Cartridge assembly, cartridge, and toner cartridge

Abstract

To provide an art that enables achieving improvement in visibility of an indication part to be provided in a cover member or a cartridge.SOLUTION: In a cartridge assembly, a cover member has an indication part that is composed of an interface of a first area with a second area 220, which are present in a surface of the cover member. The first area is an area having surface roughness processed so that a developed area ratio is equal to or less than 0.6, and the second area 220 is an area having the surface roughness processed in such a way to mutually separate and scatter a plurality of first concavity parts 221 in which an open width is more than or equal to 1 μm and less than or equal to 300 μm so that the developed area ratio is more than or equal to 1 and a maximum height is equal to or less than 100. The plurality of first concavity parts 221 includes a plurality of second concavity parts 222 in which an open width is more than or equal to 10 nm and equal to or less than 1 μm in respective concavity surfaces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display portion provided on a cartridge or a cover member used to protect a cartridge provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or printer that employs an electrophotographic system. [Background technology]

[0002] A known image forming apparatus configuration employs a so-called process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is rotatably supported in a drum unit of the process cartridge, with a portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum exposed through an opening in the cartridge frame. This creates the risk of a user coming into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. If the user touches the surface of the photosensitive drum, hand oils and other substances may adhere to the surface, potentially causing image degradation. To prevent the user from coming into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum, the surface of the photosensitive drum may be covered with a cover member (drum cover member). The cover member may also have a display portion that displays information about the process cartridge. The display portion may also be provided on the process cartridge or the toner cartridge that supplies toner to the process cartridge.

[0003] One known form of the marking portion is to structurally display information by forming convex or concave portions corresponding to the shapes of symbols or figures, such as letters or symbols, that display information about the process cartridge on the surface of the cover member or the surface of the cartridge frame (Patent Document 1). That is, the boundary between the convex or concave portions corresponding to the shapes of the symbols or figures and the background portion, which is the portion corresponding to the margins and background other than the symbols or figures (i.e., the outline of the figure or figure) is made to stand out by the contrast, such as the degree of light reflection, formed by the difference in height between the two, allowing the user (viewer) to see the letters, etc. Also, in order to improve the visibility of the marking portion, a method is sometimes used in which the background portion is roughened by sandblasting (texturing) to increase the contrast with the letters and figures. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-203956 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the method of roughening the background portion by embossing cannot provide sufficient contrast, and the visibility of the marking portion may be insufficient.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can improve the visibility of a marking portion provided on a cover member or a cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the cartridge assembly of the present invention comprises: a cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus; a cover member that is detachable from the cartridge when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body and that covers at least a part of the cartridge; 1. A cartridge assembly comprising: The cover member has an indication portion, the marking portion is formed by a boundary between a first region and a second region on the surface of the cover member, the first region is a region that is roughened so that the developed area ratio is 0.6 or less, The second region has a development area ratio of 1 or more and a maximum height of 100 μm a region roughened so that a plurality of first recesses, each having an opening width of 1 μm or more and 300 μm or less, are spaced apart from one another and scattered therein, such that: The plurality of first recesses include, on each of the recessed surfaces, a plurality of second recesses each having an opening width of 10 nm or more and less than 1 μm. In order to achieve the above object, the cartridge of the present invention comprises: A cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus body, A frame body, a marking portion provided on the frame body; and the marking portion is configured by a boundary between a first region and a second region on the surface of the frame body, the first region is a region that is roughened so that the developed area ratio is 0.6 or less, The second region has a development area ratio of 1 or more and a maximum height of 100 μm a region roughened so that a plurality of first recesses, each having an opening width of 1 μm or more and 300 μm or less, are spaced apart from one another and scattered therein, such that: The plurality of first recesses include, on each of the recessed surfaces, a plurality of second recesses each having an opening width of 10 nm or more and less than 1 μm. In order to achieve the above object, the toner cartridge of the present invention comprises: A toner cartridge detachably mounted in a cartridge detachably mounted in an image forming apparatus body, a frame having a storage portion for storing toner to be supplied to the cartridge; a marking portion provided on the frame body; and the marking portion is configured by a boundary between a first region and a second region on the surface of the frame body, the first region is a region that is roughened so that the developed area ratio is 0.6 or less, The second region has a development area ratio of 1 or more and a maximum height of 100 μm a region roughened so that a plurality of first recesses, each having an opening width of 1 μm or more and 300 μm or less, are spaced apart from one another and scattered therein, such that: The plurality of first recesses include, on each of the recessed surfaces, a plurality of second recesses each having an opening width of 10 nm or more and less than 1 μm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the visibility of the markings provided on the cover member and the cartridge can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] Enlarged view of the tray [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of a storage element pressing unit and a cartridge pressing unit; [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 1 is a side view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] Perspective view of the developer separation control unit [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to a first embodiment; [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a process cartridge and a drum cover member according to the first embodiment; [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a process cartridge and a drum cover member according to the first embodiment; [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a process cartridge and a drum cover member according to the first embodiment; [Figure 17] 1 is a bottom view of a cover member according to a first embodiment; [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a display unit according to the first embodiment; [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a fine region according to Example 1. [Figure 20] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first recess according to Example 1; [Figure 21] Schematic diagram showing the planar configuration of a fine region according to Example 1. [Figure 22] Schematic diagram showing an enlarged portion of Figure 21 [Figure 23] An explanatory diagram showing the roughening process of a mold [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the roughened surface of a mold. [Figure 25] Schematic diagram of the shape of the interface where the mold surface and molten resin come into contact [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a process cartridge and a toner cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 28] 10 is a top view of a toner cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 29] Illustration of the transmittance measurement method DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following examples will exemplarily illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the configurations disclosed in the following examples, such as the functions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of components, are merely examples of embodiments related to the claims, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the configurations disclosed in these examples. Furthermore, the problems solved by the configurations disclosed in the following examples or the actions or effects obtained from the disclosed configurations are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0011] Example 1 An electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) forms an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic image forming method. Examples of image forming apparatuses include copiers, facsimile machines, printers (laser beam printers, LED printers, etc.), and multifunction printers (combined machines) of these. Examples of recording materials include sheet-like recording media such as recording paper and plastic sheets. The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment employs a so-called process cartridge system. A process cartridge is a unit that integrates an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive member) and a process unit that acts on the photosensitive member into a cartridge, and is detachably mounted (freely attached and detached) to the image forming apparatus main body. For example, a cartridge that integrates at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as a process unit and a photosensitive member as an image carrier may be used. Alternatively, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing unit may be individually packaged in cartridges, with the former being a photosensitive member unit (or cleaning unit) and the latter being a developing unit (developing device). A developing unit is a device that integrates (cartridges) developing means used to develop electrostatic latent images on a photosensitive member, and it forms part of a process cartridge, or is a developing unit that is removably mounted on an image forming apparatus by itself.

[0012] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 25. In the following embodiment, a laser beam printer to which four process cartridges (cartridges) can be detachably attached is exemplified as the image forming apparatus. However, the number of process cartridges attached to the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. It may be set appropriately as needed.

[0013] [Schematic configuration of image forming device] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus M. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a cartridge 100. This image forming apparatus M is a four-color full-color laser printer using an electrophotographic process, and forms a color image on a recording medium S. The image forming apparatus M is of a process cartridge type, and forms a color image on a recording medium S by removably mounting the process cartridge 100 to an image forming apparatus main body (apparatus main body) 170.

[0014] Here, with respect to the image forming apparatus M, the side where the front door 11 is provided is referred to as the front (front face), and the side opposite the front is referred to as the back (rear face). Furthermore, when viewing the image forming apparatus M from the front, the right side is referred to as the drive side, and the left side is referred to as the non-drive side. Furthermore, when viewing the image forming apparatus M from the front, the upper side is referred to as the top face, and the lower side is referred to as the bottom face. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M viewed from the non-drive side, with the front side of the page being the non-drive side of the image forming apparatus M, the right side of the page being the front of the image forming apparatus M, and the back side of the page being the drive side of the image forming apparatus M.

[0015] The drive side of the process cartridge 100 is the side on which a drum coupling member (photosensitive member coupling member) described later is arranged with respect to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum (the axial direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum). The drive side of the process cartridge 100 is the side on which a developer coupling portion 132a (FIG. 10) described later is arranged with respect to the axial direction of the developing roller (developing member) (the axial direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller). The axial direction of the photosensitive drum and the axial direction of the developing roller are parallel, and the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 is also parallel to these directions.

[0016] Four process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction in the image forming apparatus main body 170 (hereinafter referred to as apparatus main body 170). That is, the four process cartridges are the first process cartridge 100Y, the second process cartridge 100M, the third process cartridge 100C, and the fourth process cartridge 100K.

[0017] The first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) each have the same electrophotographic process mechanism, but each has a different color developer (hereinafter referred to as toner). A rotational driving force is transmitted to the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) from a drive output section (details will be described later) of the apparatus main body 170. In addition, a bias voltage (charging bias, developing bias, etc.) is supplied from the apparatus main body 170 to each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K) of this embodiment has a drum unit 108 equipped with a photosensitive drum 104 and charging means acting as process means for acting on the photosensitive drum 104. Here, the drum unit 108 may have not only charging means but also cleaning means as process means. Each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K) also has a developing unit 109 equipped with developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 104. A layout of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a plurality of photosensitive drums 104 are arranged in a substantially straight line like this is sometimes called an in-line layout or a tandem layout.

[0019] In each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100, the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are coupled to each other. A more specific configuration of the process cartridge 100 will be described later.

[0020] The first process cartridge 100Y contains yellow (Y) toner in the developer container 120. The second process cartridge 100M contains magenta (M) toner in the developer container 120 and forms a magenta toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. The third process cartridge 100C contains cyan (C) toner in the developer container 120 and forms a cyan toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. The fourth process cartridge 100K contains black (K) toner in the developer container 120 and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 104.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, a laser scanner unit 14 serving as an exposure means is provided above the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). The laser scanner unit 14 outputs a laser beam U corresponding to image information. The laser beam U passes through an exposure window 110 (see FIG. 2) of the process cartridge 100 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 104.

[0022] An intermediate transfer unit 12 serving as a transfer member is provided below the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K). The intermediate transfer unit 12 includes a drive roller 12e, a turn roller 12c, and a tension roller 12b, around which a flexible transfer belt 12a is wound. The lower region of the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 104 of each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, and 100K) contacts an upwardly facing region of the outer circumferential surface of the annular transfer belt 12a. This contact area is the primary transfer area. A primary transfer roller 12d is provided inside the transfer belt 12a, facing the photosensitive drum 104. A secondary transfer roller 6 is in contact with the turn roller 12c via the transfer belt 12a. The contact area between the transfer belt 12a and the secondary transfer roller 6 is the secondary transfer area.

[0023] A feeding unit 4 is provided below the intermediate transfer unit 12. This feeding unit 4 has a paper feed tray 4a that stores a stack of recording media S, and a paper feed roller 4b. The transport path of the recording media S is configured to extend substantially upward from the feeding unit 4 on the rear side of the device inside the device main body 170.

[0024] A fixing device 7 and a paper discharge device 8 are provided downstream of the secondary transfer unit in the transport path of the recording medium S (upper left inside the device main body 170 in FIG. 1). The top surface of the device main body 170 serves as a paper discharge tray 13. The recording medium S is heated and pressurized by a fixing means provided in the fixing device 7, so that the toner image is fixed, and then the recording medium S is discharged to the paper discharge tray 13.

[0025] [Image formation operation] The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows: The photosensitive drums 104 of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) are rotated at a predetermined speed (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2). The transfer belt 12a is also rotated in the forward direction of the rotation of the photosensitive drums 104 (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 1) at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drums 104.

[0026] The laser scanner unit 14 is also driven. In synchronization with the driving of the laser scanner unit 14, the charging roller 105 in each process cartridge 100 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 to a predetermined polarity and potential. The laser scanner unit 14 scans and exposes the surface of each photosensitive drum 104 with a laser beam U in accordance with the image signal for each color. As a result, an electrostatic latent image in accordance with the image signal for the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 104. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 106, which is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed. By such an electrophotographic image forming process operation, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 of the first process cartridge 100Y. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 12a.

[0027] Similarly, a magenta toner image corresponding to the magenta component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 of the second process cartridge 100M. This toner image is then primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow toner image already transferred onto the transfer belt 12a. Similarly, a cyan toner image corresponding to the cyan component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 of the third process cartridge 100C. This toner image is then primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow and magenta toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 12a. Similarly, a black toner image corresponding to the black component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 of the fourth process cartridge 100K. This toner image is then primarily transferred and superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 12a. In this way, a four-color unfixed toner image of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is formed on the transfer belt 12a.

[0028] Meanwhile, recording media S are separated and fed one by one at a predetermined control timing. The recording media S are introduced into a secondary transfer section, which is the contact point between secondary transfer roller 6 and transfer belt 12a, at a predetermined control timing. As a result, as the recording media S is transported to the secondary transfer section, the four-color superimposed toner image on transfer belt 12a is sequentially transferred all at once onto the surface of the recording media S. Thereafter, the recording media S is transported to fixing device 7, where the toner image is fixed to the recording media S, and then the recording media S is discharged to discharge tray 13.

[0029] [Process cartridge installation / removal configuration overview] The tray (hereinafter referred to as the tray) 171 that supports the process cartridge will be described in more detail using Figures 1 and 3 to 6. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M in which the front door 11 is open and the tray 171 is located inside the apparatus main body 170. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M in which the front door 11 is open and the tray 171 is located outside the apparatus main body 170 and a process cartridge 100 is housed inside the tray 171. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M in which the front door 11 is open and the tray 171 is located outside the apparatus main body 170 and the process cartridge 100 has been removed from the tray 171. Figure 6(a) is a partial detailed view of the tray 171 in the state of Figure 3, as seen from the drive side. Figure 6(b) is a partial detailed view of the tray 171 in the state of Figure 3, as seen from the non-drive side.

[0030] 3 and 4, the tray 171 is movable relative to the device main body 170 in the direction of arrow X1 (pushing direction) and the direction of arrow X2 (pulling out direction), which are the front-to-rear directions of the device. That is, the tray 171 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out and pushed into the device main body 170, and is configured so as to be able to move in a substantially horizontal direction when the device main body 170 is installed on a horizontal surface. Here, the state in which the tray 171 is located outside the device main body 170 (the state in FIG. 4) is referred to as the outer position. Furthermore, the state in which the tray 171 is located inside the device main body 170 with the front door 11 open and the photosensitive drum 104 and the transfer belt 12a are separated (the state in FIG. 3) is referred to as the inner position.

[0031] The tray 171 also has an attachment portion 171a at its outer position, to which the process cartridge 100 can be removably attached, as shown in FIG. 5. Each process cartridge 100 attached to the attachment portion 171a at the outer position of the tray 171 is supported on the tray 171 by a drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and a non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117, as shown in FIG. 6. The process cartridge 100, while placed in the attachment portion 171a, moves toward the inside of the apparatus main body 170 as the tray 171 moves. At this time, the process cartridge 100 moves with a gap between the transfer belt 12a and the photosensitive drum 104. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 104 does not come into contact with the transfer belt 12a, and the tray 171 can move toward the process cartridge 100. The cartridge 100 can be moved inside the device main body 170 (details will be described later).

[0032] As described above, the tray 171 allows a plurality of process cartridges 100 to be moved together to a position inside the apparatus main body 170 where image formation is possible, and also allows them to be pulled out to the outside of the apparatus main body 170 together.

[0033] [Process cartridge positioning] The positioning of the process cartridge 100 in the apparatus main body 170 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 6(a) and 6(b). As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the tray 171 has a right tray portion 171R that supports the drive side (right side in the longitudinal direction) of the process cartridge 100, and a left tray portion 171L that supports the non-drive side (left side in the longitudinal direction). The right tray portion 171R and the left tray portion 171L are provided with positioning portions 171VR and 171VL, respectively, for holding the cartridge 100. The positioning portion 171VR has linear portions 171VR1 and 171VR2.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6(a), the arcuate portions 116VR1 and 116VR2 of the cartridge cover member 116 come into contact with the linear portions 171VR1 and 171VR2, thereby determining the center of the photosensitive drum. Also, as shown in Figure 6(a), the right-side tray portion 171R has a rotation-determining protrusion 171KR. As shown in Figure 6(a), the rotation-determining protrusion 171KR fits into the rotation-determining recess 116KR of the cartridge cover member 116, thereby determining the orientation of the process cartridge 100 relative to the apparatus main body 170.

[0035] The positioning portion 171VL and the rotation-determining protrusion 171KL are disposed at a position (non-drive side) opposite the positioning portion 171VR across the intermediate transfer belt 12a in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100. The positioning portion 171VL has straight portions 171VL1 and 171VL2. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the arc portions 117VL1 and 117VL2 of the cartridge cover member 117 contact the straight portions 171VL1 and 171VL2, thereby determining the center of the photosensitive drum. Also, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the left tray portion 171L has a rotation-determining protrusion 171KL. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the rotation-determining protrusion 171KL fits into the rotation-determining recess 117KL of the cartridge cover member 117, thereby determining the orientation of the process cartridge 100 relative to the apparatus main body 170.

[0036] With the above configuration, the position of the process cartridge 100 is correctly determined with respect to the tray 171. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the process cartridge 100 integrated with the tray 171 is moved in the direction of arrow X1 and inserted to the position shown in FIG. 3. Then, by closing the front door 11 in the direction of arrow R, the process cartridge 100 is pressed by a cartridge pressing mechanism (not shown) described later, and is fixed to the apparatus main body 170 together with the tray 171. Furthermore, in conjunction with the operation of the cartridge pressing mechanism, the transfer belt 12a comes into contact with the photosensitive member 4. This state enables an image to be formed (FIG. 1).

[0037] In this embodiment, the positioning portions 171VR and 171VL are made of metal sheet metal because they also serve as reinforcement to maintain rigidity during the draw-out operation of the tray 171, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0038] [Cartridge pressing mechanism] The cartridge pressing mechanism will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 and 13. Figure 7(a) is a perspective view showing only the process cartridge 100, the tray 171, the cartridge pressing mechanisms 190 and 191, and the intermediate transfer unit 12 when the front door 11 is open as shown in Figure 3. Figure 7(b) is a perspective view showing only the process cartridge 100, the tray 171, the cartridge pressing mechanisms 190 and 191, and the intermediate transfer unit 12 when the front door 11 is closed as shown in Figure 1. 1 is a perspective view showing only the cartridge 100, the tray 171, the cartridge pressing mechanisms 190 and 191, and the intermediate transfer unit 12. FIG.

[0039] Here, the process cartridge 100 receives a driving force during image formation, and also receives a reaction force in the direction of arrow Z1 from the primary transfer roller 12d (FIG. 1). Therefore, in order to maintain a stable position without the process cartridge floating from the positioning portions 171VR, 171VL (see FIG. 6) during image formation, the process cartridge needs to be pressed in the Z2 direction. To achieve this, in this embodiment, the apparatus main body 170 is provided with cartridge pressing mechanisms (190, 191). The non-drive side of the cartridge pressing mechanisms (190, 191) is handled by the storage element pressing unit 190, and the drive side is handled by the cartridge pressing unit 191. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, when the front door 11 is closed, the memory element pressing unit 190 and cartridge pressing unit 191 shown in FIG. 7 descend in the direction of arrow Z2. The memory element pressing unit 190 has a main body-side electrical contact (not shown) that mainly contacts the electrical contact of a memory element (not shown) provided in the process cartridge 100. By linking the front door 11 with a link mechanism (not shown), the memory element 140 and the main body-side electrical contact can be brought into contact or out of contact. In other words, when the front door 11 is closed, the contacts come into contact, and when the front door 11 is opened, the contacts are separated. With this configuration, when the process cartridge 100 moves inside the image forming apparatus main body together with the tray 171, the electrical contacts do not rub against each other, and the contacts are retracted from the insertion / removal path of the process cartridge 100, so insertion and removal of the tray 171 are not hindered. The memory element pressing unit 190 also plays a role in pressing the process cartridge 100 against the aforementioned positioning portion 171VR. Similarly to the memory element pressing unit 190, the cartridge pressing unit 191 also descends in the direction of arrow Z2 in conjunction with the closing of the front door 11, and plays a role in pressing the process cartridge 100 against the positioning portion 171VL described above. Furthermore, although details will be described later, the cartridge pressing mechanisms (190, 191) also simultaneously play a role in pressing down moving members 152L, 152R (moving member 152L not shown) of the process cartridge 100 described later.

[0041] [Drive transmission mechanism] The drive transmission mechanism of the main body in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8(a) is a perspective view in the state of Figure 3 or Figure 4, with the process cartridge 100 and tray 171 not shown. Figure 8(b) is a perspective view in the state of Figure 2, with the process cartridge 100, front door 11, and tray 171 not shown. Figure 9 is a side view of the process cartridge 100, as seen from the drive side, showing a state in which a moving member 152R of the process cartridge 100 is pressed down by a cartridge pressing mechanism (not shown) and engages with a separation control member 196R (described later) so as to overlap with it.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 9, the process cartridge in this embodiment has a developer coupling portion (rotational drive force receiving portion) 132a and a drum coupling member (photosensitive member coupling member) 143. When the front door 11 is closed (the state shown in FIG. 8(b)), a main body side drum drive coupling 180 and a main body side developer drive coupling 185, which transmit drive force to the process cartridge 100, are configured to protrude in the direction of arrow Y1 by a link mechanism (not shown). When the front door 11 is opened (the state shown in FIG. 8(a)), the drum drive coupling 180 and the developer drive coupling 185 are configured to retract in the direction of arrow Y2. By retracting the respective couplings from the insertion and removal loci (X1 direction, X2 direction) of the process cartridge, the insertion and removal of the tray 171 described above is not hindered.

[0043] When the front door 11 is closed and the driving of the apparatus main body 170 is started, the above-mentioned drum driving coupling 180 is engaged with the drum coupling member 143. The movable coupling 185 engages with the developing coupling portion 132a, and the driving force is transmitted to the process cartridge 100. The driving force transmission to the process cartridge 100 is not limited to two points as described above, and a mechanism may be provided in which the driving force is input only to the drum coupling and transmitted from there to the developing roller.

[0044] [Intermediate transfer unit configuration] The intermediate transfer unit 12 of the image forming apparatus main body in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 8. In this embodiment, the intermediate transfer unit 12 is configured to rise in the direction of arrow R2 by a link mechanism (not shown) when the front door 11 is closed, and move to a position during image formation (a position where the photosensitive drum 104 and the intermediate transfer belt 12a come into contact with each other). Furthermore, when the front door 11 is opened, the intermediate transfer unit 12 descends in the direction of arrow R1, and the photosensitive drum 104 and the intermediate transfer belt 12a are separated from each other. In other words, when the process cartridge 100 is set in the tray 171, the photosensitive drum 104 and the intermediate transfer belt 12a come into contact with each other or separate from each other depending on the opening and closing operation of the front door 11.

[0045] In the contact / separation operation, the intermediate transfer unit 12 moves up and down along a rotational path centered on the center point PV1 shown in FIG. 3. The intermediate transfer belt 12a is driven by a force from a gear (not shown) that is arranged coaxially with PV1. Therefore, by using the position PV1 as the rotation center, the intermediate transfer unit 12 can be raised and lowered without moving the center of the gear. This eliminates the need to move the center of the gear, making it possible to maintain the position of the gear with high precision.

[0046] With the above configuration, when the process cartridge 100 is set in the tray 171, the photosensitive drum 104 and the intermediate transfer belt 12a do not slide when inserting or removing the tray 11, preventing scratches on the photosensitive drum 104 and image degradation due to charge memory.

[0047] [Developer separation control unit] The separation mechanism of the image forming apparatus main body in this embodiment will be described using Figures 7, 10, and 11. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus M cut at the drive side end surface of the process cartridge 100. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the developer separation control unit as seen obliquely from above. In this embodiment, the developer separation control unit 195 engages with a part of the developing unit 109 to control the separation and contact operation of the developing unit 109 with respect to the photosensitive drum 104. The developer separation control unit 195 is located below the apparatus main body 170, as shown in Figure 7.

[0048] Specifically, the developer separation control unit 195 is disposed vertically below (below in the direction of arrow Z2) the developer coupling portion 132a and the drum coupling member 143. The developer separation control units 195 are also disposed on both sides of the intermediate transfer belt 12 in the longitudinal direction (Y1, Y2 directions) of the photosensitive drum 104. That is, the developer separation control unit 195 is disposed such that the developer separation control unit 195R is on the driving side and the developer separation control unit 195L is on the non-driving side.

[0049] The developer separation control unit 195R has four separation control members (force applying members) 196R corresponding to the process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). The four separation control members have approximately the same shape. The fixed plate 195Ra is always fixed to the image forming apparatus main body. The separation control member 196R is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions by a control mechanism (not shown). The W41 and W42 directions are substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the process cartridges 100 attached to the apparatus main body 170. Similar to the developer separation control unit 195R, the developer separation control unit 195L has four separation control members (force applying members) 196R corresponding to the process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K). The four separation control members have substantially the same shape. The fixed plate 195La is always fixed to the image forming apparatus main body. The separation control member 196L is configured to be movable in the W41 and W42 directions by a control mechanism (not shown).

[0050] Furthermore, the developer separation control unit 195 must engage with a portion of the developer unit 109 to control the separation and contact operation of the developer unit 109. Therefore, a portion of the developer control unit 195 and a portion of the developer unit 109 must overlap in the vertical direction (Z1-Z2 direction) (see FIG. 9 ). Therefore, after the process cartridge 100 is inserted in the X1 direction, a portion of the developer unit 109 (movable member 152 in this embodiment) must protrude in the Z2 direction to achieve the vertical overlap (Z1-Z2 direction) as described above. If the entire developer separation control unit 195 were raised to engage the developer separation control unit 195, as with the intermediate transfer unit 12 described above, this would result in problems such as an increased operating force for the interlocking front door 11 and a more complicated drive train. In this embodiment, addressing this problem is one of the reasons for adopting a system in which the developer separation control unit 195 is fixed to the apparatus main body 170 and a portion of the developer unit 109 (movable member 152) protrudes downward (Z2) within the apparatus main body 170. Furthermore, the mechanism for protruding the moving member 152 utilizes the mechanisms of the memory element pressing unit 190 and cartridge pressing unit 191 described above as they are, so there are no problems as described above and the cost of the device itself can be kept from increasing.

[0051] The entire developer separation control unit 195 is fixed to the apparatus main body 170. In contrast, a part of the developer separation control unit 195 is configured to be movable in order to engage with the moving member 152 and apply an operation so that the developing unit 109 is in a separated state (separated position, retracted position) or in a contact state (contact position) with respect to the photosensitive drum 104.

[0052] As described above, the development separation control unit is configured to bring the development roller 106 and the photosensitive drum 104 into contact with and separate from each other by acting on the moving member 152 of the development unit 109, although detailed description will be omitted.

[0053] [Overall structure of the process cartridge] The configuration of the process cartridge will be described with reference to Figures 2, 12, and 13. Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side, which is one end side in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 104. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side.

[0054] In this embodiment, the first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) may differ in the color of toner contained therein, the amount of toner filled therein, and the control by the apparatus main body 170. However, although these four process cartridges may differ in dimensions, etc., they have the same basic structure and functions. For this reason, the following description will be given using one process cartridge 100 as a representative.

[0055] Each process cartridge 100 includes a photosensitive drum (photoconductor) 104 and a process means acting on the photosensitive drum 104. The process means include a charging roller 105 as a charging means (charging member) that charges the photosensitive drum 104, and a developing roller 106 as a developing means (developing member) that attaches toner to the photosensitive drum 104 and develops the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104. The developing roller 106 carries toner on its surface. The process cartridge 100 may further include a cleaning means (cleaning member) for removing residual toner from the surface of the photosensitive drum 104, such as a cleaning blade or brush that comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 104. The further process means may include a light guide member such as a light guide or lens for irradiating light onto the photosensitive drum 104, a light source, or the like, as a discharging means for discharging the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. The process cartridge 100 is divided into a drum unit (first unit) 108 (108Y, 108M, 108C, 108K) and a developing unit (second unit) 109 (109Y, 109M, 109C, 109K).

[0056] [Drum unit configuration] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 12 , the drum unit 108 includes a photosensitive drum 104, a charging roller 105, and a first drum frame 115. The drum unit 108 also includes a drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and a non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117, which serve as second drum frame members attached and fixed to the first drum frame 115. The photosensitive drum 104 is supported rotatably about a rotation axis (rotation center) M1 by the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117, which are disposed at both ends of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction. The first drum frame 115 and the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117, which serve as second drum frame members, form a drum frame (first frame or photosensitive frame) that rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 104. The drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117 will be described later.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , a coupling member 143 for transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum 104 is provided at one longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum 104. As described above, the coupling member 143 engages with a main body-side drum drive coupling 180 (see FIG. 8 ) serving as a drum drive output unit of the apparatus main body 170. The driving force of a drive motor (not shown) of the apparatus main body 170 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 104, causing it to rotate in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 2 ). The photosensitive drum 104 also has a drum flange 142 at the other longitudinal end. The charging roller 105 is supported by a drum frame 115 so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 104 and be rotated by the photosensitive drum 104. The rotation axis M1 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 and the longitudinal direction of the drum unit 108.

[0058] [Developing unit configuration] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 12 , the developing unit 109 is composed of a developing roller 106, a toner transport roller (developer supply member) 107, a developing blade 130, a developing container 120, and the like. The developing container 120, which constitutes the frame of the developing unit, is composed of a developing frame 121 and a lid member 122. The developing frame 121 and the lid member 122 are joined by ultrasonic welding or the like. The developing container 120 has a toner storage section (toner storage chamber) 129 that stores toner to be supplied to the developing roller 106, and a developing space 123 as a space for supplying toner to the developing roller 106 in which the toner transport roller 107 is disposed. The developing container 120 has a driving side bearing 126 and a non-driving side bearing 127 attached and fixed to both ends of the developing frame 121 in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 106. The developing container 120 rotatably supports the developing roller 106, the toner transport roller 107, and the stirring member 129a (see FIG. 2) via the drive-side bearing 126 and the non-drive-side bearing 127, and holds the developing blade 130. In this way, the developing container 120, the drive-side bearing 126, and the non-drive-side bearing 127 constitute a developing frame (second frame) that rotatably supports the developing roller 106 about the rotation axis (rotation center) M2.

[0059] The agitating member 129a agitates the toner in the toner storage section 129 by rotating. The toner transport roller (developer supply member) 107 comes into contact with the developing roller 106 and supplies toner to the surface of the developing roller 106 while also scraping off the toner from the surface of the developing roller 106. The developing blade 130 is formed by attaching an elastic member 130b, which is a sheet metal with a thickness of about 0.1 mm, to a supporting member 130a, which is a metal material with an L-shaped cross section, by welding or the like. The developing blade 130 acts as a regulating member to regulate the thickness of the toner layer (thickness of the toner layer) on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 106, and a predetermined thickness is maintained between the elastic member 130b and the developing roller 106. The developing blade 130 is attached to the developing container 120 at two locations, one end and the other end, in the longitudinal direction with fixing screws 118. The developing roller 106 is made up of a metal core 106c and a rubber portion 106d.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, a developer coupling 132a for transmitting a driving force to the developer unit 109 is provided at one longitudinal end of the developer unit 109. The developer coupling 132a is a member that engages with a main body-side developer drive coupling 185 (see FIG. 8) that serves as a developer drive output unit of the apparatus main body 170 and rotates upon receiving a rotational driving force from a drive motor (not shown) of the apparatus main body 170. The driving force received by the developer coupling 132a is transmitted via a drive train (not shown) provided in the developer unit 109, thereby rotating the developer roller 106 in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2. A developer cover member 128 that supports and covers the developer coupling 132a and the drive train (not shown) is provided at one longitudinal end of the developer unit 109. The outer diameter of the developer roller 106 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum 104. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum 104 is set in the range of Φ18 to Φ22, and the outer diameter of the developing roller 106 is set in the range of Φ8 to Φ14. Setting these outer diameters enables efficient arrangement. However, the outer diameters of the photosensitive drum 104 and the developing roller 106 are not limited to the above-mentioned ranges. The rotation axis M2 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 and the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 109.

[0061] [Assembling the drum unit and developing unit] The assembly of the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 will be described using Figure 12. The drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are connected by a drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and a non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117, which are provided at both longitudinal ends of the process cartridge 100. The drive-side cartridge cover member 116 is provided at one longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100. The drive-side cartridge cover member 116 is provided with a developing unit support hole 116a for supporting the developing unit 109 so that it can swing (move). The non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 is provided at the other longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100. The non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117 is provided with a developing unit support hole 117a for supporting the developing unit 109 so that it can swing. Furthermore, the drive-side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-moving-side cartridge cover member 117 are provided with drum support holes 116b, 117b for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum 104.

[0062] At one longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 128b of the developing cover member 128 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 116a of the driving side cartridge cover member 116. At the other longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion (not shown) of the non-driving side bearing 127 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 117a of the non-moving side cartridge cover member 117. Furthermore, both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive drum 104 are fitted into the drum support hole 116b of the driving side cartridge cover member 116 and the drum support hole 117b of the non-moving side cartridge cover member 117. The driving side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-moving side cartridge cover member 117 are then fixed to the drum unit 108 with screws 118. Note that adhesive or the like may be used instead of screws as a fixing method. As a result, the developing unit 109 is supported movably relative to the drum unit 108 (photosensitive drum 104) by the driving side cartridge cover member 116 and the non-moving side cartridge cover member 117. In this configuration, the developing roller 106 can be positioned to act on the photosensitive drum 104 during image formation.

[0063] 13 shows the state in which the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are assembled by the above steps and integrated into the process cartridge 100. The axis connecting the center of the developing unit support hole 116a of the cartridge cover member 116 and the center of the developing unit support hole 117a of the non-moving cartridge cover member 117 is referred to as the pivot axis (rotation axis, rotation center) K (see FIGS. 12 and 13). Here, the cylindrical portion 128b of the developing unit cover member 128 at one longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100 is coaxial with the developing coupling portion 132a. In other words, the rotation axis of the developing coupling portion 132a is coaxial with the pivot axis K. Furthermore, the developing unit 109 is supported so as to be rotatable about the pivot axis K. When the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are assembled and integrated into the process cartridge 100, the rotation axis M1, the rotation axis M2, and the pivot axis K are substantially parallel to one another. In this state, the rotation axis M1, the rotation axis M2, and the swing axis K are also substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100.

[0064] [Explanation of the cover member and cartridge assembly] A cover member 200 and a cartridge assembly 100X according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 25 and 29. The cover member 200 is attached to a process cartridge 100 removed from the main body 170 of the apparatus. The process cartridge 100 is configured such that a portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 is exposed through an opening in the cartridge frame for image formation. When the process cartridge 100 is removed from the main body 170 of the apparatus, this exposed portion is exposed to the outside. This may cause a user to come into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. If a user comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 104, oils from hands may adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum, potentially resulting in image degradation. Furthermore, dust adhesion or scratches during transportation may also result in image degradation. To avoid such a situation and prevent image degradation, a cover member 200 is attached to the process cartridge 100 removed from the main body 170 of the apparatus, covering the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 104. The process cartridge 100 cannot be mounted in the apparatus main body 170 with the cover member 200 still attached. When the process cartridge 100 is mounted in the apparatus main body 170, the cover member 200 is removed from the process cartridge 100. In this manner, the process cartridge 100 removed from the apparatus main body 170 and in a state (mode) with the cover member 200 attached, i.e., the structure (protective assembly) in which the process cartridge 100 and the cover member 200 are integrated, will be referred to as cartridge assembly 100X in this embodiment.

[0065] The cover member 200 will be described with reference to Figures 14 to 17. Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge assembly 100X as seen from the drive side, i.e., an exploded perspective view showing the process cartridge 100 and the cover member 200 separated. Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge assembly 100X as seen from the non-drive side, i.e., an exploded perspective view showing the process cartridge 100 and the cover member 200 separated. Figure 16 is a perspective view of the cartridge assembly 100X as seen from the drive side, showing the cover member 200 assembled to the process cartridge 100. Figure 17 is a view of the cover member 200 as seen from below.

[0066] The cover member 200 is detachably attached to the process cartridge 100 via the following engagement configuration. As shown in FIG. 15, the cover member 200 has drive-side engagement portions 200a and 200b at its drive-side end 216. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, the cover member 200 has non-drive-side engagement portions 200c and 200d at its non-drive-side end 217. The drive-side engagement portions 200a and 200b engage with the engaged portion 116d of the drive-side cartridge cover member 116. Furthermore, the non-drive-side engagement portion 200c engages with the engaged portion 117c of the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 117, and the non-drive-side engagement portion 200d engages with the engaged portion 117d. The drive-side engagement portions 200a and 200b and the non-drive-side engagement portion 200c are disposed opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100. For example, the cover member 200 is elastically deformed so that the opposing distance between the two members is increased. The cover member 200 can be attached to the process cartridge 100. When the deformation state is released, the engaging portions 200a to 200d engage with the engaged portions 116d, 117c, and 117d, respectively, so as to sandwich the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction. This engaging configuration restricts relative movement between the process cartridge 100 and the cover member 200 in the longitudinal direction and in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction within a predetermined range. This maintains the state in which the cover member 200 is integrally assembled to the process cartridge 100 (the state shown in FIG. 16).

[0067] The process cartridge 100 is transported with the cover member 200 attached, that is, in the form of a cartridge assembly 100X. When attaching the process cartridge 100 to the tray 171, the user needs to remove the cover member 200 from the process cartridge 100.

[0068] [Outline of the sign] 17, the cover member 200 is provided with an indicator 210 that displays information about the process cartridge 100. The indicator 210 is a structural indicator in which the boundary between a smooth surface region (first region) and a finely rough surface region (second region) formed on the surface of the cover member 200 forms the outline of a symbol or figure including characters indicating the information, thereby allowing a user (viewer) to visually recognize the symbol or figure.

[0069] In this embodiment, the indicator unit 210 displays information to warn the user not to directly touch the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. As described above, contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 may cause image defects, so visibility of the indicator unit 210 is important. Note that the above information is merely an example of information displayed by the indicator unit 210, and the information displayed by the indicator unit 210 is not limited to the above information.

[0070] In this embodiment, the marking portion 210 is provided on the surface of the cover portion 200F, which extends along the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge 100 between the drive-side end 216 and the non-drive-side end 217 of the cover member 200. The cover portion 200F is a portion of the cover member 200 that covers the exposed portion of the drum 104. The marking portion 210 is provided in an area of ​​the surface of the cover portion 200F that is exposed to the outside when the cover member 200 is attached to the process cartridge 100.

[0071] As described above, the location of the marking portion 210 on the cover member 200 is not limited to the area exposed to the outside when the cover member 200 is attached to the process cartridge 100. The cover member 200 of this embodiment is manufactured from a light-transmitting material, that is, a so-called transparent or translucent material, as will be described later. Therefore, depending on the light transmittance, the marking portion 210 may be provided in an area that is hidden from the outside when the process cartridge 100 is attached, that is, an area facing the surface of the process cartridge 100 (rear side), rather than in the area exposed to the outside (front side) as described above. In other words, the marking portion 210 may be configured to be visible through the cover member 200.

[0072] [Transparency] Fig. 29 is a diagram showing a system for measuring light transmittance. In this example, the light transmittance of the cover member 200 was measured as follows. That is, as shown in Fig. 29, a 6 mm diameter window 1104h, which serves as a light source entrance portion, was disposed above a box structure that prevents light from leaking from the inside, and the measurement portion 1101a of an illuminance meter 1101 was disposed below the light source entrance portion. The illuminance meter 1101 used was a "HIOKI 3423 LUX HiTESTER" manufactured by Hioki E.E. Corporation. Furthermore, a sample fixing portion 1102 was installed at a position midway between the light source entrance portion and the measurement portion.

[0073] The sample fixing section 1102 is composed of a fixing plate 1103 on which the sample 200x is placed and a cover plate 1104 that covers the sample 1001a and also serves as the light source incident section. The fixing plate 1103 has a recess 1103a facing the center of the measurement section 1101a as a blank for placing the sample 200x. Both the fixing plate 1103 and the cover plate 1104 have 6 mm diameter windows 1103h and 1104h, respectively, that allow light from the light source to pass through, facing the center of the measurement section 1101a. The light transmittance of the sample 200x was evaluated using this evaluation device.

[0074] In detail, the measurement method was as follows: light from light source 1105 was passed through 6 mm diameter windows 1103h and 1104h of fixing plate 1103 and cover plate 1104 (without sample 200x), and the light from the light source was adjusted so that the reading on illuminometer 1101 was 2000 lux. Then, sample 200x was placed on blank 1103a of fixing plate 1103 and covered with cover plate 1104, so that sample 200x was interposed in the path of light from light source 1105. The value (U) of illuminometer 1101 was then read. This operation was performed three times for each part, and the average value was taken as the light transmittance. The light transmittance T (%) was calculated using the following formula: Light transmittance T(%)=U / 2000×100

[0075] If the light transmittance of the cover member 200 is, for example, 40% or more, it is possible to see through the cover member 200 how the engaging portions 200a to 200d are engaged with the respective engaged portions 116d, 117c, 117d of the process cartridge 100. Therefore, it has been found that the cover member 200 is easy to aim and assemble when attached to the process cartridge 100. Therefore, by making the periphery of the engaging portions for engaging the cover member 200 with the process cartridge 100 transparent or translucent, the visibility of the shape for engaging the cover member 200 with the process cartridge 100 is improved.

[0076] Furthermore, by making the cover portion 200F of the cover member 200 transparent or translucent, the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 104 covered by the cover portion 200F can be seen through the cover portion 200F. In this embodiment, the indicator 210 provided on the cover portion 200F displays a warning to the user to avoid directly touching the surface of the photosensitive drum 104. Therefore, by allowing the surface of the photosensitive drum 104 to be seen through the indicator portion 210, the display content of the indicator portion 210 can be expected to leave a stronger impression on the user.

[0077] It should be noted that the terms "transparent" and "semi-transparent" in this specification do not necessarily have a clear distinction between them. For example, a relatively high light transmittance value close to 100% can be considered "transparent," while a light transmittance value that is not 100% but still maintains 40% or more can be considered "semi-transparent." In other words, "transparent or semi-transparent" may refer to a material that is transparent (translucent) enough to allow a user to visually recognize the engagement portion and the position of the photosensitive drum 104 through the cover member 200 when attaching or detaching the cover member 200 to or from the process cartridge 100. In addition, although PP (polypropylene) is used as the material for the cover member 200 in this embodiment as described above, PS (polystyrene) may also be used as long as it provides similar visibility.

[0078] [Detailed explanation of the sign] As shown in Fig. 18, the marking portion 210 has a finely roughened surface region 220 (second region) and a smooth surface region 230 (first region), each of which is roughened to a predetermined roughness on the surface of the cover member. In this embodiment, the finely roughened surface region refers to a region whose surface has been roughened by laser processing (details will be described later). In Fig. 18, the finely roughened surface region 220 is hatched.

[0079] In this embodiment, the finely roughened surface area 220 is a portion corresponding to the shape of characters, symbols, or other symbols or figures (hereinafter, referred to as characters, etc.) that indicate information about the process cartridge 100. The smooth surface area 230 is a character formation area, and the smooth surface area 230 is a background area that corresponds to the margin / background other than the characters, etc. However, this is not limited to this, and the smooth surface area 230 may be a character formation area that displays information about the process cartridge, and the finely rough surface area 220 may be a background area.

[0080] As will be described in detail below, the surface of the finely roughened surface region 220 absorbs more light than the smooth surface region 230, and therefore has lower reflectivity and light transmittance than the smooth surface region 230. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cover member 220 is made of a white, translucent polypropylene-based material, and the finely roughened surface region 220 appears whiter than the smooth surface region 230. In this way, by increasing the contrast between the finely roughened surface region 220 and the smooth surface region 230, the visibility of information related to the process cartridge 100 is improved.

[0081] In the cover member 220 of this embodiment, the developed area ratio Sdr of the smooth surface region 230 is preferably 0.2 or less, and more preferably 0.1 or less. However, depending on the color of the material of the cover member 220, the developed area ratio Sdr may be 0.6 or less. On the other hand, it is preferable that the developed area ratio Sdr of the micro-rough surface region 220 is 1 or more and the maximum height Sz is 100 or less.

[0082] The developed area ratio Sdr and maximum height Sz are indicators specified in ISO 25178. The developed area ratio Sdr indicates how much larger the developed area (surface area) of a target area is compared to the area of ​​the target area when viewed in a planar view. If there is no difference in area, i.e., if the surface is flat and smooth, the ratio is zero. For example, a developed area ratio Sdr of 1 indicates that the surface area has increased by approximately 100%. The maximum height Sz indicates the distance from the highest point to the lowest point in the target area. The developed area ratio Sdr and maximum height Sz can be measured, for example, using a laser microscope (VKX-1000) manufactured by Keyence Corporation.

[0083] According to the inventor's experiments, it was found that in the cover member 220 of this embodiment, which is made of a white translucent material, when the developed area ratio Sdr of the smooth surface region 230 exceeds 0.2, light is diffusely reflected on the surface of the smooth surface region 230, reducing the contrast with the finely rough surface region 220 and reducing the visibility of the marking portion 210.

[0084] Specifically, the inventors conducted a visibility confirmation test using a textured sample (made of the same white translucent material as in this embodiment) with a gradually roughened surface to set the developed area ratio Sdr of the smooth surface region 230. As a result, it was confirmed that with the white translucent cover member 220 of this embodiment, if the developed area ratio Sdr is 0.2 or less, the contrast with the finely rough surface region 220 is increased. However, because the developed area ratio Sdr is somewhat whitish even at 0.2, a more preferable range is 0.1 or less (a normal surface that is not textured).

[0085] In the finely rough surface region 220, the larger the developed area ratio Sdr, the more the first recesses 221 described later The depth of the recesses is increased, or the distance between the recesses is decreased (the number of first recesses 221 is increased). As a result, more light is absorbed. It is known that when light is absorbed, the color tends to approach the color of the original material more than it actually is. For example, in the case of a white translucent material such as the cover member 220 of this embodiment, the color will approach white, while in the case of a black opaque material such as the cover members of Examples 2 and 3 described below, the color will become darker than the original black.

[0086] In the smooth surface region 230, the larger the developed area ratio Sdr, the more complex the surface becomes, causing light to be diffusely reflected. For example, unless the surface has a special shape, such as one with multiple recesses, the light will be diffusely reflected rather than absorbed. When light is diffusely reflected, the regular reflected light is weaker and the diffused light is stronger, resulting in a whiter color than the original color. As in the case of the cover member 220 of this embodiment, In the case of a white translucent material, the developed area ratio Sdr becomes large, and whether light is absorbed or diffused, the surface will approach white. Therefore, in order to enhance the contrast between the fine rough surface region 220 and the smooth surface region 230, it is necessary to make the fine rough surface region 220 as white as possible (large developed area ratio Sdr) and the smooth surface region 230 as non-white as possible (small developed area ratio Sdr).

[0087] On the other hand, in the case of a black opaque material such as the cover members of Examples 2 and 3 described below, the finely rough surface region 220 becomes blacker as the developed area ratio Sdr increases, but the smooth surface region 230 becomes whitish as the developed area ratio Sdr increases. Therefore, in the case of a black opaque material, the visibility improves as the developed area ratio Sdr of the smooth surface region 230 increases. This tendency is also true for colors other than black, as long as they clearly contrast with white.

[0088] In the visibility confirmation test, samples of textured shapes with developed area ratios Sdr ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 were prepared. The developed area ratio Sdr of the smooth surface region 230 is not normally expected to exceed 0.6 unless it has a special shape like the micro-rough surface region 220. It has also been confirmed that the developed area ratio Sdr for normal textured surfaces is around 0.3.

[0089] From the above, when increasing the developed area ratio Sdr, such as in the case of white or transparent materials, causes both the finely rough surface region 220 and the smooth surface region 230 to approach white, the developed area ratio Sdr of the smooth surface region 230 is preferably 0.2 or less, and 0.1 or less is even more preferable.

[0090] On the other hand, when the cover member 220 has a color that contrasts clearly with white (for example, black), even if the developed area ratio Sdr of the smooth surface region 230 exceeds 0.2, the smooth surface region 230 will approach white, which contrasts clearly with the original color. Therefore, in this embodiment, when a color that contrasts clearly with white, such as black, is used for the cover member 220, the setting range of the developed area ratio Sdr of the smooth surface region 230 may be expanded to 0.6 or less.

[0091] If the developed area ratio Sdr of the micro-rough surface region 220 is less than 1, it will be unable to sufficiently absorb light and will be unable to enhance the contrast with the smooth surface region 230, which may result in reduced visibility. Examples of cases where the developed area ratio Sdr is less than 1 include cases where the depth of the first recesses 221 (described below) is shallow, where the opening width of the first recesses 221 is narrow and the distance between the recesses is long, or where the number of second recesses 222 (described below) is extremely small. In such cases, the state is similar to a rough surface obtained by so-called embossing, where the light absorption effect is reduced and, as explained in the Background Art section above, it may be impossible to obtain sufficient contrast with the smooth surface region 230.

[0092] Furthermore, if the maximum height Sz of the finely roughened surface region 220 exceeds 100, reflected light becomes noticeable when the finely roughened surface region 220 is observed macroscopically, which may reduce the contrast with the smooth surface region 230 and reduce visibility.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thickness of the portion of cover member 200 (cover portion 200F) where micro-rough surface region 220 is provided (including the thickness of the portion of first recess 221) is made thicker than the thickness of the portion where smooth surface region 230 is provided. Because cover member 220 of this embodiment is made of a translucent material, the thicker the region, the lower the light transmittance, and therefore it appears white, and this can further enhance the contrast between thick micro-rough surface region 220 and thin smooth surface region 230.

[0094] As a specific difference in thickness, even when the shape of the letters or the like is formed only as a convex shape relative to the background without performing fine processing such as the fine rough surface area 220 of this embodiment, the thickness is 0.1 mm. If there is a difference in thickness, the effect of improving visibility can be confirmed. Therefore, by providing the finely roughened surface region 220 as in this embodiment, visibility can be further improved. Furthermore, by increasing the thickness, the direction of the specularly reflected light at the boundary of the thickened (convex) region changes, so the boundary between the finely roughened surface region 220 and the smooth surface region 230 becomes clear, further improving visibility. This effect is effective in improving visibility even when an opaque material is used, such as the cover members of Examples 2 and 3.

[0095] [Details of the micro-roughened surface area] 19 is a schematic enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the finely roughened surface region 220. As shown in FIG. 19, the finely roughened surface region 220 includes a plurality of first recesses 221 that are spaced apart from one another and scattered about, and surrounding surfaces 225 that extend between the plurality of first recesses 221 so as to surround each of the first recesses 221, The finely roughened surface region 220 of this embodiment is a roughened region in which a plurality of first recesses 221 are scattered and spaced apart from one another so that the developed area ratio is 1 or more and the maximum height is 100 or less, and each of the first recesses 221 includes a second recess 222, which will be described later, in its concave surface. As will be described in detail later, the surrounding surface 225 has a shape that is raised higher than the boundary with the first recess 221 so that it has a portion that is higher than the boundary with the first recess 221 (see FIG. 25). In FIG. 19, the arrangement of the plurality of first recesses 221 is shown as having a regular arrangement, but this illustrated form is merely for simplification or ease of understanding, and the plurality of first recesses 221 do not necessarily have to be arranged regularly.

[0096] FIG. 20 shows a cross-sectional structure taken along line AA in FIG. 19, and is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first recess 221, which will be described later. The surface of the first recess 221 is a finely roughened surface 223 formed by second recesses 222, which will be described later, and the basic outline of the cross section of the first recess 221 is indicated by a dashed line in the figure. This dashed line can be drawn by performing image processing, such as applying a low-pass filter to the cross-sectional image, and tracing the average level of the finely roughened surface 223. The first recess 221 has a basic outline 226 indicated by the dashed line, and is a concave shape having an opening width 221d and a height difference 221h.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 20, a large number of second recesses 222 are formed along the basic contour 226 of the first recess 221. Although the second recesses 222 are arranged discretely in Fig. 19 and Fig. 20, the second recesses 222 do not necessarily have to be arranged discretely, and may be arranged densely or with their edges in contact with each other.

[0098] 21 is a schematic diagram of a binarized enlarged image obtained by binarizing a partial area of ​​the finely rough surface region 220, which has been photographed with an electron microscope. In FIG. 21, the gray area corresponds to the first recess 221 in FIG. 19. Here, the diameter of the approximated circle 224 obtained by approximating the first recess 221 (gray area) so that the area difference between the first recess 221 and the circle 224 is minimized is calculated, and this dimension is defined as the opening width 221d of the specific first recess 221.

[0099] If it is difficult to binarize and distinguish the first recess 221 and the surrounding surface 225 from the magnified observation image using an electron microscope, an image similar to that shown in Figure 21 can be obtained by measuring the height using, for example, a three-dimensional laser microscope.

[0100] 19 and 20, the opening width of the second recess 222 is smaller than the opening width 221d of the first recess 221. The opening width of the second recess 222 is measured from an image observed under a magnified microscope, for example.

[0101] In the illustrations of FIGS. 19 and 20, the cross-sectional shape of the first recess 221 is expressed as a tapered shape in which the width becomes narrower as the depth increases, but the cross-sectional shape of the first recess 221 is arbitrary. Furthermore, each of the plurality of recesses 221 may have an irregularly different shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the first recess 221 may be rectangular, or may have a shape whose diameter increases partway as it becomes deeper.

[0102] The opening width 221d of the first recess 221 is preferably, for example, 1 μm or more and 300 μm or less. If the opening width is less than 1 μm, light having an oblique incident angle cannot be attenuated by being reflected multiple times within the first recess 221. In other words, the light cannot be sufficiently absorbed. On the other hand, if the opening width exceeds 300 μm, the reflected light becomes noticeable when observed macroscopically, which may reduce the contrast with the smooth surface region 230 and reduce visibility. This is the same as the reason why the maximum height Sz is set to 100 or less.

[0103] The opening width of the second recess 222 is smaller, preferably within a range of 10 nm to 1 μm, for example, because this range can efficiently prevent reflection of light in the wavelength range shorter than near-infrared.

[0104] FIG. 22 shows a further enlarged view of a portion of the finely roughened surface region 220 shown in FIG. 21. In FIG. 22, T1 corresponds to the distance between adjacent first recesses 221, and T2 represents the maximum distance between adjacent first recesses 221. Here, the maximum distance T2 between adjacent first recesses 221 is preferably 100 μm or less. If the distance exceeds 100 μm, the distance between the recesses may be too large, potentially resulting in insufficient light absorption. However, if there are extremely few areas where the distance exceeds 100 μm (e.g., if only a localized area exceeds 100 μm), the effect of improving visibility can be expected. Therefore, if the above-described conditions for the developed area ratio Sdr and maximum height, and the condition for the opening width 221d of the first recesses 221 are sufficient to achieve the effect of improving visibility, the condition for the distance between the first recesses may not be considered.

[0105] As described above, the micro-rough surface region 220 of this embodiment is composed of a plurality of first recesses 221 and a plurality of second recesses 222 arranged inside the first recesses, i.e., on the concave surface of the first recesses, and having a second opening width smaller than the first opening width. With this configuration, the presence of the second recesses 222 causes the cross-sectional area ratio of the molded product to air to change gradually at a pitch equal to or less than the wavelength of near-infrared light. In other words, there is no significant change in the refractive index, improving anti-reflection performance.

[0106] Furthermore, since the finely rough surface 223 has a large number of first recesses 221 with an opening width of at least 1 μm or more, light having an oblique incident angle can be attenuated by being reflected multiple times by the first recesses 221. This increases the contrast between the finely rough surface region 220 and the smooth surface region 230 when viewed from various angles, improving the visibility of the information about the process cartridge 100 on the marking portion 210.

[0107] [Method for producing a resin member having a finely rough surface region] A resin member having the finely roughened surface region 220 can be produced, for example, by injection molding using a mold whose surface is roughened in the portion where the finely roughened surface region 220 is to be formed. Here, a process for manufacturing a mold 300 for molding a resin member having the finely roughened surface region 220 and a process for molding the resin member using the mold will be described.

[0108] First, as shown in Fig. 23, in order to form a finely roughened surface in the finely roughened area 220 of the resin member, a roughening process is performed by irradiating a mold surface 301 on which the finely roughened area 220 is to be formed with a short pulse laser. Here, the short pulse laser is a laser that repeats irradiation for a short period of time, unlike a laser that performs continuous irradiation. The pulse width of the processing laser is set to 10 -12 By setting the time to 1 second or less, self-organization occurs on the mold surface, and the mold surface can be efficiently roughened.

[0109] For example, an ultrashort pulse laser oscillator manufactured by AMPLITUDE SYSTEMS can be used as the laser processing device. The wavelength of the processing laser 302 is 1030 nm, and its pulse width is selected to be, for example, 500 fs (femtoseconds). The pulse energy per pulse of the processing laser 302 is 40 μJ, and the focal length of the lens 303 is approximately 170 mm. By adjusting the distance between the lens 303 and the mold surface, the spot diameter of the irradiation area 304 is adjusted to 40 μm.

[0110] 23 indicates the scanning locus of the processing laser 302. For example, the scanning speed of the processing laser 303 over the irradiation area 304 is set to 30 mm / s, the scanning interval is set to 20 μm, the irradiation frequency of the irradiated short pulse laser is set to 500 kHz, and the number of pulses of the pulse laser irradiated over the same location is adjusted to approximately 1,000. In addition, the mold 300 is moved by a scanning stage (not shown), so that the irradiation area 304 is scanned back and forth within the region of the mold surface 301 to be roughened.

[0111] By performing laser processing on the mold surface 301 under the above conditions, a finely roughened surface shape with a peak-valley structure was realized.

[0112] Figure 24 is a perspective view schematically showing the shape of the finely roughened surface having a peak-valley structure of the mold surface 301. As shown in Figure 24, a plurality of first protrusions 310 and a plurality of second protrusions 311 discretely covering the surface of each of the plurality of first protrusions 310 were formed on the finely roughened surface. The first protrusions 310 were formed at a pitch of 20 nm to 40 nm and a height of 50 μm to 80 μm. The second protrusions 311 were formed at a pitch of 40 nm to 80 nm and a height of 40 nm to 80 nm.

[0113] The bottom of the shape of the first recess 221 is formed in the finely roughened surface region 220 of the molding surface by a portion of the first protrusion 310 of the mold surface 301 near the tip. Also, the second protrusion 311 covering the surface of the first protrusion 310 of the mold surface 301 forms the second recess 222 inside the first recess 221 in the finely roughened surface region 220 of the molding surface.

[0114] Next, a molding process for a resin member having a finely rough surface region 220 will be described. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the state of the interface where the mold surface 301 and the molten resin 240 come into contact during the molding process. The mold processing described above results in a shape in which large first recesses 310 and small second recesses 311 are combined. As shown in FIG. 25, the contact area between the molten resin 240 and the first protrusions 310 on the mold surface 301 becomes the first recesses 221. The contact area between the molten resin 240 and the second protrusions 311 on the mold surface 301 becomes the second recesses 222.

[0115] 25, the molten resin 240 is in contact with the peaks of the first convex portions 310 of the mold surface 301 but not with the valleys, and a space 250 exists between the molten resin 240 and the mold surface 301 at the valley structure. When the space 250 exists, the molten resin 240 can freely assume a surface shape at this location without being constrained by the mold surface shape. In this state, by cooling and solidifying the molten resin 240, a surrounding surface 225 having a protruding shape is formed at the location surrounding the first concave portion 221. That is, in this embodiment, a space 250 exists between the mold surface 301 and the molten resin 240, particularly at the valley structure portion of the mold surface 301, and a dwell pressure is selected that ensures the free space 250 that allows the molten resin 240 to freely assume a surface shape.

[0116] On the other hand, by adjusting the pressure holding conditions during molding, it is possible to create a state in which there is almost no free space 250. In this case, the releasability of the resin from the mold during the mold release process decreases, and the molded product may crack, resulting in a decrease in yield and the inability to perform stable injection molding. arise.

[0117] Furthermore, if the mold is released with almost no free space 250, there is no surrounding surface 225 that has a shape that is higher than the boundary with the first recess 221, and therefore there is a possibility that the fine-rough surface 223 will be damaged by touching the surface of the fine-rough surface region 220. Damage to the protrusions of the fine-rough surface 223 generates dust, which can adversely affect image formation, and the dust can become lodged in the second recess 222 of the fine-rough surface 223, reducing the anti-reflection performance and potentially reducing the visibility of the marking portion 210.

[0118] [Other variations] In this embodiment, the process cartridge 100 is exemplified as a cartridge to which the cover member 200 is attached. That is, as the configuration of the cartridge assembly 100X, a configuration in which the cover member 200 is attached to the process cartridge 100 in which the drum unit 108 and the developing unit 109 are coupled to each other has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cover member may be attached only to the developing unit 109, with the drum unit 108 being integrated with the image forming apparatus, that is, the cartridge assembly may be composed of the developing unit 109 and the cover member. In this case, the area of ​​the developing unit 109 that the cover member protects (the area covered by the cover portion) may be, for example, the exposed portion of the developing roller 106 in the developing unit 109. That is, in this embodiment, the cover member 200 is used to protect the photosensitive drum 104 as an example, but is not necessarily limited to this, and may also be used to protect the developing roller 106.

[0119] As described above, according to this embodiment, light is absorbed on the surface of the minutely rough surface region 220, thereby increasing the contrast with the smooth surface region 230. As a result, the visibility of the marking portion 210 can be improved.

[0120] Example 2 A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 26. The process cartridge 100B of the second embodiment is configured such that an indicator 210B is additionally provided to the process cartridge 100 of the first embodiment. The indicator 210B of the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the indicator 210 of the first embodiment. In addition, in the second embodiment, members having the same functions and configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Matters in the second embodiment that are not specifically described here are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0121] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the first drum frame 115 as viewed from the front. In this embodiment, the first drum frame 115 is made of a black polystyrene-based material. As shown in FIG. 26, the first drum frame 115 has an indicator portion 210B that displays information about the process cartridge 100B. The indicator portion 210B also has a finely roughened surface region 220B, which is a character formation portion corresponding to the shape of characters or the like for displaying information about the process cartridge 100, and a smooth surface region 230B, which is a background portion. The finely roughened surface region 220B and the smooth surface region 230B have the same configuration as the finely roughened surface region 220 and the smooth surface region 230B in Example 1 and can be produced by the same manufacturing method, so detailed description will be omitted.

[0122] Light is reflected multiple times and attenuated on the surface of the finely roughened surface region 220B, reducing reflected light. As a result, the finely roughened surface region 220B appears darker than the smooth surface region 230B. This increases the contrast between the finely roughened surface region 220B and the smooth surface region 230B, improving the visibility of information related to the process cartridge 100B.

[0123] In this embodiment, the marking portion 210B is provided as an example of a member of the process cartridge 100B. The first drum frame 115 is used as the indicator, but the present invention is not limited to this. The area where the indicator 210B is provided may be any member that constitutes the process cartridge 100B, and may be provided on the developing container 120, for example.

[0124] Example 3 A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 27 and 28. A process cartridge 100C of the third embodiment differs from the process cartridge 100 of the first embodiment in that a toner cartridge 400, which will be described later, is detachably mounted, and a marking portion 210C is provided on the toner cartridge 400. In the third embodiment, members having the same functions and configurations as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Matters in the third embodiment that are not specifically described here are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0125] Figure 27 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge 100C and the toner cartridge 400, as viewed from the drive side. As shown in Figure 27, the toner cartridge 400 according to this embodiment has a toner storage portion 400a and an engaging portion 400b for detachably engaging the toner cartridge 400 with the process cartridge 100C. The toner storage portion 400a stores toner (developer) to be supplied to the process cartridge 100C.

[0126] The engaging portion 400b of the toner cartridge 400 can engage with the engaged portion 122a of the process cartridge 100C of the cover member 122. This makes the toner cartridge 400 detachable from the process cartridge 100C. The specific configurations of the engaging portion 400b of the toner cartridge 400 and the engaged portion 122a of the process cartridge 100C can be determined using conventionally known technology, so detailed description of the configurations will be omitted.

[0127] The user can supply toner to the process cartridge 100C from the toner cartridge 400 as needed depending on the amount of toner remaining in the process cartridge 100C. After supplying the toner, the user can remove the toner cartridge 400 from the process cartridge 100C and install the process cartridge 100C in the image forming apparatus, thereby forming an image again.

[0128] In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 400 is configured to be removed from the process cartridge 100C during image formation, but this is not limiting. The toner cartridge 400 may be configured to be attached to the process cartridge 100C during image formation.

[0129] FIG. 28 is a top view of the frame of the toner cartridge 400. In this embodiment, the toner storage compartment 400a of the toner cartridge 400 is made of a black polystyrene-based material. As shown in FIG. 28, the toner storage compartment 400a of the toner cartridge 400 has an indicator 210C that displays information about the process cartridge 100C. The indicator 210C also has a finely roughened surface area 220C, which is a character formation area corresponding to the shape of characters or the like for displaying information about the process cartridge 100C, and a smooth surface area 230C, which is a background area. The finely roughened surface area 220C and the smooth surface area 230C have the same configurations as the finely roughened surface area 220 and the smooth surface area 230C of the first embodiment and can be produced by the same manufacturing method, so detailed description will be omitted.

[0130] Light is reflected multiple times and attenuated on the surface of the finely roughened surface region 220C, reducing reflected light. As a result, the finely roughened surface region 220C appears darker than the smooth surface region 230C. This increases the contrast between the finely roughened surface region 220C and the smooth surface region 230C, improving the visibility of information related to the process cartridge 100C.

[0131] In this embodiment, the marking portion 210C is provided on the toner storage portion 400a of the toner cartridge 400, but this is not necessarily limited to this. The area where the marking portion 210C is provided may be any area that is a component of the toner cartridge 400, and may be provided on the engaging portion 400b of the toner cartridge 400, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 100...process cartridge, 200...cover member, 210...marking portion, 220...finely rough surface area, 221...first recess, 222...second recess, 223...finely rough surface, 225...surrounding surface, 230...smooth surface area

Claims

1. a cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus; a cover member that is detachable from the cartridge when the cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus main body and that covers at least a part of the cartridge; 1. A cartridge assembly comprising: The cover member has an indication portion, the marking portion is configured by a boundary between a first region and a second region on the surface of the cover member, the first region is a region roughened so that the developed area ratio is 0.6 or less, the second region is a region roughened so that a plurality of first recesses, each having an opening width of 1 μm or more and 300 μm or less, are spaced apart from one another and scattered therein, such that a developed area ratio is 1 or more and a maximum height is 100 μm or less; A cartridge assembly, characterized in that the plurality of first recesses include a plurality of second recesses on each concave surface, the opening width of which is 10 nm or more and less than 1 μm.

2. 2. The cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the maximum distance between adjacent first recesses is 100 [mu]m or less.

3. 3. The cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the cover member at the portion where the second region is formed is greater than the thickness of the portion where the first region is formed.

4. The second region forms a character or a graphic on the marking portion, 4. The cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first region forms a margin of the marking portion excluding the letters or graphics.

5. A cartridge assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the marking portion is provided in an area of ​​the surface of the cover member that is exposed to the outside when the cover member is attached to the cartridge.

6. the cover member is made of a white material having a light transmittance of 40% or more, 6. The cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the developed area ratio of the first region is 0.2 or less.

7. 7. The cartridge assembly according to claim 6, wherein the developed area ratio of the first region is 0.1 or less.

8. A cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus body, A frame body, a marking portion provided on the frame body; and the marking portion is configured by a boundary between a first region and a second region on the surface of the frame body, the first region is a region roughened so that the developed area ratio is 0.6 or less, the second region is a region roughened so that a plurality of first recesses, each having an opening width of 1 μm or more and 300 μm or less, are spaced apart from one another and scattered therein, such that a developed area ratio is 1 or more and a maximum height is 100 μm or less; A cartridge characterized in that the plurality of first recesses include a plurality of second recesses on each of the recessed surfaces, the second recesses having an opening width of 10 nm or more and less than 1 μm.

9. 9. The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the maximum distance between adjacent first recesses is 100 [mu]m or less.

10. The second region forms a character or a graphic on the marking portion, 10. A cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the first region forms a blank space in the marking portion excluding the characters or graphics.

11. 11. The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the frame including the marking portion is made of a black material.

12. A toner cartridge detachably mounted in a cartridge detachably mounted in an image forming apparatus body, a frame having a storage portion for storing toner to be supplied to the cartridge; a marking portion provided on the frame body; and the marking portion is configured by a boundary between a first region and a second region on the surface of the frame body, the first region is a region roughened so that the developed area ratio is 0.6 or less, the second region is a region roughened so that a plurality of first recesses, each having an opening width of 1 μm or more and 300 μm or less, are spaced apart from one another and scattered therein, such that a developed area ratio is 1 or more and a maximum height is 100 μm or less; The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first recesses include a plurality of second recesses, each having an opening width of 10 nm or more and less than 1 μm, on a concave surface thereof.

13. 13. The toner cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the maximum distance between adjacent first recesses is 100 [mu]m or less.

14. The second region forms a character or a graphic on the marking portion, 14. The toner cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the first area forms a blank space in the marking portion excluding the characters or graphics.

15. At least a portion of the frame including the marking portion is made of a black material.

15. The toner cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the toner cartridge is a toner cartridge having a plurality of toner cartridges.

Images