Recycling method and recycling apparatus of part for image forming apparatus, and recycled part for image forming apparatus

1. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus, the part being used in the image forming apparatus and provided with a thermoplastic resin member at least in a part thereof, comprising:

recovering the used part for the image forming apparatus;

disassembling the recovered part for the image forming apparatus;

retrieving the thermoplastic resin member from the disassembled part for the image forming apparatus; and

performing heat processing to the retrieved thermoplastic resin member to recycle the member by restoring original predetermined dimensions and shape within acceptable tolerances for reuse in a new part for the image forming apparatus.

2. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus, the part being used in the image forming apparatus and provided with a thermoplastic resin member at least in a part thereof, comprising:

recovering the used part for the image forming apparatus;

disassembling the recovered part for the image forming apparatus;

retrieving the thermoplastic resin member from the disassembled part for the image forming apparatus;

preheating the retrieved thermoplastic resin member; and

performing heat processing to the thermoplastic resin member to recycle the member after the preheating by restoring original predetermined dimensions and shape within acceptable tolerances for reuse in a new part for the image forming apparatus.

3. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the part for the image forming apparatus is a process cartridge; and

the process cartridge is provided with a photosensitive drum that holds therein a sound deadening member as the thermoplastic resin member.

4. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the sound deadening member is formed as a cylinder member with a slit-like opening portion at a position in a circumferential direction thereof.

5. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the sound deadening member is formed as a hollow cylinder member with a hinge portion and a slit-like opening portion at opposite positions in a circumferential direction thereof.

6. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the sound deadening member is formed into a substantially C shape in section or a coil shape.

7. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein heat processing is performed in a state in which the opening portion of the sound deadening member is expanded by a correction jig.

8. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic resin member is made of ABS resin or vinyl chloride resin.

9. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the heat processing is performed by immersing the thermoplastic resin member in hot water.

10. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the heat processing is performed by immersing the thermoplastic resin member in hot water; and

the heat processing also serves as cleaning attachment attached to the thermoplastic resin member.

11. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the hot water is set at a temperature of 45° C. to 90° C.

12. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein a temperature in the heat processing is set to a temperature equal to or less than a deflection temperature under load of the thermoplastic resin member.

13. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising examining a degree of restoration of the configuration of the sound deadening member with measurement of a width of the opening portion of the sound deadening member.

14. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein, after a predetermined number of times of recycling of the sound deadening member is reached, a width of the opening portion of the sound deadening member is made larger for further recycling.

15. A recycling method of a part for an image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising:

expanding an end portion of the photosensitive drum; and

retrieving the sound deadening member from the photosensitive drum after the expanding.