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 covering members connected to the drum supporting frame and the developer container at ends of the drum supporting frame and the developer accommodating container with respect to a longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the disassembling method including a step of cutting the cover member adjacent to a connecting portion between the cover member and the drum supporting frame and a connecting portion between the cover member and the developer accommodating container along an outer wall of the covering member.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a process cartridge remanufacturing method, a process cartridge disassembling method involved in a process cartridge remanufacturing method, a process cartridge assembling method, a positioning/fastening apparatus, and a process cartridge.  
           [0002]    A process cartridge means: a cartridge in which a charging means, a developing means or cleaning means, and an electrophotographic photoconductive drum, are integrally disposed, and which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus; a cartridge in which a minimum of one processing means among a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means, and an image bearing means, are integrally disposed, and which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus; or a cartridge in which a minimum of a charging means and an electrophotographic photoconductive drum, are integrally disposed, and which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus.  
           [0003]    An image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, LED printer, laser beam printer, and the like), an electrophotographic facsimile, an electrophotographic word processor, and the like.  
           [0004]    In an image forming apparatus which employs an electrophotographic image formation process, a process cartridge system has long been employed. According to this system, an electrophotographic photoconductive member, and a single or plurality of processing means, which act on the electrophotographic photoconductive member, are integrated into a form of a cartridge removably mountable in the main assembly of the image forming apparatus. This system enables a user him/her self to maintain the apparatus without relying on a service person, immensely improving the operability of the apparatus. Thus, the process cartridge system has been widely used in the field of an image forming apparatus.  
           [0005]    A process cartridge such as the one described above forms an image on recording medium with the use of developer contained therein. Therefore, the amount of the developer therein gradually reduces with image formation, eventually to a level below which it fails to form an image satisfactory in quality to the user who purchased the process cartridge. At this point, the process cartridge loses its commercial value.  
           [0006]    Thus, it has long been desired to realize a simple method for remanufacturing a process cartridge so that a process cartridge which has lost its commercial value due to the depletion of the developer therein can be marketed again.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The primary object of the present invention is to provide a simple method for remanufacturing a process cartridge.  
           [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for remanufacturing a process cartridge, the commercial value of which has been lost due to the consumption of the developer therein to a level below which the process cartridge fails to forms an image satisfactory in quality to a user who has purchased the process cartridge.  
           [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge disassembling method for remanufacturing a process cartridge, a process cartridge assembling method for remanufacturing a process cartridge, and a positioning/fastening apparatus used with the process cartridge assembling method.  
           [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for disassembling a process cartridge, which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and comprises: an electrophotographic photoconductive drum; a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoconductive drum; a drum holding frame for rotationally supporting the electrophotographic photoconductive drum; a developer container for storing the developer to be supplied to the developing means; a developing means holding frame for holding the developing means; a pair of covering members attached to the end surfaces, in terms of the lengthwise direction of the electrophotographic photoconductive member, of the combination of the drum holding frame and developer container, one for one, in a manner to cover virtually the entireties of the end surfaces, comprising: a step in which the joints between the covering members and the combination of the drum holding frame and developer container are cut along the inwardly facing edges of the covering members.  
           [0011]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a process cartridge.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the process cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen diagonally from above.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the process cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen diagonally from below.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the process cartridge in the second embodiment of the present invention, as seen diagonally from above.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the process cartridge in the second embodiment of the present invention, as seen diagonally from below.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the process cartridge in the third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the positioning member in the third embodiment of the present invention, as seen diagonally from above.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the inverted positioning member in the third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fastening member.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inverted fastening member.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the assembled positioning/fastening apparatus.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one of the lengthwise ends of the process cartridge, to the side cover of which positioning members have been attached.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one of the lengthwise ends of the process cartridge, to the side cover of which the fastening members have been engaged to the positioning members after the cutting of the frames.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the positioning members in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the assembled positioning/fastening apparatus in the fourth embodiment.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the positioning/fastening apparatus in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the positioning member in the fifth embodiment.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the fastening member in the fifth embodiment.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a toner supply operation. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]    Referring to FIGS.  1  to  5 , the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the lengthwise direction means the direction which is perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction and parallel to the surface of a recording medium being conveyed.  
         [0034]    (Embodiment 1)  
         [0035]    (Description of process Cartridge and Apparatus Main Assembly)  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 1 gives a sectional view of a process cartridge in accordance with the present invention, at a plane perpendicular to its lengthwise direction. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus in accordance with the present invention, at a plane perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the process cartridge. This process cartridge is equipped with an electrophotographic photoconductive member, and a plurality of processing means which act on the electrophotographic photoconductive member. As the processing means, for example, there are a charging means for charging the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photoconductive member, a developing apparatus for forming a toner image on the electrophotographic photoconductive member, and a cleaning means for removing the residual toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photoconductive member.  
         [0037]    Referring to FIG. 1, the process cartridge  15  in this embodiment comprises: a charging roller  12  as a charging means: a combination of a development roller  18  and a development blade  26 , as a developing apparatus; a cleaning blade  14  as a cleaning means; and a housing, or cartridge, in which the charge roller  12 , developing apparatus, and cleaning means are integrally disposed around the electrophotographic photoconductive member  11 , so that they can be removably mounted in the image forming apparatus main assembly  27  (which hereinafter will be referred to as apparatus main assembly).  
         [0038]    This process cartridge  15  is mounted in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus C, such as the one shown in FIG. 2, to be used for an image forming operation. In an image forming operation, a sheet S is conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers  7  from a sheet cassette  6  mounted in the bottom portion of the apparatus main assembly  27 . In synchronism with the conveyance of the sheet S, the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum  11  is selectively exposed by an exposing apparatus  8  through an exposure opening  61 , forming a latent image on the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum  11 . Meanwhile the toner in the toner storage container  16  is coated in a thin layer on the peripheral surface of a development roller  18  by a development blade  26 , while being electrically charged by the friction between the toner and blade  26 , and a predetermined development bias is applied to the development roller  18 . As the development bias is applied, the toner on the peripheral surface of the development roller  18  is transferred onto the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum  11  in accordance with the latent image, creating a toner image. The thus created toner image is transferred, by the application of bias voltage to a transfer roller  9 , onto the sheet S as a recording medium which is being conveyed. Thereafter, the sheet S is conveyed to a fixing apparatus  10 , in which the toner image is fixed to the sheet S. After the fixation, the sheet S is discharged into a delivery portion  2  on top of the apparatus main assembly. Meanwhile, the toner which remained on the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum  11  after the toner image transfer is removed by the cleaning blade  14 . The removed toner is moved inward of a removed toner bin  5  by an unshown removed toner moving member.  
         [0039]    (Structure of Process Cartridge Frame)  
         [0040]    FIGS.  3  to  5  are perspective views of the process cartridge  15 , for showing the frame structure thereof. FIG. 3 shows the process cartridge  15  before its assembly, and FIGS. 4 and 5 show the cartridge  15  after it assembly. The frame of the cartridge  15  comprises three frames: a cleaning mean holding frame  13 , in which the drum  11 , charge roller  12 , and blade  14  are integrally supported; a developing means frame  17 , in which the development roller  18 , development blade (which is not shown in FIG. 3, but designated by referential code  26  in FIG. 1) are integrally supported; and a toner holding frame  3 , that is, a toner container  16 . Further, the cartridge  15  comprises a pair of side covers  19  and  20  for integrally holding these three frames together. The side covers  19  and  20  are secured to the lengthwise ends of the combination of the cleaning means holding frame  13  and toner container  16 , whereas the developing means holding frame  17  is supported by the cleaning means holding frame  13 .  
         [0041]    To the frame  13 , the blade  14 , charge roller  12 , removed toner moving member, and drum  11  are attached. More specifically, the blade  14  is attached with the use of small screws or the like. As for the charge roller  12 , the end portions of the metallic core of the charge roller  12  are attached, with the interposition of bearings (unshown), so that the charge roller  12  is rotationally supported by the frame  13 . The unshown removed toner moving member for sending the toner removed by the blade  14 , into the removed toner bin  5 , is rotationally attached to the frame  13 , as shown in FIG. 1. As for the drum  11 , its flange portions  11   a  and  11   b  at the lengthwise ends are supported by the frame  13 , with the interposition of bearings  22   a  and  22   b , respectively, so that the drum  11  is rotationally supported by the frame  13 . The frame  16  contains toner, and stirring members  113 ,  114 , and  115  (FIG. 1) for stirring the toner in the frame  16  while conveying the toner.  
         [0042]    The developing means holding frame  17  is supported by the cleaning means holding frame  13 .  
         [0043]    The side covers  19  and  20  are large enough in size to match the size of the entirety of the cross section of the cartridge  15  perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cartridge  15 . They constitute the lengthwise end portions of the cassette  15 , one for one, integrally supporting the frame  13  and container  16  in such a positional relationship that the axial lines of the holes  19   a  and  20   a  of the side covers  19  and  20  coincide with the axial line of the photoconductive drum  11  supported by the frame  13 . On the side cover  19  side of the cartridge  15 , that is, on the side of the side cover shown in the drawing, the bearing  22   a  is fitted in the hole  13   a  of the frame  13  (it was pressed into the hole), and an axle  25  rotationally supports one end of the drum  11  by being put through the hole  19   a  of the cover  19 , bearing  22   a , and the center hole  11   a   1  of the flange  11   a . As the axle  25  is put through the holes, the side cover  19  is properly positioned relative to the combination of the frame  13  and container  16 , with the interposition of the bearing  22   a , being therefore accurately positioned relative to the drum  11 . Further, a positioning portion  19   b  positioned so that it will be as far away as possible from the drum  11  after the attachment of the side cover  19  is fitted into the positioning portion  13   b  on the inward surface of the side wall  13   c  of the frame  13 , fixing the attitude of the side cover  19  relative to the frame  13  in terms of the circumferential direction of the drum  11 . Then, the cover  19  is secured to the side wall  13   c , or one of the side walls of the frame  13  in terms of the lengthwise direction. The container  16  is provided with a pair of positioning portions  16   a  and  16   b  which protrude outward from the side wall  16   d , that is, one of the side walls of the container  16  in terms of the lengthwise direction. These positioning portions  16   a  and  16   b  are fitted into a pair of positioning portions  19   c  and  19   d , that is, a pair of holes, of the cover  19 , fixing the position of the container  16  relative to the side cover  19 , and the container  16  and side cover  19  are welded to each other. The cover  20 , or the cover for the other lengthwise end of the cartridge  15 , is also positioned relative to the container  16  and frame  13 , and is secured thereto by welding, as is the cover  19 . The developing means holding frame  17  is properly positioned with the use of a method which will be described later. The bearings  22  ( 22   a  and  22   b ) also function as members for properly positioning the cartridge  15  relative to the image forming apparatus main assembly  27 .  
         [0044]    Toner is supplied to the development roller  18  from the frame  16 . For this purpose, the container  16  and frame  17  are provided with holes  16   c  (FIG. 1) and  17   a , respectively. The frame  17  and container  16  are connected by a flexible sealing member  21  placed between them in a manner to connect the holes  17   a  and  16   c . The attitude of the container  16  is fixed relative to the side covers  19  and  20 , whereas the attitude of the frame  17  is fixed relative to the frame  13 . Therefore, a gap must be provided between the frame  17  and container  16  in order to compensate for the dimensional manufacture errors. The positional relationship between the cartridge  15  and apparatus main assembly  27  is accurately fixed as the lengthwise end of the frame  13 , on the side where the drum  11  is supported, is accurately positioned relative to the cartridge mounting space of the apparatus main assembly  27 , when the cartridge  15  is mounted in the apparatus main assembly  27 . There is a substantial difference in the weight of the container  16  between when the container  16  contains a large amount of toner and when it is empty. This raises a possibility that the container  16 , or covers  19  and  20 , will be distorted. Thus, a flexible substance is employed as the material for the sealing member  21 .  
         [0045]    With the provision of the above described structure, the load from the container  16 , which varies depending on the amount of the toner therein applies only to the side covers  19  and  20 , being prevented from applying to the development roller  18  even when a large amount of toner is in the container  16 . Therefore, the photoconductive drum  11  is not subjected to an unnecessary load. Therefore, it is possible to always obtain a satisfactory image.  
         [0046]    (Structure of Developing Means Holding Frame)  
         [0047]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the structure of the developing means holding frame will be described. FIG. 3 is a drawing of the process cartridge prior to its assembly. FIG. 1 is a drawing for describing the pressure applied to the developing means holding frame.  
         [0048]    The developing means holding frame  17  contains the development roller  18  as a developer bearing member, development blade (FIG. 1), and a pair of magnetic seals (unshown). The development roller  18  contains a magnetic roll  18   a , which is put through the center hole of the development roller  18  and nonrotationally supported by the frame  17  by its lengthwise end portions, with the presence of a gap between the internal surface of the development roller  18  and the peripheral surface of the magnetic roll  18   a . The development roller  18  itself is rotationally supported by the frame  17  by its lengthwise end portions. For the purpose of supplying electrical power to the development roller  18 , an electrical contact point is placed in the hollow of the development roller  18 . Further, a pair of spacer rings  118   a  and  118   b  (FIG. 3) for keeping constant the distance between the peripheral surfaces of the drum  11  and development roller  18  are fitted around the lengthwise end portions of the development roller  18 , one for one.  
         [0049]    The developing means holding frame  17  is supported by the frame  13 , being enabled to pivot about the axial line of a hole  17   d  provided in the end portion of the arm portion  17   c , on the driven side, that is, the lengthwise end of the cartridge  15  from which the cartridge  15  is driven, so that the drum  11  and roller  18  are kept pressured toward each other in a manner to reduce the distance between the axial lines of the drum  11  and roller  18 . More specifically, the frame  17  equipped with the roller  18  is attached to the frame  13  by fitting the pin  60  fitted in the hole  17   d  of the developing means holding frame  17 , on the driven side, into the hole of the frame  13 , on the driven side, in such a manner that the developing means holding frame  17  is enabled to pivot about the axial line of the hole  17   d . By comparison, the frame  13  and container  16  are simply connected to each other, being not allowed to move relative to each other. Thus, the frame  17  is enabled to move relative to the container  16 . Further, one end of an unshown tension spring is hung around a spring hanger, with which one of the lengthwise end portions of the frame  13  is provided, and the other end of the tension spring is hung around the spring hanger of the frame  17 , being stretched so that the end of the roller  18  is kept pressured toward the end of the drum  11 , on the same side.  
         [0050]    On the non-driven side, a bearing  17   e  for rotationally supporting the development roller  18  is attached to the frame  17  so that the axial lines of the cylindrical portion of the bearing  17   e  and development roller  18  coincide, and that the bearing  17   e  is kept pressured toward the axial line of the drum  11 .  
         [0051]    More specifically, the bearing  17   e  with the cylindrical portion of is inserted in a groove  19   e  (which in this embodiment is an elongated hole extending in the radius direction of the drum  11 ), being enabled to slide in the direction parallel to the radius direction of the drum  11 . In other words, the bearing  17   e  also constitutes a member for allowing the one end of the roller  18  to move. Within the groove  19   e , an unshown compression spring is fitted to keep the bearing  17   e  under pressure while allowing the bearing  17   e  to slide following the groove  19   e.    
         [0052]    The groove  19   e  also bears a role of a positioning member for regulating the direction in which the development roller  18  moves.  
         [0053]    The joint between the container  16  and developing means holding frame  17  must be sealed while keeping the holes  16   c  and  17   a  of the container  16  and frame  17 , respectively, connected. On the other hand, the frame  17  and container  16  are enabled to move relative to each other. Thus, the sealing member  21  enabled to afford the frame  17  and container  16  a certain amount of movement relative to each other is interposed between the frame  17  and container  16  to prevent toner leakage. The sealing member  21  is attached to the edges of the holes  16   c  and  17   a  in a manner to surround the holes  16   c  and  17   a . The sealing member  21  is desired to be shaped to prevent its resiliency from interfering the movement of the frame  17 ; it is desired to have a minimum of one folding line, or to be in the form of bellows.  
         [0054]    Although not shown in the drawing, the toner seal for sealing the hole  16   c  is pasted to the lip portion of the hole  16   c  covered with the sealing member  21 . One of the lengthwise ends of the toner seal extends outward from between the sealing member  21  and container  16 , making it possible for the toner seal to be removed from outside.  
         [0055]    As for the driving system, the drum  11  is provided with a power input coupling  23 , which is solidly attached to one of the lengthwise ends of the drum  11 , as shown in FIG. 5. The drum  11  and roller  18  are connected by a pair of gears. To one end of the stirring member  114 , an power input coupling  24  is solidly fixed. The stirring gears  113 ,  114 , and  115  are connected through an unshown gear train.  
         [0056]    The above listed gears are disposed on the same side of the cartridge as the power input couplings  23  and  24 , and are covered with cover  20 . On the opposite side of the cartridge in terms of the lengthwise direction, that is, the side opposite to where the power output coupling  24  is located, the end of the stirring member  114  is connected to the unshown removed toner moving member within the frame  13 , through an unshown gear train, which is covered with the side cover  19 .  
         [0057]    Referring to FIG. 2, the cartridge  15  is mounted into, or dismounted from, the apparatus main assembly  27  in the following manner. First, an unshown front cover located on the front side of the apparatus main assembly  27  is to be opened. As the cover is opened, an opening through which the cartridge  15  can be put is exposed. The cartridge  15  is inserted into the apparatus main assembly  27  through this opening. After the insertion, the cartridge  15  is to be pivoted to allow the cartridge  15  to descend into the apparatus main assembly  27  so that the drum  11  comes into contact with the transfer roller  9 . Then, the unshown front cover of the apparatus main assembly  27  is to be closed. As the front cover is closed, the power output couplings of the apparatus main assembly  27  are moved by the movement of the front cover, being coupled with the power input couplings  23  and  24  on the cartridge side. In order to dismount the cartridge  15  from the apparatus main assembly  27 , the above described steps are to be followed in reverse.  
         [0058]    The aforementioned exposure opening  61  is in the top surface of the frame  13 . Here, the top surface means the surface which constitutes the top surface when the cartridge  15  is in the apparatus main assembly  27 . As for the transfer opening  62  for toner image transfer, it is between the frames  13  and  17 .  
         [0059]    The frame  13 , container  16 , frame  17 , and side covers  19  and  20  are formed of shock resistant polystyrene HIPS, for example.  
         [0060]    The covers  19  and  20  are shaped like a lidless container, being open on the sides which face the side walls  16   d  and  13   c , in terms of the lengthwise direction, of the container  16  and frame  13 , respectively. The rim portions  19   g  and  20   g  of the covers  19  and  20  are joined with the edges of the side walls  16   d  and  13   c  of the container  16  and frame  13 , respectively, after the following steps. First, after the mounting of the development roller  18  and development blade  26  into the frame  13 , and the drum  11 , charge roller  12 , cleaning blade  14 , into the frame  13 , the frame  17  is connected to the frame  13 . Further, the stirring members  113 ,  114 , and  115  are mounted into the container  16 , and the hole  16   c  is hermetically sealed with the unshown toner seal. Then, toner is filled into the container  16  through the toner inlet  16   f  of the side wall  16   d  of the container  16 . Then, the toner inlet  16   f  is plugged with a toner cap  16   g , completing the filling of the toner. After the filling of the toner, the container  16  is joined with the frame  17 , with the interposition of the sealing member  21  which allows the frames  13  and  17  to move relative to each other after the joining. Thereafter, the aforementioned gears of the driving system are attached. Next, the frame  13 , container  16 , and side covers  19  and  20 , are set in the jig which keeps them accurately positioned relative to each other in terms of their predetermined relationship in a process cartridge into which they will be integrated; in other words, they are temporarily assembled on the jig. Then, melted resin is poured into the grooves provided in the side covers  19  and  20 , along the edges  19   g  and  20   g , through the resin paths provided in advance in the side covers  19  and  20 . As a result, the covers  19  and  20  are welded to the frames  13  and container  16  by the resin. The joints  65  created by the above described process are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The employment of this type of resin based joining method does not deform the frames as does the employment of a jointing method which uses screws. It creates a stronger joint, and also affords the side cover a larger interior space, making component arrangement easier.  
         [0061]    The cartridge  15  is provided with a drum shutter  63 , which keeps the transfer opening  62  covered when the cartridge  15  is out of the apparatus main assembly  27 . As described before, the transfer opening  62  is an opening for allowing the drum  11  to be placed in contact with the transfer roller  9 . The drum shutter  63  is held to the side covers  19  and  20  by the mechanical link.  
         [0062]    As the toner within the container  16  is depleted due consumption, it is displayed on the monitor of the apparatus main assembly  27  that there is no toner in the cartridge  15 . Then, this toner depleted cartridge  15  is recovered for cartridge remanufacture.  
         [0063]    (Cartridge Disassembling Method)  
         [0064]    Next, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a method for disassembling the above described process cartridge will be described.  
         [0065]    First, the drum shutter  63  is to be removed.  
         [0066]    In FIGS. 4 and 5, a theoretical cutting line  64  follows the circumference of the side cover  19  ( 20 ), near the joint  65  between the side cover  19  ( 20 ) and the combination of the frame  13  and container  16 .  
         [0067]    By cutting the cartridge  15  along these cutting lines, the side covers  19  and  20  can be removed from the cartridge  15 , leaving the joint  65  on the side of the main portion of the cartridge  15 .  
         [0068]    After the removal of the side covers  19  and  20  in the above described manner, an unshown sleeve gear attached to the end of the development roller  18 , unshown gears for transmitting driving force to the toner conveying member  113  and  114  within the container  16 , or the like, can be removed.  
         [0069]    Also after the removal of the side covers  19  and  20 , the cartridge  15  is to be cut along a theoretical cutting line  66  connecting the lengthwise end of the exposure opening  61  and the above described cutting line  64 , and along a cutting line  67  connecting the lengthwise end of the transfer opening  62  and the above described cutting line  64 . With this procedure, the frame  13  can be virtually separated from the combination of the frame  17  and container  16 , with the drum  11 , cleaning blade  14 , charge roller  12 , and the like left attached to the frame  13 , and the development roller  18 , development blade  26 , and the like, left attached to the combination of the frame  17  and container  16 .  
         [0070]    Next, the parallel pin  60  with which the frame  17  is pivotally supported by the frame  13  is to be removed. With this procedure, the frame  13  is completely separated from the combination of the frame  17  and container  16 .  
         [0071]    Then, the drum  11 , blade  14 , charge roller  12 , and the like, are detached from the frame  13 , and the development roller  18 , development blade  26 , magnetic seals (unshown), and the like, are detached from the frame  17 .  
         [0072]    Although it was described above as the disassembly order that the parallel pin  60  is to be removed after the cutting of the cartridge along the cutting lines  66  and  67 , the order may be reversed. Further, the removal of the gears and the like are possible anytime after the cutting along the cutting line  64 . For example, the unshown sleeve gears attached to the lengthwise ends of the development roller  18  may be detached immediately after the cutting along the cutting line  64 , whereas the gears and the like (components which are partially in the holes of the wall of the toner container  16 ) for transmitting driving force to the stirring members  113 ,  114 , and  115 , and the like, may be removed after the complete separation of the frame  13  from the combination of the frame  17  and container  16 . In other words, the different groups of gears and the like may be removed at the different stages of cartridge disassembly. The employment of the above described disassembly procedure reduces the possibility that toner will scatter during the disassembly.  
         [0073]    As for the cutting tools, an ultrasonic cutter, a circular saw, or the like, can be used.  
         [0074]    Incidentally, when recycling the cartridge material without recycling the cartridge frame as it is, the projecting portions ( 19   f ,  20   f , and the like) of the covers  19  and  20  may be cut off before cutting the cartridge along the cutting line  64 , in order to make it easier to cut the cartridge along the cutting line  64  and the like.  
         [0075]    As described above, according to the cartridge disassembling method in this embodiment of the present invention, the side covers are removed from the cartridge main structure by cutting the cartridge along predetermined cutting lines. Therefore, the driving force transmitting components such as gears can be easily removed for component recycling. Further, even when pulverizing and melting the cartridge components in order to recycle them as the cartridge material, that is, the various plastics, for the cartridge frame, gears, and the like, the components can be more easily classified to reduce recycling cost, and also to produce as pure cartridge materials as possible from the recycled cartridge components.  
         [0076]    Further, the procedure for cutting the cartridge along the cutting line connecting the exposure opening and the cut portions (cutting line  64 ), as well as the cutting line connecting the transfer opening and the cut portions (cutting line  64 ), is carried out after the procedure for removing the virtually entireties of the side covers  19  and  20 , reducing the cutting time. Further, practically, the cartridge is cut into the cleaning means holding frame side, and the developing means holding frame/toner container combination side, virtually eliminating the possibility that the photoconductive drum, development roller, and the like will be damaged during the disassembly, and also reducing the possibility that the waste toner in the cleaning means holding frame, and the toner remaining in the developing means holding frame and toner container, will be allowed to scatter.  
         [0077]    (Embodiment 2)  
         [0078]    In this embodiment, another process cartridge disassembling method will be described. A process cartridge compatible with the disassembling method in this embodiment, and a process cartridge compatible with the disassembling method in the first embodiment, are identical when they are new.  
         [0079]    (Process Cartridge Disassembling Method)  
         [0080]    Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the process cartridge disassembling method in this embodiment will be described. In FIGS. 6 and 7, theoretical cutting lines  68  extend from the lengthwise ends of the exposure opening  61 , one for one, in the lengthwise direction, to the corresponding outward edges of the covers  19  and  20  across the horizontal portions of the frame  13  and the horizontal portions of the covers  19  and  17 , downward to the bottom edges of the covers  19  and  20  across the vertical portions of the covers  19  and  20 , and reach the transfer opening  62  across the bottom surface of the covers  19  and  20  (portions of the cutting lines across the bottom surfaces of the covers  19  and  20  are not visible because of the manner in which the cartridge is positioned in the drawings). These cutting lines  68  are drawn approximately between the drum  11  and development roller  18 . Cutting the cartridge along the these cutting lines  68  makes it possible to separate the frame  13  from the combination of the frame  17  and container  16 , while keeping the drum  11 , blade  14 , charge roller  12 , and the like attached within the frame  13 , and the development roller  18 , development blade  16 , and the like, attached within the combination side.  
         [0081]    After the cutting of the cartridge along the cutting line  68 , the cartridge is cut along a theoretical cutting line  69  (circular) to make a hole in the cover  20  as shown in FIG. 7. The position of this hole coincides with that of the parallel pin  60  which pivotally holds the frame  17  to the frame  13 . Making a hole by cutting the cartridge along the cutting line  69  makes it possible to access the parallel pin  60  through the hole, allowing the pin  60  to be removed through the hole.  
         [0082]    The removal of the parallel pin  60  makes it possible to completely separate the frame  13  from the combination of the frame  17  and container  16 .  
         [0083]    After the complete separation of the frame  13  from the combination of the frame  17  and container  16 , the drum  11 , cleaning blade  14 , charge roller  12 , and the like are taken out of the frame  13 , and the development roller  18 , development blade  16 , unshown magnetic seals, and the like are taken out of the developing means holding frame  17 .  
         [0084]    As for the cutting tools, an ultrasonic cutter, a circular saw, or the like, can be used.  
         [0085]    As described above, according to the process cartridge disassembling method in this embodiment of the present invention, a cartridge is cut only along the lines which connect the corresponding lengthwise ends of the exposure opening and transfer opening. Therefore, the cutting distance is shorter, reducing therefore the disassembling time.  
         [0086]    Further, the cartridge is cut into the cleaning means holding frame side, and the developing means holding frame/toner container combination side, eliminating the possibility that the photoconductive drum, development roller, and the like will be damaged during the disassembly, and also reducing the possibility that the waste toner in the cleaning means holding frame, and the toner remaining in the developing means holding frame and toner container, will be allowed to scatter. The waste toner and the remaining toner can be easily removed after the removal of the photoconductive drum, development roller, and the like.  
         [0087]    (Embodiment 3)  
         [0088]    The process cartridge referenced in this third embodiment of the present invention, and the process cartridge referenced in the first embodiment of the present invention are identical, when they are new.  
         [0089]    Hereinafter, the process cartridge remanufacturing method, process cartridge disassembling method, process cartridge assembling method, positioning/fastening apparatus, and the process cartridge itself, will be described with reference to the appended drawings.  
         [0090]    This third embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for disassembling a process cartridge by cutting the cartridge frame into a plurality of sections, a method for reassembling a process cartridge by recombining the plurality of cartridge sections resulting from the cutting of the cartridge frame, a process cartridge remanufacturing method comprising the above mentioned cartridge disassembling method and cartridge reassembling method, positioning/fastening apparatus for precisely recombining the plurality of frame sections resulting from the cutting of the cartridge frame, and a process cartridge compatible with the above methods and apparatus.  
         [0091]    (Disassembling Method)  
         [0092]    Here, referring to FIGS.  8  to  14 , the cartridge disassembling method in this embodiment of the present invention will be described.  
         [0093]    [0093]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lengthwise end portion of the process cartridge on the cover  19  side, after the pasting of a plurality of single-piece positioning members to the cartridge. FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged perspective views of a single-piece positioning member. FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of a fastening member engaged with the positioning member, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when assembling a process cartridge. In this embodiment, a fastening member is not necessary when disassembling a process cartridge. However, in order to make it easier to understand the cartridge disassembling method in this embodiment, the positioning member and fastening member shown in FIGS. 9, 10,  11 , and  12  will be described first.  
         [0094]    Referring to FIG. 9, each single-piece positioning member  101  has a pair of receptacle portions  101   a  having a gap  101   g  into which the main portion of a fastening member  102  is inserted, and a connective portion  101   b  which connects the pair of receptacle portions  101   a . The thickness of the main portion  102   a  of the fastening member  102  is the same as the height (distance between top and bottom walls of receptacle portion) of the gap of the receptacle portion of the single-piece positioning member  101 . Each receptacle portion  101   a  has a projection  101   c  for properly positioning the fastening member  102 , and a hole  101   d  in which the locking projection of the fastening member  102  engages. Next, referring to FIG. 10 which shows the back side of the single-piece positioning member  101 , a referential code  101   e  stands for the surface by which the single-piece is attached to the cover  19  or  20  of the cartridge  15 . The lip portions of the walls of the receptacle potion  101   a , which surrounds the gap  101   g  into which the main portion  102   a  of the fastening member  102  is inserted are chamfered to make easier the insertion of the main portion  102   a . A referential code F 1  stands for the distance between the end surfaces  101   h  of the walls surrounding the gap  101   g , and the hole  101   d.    
         [0095]    [0095]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fastening member  102  as seen from the direction corresponding to the direction from which the single-piece positioning member  101  is seen in FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the fastening member  102  as seen from the direction corresponding to the direction from which the single-piece positioning member  101  is seen in FIG. 10. The main portion  102   a  of the fastening member  102  is provided with a pair of recesses  102   b  which perfectly correspond in position and single piece positioning member  101 , and a pair of claw portions  102   c  which latch into the corresponding holes  101   d  of the single-piece positioning member  101 . The pair of arm portions  102   d  of the fastening member  102  are the portions that elastically deform to allow the pair of claw portions  102   c  to fit into the holes  101   d . They can be elastically deformed by grasping the fastening member by the handle portions  102   e  in a manner to press the arm portions  102   d  in the direction indicated by an arrow mark A in FIG. 11. The chamfered surface  102   f  of the fastening member  102  is provided for making easier the insertion of the fastening member  102  into the single-piece positioning member  101 . The distance F 2  between the handle portion  102   e  and claw portion  102   c  is the same as the distance F 1  between the end surfaces  101   h  of the walls surrounding the gap  101   g , and the hole  101   d , of the single-piece positioning member  101 .  
         [0096]    As the main portion  102   a  of the fastening member  102  is pushed into the gaps  101   g  of the single-piece positioning member  101 , the projections  101   c  of the single-piece positioning member  101  fit into the recesses  102   b  of the fastening member  102 , and guide the fastening member  102 . After the contact between the claw portions  102   c  of the fastening members  102  and the chamfered surface  101   f  of the single-piece positioning member  101 , the fastening member  102  is to be pushed further into the single-piece positioning member  101 , while squeezing the handle portions  102   e  of the fastening member  102  in the arrow A direction against the resiliency of the arm portions  102   d , until the trailing end of each handle portion  102   e  becomes flush with the end surfaces  101   h  of the walls surrounding the gap  101   g  of the single-piece positioning member  101 . The squeezing is to be stopped as the trailing end of the each handle portion  102   e  becomes flush with the end surfaces  101   h . As the handles portions  102   e  are released from the squeezing fingers, the claw portions  102   c  fit into the corresponding holes  101   d  of the single-piece positioning member  101 .  
         [0097]    [0097]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the single-piece positioning member  101  and fastening member  102  after the latter has been completely inserted into the former. Giving the single-piece positioning member  101  and fastening member the above described configurations and measurements, the two members are not allowed to move in any direction relative to each other: in other words, the two are rigidly engaged.  
         [0098]    [0098]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lengthwise end portion of the cartridge, on the cover  19  side, after the attachment of a pair of the above described single-piece positioning members  101  to the side covers  19  and  20 . In this embodiment, the single-piece positioning members  101  are adhered to the covers  19  and  20  by the bottom surfaces  101   e  of the positioning members  101 . After the attachment of the single-piece positioning members  101  to the covers  19  and  20 , the covers  19  and  20 , and the single-piece positioning members  101 , are cut along a theoretical cutting line (indicated by dotted line P in the drawing), which runs between the pair of the receptacle portions  101   a . FIG. 14 shows the back side of the cartridge  15 . The covers  19  and  20  and the single-piece positioning members  101 , are also cut along the theoretical line P (indicated by dotted line P in the drawing), that is, the continuation of the theoretical line P in FIG. 8. As a result, each single-piece positioning member  101  is cut into two symmetrical halves with a single receptacle portion, at the middle of the connective portion  101   b , so that one of the pair of receptacle portions  101   a  remains on the portion of the side cover  19  ( 20 ) on the main structure side, that is, the inward side with respect to the theoretical line P, and the other receptacle portion remains on the portion of the side cover  19  ( 20 ) on the outward side with respect to the theoretical line  19  ( 20 ). Similarly on the cover  20  side, each single-piece positioning member  101  is cut in the same manner as is on the cover  19  side. As a result, the cover  19  ( 20 ) is divided into a portion which remains attached to the main section of the cartridge, and a portion detached from the main section of the cartridge. As for the cutting tools, an ultrasonic cutter, a circular saw, or the like, can be used.  
         [0099]    Next, the portions of the cartridge on the outward side of the exposure opening  61  in terms of the lengthwise direction are cut along the theoretical cutting line  66  in the first embodiment, and the portions of the cartridge on the outward side of the transfer opening  62  in terms of the lengthwise direction are cut along the theoretical cutting line  67  in the first embodiment. Thereafter, the frames  13  and  17  are separated from each other.  
         [0100]    Then, the drum  11 , cleaning blade  14 , charge roller  12 , and the like are detached from the frame  13 , and the development roller  18 , development blade  16 , unshown magnetic seals, and the like are detached from the developing means holding frame  17 .  
         [0101]    After the detachment of various components, for example, the drum  11 , development roller  18 , charge roller  12 , cleaning blade  14 , development blade  26 , and the like, they are cleaned, and examined for their recyclability. The nonrecyclables are put aside for material recycling. Then, the recyclables are reattached to the corresponding frames, along with new replacement components for the nonrecyclables. More specifically, the drum  11 , charge roller  12 , cleaning blade  14 , and the like are reattached to the frame  13 , and the development roller  18  and development blade  16  are reattached to the frame  17 . Then, the parallel pin  60  is put through the hole  17   d  of the frame  17  and the hole of the cleaning means holding frame  13 . As for the sealing member  21 , it is peeled away from the frames  17 , and the hole  16   c  of the container  16 , through which toner is sent to the developing means holding frame  17 , is resealed with a toner seal. Next, the toner cap  16   g  is removed, and toner is refilled into the container  16  through the toner inlet  16   f , with the use of a funnel  28 , as shown in FIG. 21. Then, the sealing member  21  is pasted to the edges of the aforementioned holes  16   c  and  17   a.    
         [0102]    (Assembly Method)  
         [0103]    After being separated and overhauled as described above, the frame and cover portions of the cartridge  15  are reassembled in the following manner. First, the portion of the cover  19  ( 20 ) separated from the main section of the cartridge  15  is approximately aligned with the portion of the cover  19  ( 20 ) remaining connected to the main section of the cartridge  15 , and the fastening member  102  is inserted into the single-piece positioning member  101 , completing the cartridge  15 . FIG. 15 shows the cartridge  15  after this temporary reassembly. A part of the cover  19  ( 20 ) was eliminated by the cutting during the disassembly. Thus, the insertion of the fastening member  102  into the single-piece positioning member  101  leaves a gap g which corresponds in size to the portion of the cover  19  ( 20 ) eliminated by the cutting. However, the separated portion of the cover  19  ( 20 ) are precisely positioned relative to the main section of the cartridge  15  in all of the X, Y, and Z directions in the drawing, because the plurality of single-piece positioning members  101  were attached to the cover  19  ( 20 ) prior to the cutting; more specifically, the position of each single-piece positioning member was precisely fixed relative to the cover  19  ( 20 ) before the cutting, and a positioning member and a fastening member were fabricated so that they matched to each other in both configuration and measurements. This assembly method can also be used for reassembling a process cartridge which is obtained by overhauling a used process cartridge using the above described disassembling and reassembling methods.  
         [0104]    (Embodiment 4)  
         [0105]    [0105]FIG. 16 shows a two-piece positioning member  103  used in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This two-piece positioning member  103  also comprises a pair of receptacle portions  103   a . Unlike the single-piece positioning member  101  in the third embodiment, the receptacle portions  103   a  of this two-piece positioning member  103  are not directly connected to each other. However, this two-piece positioning member  103  is identical in function to the single-piece positioning member  101  in the third embodiment. Therefore, reference to the description of the single-piece positioning member  101  in the third embodiment suffices as the description of the two-piece positioning member  103  in this embodiment. The fastening members used in this embodiment are identical to the fastening member  102  shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.  
         [0106]    (Disassembly Method)  
         [0107]    In this embodiment, each two-piece positioning member  103  is attached to the cover  19  ( 20 ) of the cartridge  15  after it is engaged with a fastening member  102 . Then, the fastening member  102  is removed before the cutting of the cover  19  ( 20 ), across the portion between the receptacle portions  103   a  and  103   a.    
         [0108]    Compared to the third embodiment, the disassembly method in this embodiment requires additional steps: a step to engage each two-piece positioning member with a fastening member  102  before its attachment, and a step to remove the fastening member  102  from each two-piece positioning member  103  before the cutting of the covers. However, the disassembly method in this embodiment does not require the cutting of the connective portion, and therefore, is simpler in terms of the cutting operation. The assembly method in this embodiment is identical to that in the third embodiment, and therefore, its description will be omitted here.  
         [0109]    (Embodiment 5)  
         [0110]    Next, referring to FIGS.  18  to  20 , the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a positioning/fastening member and side cover  105 , for depicting the cartridge remanufacturing method in this embodiment. In the case of this cartridge  104 , the side cover  105  is attached to the main portion  106  of the cartridge  104  comprising the frame  13 , container  16 , and the like, with the use of a connective portion  107 . In FIG. 18, the cartridge  104  is unshown except for the portion  106  and connective portion  107 . The connective portion  107  is attached by the aforementioned melted resin, ultrasonic welding, or the like. The side cover  105  is simpler in configuration than those in the first to fourth embodiments. The positioning/fastening apparatus  108  comprises a positioning member  109  and a fastening member  110 , and will be described later in detail. A pin  111  is for securing the positioning member  109  and fastening member  110  relative to each other.  
         [0111]    [0111]FIG. 19 shows the positioning member  109 . The internal surface  109   a  of the positioning member  109  matches in shape with the external surface  105   a  of the cover  105 . The positioning member  109  comprises a pair of positioning portions  109   b  and a connective portion  109   c  which connects the pair of positioning portions  109   b . The details of the positioning member  109  will be given later. The positioning member  109  also comprises a pair of flange portions  109   d  located at the outward lips of the positioning portions  109   b , one for one, and a plurality of holes  109   e , into each of which the pin  111  is inserted for the securing the positioning member and fastening member to each other.  
         [0112]    [0112]FIG. 20 shows the fastening member  110 . The internal surface  110   a  is matched in configuration and size to the external surface of each of the positioning portions  109   b . The width of the fastening member  110  is virtually equal to the distance between the two flange portions, more specifically, between the mutually facing surfaces of the two flange portions  109   d . To each of the plurality of holes  110   e  of the fastening member  110 , the wall of which is stepped, the pins  111  is inserted. The lip portion of each hole  110   e  is chamfered (surface  110   f ).  
         [0113]    (Disassembly Method)  
         [0114]    First, the positioning member  109  is fitted around the cover  105  by moving the positioning member  109  in the direction indicated by an arrow mark B as shown in FIG. 18, until the inward end surface of the flange portion  109   d , with reference to the cartridge, comes into contact with the joint portion  107  of the cartridge. As for the securing method, a semipermanent means such as gluing is used. Thereafter, the positioning member  109  is cut, together with the cover  105 , in the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cartridge, across a predetermined portion of the connective portion  109   c , by moving such a tool as an ultrasonic cutter, a circular saw, or the like, in a manner to follow the circumference of the cartridge. As a result, the cover  105  is cut into two pieces.  
         [0115]    (Assembly Method)  
         [0116]    Around the positioning portion  109   b  of the positioning member  109  on one of the two cover pieces created by the cutting (which here is assumed to be the piece remaining attached to the joint portion  107 ), the fastening member  110  is fitted. Then, the fastening member  110  is moved toward the flange portion  109   d  of the positioning member  109  until its inwardly facing end surface of the fastening member  110 , with respect to the cartridge, comes into contact with the outwardly facing end surface of the flange  109   d , with respect to the cartridge.  
         [0117]    Next, the positioning portion  109   b  of the positioning member  109  on the cover  105  piece separated from the main section of the cartridge is inserted into the fastening member  110 , deeply enough for the inwardly facing end surface, with respect to the cartridge, of the flange portion  109   d  of the positioning member  109  to come into contact with the outwardly facing end surface of the fastening member  110 . Next, the plurality of pins  111  are put through the holes  110   e  of the fastening member  110 , and the holes  109   e  of the positioning member  109 , one for one, and are secured thereto.  
         [0118]    As described above, according to this embodiment, the positioning member  109  is attached to the cover  105  before the cutting of the cover  105 . Therefore, the portion of the cover  105  separated from the main section of the cartridge can be reattached to the main section, precisely in alignment with the main section in all of the X, Y, and Z directions in the drawing, since the position of the positioning member  109  is fixed relative to the side cover  105  before the cutting of the side cover  105 , and the positioning member  109  and fastening member  110  are matched to each other in configuration and measurements. Incidentally, this reassembly method can also be used for reassembling a process cartridge which is obtained by overhauling a used process cartridge using this disassembling and reassembling methods.  
         [0119]    As described above, according to this embodiment, a positioning member is attached to a part of a cartridge before cutting the cartridge. Then, the portion of the cartridge separated from the main section of the cartridge is reattached to the main section with the use of a fastening member, which matches in configuration and measurements to the positioning member. With this arrangement, the separated portion of the cartridge can be reattached to the main section of the cartridge as precisely in alignment with the main section as it was before the cutting, making it possible to remanufacture a cartridge at the same level of accuracy as that at which it was manufactured. Also with this arrangement, the number of the recyclable components is increased, contributing to the efficient usage of natural resources as well as environmental protection.  
         [0120]    The above described embodiments of the present invention include a process cartridge remanufacturing method which involves simultaneously a substantial number of process cartridges with an expired service life, as well as a process cartridge remanufacturing method which involves a single process cartridge with an expired service life. In the case of the former, a substantial number of expired process cartridges are recovered, and disassembled. Then, the components removed from the disassembled process cartridges are sorted into groups of the identical components. Then, as large as possible a number of process cartridges are reassembled from the groups of sorted recyclable components, and some new replacement components for the nonrecyclable old components. In the case of the latter, the expired process cartridges are remanufactured one by one. In other words, each time an expired process cartridge is recovered, it is disassembled, and reassembled using the same old components removed therefrom, some new replacement components for the nonrecyclable old components, or some old recyclable components removed from the other recovered cartridges.  
         [0121]    The present invention includes any of the following cases:  
         [0122]    (1) each expired process cartridge is overhauled using only the components therein;  
         [0123]    (2) each expired process cartridge is overhauled using, in principle, the components therein, with the exception of the new replacement components, or the recyclable old components from the other expired cartridge, which replace the original components nonrecyclable due to service life expiration, damages, malfunctions, or the like;  
         [0124]    (3) a plurality of expired process cartridges are overhauled together; the components removed from the plurality of expired process cartridges are sorted into groups of the identical components, and as large as possible a number of process cartridges are reassembled using only the components from the groups of the original components; and  
         [0125]    (4) a plurality of expired process cartridges are overhauled together; the components removed from the plurality of expired process cartridges are sorted into groups of the identical components, and as large as possible a number of process cartridges are reassembled using, in principle, the components from the groups of the original components, except for a certain number of new replacement components which replace the original components nonrecyclable due to service life expiration, or the like.  
         [0126]    The afore-mentioned components means the structural components disclosed in the claim portion of this specification, that is, the components which make up the above described portions of the process cartridge. It also includes the smallest components or units, into which the process cartridge can be disassembled.  
         [0127]    As described above, the present invention is a realization of a simple process cartridge remanufacturing method regarding the assembly and disassembly of a process cartridge. The positioning/joining apparatus in accordance with the present invention is very effective when used during the process cartridge reassembly.  
         [0128]    While the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth, and this application is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the purposes of the improvements or the scope of the following claims.