Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame body, a substrate having a memory element, and a cartridge electrical contact and a cartridge pushing portion provided on the frame body. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus on which the process cartridge is loaded includes a main body electrical connector and main body electrical contacts. The cartridge pushing portion moves the main body electrical connector so that the process cartridge moves in a direction to be electrically connected with the cartridge electrical contact when the process cartridge is loaded on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge pushing portion operates so as to give a pushing force for pushing the main body electrical contact in a direction to be electrically connected with the cartridge electrical contact. In this way, the main body electrical contact and the cartridge electrical contact can be stably reliably brought into contact.

Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a frame body, a substrate having a memory element and a cartridge electrical contact electrically connected and a cartridge pushing portion provided on the frame body. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus on which the process cartridge is loaded comprises main body electrical connecting means and main body electrical contacts. The cartridge pushing portion moves the main body electrical connecting means so that the process cartridge moves in a direction to be electrically connected with the cartridge electrical contact when the process cartridge is loaded on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge pushing portion operates so as to give a pushing force for pushing the main body electrical contact in a direction to be electrically connected with the cartridge electrical contact. In this way, the main body electrical contact and the cartridge electrical contact can be stably reliably brought into contact.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drive controlling apparatus used in a sheet supplying apparatus including a lift/lower sheet supporting device for supporting a sheet, a sheet supply mechanism for feeding out the sheet supported by the sheet supporting device, a biasing mechanism for biasing the sheet supporting device toward the sheet supply mechanism, and a separating mechanism for separating the sheet supporting device from the sheet supply mechanism in opposition to a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and wherein the sheet urged against the sheet supply mechanism by the biasing mechanism is fed out by the sheet supply mechanism, said drive controlling apparatus adapted to transmit a driving force for operating the separating mechanism from a drive source and comprising a drive side device connected to the drive source, a driven side device connected to the separating mechanism, and a play setting device for providing a play for not transmitting the driving force within a predetermined range between

Abstract: An image forming apparatus usable with a process cartridge comprising an image bearing member and a process device actable on the image bearing member includes guide device, contactable with the process cartridge, for guiding in the loading direction the process cartridge to be loaded into a main assembly of the apparatus; a positioning device for positioning the process cartridge, which is in the disengaged state from the guide device, into the loading location; and a pressing device for pressing the process device onto the positioning device.

Abstract: A sheet to be fed by a sheet feed roller is loaded on a sheet feed tray, and a side regulating member is disposed so as to be movable in accordance with the sheet size in order to regulate the position of the loaded sheet in the direction of the sheet width. The side regulating member extends downstream from the sheet feed roller in the sheet feeding direction in order to regulate the position of the sheet in the direction of the sheet width, thereby preventing oblique movement of the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus features a document-reading unit mounted to an exterior cover of the apparatus to which at least part of an image-forming unit can be removed from the interior of the apparatus. The exterior cover can be operated without being disturbed by a document-reading unit. Accordingly, attaching and detaching at least part of the image-forming unit readily can be performed. Further, according to another aspect, an image forming apparatus features a common delivery tray, which can be used for both a recording paper and an original document. This saves space within the apparatus and therefore enables the image forming apparatus to be reduced in size. In addition, the recording paper and the original document are delivered to the tray with the image-printed or image-bearing surfaces thereon facing in different directions. Thus the user does not confuse the recording paper with the original document.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, for forming an image on a recording material. The image forming apparatus includes a first guiding device for guiding the process cartridge toward a predetermined mounting position when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus. The first guiding device is disposed upstream of the predetermined mounting position with respect to a mounting movement direction of the process cartridge. A second guiding device is provided for guiding the process cartridge toward the predetermined mounting position when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus The second guiding device is disposed (i) closer to the predetermined position than the first guiding device, and (ii) downstream of the first guiding device with respect to the mounting movement direction. Also provided is a feeding device for feeding the recording material.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material. The process cartridge includes an image bearing member, a process device for acting on the image bearing member, which includes a developing device for developing an image on the image bearing member, a frame, and a projection disposed on the upper surface of the frame and extending toward the developing device, the projection having (i) an upward inclined surface, (ii) a flat surface continuing from the upper inclined surface, and (iii) a downward inclined surface that is inclined toward the developing device.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus comprising a sheet supporting device for stacking and supporting sheets, a sheet supplying device for feeding out the sheets supported by the sheet supporting device, a separating device for separating the sheets fed by the sheet supplying device one by one, a back tension releasing device for not acting a back tension on the sheet separated by the separating device, and a double feed preventing device, which is insertable into and retractable from a sheet feeding path for the sheet separated by the separating device. When the back tension is released by the back tension releasing device, the double feed preventing device is inserted into the sheet feeding path, thereby preventing the double feed of the sheets.