US5294960A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detachable two-frame process cartridge for an image forming apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1993-05-28
•
Granted: 1994-03-15
•
Expires: 2013-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes first and second frames. The first frame has an image bearing member and developing means for developing with a developer an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member. The second frame is separable from the first frame and arranged for covering an upper part of the image bearing member, the second frame having developer accommodating means for accommodating developer to be supplied to the developer means.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshiya Nomura
- 👤 Tadayuki Tsuda
- 👤 Shinichi Sasaki
- 👤 Isao Ikemoto
- 👤 Kazushi Watanabe
- 👤 Hiroyuki Shirai
- 👤 Toshiyuki Karkama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:43
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/18; G03G21/1803; G03G21/181; G03G15/00; 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: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: process means for acting on said image bearing member; a first frame having an image bearing member, and developing means for developing with a developer an electrostatic latent image formed on said image bearing member; and a second frame, separable from said first frame, for covering an upper part of said image bearing member, said second frame having developer accommodating means fixed thereto, for accommodating developer to be supplied to said developing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: process means for acting on said image bearing member; a first frame having an image bearing member, and developing means for developing with a developer an electrostatic latent image formed on said image bearing member; and a second frame, separable from said first frame, for covering an upper part of said image bearing member, said second frame having developer accommodating means fixed thereto, for accommodating developer to be supplied to said developing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said second frame has an exposure opening for permitting said image bearing member to be exposed to information light from said main assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said developing means includes a developing sleeve for supplying the developer to said image bearing member in the form of a photosensitive member, and a regulating blade for regulating a thickness of a layer of the developer formed on said developing sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said first frame includes a cleaning blade for removing residual developer from said image bearing member in the form of a photosensitive member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said first frame includes charging means for charging said image bearing member in the form of a photosensitive member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said first frame and second frame are engaged with each other by an opening and elastic hook member arrangement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said first frame and second frame are engaged with each other by a screw.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member, and developing means for developing with a developer an electrostatic latent image formed on said image bearing member; and a second frame separable from said first frame and for covering an upper part of said image bearing member, said second frame having developer accommodating means for accommodating developer to be supplied to said developing means, wherein said first frame is selectively engageable with at least two kinds of second frames having developer accommodating means with different developer accommodating capacities.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member, and developing means for developing with a developer an electrostatic latent image formed on said image bearing member; and a second frame separable from said first frame and for covering an upper part of said image bearing member, said second frame having developer accommodating means for accommodating developer to be supplied to said developing means, wherein said first frame is selectively engageable with at least two kinds of second frames having developer accommodating means with different developer accommodating capacities.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, and to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, said apparatus comprising: mounting means for mounting the process cartridge, said process cartridge comprising a first frame having an image bearing member, and developing means for developing with a developer an electrostatic latent image formed on said image bearing member; and a second frame, separable from said first frame, for covering an upper part of said image bearing member, said second frame having developer accommodating means fixed thereto, for accommodating developer to be supplied to said developing means; and conveying means for conveying the recording material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, and to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, said apparatus comprising: mounting means for mounting the process cartridge, said process cartridge comprising a first frame having an image bearing member, and developing means for developing with a developer an electrostatic latent image formed on said image bearing member; and a second frame, separable from said first frame, for covering an upper part of said image bearing member, said second frame having developer accommodating means fixed thereto, for accommodating developer to be supplied to said developing means; and conveying means for conveying the recording material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said apparatus is a laser beam printer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engaging said first frame with an elastic sealing member therebetween; wherein, when said first frame and second frame are engaged, a unit process cartridge is formed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engaging said first frame with an elastic sealing member therebetween; wherein, when said first frame and second frame are engaged, a unit process cartridge is formed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said first frame includes a developing means as said process means, and said second frame includes accommodating means for accommodating developer to be used by said developing means, and a developing operation is enabled when said first frame and second frame are engaged with each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said process cartridge comprises developing means, and wherein said elastic sealing member is effective to prevent developer in said developing means from leaking out of said process cartridge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said first frame includes charging means for charging said image bearing member in the form of a photosensitive member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said first frame and second frame are engaged with each other by an opening and elastic hook member assembly.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said first frame and second frame are engaged with each other by a screw.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member is formed of a liquid material which is solidified into an elastomer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member is rubber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said sealing member is a soft plastic resin material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engaging said first frame with a sealing member therebetween; wherein, when said first frame and second frame are engaged, a unit cartridge is formed, wherein said first frame includes a cleaning blade as said process means, and said second frame includes a wall covering an accommodating portion for accommodating developer removed from said image bearing member by said cleaning blade, and wherein said accommodating portion is formed when said first frame and second frame are engaged.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engaging said first frame with a sealing member therebetween; wherein, when said first frame and second frame are engaged, a unit cartridge is formed, wherein said first frame includes a cleaning blade as said process means, and said second frame includes a wall covering an accommodating portion for accommodating developer removed from said image bearing member by said cleaning blade, and wherein said accommodating portion is formed when said first frame and second frame are engaged.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engaging said first frame with a sealing member therebetween; wherein, when said first frame and second frame are engaged, a unit cartridge is formed, and wherein said second frame has an exposure opening for permitting said image bearing member to be exposed to information light from said main assembly.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engaging said first frame with a sealing member therebetween; wherein, when said first frame and second frame are engaged, a unit cartridge is formed, and wherein said second frame has an exposure opening for permitting said image bearing member to be exposed to information light from said main assembly.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engaging said first frame with a sealing member therebetween; wherein, when said first frame and second frame are engaged, a unit cartridge is formed, and wherein said first frame is selectively engageable with at least two kinds of second frames having developer accommodating means with different developer accommodating capacities.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engaging said first frame with a sealing member therebetween; wherein, when said first frame and second frame are engaged, a unit cartridge is formed, and wherein said first frame is selectively engageable with at least two kinds of second frames having developer accommodating means with different developer accommodating capacities.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
92 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, and to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, said apparatus comprising: mounting means for mounting the process cartridge, said mounting means comprising a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engaging said first frame with an elastic sealing member therebetween; wherein a unit process cartridge is formed when said first frame and second frame are engaged; and conveying means for conveying the recording material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
92 words
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, and to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, said apparatus comprising: mounting means for mounting the process cartridge, said mounting means comprising a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engaging said first frame with an elastic sealing member therebetween; wherein a unit process cartridge is formed when said first frame and second frame are engaged; and conveying means for conveying the recording material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image forming apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said apparatus is a laser beam printer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
98 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engageable with said first frame; wherein said first frame and second frame are separably engaged by locking means and an elastic member separably engageable therewith while being deformed, thus to establish a unit process cartridge, and wherein said second frame has an exposure opening for permitting said image bearing member to be exposed to information light from said main assembly.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
98 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engageable with said first frame; wherein said first frame and second frame are separably engaged by locking means and an elastic member separably engageable therewith while being deformed, thus to establish a unit process cartridge, and wherein said second frame has an exposure opening for permitting said image bearing member to be exposed to information light from said main assembly.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
93 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engageable with said first frame; wherein said first frame and second frame are separably engaged by a locking member and an elastic member engageable therewith to establish a unit cartridge, and wherein said first frame is selectively engageable with at least two kinds of second frames having developer accommodating means with different developer accommodating capacities.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
93 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on said image bearing member; and a second frame separably engageable with said first frame; wherein said first frame and second frame are separably engaged by a locking member and an elastic member engageable therewith to establish a unit cartridge, and wherein said first frame is selectively engageable with at least two kinds of second frames having developer accommodating means with different developer accommodating capacities.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
90 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and developing means; and a second frame, separable from said first frame, wherein a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be supplied to said developing means of said first frame is integrally formed with said second frame, and wherein, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said first frame and second frame respectively take lower and upper positions relative to each other.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
90 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and developing means; and a second frame, separable from said first frame, wherein a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be supplied to said developing means of said first frame is integrally formed with said second frame, and wherein, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said first frame and second frame respectively take lower and upper positions relative to each other.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and developing means; and a second frame, separable from said first frame, wherein a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be supplied to said developing means of said first frame is integrally formed with said second frame, and wherein said second frame has an exposure opening for permitting said image bearing member to be exposed to information light from said main assembly.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a first frame having an image bearing member and developing means; and a second frame, separable from said first frame, wherein a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be supplied to said developing means of said first frame is integrally formed with said second frame, and wherein said second frame has an exposure opening for permitting said image bearing member to be exposed to information light from said main assembly.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for assembling a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: preparing a first frame having an image bearing member and developing means; preparing a second frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be supplied to said developing means of said first frame; coupling the first frame and second frame with each other and providing an exposure opening in the second frame for permitting exposure of the image bearing member to information light from the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for assembling a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: preparing a first frame having an image bearing member and developing means; preparing a second frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be supplied to said developing means of said first frame; coupling the first frame and second frame with each other and providing an exposure opening in the second frame for permitting exposure of the image bearing member to information light from the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for assembling a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: preparing a first frame having an image bearing member and developing means; preparing a second frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be supplied to said developing means of said first frame; coupling the first frame and second frame with each other; and mounting said process cartridge to said main assembly, so that said first frame and second frame respectively take lower and upper positions relative to each other.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for assembling a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: preparing a first frame having an image bearing member and developing means; preparing a second frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be supplied to said developing means of said first frame; coupling the first frame and second frame with each other; and mounting said process cartridge to said main assembly, so that said first frame and second frame respectively take lower and upper positions relative to each other.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for assembling a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: preparing a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on the image bearing member; preparing a second frame, separably engageable with said first frame; and coupling the first frame and second frame with each other with an elastic sealing member therebetween.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for assembling a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising: preparing a first frame having an image bearing member and process means for acting on the image bearing member; preparing a second frame, separably engageable with said first frame; and coupling the first frame and second frame with each other with an elastic sealing member therebetween.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 33, further comprising the step of composing the sealing member of a foamed polyurethane material.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 33, further comprising the step of composing the sealing member of a rubber material.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 33, further comprising the step of composing the sealing member of a soft plastic material.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 33, further comprising the step of composing the sealing member from a liquid material which becomes an elastomer when cured.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 33, further comprising the step of integrating the first frame and the second frame by releasably engaging an opening formed in one of said first and second frames and a hook formed on the other of said first and second frames.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 33, further comprising the step of integrating said first frame and said second frame by releasably engaging said first and second frames with a screw.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein said step of preparing said first frame includes the step of preparing the first frame having developing means for acting on the image bearing member.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein said step of preparing said first frame includes the step of preparing the first frame having cleaning means for acting on said image bearing member.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein said step of preparing said first frame includes the step of preparing the first frame having charging means for acting on said image bearing member.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of filling a used process cartridge with developer, the cartridge including a first frame having an image bearing member and developing means; and a second frame, separable from said first frame, wherein a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be supplied to said developing means of said first frame is integrally formed with said second frame, said developer accommodating portion including an opening through which developer may be supplied from the developer accommodating portion of the second frame to the developer means of the first frame, the method comprising the steps of: separating the first frame and the second frame; sealing the opening of the developer accommodating portion with a sealing member, the sealing member being removable by an operator to permit supply of the developer from the developer accommodating portion to said developing means when the cartridge is loaded in an image processing apparatus; supplying developer to the developer accommodating portion; ;and coupling the first frame and the second frame after the supplying step.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of filling a used process cartridge with developer, the cartridge including a first frame having an image bearing member and developing means; and a second frame, separable from said first frame, wherein a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be supplied to said developing means of said first frame is integrally formed with said second frame, said developer accommodating portion including an opening through which developer may be supplied from the developer accommodating portion of the second frame to the developer means of the first frame, the method comprising the steps of: separating the first frame and the second frame; sealing the opening of the developer accommodating portion with a sealing member, the sealing member being removable by an operator to permit supply of the developer from the developer accommodating portion to said developing means when the cartridge is loaded in an image processing apparatus; supplying developer to the developer accommodating portion; ;and coupling the first frame and the second frame after the supplying step.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of cleaning said frames after said separating step.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the steps of removing a toner cap from a second opening of the developer accommodating portion when the developer is supplied, supplying the developer through said second opening, and then remounting the toner cap in said second opening.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of closing the opening of the developer accommodating portion with said sealing member when the developer is supplied, said sealing member being removable by a user to permit the developer to be supplied to the developer accommodating portion.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of replacing a used part of said cartridge prior to said coupling step.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of releasably coupling the first frame and the second frame.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of releasably coupling the first frame and the second frame by releasable engagement between an opening formed in one of said first and second frames and a resilient hook formed on the other one of said first and second frames.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 49, further comprising the steps of forming said opening in the first frame, and forming the hook on the second frame.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of releasably coupling the first frame and the second frame with a screw.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of exposing the image bearing member to information light from the main assembly through an exposure opening provided in the second frame when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the steps of supplying the developer to the image bearing member in the form of a photosensitive drum with a developing roller of the developing means, and regulating a thickness of a layer of the developer on a peripheral surface of the developing roller with a blade.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of removing residual developer from a surface of the image bearing member in the form of a photosensitive drum with cleaning means included in the first frame.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of charging the image bearing member in the form of a photosensitive drum with charging means included in the first frame.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 43, further comprising the steps of composing each of the first frame and the second frame of a plastic material and integrally forming the first and second frames.
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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) | 1997-03-14 | 1997-09-13 | 1998-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-14 | 2001-09-13 | 2002-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-14 | 2005-09-13 | 2006-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |