Image forming apparatus and process cartridge for use therein

• US 20030161644A1
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Oguma, Toru, Yokoi, Akiyoshi, Mochizuki, Masataka
• Granted Patent: US 6,804,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/27
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0882 by a peelable sealing film resealing used developer units before refilling: G03G15/0894
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1832 Shielding members, shutter, e.g. light, heat shielding, prevention of toner scattering
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1875 provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. lifetime of the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0888 Arrangements for detecting toner level or concentration in the developing device
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1648 using seals, e.g. to prevent scattering of toner light shields for the photoreceptor G03G2221/1609

Abstract

A process cartridge detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus main body has a developer storing container with a supplying opening portion through which developer is supplied to a developing member, a developer seal member removably attached to the developer storing container, a grip portion for pulling out the developer seal member, and a contact portion electrically connected to a main body electrical contact of the image forming apparatus main body when the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. In this process cartridge, the grip portion covers the contact portion to cut an electrical connection between the contact portion and the main body electrical contact in the case that the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body without removing the developer seal member. In this way, the developer seal member that is removably attached to the developer storing container can be pulled out without fail.

Claims

1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, comprising:

an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;

a developing member for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;

a developer storing container which stores developer for developing the latent image of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and which has a supplying opening portion for supplying the developer to the developing member;

a developer seal member removably attached to the developer storing container so that the developer is sealed in the developer storing container by blocking the supplying opening portion with the developer seal member and is made available to the developing member by removing the developer seal member from the supplying opening portion;

a grip portion placed on one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer seal member in order to pull out the developer seal member and open the supplying opening portion;

a measuring electrode member for detecting the amount of the developer in the process cartridge; and

a contact portion electrically connected to a main body electrical contact of the image forming apparatus main body in the case that the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the contact portion relaying, to the main body electrical contact, a signal sent from the measuring electrode member in accordance with the amount of the developer so that the image forming apparatus main body can detect the developer amount,

wherein, in the case that the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body without removing the developer seal member, the grip portion covers the contact portion to cut an electrical connection between the contact portion and the main body electrical contact.

2. A process cartridge according to claim 1,

wherein the process cartridge further comprises a cover member on one end in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and

wherein the contact portion is placed on the cover member.

3. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is located upstream side of the developer seal member in an attachment direction in which the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

4. A process cartridge according to claim 1,

wherein the grip portion and the developer storing container are integrally formed, and

wherein the grip portion is set in a manner that allows the grip portion to be cut off the developer storing container while bending toward the upstream side in an attachment direction in which the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

5. A process cartridge according to claim 2,

wherein the grip portion and the cover member are integrally formed, and

wherein the grip portion is set in a manner that allows the grip portion to be cut off the cover member while bending toward the upstream side in an attachment direction in which the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

6. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion covers the contact portion while bending toward the upstream side in an attachment direction in which the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

7. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion is formed of an insulating material.

8. A process cartridge according to claim 1,

wherein the measuring electrode member has a first electrode portion placed in the developer storing container and a second electrode portion placed in a developing frame body for supporting the developing member,

wherein the contact portion has a first contact portion connected to the first electrode portion and a second contact portion connected to the second electrode portion, and

wherein, in the case that the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body without removing the developer seal member, the grip portion covers at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion to cut the electrical connection between the contact portion and the main body electrical contact.

9. A process cartridge according to claim 4,

wherein the process cartridge further comprises a junction portion between the grip portion and the developer storing container, and

wherein the junction portion is thinner than the grip portion and the developer storing container.

10. A process cartridge according to claim 5,

wherein the process cartridge further comprises a junction portion between the grip portion and the cover member, and

wherein the junction portion is thinner than the grip portion and the cover member.

11. A developing device detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus main body, comprising:

a developing member for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;

a developer storing container which stores developer for developing the latent image of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and which has a supplying opening portion for supplying the developer to the developing member;

a developer seal member removably attached to the developer storing container so that the developer is sealed in the developer storing container by blocking the supplying opening portion with the developer seal member and is made available to the developing member by removing the developer seal member from the supplying opening portion;

a grip portion placed on one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer seal member in order to pull out the developer seal member and open the supplying opening portion;

a measuring electrode member for detecting the amount of the developer in the developing device; and

a contact portion electrically connected to a main body electrical contact of the image forming apparatus main body when the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, the contact portion relaying, to the main body electrical contact, a signal sent from the measuring electrode member in accordance with the amount of the developer so that the image forming apparatus main body can detect the developer amount,

wherein, in the case that the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body without removing the developer seal member, the grip portion covers the contact portion to cut an electrical connection between the contact portion and the main body electrical contact.

12. A developing device according to claim 11,

wherein the developing device further comprises a cover member on one end in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and

wherein the contact portion is placed on the cover member.

13. A developing device according to claim 11, wherein the contact portion is located upstream side of the developer seal member in an attachment direction in which the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

14. A developing device according to claim 11,

wherein the grip portion and the developer storing container are integrally formed, and

wherein the grip portion is set in a manner that allows the grip portion to be cut off the developer storing container while bending toward the upstream side in an attachment direction in which the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

15. A developing device according to claim 11, wherein the grip portion covers the contact portion while bending toward the upstream side in an attachment direction in which the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body.

16. A developing device according to claim 11, wherein the grip portion is formed of an insulating material.

17. A developing device according to claim 11, wherein the measuring electrode member has a first electrode portion placed in the developer storing container and a second electrode portion placed in a developing frame body for supporting the developing member,

wherein the contact portion has a first contact portion connected to the first electrode portion and a second contact portion connected to the second electrode portion, and

wherein, in the case that the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body without removing the developer seal member, the grip portion covers at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion to cut the electrical connection between the contact portion and the main body electrical contact.

18. A developing device according to claim 14,

wherein the developing device further comprises a junction portion between the grip portion and the developer storing container, and

wherein the junction portion is thinner than the grip portion and the developer storing container.

19. An image forming apparatus with a detachable process cartridge for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising:

(i) a main body electrical contact;

(ii) detecting means;

(iii) an attachment portion to which the process cartridge is detachably attachable;

(iv) the process cartridge attached to the attachment portion, the process cartridge comprising;

an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;

a developing member for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;

a developer storing container which stores developer for developing the latent image of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and which has a supplying opening portion for supplying the developer to the developing member;

a developer seal member removably attached to the developer storing container so that the developer is sealed in the developer storing container by blocking the supplying opening portion with the developer seal member and is made available to the developing member by removing the developer seal member from the supplying opening portion;

a grip portion placed on one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer seal member in order to pull out the developer seal member and open the supplying opening portion;

a measuring electrode member for detecting the amount of the developer in the process cartridge; and

a contact portion electrically connected to the main body electrical contact in the case that the process cartridge is attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus, the contact portion relaying, to the main body electrical contact, a signal sent from the measuring electrode member in accordance with the amount of the developer so that the detecting means can detect the developer amount, the contact portion being covered with the grip portion to cut an electrical connection between the contact portion and the main body electrical contact in the case that the process cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body without removing the developer seal member; and

(v) convey means for conveying the recording medium.

20. An image forming apparatus with a detachable developing device for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising:

(i) a main body electrical contact;

(ii) detecting means;

(iii) an attachment portion to which the developing device is detachably attachable;

(iv) the developing device attached to the attachment portion, the developing device comprising;

a developing member for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;

a developer storing container which stores developer for developing the latent image of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and which has a supplying opening portion for supplying the developer to the developing member;

a developer seal member removably attached to the developer storing container so that the developer is sealed in the developer storing container by blocking the supplying opening portion with the developer seal member and is made available to the developing member by removing the developer seal member from the supplying opening portion;

a grip portion placed on one end in the longitudinal direction of the developer seal member in order to pull out the developer seal member and open the supplying opening portion;

a measuring electrode member for detecting the amount of the developer in the developing device; and

a contact portion electrically connected to the main body electrical contact when the developing device is attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus, the contact portion relaying, to the main body electrical contact, a signal sent from the measuring electrode member in accordance with the amount of the developer so that the detecting means can detect the developer amount, the contact portion being covered with the grip portion to cut an electrical connection between the contact portion and the main body electrical contact in the case that the developing device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body without removing the developer seal member; and

(v) convey means for conveying the recording medium.