Patent ID: 6788908
Filing Date: 2004-09-07
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A disassembling method for a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a drum supporting frame configured and positioned to rotatably support the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer accommodating container configured to accommodate a developer to be supplied to the developing rollers, a developing device frame configured and positioned to support the developing roller, and covering members connected to the drum supporting frame and the developer accommodating container at ends of the drum supporting frame and the developer accommodating container with respect to a longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said disassembling method comprising:a step of cutting said covering members adjacent to a connecting portion between the covering members and the drum supporting frame and a connecting portion between the covering members and the developer accommodating container along an outer wall of the covering members, wherein the developing device frame of the process cartridge supports the developing roller, and the developing device frame has an arm portion projected toward the drum supporting frame at one longitudinal end of the developing roller and is rotatably connected to the drum supporting frame by a pin member adjacent to a free end portion of the arm portion; and a step of removing the pin member after said covering members cutting step.