Lubricant applicator, and image forming apparatus and process cartridge using the lubricant applicator, and method for assembling the process cartridge

摘要

A process cartridge (100; 507; 712) including an image bearing member (10; 310; 502; 701); a lubricant applicator (20; 160; 531; 631; 707), which includes a lubricant application member (23; 161; 533; 771) configured to apply a solid lubricant (22; 162; 534; 772) to the surface of the image bearing member; and a smoothing member (21; 532; 774) configured to smooth the applied solid lubricant, and at least one of a charging device (30; 509; 702), a developing device (50; 526; 706) and a cleaning device (40; 531; 631; 707), wherein the amount of the solid lubricant present on a portion of surface of the image bearing member, which is located between the lubricant application member and the smoothing blade, is from 0.11 to 1. 2 mg/m2. The smoothing member is preferably a blade having a JIS-A hardness of not less than 79°. The process cartridge is preferably assembled by a method including setting the lubricant smoothing member, the lubricant and the lubricant application member to a housing (110; 410) of the process cartridge; and then setting the image bearing member to the housing.