Electrophotography – Internal machine environment – Particle or contaminant control
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-12
2002-08-20
Pendegrass, Joan (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Internal machine environment
Particle or contaminant control
C156S073100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06438340
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a developing apparatus provided with first and second frames, and an assembling method for this apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
An image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system includes a frame body for holding a toner containing portion provided to contain toner as developer, a developing portion provided to develop an electrostatic latent image on an image bearing body by using toner, or the like. Such frame body is referred to as a developing frame. Now, a conventional developing frame will be described by taking the example of one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-15940, with reference to
FIGS. 15 and 16
.
A process cartridge shown in
FIG. 15
includes a developing frame
100
for containing toner T, a photosensitive drum for carrying a latent image, a developing roller
100
c
for developing the latent image on the photosensitive drum by using the toner T, a charging roller for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum, cleaning means for removing residual toner on the photosensitive drum, and a gripping member provided in the upper side to be held by a user. The developing frame
100
is composed of a toner developing main body
101
, and a toner developing wall member
102
. A space formed by coupling both members
101
and
102
together is set as a toner containing portion
100
a
, and the toner T is fed from a toner supplying opening
110
a
to the developing roller
100
c
incorporated as a developer carrying body in a developing chamber
100
b.
For coupling the toner developing frame body
101
and the toner developing wall member
102
to each other, first, both members
101
and
102
are joined together, and end parts
101
b
and
102
c
are welded to a toner wall portion
102
a
included in the joined portions. A developing wall portion
102
b
corresponding to the developing chamber
100
b
is not welded to the developing frame body
101
and, in both ends, a toner leakage preventing seal
105
is provided in a non-welded part between the developing wall portion
102
b
and the toner developer frame body
101
. Also, as shown in
FIG. 16
, end members
103
and
104
are attached to both end parts of a longitudinal direction so as to position both members
101
and
102
. In the described example, the members
101
and
102
are welded on one surface (toner wall portion
102
a
).
There is another conventional constitutional example for coupling both members
101
and
102
together, according to which all the joined portions of the members
101
and
102
, i.e., even the developing wall portion
102
b
, may be welded for coupling. Thus, both members
101
and
102
can be firmly coupled together, preventing any positional shifting or the like even when a twisting force is applied. In this case, the toner leakage preventing seal
105
is not provided in the joined portion of the members
101
and
102
in the developing wall portion
102
b
. In other words, the members
101
and
102
are welded on two surfaces (the toner wall portion
102
a
and the developing wall portion
102
b
).
In the foregoing second conventional example, however, the welding joined portion of the toner developing frame body
101
and the toner developing wall member
102
is positioned in the end part of the developing roller
100
c
. As shown in
FIG. 15
, a sealing member
106
for preventing toner leakage is provided in the end part of the developing roller
100
c
. However, as the welding joined portion may easily become rugged, the welding of the sealing member
106
may become difficult, creating the possibility of deteriorating sealing performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Objects of the invention are to provide a developing apparatus capable of enhancing the sealing performance of a sealing member, and an assembling method for this apparatus.
Other objects of the invention are to provide a developing apparatus having substantially no stepped portions on a surface, on which a sealing member is supported, and an assembling method for this apparatus.
Yet other objects of the invention are to provide a developing apparatus advantageous in terms of component and assembling costs, and an assembling method for this apparatus.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5389732 (1995-02-01), Sekino
patent: 5758230 (1998-05-01), Nakaue et al.
patent: 5815644 (1998-09-01), Nishiuwatoko et al.
patent: 6181898 (2001-01-01), Sato
patent: 8-15940 (1996-01-01), None
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Pendegrass Joan
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