Patent ID: 6643481
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A remanufacturing method for a process cartridge which includes a first unit having an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a second unit having a developing roller, a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a developer supply opening for supplying the developer from the developer accommodating portion to the developing roller, wherein the first unit and the second unit are rotatably coupled, said process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said method comprising (a) a unit separating step of separating the units from each other by removing a pair of connecting members for connecting the first unit and the second unit; (b) a developing roller dismounting step of dismounting the developing roller mounted to the second unit having been separated by said separation step; (c) a second end seal mounting step of mounting a second end seal in contact with or adjacent to an outside of a first end seal which is provided at each of one and the other longitudinal ends of the developing roller; (d) a developer refilling step of refilling the developer into the developer accommodating portion; (e) a developing roller remounting step of remounting an or the developing roller to the second unit having been separated by said separation step; and (f) a unit re-coupling step of connecting the first unit and the second unit by an or said pair of connecting members; by which said process cartridge is remanufactured without mounting a toner seal to the developer supply opening having been unsealed by removing a toner seal when said process cartridge has been used.