Patent ID: 8442415

Claim:
A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, wherein a plurality of cartridges is detachably mounted to a main assembly of said apparatus, said color electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: a cartridge supporting member for supporting the cartridges, said cartridge supporting member being movable between an inside position inside the main assembly and an outside position outside the main assembly; a shutter member movably provided on said cartridge supporting member, said shutter member being movable between an open position in which a photosensitive member supported by said cartridge supporting member is exposed and a closed position in which the photosensitive member is protected; and shutter moving means for moving said shutter member to the closed position when said cartridge supporting member is moved from the inside position to the outside position and for moving said shutter member to the open position when said cartridge supporting member is moved from the outside position to the inside position.