# US 5,608,509 A · Process cartridge with blade member having a flat-surface side and an angled-surface side > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,608,509 A - Document ID: US5608509A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/478,999 - Filed: 1995-06-07 - Granted: 1997-03-04 - Earliest claimed: 1992-04-16 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Hiroyuki Shirai; Kazumi Sekine; Tadayuki Tsuda; Isao Ikemoto; Kazushi Watanabe; Yoshikazu Sasago; Takeo Shoji; Shinya Noda; Kazunori Kobayashi; Hiroyuki Adachi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5608509A ## CPC - G03G 21/181: {Manufacturing or assembling, recycling, reuse, transportation, packaging or storage} - G03G 21/0011: {using a blade; Details of cleaning blades, e.g. blade shape, layer forming} - G03G 21/1814: {Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing (G03G21/1835 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1821: {means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation (G03G21/1825 takes precedence)} - G03G 2215/00987: Remanufacturing, i.e. reusing or recycling parts of the image forming apparatus - Y10T 428/2419: Fold at edge - Y10T 428/24264: Particular fold structure [e.g., beveled, etc.] - Y10T 428/24273: including aperture - Y10T 428/24314: Slit or elongated - Y10T 428/24752: Laterally noncoextensive components - Y10T 428/24777: Edge feature - Y10T 428/2495: Thickness [relative or absolute] - Y10T 428/268: Monolayer with structurally defined element - Y10T 428/2804: Next to metal - Y10T 428/31605: Next to free metal - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A process cartridge mountable within an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge including (a) a frame, (b) an image bearing member provided in the frame, and (c) a blade member including an elastic blade, and a support member for supporting the elastic blade and having a supporting portion for supporting the elastic blade, a protruded portion protruding from the supporting portion in a longitudinal direction, and a hole formed in the protruded portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process cartridge mountable within an image forming apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided in said frame; and (c) a cleaning blade member for removing residual toner from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said cleaning blade member comprising an elastic blade, a support member secured to said frame for supporting said elastic blade and having a supporting portion for supporting said elastic blade, a protruded portion protruding from said supporting portion in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a hole formed in said protruded portion; wherein a length of said protruded portion in said longitudinal direction is more than 5 mm and less than 20 mm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said elastic blade includes a grooved portion and a free portion, and wherein a length j of said free portion and a length h of said supporting portion satisfy 2.ltoreq.h.ltoreq.2.2 j. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said protruded portion includes one of a rounded corner and a tapered corner, and wherein said hole is one of an elongated hole and a round hole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said support member further comprises a bent portion contiguous with said supporting portion such that an angle between said bent portion and said supporting portion is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 165 degrees. ### Claim 5 A process cartridge mountable within an image forming apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided in said frame; (c) a cleaning blade member for removing residual toner from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said cleaning blade member comprising an elastic blade, a support member secured to said frame for supporting said elastic blade and having a supporting portion for supporting said elastic blade, a protruded portion protruding from said supporting portion in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a hole formed in said protruded portion; and (d) a charger roller for charging said photosensitive drum, wherein a length of said protruded portion in said longitudinal direction is more than 5 mm and less than 20 mm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein said elastic blade includes a grooved portion and a free portion, and wherein a length j of said free portion and a length h of said supporting portion satisfy 2.ltoreq.h.ltoreq.2.2 j. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein said protruded portion includes one of a rounded corner and a tapered corner, and wherein said hole is one of an elongated hole and a round hole. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) A process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein said support member further comprises a bent portion contiguous with said supporting portion such that an angle between said bent portion and said supporting portion is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 165 degrees. ### Claim 9 A process cartridge mountable within an image forming apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided in said frame; (c) a cleaning blade member for removing residual toner from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said cleaning blade member comprising an elastic blade, a support member secured to said frame for supporting said elastic blade and having a supporting portion for supporting said elastic blade, a protruded portion protruding from said supporting portion in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a hole formed in said protruded portion; and (d) a developing device for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum, wherein a length of said protruded portion in said longitudinal direction is more than 5 mm and less than 20 mm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein said elastic blade includes a grooved portion and a free portion, and wherein a length j of said free portion and a length h of said supporting portion satisfy 2.ltoreq.h.ltoreq.2.2 j. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein said protruded portion includes one of a rounded corner and a tapered corner, and wherein said hole is one of an elongated hole and a round hole. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) A process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein said support member further comprises a bent portion contiguous with said supporting portion such that an angle between said bent portion and said supporting portion is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 165 degrees. ### Claim 13 A process cartridge mountable within an image forming apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided in said frame; and (c) a cleaning blade member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum, said cleaning blade member comprising (i) an elastic blade, one side surface of which is flat in a longitudinal direction, and the other side surface of which has a vertical portion perpendicular to an end surface of said elastic blade and an inclined surface inclined with respect to said vertical surface, and (ii) a support member for supporting said elastic blade, wherein said support member engages said elastic blade between said one side surface and said other-side surface closer to said other side surface, and said elastic blade is abutted against said photosensitive drum to clean it. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A process cartridge according to claim 13, further comprising a bent member that is contiguous with said support member, wherein an angle between said bent member and said support member is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 165 degrees. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A process cartridge according to claim 13, wherein said elastic blade includes a free portion and a grooved portion into which a portion of said support member is fitted, and wherein a length j of said free portion and a length h of said support member satisfy 2.ltoreq.h.ltoreq.2.2 j. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A process cartridge according to claim 13, further comprising at least one protruding portion that is contiguous with said support member, said protruding portion having at least one of an elongated hole and a round hole and having one of a rounded corner and a tapered corner. ### Claim 17 A process cartridge mountable within an image forming apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided in said frame; (c) a cleaning blade member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum, said cleaning blade member comprising (i) an elastic blade, one side surface of which is flat in a Longitudinal direction, and the other side surface of which has a vertical portion perpendicular to an end surface of said elastic blade and an inclined surface inclined with respect to said vertical surface, and (ii) a support member for supporting said elastic blade; and (d) a charger roller for charging said photosensitive drum, wherein said support member engages said elastic blade between said one side surface and said other side surface closer to said other side surface, and said elastic blade is abutted against said photosensitive drum to clean it. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A process cartridge according to claim 17, further comprising a bent member that is contiguous with said support member, wherein an angle between said bent member and said support member is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 165 degrees. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A process cartridge according to claim 17, wherein said elastic blade includes a free portion and a grooved portion into which a portion of said support member is fitted, and wherein a length j of said free portion and a length h of said support member satisfy 2.ltoreq.h.ltoreq.2.2 j. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) A process cartridge according to claim 17, further comprising at least one protruding portion that is contiguous with said support member, said protruding portion having at least one of an elongated hole and a round hole and having one of a rounded corner and a tapered corner. ### Claim 21 A process cartridge mountable within an image forming apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided in said frame; (c) a cleaning blade member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum, said cleaning blade member comprising (i) an elastic blade, one side surface of which is flat in a longitudinal direction, and the other side surface of which has a vertical portion perpendicular to an end surface of said elastic blade and an inclined surface inclined with respect to said vertical surface, add (ii) a support member for supporting said elastic blade: and (d) a developing device for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum, wherein said support member engages said elastic blade between said one side surface and said other side surface closer to said other side surface, and said elastic blade is abutted against said photosensitive drum to clean it. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A process cartridge according to claim 21, further comprising a bent member that is contiguous with said support member, wherein an angle between said bent member and said support member is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 165 degrees. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) A process cartridge according to claim 21, wherein said elastic blade includes a free portion and a grooved portion into which a portion of said support member is fitted, and wherein a length j of said free portion and a length h of said support member satisfy 2.ltoreq.h.ltoreq.2.2 j. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) A process cartridge according to claim 21, further comprising at least one protruding portion that is contiguous with said support member, said protruding portion having at least one of an elongated hole and a round hole and having one of a rounded corner and a tapered corner. ### Claim 25 A process cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided in said frame; and (c) a cleaning blade member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum, said cleaning blade member comprising (i) an elastic blade, one side surface of which is flat in a longitudinal direction, and the other side surface of which has a vertical portion perpendicular to an end surface of said elastic blade and an inclined surface inclined with respect to said vertical surface, and (ii) a support member for supporting said elastic blade and having a bent portion at its rear end, wherein an angle between said flat surface of said elastic blade and a straight line connecting said rear end of said support member to an apex between said end surface and said flat surface is more than 18 degrees and less than 22 degrees, said elastic blade being abutted against said photosensitive drum to clean it. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A process cartridge according to claim 25, wherein an angle between a portion of said support member supporting said elastic blade and said bent portion is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 165 degrees. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) A process cartridge according to claim 25, wherein said support member includes a supporting portion and said elastic blade includes a free portion and a grooved portion into which a portion of said supporting portion is fitted, and wherein a length j of said free portion and a length h of said supporting portion satisfy 2.ltoreq.h.ltoreq.2.2 j. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) A process cartridge according to claim 25, further comprising at least one protruding portion that is contiguous with said support member, said protruding portion having at least one of an elongated hole and a round hole and having one of a rounded corner and a tapered corner. ### Claim 29 A process cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided in said frame; (c) a cleaning blade member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum, said cleaning blade member comprising (i) an elastic blade, one side surface of which is flat in a longitudinal direction, and the other side surface of which has a vertical portion perpendicular to an end surface of said elastic blade and an inclined surface inclined with respect to said vertical surface, and (ii) a support member for supporting said elastic blade and having a bent portion at its rear end; and (d) a charger roller for charging said photosensitive drum, wherein an angle between said flat surface of said elastic blade and a straight line connecting said rear end of said support member to an apex between said end surface and said flat surface is more than 18 degrees and less than 22 degrees, and wherein said elastic blade is abutted against said photosensitive drum to clean it. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A process cartridge according to claim 29, wherein an angle between a portion of said support member supporting said elastic blade and said bent portion is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 165 degrees. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) A process cartridge according to claim 29, wherein said support member includes a supporting portion and said elastic blade includes a free portion and a grooved portion into which a portion of said supporting portion is fitted, and wherein a length j of said free portion and a length h of said supporting portion satisfy 2.ltoreq.h.ltoreq.2.2 j. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) A process cartridge according to claim 29, further comprising at least one protruding portion that is contiguous with said support member, said protruding portion having at least one of an elongated hole and a round hole and having one of a rounded corner and a tapered corner. ### Claim 33 A process cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: (a) a frame; (b) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum provided in said frame; (c) a cleaning blade member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum, said cleaning blade member comprising (i) an elastic blade, one side surface of which is flat in a longitudinal direction, and the other side surface of which has a vertical portion perpendicular to an end surface of said elastic blade and an inclined surface inclined with respect to said vertical surface, and (ii) a support member for supporting said elastic blade and having a bent portion at its rear end; and (d) a developing device for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum, wherein an angle between said flat surface of said elastic blade and a straight line connecting said rear end of said support member to an apex between said end surface and said flat surface is more than 18 degrees and less than 22 degrees, and wherein said elastic blade is abutted against said photosensitive drum to clean it. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) A process cartridge according to claim 33, wherein an angle between a portion of said support member supporting said elastic blade and said bent portion is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 165 degrees. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) A process cartridge according to claim 33, wherein said support member includes a supporting portion and said elastic blade includes a free portion and a grooved portion into which a portion of said supporting portion is fitted, and wherein a length j of said free portion and a length h of said supporting portion satisfy 2.ltoreq.h.ltoreq.2.2 j. ### Claim 36 (depends on 33) A process cartridge according to claim 33, further comprising at least one protruding portion that is contiguous with said support member, said protruding portion having at least one of an elongated hole and a round hole and having one of a rounded corner and a tapered corner. ### Claim 37 A process cartridge removably mountable within an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising: a frame; an electrophotographic photosensitive drum disposed in said frame; a cleaning blade member disposed in said frame and having an elastic blade abutted against said photosensitive drum and a support member; said elastic blade having a first side surface that is substantially flat in a longitudinal direction thereof, a second side surface opposite said first side surface and including at least one vertical surface that is substantially parallel to said first side surface and an inclined surface that is inclined relative to said at least one vertical surface, a top surface having a groove formed therein such that the thickness of said elastic blade between said groove and said second side surface is less than the thickness of said elastic blade between said groove and said first side surface, and a bottom surface that is a free end of said elastic blade; said support member having a supporting portion of which a part is fitted into said groove, an angled portion that is contiguous with said supporting portion and forms an angle therewith that is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 165 degrees, and a protruded portion having one of a rounded corner and a tapered corner, having one of a round hole and an elongated hole formed therein and protruding more than 5 mm and less than 20 mm from said supporting portion in a longitudinal direction thereof, and having a lower end surface that is substantially parallel to said bottom surface of said elastic blade, wherein an angle between said first side surface of said elastic blade and a straight line connecting a free rear corner of said angled portion to an apex between said bottom surface and said first side surface is more than 18 degrees and less than 22 degrees; a charging roller disposed in said frame such that said charging roller abuts said photosensitive drum; and a developing device disposed in said frame and adjacent said photosensitive drum.