Remanufacturing method for process cartridge, process cartridge and image forming apparatus

A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a first frame having a charging roller for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer;
• a second frame, separably engageable with said first frame, having said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer carrying member for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cleaning blade for removing the developer from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said first frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh covering member mounted to seal said opening after removing, by rubbing with a fibrous material containing solvent, residual matter which results from using a covering member for sealing the opening and which remains along a longitudinal direction of the opening, wherein said covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn, with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening, to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual matter is a part of the sealing portion;
• and
• a developer in said developer accommodating portion.

A remanufacturing method of a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• disassembling said process cartridge into a first frame having a charging roller for charging an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, and a second frame having said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer carrying member for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cleaning blade for removing the developer from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, thus exposing an opening of said first frame;
• mounting a peeling type tape, which permits the opening to open by peeling off the peeling type tape, on residual matter, which results from using a covering member for sealing the opening and which remains along a longitudinal direction of the opening, to seal the opening, wherein said covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn, with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening, to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual matter is a part of the sealing portion;
• supplying said developer accommodating portion with a fresh developer;
• and then
• engaging said first and second frames together.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer;
• a second frame having a developer carrying member for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said first frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh covering member mounted on residual matter, which results from using a covering member for sealing the opening and which remains along a longitudinal direction of the opening, to seal the opening, wherein said covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn, with a part thereof remaining along the longitudinal direction of the opening, to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual matter is a part of the sealing portion;
• and
• developer in said developer accommodating portion,
• wherein said first frame has a charging roller for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and said developer accommodating portion, and said second frame has said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said developer carrying member and a cleaning blade for removing the developer from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and wherein said first and second frames are separable.

An image forming apparatus usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable thereto, comprising:

• a process cartridge having an image bearing member;
• a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer;
• a second frame having a developer carrying member for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward an image bearing member, said first frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh covering member mounted on residual which results from a covering member having been used for sealing the opening and which remains along the longitudinal direction of the opening to seal the opening, wherein said covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn with a part thereof remaining along the longitudinal direction of the opening to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual is a part of the sealing portion;
• and a developer in said developer accommodating portion;
• transfer means for transferring an image developed on said image bearing member onto a recording material;
• and
• means for feeding the recording material.

A remanufacturing method of a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• disassembling said process cartridge into a first frame having a charging roller for charging an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, and a second frame having said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer carrying member for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cleaning blade for removing the developer from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, thus exposing an opening of said first frame for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• mounting a fresh peeling type covering member, after a tearing type covering member having been used for sealing the opening is removed, wherein said tearing type covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the remaining part is a part of the sealing portion;
• supplying said developer accommodating portion with a fresh developer;
• and then
• engaging said first and second frames together.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer;
• a second frame having a developer carrying member for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said first frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh peeling type covering member, which permits the opening to open by peeling off said peeling type covering member, said peeling type covering member being mounted after a tearing type covering member which has been used for sealing the opening has been removed, wherein said tearing type covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn, with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening, to open the opening, by pulling the extension;
• and
• a developer in said developer accommodating portion,
• wherein said first frame has a charging roller for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and said developer accommodating portion, and said second frame has said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said developer carrying member and a cleaning blade for removing the developer from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and wherein said first and second frames are separable.

A remanufacturing method of a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• disassembling said process cartridge into a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a charging roller for charging an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a second frame having a developing roller for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, thus exposing an opening of said first frame;
• cleaning residual matter from said first frame and said second frame;
• replacing damaged parts and parts of which the service life has expired;
• removing, by rubbing with a fibrous material containing alcohol, residual matter which results from using a covering member for sealing the opening and which remains along a longitudinal direction of the opening, wherein said covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn, with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening, to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual matter is a part of the sealing portion;
• mounting a fresh covering member to seal the opening by one of (i) fusing the fresh covering member to a mounting surface surrounding the opening and (ii) adhering the fresh covering member to the mounting surface;
• then
• supplying said developer accommodating portion with a fresh developer;
• and then
• detachably engaging said first and second frames together.

A remanufacturing method of a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• disassembling said process cartridge into a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a charging roller for charging an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a second frame having a developing roller for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, thus exposing an opening of said first frame;
• cleaning residual developer from said first frame and said second frame;
• replacing damaged parts and parts of which the service life has expired;
• removing, by rubbing with a fibrous material containing solvent, residual matter which results from using a tearing type covering member for sealing the opening and which remains along a longitudinal direction of the opening, wherein said tearing type covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn, with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening, to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual matter is a part of the sealing portion;
• mounting a peeling type covering member, which permits the opening to open by peeling off the peeling type covering member, to seal the opening;
• supplying said developer accommodating portion with a fresh developer;
• and then
• separably engaging said first and second frames together.

A remanufacturing process of a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• disassembling said process cartridge into a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a charging roller for charging an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a second frame having a developing roller for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, thus exposing an opening of said first frame;
• cleaning residual developer from said first frame and said second frame;
• replacing damaged parts and parts of which the service life has expired;
• mounting a fresh peeling type covering member, after a tearing type covering member which has been used for sealing the opening has been removed, wherein said tearing type covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn, with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening, to open the opening, by pulling the extension;
• supplying said developer accommodating portion with a fresh developer;
• and then
• separably engaging said first and second frames together.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer;
• a second frame having a developer carrying member for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said first frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh covering member mounted to seal said opening after removing residual matter which results from using a covering member for sealing the opening and which remains along a longitudinal direction of the opening, wherein said covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn, with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening, to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual matter is a part of the sealing portion;
• and
• a developer in said developer accommodating portion,
• wherein said first frame has a charging roller, for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and said developer accommodating portion, and said second frame has said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said developer carrying member, and a cleaning blade for removing the developer from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and wherein said first and second frames are separable.

A remanufacturing method of a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• disassembling said process cartridge into a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a charging roller, and a second frame having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a cleaning blade for removing developer from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, thus exposing an opening of said first frame for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• removing, by rubbing with a material impregnated with an alcohol, residue which has resulted from a tearing type covering member having been used for sealing the opening and which has remained adjacent the opening, wherein said tearing type covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn with a part thereof remaining along the opening to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residue is a part of the sealing portion;
• mounting a peeling type covering member, which permits the opening to open by peeling it off, to seal the opening;
• supplying said developer accommodating portion with a fresh developer;
• and
• engaging said first and second frames together.

An image forming apparatus usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable thereto, comprising:

• mounting means for mounting a process cartridge having an image bearing member;
• a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer;
• a second frame having a developer carrying member for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward an image bearing member, said first frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh covering member mounted to seal said opening after removing residual matter which results from a covering member having been used for sealing the opening and which remains along the longitudinal direction of the opening, wherein at least one of said covering members has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn with a part thereof remaining along the longitudinal direction of the opening to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual matter is a part of the sealing portion;
• and a developer in said developer container;
• and
• transfer means for transferring an image developed on said image bearing member onto a recording material;
• and
• means for feeding the recording material.

An image forming apparatus usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable thereto, comprising:

• a process cartridge having a image bearing member;
• a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer;
• a second frame having a developer carrying member for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward an image bearing member, said first frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh peeling type covering member mounted after a tearing type covering member having been used for sealing the opening is removed, wherein said tearing type covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening to open the opening, by pulling the extension;
• a developer in a developer containing portion;
• transfer means for transferring an image developed on said image bearing member onto a recording material;
• and
• means for feeding the recording material.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a charging roller for charging a photosensitive drum;
• a second frame having a developing roller for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward the photosensitive drum and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum, said first frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh covering member mounted after removing residual matter which results from a covering member having been used for sealing the opening and which remains along a longitudinal direction of the opening, wherein at least one of said covering members has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual matter is a part of the sealing portion;
• and
• a developer accommodated in said developer accommodating portion.

An image forming apparatus usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable thereto, comprising:

• a process cartridge having a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a charging roller for charging a photosensitive drum;
• a second frame having a developing roller for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward the photosensitive drum and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum, said second frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh covering member mounted after removing residual matter which results from a covering member having been used for sealing the opening and which remains along a longitudinal direction of the opening, wherein at least one of said covering members has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual matter is a part of the sealing portion;
• a developer accommodated in said developer accommodating portion;
• transfer means for transferring an image developed on said image bearing member onto a recording material;
• and
• means for feeding the recording material.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a charging roller for charging a photosensitive drum;
• a second frame having a developing roller for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward the photosensitive drum and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum, said first frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh covering member mounted on residual matter which results from a covering member having been used for sealing the opening and which remains along a longitudinal direction of the opening to seal the opening, wherein at least one of said covering members has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual matter is a part of the sealing portion;
• and
• a developer accommodated in said developer accommodating portion.

An image forming apparatus usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable thereto, comprising:

• a process cartridge having a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a charging roller for charging a photosensitive drum;
• a second frame having a developing roller for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward the photosensitive drum and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum, said first frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh covering member mounted on residual matter which results from a covering member having been used for sealing the opening and which remains along a longitudinal direction of the opening to seal the opening, wherein at least one of said covering members has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual matter is a part of the sealing portion;
• a developer accommodated in said developer accommodating portion;
• transfer means for transferring an image developed on said image bearing member onto a recording material;
• and
• means for feeding the recording material.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a fist frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a charging roller for charging a photosensitive drum;
• a second frame having a developing roller for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward the photosensitive drum and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum, said second frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh peeling type covering member mounted after a tearing type covering member having been used for sealing the opening is removed, wherein said tearing type covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening to open the opening, by pulling the extension;
• and
• a developer accommodated in said developer accommodating portion.

An image forming apparatus usable with a process cartridge detachably mountable thereto, comprising:

• a process cartridge having a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a charging roller for charging a photosensitive drum;
• a second frame having a developing roller for carrying the developer supplied from said developer accommodating portion toward the photosensitive drum and a cleaning blade for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum, said first frame having an opening for permitting movement of the developer from said first frame to said second frame;
• a fresh peeling type covering member mounted after a tearing type covering member having been used for sealing the opening is removed, wherein said tearing type covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn with a part thereof remaining along a longitudinal direction of the opening to open the opening, by pulling the extension;
• a developer accommodated in said developer accommodating portion;
• transfer means for transferring an image developed on said photosensitive drum onto a recording material;
• and
• means for feeding the recording material.