US5208634A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process cartridge detachably mountable to image forming apparatus featuring an injectable sealing member
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1991-04-23
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Granted: 1993-05-04
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Expires: 2011-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a device contributable for forming an image; a developer accommodator; and a sealing member between the image forming device and the developer accommodator, wherein the sealing member is provided by injecting a liquid material which becomes an elastomer when it is solidified.
Inventors
- 👤 Isao Ikemoto
- 👤 Tadayuki Tsuda
- 👤 Kazushi Watanabe
- 👤 Kazuhiko Ishiwata
- 👤 Kazuo Shishido
- 👤 Kanji Yano
- 👤 Makoto Tanaka
- 👤 Shinichi Sasaki
- 👤 Toshiyuki Karakama
- 👤 Hiroyuki Shirai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 00:50
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/18; G03G21/1803; G03G21/1828; G03G21/1832; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0896; G03G15/0898; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00987; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1648; G03G2221/1651; G03G2221/1654; G03G2221/1669; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/183; G03G2221/1853; G03G2221/1876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material using a developer, comprising: means for forming an image; a developer accommodator; and a sealing member formed on a connecting surface between said image forming means and said developer accommodator, wherein said sealing member is provided by injecting into a groove formed in the connecting surface a liquid material which becomes an elastomer when it is solidified.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material using a developer, comprising: means for forming an image; a developer accommodator; and a sealing member formed on a connecting surface between said image forming means and said developer accommodator, wherein said sealing member is provided by injecting into a groove formed in the connecting surface a liquid material which becomes an elastomer when it is solidified.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said image forming means is a developing roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cartridge according to claim 2, wherein a film is provided between said developing roller and said elastomer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said image forming means are an image bearing drum and cleaning member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cartridge according to any one of claim 1, 2, 3 and 4, wherein said elastomer is foaming material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material using a developer, comprising: a developer accommodator comprising a plurality of connected members; and a sealing member provided at a connecting portion between the plurality of members, wherein said sealing member is provided by injecting into a groove formed in the connecting portion a liquid material which becomes an elastomer when it is solidified.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material using a developer, comprising: a developer accommodator comprising a plurality of connected members; and a sealing member provided at a connecting portion between the plurality of members, wherein said sealing member is provided by injecting into a groove formed in the connecting portion a liquid material which becomes an elastomer when it is solidified.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cartridge according to claim 6, wherein said developer accommodator is provided in developing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cartridge according to claim 6, wherein said developer accommodator is provided in cleaning means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cartridge according to any one of claim 6-8, further comprising an image bearing member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material using a developer, comprising: an image bearing member; process means actable on said image bearing member; a developer accommodator; and a sealing member forming on a connection surface between said image bearing member and said developer accommodator for preventing leakage of developer from said developer accommodator, wherein said sealing member is provided by injecting into a groove formed in the connection surface a liquid material which becomes an elastomer when it is solidified.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
95 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material using a developer, comprising: an image bearing member; process means actable on said image bearing member; a developer accommodator; and a sealing member forming on a connection surface between said image bearing member and said developer accommodator for preventing leakage of developer from said developer accommodator, wherein said sealing member is provided by injecting into a groove formed in the connection surface a liquid material which becomes an elastomer when it is solidified.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cartridge according to claim 10, wherein said process means includes at least one of charging means, developing means and cleaning means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material using a developer, comprising: process means; developer accommodating means for accommodating the developer; a cartridge frame for containing said process means and said developer accommodating means; and a sealing member formed on a connection surface of said cartridge frame for preventing leakage of the developer from said cartridge, wherein said sealing member is an elastic member provided by solidification of liquid material in a groove formed in the connection surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material using a developer, comprising: process means; developer accommodating means for accommodating the developer; a cartridge frame for containing said process means and said developer accommodating means; and a sealing member formed on a connection surface of said cartridge frame for preventing leakage of the developer from said cartridge, wherein said sealing member is an elastic member provided by solidification of liquid material in a groove formed in the connection surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member is mounted in place by injecting two-part liquid urethane rubber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member is composed of foamed polyurethane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member is composed of foamed silicon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member is mounted around a developing sleeve of said developing accommodating means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member is mounted around a cleaning device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said developer accommodating means accommodate toner.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said developer accommodating means accommodates residual toner.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein process means includes a cleaning device in the form of a cleaning blade actable on a photosensitive drum.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said process means is in the form of a developing device comprising a developing sleeve actable on a photosensitive drum.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said process means is a charger.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member seals between opposite ends of a developing sleeve and a toner container for containing toner.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member seals opposite ends of a photosensitive drum and a residual toner accommodator for accommodating toner removed from the photosensitive drum by a cleaning device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said process cartridge further comprises, integrally therewith; a charger; a developing device; a cleaning device; and an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and wherein said process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member is provided by injecting liquid material which solidifies into an elastomer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said process means is disposed around an electrophotographic photosensitive member and is actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said developer accommodating means is a toner accommodator for accommodating toner used for development, and said toner accommodator includes a developing container and a toner accommodating portion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said developer accommodating means includes a residual toner accommodator for accommodating residual toner, and wherein said residual toner accomodator includes a cleaning container and a frame.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member is provided by injecting and foaming a foaming material through a nozzle into a groove formed in the process cartridge.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-03 | 1996-11-02 | 1997-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-03 | 2000-11-02 | 2001-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-03 | 2004-11-02 | 2005-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |