Abstract: A seal member includes a seal surface that comes into contact with and slides with an end portion of an outer circumferential surface of a developing roller. The seal surface includes a first seal region configured of a plurality of first fiber bundles including a first fiber having a charge property that repels a developer, and a second seal region configured of a plurality of second fiber bundles including a second fiber having a charge property that attracts the developer, both extending in an inclined direction such that a portion thereof closer to an opening portion of a frame body of a developing unit is located further downstream in a rotating direction of the developing roller, and being alternately disposed in the rotating direction, and a proportion of a portion occupied by the second fiber bundles on the seal surface is at least 5% and not more than 60%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cartridge attachable to an image forming apparatus body, the cartridge including: a memory member storing information relating to the cartridge; and a supporting body having a memory mounting portion on which the memory member is mounted, the memory member having a first surface, a second surface, and a lateral surface, the first surface is provided with a contact portion connected to a body electrode portion of the body of the image forming apparatus when the cartridge is installed in the body of the image forming apparatus, the memory mounting portion has a first opposing portion opposing the second surface and a second opposing portion opposing the lateral surface when the memory member is mounted, the memory member is mounted by adhesive between the second surface and the first opposing portion and between the lateral surface and the second opposing portion.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus includes a developing frame, a rotatable developing member, a regulation blade to regulate developer borne on a developing member surface, and a seal member to prevent developer from leaking outside the developing frame. The regulation blade includes a support plate, a plate-shaped member, and a regulation member. The seal member is fixed to a facing surface of the plate-shaped member, is arranged at a plate-shaped member end portion, is arranged side by side with the regulation member in a rotational axis direction, contacts an end surface of the regulation member, and is disposed between the plate-shaped member and the developing member in a direction intersecting with the rotational axis direction. The plate-shaped member is welded to a region of the support plate excluding a region outside the end surface of the regulation member in the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a frame, a first side member, and a first fixing member. The frame includes a first end in a first direction, a first positioning portion disposed on the first end, and a first rotation stopping portion disposed on the first end. The first side member is attached to the first end and includes a first to-be-positioned portion to be engaged with the first positioning portion and a first rotation to-be-stopped portion to be engaged with the first rotation stopping portion. The first fixing member is fastened to the first positioning portion or the first rotation stopping portion. At least either one of (i) the first to-be-positioned portion and the first positioning portion and (ii) the first rotation to-be-stopped portion and the first rotation stopping portion are adhesively bonded.

Abstract: A developer accommodating device includes a frame extending in a longitudinal direction thereof and an opening portion provided on the frame. The frame includes a guide portion to mount the developer accommodating device on a developing unit along a mounting direction crossing the longitudinal direction, a first portion including first and second chambers arranged in parallel in a first direction crossing the longitudinal direction, and a second portion communicating with the first and second chambers with respect to the longitudinal direction and a volume thereof is larger than that of the first portion. The first chamber, in which the opening portion is formed, does not directly communicate with the second chamber with respect to the first direction but communicates with the second chamber via the second portion. As seen in the longitudinal direction, a cross sectional area of the second chamber is equal to or larger than that of the first chamber.

Abstract: A drum unit usable with a process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1; and a coupling member having an axis L2 and connected to an end portion of the photosensitive drum, the coupling member being provided with a projection extending toward an end portion of the coupling member, wherein the coupling member is movable along the axis L2 between a first position, and a second position in which the projection is closer to the photosensitive drum than in the first position, wherein the projection is provided with a force receiving portion for receiving a rotational force and an outer surface facing away from the axis L2, and wherein at least a part of the outer surface is more distant from the axis L2 as is further from the photosensitive drum in a direction of the axis L1.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing member to carry developer stored by a developing frame, and a regulating blade having a support plate fixed to the developing frame, a plate-like member, and a regulating member. One end portion of the plate-like member is opposed to the developing member, and the other end portion is welded to the support plate. The regulating member is fixed to a plate-like member surface, and contacts the developing member to regulate a developer thickness on a developing surface. The regulating member is provided with a recessed portion recessed at a regulating member end portion. The regulating member end portion is lower than a regulating member central portion. A plate-like member region welded to the support plate is located at the plate-like member other end portion and overlaps the regulating member central portion and the regulating member end portion at which the recessed portion is provided.

Abstract: A drum unit usable with a process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1; and a coupling member having an axis L2 and connected to an end portion of the photosensitive drum, the coupling member being provided with a projection extending toward an end portion of the coupling member, wherein the coupling member is movable along the axis L2 between a first position, and a second position in which the projection is closer to the photosensitive drum than in the first position, wherein the projection is provided with a force receiving portion for receiving a rotational force and an outer surface facing away from the axis L2, and wherein at least a part of the outer surface is more distant from the axis L2 as is further from the photosensitive drum in a direction of the axis L1.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a frame, a first side member, and a first fixing member. The frame includes a first end in a first direction, a first positioning portion disposed on the first end, and a first rotation stopping portion disposed on the first end. The first side member is attached to the first end and includes a first to-be-positioned portion to be engaged with the first positioning portion and a first rotation to-be-stopped portion to be engaged with the first rotation stopping portion. The first fixing member is fastened to the first positioning portion or the first rotation stopping portion. At least either one of (i) the first to-be-positioned portion and the first positioning portion and (ii) the first rotation to-be-stopped portion and the first rotation stopping portion are adhesively bonded.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus includes a developing frame, a rotatable developing member, a regulation blade to regulate developer borne on a developing member surface, and a seal member to prevent developer from leaking outside the developing frame. The regulation blade includes a support plate, a plate-shaped member, and a regulation member. The seal member is fixed to a facing surface of the plate-shaped member, is arranged at a plate-shaped member end portion, is arranged side by side with the regulation member in a rotational axis direction, contacts an end surface of the regulation member, and is disposed between the plate-shaped member and the developing member in a direction intersecting with the rotational axis direction. The plate-shaped member is welded to a region of the support plate excluding a region outside the end surface of the regulation member in the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing member to carry developer stored by a developing frame, and a regulating blade having a support plate fixed to the developing frame, a plate-like member, and a regulating member. One end portion of the plate-like member is opposed to the developing member, and the other end portion is welded to the support plate. The regulating member is fixed to a plate-like member surface, and contacts the developing member to regulate a developer thickness on a developing surface. The regulating member is provided with a recessed portion recessed at a regulating member end portion. The regulating member end portion is lower than a regulating member central portion. A plate-like member region welded to the support plate is located at the plate-like member other end portion and overlaps the regulating member central portion and the regulating member end portion at which the recessed portion is provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: a body; a developing cartridge having a memory medium and a developer bearing member; a tray including a frame which is movable between a housed position and a drawn-out position and has side portions extending in the moving direction and to which the developing cartridge is attachable, an image bearing member that faces the developer bearing member when the developing cartridge is attached, a tray-side metal terminal provided on the side portion and electrically connected to the memory medium when the cartridge is attached, and a tray guide portion extending along the moving direction; a body-side metal terminal that faces the tray-side metal terminal when the tray is housed, wherein the tray-side metal terminal is provided below the tray guide portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body; a developing cartridge having a housing, a memory medium, a memory medium unit, a developer carrier, and a protrusion portion in the longitudinal direction of the developer carrier; and a tray having a frame, an image bearing member, a guide member provided at one end in the longitudinal direction, an electric contact portion with the memory medium, and a memory unit support portion. The guide member includes a portion which functions as a memory unit support portion, and a downstream portion located downstream of the memory unit support portion in the mounting direction of the developing cartridge. The memory unit support portion guides the protrusion portion to the downstream portion when the developing cartridge is mounted on the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cartridge attachable to an image forming apparatus body, the cartridge including: a memory member storing information relating to the cartridge; and a supporting body having a memory mounting portion on which the memory member is mounted, the memory member having a first surface, a second surface, and a lateral surface, the first surface is provided with a contact portion connected to a body electrode portion of the body of the image forming apparatus when the cartridge is installed in the body of the image forming apparatus, the memory mounting portion has a first opposing portion opposing the second surface and a second opposing portion opposing the lateral surface when the memory member is mounted, the memory member is mounted by adhesive between the second surface and the first opposing portion and between the lateral surface and the second opposing portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a tray movable between a housed position and a drawn-out position. The tray includes a frame having two side portions extending in a moving direction of the tray and to which a developing cartridge is detachably attachable, an image bearing member supported by the frame so as to face a developer bearing member when the developing cartridge is attached to the frame, a charging unit, a tray-side metal terminal electrically connected to a memory medium when the developing cartridge is attached to the frame, and a tray guide portion provided on the two side portions along a moving direction of the tray. A body-side metal terminal is provided in a body, which includes a rail portion to face the tray guide portion and enable the tray to move. The tray-side metal terminal contacts the body-side metal terminal at a position below the tray guide portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a tray movable between a position housed in a main body and a drawn-out position withdrawn from the main body. The tray includes a frame on which a developing cartridge is mountable, an image bearing member that faces a developer carrier when the developing cartridge is mounted on the frame, an electrical contact portion which abuts on and is electrically connected to a memory medium when the developing cartridge is mounted on the frame, a guide member provided at one end of the developing cartridge when it is mounted on the frame for guiding a protrusion portion and the memory medium unit, the guide member including a portion which abuts on the protrusion portion so that the protrusion portion is positioned, and a memory unit support portion which supports the memory medium unit when the developing cartridge is mounted on the frame.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus includes a developing frame, a rotatable developing member, a regulation blade to regulate developer borne on a developing member surface, and a seal member to prevent developer from leaking outside the developing frame. The regulation blade includes a support plate, a plate-shaped member, and a regulation member. The seal member is fixed to a facing surface of the plate-shaped member, is arranged at a plate-shaped member end portion, is arranged side by side with the regulation member in a rotational axis direction, contacts an end surface of the regulation member, and is disposed between the plate-shaped member and the developing member in a direction intersecting with the rotational axis direction. The plate-shaped member is welded to a region of the support plate excluding a region outside the end surface of the regulation member in the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: [Problem to be solved] To further develop conventional technique. [Solution] a cartridge includes a casing, a photosensitive drum and a coupling. the coupling includes a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force by engagement with a driving force application member, a braking force receiving portion for receiving in braking force by engagement with a braking force application member, and a guide for moving the braking force application member relative to the driving force application member.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developing member to carry developer stored by a developing frame, and a regulating blade having a support plate fixed to the developing frame, a plate-like member, and a regulating member. One end portion of the plate-like member is opposed to the developing member, and the other end portion is welded to the support plate. The regulating member is fixed to a plate-like member surface, and contacts the developing member to regulate a developer thickness on a developing surface. The regulating member is provided with a recessed portion recessed at a regulating member end portion. The regulating member end portion is lower than a regulating member central portion. A plate-like member region welded to the support plate is located at the plate-like member other end portion and overlaps the regulating member central portion and the regulating member end portion at which the recessed portion is provided.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus includes a developing frame, a rotatable developing member, a regulation blade to regulate developer borne on a developing member surface, and a seal member to prevent developer from leaking outside the developing frame. The regulation blade includes a support plate, a plate-shaped member, and a regulation member. The seal member is fixed to a facing surface of the plate-shaped member, is arranged at a plate-shaped member end portion, is arranged side by side with the regulation member in a rotational axis direction, contacts an end surface of the regulation member, and is disposed between the plate-shaped member and the developing member in a direction intersecting with the rotational axis direction. The plate-shaped member is welded to a region of the support plate excluding a region outside the end surface of the regulation member in the rotational axis direction.