Abstract: A developer feeding member for use with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to feed a developer accommodated in a developer accommodating portion, includes a shaft for receiving a driving force to rotate when the shaft is mounted in the developer accommodating portion; a flexible sheet for feeding the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion when the flexible sheet is mounted in the developer accommodating portion; a mounting member for mounting the flexible sheet on the shaft such that the flexible sheet is movable relative to the shaft in a longitudinal direction, in a widthwise direction and in a thickness direction.

Abstract: A developing apparatus including a developer carrying member, a developer layer regulating member and a flight developer regulating member, wherein the developer carrying member is provided in opposed relationship with an image bearing member and carries a developer thereon, and in an opposed portion between the image bearing member and the developer carrying member, an oscillating electric field is formed between the image bearing member and the developer carrying member, and the developer is caused to fly from the developer carrying member to the image bearing member, and the developer layer regulating member regulates a layer of developer on the developer carrying member, and the flight developer regulating member is mounted on the developer layer regulating member, and regulates an area in which the developer flies in the opposed portion.

Abstract: A developing device for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member by using developer, the developing device including: a developing frame; a developing roller for supplying developer to the latent image to develop the latent image; a developer layer regulating member which regulates a layer thickness of developer on a circumferential surface of the developing roller; and a first surface and a second surface which are provided in the developer layer regulating member along a longitudinal direction of the developer layer regulating member, for positioning the developer layer regulating member with respect to the developing frame, in which a first imaginary plane, which is obtained by extending the first surface imaginarily, and a second imaginary plane, which is obtained by extending the second surface imaginarily, intersect each other.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing roller; a first cartridge positioning portion abuttable to a first main assembly positioning portion provided in a main assembly of the apparatus to position the cartridge with respect to a direction crossing the longitudinal direction, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; a second cartridge positioning portion abuttable to a second main assembly positioning portion provided in the main assembly to limit rotation of the cartridge about the first cartridge positioning portion, when the cartridge receives a rotational driving force for rotating the roller from the main assembly; and a first drive input gear, for engagement with a main assembly driving gear to transmit a rotational driving force to the roller.

Abstract: A developer feeding member for use with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to feed a developer accommodated in a developer accommodating portion, includes a shaft for receiving a driving force to rotate when the shaft is mounted in the developer accommodating portion; a flexible sheet for feeding the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion when the flexible sheet is mounted in the developer accommodating portion; a mounting member for mounting the flexible sheet on the shaft such that the flexible sheet is movable relative to the shaft in a longitudinal direction, in a widthwise direction and in a thickness direction.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus usable with process cartridges. The apparatus includes mounting portions for detachably mounting the cartridges. In each mounting portion, a cartridge is inclined downwardly from an upstream to a downstream side with respect to a mounting direction and a phantom plane passing through axes of the drums is inclined toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction from a bottom part to a top part of the phantom plane. Parts of cartridges mounted to a lower one and the next higher one of the mounting portions overlap, as seen along a plane perpendicular to the phantom plane from an upstream side with respect to the mounting direction. The apparatus also has a light projector and a feeder for feeding recording material, and the cartridges are mounted to or demounted from respective mounting portions from above the perpendicular plane.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to an apparatus includes a drum, a developing roller, first and second frames supporting the drum and roller, a coupling member rotatably connecting the frames, a first cartridge positioning portion abuttable to a first main assembly positioning portion positioning the cartridge with respect to a direction crossing the drum axis when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus, a drive input gear engaging a main assembly driving gear, and a second cartridge positioning portion abuttable to a second main assembly positioning portion limiting cartridge rotation about the first cartridge positioning portion. When the cartridge is in the apparatus, the coupling member crosses a phantom line perpendicular to the second main assembly positioning portion and which passes through the second positioning portion, as seen from one end with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a cartridge frame; a drum shutter movable between a close position in which the drum shutter covers an exposed portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum which is exposed through the cartridge frame and an open position in which drum shutter is retracted from the close position to expose the portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the drum shutter having a first shutter portion rotatably supported on the cartridge frame and a second rotatably supported on the cartridge frame, wherein in the close position, the first shutter portion covers an upstream side of the exposed portion with respect to an opening direction in which the drum shutter moves from the close position to the open position, and the second shutter portion covers a

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing roller; a first cartridge positioning portion abuttable to a first main assembly positioning portion provided in a main assembly of the apparatus to position the cartridge with respect to a direction crossing the longitudinal direction, when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; a second cartridge positioning portion abuttable to a second main assembly positioning portion provided in the main assembly to limit rotation of the cartridge about the first cartridge positioning portion, when the cartridge receives a rotational driving force for rotating the roller from the main assembly; and a first drive input gear, for engagement with a main assembly driving gear to transmit a rotational driving force to the roller.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to an apparatus includes a drum, a developing roller, first and second frames supporting the drum and roller, a coupling member rotatably connecting the frames, a first cartridge positioning portion abuttable to a first main assembly positioning portion positioning the cartridge with respect to a direction crossing the drum axis when the cartridge is mounted to the apparatus, a drive input gear engaging a main assembly driving gear, and a second cartridge positioning portion abuttable to a second main assembly positioning portion limiting cartridge rotation about the first cartridge positioning portion. When the cartridge is in the apparatus, the coupling member crosses a phantom line perpendicular to the second main assembly positioning portion and which passes through the second positioning portion, as seen from one end with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus incorporating the same. The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a container supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cleaning member including a blade and a support portion supporting the blade, the blade selectively contacting the electrophotographic photosensitive member to remove the developer from the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cartridge frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the support portion, the cartridge frame including a contact portion contacting the support portion under external forces on the cartridge frame to prevent deformation of the cartridge frame.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a mounting portion in a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes: a cartridge electrical contact supplying electric power to a process device and being electrically connectable to a main assembly electrical contact when the cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion; first and second portions to be guided by a main assembly guide to guide the cartridge to the mounting portion when the cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion; and a guide portion guiding the main assembly electrical contact to the cartridge electrical contact when the cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion. The guide portion is disposed between the first and second portions to be guided, and the cartridge electrical contact is upstream of the guide portion with respect to a direction in which the cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.

Abstract: A developer feeding member for use with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to feed a developer accommodated in a developer accommodating portion, includes a shaft for receiving a driving force to rotate when the shaft is mounted in the developer accommodating portion; a flexible sheet for feeding the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion when the flexible sheet is mounted in the developer accommodating portion; a mounting member for mounting the flexible sheet on the shaft such that flexible sheet is movable relative to the shaft in a longitudinal direction, in a widthwise direction and in a thickness direction.

Abstract: A process cartridge including a flexible member capable of taking a protection position in which the flexible member protects an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a retraction position in which the flexible member retracts from the protection position, a support member having a support portion on which the flexible member is supported, provided pivotably on a cartridge frame and adapted to move the flexible member from the protection position to the retraction position, and a regulating member provided on the flexible member so as to regulate the positions of creases which occur on the flexible member in accordance with a pivotal movement of the support member, and which extend in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the member of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the flexible member being folded on the creases and moved to the retraction position.

Abstract: A developing device for developing a latent image formed on an image bearing member by using developer, the developing device including: a developing frame; a developing roller for supplying developer to the latent image to develop the latent image; a developer layer regulating member which regulates a layer thickness of developer on a circumferential surface of the developing roller; and a first surface and a second surface which are provided in the developer layer regulating member along a longitudinal direction of the developer layer regulating member, for positioning the developer layer regulating member with respect to the developing frame, in which a first imaginary plane, which is obtained by extending the first surface imaginarily, and a second imaginary plane, which is obtained by extending the second surface imaginarily, intersect with each other.

Abstract: A developing apparatus including a developer carrying member, a developer layer regulating member and a flight developer regulating member, wherein the developer carrying member is provided in opposed relationship with an image bearing member and carries a developer thereon, and in an opposed portion between the image bearing member and the developer carrying member, an oscillating electric field is formed between the image bearing member and the developer carrying member, and the developer is caused to fly from the developer carrying member to the image bearing member, and the developer layer regulating member regulates a layer of developer on the developer carrying member, and the flight developer regulating member is mounted on the developer layer regulating member, and regulates an area in which the developer flies in the opposed portion.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus usable with process cartridges. The apparatus includes mounting portions for detachably mounting the cartridges. In each mounting portion, a cartridge is inclined downwardly from an upstream to a downstream side with respect to a mounting direction and a phantom plane passing through axes of the drums is inclined toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction from a bottom part to a top part of the phantom plane. Parts of cartridges mounted to a lower one and the next higher one of the mounting portions overlap, as seen along a plane perpendicular to the phantom plane from an upstream side with respect to the mounting direction. The apparatus also has a light projector and a feeder for feeding recording material, and the cartridges are mounted to or demounted from respective mounting portions from above the perpendicular plane.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a cartridge frame; a drum shutter movable between a close position in which the drum shutter covers an exposed portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum which is exposed through the cartridge frame and an open position in which drum shutter is retracted from the close position to expose the portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the drum shutter having a first shutter portion rotatably supported on the cartridge frame and a second rotatably supported on the cartridge frame, wherein in the close position, the first shutter portion covers an upstream side of the exposed portion with respect to an opening direction in which the drum shutter moves from the close position to the open position, and the second shutter portion covers a

Abstract: In order to suppress uneven densities in an image, an image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a first developing unit, including a first developer carrying member, for developing a first latent image formed on the image bearing member; a second developing unit, including a second developer carrying member, for developing a second latent image formed on the image bearing member after the first developing unit has developed the first latent image; and a rotary unit, for holding the first and the second developing units and for moving the first and the second developing unit to positions opposite said image bearing member. Upon the reception of an image forming signal at the image forming apparatus, the first and the second developer carrying members are rotated before the first latent image on the image bearing member is developed.