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.

Abstract: The spacing member includes: a spacing portion for spacing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a charging roller when the spacing member is attached to the process cartridge; a stopper portion for preventing a shutter member from retracting from a protection position for covering an exposure portion, when the spacing member is attached to the process cartridge; and a protective portion for covering a positioning portion, which positions the process cartridge in an apparatus body when the process cartridge is mounted in the apparatus body, when the spacing member is attached to the process cartridge. Thus, it is possible to reliably keep the spaced state between the photosensitive drum and the charging roller.

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 developing blade for use in a process cartridge regulates the amount of developer on a peripheral surface of a developing roller. The process cartridge includes: an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing frame that rotatably supports the developing roller; a drum frame that rotatably supports the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and that is connected to the developing frame, wherein the developing frame and the drum frame are rockable with respect to each other; and a biasing member for biasing the developing roller toward the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The developing blade is supported by a supporting member and is attached to the developing frame, and wherein at least one end of the supporting member in a lengthwise direction of the developing roller is provided with an attachment portion to which the biasing member is attached.

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: The objective of the present invention is to suppress uneven densities in an image, and therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus including:

Abstract: The spacing member comprises: a spacing portion for spacing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a charging roller when the spacing member is attached to the process cartridge; a stopper portion for preventing a shutter member from retracting from a protection position for covering an exposure portion, when the spacing member is attached to the process cartridge; and a protective portion for covering a positioning portion, which positions the process cartridge in an apparatus body when the process cartridge is mounted in the apparatus body, when the spacing member is attached to the process cartridge. Thus, it is possible to reliably keep the spaced state between the photosensitive drum and the charging roller.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a container, having an opening, for containing magnetic developer; a developer carrying member, rotatably disposed in the opening, for carrying the magnetic developer; a magnetic sealing member disposed spaced from a peripheral surface of said developer carrying member; and a removing member, disposed contacted to said developer carrying member, for removing the developer from the surface of said developer carrying member, said removing member being disposed adjacent an end, in a peripheral direction of said developer carrying member, of said magnetic sealing member, and a second sealing member for limiting movement or the developer from a space between said magnetic sealing member and said removing member toward a longitudinal end of said developer carrying member.

Abstract: A process cartridge, which is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, includes: an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a process member acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a rotation fulcrum portion which constitutes a supported portion of the process cartridge, the supported portion being supported by the image forming apparatus main body when attached to the image forming apparatus main body and which is parallel to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and an abutting portion which is spaced apart from the rotation fulcrum portion and which moves when the process cartridge is rotated around the rotation fulcrum portion when the process cartridge is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body to thereby enable a laser beam shielding mechanism provided in the image forming apparatus main body.

Abstract: A developing blade for use in a process cartridge for regulating an amount of developer on a peripheral surface of a developing roller, the process cartridge including: an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing frame that rotatably supports the developing roller; a drum frame that rotatably supports the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and that is connected to the developing frame, wherein the developing frame and the drum frame are rockable with respect to each other; and a biasing member for biasing the developing roller toward the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, wherein the developing blade is supported by a supporting member and is attached to the developing frame, and wherein at least one end of the supporting member in a lengthwise direction of the developing roller is provided with an attachment portion to which the biasing member is attached.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a drum, a developing member developing an latent image formed on the drum, a developing frame having a developer accommodating portion accommodating developer used to develop the latent image and a developer supply opening supplying developer from the accommodating portion to the developing member, a connecting member mounted to the developer frame and having a connecting member opening opposed to the developer supply opening, a drum frame supporting the drum, a developer frame supporting the developing member and having a developer receiving opening receiving developer having passed through the developer supply opening, and a flexible seal having a first opening opposed to the developer supply opening and the connecting member opening, and a second opening opposed to the developer receiving opening. The flexible seal is stuck on the periphery of the first opening.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum; a magnet disposed inn the developing roller; a drum frame supporting the photosensitive drum; a developing device frame supporting the developing roller and the magnet; an engaging member mounted to one longitudinal end of the developing device frame in engagement with one end of the developing roller and with one end of the magnet, the engaging member is provided with a projected portion at an opposite end from the end where it is in engagement with one end of the developing roller and one end of the magnet; an elastic member urging the projected portion by its elastic force so as to urge the developing roller to the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a drum frame for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; and a developing frame supporting the developing member. The developing frame is provided at a longitudinal end thereof with a projected portion which is projected in a longitudinal direction of the developing member and which is engaged with a guide member. The projected portion is movable along the guide member toward the drum frame, and wherein the developing frame is swingably connected with the drum frame at the other longitudinal end. The developing member is supported on the developing frame for movement in a direction crossing with the longitudinal direction. The cartridge also includes an elastic member for urging the projected portion along the guide portion toward the drum frame.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a toner accommodation frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be used by a developing member to develop the electrostatic latent image, a drum frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing frame for supporting the developing member, the developing frame being swingably coupled with the toner accommodation frame, a first end cover connected with the drum frame and the developing frame at one longitudinal end of each of the drum frame and the developing frame, and a second end cover connected with the drum frame and the developing frame at the other longitudinal end of the drum frame and the developing frame.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a container, having an opening, for containing magnetic developer; a developer carrying member, rotatably disposed in the opening, for carrying the magnetic developer; a magnetic sealing member disposed spaced from a peripheral surface of said developer carrying member; and a removing member, disposed contacted to said developer carrying member, for removing the developer from the surface of said developer carrying member, said removing member being disposed adjacent an end, in a peripheral direction of said developer carrying member, of said magnetic sealing member, and a second sealing member for limiting movement or the developer from a space between said magnetic sealing member and said removing member toward a longitudinal end of said developer carrying member.

Abstract: A developing device includes a rotatable developer carrying member for carring a developer; a magnet roller provided in the developer carrying member; a first electrode portion connected electrically with the developer carrying member, the first electrode portion being rotatable with the developer carrying member; a second electrode portion provided with a contact portion in sliding contact with the first electrode portion, the contact portion being disposed outside a longitudinal end portion of the magnet roller substantially at a center of rotation of the developer carrying member.

Abstract: A process cartridge which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer to be used by the developing member to develop the electrostatic latent image; a developer feeding member for feeding the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion toward the developing member; a first driving force transmitter for transmitting to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum a driving force which is received from the main assembly of the apparatus to rotate the electrophotographic photosensitive drum when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; a second driving force transmitter for transmitting to the developer feeding member a driving force received from t

Abstract: A process cartridge which is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, including: an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a process member acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a rotation fulcrum portion which constitutes a supported portion in which the process cartridge is supported by the image forming apparatus main body when attached to the image forming apparatus main body and which is parallel to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and an abutting portion which is situated at a position spaced apart from the rotation fulcrum portion and which moves when the process cartridge is rotated around the rotation fulcrum portion when attaching or detaching the process cartridge to or from the image forming apparatus main body to thereby act on a laser beam shielding mechanism provided in the image forming apparatus main body so as to open and close the laser beam shielding mechanism.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a drum frame for supporting a electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formation d on said electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developing frame supporting said developing member, wherein said developing frame is provided at a longitudinal end thereof with a projected portion which is projected in a longitudinal direction of said developing member and which is engaged with a guide member, wherein said projected portion is movable along the guide member toward said drum frame, and wherein said developing frame is swingablely connected with said drum frame at the other longitudinal end, wherein said developing member is supported on said developing frame for movement in a direction crossing with the longitudinal direction; an elastic member for urging said projected portion along said guide portion toward said drum fra