Electrophotography – Having particular structure – Modular or displaceable
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-25
2001-03-27
Grimley, Arthur T. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Having particular structure
Modular or displaceable
C399S113000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208818
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
The “electrophotographic image forming apparatus” is an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming system. For example, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus may be an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer or an LED printer), an electrophotographic facsimile or an electrophotographic word processor.
The “process cartridge” incorporates therein an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a charge member for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member as a cartridge unit which can detachably be mounted to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus or incorporates therein an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of such a charge means, a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a cleaning means for removing developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member as a cartridge unit which can detachably be mounted to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
A conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus, such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer or the like includes a photosensitive drum. Well-known processes such as charging, exposure and development are successively effected regarding the photosensitive drum to thereby form a toner image on the photosensitive drum and to transfer the toner image onto a recording medium. Thereafter, residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum is removed by a cleaning device. In this way, the image is formed.
In such electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, recently, a process cartridge has been adopted to make the apparatus compact and simplify its maintenance. In the process cartridge, the photosensitive drum and the process means (such as a charge member, a developing member and a cleaning member) acting on the photosensitive drum are integrally incorporated as a cartridge unit which can detachably be mounted to a main body of the image forming apparatus by an operator himself.
Such a process cartridge has a grip through which the operator mounts the process cartridge to the main body of the image forming apparatus by his hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge frame, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which such a process cartridge can detachably be mounted in which a charge member is positively supported.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge frame, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which such a process cartridge can detachably be mounted, in which the longitudinal ends of a charge member are rotatably supported and an outward shifting movement of the charge member is surely regulated by a support member for regulating the outward shifting movement of the charge member.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge frame used in a process cartridge which includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charge member for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a support member for rotatably supporting longitudinal ends of the charge member and for regulating an outward shifting movement of the charge member in a longitudinal direction. The process catridge can detachably be mounted to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge frame comprises a first mounting portion for mounting the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a second mounting portion for mounting the support member, a regulating portion for regulating a longitudinal outward shifting movement of the support member when the charge member is supported by the support member mounted on the second mounting portion, and a support portion for supporting a periphery of the regulating portion. The first and second mounting portions, the regulating portion, and the support portion are integrally molded from plastic material.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which such a process cartridge can detachably be mounted, in which a shaft rotatably interconnecting a cartridge frame and a developing frame for supporting a developing member can be prevented from being disengaged.
The other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed explanation referring to the accompanying drawings.
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Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Grimley Arthur T.
Moldafsky Greg
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