Abstract: A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer includes: a toner seal member for unsealably sealing an opening of the developer accommodating container; an unsealing member, connected to an end portion of the toner seal member, for unsealing the opening by moving at least a part of the toner seal member; and an auxiliary unsealing member for assisting unsealing by changing a pulling direction of the toner seal member by the unsealing member. The auxiliary unsealing member includes a shaft portion or a projected portion. The shaft portion or the projected portion extends in a longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating container.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof and a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. The drum flange includes at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, with a space diametrically between the two projections. Each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder. Each of the two projections is provided with a recess to facilitate deformation of the projection.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum unit is provided, to which a coupling member is easily mounted. A drum flange is fixed to one end portion of a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at a peripheral surface. The coupling member is inserted into the drum flange. Finally, a closing member is mounted to the drum flange.

Abstract: A process includes an image bearing member unit; a developing unit; a shaft provided in either the image bearing member unit or the developing unit at an end portion of the process cartridge with respect to an image bearing member axial direction; and an opening, provided in the unit at the end portion, engaged with the shaft to permit movement of the developing unit relative to the image bearing member unit. The opening defines a first contact portion, when the process cartridge is mounted to a main assembly, contacting the shaft to permit movement of the developing unit, and defines a second contact portion, when the second contact portion contacts the shaft when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly and does not receive a driving force from the main assembly, contacting the developing unit so the shaft and the first contact portion are in contact.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. A coupling member is engaged with the drum flange so that an axis of the coupling member is inclinable with respect to an axis of the drum flange. A regulation portion is provided in the drum flange so as to prevent the coupling member from disengaging from the drum flange. At least a portion of the coupling member and the regulating portion is configured to be deformed to permit the coupling member to disengage from the drum flange or to engage with the drum flange.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. A coupling member is engaged with the drum flange so that an axis of the coupling member is inclinable with respect to an axis of the drum flange. A regulation portion is provided in the drum flange so as to prevent the coupling member from disengaging from the drum flange. At least a portion of the coupling member and the regulating portion is configured to be deformed to permit the coupling member to disengage from the drum flange or to engage with the drum flange.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes (a) a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof, and (b) a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. The drum flange includes (i) a plurality of projections provided inside the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange with a space between projections diametrically around the drum flange, and (ii) a recess provided at a position radially outside of an innermost portion of the projections.

Abstract: A developing device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing roller of a developing portion for developing an electrostatic latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer accommodator, a supply opening, between the developing portion and the accommodator, and a stirring member including a support rotatably provided on the accommodator and a stirrer on the support. The stirrer's length is longer than the opening's length in a longitudinal direction of a mount mounted to the support and the length of the stirrer's end portion is shorter than the supply opening's length. When the stirrer is rotated, an end thereof enters the opening to feed the developer from the accommodator through the opening to the developing portion and then through the supply opening back to the developer accommodating portion.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum unit to which a coupling member 200 is easily mounted is provided. A drum flange 250 is fixed to one end portion of a cylinder 20A having a photosensitive layer at a peripheral surface. The coupling member 200 is inserted into the drum flange 250. Finally, a closing member 230 is mounted to the drum flange 250.

Abstract: A process includes an image bearing member unit; a developing unit; a shaft provided in either the image bearing member unit or the developing unit at an end portion of the process cartridge with respect to an image bearing member axial direction; and an opening, provided in the ether unit at the end portion, engaged with the shaft to permit movement of the developing unit relative to the image bearing member unit. The opening defines a first contact portion, when the process cartridge is mounted to a main assembly, contacting the shaft to permit movement of the developing unit, and defines a second contact portion, when the second contact portion contacts the shaft when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly and does not receive a driving force from the main assembly, contacting the developing unit so the shaft and the first contact portion are in contact.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a charging roller for electrically charging the drum; a drum frame rotatably supporting the longitudinal ends of the charging roller through bearings and rotatably supporting one longitudinal end of the drum; a drum bearing rotatably supporting the other longitudinal end of the drum and connected to the other longitudinal end of the drum frame by an adhesive; a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the drum; a longitudinally movable magnet roller provided inside the developing roller; and first and second side members supporting different longitudinal ends of the magnet roller and connected to different longitudinal ends of a developing device frame.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum is provided for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The unit comprises a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange is provided at one end of the cylinder. A plurality of resin regulating portions are provided inside the drum flange, the regulating portions projecting inwardly of the drum flange, with a gap between the regulating portions along a circumferential direction of the drum flange. A recess is provided in the regulating portions at a position radially outside of the drum flange for facilitating deformation of the regulating portions radially outwardly of the drum flange.

Abstract: A method for dismounting a coupler from an electrophotographic photosensitive drum flange whose drum is usable with a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The coupler receives a force rotating the drum from the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted and includes force receiving and spherical portions. The method includes the steps of inclining the coupler relative to a flange rotational axis, pushing a pin from one end to the other end thereof, both of which project from the spherical portion when the inclining step inclines the coupler, making part of the pin ride on a surface of a regulator inside the flange, and dismounting the coupler from the flange by applying a force to a free end of the coupler toward the part of the pin riding on the regulator surface.

Abstract: A method for dismounting a coupler from an electrophotographic photosensitive drum flange whose drum is usable with a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The coupler receives a force rotating the drum from the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted and includes force receiving and spherical portions. The method includes the steps of inclining the coupler relative to a flange rotational axis, pushing a pin from one end to the other end thereof, both of which project from the spherical portion when the inclining step inclines the coupler, making part of the pin ride on a surface of a regulator inside the flange, and dismounting the coupler from the flange by applying a force to a free end of the coupler toward the part of the pin riding on the regulator surface.

Abstract: A developing device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing roller of a developing portion for developing an electrostatic latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer accommodator, a supply opening, between the developing portion and the accommodator, and a stirring member including a support rotatably provided on the accommodator and a stirrer on the support. The stirrer's length is longer than the opening's length in a longitudinal direction of a mount mounted to the support and the length of the stirrer's end portion is shorter than the supply opening's length. When the stirrer is rotated, an end thereof enters the opening to feed the developer from the accommodator through the opening to the developing portion and then through the supply opening back to the developer accommodating portion.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a charging roller for electrically charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a drum frame rotatably supporting one and the other longitudinal end of the charging roller through bearings and rotatably supporting one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a drum bearing member rotatably supporting the other longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and connected to the other longitudinal end of the drum frame by an adhesive; a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a magnet roller provided inside the developing roller, wherein the magnet roller is movable in the longitudinal direction; a first side member supporting one longitudinal end of the magnet roller and connected to one longitudinal end of a developing dev

Abstract: A developing apparatus, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which can obtain a good image, and an end portion regulating member provided in them. The end portion regulating members for regulating the layer thickness of developer passed through interstices between a developing blade for forming a layer of the developer having a predetermined thickness on the surface of a developing roller and magnetic seals provided on the longitudinally opposite end portions of the developing roller in opposed relationship with the surface of the developing roller is provided downstream of the developing blade with respect to the rotating direction of the developing roller.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developing container for containing a developer; a developer carrying member to be rotated while carrying the developer thereon, the developer carrying member being provided in an opening portion of the developer container; and a sealing member which extends in a circumferential direction of the developer carrying member in the vicinity of an end of the developer carrying member and regulates movement of the developer toward the end of the developer carrying member by a magnetic force, the sealing member including an arcuate portion extended along a peripheral surface of the developer carrying member and a non-arcuate portion disposed at an end, in the circumferential direction, of the arcuate portion. An end surface of the arcuate portion of the sealing member on a side where the non-arcuate portion is not provided, is inclined such that a phantom plane including the end surface is closer to the arcuate portion than a center of arcuation of the arcuate portion.

Abstract: A part is designed so that a plurality of parts each identical to the part are arranged in the same attitude in parallel with a part moving direction on a guide (40), and includes projections (10f5, 10f6) for pushing an abutment surface (10f7) provided on a preceding part placed on the guide, while maintaining the attitude of the preceding part, and an abutment surface (10f7) to be pushed by projections (10f5, 10f6) provided on a succeeding part placed on the guide. The projections and the abutment surface are provided in an area of the part, which area is selected to avoid an area required to have dimensional precision whereby it is possible to supply the part to an assembly process without causing damage to the area required to have dimensional precision.