Abstract: A method for disassembling a developing device. The developing device includes a frame configured to store a developer, a developer bearing member, a regulation member configured to regulate the developer borne by the developer bearing member, and a fixing member configured to fix the regulation member to the frame. The fixing member has a holding portion configured to hold the regulation member. The developing device includes a cover portion attached to the regulation member and configured to cover at least a part of the holding portion. The disassembling method includes cover removing for removing at least a part of the cover portion to reduce the size of a region of the holding portion covered by the cover portion.

Abstract: A cartridge for an image forming apparatus including a movable member is provided with a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion movable between a first position and a second position, the cartridge includes a first engaged portion engageable with the first engaging portion; and a second engaged portion engageable with the second engaging portion, wherein by the first engaged portion being engaged with the first engaging portion in the process of mounting, the movable member is moved from the first position to the second position to permit the second engaged to pass the second engaging portion in a mounting direction.

Abstract: A technique enabling downsizing of an image forming apparatus is provided. A cleaning unit 13 attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a recording material 12 is provided, with this cleaning unit 13 including: a photosensitive drum 1; and a cleaning frame body 14 that supports the photosensitive drum 1 and that includes an opening 14c through which laser light 3c for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 can pass, wherein the opening 14c is configured such that a width of the opening 14c in a scanning direction in an irradiation range of the light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 becomes greater toward a side of the photosensitive drum 1 from a side of a light source of light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1.

Abstract: A remanufacturing method of a developing device is provided. The developing device includes a frame configured to store developer, a developer carrying member configured to carry the developer, a regulating member including a regulating portion configured to regulate the developer carried on the developer carrying member, and a storage member configured to store the developer, the storage member being mounted on the regulating member. A storage portion configured to store the developer and a first opening communicating with the storage portion are formed between the storage member and the regulating member, the first opening is opposed to an exposed portion of the developer carrying member, and the exposed portion is exposed to an outside of the frame. The remanufacturing method includes forming a communicating hole communicating with the storage portion, and removing the developer from the storage portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stopper movable between a stopping position in which the stopper contacts with a downstream end portion of a cartridge, having a first contacting portion and a second contacting position, in a mounting direction, to stop the cartridge from being moved in the mounting direction and a non-stopping position in which the stopper is retracted from the stopping position so as not to stop the cartridge from being moved in the mounting direction. The stopper moves from the stopping position to the non-stopping position in conjunction with movement of a movable member from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: There is provided with a method for disassembling a developing device. The developing device includes a frame configured to store a developer, a developer bearing member, a regulation member configured to regulate the developer borne by the developer bearing member, and a fixing member configured to fix the regulation member to the frame. The fixing member has a holding portion configured to hold the regulation member. The developing device includes a cover portion attached to the regulation member and configured to cover at least a part of the holding portion. The disassembling method includes cover removing for removing at least a part of the cover portion to reduce the size of a region of the holding portion covered by the cover portion.

Abstract: A remanufacturing method of a developing device is provided. The developing device includes a frame configured to store developer, a developer carrying member configured to carry the developer, a regulating member including a regulating portion configured to regulate the developer carried on the developer carrying member, and a storage member configured to store the developer, the storage member being mounted on the regulating member. A storage portion configured to store the developer and a first opening communicating with the storage portion are formed between the storage member and the regulating member, the first opening is opposed to an exposed portion of the developer carrying member, and the exposed portion is exposed to an outside of the frame. The remanufacturing method includes forming a communicating hole communicating with the storage portion, and removing the developer from the storage portion.

Abstract: A developer container includes: a frame which stores a developer, the frame including a developer storage chamber which stores the conveying member for conveying the developer, a developing chamber which stores the developer bearing member, a first opening which allows passage of the developer conveyed from the developer storage chamber to the developing chamber, and a second opening which connects an interior of the developing chamber and an exterior of the frame with each other; a sealing member which suppresses leakage of the developer from between the frame and the developer bearing member; and a filter which allows passage of air through the second opening and which restricts passage of the developer through the second opening, the filter being fixed to the frame.

Abstract: A technique enabling downsizing of an image forming apparatus is provided. A cleaning unit 13 attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a recording material 12 is provided, with this cleaning unit 13 including: a photosensitive drum 1; and a cleaning frame body 14 that supports the photosensitive drum 1 and that includes an opening 14c through which laser light 3c for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 can pass, wherein the opening 14c is configured such that a width of the opening 14c in a scanning direction in an irradiation range of the light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 becomes greater toward a side of the photosensitive drum 1 from a side of a light source of light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stopper movable between a stopping position in which the stopper contacts with a downstream end portion of a cartridge, having a first contacting portion and a second contacting position, in a mounting direction, to stop the cartridge from being moved in the mounting direction and a non-stopping position in which the stopper is retracted from the stopping position so as not to stop the cartridge from being moved in the mounting direction. The stopper moves from the stopping position to the non-stopping position in conjunction with movement of a movable member from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A developer container includes a developer bearing member for bearing developer, a conveying member which conveys the developer, and a frame. In the frame, a partition partitions a developer storage chamber and a developing chamber and includes a first opening which connects the developer storage chamber with the developing chamber, and a second opening which connects an interior of the developing chamber and an exterior of the frame. A sealing member suppresses leakage of the developer from between the frame and the developer bearing member, and a filter allows passage of air through the second opening and restricts passage of the developer through the second opening. The conveying member is deformable such that the developer is conveyed from the developer storage chamber to the developing chamber via the first opening by deformation of the conveying member being released.

Abstract: An erroneous insertion preventing system includes a first cartridge including a first frame provided with a first engaging portion and a first discrimination portion, a second cartridge including a second frame provided with a second discrimination portion, and a main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The main assembly includes a movable member provided with a portion-to-be-engaged engageable with the first engaging portion and a regulating portion having a configuration corresponding to the first discrimination portion. The first cartridge is mounted in the main assembly without movement of the first discrimination portion being limited by the regulating portion. In a case that the second cartridge is attempted to be inserted into the main assembly, by insertion of the second cartridge into the main assembly, the regulating portion and the second discrimination portion interfere with each other to prevent mounting of the second cartridge in the main assembly.

Abstract: A technique enabling downsizing of an image forming apparatus is provided. A cleaning unit 13 attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a recording material 12 is provided, with this cleaning unit 13 including: a photosensitive drum 1; and a cleaning frame body 14 that supports the photosensitive drum 1 and that includes an opening 14c through which laser light 3c for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 can pass, wherein the opening 14c is configured such that a width of the opening 14c in a scanning direction in an irradiation range of the light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 becomes greater toward a side of the photosensitive drum 1 from a side of a light source of light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a first conveying member and a second conveying member shorter than the first conveying member. In a rotational direction of the rotation shaft, the second conveying member is disposed upstream of the first conveying member, with the fixed end of the second conveying member and the fixed end of the first conveying member placed one on another. The free length of the second conveying member at a first position, a second position, and a third position, which sequentially distance away from the driving transmission member in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, sequentially becomes larger.

Abstract: A developing unit includes a developer bearing member, a container, an end seal, a sheet, and a backup member. The container contains a developer. The container has an opening for supplying the developer to the developer bearing member. The end seal is disposed between the developer bearing member and the developer container. The end seal is disposed at an area of the container outside a longitudinal end of the opening. The sheet seals a gap between the developer bearing member and the container. One widthwise end of the sheet is fixed to the container. The other widthwise end is in contact with the developer bearing member. A longitudinal end of the sheet includes a sandwiched portion between the end seal and the developer bearing member. The backup member is provided in an area facing a surface of the sheet opposite to a surface in contact with the developer bearing member.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a first conveying member and a second conveying member shorter than the first conveying member. In a rotational direction of the rotation shaft, the second conveying member is disposed upstream of the first conveying member, with the fixed end of the second conveying member and the fixed end of the first conveying member placed one on another. The free length of the second conveying member at a first position, a second position, and a third position, which sequentially distance away from the driving transmission member in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, sequentially becomes larger.

Abstract: A technique enabling downsizing of an image forming apparatus is provided. A cleaning unit 13 attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a recording material 12 is provided, with this cleaning unit 13 including: a photosensitive drum 1; and a cleaning frame body 14 that supports the photosensitive drum 1 and that includes an opening 14c through which laser light 3c for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 can pass, wherein the opening 14c is configured such that a width of the opening 14c in a scanning direction in an irradiation range of the light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 becomes greater toward a side of the photosensitive drum 1 from a side of a light source of light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1.