Sealing device, process cartridge, image forming apparatus and assembling method of the process cartridge

A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from the body of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image bearing member;
• process means operative on said image bearing member;
• a cartridge frame;
• and
• a sealing device including:
• a holder having an attachment portion for detachably attaching said holder to said cartridge frame;
• a first sealing member, attached to said holder, capable of contacting a first position on said cartridge frame to prevent the toner from leaking out of said cartridge frame;
• and
• a second sealing member, separate from said first sealing member, attached to said holder and capable of contacting a second position on said cartridge frame, which is different from the first position on said cartridge frame.

A sealing device for use with a process cartridge including a carriage frame, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum mounted on said cartridge frame, and cleaning means mounted on said cartridge frame, for removing toner remaining on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, to prevent toner from leaking out of said cartridge frame, said sealing device comprising:

• a holder having an attachment portion for detachably attaching the holder to the cartridge frame;
• a first sealing member, attached to said holder, to prevent the toner from leaking out of said cartridge frame, capable of contacting both a cleaning blade, as a component of said cleaning means, for scraping off the toner from a curved face of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a blade supporter, as a component of said cleaning means, for supporting the cleaning blade;
• a second sealing member, attached to said holder, separate from said first sealing member, and capable of contacting to a collecting sheet, as a component of said cleaning means, for introducing scraped toner by the cleaning blade from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum into a toner reservoir;
• and
• a third sealing member, separate from said first and second sealing members, attached to said holder and capable of contacting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from a body of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• cleaning means for removing toner remaining on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a sealing device comprising:
• a holder having an attachment portion for detachably attaching said holder to said cartridge frame;
• a first sealing member, attached to said holder, to prevent the toner from leaking out of said cartridge frame, capable of contacting both a cleaning blade, as a component of said cleaning means, for scraping off the toner from a curved face of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a blade supporter, as a component of said cleaning means, for supporting said cleaning blade;
• a second sealing member, attached to said holder, separate from said first sealing member, to prevent the toner from leaking out of said cartridge frame, and capable of contacting a collecting sheet, as a component of said cleaning means, for introducing toner scraped from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum by said cleaning blade into a toner reservoir;
• and
• a third sealing member, separate from said first and second sealing members, attached to said holder and capable of contacting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from the body of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• mounting means for detachably mounting said process cartridge including:
• an image bearing member;
• process means operative on said image bearing member;
• a cartridge frame;
• a sealing device, comprising:
• a holder having an attachment portion for detachably attaching to holder to said cartridge frame;
• a first sealing member, attached to said holder, capable of contacting a first position of said cartridge frame to prevent the toner from leaking out of said cartridge frame, and
• a second sealing member, separate from said first sealing member, attached to said holder and capable of contacting to a second position which is different from said first position of said cartridge frame, and
• conveying means for conveying said recording media.

An assembling method of a process cartridge having an image bearing member, a process means operative to said image bearing member, and a sealing device for preventing toner from leaking out of a cartridge frame, said assembling method comprising the steps of:

• mounting said image bearing member to said cartridge frame;
• mounting said process means to said cartridge frame;
• and
• attaching a holder having a first sealing member, and a second sealing member separate from said first sealing member, said holder including an attachment portion for detachably attaching said holder to said cartridge frame.

An image forming apparatus, attachable and detachable of a process cartridge, for forming an image on recording media, comprising:

• mounting means for detachably mounting a process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• cleaning means for removing toner remaining on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a holder having an attachment for detachably attaching the holder to said cartridge frame;
• a first sealing member, attached to said holder, to prevent the toner from leaking out of said cartridge frame, capable of contacting both a cleaning blade, as a component of said cleaning means, for scraping off the toner from a curved face of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a blade supporter, as a component of said cleaning means, for supporting said cleaning blade;
• a second sealing member, attached to said holder, separate from said first sealing member, and to prevent the toner from leaking out of said cartridge frame, capable of contacting to a collecting sheet, as a component of said cleaning means, for introducing scraped toner from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum into a toner reservoir by said cleaning blade;
• and
• a third sealing member, separate from said first and second sealing members, and capable of contacting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• conveying means for conveying and recording media.