Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes: a cartridge frame; an electrophotographic photosensitive drum supported on the cartridge frame; a process device actable on the photosensitive drum; a cartridge drum positioning portion for positioning the photosensitive drum to the main assembly of the apparatus by engagement with a main assembly drum positioning portion provided in the main assembly of the apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus; and a cartridge frame positioning portion for positioning the cartridge frame to the main assembly of the apparatus by engagement with a main assembly frame positioning portion provided in the main assembly of the apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer container. An agitating member agitates developer contained in the developer container. A drive transmitting member transmits power to the agitating member by engaging a rotary shaft of the agitating member. A bearing is adapted to rotatably hold the drive transmitting member to the developer container. The bearing includes a notched portion having a rotation regulating and positioning function to prevent the bearing from being dislodged from the developer container.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer, a frame for rotatably supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing blade, provided in the frame, for regulating the amount of the developer applied on a peripheral surface of the developing roller, a supporting member, journaled in the frame for rotation about a center of rotation, for rotatably supporting the developing roller at a position away from the center of rotation thereof, and an urging member for elastically urging the supporting member to urge the developing roller toward the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A unit detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a developer accommodating portion having a developer inlet hole; a first opening and closing member for opening and closing the inlet hole; and a second opening and closing member for opening and closing the inlet hole, the second opening and closing member being movable above the first opening and closing member.

Abstract: A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the developing device is mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the developing device includes a developing member for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a first developer accommodation portion for accommodation a developer comprising toner and carrier to be used for developing the electrostatic latent image; a second developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer including the toner and the carrier to be supplied to the first developer accommodation portion, wherein the second developer accommodation portion, wherein the second developer accommodation portion is provided with an openable discharge opening, and by opening the discharge opening, the developer accommodated in the second developer accommodation portion is supplied into the first dev

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cartridge frame; an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a process device actable on the photosensitive member, a first cartridge guiding portion for being guided by a main assembly guide provided in the main assembly of the apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, the first cartridge guiding portion being provided at one end, with respect to a mounting direction in which the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of apparatus of the cartridge frame; and a second cartridge guiding portion for being guided by the main assembly guide provided in the main assembly of the apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of apparatus, the second cartridge guiding portion being provided at the other end, with respect to the mounting direction, of the cartridge frame, wherein when the process cartridge is mounted to

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes (a) a developing unit for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer; (b) a charging unit for supporting a charging member for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the charging unit being rotatable in a first rotational direction about a rotational center relative to the developing unit in which the charging member moves toward the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and in a second rotational direction about the rotational center in which the charging member moves away from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A cartridge which is detachably mountable on an image forming apparatus is provided with non-volatile storing medium. In this non-volatile storing medium, a predetermined value is stored. The predetermined value is used for controlling the image forming apparatus together with the count value which is counted when forming images. The count value for counting images formed in a first image formation mode is different from the count value that is counted when forming images in a second image formation mode whose maximum amount of waste toner contained in a cleaning container is different from that of the first image mode. With the structure thus arranged, the number of printable sheets is made greater before the waste toner is filled in the cleaning container up to its limit, hence enabling the user to secure a longer period of time for preparing the cartridge.

Abstract: A process cartridge datably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus featuring a connector portion for transmitting a result of detection by a detecting member to a main assembly of the apparatus by electrical connection to the main assembly of the apparatus. A photosensitive member driving force receiving portion, a developing member driving force receiving portion, a developing bias contact and the connector portion are disposed at a leading end of the process cartridge when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus. The connector portion and the developing bias contact are disposed with the developing member driving force receiving portion therebetween. The process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus along a longitudinal direction of the developing member.

Abstract: A unit detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a developer accommodating portion having a developer inlet hole; a first opening and closing member for opening and closing the inlet hole; and a second opening and closing member for opening and closing the inlet hole, the second opening and closing member being movable above the first opening and closing member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a developing apparatus comprising a developer containing container, an agitating member for agitating developer contained in the developer containing container, a drive transmitting member for transmitting a power to the agitating member by engaging a rotary shaft of the agitating member, and a bearing adapted to rotatably hold the drive transmitting member and attached to the developer containing container, and wherein the bearing has a dislodgment preventing member with respect to the developer containing container.

Abstract: A developer supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes a developer accommodating portion; a developer discharging portion; and a cover cover in the developer discharging portion, the cover being movable between a first position in which the cover covers the developer discharging portion and a second position in which the developer discharging position is exposed, wherein the second position is closer to the developer accommodating portion than the first position.

Abstract: A shutter pin usable with a developing cartridge which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a pin mounting portion for mounting the shutter pin to a cartridge frame of the developing cartridge; a shutter mounting portion for mounting, to the cartridge frame, a shutter member for covering a portion where a developing roller of the developing cartridge is exposed from the cartridge frame; and an electroconductive portion for establishing electric grounding connection with the main assembly of the apparatus when the developing cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a brush roller, contactable to an image bearing member, for removing toner from the image bearing member and a brush driving force transmission path, which is different from a driving force transmission path for the image bearing member. The brush roller is rotated through the brush driving force transmission path with a speed of rotation smaller than that of the image bearing member.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cartridge frame; an electrophotographic photosensitive member; process means actable on the photosensitive member: a first cartridge guiding portion for being guided by a main assembly guide provided in the main assembly of the apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, the first cartridge guiding portion being provided at one end, with respect to a mounting direction in which the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of apparatus, of the cartridge frame; and a second cartridge guiding portion for being guided by the main assembly guide provided in the main assembly of the apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of apparatus, the second cartridge guiding portion being provided at the other end, with respect to the mounting direction, of the cartridge frame, wherein when the process cartridge is mounted to t

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising:

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a coupling member at one end thereof. The process cartridge is detachably mountable in a direction of an axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The cartridge also includes a process device actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a projected shaft projected from the coupling member of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The projected shaft is engageable with a hole of an engaging member provided in the main assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning member for removing residual toner from an image bearing member. A supporting portion for supporting the cleaning member, the supporting portion being of a material different from that of the cleaning member. A reinforcing member, wherein the reinforcing member and the cleaning member sandwich the supporting portion.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum mounting method for mounting an electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a frame of a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the method including the steps of (a) a first inserting step of inserting a first drum shaft provided at one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum into a first frame hole provided in a first projected portion at one end portion which is projected in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of a frame of the process cartridge at one longitudinal end of the frame of; (b) facing step of facing, while the first drum shaft is inserted into the first frame hole, the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to a second projected portion projected from the frame in a direction crossing with the longitudinal direction of the frame at the other longitudinal end of the frame, by moving the other end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for an image carrier includes a cleaning member for removing remaining developer left on the image carrier; and a sealing member disposed on each opposite end of the cleaning means for preventing the developer removed by the cleaning member from leaking out. The sealing member cleans a surface to which a distance-ensuring device for maintaining a prescribed distance between the image carrier and another electrophotographic process means, extends, and contacts with the image carrier.