Image forming apparatus using installable process cartridge, method of positioning process cartridge, and process cartridge itself

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image transfer mechanism;
• and
• a process cartridge detachably mounted, the process cartridge comprising:
• a photoconductive element;
• and
• a housing configured to house said photoconductive element, said housing comprising a guide portion configured to guide the process cartridge.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image transfer mechanism;
• and
• a plurality of process cartridges detachably mounted to said image forming apparatus, each one of the plurality of process cartridges being arranged parallel to the others and forming an image for a single color, each of the process cartridges comprising:
• a photoconductive element;
• and
• a housing configured to house said photoconductive element, said housing comprising a guide portion configured to guide the process cartridge.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image forming means;
• and
• a process cartridge detachably mounted therein, the process cartridge comprising:
• image carrying means for developing an image;
• and
• housing means for housing said image carrying means, said housing means further comprising guiding means for guiding the process cartridge.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image forming means;
• and
• a plurality of process cartridges, each process cartridge of said plurality being detachably mounted to said image forming apparatus, being arranged in parallel to the other cartridges, and being configured to form an image for a single color, each of the process cartridges comprising:
• image carrying means for developing an image;
• and
• housing means for housing said image carrying means, said housing means further comprising guiding means for guiding the process cartridge.

A method of making an image forming apparatus, the method comprising:

• providing an image transfer mechanism;
• and
• providing a process cartridge detachably mounted in said image forming apparatus, the process cartridge comprising:
• a photoconductive element;
• and
• a housing configured to store said photoconductive element said housing further comprising a guide portion configured to guide the process cartridge.

A method of making an image forming apparatus, the method comprising:

• providing an image transfer mechanism;
• and
• providing a plurality of process cartridges, each process cartridge of said plurality being detachably mounted to said image forming apparatus, being arranged in parallel to the other cartridges, and being configured to form an image for a single color, each one of the process cartridges comprising:
• a photoconductive element;
• and
• a housing configured to store said photoconductive element, said housing further comprising a guide portion configured to guide the process cartridge.