Electrophotography – Having particular structure – Modular or displaceable
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-16
2001-05-22
Moses, Richard (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Having particular structure
Modular or displaceable
C399S116000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236822
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shutter employed in a process cartridge and to a process cartridge.
The above-mentioned process cartridge integrally includes charging means, developing means or cleaning means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum integrated into a cartridge and is detachably mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Otherwise the process cartridge integrally includes at least one of the cartridge means, developing and cleaning means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and is detachably mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Otherwise it includes the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and is detachably mounted on the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
The electrophotographic image forming apparatus is designed to form an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic image forming process. Examples of such apparatus include an electrophotographic copying apparatus, an electrophotographic printer (such as an LED printer or a laser beam printer), an electrophotographic facsimile apparatus, and an electrophotographic word processor.
2. Related Background Art
In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus employing the electrophotographic image forming process, there is conventionally employed a process cartridge system in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means, acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, are formed as an integral cartridge, which is detachably mounted in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Such process cartridge can significantly improve operability since the maintenance of the apparatus can be executed by the user himself, not requiring him to call for service personnel. For this reason, such process cartridge system is widely adopted in electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
Such process cartridge may be singly taken out, for example in a replacing operation, from the main body of the apparatus. It is therefore necessary to protect the electrophotographic photosensitive member from the deposition of dust or the like and from damage.
For this reason, the process cartridge is often provided with a drum shutter as a protective member, for protecting the photosensitive drum and for light shielding of the interior of the process cartridge.
The present invention is designed to extend the prior technology.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a shutter and a process cartridge capable of protecting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from being damaged.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a shutter and a process cartridge, free from damaging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum by being bent when the shutter is in the closed position.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a shutter and a process cartridge, so constructed as to bend toward the outside when the shutter is in the closed position.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a shutter and a process cartridge, comprising:
(a) a protective portion to be mounted along the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum for protecting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum when the shutter is mounted on the process cartridge;
(b) outward protruding portions provided at an end and at the other end of the protective portion so as to protrude from the surface thereof positioned outside when the shutter is mounted on the process cartridge; and
(c) inward protruding portions provided at an end and at the other end of the protective portion so as to protrude from the surface thereof positioned inside when the shutter is mounted on the process cartridge. The inward protruding portions are provided between the outward protruding portions in the longitudinal direction of the protective portion.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4829334 (1989-05-01), Takamatsu et al.
patent: 5266999 (1993-11-01), Yashiro
patent: 5642187 (1997-06-01), Nomura et al.
patent: 5650841 (1997-07-01), Matsuda et al.
patent: 5678139 (1997-10-01), Nomura et al.
patent: 5697017 (1997-12-01), Rooke et al.
patent: 5697022 (1997-12-01), Matsuda et al.
patent: 5729796 (1998-03-01), Miura et al.
patent: 5825472 (1998-10-01), Araki et al.
patent: 5878304 (1999-03-01), Watanabe et al.
patent: 5907751 (1999-05-01), Kawaguchi et al.
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Moses Richard
LandOfFree
Shutter 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 Shutter and process cartridge, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Shutter and process cartridge will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2454197