Patent ID: 8620181

Claim:
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a frame for supporting said electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developer carrying member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive member; an opening, provided in said frame, through which said electrophotographic photosensitive member is exposed; a shutter, provided on said frame, movable between an open position in which said opening is uncovered and a closed position in which said opening is covered; and a spacer member movably provided on said shutter, wherein when said shutter is located at the closed position, said spacer member is movable to a spacing position in which said spacer member is between said electrophotographic photosensitive member and said developer carrying member to provide a spacing between said electrophotographic photosensitive member and said developer carrying member, and a retracted position in which said opening is covered with said spacer member.