Patent ID: 6763209
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A remanufacturing method for a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge including a first frame supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a second frame supporting a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and accommodating developer to be used by the developing roller to develop the electrostatic latent image, the first frame and the second frame being rotatably coupled, the method comprising:(a) a frame separating step of separating the first frame and the second frame, from each other; (b) a developing blade dismounting step of dismounting, from the second frame, a developing blade which is mounted on the second frame to regulate an amount of the developer deposited on the developing roller; (c) a thin plate sheet material mounting step of mounting a thin sheet material on such a side of a longitudinal seal, for providing a seal extending between the first frame and the second frame in a longitudinal direction of the second frame, that is opposite from a side mounted to the second frame; (d) a developer filling step of filling the developer into a developer accommodating portion of the process cartridge; (e) a developing blade mounting step of mounting the developing blade in a facing orientation which is opposite from a facing orientation in which the developing blade has been mounted on the second frame; and (f) a frame coupling step of coupling the separated first frame and second frame.