Abstract: The present invention provides a developing apparatus which has a developer carrying member opposed to an image bearing member for bearing a latent image and adapted to carry magnetic developer, a magnet provided within the developer carrying member and having one end secured to a frame of the apparatus, and a bearing fitted on other end of the magnet and adapted to rotatably support the developer carrying member, wherein a fitting portion between the magnet and the bearing has a non-circular shape.

Abstract: A gap retaining member featuring high durability and high resistance to frictional charging is provided as a means for retaining a gap between an image bearing member and a developer bearing member in an image forming apparatus. The gap retaining member for maintaining a gap between the image bearing member and a cylindrical portion of the developer bearing member in the image forming apparatus, which has at least the image bearing member and the cylindrical developer bearing member that is rotatably held, is formed of a material that is composed of at least a polybutylene terephthalate resin and a reinforcing material.

Abstract: A voltage applying apparatus for applying from a power source a voltage to a rotatable charging member for charging a body to be charged, includes first and second conductive members brought into contact with a peripheral surface of a rotary shaft of the charging member to form a first electric supply path for applying the voltage to the peripheral surface of the rotary shaft through the first conductive member from the power source, and to form a second electric supply path for applying the voltage to the peripheral surface of the rotary shaft through the second conductive member from the power source. A first portion at which the first conductive member is brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the rotary shaft and a second portion at which the second conductive member is brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the rotary shaft, are so provided as to be overlapped with each other in an axial direction of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process unit for operating on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a plurality of engaging members provided at a first frame, and a plurality of engaging members provided at a second frame. The first frame and the second frame are connected by connecting respective engaging members selected from the plurality of engaging members provided at the first frame and engaging members selected from the plurality of engaging members provided at the second frame. The process cartridge is detachably mountable in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a development member for conveying developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member to develop the latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developer storing portion for storing the developer used by the development member to develop the latent image; a developer supplying opening for supplying the developer stored in the developer storing portion, to the development member; and a developer remainder amount reporting member disposed within the developer storing portion, away from the internal surface of the developer storing portion, for reporting the developer remainder amount within the developing apparatus on the basis of the electrostatic capacity between the developer remainder amount reporting member and the development member.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates the work for filling developer into a developer containing portion. An end member, used for a process cartridge, has a detachable handle member, which connects with one end in a longitudinal direction of a sealing member, for being held when the sealing member is unsealed, and is mounted on one end in a longitudinal direction of the developer containing portion to cover a developer filling port.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning blade urged against an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cleaning frame to which the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a cleaning blade holding member and a dip sheet are attached, and wherein an area having a small gap is formed between an inner wall of the cleaning frame and the other end of the cleaning blade holding member opposite to one end to which the cleaning blade is attached.

Abstract: A coupling member for coupling a first frame and a second frame of a process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge including the first frame having an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a photosensitive member mounting portion for mounting the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the second frame having a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing means mounting portion for mounting the developing means, the coupling member includes a connecting portion for rotatably coupling the first frame and second frame; a spring mounting portion for mounting a spring for applying elastic force to the first frame and second frame; and a coupling member locking portion for locking the coupling member to the second frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recycling a process cartridge removably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of: (a) dividing a process cartridge into a first frame including an image bearing member, and a second frame including a developing means and a developer containing means for containing developer used by the developing means and having an opening through which the developer is supplied to the developing means; (b) thereafter, removing the developing means from the second frame; (c) thereafter, replenishing developer to the developer containing means through the opening; (d) thereafter, removably attaching a seal for closing the opening to the opening; and (e) thereafter, locking the first and second frames to each other, thereby assembling the process cartridge.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a process device actable on the photosensitive member; a first projection for positioning the process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the first projection being outwardly projected from a first frame adjacent an axial end of the photosensitive member; a second projection for functioning as a pivot when the process cartridge is removed from the main assembly, the second projection being outwardly projected from a first frame; a third projection for positioning the process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the third projection being outwardly projected from a second frame adjacent another axial end of the photosensitive member; a fourth projection for functioning as a pivot when the process cartridge is removed from the main assembly, th

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, wherein the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided with a detecting device for detecting existence of the process cartridge, the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a first frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developing mechanism for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a second frame for supporting the developing mechanism and rotatably coupled on the first frame; a member to be detected, provided on an upper surface of the first frame and extended bridging between the first frame and the second frame, wherein the member to be detected is capable of being detected by the detecting device to notify mounting of the process cartridge to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a charging member for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developing device for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; and a charging bias contact, a developing bias contact, and a grounding contact arranged in a particular manner so as to interface in a particular manner with corresponding contacts on the image forming apparatus main assembly.

Abstract: A developing frame usable in a process cartridge which is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, wherein the process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, includes a first frame having a toner containing portion for containing toner for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive member, an opening portion formed in the toner containing portion and a toner supply opening for supplying the toner from the toner containing portion to a developing zone; a second frame having a developing device mounting portion for mounting a developing device for developing the latent image on the photosensitive member using the toner contained in the toner containing portion, and a covering member for covering the opening portion of the toner containing portion; wherein the developing frame is constructed by combining the first frame and second frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process cartridge removably mounted to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing sleeve for supplying magnetic toner to the electrophotographic photosensitive member to develop a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a magnet disposed within the developing sleeve, and an electrode member for supplying electricity from the image forming apparatus to the developing sleeve when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus. The magnet is positioned in a thrust direction by the electrode member.

Abstract: A shutter for a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a processing device acting on the photosensitive member, a frame, an exposure opening for permitting exposure of the photosensitive member to image information light, an image transfer opening for permitting transfer of image from the photosensitive member to a recording material, the process cartridge that being detachably mountable to main assembly of an image forming apparatus, one shutter includes an engaging portion for engaging the shutter with the frame; a first shutter member for opening and closing the exposure opening; a second shutter member for opening and closing the transfer opening.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a process device actable on the photosensitive member; a toner container for containing toner for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the toner container having an opening for permitting supply of the toner to a developing portion therefrom; a sealing member for sealing the opening; and a seal mounting portion for permitting a sealing member a plurality of times.