Process cartridge and image forming apparatus

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cartridge frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said confining contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to the mounting direction, in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of s aid photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cartridge frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said releasing contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to the mounting direction, in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cartridge frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said first portion is provided with a third projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to the mount ing direction, and said second portion is provided with a fourth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging member for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing member for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a first long projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from said first portion at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge;
• a second long projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from said second portion at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction;
• a confining contact surface, provided on said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact surface, provided on said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is rotated for demounting from said main assembly, wherein said confining contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to a mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly,
• wherein said releasing contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to the mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly,
• wherein said releasing contact surface is disposed upstream of said confining contact surface with respect to the mounting direction, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum;
• and
• wherein said releasing contact surface and said confining contact surface are substantially aligned in the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging member for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing member for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a first long projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from said first portion at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge;
• a second long projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from said second portion at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cartridge frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to the mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said confining contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to the mounting direction in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging member for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing member for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a first long projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first long projection being projected outwardly from said first portion at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge;
• a second long projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second long projection being projected outwardly from said second portion at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cartridge frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to the mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said releasing contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to the mounting direction, in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• a n electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging member for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing member for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly a nd coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a first long projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first long projection being projected outwardly from said first portion at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge;
• a second long projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second long projection being projected outwardly from said second portion at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cartridge frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to the mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said first portion is provided with a fifth projection for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said fifth projection being projected outwardly at a position substantially above said first projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and said second portion is provided with a sixth projection for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said sixth projection being projected outwardly at a position substantially above said second projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• process means actable on said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• an outwardly projected third projection, for guiding said process cartridge, on said first portion at a position, which is substantially vertically above said first projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly;
• an outwardly projected fourth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, on said second portion at a position which is substantially vertically above said second projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly;
• a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from said first portion at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a process cartridge mounting direction;
• a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from said second portion at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to a process cartridge mounting direction;
• a confining contact portion, provided on a top surface of said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on a top surface of said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said main assembly having a helical gear for transmitting driving force, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive member;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with said helical gear of said main assembly to receive the driving force for rotating said photosensitive drum when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• an outwardly projected third projection, for guiding said process cartridge, on said first portion at a position, which is substantially vertically above said first projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly;
• an outwardly projected fourth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, on said second portion at a position which is substantially vertically above said second projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly;
• a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from a first portion of said developing frame at a position which is upstream of said first projection with respect to a process cartridge mounting direction and which is adjacent an end in a direction of the axis of said photosensitive drum;
• a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from a second portion of said developing frame at a position which is upstream of said first projection with respect to a process cartridge mounting direction and which is adjacent another end in a direction of the axis of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, provided on a top surface of said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on a top surface of said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• process means actable on said photosensitive member;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive member;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive member;
• a confining contact surface, on said cartridge frame, for contacting said first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact surface, on said cartridge frame, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is rotated for demounting from said main assembly, wherein said confining contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to a mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, wherein said releasing contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to the mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, wherein said releasing contact surface and said confining contact surface are substantially aligned in the mounting direction;
• and
• feeding means for feeding the recording material.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging member for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing member for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a first long projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from said first portion at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge;
• a second long projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from said second portion at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction;
• a confining contact surface, provided on said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting said first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact surface, provided on said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is rotated for demounting from said main assembly, wherein said confining contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to a mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, wherein said releasing contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to the mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly;
• wherein said releasing contact surface and said confining contact surface are substantially aligned in the mounting direction;
• and
• feeding means for feeding the recording material.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• process means actable on said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• an outwardly projected third projection, for guiding said process cartridge, on said first portion at a position, which is substantially vertically above said first projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly;
• an outwardly projected fourth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, on said second portion at a position which is substantially vertically above said second projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly;
• a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from said first portion at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge;
• a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from said second portion at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction;
• a confining contact portion, provided on a top surface of said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on a top surface of said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly;
• and
• feeding means for feeding the recording material.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with a helical gear of said main assembly to receive the driving force for rotating said photosensitive drum when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• an outwardly projected third projection, for guiding said process cartridge, on said first portion at a position, which is substantially vertically above said first projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly;
• an outwardly projected fourth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, on said second portion at a position which is substantially vertically above said second projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly;
• a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from a first portion of said developing frame at a position which is upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge;
• a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly from a second portion of said developing frame at a position which is upstream of said first projection with respect to the mounting direction;
• a confining contact portion, provided on a top surface of said cleaning frame at each end portion, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on a top surface of said cleaning frame at each end portion, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge;
• and
• feeding means for feeding the recording material.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• process means actable on said photosensitive member;
• a cartridge frame;
• a projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said projection being outwardly projected from said cartridge frame in a direction of an axis of said photosensitive member;
• a confining contact surface, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact surface, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is rotated for demounting from said main assembly, wherein said confining contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to a mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, wherein said releasing contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to the mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly,
• wherein said releasing contact surface is disposed upstream of said confining contact surface with respect to the mounting direction, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive member, and
• wherein said releasing contact surface and said confining contact surface are substantially aligned in the mounting direction.

A method for removing a process cartridge from a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a step of preparing the process cartridge, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• process means actable on said photosensitive member;
• a cartridge frame;
• a projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said projection being outwardly projected from said cartridge frame in a direction of an axis of said photosensitive member;
• a confining contact surface, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact surface, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is rotated for demounting from said main assembly, wherein said confining contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to a mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, wherein said releasing contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to the mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly,
• wherein said releasing contact surface is disposed upstream of said confining contact surface with respect to the mounting direction, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive member,
• wherein said releasing contact surface and said confining contact surface are substantially aligned in the mounting direction;
• a step of upwardly rotating said process cartridge with said projection as a pivot to contact the releasing contact surface to the second fixed portion;
• then
• a step of upwardly rotating said process cartridge with a contact position between said releasing contact surface and said second fixed portion as a pivot;
• and then
• a step of outwardly removing said process cartridge out of said main assembly.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cartridge frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said first projection and second projection are circular around a shaft for supporting said photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said first portion is provided with a first additional projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to the mounting direction, and said second portion is provided with a second additional projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cartridge frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said first portion is provided with an outwardly projected third projection, for guiding said process cartridge, at a position which is substantially vertically above said first projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and said second portion is provided with an outwardly projected fourth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, at a position which is substantially vertically above said second projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and
• wherein said first portion is provided with a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to the mounting direction, and said second portion is provided with a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cartridge frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said first projection and second projection are circular around a shaft for supporting said photosensitive member,
• wherein said first portion is provided with an outwardly projected third projection, for guiding said process cartridge, at a position which is substantially vertically above said first projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and said second portion is provided with an outwardly projected fourth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, at a position which is substantially vertically above said second projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and
• wherein said first portion is provided with a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to the mounting direction, and said second portion is provided with a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• process means actable on said photosensitive member;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive member;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive member;
• and
• a grip portion, on said cartridge frame, for facilitating handling of said process cartridge when it is mounted or demounted,
• said cartridge frame including a confining contact surface for contacting a first fixing portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, and
• said cartridge frame including a releasing contact surface for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is rotated for demounting from said main assembly, wherein said confining contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to a mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, wherein said releasing contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to the mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and
• wherein said releasing contact surface and said confining contact surface are substantially aligned in the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• process means actable on said photosensitive member;
• a cartridge frame;
• an exposure opening, formed in said cartridge frame, for permitting image light to be projected on said photosensitive member from said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive member;
• and
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive member,
• said cartridge frame including a confining contact surface for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, and
• said cartridge frame including a releasing contact surface for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is rotated for demounting from said main assembly, wherein said confining contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to a mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, wherein said releasing contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to the mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and
• wherein said releasing contact surface and said confining contact surface are substantially aligned in the mounting direction.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said main assembly having a helical gear for transmitting driving force, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with said helical gear of said main assembly to receive the driving force for rotating said photosensitive drum when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• and
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum,
• said cleaning frame including a confining contact surface for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, and
• said cleaning frame including a releasing contact surface for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is rotated for demounting from said main assembly, wherein said confining contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to a mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly;
• wherein said releasing contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to the mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly,
• wherein said releasing contact surface is disposed upstream of said confining contact surface with respect to the mounting direction, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said releasing contact surface and said confining contact surface are substantially aligned in the mounting direction, and
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said main assembly having a helical gear for transmitting driving force, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with said helical gear of said main assembly to receive the driving force for rotating said photosensitive drum when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cleaning frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge about a contact portion between said releasing contact portion and said second fixed portion,
• wherein said first projection and second projection are circular around a shaft for supporting said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are in the form of a surface inclined with respect to the mounting direction and formed in a recess in a substantially upwardly facing side of said cleaning frame, and the inclined surface constituting said releasing contact portion is upstream of the inclined surface constituting said confining contact portion with respect to the mounting direction, and
• wherein the inclined surface constituting said confining contact portion is a bottom surface of the recess provided at a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction, and the inclined surface of said releasing contact portion is a side wall of the recess, which side wall is upstream of said recess in the mounting direction.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• and
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• process means actable on said photosensitive member;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive member;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive member;
• and
• a grip portion, on said cartridge frame, for facilitating handling of said process cartridge when it is mounted or demounted,
• said cartridge frame including a confining contact surface for contacting said first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, and
• said cartridge frame including a releasing contact surface for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is rotated for demounting from said main assembly, wherein said confining contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to a mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, wherein said releasing contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to the mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly,
• wherein said releasing contact surface and said confining contact surface are substantially aligned in the mounting direction.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• process means actable on said photosensitive member;
• a cartridge frame;
• an exposure opening, formed in said cartridge frame, for permitting image light to be projected on said photosensitive member from said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive member;
• and
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive member,
• said cartridge frame including a confining contact surface for contacting said first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, and
• said cartridge frame including a releasing contact surface, on said cartridge frame, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is rotated for demounting from said main assembly, wherein said confining contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to a mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, wherein said releasing contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to the mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly,
• wherein said releasing contact surface and said confining contact surface are substantially aligned in the mounting direction.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• a mounting member for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with a helical gear of said main assembly to receive the driving force for rotating said photosensitive drum when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• and
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum,
• said cleaning frame including a confining contact surface for contacting said first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, and
• said cleaning frame including a releasing contact surface for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is rotated for demounting from said main assembly, wherein said confining contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to a mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, wherein said releasing contact surface is provided adjacent a front side of said process cartridge with respect to the mounting direction thereof and in such a side of said process cartridge as is faced substantially upwardly when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly,
• wherein said releasing contact surface is disposed upstream of said confining contact surface with respect to the mounting direction, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum, wherein said releasing contact surface and said confining contact surface are substantially aligned in the mounting direction, and
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• a helical gear;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with said helical gear of said main assembly to receive the driving force for rotating said photosensitive drum when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame for contacting said first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cleaning frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge about a contact portion between said releasing contact portion and said second fixed portion,
• wherein said first projection and second projection are circular around a shaft for supporting said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are in the form of a surface inclined with respect to the mounting direction and formed in a recess in a substantially upwardly facing side of said cleaning frame, and the inclined surface constituting said releasing contact portion is upstream of the inclined surface constituting said confining contact portion with respect to the mounting direction, and
• wherein the inclined surface constituting said releasing contact portion is a bottom surface of the recess provided at a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction, and the inclined surface of said confining portion is a side wall of the recess, which side wall is upstream of said recess in the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a grip portion, on said cartridge frame, for facilitating handling of said process cartridge when it is mounted or demounted;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixing portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly, wherein said releasing contact portion is contacted to a second fixed portion of said main assembly by raising said process cartridge from said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted,
• wherein said first projection and second projection are coaxial and circular around a shaft for supporting said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said first portion is provided with a first additional projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, and said second portion is provided with a second additional projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction, and
• wherein said confining contact surface and said releasing contact surface are disposed downstream of said grip portion with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum ;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a grip portion, on said cartridge frame, for facilitating handling of said process cartridge when it is mounted or demounted;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixing portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly, wherein said releasing contact portion is contacted to a second fixed portion of said main assembly by raising said process cartridge from said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted,
• wherein said confining contact portion is provided at each of end portions of said cartridge frame with respect to an axial direction of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said confining contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction, and
• wherein said confining contact surface and said releasing contact surface are disposed downstream of said grip portion with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a grip portion, on said cartridge frame, for facilitating handling of said process cartridge when it is mounted or demounted;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixing portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly, wherein said releasing contact portion is contacted to a second fixed portion of said main assembly by raising said process cartridge from said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted,
• wherein said releasing contact portion is provided at each of end portions of said cartridge frame with respect to an axial direction of said drum,
• wherein said releasing contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction, and
• wherein said confining contact surface and said releasing contact surface are disposed downstream of said grip portion with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a grip portion, on said cartridge frame, for facilitating handling of said process cartridge when it is mounted or demounted;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly, wherein said releasing contact portion is contacted to said second fixed portion of said main assembly by raising said process cartridge from said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted,
• wherein said first portion is provided with an outwardly projected third projection, for guiding said process cartridge, at a position which is substantially vertically above said first projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and said second portion is provided with an outwardly projected fourth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, at a position which is substantially vertically above said second projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly,
• wherein said first portion is provided with a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, and said second portion is provided with a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction, and
• wherein said confining contact surface and said releasing contact surface are disposed downstream of said grip portion with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a grip portion, on said cartridge frame, for facilitating handling of said process cartridge when it is mounted or demounted;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixing portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly, wherein said releasing contact portion is contacted to a second fixed portion of said main assembly by raising said process cartridge from said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted,
• wherein said first portion is provided with a first additional projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, and said second portion is provided with a second additional projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction, and
• wherein said confining contact surface and said releasing contact surface are disposed downstream of said grip portion with respect to the mounting direction.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said main assembly having a helical gear for transmitting driving force, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with said helical gear of said main assembly to receive the driving force for rotating said photosensitive member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, a releasing contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cleaning frame that becomes a substantially upwardly facing side when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge about a contact portion between said releasing contact portion and said second fixed portion,
• wherein said first projection and second projection are coaxial and circular around a shaft for supporting said photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said first portion is provided with a first additional projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to the mounting direction, and said second portion is provided with a second additional projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said main assembly having a helical gear for transmitting driving force, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with said helical gear of said main assembly to receive the driving force for rotating said photosensitive drum when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cleaning frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge,
• wherein said confining contact portion is provided at each of end portions of said cleaning frame with respect to an axial direction of said photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said confining contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to the mounting direction in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said main assembly having a helical gear for transmitting driving force, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for re moving residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with said helical gear of said main assembly to receive the driving force for rotating said photosensitive member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cleaning frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge,
• wherein said releasing contact portion is provided at each of end portions of said cleaning frame with respect to an axial direction of said photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said releasing contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to the mounting direction, in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a grip portion, on said cartridge frame, for facilitating handling of said process cartridge when it is mounted or demounted;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting said first fixing portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly, wherein said releasing contact portion is contacted to said second fixed portion of said main assembly by raising said process cartridge from said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted,
• wherein said first projection and second projection are coaxial and circular around a shaft for supporting said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said first portion is provided with a first additional projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, and said second portion is provided with a second additional projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction, and
• wherein said confining contact surface and said releasing contact surface are disposed downstream of said grip portion with respect to the mounting direction.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a grip portion, on said cartridge frame, for facilitating handling of said process cartridge when it is mounted or demounted;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting said first fixing portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly, wherein said releasing contact portion is contacted to said second fixed portion of said main assembly by raising said process cartridge from said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted,
• wherein said confining contact portion is provided at each of end portions of said cleaning frame with respect to an axial direction of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said confining contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction, and
• wherein said confining contact surface and said releasing contact surface are disposed downstream of said grip portion with respect to the mounting direction.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a grip portion, on said cartridge frame, for facilitating handling of said process cartridge when it is mounted or demounted;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting said first fixing portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly, wherein said releasing contact portion is contacted to said second fixed portion of said main assembly by raising said process cartridge from said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted,
• wherein said releasing contact portion is provided at each of end portions of said cleaning frame with respect to an axial direction of said photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said releasing contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction, and
• wherein said confining contact surface and said releasing contact surface are disposed downstream of said grip portion with respect to the mounting direction.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum:
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with a helical gear of said main assembly to receive a driving force for rotating said photosensitive drum when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame for contacting said first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cleaning frame that becomes a substantially upwardly facing side when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridges the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge,
• wherein said first projection and second projection are coaxial and circular around a shaft for supporting said photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said first portion is provided with a first additional projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to the mounting direction, and said second portion is provided with a second additional projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with a helical gear of said main assembly to receive a driving force for rotating said photosensitive drum when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame for contacting said first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cleaning frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge,
• wherein said confining contact portion is provided at each of end portions of said cleaning frame with respect to an axial direction of said photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said confining contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to the mounting direction in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with a helical gear of said main assembly to receive a driving force for rotating said photosensitive drum when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame for contacting said first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cleaning frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge,
• wherein said releasing contact portion is provided at each of end portions of said cleaning frame with respect to an axial direction of said photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said releasing contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to the mounting direction, in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging member for charging said photosensitive drum a developing member for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning member for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a first long projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first long projection being projected outwardly from said first portion at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge;
• a second long projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second long projection being projected outwardly from said second portion at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and for limiting rotation of said process cartridge about said first projection and said second projection, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cartridge frame at each end portion, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cartridge frame that becomes a substantially upwardly facing side when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to the mounting direction, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are in the form of a portion inclined with respect to the mounting direction, formed in a recess in the substantially upwardly facing side of said cartridge frame, and wherein the inclined surface constituting said releasing contact portion is upstream of the inclined surface constituting said confining contact portion with respect to the mounting direction, and
• wherein the inclined surface constituting said confining contact portion is a bottom surface of the recess provided at a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction, and the inclined surface of said releasing contact portion is a side wall of the recess, which side wall is upstream of said recess in the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and for limiting rotation of said process cartridge about said first projection and said second projection, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cartridge frame that becomes a substantially upwardly facing side when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are in the form of a portion inclined with respect to the mounting direction, formed in a recess on the substantially upwardly facing side of said cartridge frame, and wherein the inclined surface constituting said releasing contact portion is upstream of the inclined surface constituting said confining contact portion with respect to the mounting direction, and
• wherein the inclined surface constituting said confining contact portion is a bottom surface of the recess provided at a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction, and the inclined surface of said releasing contact portion is a side wall of the recess, which side wall is upstream of said recess in the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• an exposure opening, formed in said cartridge frame, for permitting image light to be projected on said photosensitive drum from said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, disposed nearer to said exposure opening than said confining contact portion on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said first projection and second projection are coaxial and circular around a shaft for supporting said photosensitive member, and
• wherein said first portion is provided with a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, and said second portion is provided with a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• an exposure opening, formed in said cartridge frame, for permitting image light to be projected on said photosensitive drum from said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly,
• a releasing contact portion, disposed nearer to said exposure opening than said confining contact portion on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion is provided at each of end portions of said cartridge frame with respect to an axial direction of said photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said confining contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• an exposure opening, formed in said cartridge frame, for permitting image light to be projected on said photosensitive drum from said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, disposed nearer to said exposure opening than said confining contact portion on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion is provided at each of end portions of said cartridge frame with respect to an axial direction of said photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said releasing contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• an exposure opening, formed in said cartridge frame, for permitting image light to be projected on said photosensitive drum from said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, disposed nearer to said exposure opening than said confining contact portion on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said first portion is provided with an outwardly projected third projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, at a position which is substantially vertically above said first projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and said second portion is provided with an outwardly projected fourth projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, at a position which is substantially vertically above said second projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and
• wherein said first portion is provided with a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, and said second portion is provided with a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction.

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

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• an exposure opening, formed in said cartridge frame, for permitting image light to be projected on said photosensitive drum from said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and for limiting rotation of said process cartridge about said first projection and said second projection, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, disposed nearer to said exposure opening than said confining contact portion on said cartridge frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly, and
• wherein said first portion is provided with a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, and said second portion is provided with a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said main assembly having a helical gear for transmitting driving force, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with said helical gear of said main assembly to receive the driving force for rotating said photosensitive member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cleaning frame that becomes a substantially upwardly facing side when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, the mounting direction crossing with an axis of said photosensitive drum,
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge about a contact portion between said releasing contact portion and said second fixed portion,
• wherein said first portion is provided with an outwardly projected third projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, at a position which is substantially vertically above said first projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and said second portion is provided with an outwardly projected fourth projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, at a position which is substantially vertically above said second projection when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and
• wherein said first portion is provided with a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to the mounting direction, and said second portion is provided with a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction.

A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said main assembly having a helical gear for transmitting driving force, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a helical gear engageable with said helical gear of said main assembly to receive the driving force for rotating said photosensitive member when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a cleaning frame which contains said photosensitive drum, said charging roller and said cleaning blade;
• a developing frame containing said developing roller and a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, wherein said developing frame is swingably mounted to said cleaning frame;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a first portion of said cleaning frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being projected outwardly and coaxially with an axis of said photosensitive drum from a second portion of said cleaning frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame for contacting a first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, provided on said cleaning frame, for contacting a second fixed portion of said main assembly to provide a pivot of rotation of said process cartridge, when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion and said releasing contact portion are provided in a recess of such a part of said cleaning frame that becomes a top part when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly, said releasing contact portion is disposed upstream of said confining contact portion with respect to a movement direction of said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, and said process cartridge is moved in a direction crossing an axis of said photosensitive drum when said process cartridge is mounted or demounted,
• wherein engagement between said helical gears is released by upward rotation of said process cartridge, and
• wherein said first portion is provided with a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a process cartridge mounting direction, and said second portion is provided with a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to a process cartridge mounting direction.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• an exposure opening, formed in said cartridge frame, for permitting image light to be projected on said photosensitive drum from said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting said first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, disposed nearer to said exposure opening than said confining contact portion on said cartridge frame, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said first projection and second projection are coaxial and circular around a shaft for supporting said photosensitive member, and
• wherein said first portion is provided with a fifth projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said first projection with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, and said second portion is provided with a sixth projection, for guiding said process cartridge when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, projected outwardly at a position upstream of said second projection with respect to the mounting direction.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• an exposure opening, formed in said cartridge frame, for permitting image light to be projected on said photosensitive drum from said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting said first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, disposed nearer to said exposure opening than said confining contact portion on said cartridge frame, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said confining contact portion is provided at each of end portions of said cleaning frame with respect to an axial direction of said photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said confining contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction.

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, comprising:

• a first fixed portion;
• a second fixed portion;
• and
• mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to a main assembly of said image forming apparatus, said process cartridge including:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller for charging said photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum;
• a cleaning blade for removing residual toner from said photosensitive drum;
• a cartridge frame;
• an exposure opening, formed in said cartridge frame, for permitting image light to be projected on said photosensitive drum from said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• a first projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said first projection being outwardly projected from a first portion of said cartridge frame adjacent an axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a second projection for positioning said process cartridge relative to the main assembly when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, said second projection being outwardly projected from a second portion of said cartridge frame adjacent another axial end of said photosensitive drum;
• a confining contact portion, on said cartridge frame, for contacting said first fixed portion of said main assembly and cooperating with said first projection and second projection to correctly position said process cartridge relative to said main assembly, when said process cartridge is mounted to said main assembly;
• and
• a releasing contact portion, disposed nearer to said exposure opening than said confining contact portion on said cartridge frame, for contacting said second fixed portion of said main assembly when said process cartridge is demounted from said main assembly,
• wherein said releasing contact portion is provided at each of end portions of said cartridge frame with respect to an axial direction of said photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said releasing contact portion has a portion inclined with respect to a mounting direction of said process cartridge, in a recess extending from an upstream side toward a downstream side with respect to the mounting direction.