Rigid process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus incorporating the same

A process cartridge for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• a cleaning member including a blade and a support portion supporting the blade, the blade contacting the electrophotographic photosensitive member to remove a developer from the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• and
• a cartridge frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the support portion, the cartridge frame including a contact portion contacting the support portion under external forces on the cartridge frame to prevent deformation of the cartridge frame,
• wherein a clearance is provided between the contact portion and the support portion when no external forces arc applied to the cartridge frame.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, the apparatus comprising:

• (i) a detachable process cartridge comprising:
• an electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• a container supplying a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• a developing member developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• a cleaning member including a blade and a support portion supporting the blade, the blade selectively contacting the electrophotographic photosensitive member to remove the developer from the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
• a cartridge frame supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the support portion, the cartridge frame including a contact portion contacting the support portion under external forces on the cartridge frame to prevent deformation of the cartridge frame,
• wherein the contact portion includes a rib projecting from the frame to contact the support portion.
• (ii) an intermediate transfer member receiving the developed electrostatic latent image from the electrophotographic photosensitive member and transferring the image onto the recording medium;
• and
• (iii) feeding means for feeding the recording medium to the intermediate transfer member.