Electrophotography – Cleaning of imaging surface – Having handling of removed material
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-24
2001-10-02
Moses, Richard (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Cleaning of imaging surface
Having handling of removed material
C399S360000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298217
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming system. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (e.g. a laser beam printer, an LED printer or the like), a facsimile device, a word processor and the like.
For the process cartridge, at least a cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive body are formed integrally into a cartridge. The cartridge is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus. Since a user can attach or detach the cartridge to or from the main body, the main body can be easily maintained.
2. Related Background Art
In a conventional image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive body and a process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive body are formed integrally into a cartridge. The cartridge is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus. In this process cartridge system, since a user himself can maintain the apparatus without depending on a serviceman, operability can be remarkably enhanced. Therefore, the process cartridge system is widely used in the image forming apparatus.
A developing unit is separated from a process cartridge for an image forming process in which an electrophotographic photosensitive body, a charging means and a cleaning means are integrally formed. The units can be easily detachably mounted on a main body, and used in compliance with the lifetime of each main component. In the process cartridge, removed toner resulting from cleaning is stored in a cleaning container having a sufficient storage volume to conform with the lifetime of the electrophotographic photosensitive body. When replacing the process cartridge, the cleaning container is also removed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The summary of invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus and the process cartridge with it which can contain the removed toner effectively.
Another object is to provide a cleaning apparatus and process cartridge which can extend the lifetime thereof.
Still another object is to provice a cleaning apparatus and the process cartridge which can maintain the cleaning ability longer than the conventional art.
Still another object is to provide the cleaning apparatus and the process cartridge in which the toner in the first chamber is fed to the opened portion by the toner convey member and then to the second chamber.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4140389 (1979-02-01), Franke
patent: 4522487 (1985-06-01), Misawa
patent: 4530594 (1985-07-01), Adachi
patent: 4768062 (1988-08-01), Tanzawa et al.
patent: 4958196 (1990-09-01), Fujii et al.
patent: 5031001 (1991-07-01), Kusumoto
patent: 5298952 (1994-03-01), Kamijo et al.
patent: 5341200 (1994-08-01), Thomas
patent: 5383011 (1995-01-01), Numagami et al.
patent: 5406365 (1995-04-01), Baba et al.
patent: 5617194 (1997-04-01), Morishita et al.
patent: 5617195 (1997-04-01), Torimaru et al.
patent: 3020610 (1980-12-01), None
patent: 0217173 (1987-04-01), None
patent: 0382471 (1990-08-01), None
Pat. Abs. Jap., vol. 087, No. 087 (P-1173), Feb. 1991 (JP 02 302 784).
Pat. Abs. Jap., vol. 010, No. 097 (P-446), Apr. 1986 (JP 60 230 178).
Pat. Abs. Jap., vol. 017, No. 246 (P-1536) May 1993 (JP 04 366877).
Mori Tomonori
Murayama Kazunari
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Moses Richard
LandOfFree
Cleaning apparatus and process cartridge does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cleaning apparatus and process cartridge, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cleaning apparatus and process cartridge will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2605058