Abstract:
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which is transportable in a state of being mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the member with a developer, a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer and having a developer supply opening for permitting passage of the developer to supply the developer to the roller, a sealing member unsealably sealing the opening and a grip member, provided on the sealing member, for being gripped to unseal the opening when the sealing member is removed from the opening. The grip member is movable between a first position where the cartridge can move to a predetermined position in the main assembly to permit transportation of the cartridge when mounted to the main assembly, and a second position where the cartridge is prevented from moving to the predetermined position from the first position when the cartridge is dismounted from the predetermined position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART 
   The present invention relates to a process cartridge and a development cartridge, which are removably mountable in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and are transportable while remaining mounted in the main assembly of the image forming apparatus. It also relates to an image forming apparatus which employs these cartridges. 
   In the field of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a process cartridge system has long been employed. According to a process cartridge system, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and one or more processing means are integrally disposed in a cartridge, making it possible for a user himself or herself to maintain an electrophotographic image forming apparatus without relying on service personnel at all. Thus, a process cartridge system can drastically improve an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in operability. Therefore, a process cartridge system has been widely used in the field of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 
   A process cartridge (which hereinafter will be referred to as “cartridge”) such as the one described above is provided with a sealing member, with which the developer supply outlet of the developer storage portion of the process cartridge is sealed to prevent the developer in the developer storage portion from entering the photosensitive drum side of the process cartridge during the shipment of the cartridge. Thus, before a brand new cartridge is used for the first time, a user is to detach a handgrip connected to the abovementioned sealing member, from the cartridge frame, and pull the handgrip to pull out, that is, to peel away, the sealing member by gripping the handgrip, to unseal the developer supply outlet to make it possible for the developer to be supplied to the development roller. Then, the process cartridge is to be mounted into the image forming apparatus main assembly. 
   As for the method of packaging an image forming apparatus and a cartridge (cartridges) to transport them, it has been a common practice to separately pack the main assembly of an image forming apparatus from a process cartridge (process cartridges) therefor, that is, to pack the former in one box, and the latter in another box. However, in recent years, in order to improve an image forming apparatus in terms of transportation efficiency, such an image forming apparatus transporting method that transports the main assembly of an image forming apparatus and the process cartridge(s) therefor together, with the cartridge(s) kept mounted in the image forming apparatus main assembly, has come to be employed (this method hereinafter may be referred to as “cartridge embedded image forming apparatus transporting method”). 
   While a process cartridge or a development cartridge is transported while remaining mounted in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus, it is subjected to external forces that result from vibrations or the like. Therefore, various structural arrangements have been proposed to prevent the abovementioned handgrip connected to a sealing member from being separated from the frame of the process cartridge or developer cartridge by the external forces to which the handgrip is subjected. Examples of such proposals are disclosed in Japanese Laid open Patent Applications 2000 131943 and 2005 31391. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is one of the further developments of the abovementioned prior arts. 
   The primary object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge or a developer cartridge, the developer supply outlet of which, for transportation purposes, is kept sealed with a sealing member, whose handgrip is easier to handle when the process cartridge or developer cartridge is removed from the main assembly of an image forming apparatus. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and a developer cartridge, which can be left mounted in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus during the transportation of the image forming apparatus, and which ensures that if a user forgets to remove the sealing member before remounting the process cartridge into the main assembly, the user is reminded that the sealing member must be removed before the cartridge is remounted into the main assembly. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which is transportable in a state of being mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer; a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer and having a developer supply opening for permitting passage of the developer to supply the developer to the developing roller; a sealing member unsealably sealing the developer supply opening; and a grip member, provided on the sealing member, for being gripped to unseal the developer supply opening when the sealing member is removed from the developer supply opening, wherein the grip member is movable between a first position where the process cartridge is permitted to move to a predetermined position in the main assembly of the apparatus to permit transportation of the process cartridge in the state of being mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a second position where the process cartridge is prevented from moving to the predetermined position from the first position when the process cartridge is dismounted from the predetermined position. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing cartridge which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which is transportable in a state of being mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge comprising: a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer; a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer and having a developer supply opening for permitting passage of the developer to supply the developer to the developing roller; a sealing member unsealably sealing the developer supply opening; and a grip member, provided on the sealing member, for being gripped to unseal the developer supply opening when the sealing member is removed from the developer supply opening, wherein the grip member is movable between a first position where the developing cartridge is permitted to move to a predetermined position in the main assembly of the apparatus to permit transportation of the developing cartridge in the state of being mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a second position where the developing cartridge is prevented from moving to the predetermined position from the first position when the developing cartridge is dismounted from the predetermined position. 
   According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, the apparatus comprising (a) a process cartridge including, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer, a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer and having a developer supply opening for permitting passage of the developer to supply the developer to the developing roller, a sealing member unsealably sealing the developer supply opening, and a grip member, provided on the sealing member, for being gripped to unseal the developer supply opening when the sealing member is removed from the developer supply opening, wherein the grip member is movable between a first position where the process cartridge is permitted to move to a predetermined position in the main assembly of the apparatus to permit transportation of the process cartridge in the state of being mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a second position where the process cartridge is prevented from moving to the predetermined position from the first position when the process cartridge is dismounted from the predetermined position; and (b) feeding means for feeding a recording material. 
   According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, the apparatus comprising (a) a developing cartridge including, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer, a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer and having a developer supply opening for permitting passage of the developer to supply the developer to the developing roller, a sealing member unsealably sealing the developer supply opening, and a grip member, provided on the sealing member, for being gripped to unseal the developer supply opening when the sealing member is removed from the developer supply opening, wherein the grip member is movable between a first position where the developing cartridge is permitted to move to a predetermined position in the main assembly of the apparatus to permit transportation of the developing cartridge in the state of being mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a second position where the developing cartridge is prevented from moving to the predetermined position from the first position when the developing cartridge is dismounted from the predetermined position; and (b) feeding means for feeding a recording material. 
   These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a vertical sectional view of the multicolor image forming apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, and one of the cartridges therefor, which is being mounted into the main assembly. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view of the handgrip in the first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of the handgrip and toner seal in the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the method for attaching the handgrip to the toner seal. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic sectional view of the bearing member in the first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the bearing member  30  in the first embodiment of the present invention, at a vertical plane coinciding the axial line of the spring, showing the method for supporting the spring. 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the bearing member  30  in the first embodiment of the present invention, at a plane perpendicular to the axial line of the spring, showing the method for supporting the spring. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic perspective view of the bearing member and handgrip in the first embodiment of the present invention, showing how the handgrip is attached to the bearing member. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic perspective view of the bearing member and handgrip in the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the position and shape of the handgrip after the cartridge is mounted into the main assembly of an image forming apparatus to pack the cartridge and image forming apparatus in the same box for shipment. 
       FIGS. 12(   a )- 12 ( c ) are schematic sectional views of the bearing member and handgrip in the first embodiment of the present invention, showing how the handgrip is made to pop up. 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic perspective view of the handgrip and the guide of the main assembly, showing their relationship. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic perspective view of the handgrip in the second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 15(   a )- 15 ( c ) are schematic sectional views of the handgrip and the bearing member in the second embodiment of the present invention, showing how the handgrip is made to pop up. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Embodiment 1 
   Next, the process cartridge in this embodiment, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which employs the process cartridge, will be described with reference to the appended drawings. 
   [General Structure of Multicolor Image Forming Apparatus] 
   First, referring to  FIG. 1 , the general structure of the multicolor image forming apparatus will be roughly described.  FIG. 1  is a vertical sectional view of a full color laser beam printer as an example of a multicolor image forming apparatus, showing the general structure thereof. 
   The electrophotographic image forming apparatus main assembly  100  (which hereafter will be referred to as apparatus main assembly) in  FIG. 1  is provided with four electrophotographic photosensitive drums  1  ( 1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c , and  1   d ), which are electrophotographic photosensitive members in the form of a drum. The electrophotographic photosensitive drums  1  are vertically stacked in parallel. Each photosensitive drum  1  (which hereinafter will be referred to as photosensitive drum) is rotationally driven by a driving means (unshown) in the counterclockwise direction of the drawing. In the adjacencies of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum  1 , a charging means  2  ( 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c , and  2   d ), a developing apparatus  4  ( 4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c , and  4   d ), an electrostatic transferring apparatus  5 , a cleaning apparatus ( 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c , and  6   d ), etc., are disposed, listing from the upstream side in terms of the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum  1 . The charging means  2  uniformly charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum  1 . The development unit  4  develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum  1  into a developer image, that is, an image formed of developer, by adhering developer to the electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic transferring apparatus  5  transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum  1  onto a recording medium S. The cleaning apparatus removes the developer remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum  1  after the transfer of the developer image. 
   Here, the photosensitive drum  1 , the charging means  2 , the developing apparatus  4 , and the cleaning apparatus are integrally disposed in a cartridge, making up a process cartridge  7  (which hereafter will be referred to as “cartridge”. 
   Disposed in the rear portion of the apparatus main assembly  100  are scanner units ( 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c , and  3   d ), each of which forms a latent image on the corresponding photosensitive drum  1  by selectively exposing numeral points of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, based on image formation information. 
   The electrostatic transferring apparatus  5  is provided with an electrostatic transfer belt  11  (which hereafter will be referred to as a “belt”), which is disposed so that it opposes all of the photosensitive drums  1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c , and  1   d  and circularly moves in contact with all of the photosensitive drums  1 . As the material for the belt  11 , a resin film, a multilayer film made up of a substrate layer formed of rubber and a resin layer formed on the substrate layer, or the like is used. The belt  11  is stretched around a driver roller  13 , follower rollers  14   a  and  14   b , and a tension roller  15 . The belt  11  circularly moves so that the recording medium S is electrostatically adhered to the outward surface of the belt  11 , in terms of the loop which the belt  11  forms, by the bias applied to an electrostatic adhesion roller  22 , and also, so that the recording medium S is placed in contact with the abovementioned photosensitive drums  1 . As the belt  11  moves as described above, the recording medium S is conveyed by the belt  11  to each of the transfer areas, in which the toner image on the photosensitive drum  1  is transferred onto the recording medium S. 
   The electrostatic transferring apparatus  5  is also provided with transfer rollers ( 12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c , and  12   d ), which are disposed in parallel and in contact with the inward surface of the belt  11 , in terms of the belt loop, in the areas in which they oppose the four photosensitive drums  1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c , and  1   d , respectively. During a transfer operation, bias which is opposite in polarity to the developer image on each photosensitive drum  1 , is applied to these transfer rollers whereby the developer image on each photosensitive drum  1  is transferred onto the recording medium S. 
   The feeding-and-conveying portion  16  is the portion of the apparatus main assembly  100 , which feeds the recording medium S into the main assembly  100  and conveys it to the image forming portion. The feeding and conveying portion  16  and the abovementioned belt  11  make up the conveying means for conveying the recording medium S. The feeding and conveying portion  16  holds a feeder cassette  17  in which multiple recording media S are stored. During an image forming operation, a feeding-and-conveying roller  18  (a roughly semicylindrical roller) and a pair of registration rollers  19  are rotationally driven in synchronism with the progression of the image forming operation. More specifically, as the feeding and conveying roller  18  is rotated, the recording media S in the cassette  17  are fed into the main assembly  100  while being separated one by one, and are conveyed to the belt  11  in synchronism with the rotation of the conveyer belt  11  and the resultant movement of the image writing start line of the recording medium S. 
   The fixing portion  20  is the portion for fixing the multiple developer images different in color to the recording medium S after the transfer of the developer images onto the recording medium S. The fixing portion  20  has a rotatable heat roller  21   a , and a rotatable pressure roller  21   b  kept pressed upon the heat roller  21   a  to apply heat and pressure to the recording medium S. 
   The image forming operation carried out by the above described image forming apparatus is as follows: First, the process cartridges  7   a ,  7   b ,  7   c , and  7   d  sequentially begin to be driven in synchronism with the printing timing. Thus, the photosensitive drums  1   a ,  1   b ,  1   c , and  1   d  sequentially begin to be driven in the counterclockwise direction, and at the same time, the scanner units which correspond in position to the process cartridges  7  begin to be driven, one for one. As the results of this driving of the process cartridges  7 , an electrostatic latent image is formed on the uniformly charged peripheral surface of each photosensitive drum  1 . Each latent image is developed by the corresponding developing apparatus  4 , with the use of toner. 
   Meanwhile, in synchronism with the progression of the image forming operation, the recording medium S is conveyed by the conveying means to each of the areas, in which the recording medium S faces the photosensitive drum  1 , and is conveyed through the areas. While the recording medium S is conveyed through the areas, transfer bias is applied to the transfer rollers ( 12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c , and  12   d ), which oppose the photosensitive drums  1 , one for one, with the belt  11  remaining pinched between the transfer rollers and photosensitive drums  1 . As a result, the developer images, different in color, on the photosensitive drums  1 , one for one, are transferred in layers onto the recording medium S, effecting a single color image on the recording medium S. 
   After the transfer of the four monochromatic developer images different in color onto the recording medium S, the recording medium S is separated from the belt  11  with the utilization of the curvature of the belt driver roller  13 , and is conveyed into the fixing portion  20 , in which the developer images are thermally fixed to the recording medium S. Thereafter, the recording medium S is discharged from the apparatus main assembly  100  by a pair of discharge rollers  23  through a recording medium outlet  24 , with the image bearing surface of the recording medium S facing downward. 
   (Structure of Process Cartridge) 
   Next, referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the process cartridge in this embodiment will be described in detail.  FIGS. 2 and 3  are cross sectional and perspective views, respectively, of the process cartridge  7  which stores developer. Incidentally, the process cartridges  7   a ,  7   b ,  7   c , and  7   d  storing the developers of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black colors, respectively, are identical in structure. The cartridge shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  has a developer storage portion  41  in which the developer of yellow color is stored. The developer storage portion  41  will be described later. The rest of the developers different in color are stored in the developer storage portions  41  of the cartridges  7   b ,  7   c , and  7   d , respectively. 
   Each process cartridge  7  is separable into a cleaner unit  50 , and a development unit  4 . The cleaner unit  50  is provided with the photosensitive drum  1 , charging means, and cleaning means. The development unit  4  constitutes the developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum  1 . 
   The cleaner unit  50  is provided with a frame  51 , to which the photosensitive drum  1  is rotatably attached, with bearing members placed between the frame  51  and photosensitive drum  1 . In the adjacencies of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum  1 , the primary charging means  2  and a cleaning blade  60  (which hereafter will be referred to as a “blade”) are disposed. The primary charging means  2  is for uniformly charging the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum  1 , which constitutes the peripheral layer of the photosensitive drum  1 . The cleaning blade  60  is for removing the developer remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum  1  after the image transfer. After being removed from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum  1  by the blade  60 , the residual developer is stored in a chamber  55  for removed residual developer located above the blade  60 . 
   The development unit  4  is made up of a development roller  40  which rotates in the direction indicated by an arrow mark, with a minuscule gap retained between the development roller  40  and photosensitive drum  1 , and development unit frames  45   a  and  45   b , in which developer is stored. 
   The development unit frames  45   a  and  45   b  are joined (by ultrasonic welding or the like method) to form the developing means container unit  46 . 
   The development roller  40  is rotatably supported by the developing means container unit  46 , with the interposition of bearing members. In the adjacencies of the peripheral surface of the development roller  40 , a toner supply roller  43 , which rotates in contact with the development roller  40  in the direction indicated by an arrow mark, and a development blade  44 , are disposed. Further, in the developing container unit  46 , a developer conveyance mechanism  42  is disposed, which is for conveying the developer in the developing means container unit  46 , to the toner supply roller  43  while stirring it. 
   The development unit  4  is attached to the cleaner unit  50  so that the development unit  4  is suspended from the cleaner unit  50  in a manner to be pivotally movable relative to the cleaner unit  50 . More specifically, the connective holes  47 , with which the lengthwise end portions of the developing means container unit  46  are provided one for one, are aligned with the development unit supporting holes  56 , with which the lengthwise end portions of the cleaner unit frame  51  of the cleaner unit  50  are provided, one for one. Then, a pair of pins  49  are inserted from the lengthwise end portions of the cleaner unit frame  51 . 
   Further, the development unit  4  is kept biased by pressure application springs (unshown) so that the development roller  40 , which is rotatable about the axial lines of the supportive holes, is kept in contact with the photosensitive drum  1 . 
   [Structure Arrangement for Mounting Cartridge into Apparatus Main Assembly] 
   Next, referring to  FIG. 4 , the cartridge bays  99  of the apparatus main assembly  100 , into which the cartridges  7  are mounted will be described. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the image forming apparatus main assembly  100  is provided with a front door  101 , which is rotatably attached to the apparatus main assembly  100 . Behind the front door  101 , the electrostatic transferring apparatus  5  is rotatably disposed. It is when the front door  101  and electrostatic transferring apparatus  5  are in the open position that each of the cartridges  7  are removably mountable in the image forming apparatus main assembly  100 . Each cartridge  7  is provided with a pair of handgrips  90 , which are located at the lengthwise ends of the cartridge  7 , near the photosensitive drum supporting portions of the cartridge  7 , one for one. When the cartridge  7  is mounted or removed, the cartridge  7  is to be held so that the handgrips  90  protrudes toward the front door  101 . 
   The image forming apparatus main assembly  100  is provided with a pair of internal guide rails  102  and  103  (unshown), and the cartridge  7  is provided with a pair of insert guides  53  ( FIG. 3  as well as  FIG. 4 ). The engagement of the insert guides  53  of the process cartridge  7  with the guide rails  102  and  103  of the image forming apparatus main assembly  100  makes it possible for the process cartridge  7  to be mounted into, or removed from, the image forming apparatus main assembly  100 . 
   As a user closes the front door  101  after the completion of the mounting of the cartridges  7 , pressure (unshown) is applied to the cartridges  7 . As the pressure is applied, the cartridges  7  are correctly positioned relative to the apparatus main assembly  100  by the driving force transmitted to the cartridges  7  during an image forming operation. 
   [Handgrip Attached to Sealing Member of Developer Supply Outlet] 
   The developer storage portion is provided with a developer outlet, through which the development roller is supplied with the developer in the developer storage portion. The developer outlet of a brand new cartridge  7  has a sealing member for keeping the outlet sealed. This sealing member is provided with a handgrip. Next, the structure of this handgrip will be described. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the development unit  4  is made up of the development unit frames  45   a  and  45   b , which are joined. It is provided with a developer outlet  48  (which hereafter may be referred to simply as the opening) through which the developer in the developer storage portion  41  is conveyed to supply the development roller  40  with the developer. This opening  48  is kept sealed with a removably sealing member  150  (which hereafter will be referred to as a toner seal) until a user uses the cartridge  7  for the first time. This toner seal  150  is provided with a handgrip  160 , which is attached to one end of the toner seal  150  ( FIG. 6(   b )). 
   The toner seal  150  is a strip of film of a substantial length, and is welded to the fringe of the opening  48  of the development unit frame  45   a , keeping it there by the opening  48 . More specifically, the toner seal  150  is welded to the fringe of the opening  48 , starting from one lengthwise end (first lengthwise end) of the opening  48  to the other (second lengthwise end), at which it is doubled back toward the opposite lengthwise end, or the first lengthwise end. The doubled portion of the toner seal  150  is extended beyond the first lengthwise end, being exposed from the bearing member  30 , which is a part of the cartridge frame. To the end of this doubled portion of the toner seal  150 , the handgrip  160 , which a user is to grip when the use wants to remove the toner seal  150  to unseal the opening  48 , is attached. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the handgrip  160  is made up of a handgrip proper  161  which is roughly in the form of a ring, and a portion having a slit  162  for attaching the handgrip  160  to the toner seal  150 . The handgrip  160  is also provided with a pressure application portion  167  having a rib  168  which projects perpendicular to the surface of the pressure application portion  167 . The pressure application portion  167  extends from the portion having the slit  162 . Further, the handgrip  160  is provided with an anchor portion  163 , which is pressed into the bearing member  30  to anchor the handgrip  160  to the bearing member  30 . The anchor portion  163  and pressure application portion  167  are connected by a flexible connective portion  164 . A user can remove the toner seal  150  by pulling the handgrip  160  by gripping the handgrip proper  161 . As the toner seal  150  is removed, the opening  48  becomes exposed, that is, the opening  48  is unsealed. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , as for the method for attaching the handgrip  160  to the toner seal  150 , the end portion of the doubled portion of the toner seal  150  is put through the slit  162 , and is doubled. Then, the end of this double portion is welded to the welding portion  151  of the first doubled portion of the toner seal  150 , creating a loop. 
   (Structure Arrangement for Supporting Spring and Handgrip with Bearing Member) 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , the bearing member  30  is provided with a slit  31 . The handgrip  160  can be firmly anchored to the bearing member  30  by pressing the anchor portion  163  into this slit  31  of the bearing member  30  in a manner to crush the crushable ribs  163   a  with which the anchor portion  163  is provided ( FIG. 5 ). Incidentally, the anchor portion  163  in this embodiment is provided with a total of four crushable ribs  163   a , two on the front side and two on the back side. 
   The anchor portion  163  is provided with a flange like regulating portion  163   b , which is located next to the connective portion  164 . Thus, as the anchor portion  163  is pressed into the slit  31 , the regulating portion  163   b  comes into contact with the surface  35  of the bearing member  30 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , preventing the anchor portion  163  from being further inserted. After the completion of the process of pressing the anchor portion  163  into the slit  31 , the anchor portion  163  and the bearing member  30  are in contact with each other so that the size of the contact area between the two equals the product of the length equal to the distance between the lengthwise ends  163   c  and  163   d  of the regulating portion  163   b  and the length equal to the distance between the inward surfaces  34   c  and  34   d  of the recess of the bearing member  30 . Therefore, even if the connective portion  164  is bent as sharply as roughly perpendicularly, at the border  164   a  ( FIG. 12(   a )) between the connective portion  164  and regulating portion  163   b , the handgrip  160  will not disengage from the bearing member  30 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , the bearing member  30  is provided with a spring  70  for elastically pressing the rib  168 . The spring  70  is a compression spring, and is fitted around a spring supporting boss  32 , being thereby positioned so that the axial line of the spring  70  roughly coincides with that of the boss  32 . It is placed between surfaces  33   a  and  33   b  of the bearing member  30 , with its lengthwise ends pressing on the surfaces  33   a  and  33   b , being thereby held to the bearing member  30  by its own resiliency (the distance between surfaces  33   a  and  33   b  is smaller than spring  70  in its uncompressed state). Referring to  FIG. 9 , in terms of the direction perpendicular to the axial line of the spring  70 , the position of the  70  is controlled by the rough guide portions  34   a  and  34   b  of the bearing member  30 , and the rough guide portions  51   a  and  51   b  of the cleaning unit frame  51 . 
   (Positioning of Handgrip and Structural Arrangement for Causing Handgrip to Pop Up) 
   After the cartridge  7  is mounted in the apparatus main assembly  100  in order to transport an image forming apparatus, the handgrip  160  is in a first position P 1 , in which the handgrip  160  allows the cartridge  7  to be inserted into the apparatus main assembly  100 . However, as the cartridge  7  is moved out of the apparatus main assembly  100 , the handgrip  160  is automatically moved by the resiliency of the above described spring  70  from the first position P 1  to a second position P 2 , in which it protrudes outward from the bearing member  30 . Next, this structure arrangement for automatically moving the handgrip from the first position P 1  to the second position P 2  will be described. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10  (in which toner seal is not shown), when the cartridge  7  is assembled, the handgrip  160  is attached to the bearing member  30  by the anchor portion  163  alone. Therefore, the handgrip proper  161  remains roughly perpendicular to the anchor portion  163 , providing a substantial distance between the handgrip proper  161  and bearing member  30 . 
   When an image forming apparatus is shipped, the image forming apparatus is packed with the cartridge  7  mounted in the apparatus main assembly  100 . Shipping an image forming apparatus with the cartridge  7  mounted in the apparatus main assembly  100 , as described above, makes it possible to reduce the amount of the packing material and the amount of the space necessary for the transportation of an image forming apparatus. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , the cartridge  7  in this embodiment is provided with a memory  180 , in which the information regarding the cartridge  7  is stored. The memory  180  is attached to the external surface of the leading end of the cartridge  7 . In terms of the direction in which the cartridge  7  is inserted into the apparatus main assembly  100 , the memory  180  is attached near the portion of the cartridge  7 , to which the handgrip  160  is attached. Examples of the information regarding the cartridge  7  are the lot number of the cartridge  7 , the properties of the apparatus main assembly  100 , the properties of the processing means, etc. The memory  180  is provided with a contact  180   a . As the cartridge  7  is mounted into the apparatus main assembly  100 , the contact  180   a  comes into contact with a contact, with which the apparatus main assembly  100  is provided, establishing electrical contact between the memory  180  and apparatus main assembly  100  to transmit the information in the memory  180  to the apparatus main assembly  100 . 
   Also referring to  FIG. 11 , when the cartridge  7 , which is brand new, is mounted into the apparatus main assembly  100 , which is to be packed for transportation, the connective portion  164  is roughly perpendicularly bent at the border  164   a  between the regulating portion  163   b  and connective portion  164 . Regarding the positions of the memory  180  and its contact  180   a  relative to the cartridge  7 , the memory  180  and its contact  180   a  are positioned so that as the connective portion  164  is bent as described above, they will be positioned within the loop of the handgrip proper  161  of the handgrip  160 , which is in the form of a ring. In other words, when the handgrip  160  is moved into the first position, it avoids the memory  180  and its contact  180   a . Therefore, when the cartridge  7  is in the proper position in the apparatus main assembly  100 , the handgrip  160  does not interfere with the electrical connection between the contact  180   a  of the memory  180  and the contact of the apparatus main assembly  100 . 
   Next, referring to  FIGS. 12(   a )- 12 ( c ), how the handgrip  160  is made (allowed) to pop up into the second position P 2  will be described. 
   First, referring to  FIG. 12(   a ), in order to pack the image forming apparatus with the cartridge  7  mounted in the apparatus main assembly  100 , the outward surface  167   a  of the pressure application portion  167  of the handgrip  169  is to be pressed in the direction indicated by an arrow mark B before inserting the cartridge  7  into the apparatus main assembly  100 . As the pressure application portion  167   a  is pressed in the abovementioned direction, the tip of the rib  168  enters between the spring  70  and surface  33   b  ( FIG. 8) , and advances further into the bearing member  33  while compressing the compression spring  70 . 
   Also referring to  FIG. 12(   a ), as the rib  168  is entirely inserted, that is, the handgrip  160  is moved into the first position P 1 , the projections  165   a  and  165   b  ( FIG. 5)  of the pressure application portion  167 , which are on the inward surface of the pressure application portion  167  come into contact with the outward surface of the bearing member  30 , controlling thereby the depth by which the rib  168  is allowed to enter the bearing member  30 . Further, when the handgrip  160  is moved from its position shown in  FIG. 10  to its position shown in  FIG. 12(   a ), the rib  168  is to be inserted between the surface  33   b  and one of the lengthwise end of the spring  70  while compressing the spring  70 . Therefore, force has to be applied to the handgrip  160  in the directions indicated by arrow marks A and B. As the handgrip  160  is moved into the first position P 1  by the application of force in the abovementioned directions, it becomes possible for the brand new cartridge  7  to be mounted in the apparatus main assembly  100  so that the cartridge  7  can be packed in the same box as the box in which the apparatus main assembly  100  is packed for shipment. 
   The length of the elastically deformable connective portion  164  is greater than the distance between the border  164   a  between the regulating portion  163   b  and connective portion  164 , and the border  164   b  between the pressure application portion  167  and connective portion  164 , when the handgrip  160  is in the position shown in  FIG. 12(   a ). Therefore, when the handgrip is in the position shown in  FIG. 12(   b ), force works in the direction indicated by an arrow mark D in  FIG. 12(   b ). Further, the surface of the rib  168  of the handgrip  160 , which is on the spring side, is subjected to 100 gf-500 gf of force generated by the resiliency of the spring  70 . This force is changed in direction by the slanted surfaces  168   b  and  168   c  of the rib  168 , which are on the side opposite to the surface  168   a , pressing therefore the rib  168  in the direction (indicated by arrow mark C) to cause the rib  168  to pop up outward of the bearing member  30 . 
   Incidentally, the surface  168   a  of the rib  168  (surface opposite from slanted surfaces), which is on the spring  70  side of the rib  168 , is rendered flat and parallel to the end surface of the spring  70  to ensure that the pressure generated by the spring  70  is caught by the rib  168  without being wasted at all. 
   Because the rib  168  is tapered as described above, the force applied to the pressure application portion  167  in the direction indicated by the arrow mark D as shown in  FIG. 12(   b ) is changed in direction by the utilization of the slanted surfaces  168   b  and  168   c , so that it acts in the direction indicated by the arrow mark C. Thus, when the cartridge  7  is mounted into the apparatus main assembly  100 , the handgrip  160  is allowed to protrude into the position, shown in  FIG. 12(   b ), in which it is prevented by the guiding surface  105   a  of the guide  105  of the apparatus main assembly  100 , from protruding further, and remains in this position. When the handgrip  160  is in this position, the tip  168   d  of the rib  168  is located more inward of the bearing member  30  than the surface  35  of the bearing member  30 . 
   Next, referring to  FIG. 13 , while the cartridge  7  is moved out of the apparatus main assembly  100  after the removal of the image forming apparatus from the shipment box, the guiding surface  105   a  of the apparatus main assembly  100  remains in contact with the surface  166  of the handgrip  160  and the outward surface  167   a  of the pressure application portion  167 , keeping thereby the handgrip  160  in the state shown in  FIG. 12(   b ). 
   Then, as soon as the cartridge  7  is completely moved out of the apparatus main assembly  100 , the rib  168  is pushed out by the resiliency of the abovementioned springs  70  into the position, shown in  FIG. 12(   c ), in which the tip of the  168   d  is out of the bearing member  30 . This position of the tip of the rib  168  corresponds to the aforementioned second position P 2  of the handgrip  160 . When the handgrip  160  is in this position, or the second position P 2 , it protrudes outward, becoming easier to grip. 
   When the handgrip  160  is in this position, the outermost edge of the handgrip  160  is more outward of the bearing member  30  than the guide  105  of the main assembly  100 . Therefore, if a user attempts to reinsert the cartridge  7  into the apparatus main assembly  100  when the handgrip  160  is in this position, the handgrip  160  collides with the guide  105  of the apparatus main assembly  100 , preventing thereby the user from further inserting the cartridge  7 . As a result, it is ensured that the user realizes that the handgrip  160  is a member which must be removed. Also when the handgrip  160  is in this position, the tip of the rib  168  is in contact with the surface  35 , or the peripheral surface of the spring  70 , and therefore, simply pressing the handgrip  160  in the direction indicated by an arrow mark B indicated in  FIG. 12(   c ) is not enough to put the rib  168  back into the bearing member  30 . 
   Thus, once the brand-new cartridge  7  is removed from the apparatus main assembly  100 , it cannot be remounted into the apparatus main assembly  100 , unless the user removes the toner seal  150  by gripping the handgrip  160 ; in other words, as long as the toner seal  150  remains attached to the cartridge  7 , the cartridge  7  cannot be remounted into the apparatus main assembly  100 , ensuring that the user realizes that the handgrip  160  is such a removable member that must be removed before the cartridge  7  is used for the first time, if the cartridge  7  is brand new. 
   Further, the resiliency of the spring  70  is used to automatically move the handgrip  160  from the first position P 1  to the second position P 2  as soon as the cartridge  7  is completely moved out of the apparatus main assembly  100 . In other words, a complicated structural arrangement is not employed to move the handgrip  160  into the second position P 2 ; all that is necessary to move the handgrip  160  into the second position P 2  is to move the cartridge  7  out of the apparatus main assembly  100 . Further, in this embodiment, the spring  70  is employed as the means for keeping the handgrip  160  under pressure, ensuring that the handgrip  160  is moved into the second position P 2 . 
   Incidentally, in the above, the structural arrangements, which requires the handgrip  160  to be placed in the first position P 1  at the beginning of the insertion of the cartridge  7  into the apparatus main assembly  100 , is described. In other words, in the case of the above described structural arrangement, it is only after the cartridge  7  is moved out of the apparatus main assembly  100  that the handgrip  160  is allowed to assume the second position P 2 . 
   However, a structural arrangement may be made so that the handgrip  160  is forced to assume the first position P 1  as the cartridge  7  is inserted to a preset position in the apparatus main assembly  100 . In other words, the structural arrangement may be such that the handgrip  160  is allowed to assume the second position P 2  before the cartridge  7  is completely moved out of the apparatus main assembly, that is, as soon as the cartridge  7  in the apparatus main assembly  100  is moved outward to the preset position, because even when the cartridge  7  is at the abovementioned preset point, it is possible for a user to realize that the handgrip  160  must be removed. Here, the preset position may be the image formation position of the cartridge  7 . However, it is preferable that the preset position is a certain distance away from the image formation position of the cartridge  7 . 
   Embodiment 2 
   Next, referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The apparatus in this embodiment is identical in basic structure to that in the first embodiment. Therefore, the structural features of the apparatus in this embodiment, which are similar to those of the apparatus in the first embodiment will not be described to avoid the repetition of the same descriptions, and only the structural features that characterize this embodiment will be described. Further, the structural members in this embodiment, which are identical in function to those in the first embodiment, will be given the same reference symbols as those given in the first embodiment. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , the handgrip  160  in this embodiment is made up of a handgrip proper  161 , which is to be gripped by a user, an anchor portion  163 , by which the handgrip  160  is anchored to the bearing member  30 , a slit  162  for attaching the handgrip  160  to the toner seal  150 , and a pressure application portion  167 . The anchor portion  163  is provided with a connective portion  164  for allowing the handgrip proper  161  to change in position and angle relative to the bearing member  30 . This embodiment is different from the above described first embodiment in that the pressure application portion  167  in this embodiment is provided with elastically deformable projection  169 , instead of a rib like the rib  168  in the first embodiment. 
   At this time, referring to  FIGS. 15(   a )- 15 ( c ), the structural arrangement, in this embodiment, which causes the handgrip  160  to pop up, will be described. If the cartridge  7  is brand new, pressure is to be applied to the outward surface  167   a  of the pressure application portion  167  from the direction indicated by an arrow mark B, to put the handgrip  160  in the position, shown in  FIG. 15(   a ), that is, to completely retract the handgrip  160 . As the pressure is applied as described above, the elastic projection  169  projecting from the pressure application portion  167  comes into contact with the outward surface of the bearing member  30 , and is elastically bent by the outward surface of the bearing member  30 . The extent of the bending of the elastic projection  169  is determined by the projections  165   a  and  165   b  ( FIG. 14) , with which the inward side of the pressure application portion  167  is provided; the elastic projection  169  is bent until the projections  165   a  and  165   b  come into contact with the outward surface of the bearing member  30 . 
   The bending of the elastic projection  169  is regulated by the provision of the projections  165   a  and  165   b  so that the elastic projection  169  is bent within the limit of its elasticity. Therefore, when the elastic projection  169  remains bent as described above, the resiliency of the elastic projection  169  continuously generates such force that acts to move the handgrip  160  (in the direction indicated by arrow mark C in  FIG. 15(   b )). Thus, when the cartridge  7  is in the apparatus main assembly  100 , the handgrip  160  is in the position, shown in  FIG. 15(   b ), in which it is made to protrude from the bearing member  30  by the resiliency of the elastic projection  169 , and in which it is kept by the guide  105  of the apparatus main assembly  100  and the resiliency of the elastic projection  169 . 
   While the cartridge  7  is moved out of the apparatus main assembly  100 , the surface  105   a  of the guiding member  105  of the apparatus main assembly  100  remains in contact with the surface  166  of the handgrip  160  and the outward surface  167   a  of pressure application portion  167 , keeping thereby the handgrip  160  in the state shown in  FIG. 15(   b ). 
   Then, as soon as the cartridge  7  is completely moved out of the apparatus main assembly  100 , the elastic projection  169 , which was remaining bent, is restored by its resiliency into its normal shape shown in  FIG. 15(   c ). When the handgrip  160  is in the position shown in  FIG. 15(   c ), the outermost edge of the handgrip  160  is located further outward of the bearing member  30  than the guide  105  of the main assembly  100 . Therefore, if a user attempts to reinsert the cartridge  7  into the apparatus main assembly  100  when the handgrip  160  is in this position, the handgrip  160  collides with the guide  105  of the apparatus main assembly  100 , preventing thereby the user from further inserting the cartridge  7 . As a result, the user is made to realize that the handgrip  160  is a member which must be removed. 
   Further, a structural arrangement such as the above described structural arrangement which uses the resiliency of the elastic projection  169  to cause the handgrip  160  to pop up eliminates the need for providing the bearing member  30  with the spring  70 , making it possible to simplify the cartridge  7  in structure. Further, the elastic projection  169  can be molded, as an integral part of the handgrip  160 , of resin or the like substance, making it possible to further simplify the cartridge  7  in structure. 
   Miscellaneous Embodiments 
   In the above described first and second embodiments, the cartridge  7  was structured so that the handgrip  160  was moved from the first position P 1  to the second position P 2  by the resiliency of the spring  70  and the resiliency of the elastic projection  169 , respectively. However, the cartridge  7  does not need to be structured so that the handgrip  160  is moved from the first position P 1  to the second position P 2  by the resiliency of a structural member. 
   For example, the first embodiment may be modified as follows: The pressure application portion  167  is provided with a bearing member engaging projection, instead of the rib  168 . The bearing member  30  is not provided with the spring  70 ; instead, it is provided with a handgrip engaging portion. Further, the cartridge  7  is structured so that as the handgrip  160  is moved into the first position to mount the cartridge  7  into the main assembly of an image forming apparatus to package the main assembly and cartridge  7  in the same box, the bearing member engaging projection of the pressure application portion  167  engages with the handgrip engaging portion of the bearing member  30 . Thus, as the outward surface  167   a  of the pressure application portion  167  is pressed in the direction indicated by the arrow mark B in  FIG. 12(   b ), the handgrip  160  is moved into the first position P 1 , and the bearing member engaging projection snappingly engages with the handgrip engaging portion, retaining thereby the handgrip  160  in the first position P 1 . As a result, the cartridge  7  can be mounted into the apparatus main assembly  100  without the need for keeping on pressing the outward surface  167   a  of the pressure application portion  167  while inserting the cartridge  7 . 
   As for the apparatus main assembly  100 , it is provided with a disengaging portion for moving the handgrip  160  into the second position P 2  when the cartridge  7  is moved out of the apparatus main assembly  100 . More specifically, when the cartridge  7  is moved out of the apparatus main assembly  100 , the disengaging portion of the apparatus main assembly  100  disengages the abovementioned bearing member engaging projection from the handgrip engaging portion by coming into a specific portion of the handgrip  160 . Thus, as soon as the cartridge  7  is completely moved out of the apparatus main assembly  100 , the handgrip  160  moves into the second position P 2 , causing the outermost edge of the handgrip  160  to be positioned further outward of the bearing member  30  than the guide  106  of the apparatus main assembly  100 . Moreover, even if the handgrip  160  is on the inward side of the guide  105  of the apparatus main assembly  100  when the handgrip  160  is in the second position P 2 , it collides with the abovementioned disengaging portion, preventing thereby the cartridge  7  from being further inserted into the apparatus main assembly  100 . 
   With the employment of the above described structural arrangement, if a user attempts to reinsert the cartridge  7  into the apparatus main assembly  100 , the handgrip  160  can be made to collide with the guide  105  of the apparatus main assembly  100 , without using the resiliency of a structural member, preventing thereby the user from further inserting the cartridge  7  as in the first embodiment. As a result, the user is made to realize that the handgrip  160  is a member which must be removed. In other words, if the toner seal  150  of the cartridge  7  is left attached to the cartridge  7 , the cartridge  7  cannot be mounted into the apparatus main assembly  100  to form an image. 
   Further, in each of the preceding embodiments, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus was an apparatus which formed an image on recording medium with the use of an electrophotographic image forming method. As examples of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, laser beam printer, LED printer, etc.), a facsimile apparatus, a word processor, etc., can be included. 
   A process cartridge is a cartridge in which an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and at least one developing means (development roller) as the processing means for processing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, are integrally disposed, and which is removably mountable in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. As the examples of the processing means, there are a charging means, a cleaning means, etc., in addition to the developing means. 
   The preceding embodiments of the present invention were described with reference to a process cartridge. However, the present invention is also applicable to a development cartridge which has the development roller  40 , and the developer storage portion  41  having the developer supply outlet  48 , and which is removably mountable in the apparatus main assembly  100 . 
   According to the present invention, as a brand new cartridge is removed from the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the handgrip of the toner seal of the cartridge  7  is moved from the first position to the second position, making it easier to grip the handgrip. Therefore, the sealing member of the cartridge can be easily removed. 
   Also according to the present invention, once a brand new process cartridge is removed from the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it cannot be remounted into the main assembly unless the sealing member of the cartridge is removed, that is, as long as the sealing member remains attached to the cartridge. Therefore, it is ensured that if a user forgets to remove the sealing member before remounting the cartridge into the main assembly, the user is reminded that the sealing member must be removed before the remounting of the cartridge into the main assembly. 
   While the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth, and this application is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the purposes of the improvements or the scope of the following claims. 
   This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 155091/2005 filed May 27, 2005 which is hereby incorporated by reference.