Process cartridge and multi-color image forming apparatus using same

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a main process cartridge including an image bearing member, a first developing means for developing a latent image formed on said image bearing member and a supporting member for supporting said image bearing member and said first developing means as a unit;
• a subordinate cartridge containing a second developing means for developing a latent image formed on said image bearing member;
• said main cartridge including mounting means for detachably mounting to said main process cartridge said subordinate cartridge;
• said subordinate cartridge including a portion for mounting said second developing means to said mounting means.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a main process cartridge including an image bearing member, first developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on said image bearing member and a supporting member for supporting said image bearing member and said first developing means as a unit;
• a subordinate process cartridge containing second developing means for developing a latent image formed on said image bearing member;
• said main process cartridge including mounting means for detachably mounting to said main process cartridge said subordinate cartridge;
• said subordinate cartridge including a portion for mounting said second developing means to said mounting means;
• and
• means for automatically setting an image forming condition in association with presence or absence of said subordinate process cartridge.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image bearing member;
• first developing means for developing a latent image formed on said image bearing member;
• a supporting member for supporting said image bearing member and said first developing means as a unit;
• mounting means for detachably mounting to said process cartridge a subordinate cartridge;
• and
• a cover for covering said image bearing member, said first developing means and said subordinate cartridge, said cover being provided with an opening for introducing first and second image information light to said image bearing member.

An image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, comprising:

• a main process cartridge including an image bearing member, first developing means for developing a latent image formed on said image bearing member, a supporting member for supporting said image bearing member and said first developing means, wherein a subordinate process cartridge containing a second developing means which is separate from said first developing means is detachably mountable to said main process cartridge;
• means for supporting said main process cartridge at a predetermined position;
• optical means for projecting information light to the image bearing member of said main process cartridge;
• and
• means for transferring a toner image from said image bearing member to a transfer material.

An image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, comprising:

• a main process cartridge including an image bearing member, first developing means for developing a latent image formed on said image bearing member, supporting member for supporting said image bearing member and said first developing means as a unit, wherein a subordinate process cartridge containing a second developing means which is separate from said first developing means is detachably mountable to said main process cartridge;
• a main assembly for supporting said main process cartridge and openable for allowing said main process cartridge to be taken out;
• optical means for projecting information light to the image bearing member of said main process cartridge;
• and
• means for transferring a toner image formed on the image bearing member onto a transfer material.

An image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, comprising:

• a cartridge including a main process cartridge containing an image bearing member, a first developing means for developing a latent image formed on said image bearing member and supporting means for supporting said image bearing member and said first developing means as a unit, wherein a subordinate process cartridge having a second developing means which is separate from said first developing means is detachably mountable to said main process cartridge;
• means for automatically setting an image forming condition depending on absence and presence of said subordinate process cartridge;
• a main assembly for supporting said cartridge, said main assembly being dividingly openable to allow said main cartridge to be taken out;
• means for projecting information light onto the image bearing member of said cartridge;
• and
• means for transferring a toner image formed on said image bearing member onto a transfer material.