Process cartridge having shiftable cover with inner protrusion

A process cartridge mountable onto a main body of an image forming system, said process cartridge comprising:

• an image bearing member;
• processing means for acting on said image bearing member;
• and
• a protection cover movable between a protecting position for protecting said image bearing member and a retracted position retracted from the protecting position, wherein an upper periphery of said protection cover assumes a level at least as high as an upper surface of said process cartridge in the retracted position for forming a gap to allow an air flow between said protection cover and said process cartridge, wherein an outer surface of said protection cover is provided with a longitudinal projection which blocks an air flow directed to said process cartridge when said protection cover is positioned in the retracted position.

An image forming system to which a process cartridge is removably mounted for forming an image on a recording medium, said image forming system comprising:

• mount means for removably mounting a process cartridge, said process cartridge comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, processing means for acting on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a frame for supporting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and said processing means, and a cover that is rockable about one end portion in a short-side direction thereof between a closed protecting position to protect said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and an opened retracted position retracted from the protected position, wherein said cover has a protruded portion provided on an inner surface of said cover along one long-side edge of said cover about which said cover is rockable to form a clearance between said protruded portion and said frame when said process cartridge is mounted to a main body of the image forming system and said cover is positioned in the retracted position, and wherein the clearance allows an air flow between said protruded portion and said frame when said cover is in the retracted position;
• air flow generating means for generating an air flow flowing through the clearance when said cover assumes the retracted position;
• transfer means for transferring a developed image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum onto a recording medium;
• and
• conveying means for conveying the recording medium.

A process cartridge removably mounted to an image forming system, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charge roller for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing a developing agent left on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a frame for supporting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said charge roller, said developing roller, and said cleaning blade;
• and
• a cover that is rockable about one end portion in a short-side direction thereof between a closed protecting position to protect said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and an opened retracted position retracted from the protected position,
• wherein said cover has a protruded portion provided on an inner surface of said cover alone one long-side edge of said cover about which said cover is rockable to form a clearance between said protruded portion and said frame when said process cartridge is mounted to a main body of the image forming system and said cover is positioned in the retracted position, and
• wherein the clearance allows an air flow between said protruded portion and said frame when said cover is in the retracted position.

An image forming system to which a process cartridge is removably mounted for forming an image onto a recording medium, said image forming system comprising:

• mount means for removably mounting a process cartridge to said image forming system, said process cartridge comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charge roller for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing a developing agent left on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a frame for supporting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said charge roller, said developing roller, and said cleaning blade;
• and a cover that is rockable about one end portion in a short-side direction thereof between a closed protecting position to protect said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and an opened retracted position retracted from the protected position, wherein said cover has a protruded portion provided on an inner surface of said cover along one long-side edge of said cover about which said cover is rockable to form a clearance between said protruded portion and said frame when said process cartridge is mounted to a main body of the image forming system and said cover is positioned in the retracted position, and wherein the clearance allows an air flow between said protruded portion and said frame when said cover is in the retracted position;
• an air fan for generating an air flow flowing through the clearance formed between said frame and the protruded portion when said cover assumes the retracted position;
• a transfer roller for transferring a developed image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum onto the recording medium;
• and
• conveying means for conveying the recording medium.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming system, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a processing unit acting onto said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said processing unit including a charge member for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller rotating for supplying a toner to said electrophotographic photosensitive drum to thereby develop a latent image formed thereon, and a cleaning blade for removing the toner remaining on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a frame for supporting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and said processing unit;
• and
• a cover shiftable between a protecting position where said electrophotographic photosensitive drum is protected and a retracted position where said cover is retracted from said protecting position, said cover being spaced apart from said frame at least in said retracted position to create a clearance forming an air flow passage between said cover and said frame,
• wherein said cover is provided at an inner surface with a protruded portion protruding outwardly when said cover is opened, to create a clearance between said frame and said cover when said cover is positioned in said retracted position.

A process cartridge removably mounted to an image forming system, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller disposed in contact with said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a latent image developing roller disposed adjacent to said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing agent cleaning blade disposed adjacent to said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a frame in which said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said charging roller, said developing roller, and said cleaning blade are disposed;
• and
• a cover that is rockable about a shaft provided along one end portion in a short-side direction thereof and along said electrophotographic photosensitive drum between a closed protecting position to protect said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and an opened retracted position retracted from the protected position,
• wherein said cover has a protruded portion provided on an inner surface of said cover along one long-side edge of said cover about which said cover is rockable to form a clearance between said protruded portion and said frame when said process cartridge is mounted to a main body of the image forming system and said cover is positioned in the retracted position,
• wherein the clearance allows an air flow between said protruded portion and said frame when said cover is in the retracted position, and
• wherein said protruded portion is protruded upwardly beyond an upper surface of said frame when said cover is positioned in the retracted position.