Abstract: A manufacturing method includes a removing step for removing at least a part of a contact portion of a cover portion from a supporting member, the cover portion being configured to come into contact with a projecting portion included in a frame when the supporting member is deformed to allow a second engaged portion to be detached from an engaging portion in a state in which a fixed portion of the supporting member is fixed to the frame, a deforming step for deforming the supporting member to allow the second engaged portion to be detached from the engaging portion in the state in which the fixed portion is fixed to the frame, and a separating step for detaching an engaging portion from a first engaged portion and separating a developing unit from the frame.

Abstract: A developing unit includes an elastic member that is disposed nearer a middle portion in a rotational axis direction in relation to an edge portion seal member disposed between a developing roller and a developer container, in an edge portion of a regulation member in a rotational axis direction, and contacts a confronting surface at a side opposite to a contact portion in a developing blade, wherein the developing roller, the developing blade, and the elastic member are arranged so as to make contact with one another in sequence in a normal direction in the contact portion of the developing roller.

Abstract: A supporting unit for supporting a rotatable member configured to feed a developer, the supporting unit includes a frame including a first surface extending in a direction crossing an axis of the rotatable member and a second surface extending in a direction crossing the first surface; and a fixed member including a first opposing surface opposing and contacting the first surface and including a second opposing surface opposing the second surface and welded to the second surface by ultrasonic spot welding.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes a dividing step for dividing a supporting member into a first divided portion including a fixed portion to a frame and a second divided portion including a second engaged portion, a divided-portion detaching step for detaching the second divided portion from the frame, and a separating step for detaching an engaging portion from a first engaged portion and separating a developing unit from the frame.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a cartridge, the cartridge having a frame; a blade member fixed to the frame; a rotating member; and a bearing member for supporting the rotating member, the manufacturing method including: attaching the rotating member to the bearing member; fitting an adjustment shaft provided at the frame with an adjustment hole provided at the bearing member; adjusting a relative position of the bearing member with respect to the frame in a crossing direction crossing the rotational axial direction; and welding the frame and the bearing member after the adjusting, wherein at least one of the frame or the bearing member is melted such that a melted portion is formed between an inner peripheral surface of the adjustment hole and the adjustment shaft in the crossing direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a frame unit from a first unit. The first unit includes a first image carrying member, a supporting member supporting the first image carrying member, and a frame to which the supporting member is adhered. The first image carrying member includes a first edge portion member, and the first edge portion member includes a first restricted portion. The supporting member includes a bearing engaging with the first edge portion member so that the first image carrying member is rotatable about a rotational axis. The frame includes a first restricting portion restricting movement of the first image carrying member. The method includes separating in which the first image carrying member is separated from the supporting member while in a state in which the supporting member is adhered to the frame.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes a removing step for removing at least a part of a contact portion of a cover portion from a supporting member, the cover portion being configured to come into contact with a projecting portion included in a frame when the supporting member is deformed to allow a second engaged portion to be detached from an engaging portion in a state in which a fixed portion of the supporting member is fixed to the frame, a deforming step for deforming the supporting member to allow the second engaged portion to be detached from the engaging portion in the state in which the fixed portion is fixed to the frame, and a separating step for detaching an engaging portion from a first engaged portion and separating a developing unit from the frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movement member arranged to move a cartridge and is movable between a first position for disposing the cartridge at a position where image formation is possible and a second position where the cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the movement member. At least one coupling provided in the cartridge is, when the movement member is at the first position, moved to a drive position where the coupling is arranged to engage with a drive member to rotate at least one rotating member, and while the movement member is being moved from the second to first positions, the at least one coupling is at an inclined position.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a cartridge, the cartridge being attachable to an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge including a first member and a second member, the first member including a receiving surface and a retaining portion, and the second member including a contact surface in contact with the receiving surface. In the manufacturing method, the first member and the second member are held so that the contact surface covers the retaining portion and so that the contact surface and the receiving surface are in contact with each other and joined by ultrasonic spot welding so that a recess recessed towards the retaining portion is formed in the second member and so that at least part of a fused portion of the first member and the second member enters the retaining portion.

Abstract: There are demands for stable connections of contact points between a process cartridge, including a development device, and an image forming device. A development contact point, a first contact point, and a second contact point are disposed in this order on the inside in a perpendicular direction with respect to an insertion direction in which a development device is inserted into an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: There are demands for stable connections of contact points between a process cartridge, including a development device, and an image forming device. A development contact point, a first contact point, and a second contact point are disposed in this order on the inside in a perpendicular direction with respect to an insertion direction in which a development device is inserted into an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a cover member including a substantially disc-shaped planar portion extending in a direction orthogonal to an axis of rotation of a photosensitive drum, a first projection portion projecting from the planar portion toward an outside in the direction of the axis of rotation, the first projection portion configured to abut on the positioning portion so that the first frame is positioned within an apparatus main body, a concave portion recessed from the planar portion toward an inner side in the direction of the axis of rotation, and a second projection portion provided in the concave portion, the second projection portion projecting from the concave portion toward an outside in the direction of the axis of rotation, the second projection portion configured to engage with one end of an urging member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, and a moving member movable with respect to the main body in a state of supporting an image forming portion. The moving member includes an image bearing member and an opening, and is movable between an inside position located inside of the main body and an outside position located outside of the main body, and in which at least a part of the image forming portion is removably mountable on the moving member as a cartridge. A shielding member is provided on the moving member and shields the opening. In addition, holding mechanism holds the shielding member in a shielding position corresponding to the opening while the moving member is moved between the inside position and the outside position, and holds the shielding member in a non-shielding position in which the opening is opened when the moving member is located in the inside position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge supporting member configured to move with respect to a main body of the apparatus in a state in which a cartridge is mounted to take a mounting and demounting position where the cartridge supporting member is located at an exterior of the main body and allowing the cartridge to be mounted and demounted, and an image forming position where the cartridge supporting member is located within an interior of the main body to locate the cartridge at a position which allows formation of an image. A first unit of the cartridge includes a position-restricted portion, and the cartridge is located below a second unit in which the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge supporting member. The cartridge supporting member includes a position restricting portion configured to restrict movement of the cartridge with respect to the cartridge supporting member by engaging the position-restricted portion.