Sealing member, sealing member mounting method, developing apparatus, process cartridge, process cartridge remanufacturing method and image forming apparatus

A sealing member for sealing an opening of a toner-accommodating container having a gap which is formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the toner-accommodating container being capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, said sealing member comprising:

• a flexible film made of polyester, drawn polypropylene, nylon, or polyethylene material having a thickness of approximately 10-200 .mu.m;
• and
• an elastic sheet on said flexible film,
• wherein, to seal the opening, said flexible film and said elastic sheet are inserted into the gap by an insertion member, wherein after the insertion member is removed, the opening remains sealed by said sealing member remaining in the gap by the elasticity of the elastic sheet, and
• wherein a surface of said elastic sheet is covered with a sliding sheet when said elastic sheet is inserted into the gap, and, after said elastic sheet is inserted into the gap, the sliding sheet is pulled out of the gap.

A sealing member for sealing an opening of a toner-accommodating container having a gap which is formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the toner-accommodating container being capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, said sealing member comprising:

• a flexible film;
• and
• an elastic sheet on said flexible film, said elastic sheet having a length of approximately 220-240 mm,
• wherein, to seal the opening, said flexible film and said elastic sheet are inserted into the gap by an insertion member, wherein after the insertion member is removed, the opening remains sealed by said sealing member remaining in the gap by the elasticity of the elastic sheet, and
• wherein a surface of said elastic sheet is covered with a sliding sheet when said elastic sheet is inserted into the gap, and, after said elastic sheet is inserted into the gap, the sliding sheet is pulled out of the gap.

A method of sealing an opening of a toner-accommodation container, the toner-accommodation container having a gap and capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the gap being formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the method comprising the steps of:

• detachably mounting a flexible sheet to a longitudinal end of an insertion member, wherein an elastic sheet is mounted to said flexible sheet;
• inserting the insertion member between the toner-accommodation container and a frame to a position for sealing the opening by the elastic sheet;
• and
• pulling said insertion member out of said gap, thus removing the flexible sheet from the insertion member, wherein said flexible sheet remains between said toner-accommodating container and said frame by an elastic force of said elastic sheet to seal the opening.

A method of sealing an opening of a toner-accommodation container, the toner-accommodation container having a gap and capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the gap being formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the method comprising the steps of:

• detachably mounting a flexible sheet to a longitudinal end of an insertion member, the insertion member having a thickness of approximately 0.1-0.5 mm, wherein an elastic sheet is mounted to said flexible sheet;
• inserting the insertion member between the toner-accommodation container and a frame to a position for sealing the opening by the elastic sheet;
• and
• pulling said insertion member out of said gap, thus removing the flexible sheet from the insertion member, wherein said flexible sheet remains between said toner-accommodating container and said frame by an elastic force of said elastic sheet to seal the opening.

A method of sealing an opening of a toner-accommodation container, the toner-accommodation container having a gap and capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the gap being formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the method comprising the steps of:

• detachably mounting a flexible sheet to a longitudinal end of an insertion member, the insertion member being made of stainless steel, steel, or copper, and having a thickness of approximately 0.1-0.5 mm, wherein an elastic sheet is mounted to said flexible sheet;
• inserting the insertion member between the toner-accommodation container and a frame to a position for sealing the opening by the elastic sheet;
• and
• pulling said insertion member out of said gap, thus removing the flexible sheet from the insertion member, wherein said flexible sheet remains between said toner accommodating container and said frame by an elastic force of said elastic sheet to seal the opening.

A method of sealing an opening of a toner-accommodation container, the toner-accommodation container having a gap and being capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the gap being formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the method comprising the steps of:

• detachably mounting a flexible sheet to a longitudinal end of an insertion member, wherein an elastic sheet is mounted to said flexible sheet;
• inserting the insertion member between the toner-accommodation container and a frame to a position for sealing the opening by the elastic sheet;
• pulling said insertion member out of said gap, thus removing the flexible sheet from the insertion member;
• and
• detachably mounting a sliding sheet to another longitudinal end of the insertion member, wherein when the insertion member is inserted into the gap, the elastic sheet and the sliding sheet are overlaid.

A method of sealing an opening of a toner-accommodation container, the toner-accommodation container having a gap and being capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the method comprising the steps of:

• detachably mounting a flexible sheet to a longitudinal end of an insertion member;
• mounting the elastic sheet on a flexible sheet, wherein when the elastic sheet is introduced to a sealing position, a portion of a flexible sheet is projected from a gap between the toner-accommodation container and the frame, and the projected portion may be gripped by a user when the elastic sheet and the flexible sheet are to be pulled out;
• and
• detachably mounting a sliding sheet to another longitudinal end of the insertion member, wherein when the insertion member is inserted into the gap, the elastic sheet and the sliding sheet are overlaid;
• inserting the insertion member into the gap to a position for sealing the opening by the elastic sheet;
• and
• pulling said insertion member out of said gap, thus removing the flexible sheet and sliding sheet from the insertion member.

A method of sealing an opening of a toner-accommodation container, the toner-accommodation container having a gap and being capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the gap being formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the method comprising the steps of:

• detachably mounting a flexible sheet to a longitudinal end of an insertion member;
• mounting the elastic sheet on a flexible sheet, wherein when the elastic sheet is introduced to a sealing position, a portion of the flexible sheet is projected from a gap between the toner-accommodation container and the frame, and the projected portion may be gripped by a user when the elastic sheet and the flexible sheet are to be pulled out;
• detachably mounting a sliding sheet to another longitudinal end of the insertion member, wherein when the insertion member is inserted into the gap between the toner-accommodation container and the frame, the elastic sheet and the sliding sheet are overlaid;
• inserting the insertion member between the toner-accommodation container and a frame to a position for sealing the opening by the elastic sheet;
• and
• pulling said insertion member out of said gap, thus removing the flexible sheet from the insertion member.

A method of sealing an opening of a toner-accommodation container, the toner-accommodation container having a gap and capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the gap being formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the method comprising the steps of:

• detachably mounting a flexible sheet to a longitudinal end of an insertion member, the insertion member having a thickness of approximately 0.1-0.5 mm;
• mounting the elastic sheet on a flexible sheet, wherein when the elastic sheet is introduced to a sealing position, a portion of the flexible sheet is projected from a gap between the toner-accommodation container and the frame, and the projected portion may be gripped by a user when the elastic sheet and the flexible sheet are to be pulled out;
• detachably mounting a sliding sheet to another longitudinal end of the insertion member, wherein when the insertion member is inserted into the gap between the toner-accommodation container and the frame, the elastic sheet and the sliding sheet are overlaid;
• inserting the insertion member between the toner-accommodation container and a frame to a position for sealing the opening by the elastic sheet;
• and
• pulling said insertion member out of said gap thus removing the flexible sheet and sliding sheet from the insertion member.

A method of sealing an opening of a toner-accommodation container, the toner-accommodation container having a gap and being capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the gap being formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the method comprising the steps of:

• detachably mounting a flexible sheet to a longitudinal end of an insertion member, the insertion member being made of stainless steel, steel, or copper, and having a thickness of approximately 0.1-0.5 mm;
• mounting the elastic sheet on a flexible sheet, wherein when the elastic sheet is introduced to a sealing position, a portion of the flexible sheet is projected from a gap between the toner-accommodation container and the frame, and the projected portion may be gripped by a user when the elastic sheet and the flexible sheet are to be pulled out;
• detachably mounting a sliding sheet to another longitudinal end of the insertion member, wherein when the insertion member is inserted into the gap between the toner-accommodation container and the frame, the elastic sheet and the sliding sheet are overlaid;
• inserting the insertion member between the toner-accommodation container and a frame to a position for sealing the opening by the flexible sheet;
• and
• pulling said insertion member out of said gap, thus removing the flexible sheet from the insertion member.

A sealing member for sealing an opening of a toner-accommodating container having a gap which is formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the toner-accommodating container capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, said sealing member comprising:

• a flexible film having a thickness of approximately 10-200 .mu.m;
• and
• an elastic sheet on said flexible film,
• wherein, to seal the opening, said flexible film and said elastic sheet are inserted into the gap by an insertion member, the opening remaining sealed after the insertion member is removed, and
• wherein an end of said flexible sheet is temporarily fixed on the insertion member, and on an end of the insertion member opposite from the temporarily fixed end, a sliding sheet is temporarily fixed.

A sealing member for sealing an opening of a toner-accommodating container having a gap which is formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the toner-accommodating container capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, said sealing member comprising:

• a flexible film made of polyester, drawn polypropylene, nylon, or polyethylene material having a thickness of approximately 10-200 .mu.m;
• and
• an elastic sheet on said flexible film,
• wherein, to seal the opening, said flexible film and said elastic sheet are inserted into the gap by an insertion member, the opening remaining sealed after the insertion member is removed, and
• wherein an end of said flexible sheet is temporarily fixed on the insertion member and on an end of the insertion member opposite from the temporarily fixed end, a sliding sheet is temporarily fixed.

A sealing member for sealing an opening of a toner-accommodating container having a gap which is formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the toner-accommodating container capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, said sealing member comprising:

• a flexible film;
• and
• an elastic sheet on said flexible film, said elastic sheet having a length of approximately 220-240 mm,
• wherein, to seal the opening, said flexible film and said elastic sheet are inserted into the gap by an insertion member, the opening remaining sealed after the insertion member is removed, and
• wherein an end of said flexible sheet is temporarily fixed on the insertion member, and on an end of the insertion member opposite from the temporarily fixed end, a sliding sheet is temporarily fixed.

A sealing member for sealing an opening of a toner-accommodating container having a gap which is formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the toner-accommodating container capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, said sealing member comprising:

• a flexible film having a thickness of approximately 10-200 .mu.m;
• and
• an elastic sheet on said flexible film,
• wherein, to seal the opening, said flexible film and said elastic sheet are inserted into the gap by an insertion member, the opening remaining sealed after the insertion member is removed, and
• wherein said elastic sheet is of a high density foamed polyurethane material having a hardness of 20-70 degrees, a compression permanent deformation of 4% or lower, a friction coefficient of 0.8 or lower, a cell size of 60-300 .mu.m, a specific gravity of 0.2-0.5, and which is compressed by 5-50%.

A sealing member for sealing an opening of a toner-accommodating container having a gap which is formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the toner-accommodating container capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, said sealing member comprising:

• a flexible film made of polyester, drawn polypropylene, nylon, or polyethylene material having a thickness of approximately 10-200 .mu.m;
• and
• an elastic sheet on said flexible film,
• wherein, to seal the opening, said flexible film and said elastic sheet are inserted into the gap by an insertion member, the opening remaining sealed after the insertion member is removed, and
• wherein said elastic sheet is of a high density foamed polyurethane material having a hardness of 20-70 degrees, a compression permanent deformation of 4% or lower, a friction coefficient of 0.8 or lower, a cell size of 60-300 .mu.m, a specific gravity of 0.2-0.5, and which is compressed by 5-50%.

A sealing member for sealing an opening of a toner-accommodating container having a gap which is formed by the toner-accommodating container and a developing frame provided with a developing sleeve, the toner-accommodating container capable of containing toner for use in developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, said sealing member comprising:

• a flexible film;
• and
• an elastic sheet on said flexible film, said elastic sheet having a length of approximately 220-240 mm,
• wherein, to seal the opening, said flexible film and said elastic sheet are inserted into the gap by an insertion member, the opening remaining sealed after the insertion member is removed, and
• wherein said elastic sheet is of a high density foamed polyurethane material having a hardness of 20-70 degrees, a compression permanent deformation of 4% or lower, a friction coefficient of 0.8 or lower, a cell size of 60-300 .mu.m, a specific gravity of 0.2-0.5, and which is compressed by 5-50%.