member 26 has such a softness that it cannot be inserted into the sleeve 27 by itself, as shown in FIG. 12B, an insertion plate 29 as an insertion member is used. Further, in order to reduce the insertion resistance and improve the insertion workability, the sheet member 26 is forcibly inserted into the slit 27 using the slippery sheet 28.

The lubricating sheet 28 is provided with the opening regulating member 15.
Alternatively, a material having good lubricity with the developing frame 12b, for example, paper or plastic film coated with silicon or Teflon-based wax is preferably used. The insertion plate 29 is preferably made of a material that is thin and hard to be bent, such as spring steel, stainless steel, iron, and copper.

The dimensions of the insertion plate 29 used in this embodiment are such that the length in the longitudinal direction is about 275 mm to 400 mm and the width is about 40 mm.
Those having a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm and a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm are preferably used.

The lubricating sheet 28 used in this embodiment for reference
Is 685 mm x 43 mm, using 0.6 mm thick silicone wax coated paper, and the insertion plate 29 is 350 mm x 40 m
m, using spring steel material with a thickness of 0.2mm. The interval t between the slits 27 is 1 mm.

Next, the procedure for mounting the re-seal member 26 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 12 (b), the tip of the slip sheet 28 is fixed to one end (tip) of the insertion plate 29 in the longitudinal direction with a tape 30, and the slip sheet 28 is wound around the tip of the insertion plate 29. Wrap back to
The handle 26b1 of the flexible seal 26b of the re-seal member 26 is overlapped on the other end (rear end) of the insertion plate 29, and the tape 30
To stop on the insert plate 29.

The length of the lubricating sheet 28 is set to a length that overlaps with the elastic sheet 26a of the insertion plate 29 and the sealing member 26.
In this state, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), the slip sheet 28 faces the opening regulating member 15 and the insertion plate 29 faces the developing frame 12b.
Into the slit 27 from one side end. In the present embodiment, as the most preferable example of reducing the frictional resistance load at the time of insertion, as shown in FIG. 13A, the slip sheet 28 extends through the insertion plate 29 to the rear end of the elastic sheet 26a. Length. Thereby, the frictional resistance load when the insertion plate 29 and the elastic sheet 26a enter the slit 27 can be reduced. However, this slip sheet 28
Preferably, the length should be such that it covers the end 26a1 of the elastic sheet 26a attached to the flexible sheet 26b on the insertion leading end side. In this way, the elastic sheet can be inserted at the time of insertion.
The impact when the end 26a1 of the 26a (see FIG. 12B) collides with the slit 27 can be reduced. Further, for example, if the materials of the insertion plate 29 and the elastic sheet 26a are selected, or a surface treatment is performed, the slip sheet 28 may not be used.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the flexible sheet 26b is attached to one surface of the insertion plate 29 and the slip sheet 28 is attached to the other surface. According to this example, the insertion plate 29 and the elastic sheet
Since the thickness of 26a overlaps, it is easy to insert the elastic sheet 26a. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the flexible sheet 26 may be provided on the upper surface of the insertion plate 29 shown in FIG.
b may be attached. By doing so, the flexible sheet
The portion of the tape 30 that temporarily fixes 26b to the insertion plate 29 does not contact the end seal 18.

First, the insertion plate 29 and the slippery sheet 28 are inserted into the slit 27 in an overlapping state, and the tip of the insertion plate 29 is moved from the other end of the slit 27 as shown in FIG. Protrude. At this time, the seal member 26 has not been inserted into the slit 27 yet.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13C, when the leading end of the insertion plate 29 protruding from the slit 27 is pulled out, the sealing member 26 taped to the rear end of the insertion plate 29 is
It is inserted into 27. At this time, the thickness of the sealing member 26 is larger than the interval between the slits 27, but due to the forced pulling of the insertion plate 29 and the slipperiness of the slipping sheet 28, the elastic sheet
26a is drawn into the slit 27 in a compressed state.

Then, as shown in FIG.
Is completely pulled out through the slit 27 so that the handle portion 26b1 of the flexible sheet 26b projects from the slit 27. Thereby, the elastic sheet 26a of the sealing member 26 is formed.
Is inserted between the opening regulating member 15 and the developing frame 12b, and closes the opening 15a of the opening regulating member 15.

When the elastic sheet 26a completely covers the opening 15a, the elastic sheet 26a is
Since it is compressed between the portions 12b, it completely adheres to the edge of the opening 15a. This ensures that the opening 15a is closed,
Even if the toner container 12a is refilled with toner, the toner does not leak to the developing frame 12b side.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Remove the tape 30 holding the 28 to the insertion plate 29, and
Pull only 28 from slit 27. And the sealing member 26
After the position is adjusted, the tape 30 holding the reversible sheet 26b to the insertion plate 29 is removed as shown in FIG.

When recycling the process cartridge B, it is necessary to refill the toner in the toner container 12a. The refilling of the toner is performed after the opening 15a is sealed with the sealing member 26 as described above.
There is a method that is performed before sealing.

When the toner is filled after the opening 15a is sealed, the toner supply port 12a3 provided in the toner container 12a is provided.
Remove the cap 12a4 (see FIG. 13) covering the
As shown in FIG. 3, the toner t temporarily stored in the toner hopper 31 is transferred to an auger casing provided at a lower portion of the hopper 31.
The toner is discharged from the toner hopper 31 by the rotation of the auger 33 in the 32. At this time, by controlling the screw rotation speed of the auger 33, the discharging speed of the toner t is easily controlled.

Then, the toner t discharged by the rotation of the auger 33 is filled into the toner container 12a whose opening 15a is closed by the seal member 26 from the toner supply port 12a3 through the toner filling funnel 34.

After filling the toner t until the inside of the toner container 12a becomes full, the toner supply port 12a3 is closed with a new cap 12a4 to complete the refilling of the toner.

On the other hand, when the toner is filled before sealing the opening 15a, as shown in FIG. 15, the toner container 12a before the sealing member 26 is attached is placed with the opening 15a facing upward, and the opening 15a is closed. Is supplied with a toner supply nozzle 35 connected to a toner supply device (not shown), and the toner is discharged from the nozzle 35 to supply the toner into the toner container 12a. At this time, the toner is uniformly filled in the toner container 12a by reciprocating the nozzle 35 along the longitudinal direction of the opening 15a (by a manual operation of an operator or automatically by an apparatus).

After filling the toner, the sealing member 26 is inserted into the slit 27 to close the opening 15a as described above.

When the toner is filled from the opening 15a, the toner may be filled using the toner hopper 31 and the funnel 34. When the toner is filled from the toner supply port 12a3, the toner supply nozzle Needless to say, the filling may be performed using 35.

After the toner is refilled as described above, the process cartridge B can be reproduced by attaching the developing slit 10c and the like in the reverse order of the above-described disassembly. At the time of this re-production, consumables that are subject to mechanical wear, members whose performance has deteriorated due to deterioration, or members that need re-adjustment, etc., should have their performance restored by replacement or readjustment, respectively. preferable. For example, consumables include seals and blades for preventing toner leakage, and performance reducing members include photosensitive drums.

This remanufactured process cartridge can exhibit the same performance as a new process cartridge.
At the start of use, the handle 26b1 of the flexible sheet 26b
The toner in the toner container 12a can be supplied to the developing sleeve 10c by pulling out the re-seal member 26 while holding it.

[Other Embodiments] In the above description of the embodiment, the lubricating sheet 28 is used to improve the insertability when the reseal member 26 is inserted into the slit 27. If the material of the elastic sheet 26a is appropriately selected, or the surface of the elastic sheet 26a is coated with a slippery layer so that the elastic sheet 26a and the opening restricting member 15 have good slipperiness, The neat sheet 28 becomes unnecessary.
Therefore, since there is no need to overlap the slip sheets 28, the reseal member 26 can be mounted more easily.

[0076]

In the above-described embodiment, the toner container 12a
The opening regulating member 15 is welded to the opening edge of the toner container 12a. However, if the size of the opening 12a1 of the toner container 12a is the same as the size of the opening 15a of the opening regulating member 15, the opening regulating member 15 is not necessarily required.

The process cartridge B according to the above-described embodiment is not limited to the case where a single color image is formed as described above.
The present invention can be suitably applied to a cartridge for forming a color image, a three-color image, or a full-color image.

As the image carrier, for example, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, amorphous silicon, an organic photoconductor, or the like is used as a photosensitive member. The configuration is a drum shape, a belt shape, a sheet shape, or the like.

As the developing method, it is possible to use various developing methods such as a known two-component magnetic brush developing method, a cascade developing method, a touch-down developing method, and a cloud developing method.

As for the structure of the charging means, the so-called contact charging method is used in the first embodiment described above. However, as another structure, a metal shield such as aluminum is provided around three sides of a conventionally used tungsten wire. It is a matter of course 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, and the surface of the drum is uniformly charged.

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, in addition to the roller type.

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 above-mentioned process cartridge is
It is provided with, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member as an image carrier, and at least one of processing means. Therefore, as a mode of the process cartridge, in addition to the above-described embodiment, for example, the image carrier and the charging unit are integrally formed into a cartridge and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. A cartridge in which the image carrier and the developing means are integrated into a cartridge, and which is detachable from the apparatus main body. A device in which the image carrier and the cleaning means are integrally formed into a cartridge and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Further, there is a type in which an image carrier and two or more of the above-mentioned process means are combined into a cartridge to be detachable from the apparatus main body.

That is, the above-mentioned process cartridge is one in which a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus main body. . In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body.

In the above-described embodiment, a laser beam printer is exemplified as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an LED printer, an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile machine, or another processor such as a word processor may be used. Naturally, it can be used for an image forming apparatus.

[0087]

As described above, according to the present invention, the elastic sheet is compressed and deformed by inserting the reseal member in which the flexible sheet and the elastic sheet are integrated from between the toner container and the developing frame. Since the toner container comes into close contact with the opening edge of the container, the toner container opening to be reused can be sealed with a reseal member sheet, and the toner container can be refilled with toner for use. is there.

[0088]

Further, when inserting the reseal member, the insert member may be inserted from one side between the toner storage container and the developing frame and pulled out from the other side, and the insert member may be operated in one direction. In addition, the plug-in operability has been improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view of an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge according to the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a process cartridge.

FIG. 3 is an exploded explanatory view of a toner container, an opening regulating member, and a seal member.

FIG. 4 is an exploded explanatory view of a toner container and a developing frame.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a housing frame is removed.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a housing frame is separated from a developing unit and a cleaning container.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a spring that pulls between a developing unit and a cleaning container is removed.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a developing unit and a cleaning container are separated.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a developing blade and an arm are removed from the developing unit.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view in which a developing slit is removed from a developing unit.

11A is a cross-sectional view of a re-sealing member, and FIG. 11B is a plan view of the re-sealing member.

12A is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a toner container and a developing frame, and FIG. 12B is an explanatory view of a state in which a reseal member is attached to an insertion plate.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for attaching a reseal member;
(A) is an explanatory view of a state where the insertion plate is inserted into the slit,
(B) is an explanatory view of a state in which the tip of the insertion plate has penetrated the slit, (c) is an explanatory view of a state in which the reseal member is drawn into the slit, (d) is an explanatory view of a state in which the reseal member closes the opening, (E) is a state explanatory view of pulling out the slip sheet,
(F) is an explanatory view showing a state in which the insertion plate is removed from the reseal member.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which toner is filled from a toner supply port after an opening is sealed with a reseal member.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which toner is filled from the opening before the opening is sealed by the re-sealing member.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: image forming apparatus, B: process cartridge, 1: optical system, 1a: optical unit, 1b: laser diode, 1c: polygon mirror, 1d: scanner motor,
1e: imaging lens, 1f: reflection mirror, 2: recording medium,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Conveying means, 3a ... Cassette, 3b ... Pickup roller, 3c1, 3c2 ... Registration roller, 3d ... Conveying roller, 3e ... Guide plate, 3f ... Discharge roller, 4 ... Transfer means, 5 ... Fixing means, 5a ... Drive roller 5b ... heater,
5c: fixing roller, 6: discharge unit, 7: photosensitive drum,
Reference numeral 8: charging roller, 8a: roller shaft, 9: exposure unit, 9a:
Exposure opening, 10: developing means, 10a: toner feeding member, 10b
... magnet, 10c ... developing sleeve, 10d ... developing blade, 11
... cleaning means, 11a ... cleaning blade, 11
b: Squeeze sheet, 11c: Waste toner reservoir, 12a: Toner container, 12a1: Opening, 12a2: Flange, 12a3: Toner supply port, 12a4: Cap, 12a5: Hole, 12b: Development frame, 12b1, Opening, 12b2: Projection , 12c: Cleaning container, 12c1: Claw, 12d: Housing frame, 12d1, 12d2: Wall, 12d3: Engagement hole, 13: Device body, 14: Opening / closing cover, 14
a ... hinge, 15 ... opening regulating member, 15a ... opening, 16 ... sealing member, 17 ... developing unit, 18 ... end seal, 19 ... pin, 20 ... pressing spring, 21 ... arm, 22, 23 ... screw, 24a ...
Sleeve gear, 24b bearing, 24c roller, 25a long seal, 25b short seal, 25c film, 26 reseal member, 26a elastic sheet, 26a1 end, 26b flexible sheet, 26b1 ... locking part, 26b2 ... handle, 27 ... slit, 28 ... slippery sheet, 29 ... insertion plate, 30 ... tape, 31 ... toner hopper, 32 ... auger casing, 33 ... auger, 34 ... funnel, 35 ... Toner supply nozzles, 36a, 36b ...
Guide, 37 ... Upper frame

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-5-142940 (JP, A) JP-A-1-102487 (JP, A) JP-A-4-32879 (JP, A) JP-A-7- 325537 (JP, A) Fully open sho 61-206967 (JP, U) Fully open sho 63-86652 (JP, U) Fully open sho 63-174360 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/08

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A reseal member for resealing an opening of the toner storage container when the toner storage container is reused, wherein the reseal member is provided integrally with the flexible sheet and the flexible sheet. A reseal member that has an elastic sheet and is inserted into a gap between the toner container and the developing frame to reseal the opening; A resealable member that is inserted into the gap using a plug member with a softness that cannot be inserted into the toner container, and the elastic sheet is compressed and adhered to the opening of the toner storage container to seal the opening. Element. 2. A developing device used in an image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device includes: (a) a developing frame having a developing unit; and (b) an opening for supplying toner to the developing unit. A toner storage container for storing toner, and (c) a reseal member for resealing the opening of the toner storage container, wherein the reseal member is integrated with the flexible sheet and the flexible sheet. A reseal member having an elastic sheet provided therein, inserted into a gap between the toner storage container and the developing frame, and resealing the opening, the reseal member having a thickness larger than the gap. The sealing member itself has a softness that cannot be inserted into the gap. The sealing member is inserted into the gap using an insertion member, and the elastic sheet is compressed and adhered to the opening of the toner container. A developing device, characterized in that it comprises a reseal member which has Lumpur, the. 3. A method for reproducing a process cartridge mountable on an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: a first frame having an image carrier, a developing frame having a developing unit, and an opening for supplying toner to the developing unit. A separating step of separating a second frame having a toner storage container for storing toner, a toner supply step of supplying toner to the toner storage container, and an elastic member at one longitudinal end of the insertion member. An attachment step of detachably attaching a body sheet; a sealing step of passing the insertion member through a gap between the toner storage container and the developing frame to guide the elastic body sheet to a position for sealing the opening; Removing the elastic sheet from the mounting member, and coupling the first frame and the second frame to each other. The method of the reproduction process cartridge, characterized in that. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the attaching step, the sealing step, and the removing step are performed prior to the toner supplying step. 5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the toner supply in the toner supply step is performed from a supply opening provided in the toner storage container, and the supply opening is capped after the toner supply. How to play. 6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the toner supply step is performed prior to the attaching step, the sealing step, and the removing step. 7. A process cartridge that can be mounted on an image forming apparatus main body and that is to be reused, comprising: (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member; (b) a developing frame having developing means; A toner storage container having an opening for supplying toner to the developing unit and storing toner; and (d) a re-seal member for re-sealing the opening of the toner storage container, comprising: a flexible sheet; A reseal member having an elastic sheet provided integrally with the flexible sheet and inserted into a gap between the toner container and the developing frame to reseal the opening; The reseal member has a thickness that is larger than the gap and is soft enough not to be inserted into the gap, and is inserted into the gap using an insertion member, and is inserted into the opening of the toner storage container. Process cartridge serial elastic sheet is characterized by having a, a reseal member that reseal the opening by compressing adhesion. 8. An image forming apparatus capable of mounting a process cartridge to be reused and forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing frame having a developing unit, and the developing unit Having an opening for supplying toner to the
A toner storage container for storing toner, a reseal member for resealing an opening of the toner storage container, and a flexible sheet and an elastic sheet provided integrally with the flexible sheet. Has been inserted into the gap between the toner storage container and the developing frame,
A reseal member that reseals the opening, the reseal member being thicker than the gap and having a softness that cannot be inserted into the gap by itself, and inserted into the gap using an insertion member. Mounting means for mounting a process cartridge, comprising: a reseal member that reseals the opening by compressing and adhering the elastic sheet to the opening of the toner storage container; and (b) the recording medium. An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying unit configured to convey the image.