Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which the replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion that accommodates developer and a replenishment port, an agitation, an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position, a drive source for driving the agitation member, and a control portion configured to control the drive source, wherein the apparatus is configured such that image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is at the open position, and the agitation member is capable of driving in a case where the opening/closing member is at the open position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable, the developer container including an accommodating portion, and a supporting portion, wherein the developer container includes a projection portion that is provided at one end portion thereof in the rotation axis direction of the developer bearing member and projects toward the supporting portion more than a center portion of the developer container in a crossing direction crossing the rotation axis direction, the projection portion communicates with the accommodating portion and includes, at a distal end portion thereof, an attachment portion configured such that the replenishment container is attachable thereto in a state of being exposed to the outside of the apparatus, and a replenishment port for replenishing the accommodating portion with developer from the replenishment container is defined in the attachment portion.

Abstract: A conveyance mechanism which includes a rotation shaft extending in a direction along a first direction connecting first and second discharge ports that is rotatable with a rotation axis extending in the first direction. Wherein, a first rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the first discharge port, and a second rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the second discharge port. The second rotation conveyance unit is configured to provide a larger amount of conveyance than the first rotation conveyance unit.

Abstract: A cartridge is configured to be attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus and configured to receive toner supplied from a supply container. The cartridge includes a supply port configured to receive the toner supplied from the supply container, a shutter member configured to cover the supply port, and a locking member. The locking member is moved from a lock position to an unlock position to allow movement of the shutter member by using electric power supplied from the main body.

Abstract: A conveyance mechanism which includes a rotation shaft extending in a direction along a first direction connecting first and second discharge ports that is rotatable with a rotation axis extending in the first direction. Wherein, a first rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the first discharge port, and a second rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the second discharge port. The second rotation conveyance unit is configured to provide a larger amount of conveyance than the first rotation conveyance unit.

Abstract: A photosensitive member unit includes photosensitive drums and a frame including positioning portions. One and the other end shaft portions of the photosensitive drums are movable between first positions in which the above-mentioned one and the other end shaft portions are positioned by the positioning portions and second positions in which the above-mentioned one end of the other end shaft portions are not positioned by said positioning portions. The photosensitive member unit includes a plurality of mounting portions which are provided in the frame and to which developing units including developing members capable of supplying toner to the photosensitive drums are mountable, and from which the developing units are dismountable without dismounting the photosensitive drums from the frame, in a state that the above-mentioned one and the other end shaft portions are positioned by the positioning portions.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearing member, a developer container, a regulating blade including a plate-like elastic portion, and an elastic seal sealing, and a pressing member pressing the elastic seal, wherein the plate-like elastic portion includes a metal plate, a second projection projecting from a second surface of the metal plate facing the developer bearing member, and a first projection projecting from a first surface opposite to the second surface of the metal plate, and wherein a projecting amount of the first projection is greater than a projecting amount of the second projection, wherein a top surface of the second projection contacts the surface of the developer bearing member, and an end surface of the first projection contacts an end surface of the elastic seal in the rotation axis direction.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a cartridge frame formed of a resin material; a plurality of resin members molded on the cartridge frame by injection molding of a resin material different from that of the cartridge frame; a plurality of contact surfaces, provided on the cartridge frame, to which metal molds corresponding to the resin members are to be contacted from the same side when the resin members are molded; and a plurality of resin material inlet ports, provided in an opposite side of said cartridge frame from a side where the contact surfaces are provided. The resin material has been flowed into the cartridge frame when the resin members are molded.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably attached to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus includes: a restriction member provided on a toner cartridge, the restriction member being movable between a restriction position, at which relative movement between (1) the toner cartridge attached to the attachment portion of the process cartridge and (2) the process cartridge is restricted by an engagement of the restriction member and the process cartridge, and a non-restriction position, at which the relative movement is not restricted; and a driving transmission unit for transmitting a driving force from the apparatus body to the toner cartridge by engaging with the apparatus body. The restriction member moves from the restriction position to the non-restriction position when a driving force reception unit receives the driving force from the driving transmission unit.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearing member, a developer container, a regulating blade including a plate-like elastic portion, and an elastic seal sealing, and a pressing member pressing the elastic seal, wherein the plate-like elastic portion includes a metal plate, a second projection projecting from a second surface of the metal plate facing the developer bearing member, and a first projection projecting from a first surface opposite to the second surface of the metal plate, and wherein a projecting amount of the first projection is greater than a projecting amount of the second projection, wherein a top surface of the second projection contacts the surface of the developer bearing member, and an end surface of the first projection contacts an end surface of the elastic seal in the rotation axis direction.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably attached to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus includes: a restriction member provided on a toner cartridge, the restriction member being movable between a restriction position, at which relative movement between (1) the toner cartridge attached to the attachment portion of the process cartridge and (2) the process cartridge is restricted by an engagement of the restriction member and the process cartridge, and a non-restriction position, at which the relative movement is not restricted; and a driving transmission unit for transmitting a driving force from the apparatus body to the toner cartridge by engaging with the apparatus body. The restriction member moves from the restriction position to the non-restriction position when a driving force reception unit receives the driving force from the driving transmission unit.

Abstract: A photosensitive member unit includes photosensitive drums and a frame including positioning portions. One and the other end shaft portions of the photosensitive drums are movable between first positions in which the above-mentioned one and the other end shaft portions are positioned by the positioning portions and second positions in which the above-mentioned one end of the other end shaft portions are not positioned by said positioning portions. The photosensitive member unit includes a plurality of mounting portions which are provided in the frame and to which developing units including developing members capable of supplying toner to the photosensitive drums are mountable, and from which the developing units are dismountable without dismounting the photosensitive drums from the frame, in a state that the above-mentioned one and the other end shaft portions are positioned by the positioning portions.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a cartridge frame formed of a resin material; a plurality of resin members molded on the cartridge frame by injection molding of a resin material different from that of the cartridge frame; a plurality of contact surfaces, provided on the cartridge frame, to which metal molds corresponding to the resin members are to be contacted from the same side when the resin members are molded; and a plurality of resin material inlet ports, provided in an opposite side of said cartridge frame from a side where the contact surfaces are provided. The resin material has been flowed into the cartridge frame when the resin members are molded.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a cartridge frame formed of a resin material; a plurality of resin members molded on the cartridge frame by injection molding of a resin material different from that of the cartridge frame; a plurality of contact surfaces, provided on the cartridge frame, to which metal molds corresponding to the resin members are to be contacted from the same side when the resin members are molded; and a plurality of resin material inlet ports, provided in an opposite side of said cartridge frame from a side where the contact surfaces are provided. The resin material has been flowed into the cartridge frame when the resin members are molded.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a cartridge that is detachably mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The manufacturing method includes a step of integrally molding a cartridge electrode with a frame in a manner such that a mold is contacted to the frame to form a space including a first portion for forming a first contact portion, a second portion for forming a second contact portion, and a connecting portion branching from an injection portion into the first portion and the second portion, and electroconductive resin is injected into the space.

Abstract: In a configuration in which a charging roller contact unit of a contact unit is located in a periphery of a mounting surface for mounting a cleaning blade of a drum cartridge frame, at least a part of the charging roller contact unit of the contact unit is formed in such a manner that an area of a cross section perpendicular to a direction approaching to the mounting surface of the cleaning blade becomes smaller with an approach to the mounting surface of the cleaning blade.

Abstract: In a cartridge provided with an electrode portion for connecting a main assembly contact and process means by injecting an electroconductive resin into a frame, in order to simplify structures of the frame and the electrode portion and to improve an assembling property of the cartridge and an electrode property of the electrode portion, the cartridge electrode integrally molded by injecting the electroconductive resin into the frame includes a first contact portion, exposed toward an outside of the frame, contacted to a main assembly contact provided in the apparatus main assembly; a second contact portion provided for being electrically connected to the process means; and an injection receiving portion into which the resin is injected when the cartridge electrode is molded into the frame, and, the electroconductive resin injected from the injection receiving portion is branched to mold the first contact portion and the second contact portion so that an electroconductive path for electrically connecting the m

Abstract: A cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a process unit configured to perform image formation, a frame configured to support the process unit, and a conductive member injection-molded integrally with the frame using a conductive resin, configured contact with a main body electrode portion provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and to be electrically connected with the process unit, and a contact surface of the conductive member configured to contact with the main body electrode portion, includes a plurality of protruded portions.

Abstract: A cartridge is detachably mountable to an apparatus main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a cartridge electrode formed on a frame. The cartridge electrode includes a first contact portion provided for being electrically connected to a main assembly contact of the apparatus main assembly and a second contact portion contacted to an electroconductive member. The cartridge electrode is integrally molded with the frame and further includes a portion that (i) is formed in a buffer portion and (ii) is formed from electroconductive resin.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, includes: a member to be supplied with electric energy; a frame molded with a resin material; and an electrode member formed on the frame by injection molding of an electroconductive resin material. The electrode member includes a supporting portion for supporting the member to be supplied with electric energy and a contact portion to be contacted to a main assembly electric contact, provided in the main assembly, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly.