Abstract: A cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a cleaning unit that supports the photosensitive drum, a process member that acts on the photosensitive drum, the cartridge being detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus in a rotational axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The cartridge further including a first position determination position determining a downstream position with respect to the main body in a mounting direction of the photosensitive drum, and a second position determination portion that determines an upstream position with respect to the main body in the mounting direction. Furthermore, in a cross section orthogonal to the mounting direction, a distance from an axis of rotation of the photosensitive drum to the second position determination portion in a predetermined direction is larger than a distance from the axis of rotation to the first position determination portion in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge including a rotatable photosensitive drum or a rotatable developing sleeve; and a supporting member for detachably supporting the cartridge, the supporting member and being movable between an inside position for permitting mounting of the cartridge to the apparatus and an outside position in direction along an axial direction of the drum or the sleeve. The cartridge is mountable to the supporting member from above. When the supporting member is in the outside position with the cartridge mounted thereon, an upstream end of the supporting member with respect to a moving direction from the inside position toward the outside position is inside the forming apparatus. When the supporting member is in the outside position, a downstream portion thereof is lower than that when the supporting member is in the inside position.

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 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: 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: 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 developer container is manufactured in which, in molding, a recess is disposed in an area in which a confluence in which first resin poured from a first inlet and second resin poured from a second inlet merge is formed.

Abstract: Provided is a developer container, including: a conveyance member configured to convey a developer; a vibration member arranged along an inclined surface opposed to the conveyance member and configured to vibrate through contact with the conveyance member; and a protruding portion protruding from the inclined surface and configured to be held in contact with the vibration member, wherein the conveyance member is a flexible sheet-like member, wherein, under a state in which the vibration member is brought into contact with the protruding portion, a first gap and a second gap are formed between the vibration member and the inclined surface with the protruding portion as a boundary, and wherein at least a part of the first gap and the second gap is located in a region of a rotation locus of the conveyance member.

Abstract: A cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a cleaning unit that supports the photosensitive drum, a process member that acts on the photosensitive drum, the cartridge being detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus in a rotational axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The cartridge further including a first position determination position determining a downstream position with respect to the main body in a mounting direction of the photosensitive drum, and a second position determination portion that determines an upstream position with respect to the main body in the mounting direction. Furthermore, in a cross section orthogonal to the mounting direction, a distance from an axis of rotation of the photosensitive drum to the second position determination portion in a predetermined direction is larger than a distance from the axis of rotation to the first position determination portion in the predetermined direction.

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.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge including a rotatable photosensitive drum or a rotatable developing sleeve; and a supporting member for detachably supporting the cartridge, the supporting member and being movable between an inside position for permitting mounting of the cartridge to the apparatus and an outside position in direction along an axial direction of the drum or the sleeve. The cartridge is mountable to the supporting member from above. When the supporting member is in the outside position with the cartridge mounted thereon, an upstream end of the supporting member with respect to a moving direction from the inside position toward the outside position is inside the forming apparatus. When the supporting member is in the outside position, a downstream portion thereof is lower than that when the supporting member is in the inside position.

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: Provided is a developer container, including: a conveyance member configured to convey a developer; a vibration member arranged along an inclined surface opposed to the conveyance member and configured to vibrate through contact with the conveyance member; and a protruding portion protruding from the inclined surface and configured to be held in contact with the vibration member, wherein the conveyance member is a flexible sheet-like member, wherein, under a state in which the vibration member is brought into contact with the protruding portion, a first gap and a second gap are formed between the vibration member and the inclined surface with the protruding portion as a boundary, and wherein at least a part of the first gap and the second gap is located in a region of a rotation locus of the conveyance member.

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.

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 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 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, a moving member movable while supporting an image forming portion having an image bearing member, between a position inside the main body and a position outside the main body so that at least a part of the image forming portion is removably mountable on the moving member as a cartridge, and an exposure device configured to expose the image bearing member with light through an exposure opening provided in the moving member. In addition, a shielding member is provided in the moving member to shield the exposure opening, and a holding mechanism holds the shielding member in a shielding position for shielding the exposure opening while the moving member is moved and holds the shielding member in a non-shielding position for opening the exposure opening when the moving member is in the inside position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a plurality of image forming portions configured to form different color images; a first support member movable with respect to a main body of the image forming apparatus while supporting cartridges; and a second support member movable with respect to the main body independently of the first support member while supporting a cartridge other than the cartridges supported by the first support member, wherein the cartridges supported by the first and second support members are used in the different image forming portions, each of the first and second support members is movable between an inside position inside the main body and an outside position outside the main body, and each of the cartridges supported by the first and second support members is removably mountable in a state in which the corresponding support member is located in the outside position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body and a movable member configured to move with respect to the main body while supporting an image bearing member and a developer bearing member. The movable member is movable to a position located inside the main body, where the two bearing members is in an image formable state, and a position located outside the main body, where a cartridge including the developer bearing member is detachable from the movable member. The apparatus further includes an exposure device configured to expose the image bearing member via a light transmission member, and a cleaning member configured to clean a surface of the light transmission member opposed to the movable member. The cleaning member is provided on the movable member and is movable to a contact position for contacting the light transmission member and a noncontact position when the movable member moves.