Patent ID: 6980756
Filing Date: 2005-12-27
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a guide member, comprising: a cartridge frame; an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a process unit acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a projecting portion in the cartridge frame, wherein, when said process cartridge is mounted to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said projecting portion is guided by the guide member to guide said process cartridge in a mounting direction in which said process cartridge is mounted to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein, when said process cartridge is mounted to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which conforms to functions of said process cartridge, said projecting portion allows said process cartridge to be inserted in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus that conforms to the functions of said process cartridge, and, wherein, when said process cartridge is mounted to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which does not conform to the functions of said process cartridge and has different functions, said projecting portion abuts against a main body frame in the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the different functions to prevent mounting of said process cartridge, wherein said projecting portion is provided so as to project downward from said cartridge frame, and when said process cartridge is withdrawn from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus to be mounted on a mounting surface, said projecting portion maintains a stable posture of said process cartridge.