Patent ID: 6941092

Claim:
A method of remanufacturing a process cartridge detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus main body, the process cartridge including a photosensitive member unit having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing unit having a developer container for containing a developer for developing the electrostatic latent image and a developing roller configured and positioned to carry the developer, a first coupling frame configured and positioned to couple one end side of the photosensitive member unit and one end side of the developing unit to each other, and a second coupling frame configured and positioned to couple the other end side of the photosensitive member unit and the other end side of the developing unit, which are opposite sides of the one end sides, to each other, said method comprising: (a) a frame separating step for separating the first coupling frame from the developing unit and from the photosensitive member unit; (b) a photosensitive member unit separating step for, after said frame separating step, separating the photosensitive member unit from the second coupling frame by deforming the second coupling frame in a state where the second coupling frame and the developing unit are fixed to each other; (c) a photosensitive drum detaching step for, after said photosensitive member unit separating step, detaching the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the photosensitive member unit; (d) a photosensitive drum attaching step for, after said photosensitive drum detaching step, attaching one of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a new photosensitive drum; (e) a photosensitive member unit engaging step for engaging the photosensitive member unit with the second coupling frame that is fixed to the developing unit; and (f) a frame engaging step for engaging the first coupling frame with respective end portions of the developing unit and the photosensitive member unit.