Abstract: The present invention includes an image bearing member, a first attachment surface to which a cleaning device for removing toner from the image bearing member is attached. The present invention also includes a second attachment surface which is in parallel with or substantially in parallel with the first attachment surface and to which a developing device for developing an image formed on the image bearing member is attached. With the above construction, it is possible to provide a process cartridge, a method for assembling a process cartridge, and an image forming system mountable and in the process cartridge, which can remarkably improve the assembling ability.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; processing device actable on the image bearing member; an electroconductive grounding member which is in electric connection with the image bearing member, for grounding the image bearing member to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; and a removing member for removing a material deposited on the image bearing member; the removing member is in contact with a region of the image bearing member contactable to the grounding member.

Abstract: A process cartridge removably mountable in an image forming system, includes an image bearing member, process means acting on the image bearing member, a first member which forms a part of a developer container for containing developer, a second member which forms a part of the developer container for containing the developer, a seal member obtained by solidifying liquid material as an elastomer and disposed on connection surfaces at which the first and second members are joined to each other, and a regulating means provided in the connection surface of the first member to be joined to the second member and adapted to regulate the movement of the liquid material. An image forming system to which such a process cartridge can be removably mounted, and a method for assembling such a process cartridge, also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized by that a first frame for containing developer used with a developing operation, a second frame for supporting a developing means for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member, and a third frame for supporting the image bearing member are made of the same material.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized by an image bearing member, a toner carrying member for directing toner to the image bearing member and a magnet disposed within the toner carrying member, and in that the image bearing member and the magnet are positioned by a common positioning member. With above construction, it is possible to provide a process cartridge and an image forming system, which can remarkably the accuracy of attachment positions of an image bearing member and a magnet, thus remarkably enhancing the image quality.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising a frame, an image bearing member, process means acting on the image bearing member, and a gripper for gripping the process cartridge. The gripper portion is provided on said frame at a position offset from a longitudinal center of the process cartridge toward a position where the frame is subjected to a greater mounting resistance generated by engagement between the process cartridge and a member on the main body, when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image bearing member comprising an image bearing layer capable of bearing an image, a substrate for supporting the image bearing layer, and a weight portion arranged with the substrate asymmetrically with respect to a center of said substrate in a generatrix direction thereof.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a process cartridge having an image bearing member, processing structure acting on the image bearing member, a toner container containing toner used in a developing operation, and a gripper used when the process cartridge is mounted within the image forming system. The gripper also serves as an aiding member for removing a seal sealingly closing an opening of the toner container. With the foregoing construction, it is possible to provide a process cartridge and an image forming system capable of removably mounting a process cartridge therein, which can prevent an operator from forgetting to remove a seal prior to using a new process cartridge.

Abstract: A blade member, mountable onto an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, such as copier, printer, facsimile, word processor, and the like, for removing residual matter from an electrophotographic photosensitive member, includes an elastic blade one side surface of which is flat in a longitudinal direction thereof and the other side surface of which has a vertical portion perpendicular to an end surface of the elastic blade, and an inclined portion inclined with respect to the vertical portion, the inclined portion having a larger thickness than the vertical portion, and a support member for supporting the elastic blade. A thickness (f) of a portion of the elastic blade, which is engaged by the support member at a side of the one side surface, is greater than a thickness (g) of a portion of the elastic blade which is engaged by the support member at a side of the other side surface.

Abstract: A process cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus, including a rotary member, a holding member for holding the rotary member, and a plurality of rolling members assembled between the rotary member and the holding member independently from the holding member.

Abstract: A process cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a frame, an image bearing member, a toner carrying member for directing toner to the image bearing member, and a magnet disposed within the toner carrying member. A common positioning member, separate from the frame, contacts each of the image bearing member and the magnet to mutually position the image bearing member and the magnet.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, includes a plurality of process device including at least one member having an electrically conductive cylinder; a supporting frame for supporting as a unit the plural process devices; and an electrode, in the supporting frame, having a first portion electrically contactable to the main assembly and a second portion press-contacted to an end surface of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A process cartridge mountable within an image forming apparatus, includes an image bearing member, process means acting on the image bearing member, a frame, and a first guide surface provided on the frame and adapted to guide a recording medium toward the image bearing member, and a second guide surface recessed more than the first guide surface and having width smaller than that of the first guide surface. With the above construction, it is possible to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus within which such a process cartridge can be mounted, which can be made small-sized and light-weighted and which are easy to use.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes first and second frames. The first frame has an image bearing member and developing means for developing with a developer an electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member. The second frame is separable from the first frame and arranged for covering an upper part of the image bearing member, the second frame having developer accommodating means for accommodating developer to be supplied to the developer means.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first assembly, a second assembly movable relative to the first assembly to open and close the image forming apparatus, a photosensor provided in the first assembly, illuminating source provided in the second assembly, for illuminating an original to be copied, and light transmitting element for transmitting light emitted from the illuminating source in the first assembly to the photosensor in the second assembly.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a developing device having a developer carrying member; a supporting device for supporting the image bearing member and the developer carrying member; a first device actable on the image bearing member; a second device actable on the developer carrying member; wherein the image bearing member and the developer carrying member are urged toward each other by the first and second devices.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a device contributable for forming an image; a developer accommodator; and a sealing member between the image forming device and the developer accommodator, wherein the sealing member is provided by injecting a liquid material which becomes an elastomer when it is solidified.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes an image bearing drum; process device actable on the image bearing drum; a housing for accommodating the image bearing drum and the process device; and supporting means for rotatably supporting the image bearing drum at an outer periphery of the image bearing drum.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the handling of cleaned toner. The cleaning apparatus has a blade which removes residual toner from a photosensitive drum, a storage area partitioned into an upper and a lower section by a plate. In the preferred embodiment, a rotary device with paddles attached feeds toner to the rear of the lower section away from the cleaning blade and into the upper section. This insures the full use of the storage area. Plural rotary devices may be provided.

Abstract: A reciprocating driving device is provided with a reciprocating moving member supported to be movable in a predetermined direction and the reverse direction. A first rack is provided on the reciprocating moving member, and a second rack is provided on the reciprocating moving member and arranged so as to face the first rack. A gear moves the reciprocating moving member in the predetermined direction or the reverse direction by rotating in a predetermined direction, selectively meshing with the first rack or the second rack.