Abstract:
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, includes a rotatable image bearing member on which a latent image is to be formed; charging means for contacting said image bearing member to charge a surface of said image bearing member; a frame supporting said image bearing member and said charging means; a covering member, demountably mounted to said frame, for protecting the surface of said image bearing member; and a spacer member including a spacing portion, movably provided on said covering member, for entering between said image bearing member and said charging means to space them therebetween, and a retaining portion, contacting said covering member when said spacing portion is not between said image bearing member and said charging means, for preventing said spacer member from disengaging from said covering member.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART 
     The present invention relates to a cover and a cartridge. 
     A “drum cartridge” means a cartridge which comprises an integral combination of at least a charging means and an image bearing member, and also, is removably mountable in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A “cover” means a drum cartridge component which is removably attachable to the main assembly of a brand-new drum cartridge to protect the image bearing member of the cartridge during the commercial distribution of the drum cartridge. 
     An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an apparatus which electrophotographically forms an image on recording medium. For example, it includes an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser printer, LED printer, and the like), a facsimile apparatus, a word processor, a multifunction image forming apparatus capable of performing two or more functions of the preceding apparatuses, and the like. Hereafter, an “apparatus main assembly” means an electrophotographic image forming apparatus minus a drum cartridge (drum cartridges) which is removably mountable in the image forming apparatus main assembly. 
     An electrophotographic image forming apparatus (which hereafter may be referred to simply as image forming apparatus or apparatus) forms an electrostatic latent image on its image bearing member (electrophotographic photosensitive member), and develops the electrostatic latent image into a visible image, with the use of its developing means. In the field of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it has been common practice to employ the so-called drum cartridge system, which integrally places at least a charging means and an image bearing member in a cartridge so that they can be removably mountable in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus. Generally, it is a photosensitive drum (which hereafter will be referred to simply as drum) that is used as an image bearing member. The drum cartridge system enables an average user to maintain an electrophotographic image forming apparatus by him- or herself, that is, without relying on a professional service person. Thus, it can drastically improve an image forming apparatus in operability. Therefore, the drum cartridge system is widely used in the field of an image forming apparatus. 
     A drum cartridge (which hereafter may be referred to simply as cartridge) has: a drum; a charging means for charging the drum; and a frame (drum cartridge frame) by which the drum and charging means are supported. One of the charging means employed by an image forming apparatus is a contact charging means, which is kept in contact with the peripheral surface of a drum while the surface is charged by the charging means. In the case of this type of charging means, a roller is used as a charging means. The charging means is supported by the cartridge frame in such a manner that it is kept pressed upon the peripheral surface of the drum in order to ensure that it remains in contact with the peripheral surface of the drum. Thus, if the image forming apparatus is left unused for a substantial length of time, it is possible that the charge roller will deform. Thus, in order to prevent this type of deformation of the charge roller, not only must the materials for a charge roller to be carefully selected, but also, the condition under which charge rollers are manufactured has to be strictly controlled, which is problematic from the standpoint of efficient cartridge manufacture. 
     One of the solutions to the above described problem is a structural arrangement for a cartridge that keeps the charge roller and drum in the cartridge separated from each other until the cartridge is used for the first time, that is, until the cartridge reaches a user, in particular, during the commercial shipment of the cartridge (Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2000-181328). In the case of this structural arrangement, a brand-new cartridge is provided with a cover for protecting the drum in the cartridge, in particular, during the commercial shipment of the cartridge, and a cover anchoring member for keeping the cover anchored to the cartridge by being put through the cover. The anchoring member is inserted between the charge roller and drum, to separate, and keep separated, the charge roller and drum from each other when the cartridge is shipped out to retailers or a user. 
     According the prior arts, the cover for protecting the drum during the commercial shipment of a cartridge is physically independent from a separating member (spacer) for separating the charge roller and drum from each other prior to its shipment, and keeping them separated during the shipment. Thus, when a user uses the cartridge for the first time, the user has to remove both the cover and spacer, independently from each other. In other words, this structural setup adds to the workload of the user. Thus, it was proposed to integrally form the cover and spacer so that the removal of the cover by a user automatically allows the charge roller to be placed in contact with the drum. More concretely, it is possible to integrally form the cover and spacer so that the resultant combination of cover and spacer looks as if the spacer projects from the cover. With the combination formed as described above, the charge roller and drum can be separated, and kept separated, from each other, by the insertion of the spacer portion of the combination between the charge roller and drum. 
     This structural arrangement, however, has the following problem. That is, when a user attaches the cover-spacer to a cartridge, the spacer portion of the cover-spacer has to be very accurately inserted between the charge roller and drum. If the spacer portion fails to be accurately inserted, the spacer portion comes into contact with the portions of the main assembly of the cartridge other than the interface between the image bearing member and charging member, which in turn interferes with the operation carried out by a user to attach (reattach) the cover to the cartridge frame. In other words, the integration of the cover and spacer reduces the cover-spacer in usability, the efficiency with which the cover and spacer can be attached to the cartridge. Further, the interference of the spacer portion with the operation to attach the cover portion to the cartridge causes the cover portion to loosely fit with the cartridge, preventing thereby the cover portion from protecting the drum. 
     The case in which a cartridge is desired to be fitted with the cover and spacer includes a case where a used cartridge is stored outside the main assembly for a substantial length of time, a case where a used-up cartridge is shipped as a recyclable cartridge to a recycle station or the like, for example. It is also possible for a used-up cartridge to fail to properly fit in a cartridge recycle box (box dedicated to recycling of cartridge), and therefore, to be discard as a piece of trash. If a used-up cartridge is shipped without being fitted with a cover-spacer, its drum is not protected during the shipment, and therefore, it may become impossible to recycle the cartridge. One of the solutions to this problem is to increases a drum recycle box in size, which, however, reduces the cartridge recycling in transportation efficiency. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a cover, a spacer, and a cartridge main assembly, which allows the charging means and image bearing member of the cartridge to be placed in contact with each other by the removal of the cover from the cartridge. Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a cartridge, a cover therefor, and a spacer therefor, which prevents the spacer from interfering with the reattachment of the cover to the cartridge. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus detachably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus, comprising (i) a rotatable image bearing member on which a latent image is to be formed; (ii) charging means for contacting said image bearing member to charge a surface of said image bearing member; (iii) a frame supporting said image bearing member and said charging means; (iv) a covering member, demountably mounted to said frame, for protecting the surface of said image bearing member; and (v) a spacer member including a spacing portion, movably provided on said covering member, for entering between said image bearing member and said charging means to space them therebetween, and a retaining portion, contacting said covering member when said spacing portion is not between said image bearing member and said charging means, for preventing said spacer member from disengaging from said covering member. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover member usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member on which a latent image is to be formed; charging means for contacting said image bearing member to charge a surface of said image bearing member; a frame supporting said image bearing member and said charging means, said covering member being mountable to the frame, a covering member comprising a spacer member including a spacing portion, movably provided on said covering member, for entering between said image bearing member and said charging means to space them therebetween, and a retaining portion, contacting said covering member when said spacing portion is not between said image bearing member and said charging means, for preventing said spacer member from disengaging from said covering member. 
     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 THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1(   a ) is a schematic sectional view of the combination of the drum cartridge, cartridge cover, and a spacer, in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 1(   b ) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge. 
         FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ) are schematic cross-sectional views of a part of the development cartridge in the first embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3(   a ) and  3 ( b ) are schematic sectional views of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in the first embodiment, at a vertical plane perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction. 
         FIG. 4(   a ) is a schematic sectional view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in the first embodiment, and shows the general structure of the apparatus, and  FIG. 4(   b ) is a perspective view of the spacer in the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5(   a ) is a perspective view of the drum cartridge cover in the first embodiment, and  FIG. 5(   b ) is an enlarged perspective view of a combination of one of the lengthwise end portions of the cover, and one of the spacers, after the attachment of the spacer to the cover. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge in the first embodiment, and shows the general structure of the cartridge fitted with the combination of the cover and spacer. 
         FIGS. 7(   a ) and  7 ( b ) are schematic cross-sectional views of the combination of the drum cartridge, drum cover, and spacer, which are for describing the operation for removing the spacer to allow the photosensitive drum and charge roller to be placed in contact with each other. 
         FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b ) are schematic cross-sectional views of the combination of the drum cartridge, drum cover, and spacer, which are for describing the operation for removing the spacer to allow the photosensitive drum and charge roller to be placed in contact with each other. 
         FIG. 9(   a ) is a perspective view of the charge roller, and  FIG. 9(   b ) is a cross-sectional view of the combination of the cover and spacer, and shows the general structure thereof. 
         FIGS. 10(   a ) and  10 ( b ) are schematic cross-sectional views of the combination of the cover and spacer, and shows the general structure thereof. 
         FIGS. 11(   a ) and  11 ( b ) are schematic cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge, drum cover, and drum spacer, which is for describing the operation for attaching the drum cover and drum spacer to the drum cartridge. 
         FIG. 12(   a ) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge, which is for describing the operation for attaching the cover to the drum cartridge.  FIGS. 12(   b ) and  12 (C) are schematic cross-sectional views of the combination of the drum cover and drum spacer. 
         FIGS. 13(   a ) and  13 ( b ) are schematic cross-sectional views of the combination of the drum cartridge, drum cover, and spacer, which are for describing the operation for attaching the drum cover to the drum cartridge. 
         FIGS. 14(   a ) and  14 ( b ) are schematic cross-sectional views of the combination of the drum cartridge, drum cover, and spacer, which are for describing the operation for attaching the drum cover to the drum cartridge. 
         FIGS. 15(   a ) and  15 ( b ) are schematic cross-sectional views of the combination of the drum cartridge, drum cover, and spacer, which are for describing the operation for attaching the drum cover to the drum cartridge. 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the combination of the drum cartridge, drum cover, and spacer, which is for describing the erroneous attachment of the cover to the drum cartridge. 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic plan view of the combination of the drum cover and spacer, as seen from the direction perpendicular to the actual spacing portion of the spacer. 
         FIGS. 18(   a ) and  18 ( b ) are schematic cross sectional views of the combination of the drum cartridge recycle box, drum cartridge, drum cover, and spacer, after the placement of the drum cartridge fitted with the drum cover and spacer, in the cartridge drum recycle box. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiment 
     General Structure of Image Forming Apparatus 
       FIGS. 3(   a ),  3 ( b ), and  4 ( a ) are schematic cross-sectional views of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus  38  in this embodiment, at a vertical plane perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction, and show the general structure of the apparatus. The apparatus  38  is a full-color laser beam printer which uses one of the electrophotographic processes. It is based on four primary colors. It can form a color image on a sheet of recording medium (which hereafter may be referred to simply as sheet) in response to the electrical signals inputted into the control circuit (unshown) from a host apparatus (unshown), such as a personal computer, an image reader, a facsimile (on transmitting side), etc. The control circuit (controlling means: CPU) exchanges various electrical information with a host apparatus and/or the control panel (unshown) of the image forming apparatus, and also, integrally controls the image forming operation of the apparatus  38  following preset control programs and referential tables. In other words, the image forming operation of the apparatus  38 , which is described next, is controlled by the control circuit. 
     The apparatus  38  has a photosensitive drum  2  as an image bearing member. It has also: a charging means  3  for uniformly charging the peripheral surface of the drum  2 ; an exposing means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the drum  2  by projecting a beam of laser light upon the charged portion of the peripheral surface of the drum  2  in a manner of scanning the portion; and a development assembly  50 . The assembly  50  has multiple developing means  5  ( 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c , and  5   d ) for developing electrostatic latent images on the drums  2  into multiple visible images, one for one, with the use of developer (toner). The apparatus  38  has also a rotary  1 , which is a roughly cylindrical developing means positioning rotatable mechanism, and has multiple (four in this embodiment) developing means chambers into which the multiple developing means  5 , more specifically, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) developing cartridges  5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c , and  5   d  are removably mountable, one for one. The multiple developing means chambers are the same in size, being roughly 90° in terms of the rotational direction of the rotary  1 . The rotary  1  is rotatably supported by the frame  38 B of the main assembly of the apparatus  38 . The yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) developing cartridges  5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c , and  5   d  are developing devices which contains yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners, one for one. Further, the apparatus  38  has a cleaning means  6  for removing the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the drum  2 . 
     In this embodiment, the drum  2 , charging means  3 , and cleaning means  6  are integral parts of the drum cartridge  39 , which is removably mountable into one of the cartridge chambers  38 C in the apparatus main assembly  38 A, which is what remains after the removal of the drum cartridges  39  from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 
     The apparatus  38  has also an intermediary transfer belt unit  70 , which is under the rotary  1 . The unit  70  has a flexible and endless intermediary transfer belt  7  which is suspended, and kept stretched, by four rollers  71 ,  72 ,  73 , and  8 . The roller  71  is in the rear portion of the main assembly  38 A, and opposes the second transfer roller  9 , with the presence of the intermediary transfer belt  7  between itself and second transfer roller  9 . The roller  72  is the belt driving roller. The roller  73  is a tension roller for providing the intermediary transfer belt  7  with a proper amount of tension. The roller  8  is the first transfer roller which opposes the drum  2 . More specifically, it is kept pressed against the portion of the peripheral surface of the drum  2 , which is facing the belt  7 . Further, the apparatus  38  has a cassette  11 , which is below the unit  70 , and in which sheets  40  of recording medium are stored in layers. The cassette  11  is inserted into, or removed from, the apparatus  38 , from the front side of the apparatus  38  (front loading). 
     The color image forming operation carried out by the apparatus  38  to form a color image on the sheet  40  of recording medium (which hereafter may be referred to simply as sheet  40 ) is as follows:  FIG. 3(   a ) shows the apparatus  30  which is on standby. As an image formation start signal is inputted into the apparatus  38 , the control circuit rotates the drum  2  in the direction indicated by an arrow mark C, in synchronism with the circularly movement of the belt  7  indicated by an arrow mark B, as shown in  FIG. 3(   b ). The peripheral velocity of the drum  2  is virtually the same as the circular movement of the belt  7 . Then, the peripheral surface of the drum  2  is uniformly charged by the charging means  3  to preset polarity and potential level. Then, the uniformly charged portion of the peripheral surface of the drum  2  is exposed by the exposing means  4 ; the uniformly charged portion of the peripheral surface of the drum  2  is scanned with a beam of light emitted by the exposing means  4  in response to the electric signals generated according to the information of yellow (Y) component of the image to be formed. As a result, an electrostatic latent image, which corresponds to the yellow (Y) component of the image to be formed is formed. 
     Further, the control circuit activates the rotary driving mechanism (unshown) to rotate the rotary  1  about its rotational axle  1   a  in the direction indicated by an arrow mark D, in synchronism with the progression of the image forming operation (formation of electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow (Y) color component). The control circuit stops the rotation of the rotary  1  with such a timing that the development roller  21   a  in the yellow development cartridge  5   a , that is, the roller for supplying the peripheral surface of the drum  2  with the yellow developer, will be positioned in the development position X, in which the development roller  21   a  directly opposes the peripheral surface of the drum  2 . With the yellow development cartridge  5   a  being positioned as described above, the development roller  21   a  in the yellow development cartridge  5   a , and the toner supply roller  22  in the cartridge  5   a , which is the member for supplying the development roller  21   a  with yellow toner, are rotated while a preset development bias is applied to the roller  21   a . The roller  21   a  is made different in potential level from the drum  2  so that the yellow toner adheres to the drum  2  in the pattern of the electrostatic latent image on the drum  2 . In other words, the electrostatic latent image on the drum  2  is developed into a visible image (yellow toner image) by depositing the yellow toner to the drum  2  in the pattern of the latent image. Further, to the first transfer roller  8 , a preset first transfer bias (voltage), which is opposite in polarity to the toner charge polarity, is applied, whereby the monochromatic yellow (Y) toner image is transferred (first transfer), as if being peeled away from the drum  2 , onto the belt  7 , which is being circularly moved. 
     As the first transfer of the yellow (Y) toner image, that is, the transfer of the yellow (Y) toner image from the drum  2  onto the belt  71 , ends, the control circuit rotates the rotary  1  so that the development cartridge, which is to be used next will be placed in the development position X. That is, the control circuit rotates the rotary  1  so that the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) development cartridges  5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c , and  5   d  are sequentially placed in the development position X, where each development cartridge directly opposes the drum  2 . Then, the process similar to the above described process for forming the monochromatic yellow (Y) image, is repeated to form an electrostatic latent image for each of the magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) color components of the image to be formed. Then, the three electrostatic latent images are sequentially developed, and the resultant three monochromatic images, different in color, are sequentially transferred (first transfer) in layers onto the yellow (Y) toner image on the belt  7 . Consequently, a full-color toner image synthetically emerges from the layered four monochromatic toner images, that is, the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner monochromatic images. 
     While a full-color toner image is formed on the circularly moving belt  7  as described above, the second transfer roller  9 , which is to be pressed against the roller  71  which functions as a belt backing roller, is kept in a preset position in which the transfer roller  9  is kept separated from the belt  7 , as indicated by a solid line in  FIG. 3(   b ). Further, the cleaning unit  10 , which is for cleaning the belt  7 , is also kept in a preset position in which there is no contact between the cleaning unit and the belt  7 . 
     Meanwhile, the control circuit begins to drive a sheet feeder roller  12  with a preset timing, so that one of the sheets  40  in the cassette  11  is separated from the rest, is fed into the apparatus main assembly  38 B, and is delivered to a pair of registration rollers  13 . Further, the control circuit moves the second transfer roller  9  from the preset position in which the roller  9  was kept away from the belt  7 , to a preset position in which the roller  9  is kept pressed against the roller  71  with the presence of the belt  7  between itself and roller  71 . Then, the sheet  40  is introduced into the second transfer nip, which is the area of contact between the second transfer roller  9  and belt  7 , by the pair of registration roller  13  with a preset timing, while the second transfer bias (voltage) which is opposite in polarity to the polarity of toner charge, is applied to the roller  9 . Thus, the synthetic color toner image, that is, the layered combination of the four monochromatic toner images, different in color, on the belt  7 , is transferred all at once (second transfer) onto the sheet  40 . 
     As the sheet  40  comes out of the second transfer nip, it is separated from the belt  7 , and sent to a fixing device  14 , in which the sheet  40  and the multicolor toner image thereon are subject to heat and pressure, whereby the full-color toner image is fixed to the surface of the sheet  40 , becoming a fixed full-color toner image on the sheet  40 . Then, the sheet  40  is discharged onto the delivery tray  15   a , which is a part of the top wall  15  of the apparatus  38 . As soon as the trailing edge of the sheet  40  comes out of the second transfer nip, the second transfer roller  9  is returned to the aforementioned preset position in which it is kept on standby. The unit  10  is moved into its preset position in which it acts on the belt  7 , in synchronism with the arrival of the leading edge of the sheet  40  at the second transfer nip, so that the second transfer residual toner, that is, the toner which failed to be transferred onto the sheet  40  from the belt  7 , is removed by the unit  10 . Then, as soon as the trailing edge of the sheet  40  comes out of the second transfer nip, the unit  10  is returned to its standby position, in which it is held until the next cleaning operation. It is not mandatory that the multiple monochromatic toner images, different in color, are formed on the peripheral surface of the drum  2  in the above described order. Obviously, not only can the apparatus  38  be used for the formation of full-color images, but also, monochromatic color images as well as black-and-white images. 
     (Development Cartridge) 
     The development cartridges  5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c , and  5   d  are the same in structure. Thus, the structure of only the yellow (Y) development cartridge  5   a  is described.  FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ) are schematic cross-sectional views of the development cartridge  5   a . The development cartridge frame comprises: a toner storage chamber  23   a ; and a development chamber  23   b , in which the development roller  21   a  and a toner supply roller  22  are located. The two chambers  23   a  and  23   b  are in connection with each other through the opening  23   c . Until the development cartridge  5   a  is delivered to a user, more specifically, until it is used for the first time, the toner storage chamber  23   a  and development chamber  23   b  are kept separated by the attachment of a toner seal  41 , which is a piece of film, for example, to the inward surface of the development chamber  23   b  in a manner to block the opening  23   a , by welding or the like method. Before the development cartridge  5   a  is used (mounted into apparatus main assembly) for the first time, the toner seal  41  has to be removed to allow the toner  42  in the toner storage chamber  23   a  to be supplied to the development chamber  23   b.    
     The development cartridge  5   a  is mounted into the rotary  1  as described above. Then, as it is moved into the development position X (in which it directly opposes drum  2 ), the toner in the toner storage chamber  23   a  free-falls into the development chamber  23   b , supplying thereby the toner supply roller  22  in the development chamber  23   b  with the toner  42 . Not only does the toner supply roller  22  supply the roller  21   a  with the toner  42 , but also, it plays the role of scraping down the residual toner from the roller  21   a . The roller  21   a  is an elastic rubber roller, and is rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow mark F. As the roller  21   a  is rotated, the layer of toner  42  on the peripheral surface of the roller  21   a  is regulated in thickness by a development blade  16 , and then, is supplied to the drum  2  to develop the electrostatic latent image on the drum  2 . The toner ( 42 ) remaining on the roller  21   a  after the development of the electrostatic latent image is removed by the roller  22 , in the area of frictional contact between the rollers  21   a  and  22 . Then, the portion of the peripheral surface of the roller  21   a , from which the residual toner ( 42 ) has just been removed, is supplied again with the toner  42  by the roller  22 . In order to ensure that the roller  21   a  remains in contact with the drum  2  in the development position X, the development cartridge  5   a  is kept pressed toward the drum  2  by keeping the rotary  1  (in which development  5   a  is held) pressed toward the drum  2 . With this structural arrangement, the development roller  21   a  of the development cartridge  5   a  is kept pressed upon the drum  2  so that a preset amount of contact pressure is maintained between the development roller  21   a  and drum  2 . In terms of the development operation, the development cartridges  5   b ,  5   c , and  5   d  are the same as the development cartridge  5   a.    
     (Drum Cartridge) 
     Next, the drum cartridge  39  will be described.  FIG. 1(   b ) is a schematic sectional view of the drum cartridge  39  in this embodiment.  FIG. 9(   a ) is a perspective view of the charging means  3 , which is in the form of a roller (charge roller). The drum cartridge  39  in this embodiment comprises: a drum cartridge frame  26  (waste toner container), drum  2 , charging means  3 , and cleaning means  6 . The drum  2 , charging means  3 , and cleaning means  6  are integrally held in the cartridge frame  26  in the preset positional relationship. The charging means  3  uniformly charges the peripheral surface of the drum  2  to the preset polarity and potential level, for the formation of an electrostatic latent image. The cleaning means  6  removes the transfer residual toner on the drum  2 , and stores the removed transfer residual toner in the waste toner storage chamber of the drum cartridge frame  26 . Next, referring to  FIGS. 3(   a ),  3 ( b ), and  4 ( a ), the cartridge  39  is removably mounted into the cartridge space  38 C in the apparatus main assembly  38 A by a user following a preset procedure, and then, is precisely positioned, and kept precisely position, relative to the apparatus main assembly  38 A by a drum cartridge positioning means (unshown). While the cartridge  39  remains precisely positioned relative to the apparatus main assembly  38 A, it remains mechanically and electrically connected to the main assembly  38 A, being thereby enabled to receive mechanical driving force, charge bias, and development bias, from the apparatus main assembly  38 A. The means for mounting or dismounting of the cartridge  39 , operation for mounting or dismounting the cartridge  39 , cartridge positioning means, etc., are not directly related to the gist of the present invention, and therefore, are not going to be described here. 
     The charging means  3  in this embodiment is of the so-called roller type. Referring to  FIG. 9(   a ), the charge roller  3  comprises a cylindrical and elastic rubber layer  3   a  (rubber portion) and a rigid shaft  3   b  (by which rubber layer is rotatably supported by frame  26 ). The rigid shaft  3   b  is longer than the rubber layer  3   a , in terms of the direction of the rotational axis of the drum  2 . It extends through the cylindrical rubber layer. The positional relationship between the rigid shaft  3   b  and rubber layer  3   a  is such that the lengthwise end portions of the shaft  3   b  protrude from the corresponding lengthwise ends of the rubber layer  3   a . These portions of the rigid shaft  3   b , which are protruding from the corresponding lengthwise ends of the rubber layer  3   a  will be referred to as protruding portions  3   b   1  and  3   b   2 . Next, referring to  FIG. 1(   b ), each of charge roller bearings  19  is attached to the frame  26  in such a manner that its center line in terms of the diameter direction of the charge roller  3  coincides with a line Ga which coincides with the rotational axis O 3  of the roller  3  and the rotational axis O 2  of the drum  2 , and also, that it is movable in the direction parallel to the line Ga. The protruding portions  3   b   1  of the roller  3  is rotatably supported by the bearings  19 , which are kept pressured in the direction indicated by an arrow mark G 1 , that is, toward the drum  2 , by a charge roller pressing member  20 , and so is the protruding portion  3   b   2 . 
     (Drum Cover and Spacer) 
     Next, the cover  24  and spacer  25  in this embodiment will be described. The cover  24  is for protecting the drum  2 . The spacer  25  is for keeping the drum  2  and charge roller  3  separated from each other.  FIG. 1(   a ) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge  39  fitted with the drum cover  24  and spacer  25 .  FIG. 4(   b ) is a perspective view of the spacer  25 .  FIG. 5(   a ) is a perspective view of the drum cover  24 , and  FIG. 5(   b ) is an enlarged perspective view of one of the lengthwise end portions the drum cover  24  fitted with the spacer  25 .  FIG. 17(   a ) is a sectional view of the portion of the drum cover  24  shown in  FIG. 5(   b ), at a plane perpendicular to the direction indicated by an arrow mark K in  FIG. 5(   b ). 
     In order for an electrostatic latent image to be formed on the drum  2  in the cartridge  39 , developed, and transferred, the peripheral surface of the drum  2  has be widely exposed as shown in  FIG. 1(   b ). However, if the peripheral surface of the drum  2  is left widely exposed during the period from when the cartridge  39  is shipped out of its factory and to when it is mounted into the cartridge space  38 C in the apparatus main assembly  38 A, it is liable for the drum  2  to be damaged. Thus, a brand-new cartridge  39  is fitted with the drum cover  24 , as shown in  FIG. 1(   a ), to protect the drum  2  until the cartridge  39  is delivered to a user and used for the first time, in particular, during the commercial distribution of the cartridge  39 . 
     Also referring to  FIG. 1(   b ), in order to keep the peripheral surface of the charge roller  3  in contact with the peripheral surface of the drum  2 , the charge roller  3  is kept pressed toward the drum  2  by a pressing member  20 . Thus, if the drum cartridge  39  is left unattended for a substantial length of time, the rubber portion  3   a  of the charge roller  3 , which is elastic, is liable to deform. This problem can be prevented by strictly controlling the material for the charge roller  3  and the condition under which the charged roller  3  is manufactured. However, such a measure creates problems in terms of the manufacture of the charge roller  3 . There is another solution to the abovementioned deformation of the charge roller  3 , which is to keep the peripheral surface of the drum  2  separated from the peripheral surface of the elastic surface layer  3   a  (rubber layer) of the charge roller  3  until the drum cartridge  39  is delivered to a user, more specifically, until the drum cartridge  39  is used for the first time. 
     In this embodiment, the spacer  25  is inserted between the protruding portion  3   b   1  of the rigid shaft  3   b  of the roller  3  and the peripheral surface of the drum  2  to keep the elastic rubber layer portion  3   a  of the roller  3  separated from the peripheral surface of the drum  2 , as shown in  FIG. 1(   a ). The spacer  25  may be placed between both, or one, of the protruding portions  3   b   1  and  3   b   2  of the rigid shaft  3   b  of the charge roller  3 , and the peripheral surface of the drum  2 . That is, in terms of the direction parallel to the axial line of the drum  2 , the spacer  25  is placed at both, or one, of the lengthwise ends of the drum  2  (charge roller  3 ). 
     Next, referring to  FIGS. 4(   b ) and  6 , the spacer  25  is provided with a stopper projection  25   f  for preventing the spacer  25  from easily slipping out from between the protruding portion  3   b   1  of the rigid shaft  3   b , and the peripheral surface of the drum  2 , in the direction indicated by an arrow mark A 1  in  FIG. 6 . All that is necessary to allow the peripheral surface of the drum  2  and the peripheral surface of the roller  3  to come into contact with each other is to move the spacer  25  in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 1 . As the spacer  25  is moved in the direction of the arrow mark A 1 , the stopper portion  25   f  of the spacer  25  is moved under the protruding portion  3   b   1  of the roller  3  which is being kept pressed toward the drum  2  by the pressing member  20 . Thus, the protruding portion  3   b   1  is moved in the direction indicated an arrow mark G 2 . 
     Further, even if the spacer  25  is pressed in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 1  because of the impacts or the like which occur during the commercial shipment of the cartridge  39 , the presence of the stopper projection  25   f  makes it necessary for the protruding portion  3   b   1  of the roller  3  to be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow mark G 2  in order for the spacer  25  to be allowed to move in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 1 . However, the protruding portion  3   b   1  is under the pressure from the pressing member  20 , being therefore prevented from moving in the direction of the arrow mark G 2 . Therefore, it is unlikely for the spacer  25  to easily come out from between the protruding portion  3   b   1  of the roller  3 , and the photosensitive drum  2 . 
     Next, the structural arrangement for keeping the spacer  25  movably attached to the cover  24  is described. Referring to  FIG. 5(   a ), the cover  24  is provided with a pair of through holes  24   b   1  and  24   b   2  (through which pair of spacers  25  are put), which are in the end portions of the cover  24  in terms of the lengthwise direction of the cartridge  39  (indicated by arrow mark L). Next, referring to  FIGS. 5(   b ) and  6 , the spacer  25  is put through the through hole  24   b  of the cover  24  so that the spacing portion  25   b  of the spacer  25  is inserted between the drum  2  and the protruding portion  3   b   1  of the roller  3 . Thus, the peripheral surface of the drum  2  and the peripheral surface of the elastic portion  3   a  of the roller  3  are separated, and kept separated, by the distance M as shown in  FIG. 1(   a ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 17(   a ), the spacer  25  is provided with a pair of insertion distance control surfaces  25   a   1  and  25   a   2  (control portions) for regulating the distance by which the spacer  25  is allowed to be inserted into the cover  24  in the direction (indicated by arrow mark A 2 ) to insert the spacer  25  between the drum  2  and roller  3 . In this embodiment, the spacer  25  is formed so that its width X becomes greater than the width Z of the through hole  24   b   1  of the cover  24 . Thus, as the spacer  25  is inserted through the through hole  24   b   1  of the cover  24 , the pair of insertion distance control surfaces  25   a   1  and  25   a   2  come into contact with a pair of spacer insertion distance control surfaces  24   c   1  and  24   c   2  of the cover  24 , preventing thereby the spacer  25  from being moved further relative to the cover  24  in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 2 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 17(   a ), the spacer  25  is provided with also a pair of disengagement stopper portions  25   c   1  and  25   c   2  for preventing the spacer  25  from becoming completely disengaged from the cover  24 . In this embodiment, the width Y of each of the disengagement preventing portions  25   c   1  and  25   c   2  is made greater than the width Z of the through hole  24   b   1 . Thus, as the spacer  25  is moved in the direction to be disengaged from the cover  24 , its disengagement preventing portions  24   d   1  and  24   d   2  come into contact with the spacer disengagement preventing surfaces  24   h   1  and  24   h   2  of the cover  24 , which are on inward side of the cover  24 , preventing thereby the spacer  25  from completely disengaging from the cover  24 . 
     The disengagement preventing portions  25   c   1  and  25   c   2  have slanted spacer guiding surfaces  25   e   1  and  25   e   2 , which are opposite surfaces of the disengagement preventing surfaces  25   a   1  and  25   a   2 , respectively, in terms of the direction (indicated by arrow mark A 2 ) in which the spacer  25  is put through the through holes  24   b   1 . Incidentally, the above described disengagement preventing surfaces  25   d   1  and  25   d   2  are perpendicular to the direction (indicated by arrow mark A 1 ) in which the spacer  25  disengages from the cover  24 . Since the disengagement preventing portions  25   c   1  and  25   c   2  are shaped as described above, it is easier for the spacer  25  to be put through the through hole  24   b  of the cover  24  in the spacer insertion direction (indicated by arrow mark A 2 ), and also, once the spacer  25  is inserted far enough for the disengagement preventing portions  25   c   1  and  25   c   2  to be placed beyond the through hole  24   b , it is unlikely for the spacer  25  to completely disengage from the cover  24 . Further, the cover  24  and spacer  25  are formed so that the distance V between the insertion distance control surface  25   a   1  and  25   a   2  and the disengagement prevention surface  25   d   1  and  25   d   2  of the disengagement preventing portions  25   c   1  and  25   c   2 , respectively, becomes substantially greater than the thickness U of the cover  24 . Thus, even after the spacer  25  is put through the through hole  24   b   1  of the cover  24 , it is movable (allowed to move) in the directions (indicated by arrow marks A 1  and A 2  in  FIG. 17(   a )) in which the spacer  25  is put through the through hole  24   b   1  or disengaged from the cover  24 . 
     Next, referring to  FIGS. 5(   a ) and  9 ( b ), the cover  24  and spacer  25  are formed so that in terms of the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the cover  24 , the dimension S (width) of the through hole  24   b   1  of the cover  24  becomes greater than the dimension T (thickness) of the spacer  25 . Therefore, even after the spacer  25  is put through the through hole  24   b   1 , the spacer  25  is movable (allowed to move) in the directions indicated by arrow marks R and W. Further, the cover  24  is provided with a pair of spacer movement control walls  24   e  and  24   f  which regulate the range in which the spacer  25  is allowed to move. 
     Next, the structural arrangement for keeping the cover  24  attached to the cartridge  39  by the spacer  25  is described. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the cover  24  is anchored to the frame  26  by fitting the cover anchoring portion  24   d  into the cover anchoring groove  26   b  of the frame  26 . Then, the spacer  25  is inserted through the through hole  24   b   1 , and pushed inward of the frame  26  until the disengagement prevention projection  25   f  of the spacer  25  reaches beyond the line Ga which coincides with the axial line O 2  of the drum  2  and the axial line O 3  of the roller  3 . As the spacer  25  is inserted as far as described above, the cover  24  is become secured to the cartridge  39  for the following reasons. That is, the movement of the stopper projection  25   f  is regulated by the drum  2  and the protruding portions  3   b   1  and  3   b   2  of the roller  3 . Therefore, the stopper projection  25   f  comes into contact with the disengagement prevention surface  24   c  of the cover  24 , and therefore, the cover  24  is prevented from moving in its disengagement direction. Further, in this embodiment, the cover anchoring portion  26   b  of the frame  26 , which is for keeping the cover  24  attached to the cartridge  39 , is a part of the frame  26 . However, it may be formed as a part of one of the components of the cartridge  39 , other than the frame  26 . 
     (Removal of Drum Cover and Spacer) 
     Next, the removal of the cover  24  and spacer  25  is described.  FIGS. 7(   a ),  7 ( b ),  8 ( a ), and  8 ( b ) are schematic cross-sectional views of the combination of the cartridge  39  and the cover  24  and spacer  25  for the drum cartridge  39 , and show how the cover  24  and spacer  25  are removed to allow the drum  2  and roller  3  to be placed in contact with each other. Referring to  FIG. 5(   a ), the cover  24  is provided with a handhold  24   a , which is to be grasped by a user when the cover  24  is to be removed from the cartridge  39 . More specifically, a user can remove the cover  24  from the cartridge  39  by grasping the handhold  24   a , and rotating the cover  24  in the direction indicated by an arrow mark H about the anchoring portion  24   d , which is in engagement with the cover anchoring groove  23   b  of the cartridge  39 . 
     As the cover  24  is rotated as described above, the spacer  25  is moved by the cover movement caused by the user to remove the cover  24 , that is, the movement of the cover  24  in the direction indicated by the arrow mark H, whereby the spacer  25  is pulled out from between the drum  2  and protruding portion  3   b   1 . This is possible because as the cover  24  is moved in the arrow H direction, the spacer insertion distance control surfaces  24   c   1  and  24   c   2  ( FIG. 5 ) come into contact with the spacer insertion distance control surface  25   a   1  and  25   a   2  of the spacer  25 , and push the spacing portion  25   b  of the spacer  25  in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 1  (surfaces  25   a   1  and  25   a   2  catch such force that works in the direction to move the direction indicate by the arrow mark A 1 ), as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Since the spacer  25  is movably (loosely) attached to the cover  24 , all that is necessary for a user to do to allow the peripheral surface of the rubber portion  3   a  (elastic layer) of the roller  3  to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the drum  2  is to remove the cover  24  from the drum cartridge  39 . 
     (Method for Reattaching Cover and Space to Drum Cartridge) 
     Next, the method for reattaching the cover  24  and spacer  25  to the drum cartridge  39  to prepare the cartridge  39  for recycling is described.  FIGS. 11 ,  12 ( a ),  13 ,  14 , and  15  are schematic cross-sectional views of the combination of the cartridge  39 , cover  24 , and spacer  25 , which are in the process of reattaching cover  24  and spacer  25  to the cartridge  39 .  FIGS. 18(   a ) and  18 ( b ) are schematic cross-sectional views of the cartridge  39  refitted with the cover  24  and  25 , and the cartridge recycle box  27  in which the cartridge  39  is. 
     In a case where a used cartridge  39  is stored outside the apparatus main assembly  38 A for a substantial length of time, and/or a used-up cartridge  39  is shipped as recyclable cartridge to a recycling location, it is recommended to reattach the cover  24  to the cartridge  39  to protect the drum  2 . In these cases, it is unnecessary for the cover  24  to be firmly attached to, or engaged with, the cartridge  39 . That is, it is unnecessary for a user to insert the spacer  25  between the drum  2  and roller  3  as shown in  FIG. 12(   a ). In the case of the drum cartridge  39  and cover  24  in this embodiment, the cover  24  can be attached to the cartridge  39  without inserting the spacer  25  between the drum  2  and roller  3 . Further, the spacer  25  can be inserted between the peripheral surface of the drum  2  and the protruding portion  3   b   1  of the rigid shaft  3   b  to separate the rubber layer portion  3   a  of the roller  3  from the peripheral surface of the drum  2 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , after the reattachment of the cover  24  to the cartridge  39 . Since the drum cartridge  39 , drum cover  24 , and spacer  25  in this embodiment are structured as described above, the drum  2  can be protected when the cartridge  39  is stored outside the apparatus main assembly  38 A for a substantial length of time. Further, the drum cartridge recycle box  27  in which the cartridge  39  fitted with the cover  24  can be stored as shown in  FIG. 18(   a ) can be designed to be minimized in size, and therefore, can be improved in the efficiency with which it is transported for recycling. 
     As described above, the spacer  25  is controlled in movement by the spacer insertion distance control outward surfaces  24   c   1  and  24   c   2 , spacer insertion distance control inward surfaces  24   h   1  and  24   h   2 , and the spacer movement control walls  24   e  and  24   f  of the cover  24 . Therefore, the spacer  25  is controlled in its movement relative to the cover  24  in the directions indicated by the arrow marks R and Q in  FIG. 9(   b ). 
     First, the operation for attaching the cover  24  to the cartridge  39  after not only was the cover  24  removed from the cartridge  39 , but also, the spacer  25  was moved relative to the cover  24  in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 1  in  FIG. 10(   a ), is described. After the spacer  25  was moved relative to the cover  24  in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 1 , its surface  25   g  is in contact with the cover movement control surface  24   g  (cover holding portion) of the cover  24 . This occurs because the center P of gravity of the spacer  25 , is on the arrow mark A 1  side relative to the through hole  24   b   1  of the cover  24 , as shown in  FIG. 10(   a ). Therefore, the spacer  25  rotates about the point  24   i  (which functions as rotational axis) of the cover  25  in the direction indicated by an arrow mark J. If a user wants to attach the cover  24  when the cover  24  is in the state described above, the first step to be taken by the user is to engage the anchoring portion  24   d  of the cover  24  into the cover anchoring groove  26   b  of the frame  26  as shown in  FIG. 11(   b ). Then, the user is to rotate the cover  24  about the anchoring portion  24   d  in the direction indicated by an arrow mark O to finish attaching the cover  24  to the cartridge  39 . 
     As will be evident from the above described procedure for attaching the cover  24  to the cartridge  39 , the presence of the spacer  25  does not interferes with the cover attachment procedure. In this embodiment, it is recommended to engage the anchoring portion  24   d  of the cover  24  into the cover anchoring groove  26   b  of the frame  26 . However, the cover  24  protects the drum  2  even if the anchoring portion  24   d  is not engaged into the cover anchoring groove  26   b  of the frame  26 . 
     Further, even if the cover  24  is attached to the cartridge  39  as shown in  FIG. 18(   b ), the cartridge  39  can still be stored in the cartridge recycle box  27 . In other words, it is not mandatory for a user to engage the cover anchoring portion  24   d  of the cover  24  into the cover anchoring groove  26   b  of the frame  26  when the user attaches the cover to the cartridge  39 . Further, referring to  FIGS. 7(   a ) and  12 ( a ), after the reattachment of the cover  24  to the cartridge  39 , the cartridge  39  is the same in structure, except for the position of the spacer, as it was before the removal of the cover  24  therefrom. Therefore, the cartridge recycle box  27  may be designed to be minimum in size, that is, as small as the cartridge box for a brand-new cartridge  39 , as shown in  FIG. 18(   a ), in order to improve the drum cartridge  39  in terms of the efficiency with which it can be shipped to the recycling factory or the like. 
     Next, the operation for reattaching the cover  24  to the cartridge  39  after not only the cover  24  was removed from the cartridge  39 , but also, the spacer  25  was moved relative to the cover  24  in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 2  in  FIG. 12(   b ), is described. After the movement of the spacer  25  in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 2  relative to the cover  24 , the spacer  25  rotates about the point  24   i  (fulcrum of cover rotation) in the direction indicated by an arrow mark N as shown in  FIGS. 12(   b ) and  12 ( c ), until the top surface  25   h  of the spacer  25  comes into contact with the spacer movement control wall  24   e  of the cover  24  so that the rotation of the spacer  25  in the direction indicated by the arrow mark N is stopped by the wall  24   e . This rotation of the spacer  25  occurs because the center P of gravity of the spacer  25  is on the arrow A 2  side relative to the through hole  24   b   1  of the cover  24 , as shown in  FIG. 12(   b ). 
     Next, the operation for reattaching the cover  24  to the cartridge  39  when the positional relationship between the cover  24  and spacer  25  is as shown in  FIG. 12(   b ) is described. Also in this case, it is recommendable to fit the cover anchoring portion  24   d  of the cover  24  into the cover anchoring groove  26   b  of the frame  26  in the same manner as in the preceding case, as shown in  FIG. 11(   b ). As a user places the cover anchoring portion  24   d  near the cover anchoring groove  26   b  to fit the former into the latter, the spacer  25  comes into contact with the drum  22  as shown in  FIG. 13(   b ). Thus, as the user places the cover anchoring portion  24   d  closer to the cover anchoring groove  26   b , the spacer  25  is made to retract in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 1 , as shown in  FIG. 14(   b ), because the spacer  25  is attached to the cover  24  so that it is allowed to move relative to the cover  24 . 
     Then, as the cover anchoring portion  24   d  is placed even closer to the cover anchoring groove  26   b , the spacer  25  is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 1  far enough for the center P of gravity of the spacer  25  to be positioned beyond the through hole  24   b  in terms of the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 1 . Thus, the spacer  25  rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow mark J. As a result, the bottom surface  25   g  of the spacer  25  comes into contact with the spacer movement control surface  24   g  of the cover  24  (spacer retention surface), as shown in  FIG. 14(   b ), making it possible to fit the cover anchoring portion  24   d  of the cover  24  into the cover anchoring groove  26   b , as shown in  FIG. 15(   a ). Thereafter, the user is to rotate the cover  24  about the cover anchoring groove  24   d  in the direction indicated by the arrow mark O to fit the cover anchoring portion  24   d  into the cover anchoring groove  26   b , as shown in  FIGS. 15(   a ) and  15 ( b ) to finish reattaching the cover  24  and spacer  25  to the cartridge  39 . As is evident from the above description of the operations for reattaching the cover  24  and spacer  25  to the cartridge  39 , the operation performed by the user to reattach the cover  24  and spacer  25  to the cartridge  39  is not interfered by the presence of the spacer  25 , because the spacer  25  is attached to the cover  24  in such a manner that the spacer  25  is allowed to move relative to the cover  24 . 
     In this embodiment, it is recommended to fit the cover anchoring portion  24   d  into the cover anchoring groove  26   b . However, the cover  24  can protect the drum  2  even if its anchoring portion  24  is not fitted in the groove  26   b . Further, the cartridge  39  can be stored in the cartridge recycle box  27  even if the cartridge  39  is refitted with the cover  24  as shown in  FIG. 18(   b ). In other words, it is not mandatory that when a user reattaches the cover  24  to the cartridge  39 , the user fits the cover anchoring portion  24   d  into the cover anchoring groove  26   b . More over, after the reattachment of the cover  24  to the cartridge  39 , the positional relationship between the cartridge  39  and cover  24  is the same as it was as shown in  FIG. 7(   a ) before the removal of the cover  24 , although the position of the spacer  25  is different as shown in  FIG. 15(   b ). Therefore, the cartridge recycle box  27  may be designed to be minimum in size, that is, as small as the cartridge box for a brand-new cartridge  39 , as shown in  FIG. 18(   a ), in order to improve the drum cartridge  39  in terms of the efficiency with which it can be transported to the recycle factory or the like. 
     Further, in a case where a user wants to use a method different from the above described recommended method to reattach the cover to the cartridge  36 , for example, such a method that as the user places the cover  24  close to the drum  2 , the spacer  25  comes into contact with a point of the peripheral surface of the drum  2 , which is below the axial line of the drum  2 , the top surface  25   h  of the spacer  25  comes into contact with the spacer movement control wall  24   e , making it impossible for the cover  24  to be placed further close to the drum cartridge  39  in the direction indicated by an arrow mark W. Therefore, the user is made to realize that the method being used for reattaching the cover is wrong. 
     The characteristics of the cartridge  39  in the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above can be summarized as follows: The cartridge  39  is removably mountable in the main assembly  38 A of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus  38 . It has: (a) rotatable image bearing member  2  on which a latent image is formed; (b) charging means  3  for charging the peripheral surface of the image bearing member  2  by being placed in contact with the peripheral surface of the image bearing member  2 ; and (c) frame  26  by which the image bearing member and charging means  3  are supported. It has also: (d) cover  24  removably attachable to the frame  26  to protect the peripheral surface of the image bearing member  2 ; and (e) spacer  25  attached to the cover  24  in such a manner that it is allowed to move relative to the cover  24 . The spacer  25  has a portion which separates, and keeps separated the charging means  3  from the drum  2 . The spacer  25  has the spacer disengagement preventing portions  25   c   1  and  25   c   2  which come into contact with the cover  24  to prevent the problem that when the spacer  25  is not between the image bearing member  2  and charging means  3 , the spacer  25  disengages from the cover  24 . 
     The cartridge  39  is provided with two spacers  25 , which are at the lengthwise ends of the image bearing member  2 , one for one, in terms of the direction parallel to the rotational axis of the image bearing member  2 . The charging means  3  comprises: the rubber portion  3   a ; and the shaft  3   b  with which the rubber portion  3   a  is rotatably supported by the frame  26 . The portion  25   b  of the spacer is inserted between the peripheral surface of the image bearing member  2  and the shaft  3   b  to separate, and keep separated, the charging means  3  from the image bearing member  2 . The cover  24  has the holes, or grooves,  24   b   1  and  24   b   2 , through which the pair of spacers  25  are put, one for one. The spacer  25  is provided with the pair of spacer insertion distance control portions  25   a   1  and  25   a   2 . The control portions  25   a   1  and  25   a   2  prevent the spacer  25  from moving further in the spacer insertion direction A 2  by coming into contact with the cover  24 , on the upstream side of the space disengagement prevention portion  25   c   1  and  25   c   2  in terms of the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 2 , that is, the direction in which the charging means separating means is inserted between the image bearing member  2  and charging means  3 . Also in terms of the direction, indicated by the arrow mark A 2 , in which the charging means separating portion  25   b  is inserted between the image bearing means  2  and charging means  3 , the spacer  25  is provided with the spacer disengagement control projection  25   f  which engages with the charging means  3  to prevent the spacer  25  from easily moving in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 1 , which is the opposite direction from the spacer insertion direction indicated by the arrow mark A 2 . The cover  24  has the spacer retaining portion  24   g  which retains the spacer  25  when the charging means separating portion  25   b  is not between the image bearing member  2  and charging means  3 . 
     The characteristic features of the cover  24  in this embodiment can be summarized as follows: The cover  24  is one of the cartridge components, which is removably attached to the frame  26  of the cartridge  39  to protect the peripheral surface of the image bearing member  2  in the cartridge  39  which is removably mountable in the main assembly  38 A of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus  38 . The cartridge  39  has: the rotatable image bearing member  2  on which a latent image is formed; charging means  3  which charges the peripheral surface of the image bearing member  2  by being placed in contact with the peripheral surface of the image bearing member  2 ; and frame  26  by which the image bearing member  2  and charging means  3  are supported. The cover  24  has the spacer  25  attached to the cover  24  in such a manner that it is allowed to move relative to the cover  24 . The spacer  25  has the charging means separating portion  25   b  which is inserted between the image bearing member  2  and charging means  3  to separate, and keep separated, the charging means  3  from the image bearing member  2 . Further, the spacer  25  has the pair of spacer disengagement prevention portions  25   c   1  and  25   c   2  which come into contact with the cover  24  to prevent the spacer  25  from disengaging from the cover  24 . 
     The cartridge  39  is provided with two spacers  25 , which are at the lengthwise ends of the image bearing member  2 , one for one, in terms of the direction parallel to the rotational axis of the image bearing member  2 . The cover  24  has the holes, or grooves,  24   b   1  and  24   b   2 , through which the pair of spacers  25  are put, one for one. The spacer  25  is provided with the pair of spacer insertion distance control portions  25   a   1  and  25   a   2 . The control portions  25   a   1  and  25   a   2  prevents the spacer  25  from moving further in the spacer insertion direction A 2  by coming into contact with the cover  24 , on the upstream side of the space disengagement prevention portion  25   c   1  and  25   c   2  in terms of the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 2 , that is, the direction in which the charging means separating means is inserted between the image bearing member  2  and charging means  3 . Also in terms of the direction, indicated by the arrow mark A 2 , in which the charging means separating portion  25   b  is inserted between the image bearing means  2  and charging means  3 , the spacer  25  is provided with the spacer disengagement control projection  25   f  which engages with the charging means  3  to prevent the spacer  25  from easily moving in the direction indicated by the arrow mark A 1 , which is the opposite direction from the spacer insertion direction indicated by the arrow mark A 2 . The cover  24  has the spacer retaining portion  24   g  which retains the spacer  25  when the charging means separating portion  25   b  is not between the image bearing member  2  and charging means  3 . 
     According to the present invention, the spacer which is inserted between the image bearing means and charging means to separate, and keep separated, the charging means from the image bearing means is in engagement with the cover in such a manner that unless a user intentionally disengages the spacer from the cover, the spacer does not disengage from the cover. Further, the spacer is in engagement with the cover in such a manner that it is allowed to move relative to the cover, the spacer does not interfere with the operation performed by the user to reattach the cover. Therefore, the cover fitted with the spacer can be easily attached to the cartridge. Thus, it is easier to protect the image bearing member when the cartridge needs to be stored outside an electrostatic image forming apparatus for a substantial length of time, or when a used-up cartridge is transported as a recyclable cartridge to a recycling station or the like. Further, the cartridge can be improved from the standpoint of reusing and/or recycling the cover and spacer. 
     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. 250059/2009 filed Oct. 30, 2009 which is hereby incorporated by reference.