Abstract: A manufacturing method includes a dividing step for dividing a supporting member into a first divided portion including a fixed portion to a frame and a second divided portion including a second engaged portion, a divided-portion detaching step for detaching the second divided portion from the frame, and a separating step for detaching an engaging portion from a first engaged portion and separating a developing unit from the frame.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes a removing step for removing at least a part of a contact portion of a cover portion from a supporting member, the cover portion being configured to come into contact with a projecting portion included in a frame when the supporting member is deformed to allow a second engaged portion to be detached from an engaging portion in a state in which a fixed portion of the supporting member is fixed to the frame, a deforming step for deforming the supporting member to allow the second engaged portion to be detached from the engaging portion in the state in which the fixed portion is fixed to the frame, and a separating step for detaching an engaging portion from a first engaged portion and separating a developing unit from the frame.

Abstract: A cartridge mountable to and dismountable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a memory, a guide configured to guide a portion-to-be-guided provided in the main assembly and to guide a main assembly contact provided in the main assembly to a memory contact of the memory when the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly, and a grip portion. The guide is provided at a bottom of the cartridge when the cartridge is hung by gripping the grip portion and constitutes a part of a supporting portion configured to support the cartridge when the cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface. The guide has a chamfered surface formed by being chamfered. When the cartridge is supported at the supporting portion, the chamfered surface opposes the horizontal placement surface, and a surface of the memory contact is inclined with respect to the horizontal placement surface.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes a dividing step for dividing a supporting member into a first divided portion including a fixed portion to a frame and a second divided portion including a second engaged portion, a divided-portion detaching step for detaching the second divided portion from the frame, and a separating step for detaching an engaging portion from a first engaged portion and separating a developing unit from the frame.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a frame unit from a first unit. The first unit includes a first image carrying member, a supporting member supporting the first image carrying member, and a frame to which the supporting member is adhered. The first image carrying member includes a first edge portion member, and the first edge portion member includes a first restricted portion. The supporting member includes a bearing engaging with the first edge portion member so that the first image carrying member is rotatable about a rotational axis. The frame includes a first restricting portion restricting movement of the first image carrying member. The method includes separating in which the first image carrying member is separated from the supporting member while in a state in which the supporting member is adhered to the frame.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes a removing step for removing at least a part of a contact portion of a cover portion from a supporting member, the cover portion being configured to come into contact with a projecting portion included in a frame when the supporting member is deformed to allow a second engaged portion to be detached from an engaging portion in a state in which a fixed portion of the supporting member is fixed to the frame, a deforming step for deforming the supporting member to allow the second engaged portion to be detached from the engaging portion in the state in which the fixed portion is fixed to the frame, and a separating step for detaching an engaging portion from a first engaged portion and separating a developing unit from the frame.

Abstract: A cartridge mountable to and dismountable from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a memory, a guide configured to guide a portion-to-be-guided provided in the main assembly and to guide a main assembly contact provided in the main assembly to a memory contact of the memory when the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly, and a grip portion. The guide is provided at a bottom of the cartridge when the cartridge is hung by gripping the grip portion and constitutes a part of a supporting portion configured to support the cartridge when the cartridge is placed on a horizontal placement surface. The guide has a chamfered surface formed by being chamfered. When the cartridge is supported at the supporting portion, the chamfered surface opposes the horizontal placement surface, and a surface of the memory contact is inclined with respect to the horizontal placement surface.

Abstract: A process cartridge of an image forming apparatus includes a seal member to seal a first gap between an end portion of a developer bearing member and a frame, and a sealing portion that seals a second gap between the frame and an end portion of the seal member. The frame includes an injection inlet through which elastomer has been injected into the second gap for forming the sealing portion, a storage portion that is a space surrounded by a second surface of the frame and a wall protruding from the second surface and in which elastomer spilling out of the second gap is stored, and a protruding portion that protrudes, from the second surface of the frame, further than the wall of the storage portion. The protruding portion contacts a conveyed recording medium when the process cartridge is mounted in an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A first supporting member includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that respectively engage with a first engaged portion and a second engaged portion that are provided in a second supporting member. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are configured to apply force in directions opposite to the directions in which the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion move when an opening opens.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a cartridge and an image forming apparatus main assembly. An image forming apparatus main assembly includes a drive output member for transmitting the driving force to the cartridge. The drive output member is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position. An image forming apparatus main assembly includes an inclination imparting portion for inclining the drive output member as the drive output member moves from the advanced position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding developer includes a first feeding member for feeding the developer in a feeding direction and including a drive transmitting portion, and a second feeding member including a drive receiving portion and a helical blade as a feeding portion. In addition, a bearing portion rotatably supports the second feeding member in a portion between the drive receiving portion and the helical blade, wherein the drive transmitting portion and the drive receiving portion engage with each other so as to enable delivery of the developer from the first feeding member to the second feeding member while transmitting a driving force of the first feeding member to the second feeding member. The bearing portion is provided on one side of a second rotational axis of the second feeding member with respect to the feeding direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a developer container including a frame configured to define a developer containing portion, a first electrode, and a second electrode arranged on a surface of the frame and having a surface opposed to the first electrode, a developer amount in the developer containing portion being detected based on a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode, the method including: holding a conductive resin member constituting the second electrode on a mold configured to mold the frame, a surface of the conductive resin member being in contact with a surface of the mold configured to mold a surface of the frame on a side of the developer containing portion; injecting a resin to be formed into the frame, into the mold on which the conductive resin member is held; and curing the resin to form the frame to which the second electrode is fixed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a developer container including a frame configured to define a developer containing portion, a first electrode, and a second electrode arranged on a surface of the frame and having a surface opposed to the first electrode, a developer amount in the developer containing portion being detected based on a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode, the method including: holding a conductive resin member constituting the second electrode on a mold configured to mold the frame, a surface of the conductive resin member being in contact with a surface of the mold configured to mold a surface of the frame on a side of the developer containing portion; injecting a resin to be formed into the frame, into the mold on which the conductive resin member is held; and curing the resin to form the frame to which the second electrode is fixed.

Abstract: An accommodating device for collecting developer from an image bearing member includes an accommodating container for accommodating the developer from the image bearing member, a feeding member for feeding the developer in a developer feeding direction and provided in the accommodating container, and a wall member for partitioning inside of the accommodating container. The wall member is provided in the accommodating container and extends along a direction crossing the developer feeding direction and inclined toward a downstream side of the feeding member with respect to the developer feeding direction. The wall member is contactable to the developer being fed in the developer feeding direction.

Abstract: A first supporting member includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that respectively engage with a first engaged portion and a second engaged portion that are provided in a second supporting member. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are configured to apply force in directions opposite to the directions in which the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion move when an opening opens.

Abstract: An injection inlet for injecting elastomer into a gap between frames and a seal member, a storage portion in which the elastomer flowing out of the injection inlet is stored, and a protruding portion that protrudes toward a conveyance path of a recording medium to which a developer image is transferred, are provided in the frames, and the protruding portion protrudes toward the conveyance path further than the storage portion exposed to the conveyance path.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding a developer includes an accommodating member, a first helical feeding member including a first region having a first diameter and a second region having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter in a named order with respect to a first feeding direction, a second helical feeding member for feeding the developer in a second feeding direction crossing the first feeding direction, and a wall extending toward the second helical feeding member so that the wall is spaced from the first helical feeding member toward a downstream side of the first helical feeding member with respect to the first feeding direction to branch a flow path of the developer. With respect to the first feeding direction, the second region is provided between the first region and a position where the first and second helical feeding members cross each other.

Abstract: An accommodating container for accommodating a developer includes a feeding member for feeding the developer in the accommodating container; and a wall member provided in the accommodating container and extending along a direction crossing a developer feeding direction of the feeding member and inclined so that a distance from the feeding member increases toward a downstream side of the feeding member with respect to the developer feeding direction.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding a developer includes an accommodating member, a first helical feeding member including a first region having a first diameter and a second region having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter in a named order with respect to a first feeding direction, a second helical feeding member for feeding the developer in a second feeding direction crossing the first feeding direction, and a wall extending toward the second helical feeding member so that the wall is spaced from the first helical feeding member toward a downstream side of the first helical feeding member with respect to the first feeding direction to branch a flow path of the developer. With respect to the first feeding direction, the second region is provided between the first region and a position where the first and second helical feeding members cross each other.