Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof and a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. The drum flange includes at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, with a space diametrically between the two projections. Each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder. Each of the two projections is provided with a recess to facilitate deformation of the projection.

Abstract: A coupling member dismounting method including an inclining step of inclining a coupling member relative to a rotational axis of a drum flange, wherein the coupling member includes a spherical portion mounted to a rear end portion of a rotating force receiving member by a pin penetration. The method also includes a pin urging step of pushing the pin from one end to the other end thereof. The method further includes a pin riding step of making a part of the pin which is further projected at the end by the pin urging step ride on a surface and a coupling member dismounting step of dismounting the coupling member from the drum flange by applying a force to a free end portion of the coupling member toward a fulcrum which is the portion of the pin riding on the surface.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof and a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. The drum flange includes at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, with a space diametrically between the two projections. Each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder. Each of the two projections is provided with a recess to facilitate deformation of the projection.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. A coupling member is engaged with the drum flange so that an axis of the coupling member is inclinable with respect to an axis of the drum flange. A regulation portion is provided in the drum flange so as to prevent the coupling member from disengaging from the drum flange. At least a portion of the coupling member and the regulating portion is configured to be deformed to permit the coupling member to disengage from the drum flange or to engage with the drum flange.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. A coupling member is engaged with the drum flange so that an axis of the coupling member is inclinable with respect to an axis of the drum flange. A regulation portion is provided in the drum flange so as to prevent the coupling member from disengaging from the drum flange. At least a portion of the coupling member and the regulating portion is configured to be deformed to permit the coupling member to disengage from the drum flange or to engage with the drum flange.

Abstract: A cartridge mountable in an image forming apparatus includes a rotatable member, a hollow cylindrical portion, having first and second inner grooves, that transmits a rotational force to the rotatable member, a coupling member having a spherical base portion and an axially movable pin penetrating the spherical base portion and having first and second end portions projected outside the base portion, and a limiting portion, provided in the first inner groove, for limiting axial movement of the pin. When the coupling member is inclined to a maximum extent within a predetermined inclination range, after movement of the pin is limited, so that the first end portion moves away, and the second end portion moves toward, the rotatable member, the first end portion is disengaged from the first inner groove, whereas the second end portion is engaged with the second inner groove.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes (a) a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof, and (b) a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. The drum flange includes (i) a plurality of projections provided inside the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange with a space between projections diametrically around the drum flange, and (ii) a recess provided at a position radially outside of an innermost portion of the projections.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a process member including a shaft acting on an image bearing member; a bearing member for supporting the process member; and a frame including a supporting portion for movably supporting the bearing member. The bearing member is movable, by moving the supporting portion, between a first position in which the process member acts on the image bearing member and a second position which is remote from the image bearing member more than the first position. The cartridge further includes an urging member for urging the bearing member from the second position toward the first position; a suppressing portion for suppressing dismounting of the bearing member, urged by the urging member, from the supporting portion; and a dismounting portion for permitting dismounting of the bearing member from the frame at the second position.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a charging roller for electrically charging the drum; a drum frame rotatably supporting the longitudinal ends of the charging roller through bearings and rotatably supporting one longitudinal end of the drum; a drum bearing rotatably supporting the other longitudinal end of the drum and connected to the other longitudinal end of the drum frame by an adhesive; a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the drum; a longitudinally movable magnet roller provided inside the developing roller; and first and second side members supporting different longitudinal ends of the magnet roller and connected to different longitudinal ends of a developing device frame.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum is provided for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The unit comprises a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange is provided at one end of the cylinder. A plurality of resin regulating portions are provided inside the drum flange, the regulating portions projecting inwardly of the drum flange, with a gap between the regulating portions along a circumferential direction of the drum flange. A recess is provided in the regulating portions at a position radially outside of the drum flange for facilitating deformation of the regulating portions radially outwardly of the drum flange.

Abstract: A method for dismounting a coupler from an electrophotographic photosensitive drum flange whose drum is usable with a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The coupler receives a force rotating the drum from the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted and includes force receiving and spherical portions. The method includes the steps of inclining the coupler relative to a flange rotational axis, pushing a pin from one end to the other end thereof, both of which project from the spherical portion when the inclining step inclines the coupler, making part of the pin ride on a surface of a regulator inside the flange, and dismounting the coupler from the flange by applying a force to a free end of the coupler toward the part of the pin riding on the regulator surface.

Abstract: A cartridge mountable and dismountable by moving in the direction crossing with an axial direction of the drive shaft of a main assembly of the apparatus, includes a rotatable member rotatable by receiving a rotational force from the apparatus; a coupling engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a force for rotating said rotatable member, said coupling including a coupling member rotatable about an axis, a first rotational force receiving portion, provided at one end portion of said coupling member, for receiving the rotational force from the driving shaft, a rotational force transmission member engaged with the other end portion of said coupling member and having opposite ends projected out in a crossing wherein said coupling member is pivotable between a transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force from the driving shaft to said rotatable member and a mounting-and-dismounting angular position which is inclined relative to the axis of said rotatable member; a fl

Abstract: A method for dismounting a coupler from an electrophotographic photosensitive drum flange whose drum is usable with a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The coupler receives a force rotating the drum from the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted and includes force receiving and spherical portions. The method includes the steps of inclining the coupler relative to a flange rotational axis, pushing a pin from one end to the other end thereof, both of which project from the spherical portion when the inclining step inclines the coupler, making part of the pin ride on a surface of a regulator inside the flange, and dismounting the coupler from the flange by applying a force to a free end of the coupler toward the part of the pin riding on the regulator surface.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a charging roller for electrically charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a drum frame rotatably supporting one and the other longitudinal end of the charging roller through bearings and rotatably supporting one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a drum bearing member rotatably supporting the other longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and connected to the other longitudinal end of the drum frame by an adhesive; a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a magnet roller provided inside the developing roller, wherein the magnet roller is movable in the longitudinal direction; a first side member supporting one longitudinal end of the magnet roller and connected to one longitudinal end of a developing dev