Patent ID: 6952544

Claim:
A method of reproducing a developing apparatus detachably attachable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the developing apparatus being designed for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing apparatus having a developing member configured and positioned to develop the latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developer container having a developer containing part containing therein a developer to be used by the developing member, and provided with a developer supplying opening for supplying the developer contained in the developer containing part to the developing member, a supporting member provided on a lengthwise end portion of the developing apparatus configured and positioned to support the developing member, and a developing frame body provided with a developer passing opening for passing therethrough the developer supplied from the developer supplying opening, and having a joint portion to be joined to the developer container, and a mounting portion configured and positioned to mount the supporting member, said method comprising: a supporting member removing step of removing the supporting member from the developing frame body; a developing frame body separating step of separating the developer container and the developing frame body from each other at the joint portion, and at which at least a portion of the mounting portion is removed when the developer container and the developing frame body are separated from each other; a sticking step of sticking a seal member on the developer supplying opening provided in the developer container separated at said developing frame body separating step to close the developer supplying opening; a developer refilling step of refilling the developer containing part provided in the developer container separated at said developing frame body separating step with the developer; a developing frame body coupling step of coupling the developer container and the developing frame body separated at said developing frame body separating step together after said sticking step; and a supporting member attaching step of attaching the supporting member removed at said removing step onto at least one of the developer container and the developing frame body by the use of a coupling member.