Patent ID: 8472816
Filing Date: 2013-06-25
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising: an image bearing member on which an electrostatic image is to be formed; a developing device, including a developer carrying member for carrying a developer, for developing the electrostatic image; a contact member contactable to and separable from a surface of said image bearing member; a spacer member, detachably mountable to said process cartridge, for holding said contact member at a position away from said image bearing member when said spacer member is mounted to a predetermined mounting position of said process cartridge, and for permitting said contact member to contact said image bearing member when said spacer member is dismounted; and a drive transmission member movable between a first position in which a driving force for driving said developer carrying member is not transmitted to said developer carrying member and a second position in which the driving force for driving said developer carrying member is transmitted to said developer carrying member, wherein said process cartridge is mountable to said image forming apparatus in a state that said spacer member is mounted to said process cartridge, and wherein said drive transmission member is in the first position at least when said spacer member is in the predetermined mounting position.