End Member and Process Cartridge

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an end member employed for a process cartridge and a process cartridge which are used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic image formation process. Examples of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser beam printer, LED printer or the like), a facsimile machine and a word processor or the like.

The process cartridge contains integrally an electrophotographic photosensitive member and charging means, developing means or cleaning means, and is detachably mountable relative to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus. It may integrally contain the electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one of the charging means, the developing means and the cleaning means. As another example, it may contain the electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least the developing means.

2. Related Background Art

In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, the process cartridge is used. The cartridge which contains the electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The cartridge is detachably mountable as a unit to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus (process cartridge type). With this process cartridge, the maintenance of the apparatus can be carried out by the user without depending on a serviceman. Therefore, the process cartridge is now widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

Such a process cartridge is integrally provided with a toner frame having a toner chamber containing developer (toner) and a developing frame containing a developing member, and a toner seal member for sealing the toner until the process cartridge begins to be used. The toner seal member is provided between the toner frame and the developing frame. Both of the frames are connected to a drum frame for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Here, some of the toner seal members are fixed to a handle member integrally molded on the toner frame by fixing means, such as an adhesive double coated tape. A part of the handle member integrally molded on the toner frame has a notched portion that can be easily bent and cut by a user. The user bends and cuts the notched portion of the handle member and pulls off the handle member, and thereby the toner seal member is unsealed.

The present invention has been made by developing the above-described prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an end member capable of easily unsealing a sealing member, and a process cartridge in which the end member is used.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an end member capable of improving the unsealing operation efficiency of the sealing member, and a process cartridge in which the end member is used.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an end member capable of facilitating the work for filling developer into a developer containing portion regardless of the use of a developer filling device or the manual operation, and a process cartridge in which the end member is used.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an end member used for a process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developing member for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developer containing portion for containing developer used for the developing of the developing member; a developer filling port, which is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer containing portion, for filling the developer into the developer containing portion; a developer passage opening through which the developer contained in the developer containing portion passes when the developer is supplied to the developing member; and a sealing member for sealing the developer passage opening so as to be capable of being unsealed.

The end member has a detachable handle member, which connects with one end in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member, and which is held when the sealing member is unsealed. The end member is mountable at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer containing portion to cover the developer filling port.

Also, another object of the present invention is provide a process cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developing member for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developer containing portion for containing developer used for the developing of the developing member; a developer filling port, which is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer containing portion, for filling the developer into the developer containing portion; a developer passage opening through which the developer contained in the developer containing portion passes when the developer is supplied to the developing member; a sealing member for sealing the developer passage opening so as to be capable of being unsealed; and an end member which has a detachable handle member, which connects with one end in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member, and which is held when the sealing member is unsealed. The end member is mounted at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer containing portion to cover the developer filling port.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an image forming apparatus on which a process cartridge is mounted;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the process cartridge;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the process cartridge;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the process cartridge is mounted by opening an openable and closable cover of the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the process cartridge;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a toner developing frame and a toner developing wall member which are separated from each other;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view for illustrating the assembly for connecting the toner developing frame to the toner developing wall member;

FIG. 8 is a front view for illustrating the connection of a toner seal member to the toner developing frame;

FIG. 9 is a view for illustrating a support construction for a developing roller;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view for illustrating the assembly of an end member to the toner developing frame;

FIG. 11 is a view for illustrating the assembly of the end member;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the end member;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the end member;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line XIV--XIV of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view for illustrating a procedure for separating a handle member;

FIG. 16 is a view for illustrating a procedure for separating a handle member;

FIG. 17 is a view for illustrating a clearance between a toner filling port and a handle portion;

FIG. 18 is a view for illustrating a clearance between a toner filling port and a handle portion;

FIG. 19 is a view for illustrating a clearance between a toner filling port and a handle portion;

FIG. 20 is a view for illustrating a clearance between a toner filling port and a handle portion; and

FIG. 21 is a view for illustrating the driving side of the process cartridge.

First, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[Embodiment 1]

Here, Embodiment 1 is described in the order of (1) the whole configuration of an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge, (2) the frame configuration of developing means, and (3) the configuration of an end member and a handle member.

In the following description, the term "longitudinal direction" refers to a direction which is perpendicular to a direction in which the process cartridge is inserted into a main body of the apparatus and is parallel to a surface of a recording medium. Also, a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is referred to as a width direction.

(Whole configuration)

First, the whole configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and the process cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the whole configuration of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus on which the process cartridge is mounted. FIGS. 2 and 3 are explanatory views of the configuration of the process cartridge. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for illustrating a state in which the process cartridge is mounted on the main body of the apparatus by opening an openable and closable cover.

As shown in FIG. 1, this electrophotographic image forming apparatus A forms an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic image formation process. It forms a toner image on a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum), which is an image bearing member. In synchronization with the formation of the toner image, a recording medium 2 set in a feed tray 3a is conveyed by conveying means 3 comprising a pickup roller 3b and a conveying roller 3c, etc. Next, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum that the process cartridge B has is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to a transfer roller 4 serving as transferring means. Subsequently, the recording medium 2 onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to fixing means 5 through a guide 3d. This fixing means 5, comprising a drive roller 5a and a fixing roller 5b incorporating a heater, fixes the toner image which has been transferred by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium 2 that passes through the fixing means 5. Then, the recording medium 2 is discharged into a discharge tray 6 by being turned over and conveyed by discharge rollers 3e and 3f.

On the other hand, the process cartridge B rotates a photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer serving as an image bearing member, and uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 by applying a voltage to a charging roller 8 serving as a charging member, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Next, a laser beam, in accordance with image information from an optical system 1, irradiates the photosensitive drum 7 via an exposure opening 9, thereby forming a latent image. This latent image is developed by developing means 10 using toner. That is to say, the charging roller 8 serving as the charging member, which is provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 7, charges the photosensitive drum 7. Also, the developing means 10 supplies toner to a developing region of the photosensitive drum 7, and thereby develops the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7. The optical system 1 includes a laser diode 1a, a polygon mirror 1b, a lens 1c, and a reflecting mirror 1d.

The developing means 10 supplies toner in a toner chamber 10a serving as a toner containing portion to a developing chamber 10b, and rotates a developing roller 10c installed in the developing chamber 10b. It also forms a toner layer, to which a triboelectric charge is given by a developing blade 10d, on the surface of the developing roller 10c incorporating a stationary magnet, and supplies the toner to the developing region of the photosensitive drum 7. The toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the latent image, by which a toner image is formed and visualized.

A voltage that is opposite in polarity to the toner image is applied to the transfer roller 4, by which the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2. Subsequently, residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by cleaning means 11. The cleaning means 11 scrapes off the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 by using an elastic cleaning blade 11a, and collects the scraped toner in a waste toner reservoir 11b.

The elements including the photosensitive drum 7 are contained in a cartridge frame configured by combining a toner developing frame 12, a toner developing wall member 13, and a cleaning frame 14, thereby forming a cartridge. Specifically, the toner chamber 10a and the developing chamber 10b are formed by welding the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 to each other, and the developing roller 10c and the developing blade 10d are installed in the developing chamber 10b. Also, the cleaning frame 14 is fitted with the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8, and the elements configurating the cleaning means 11. The process cartridge B is formed by connecting the toner developing frame 12 to the cleaning frame 14 so as to be capable of oscillating.

The process cartridge B is provided with the exposure opening 9 for irradiating, in accordance with image information, the photosensitive drum 7 and a transfer opening 15 for causing the photosensitive drum 7 to face to the recording medium 2. The openings 9 and 15 each have a shutter member 16 for opening and closing the opening. The transfer opening 15 is used to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus A is provided with an openable and closable cover 18 which pivots on a shaft 19 with respect to the main body 17 of the apparatus. In the main body 17 of the apparatus are provided guide members (rail grooves, not shown) for guiding the process cartridge B, which are seen when the openable and closable cover 18 is opened. The operator attaches or detaches the process cartridge B along the guide members. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, first protrusions 24 and second protrusions 25 provided on end walls in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B are guided along the guide members (not shown) of the main body 17 of the apparatus.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shutter member 16 has a first shutter portion 16a fixed to a rotatably supported rotating support shaft 16c and a second shutter portion 16b supported by an arm portion 16d. The first shutter portion 16a is urged so as to close the exposure opening 9 and the second shutter portion 16b is urged so as to close the transfer opening 15 by the spring force of a torsion coil spring 23 mounted to the rotating support shaft 16c. When the process cartridge B is on the outside of the main body 17 of the apparatus, the first shutter portion 16a and the second shutter portion 16b close the exposure opening 9 and the transfer opening 15, respectively.

When the process cartridge B is mounted on the main body 17 of the apparatus by holding a handle portion 26 provided integrally on the cleaning frame 14, an engaging protrusion 16e, which projects outward in the longitudinal direction of a distal end of the arm portion 16d supporting the second shutter portion 16b covering the photosensitive drum 7, abuts against the main body 17 of the apparatus. The process cartridge B is advanced by causing the first and second protrusions 24 and 25 to go along the not illustrated guide members of the main body 17 of the apparatus in a state in which the shutter member 16 is inhibited from further advancing to the cartridge mounting portion. Thereby, the shutter member 16 comes to a position where the exposure opening 9 and the transfer opening 15 are opened as shown in FIG. 3. When the process cartridge B is removed from the main body 17 of the apparatus, the shutter member 16 closes the exposure opening 9 and the transfer opening 15 by means of the spring force of the torsion coil spring 23.

(Configuration of developing means)

Next, the configuration of the developing means will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. FIG. 5 is a sectional view for illustrating the developing means, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the developing means, in which the toner developing frame and the toner developing wall member are separated from each other, FIG. 7 is a view for illustrating the assembly for connecting the toner developing frame to the toner developing wall member, FIG. 8 is a view for illustrating the connection of a toner seal member to the toner developing frame, FIG. 9 is a view for illustrating the support construction of the developing roller, and FIG. 10 is a view for illustrating the assembly for connecting an end member, which is provided at the toner seal end portion, to the toner developing frame.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the developing means 10 forms the toner chamber 10a and the developing chamber 10b by connecting the toner developing frame 12 to the toner developing wall member 13.

Also, the toner developing frame 12 is formed with a toner passage opening 12a1 through which the toner contained in the toner chamber 10a passes when the toner is supplied to the developing roller 10c.

The toner developing frame 12, which is a main body forming the toner chamber 10a and the developing chamber 10b, has a toner chamber portion 12b for forming the toner chamber 10a above a seal mounting portion 12a having the toner passage opening 12a1, and has a developing chamber portion 12c for forming the developing chamber 10b below the seal mounting portion 12a. The toner developing frame 12 is configurated so that wall portions 12a3 and 12c1 of the same plane of the toner chamber portion 12b and the developing chamber portion 12c are open. The toner chamber portion 12b is formed so as to be wider on the open side, and the toner chamber 10a is formed with a toner filling port 12g for filling toner at one end portion in the longitudinal direction.

On the other hand, the toner developing wall member 13, which is connected to the open wall portion of the toner developing frame 12, is integrally made up of a toner wall portion 13a connecting with the open plane of the toner chamber 10a of the toner developing frame 12 and a developing wall portion 13b connecting with the open plane of the developing chamber 10b. At the boundary between the toner wall portion 13a and the developing wall portion 13b, a step is provided so that there is formed a concave portion 13a1 where the toner wall portion 13a is depressed with respect to the developing wall portion 13b as viewed from the outside.

Both of the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 are formed by injection molding of resin.

In order to assemble these elements, the toner developing wall member 13 is joined to the open wall portion of the toner developing frame 12, and the joined portion is welded. In this embodiment, when the toner developing wall member 13 is connected to the toner developing frame 12, end members 21 are installed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of both the members 12 and 13 so that these are positioned accurately as shown in FIG. 7.

For this purpose, boss holes 12b1 and 12b2 for positioning are formed in the side faces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner developing frame 12, and similarly a boss 13c for positioning is provided on the side faces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner developing wall member 13. The end member 21 is provided with bosses 21a1 and a boss hole 21a2, as positioning means, which can be engaged with the boss holes 12b1 and 12b2 and the boss 13c.

Therefore, the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 are connected to each other by joining the toner developing wall member 13 to the toner developing frame 12, by welding the portion of the toner wall portion 13a of the joined portion, and by pressing the developing wall portion 13b with a toner leakage preventive seal 22 (see FIG. 5) made of urethane foam being interposed. At this time, the joined portion where the seal 22 is interposed, which is not welded, is not joined so strongly as in the case of welding. However, the bosses 21a1 of the end member 21 are inserted into the boss holes 12b1 and 12b2 of the toner developing frame 12, and the boss 13c of the toner developing wall member 13 is inserted into the boss hole 21a2 of the end member 21, by which the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 are positioned each other. Even if a force such as a torsion or the like is applied to the joined portion, no gap is produced at the joined portion, so that there is no possibility of leaking of toner from this portion.

The end member 21 has an arm portion 21e projecting toward the cleaning frame 14. By a pin (not shown) inserted into a connection hole 21f in the longitudinal direction formed at a distal end of the arm portion 21e and a connection hole (not shown) formed in the cleaning frame 14, the cleaning frame 14 and the end member 21 are rotatably connected to each other. A compression coil spring (not shown), whose inside diameter is fitted onto a spring holder 21g on the arm portion 21e, is provided under compression between the cleaning frame 14 and the spring holder 21g, by which gap holding members 50 on both sides of a the developing roller 10c are pressed on the photosensitive drum 7.

When the toner developing frame 12 and the wall member 13 are connected to each other as described above, the lower end of the toner wall portion 13a substantially agrees with an edge of the toner passage opening 12a1 because the concave portion 13a1 is formed in the wall member 13 (see FIG. 5). By bonding or welding a seal member 27 serving as a sealing member to the toner passage opening 12a1, the opening 12a1 is sealed so as to be capable of being unsealed.

By connecting the cleaning frame 14, to which the photosensitive drum 7, cleaning means 11, or the like are assembled, to the toner developing frame 12 and the wall member 13 integrated as described above, the process cartridge B is assembled.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the toner developing frame 12 is formed so that the toner chamber 10a is located above the developing chamber 10b and a part of the toner chamber 10a projects from the developing chamber 10b toward the photosensitive drum 7.

Also, the toner developing frame 12 is provided with a developing blade mounting portion 10d1 for mounting the developing blade 10d which regulates an amount of toner adhering to a peripheral surface of the developing roller 10c mounted to a developing means mounting portion 13d that the toner developing wall member 13 has. A wall portion 10a1 constituting a toner containing portion that the toner developing frame 12 has is inclined toward the toner passage opening 12a1. Therefore, the toner in the toner containing portion can be supplied to the developing region without waste. The toner passage opening 12a1 is provided with the seal member 27 for sealing the toner passage opening 12a1 so as to be capable of being unsealed. By this seal member 27, the toner in the toner containing portion is prevented from leaking before the use of the process cartridge. The seal member 27 is removed by the operator prior to the use of the process cartridge.

The cover member (toner wall portion 13a) that the toner developing wall member 13 has is provided with an inclined surface 13a2 which is inclined toward the toner passage opening 12a1 when the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 are connected to each other. A lower end 13a3 of the inclined surface 13a2 substantially agrees with the lower edge of the toner passage opening 12a1. Therefore, the toner in the toner containing portion can be supplied to the developing region without waste.

When the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 are connected to each other, the end portions 12f and 13f on the side on which the toner containing portion is provided are connected to each other. This connection is effected by welding (for example, ultrasonic welding), bonding, or screwing, or by using a clip, spring, or the like. Further, in order to connect the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 to each other, there are provided the end members 21 which are connected to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13. The toner developing wall member 13 is provided with the bosses 13c serving as positioning portions at the ends in the longitudinal direction thereof. Therefore, when the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 are connected to each other, the bosses 13c are engaged with the boss holes 21a2 serving as positioning portions formed in the end members 21, by which both of the frames are positioned. Further, when the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 are connected to each other, the side on which the developing means mounting portion 13d is provided is connected with the elastic seal member (toner leakage preventive seal 22) being interposed.

Each of the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 is made of a plastic material (for example, high-impact styrene) and is integrally molded.

Thereupon, the capacity of the toner chamber 10a is increased without making the process cartridge B large in size, so that much toner can be stored. Even if the capacity of the toner chamber 10a is increased as described above, since the toner chamber 10a portion of the toner developing frame 12 is formed so that the open side is wide, the toner developing frame 12 can be formed by injection molding of a resin, etc.

When the seal member 27 is removed at the time of start of use, the toner in the toner chamber 10a is supplied to the developing chamber 10b located below the toner chamber 10a by a toner conveying member 90. Further, in the state in which the image forming apparatus A is mounted (state shown in FIG. 5), the seal mounting portion 12a is inclined toward the right downside. However, since the toner wall portion 13a is located at the lower edge of the toner passage opening 12a1 by the concave portion 13a1 provided in the toner developing wall member 13, the toner does not remain on the back side of the seal mounting portion 12a.

It is preferable to connect the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 to each other by welding as described above because the joined portions adhere to each other securely so that toner leakage etc., are prevented. However, as any other method than welding, screwing, crimping, or bonding method may be used, for example, by interposing a sealing material such as polyurethane foam between the jointed portions.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the toner chamber 10a of the developing means 10, the toner conveying member 90 for agitating and conveying toner is rotatably provided to convey toner from the toner chamber 10a to the developing chamber 10b. Also, as shown in FIG. 21, one end of the toner conveying member 90 is connected to a conveying gear 76. Therefore, a driving force is transmitted from a drum gear (not shown) fixed to the end of the photosensitive drum 7 to the conveying gear 76 via a developing roller gear 73, which is engaged with the drum gear and is fixed to the end of the developing roller 10c, and idler gears 74 and 75, so that the toner conveying member 90 is driven.

(Configuration of end member and handle member)

One of the end members 21 covers a gear train comprising the developing roller gear 73 (see FIG. 21), which is engaged with the drum gear (not shown) fixed to the end of the photosensitive drum 7 and is fixed to the end of the developing roller 10c, and the idler gears 74 and 75 for transmitting the driving force from the developing roller gear 73 to the conveying gear 76 of the conveying member 90. The other of the end members 21 is provided with a handle member 21b, which will be described below.

The following is a detailed description of the configuration of the handle member and the toner seal member. FIG. 11 is a view for illustrating the assembly of the end member, and FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 are detailed explanatory views of the handle member.

As shown in FIG. 8, a cover film 27b, which is easily torn in the longitudinal direction, is affixed to the seal mounting portion 12a so as to cover the toner passage opening 12a1 of the toner developing frame 12 (see FIG. 5). This cover film 27b is affixed to the seal mounting portion 12a along the edge of four sides of the toner passage opening 12a1. In order to unseal the toner passage opening 12a1, a tear tape 27a for tearing the cover film 27b is welded to the cover film 27b. This tear tape 27a is folded at a seal mounting portion end 12a2 at one end in the longitudinal direction of the toner passage opening 12a1, being caused to pass through a hole 12d (see FIG. 10) of the toner developing frame 12, and is pulled out to the outside. An end portion 27a1 of the tear tape 27a, which is pulled out to the outside, further is caused to pass through a hole 21h of the end member 21 and pulled out to the outside, and is attached to the plate-shaped handle member 21b serving as a handle. The handle member 21b is provided so as to be capable of being removed from the end member 21. Specifically, the wall thickness of a connecting portion 21c connecting with the end member 21 is especially decreased so as to be bent and separated. Also, the handle member 21b and the end member 21 are molded integrally. By such integral molding, the cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the handle member 21b and the end member 21 are separate parts. Preferably, the integral molding is performed by using high-impact polystyrene. The end portion of the tear tape 27a is bonded to the handle member 21b with an adhesive double coated tape 21b1 or the like or welded thereto.

The end portion 27a1 of the tear tape 27a projecting to the outside of the process cartridge B and the proximal side of the handle member 21b are separated from the end member 21, and then after the tear tape 27a is pulled out and the cover film 27b is torn by pulling the torn handle member 21b with the operator's finger being put against a protrusion 21k of the handle member 21b, whereby the toner passage opening 12a1 of the toner developing frame 12 is unsealed, so that the toner T contained in the toner developing frame 12 can be sent from the toner chamber 10a to the developing chamber 10b. As shown in FIG. 12, the handle member 21b has a display portion 21d for identifying the process cartridge. By characters, colors, etc. put on the display portion 21d, the user can easily check whether or not the process cartridge is a proper product. Also, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, if the protrusion 21k, which is a protrusion in the width direction, is provided on the handle member 21b, a force can easily be applied to the handle member 21b to tear the handle member 21b from the end member 21, and also the operation efficiency for pulling the tear tape 27a is high because the finger can be put against the protrusion 21k.

The following is a further detailed description of the configuration of the end member 21.

On the side of the end member 21 on which the end member 21 is assembled to the toner developing frame 12, the bosses 21a1 for positioning the developing roller 10c are provided. Specifically, the bosses 21a1 are inserted through positioning holes 10c3 at two places of a shaft support member 10c1 in a state in which a shaft 10e at each end of the developing roller 10c is fitted in a support hole 10c2 of the shaft support member 10c1. Further, the bosses 21a1 are inserted into the positioning holes 12b1 and 12b2 of the toner developing frame 12, by which the developing roller 10c is positioned.

Also, on the side of the end member 21 on which the bosses 21a1 are provided, the boss hole 21a2 for positioning the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 is formed. By inserting the boss 13c of the toner developing wall member 13 into the boss hole 21a2, the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 are positioned.

The end member 21 is provided with the arm portion 21e projecting toward the cleaning frame 14. The connection hole 21f is formed at the distal end of the arm portion 21e. By inserting the pin (not shown) into the connection hole 21f and the connection hole (not shown) formed in the cleaning frame 14, the cleaning frame 14 and the end member 21 are rotatably connected to each other.

The arm portion 21e is provided with the spring holder 21g projecting therefrom. The compression spring (not shown) is pressed into the spring holder 21g, and is pressed on the cleaning frame 14, by which the gap holding members 50 on both ends of the developing roller 10c are pressed on the photosensitive drum 7.

Between the aforementioned two bosses 21a1 is formed a screw hole 21m for screwing the end member 21 to the toner developing frame 12.

Next, the configuration of the connecting portion 21c where the handle member 21b is connected to the end member 21 will be described in more detail.

The connecting portion 21c has a first groove 21c1 formed in the center of a portion where the handle member 21b is separated from the end member 21 and second grooves 21c2 formed at one end and at the other end. The first groove 21c1 has a greater width and a deeper bottom than those of the second grooves 21c2. When the handle member 21b is separated from the end member 21, first, the handle member 21b is bent in the P direction shown in FIG. 14. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 15, a first torn face 21c3 and a second torn face 21c4 are produced at the bottom of the second groove 21c2. Next, the handle member 21b is bent in the Q direction shown in FIG. 15. Thereby, the first torn face 21c3 and the second torn face 21c4 come into contact with each other, and a tear is produced on the face on the opposite side to the face where the first groove 21c1 and the second grooves 21c2 are formed at one end portion and the other end portion of the connecting portion 21c. When the handle member 21b is bent further in the Q direction, this tear advances toward the center, and finally the handle member 21b is separated from the end member 21.

The following is a description of the concrete shape of the end member 21. In FIG. 14, the wall thickness L1 of the handle member 21b is 1 to 4 mm, preferably about 2.5 mm. The depth L2 of the first groove 21c1 is 1 to 3 mm, preferably about 2 mm, and the depth L3 of the second groove 21c2 is 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably about 1 mm. Also, the width L4 of the first groove 21c1 is 1.5 to 3 mm, preferably about 2.3 mm, and the width L5 of the second groove 21c2 is 1 to 2 mm, preferably about 1.3 mm. The length L6 of the handle member 21b is 25 to 30 mm, preferably about 27.3 mm, and the width L7 thereof (see FIG. 13) is 20 to 24 mm, preferably about 21.8 mm. Regarding the positional relationship between the centers of the connection hole 21f and the screw hole 21m, in FIG. 13, L8 is 26 to 29 mm, preferably about 27.6 mm, and L9 is 19 to 23 mm, preferably about 20.8 mm. Also, in FIG. 13, the distance L10 between the center of the screw hole 21m and the center of the handle member 21b is 16 to 19 mm, preferably about 17.9 mm.

(Method for assembling the developing means)

Next, an assembly process for the developing means 10 of the process cartridge will be described with reference to FIG. 10. First, the toner conveying member 90 for agitating and conveying toner is installed in the toner developing frame 12. One end of the toner conveying member 90 is rotatably supported to the toner developing frame 12, and the other end of the toner conveying member 90 is connected to the conveying gear 76 (see FIG. 21). Then, the toner seal member 27 is affixed to the seal mounting portion 12a of the toner developing frame 12 (see FIG. 8). The toner seal member 27 is folded back at the seal mounting portion end 12a2 at one end in the longitudinal direction of the toner passage opening 12a1, being caused to pass through the hole 12d of the toner developing frame 12, and is pulled out to the outside. Next, the toner developing wall member 13 is integrally welded and fixed to the toner developing frame 12 to which the toner conveying member 90 and the toner seal member 27 have been installed. Subsequently, toner is filled through the toner filling port 12g formed in one side face in the longitudinal direction of the toner developing frame 12.

According to this embodiment, the toner filling work can be easily performed. The following is a detailed description of the toner filling work. FIGS. 17 and 19 show the case where a handle member 61 having a notch 64 is integrally molded on a toner vessel 60. In this case, if the handle member 61 is inadvertently bent, when toner is filled through a toner filling port 62 by using a toner filling device 63, there is a possibility of the interference between the toner filling device 63 and the handle member 61.

Also, when toner is filled through the toner filling port 62 by hand, the filling work is awkward to do because the handle member 61 is located near the toner filling port 62.

These problems are more serious when the toner vessel is made smaller. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 20, if the toner vessel is made smaller, the distance L12 between the centerline of a toner filling port 72 formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of a toner vessel 70 and a handle member 71 decreases. Also, the clearance T2 between a toner filling device 73 and the handle member 71 cannot be secured sufficiently. Therefore, when toner is filled, the interference between the toner filling device 73 and the handle member 71 occurs more easily.

For the small-sized toner vessel 70, it can be thought that the toner filling port 72 is moved to the opposite side (a driving side) to the handle member 71. However, on the opposite side, a gear train (idler gears 74 and 75) for transmitting a driving force from a developing roller gear 73 to the conveying gear 76 which drives a toner conveying member (not shown) for conveying toner is arranged as shown in FIG. 21. Therefore, it is difficult to arrange the toner filling port 72.

Contrary to this, according to this embodiment, the handle member 21b is provided on the end member, not on the toner vessel. Therefore, the work for filling toner into the toner containing portion can be easily performed regardless of the use of the toner filling device or the manual operation.

After toner is filled in this manner, the toner filling port 12g is sealed by a cap 12h. Then, the developing blade 10d is installed to the developing blade mounting portion 10d1 (see FIG. 2) of the toner developing frame 12. Next, the developing roller 10c is positioned to the toner developing frame 12. In positioning the developing roller 10c, first, the gap holding members 50 are put on both ends of the developing roller 10c. Then, each end of the shaft 10e is fitted in the support hole 10c2 of a shaft support member 10c1. Next, the developing roller gear is installed to one end of the shaft 10e. Subsequently, the bosses 21a1 of the end member 21 are inserted through positioning holes 10c3 at two places of the shaft support member 10c1, and are inserted into the positioning holes 12b1 and 12b2 of the toner developing frame 12, by which the developing roller 10c is installed and fixed. This end member 21 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the toner chamber 10a so as to cover the toner filling port 12g. Also, the boss 13c of the toner developing wall member 13 is inserted into the boss hole 21a2 of the end member 21, by which the toner developing frame 12 and the toner developing wall member 13 are positioned. When the end member 21 is installed, the end portion 27a1 of the toner seal member 27, which has passed through the hole 12d of the toner developing frame 12 and has been pulled out to the outside, is inserted through the hole 21h of the end member 21 and pulled out to the outside, and then fixed to the handle member 21b integrally molded on the end member 21 with an adhesive double coated tape 21b1 (see FIG. 11).

As described above, the present invention provides an end member used for a process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developing member for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developer containing portion for containing developer used for the developing of the developing member; a developer filling port, which is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer containing portion, for filling the developer into the developer containing portion; a developer passage opening through which the developer contained in the developer containing portion passes when the developer is supplied to the developing member; and a sealing member for sealing the developer passage opening so as to be capable of being unsealed.

The end member has a detachable handle member, which connects with one end in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member, and which is held when the sealing member is unsealed. The end member is mountable at one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer containing portion to cover the developer filling port.

Also, the handle member is integrally provided so as to be separable from the end member.

Also, the end member and the handle member are made of a plastic material and are integrally molded.

Also, the handle member has a flat plate shape, and a protrusion in the direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the sealing member is integrally molded on the plate.

Also, the wall thickness of the handle member is 1 to 4 mm.

Also, the wall thickness of the handle member is about 2.5 mm.

Also, the handle member is provided with a first groove in the center in the longitudinal direction of a portion where the handle member is separated from the end member, and second grooves, which are shallower than the first groove, at one end portion and the other end portion.

Also, the depth of the first groove 1 to 3 mm, and the depth of the second groove is 0.5 to 2 mm.

Also, the end member further has a screw hole for screwing the end member to the developer containing portion, and the distance between the center of the screw hole and the center of the handle member, as viewed in the depth direction of the screw hole, is 16 to 19 mm.

Also, the distance between the center of the screw hole and the center of the handle member is about 17.9 mm.

According to the above-described embodiment, there can be provided an end member capable of facilitating the work for filling developer into the developer containing portion regardless of the use of a developer filling device or the manual operation, and a process cartridge in which the end member is used.

As described above, according to the present invention, the unsealing operation efficiency of the sealing member can be improved.