Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly and a cartridge attached to the main assembly in an attaching direction. The main assembly includes a movable member movable between first and second positions and having first and second engaging portions to engage with first and second protrusions on the cartridge, and an urging member urging the movable member from the second position to the first position. The first engaging portion has a surface-to-be-abutted, a first surface-to-be-supported, and a recessed surface, and the second engaging portion has a regulating surface and a second surface-to-be-supported.

Abstract: A cartridge for an image forming apparatus including a movable member is provided with a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion movable between a first position and a second position, the cartridge includes a first engaged portion engageable with the first engaging portion; and a second engaged portion engageable with the second engaging portion, wherein by the first engaged portion being engaged with the first engaging portion in the process of mounting, the movable member is moved from the first position to the second position to permit the second engaged to pass the second engaging portion in a mounting direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stopper movable between a stopping position in which the stopper contacts with a downstream end portion of a cartridge, having a first contacting portion and a second contacting position, in a mounting direction, to stop the cartridge from being moved in the mounting direction and a non-stopping position in which the stopper is retracted from the stopping position so as not to stop the cartridge from being moved in the mounting direction. The stopper moves from the stopping position to the non-stopping position in conjunction with movement of a movable member from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stopper movable between a stopping position in which the stopper contacts with a downstream end portion of a cartridge, having a first contacting portion and a second contacting position, in a mounting direction, to stop the cartridge from being moved in the mounting direction and a non-stopping position in which the stopper is retracted from the stopping position so as not to stop the cartridge from being moved in the mounting direction. The stopper moves from the stopping position to the non-stopping position in conjunction with movement of a movable member from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: An erroneous insertion preventing system includes a first cartridge including a first frame provided with a first engaging portion and a first discrimination portion, a second cartridge including a second frame provided with a second discrimination portion, and a main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The main assembly includes a movable member provided with a portion-to-be-engaged engageable with the first engaging portion and a regulating portion having a configuration corresponding to the first discrimination portion. The first cartridge is mounted in the main assembly without movement of the first discrimination portion being limited by the regulating portion. In a case that the second cartridge is attempted to be inserted into the main assembly, by insertion of the second cartridge into the main assembly, the regulating portion and the second discrimination portion interfere with each other to prevent mounting of the second cartridge in the main assembly.

Abstract: An erroneous insertion preventing system includes a first cartridge including a first frame provided with a first engaging portion and a first discrimination portion, a second cartridge including a second frame provided with a second discrimination portion, and a main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The main assembly includes a movable member provided with a portion-to-be-engaged engageable with the first engaging portion and a regulating portion having a configuration corresponding to the first discrimination portion. The first cartridge is mounted in the main assembly without movement of the first discrimination portion being limited by the regulating portion. In a case that the second cartridge is attempted to be inserted into the main assembly, by insertion of the second cartridge into the main assembly, the regulating portion and the second discrimination portion interfere with each other to prevent mounting of the second cartridge in the main assembly.

Abstract: A cartridge for an image forming apparatus including a movable member is provided with a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion movable between a first position and a second position. The cartridge includes a first engaged portion engageable with the first engaging portion, and a second engaged portion engageable with the second engaging portion. By the first engaged portion being engaged with the first engaging portion in the process of mounting, the movable member is moved from the first position to the second position to permit the second engaged to pass the second engaging portion in a mounting direction.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a cartridge including an information storing element includes: a step of removing a first information storing element holding unit holding a first information storing element, from a frame including a positioning portion for positioning the first information storing element holding unit while leaving at least a part of the positioning portion, and of positioning a second information storing element holding unit including a second information storing element to a remaining portion of the positioning portion; and a step of connecting the second information storing element holding unit and the frame at the remaining portion.

Abstract: A developer supply cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes: a developer accommodating portion; a shutter portion movable between a closed position and an open position; and a movable portion for moving the shutter portion. The movable portion is movable between a first position where the shutter portion is positioned in the closed position. When the movable portion is positioned in a position other than a first position provided in an apparatus main assembly side of an image forming apparatus before being engaged with the first engaging portion, the movable portion is moved, until being engaged with the first engaging portion, to the first position by engagement thereof with a second engaging portion provided in the accommodate main assembly side.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a moving member equipped with a pressed portion and a detected portion, and in which the detected portion is configured to move to a predetermined position above the pressed portion by the pressed portion being pressed by the cartridge when the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and a detection device configured to detect whether the cartridge is attached by detection light passing the predetermined position.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a cartridge including an information storing element includes: a step of removing a first information storing element holding unit holding a first information storing element, from a frame including a positioning portion for positioning the first information storing element holding unit while leaving at least a part of the positioning portion, and of positioning a second information storing element holding unit including a second information storing element to a remaining portion of the positioning portion; and a step of connecting the second information storing element holding unit and the frame at the remaining portion.

Abstract: A cartridge for an image forming apparatus including a movable member is provided with a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion movable between a first position and a second position, the cartridge includes a first engaged portion engageable with the first engaging portion; and a second engaged portion engageable with the second engaging portion, wherein by the first engaged portion being engaged with the first engaging portion in the process of mounting, the movable member is moved from the first position to the second position to permit the second engaged to pass the second engaging portion in a mounting direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly and a process cartridge. The developing unit of the process cartridges includes a first portion to be urged and a second portion to be urged. The main assembly includes a guide portion for guiding the first portion to be urged and the second portion to be urged during mounting of the process cartridge in the main assembly. The guide portion includes, in a state in which the process cartridge is mounted in the main assembly, a first hole for permitting thereinto entry of the first portion to be urged and a second hole for permitting thereinto entry of the second portion to be urged.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a moving member equipped with a pressed portion and a detected portion, and in which the detected portion is configured to move to a predetermined position above the pressed portion by the pressed portion being pressed by the cartridge when the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and a detection device configured to detect whether the cartridge is attached by detection light passing the predetermined position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly and a process cartridge. The developing unit of the process cartridges includes a first portion to be urged and a second portion to be urged. The main assembly includes a guide portion for guiding the first portion to be urged and the second portion to be urged during mounting of the process cartridge in the main assembly. The guide portion includes, in a state in which the process cartridge is mounted in the main assembly, a first hole for permitting thereinto entry of the first portion to be urged and a second hole for permitting thereinto entry of the second portion to be urged.

Abstract: At a lower portion of a process cartridge, a first portion to be urged and a second portion to be urged are provided. To an image forming apparatus, a guide portion for slidably guiding the first portion to be urged and the second portion to be urged during mounting of the process cartridge in the image forming apparatus is provided. Further, to the guide portion is provided with a first hole and a second hole at two recessed portions with respect to a longitudinal and mounting direction of the process cartridge. At bottoms of the two recessed portions wherein the first hole and the second hole are provided, a first urging portion acting on the first portion to be urged and a second urging portion acting on the second portion to be urged are provided, respectively. The second portion to be urged has a dimension larger than that of the first hole with respect to the mounting direction.