Patent ID: 6990302

Claim:
A process cartridge detachably attachable to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a flexible member adapted to protect said electrophotographic photosensitive member and capable of assuming a protection position in which said flexible member protects said electrophotographic photosensitive member and a retraction position in which said flexible member retracts from the protection position, a support member having a support portion on which said flexible member is supported, provided pivotably on a frame of said cartridge and adapted to move said flexible member from the protection position to the retraction position, and a regulating member provided on said flexible member so as to regulate the positions of creases which occur on said flexible member in response to a pivotal movement of said support member, and which extend parallel with the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive member, said flexible member being foldable on the creases and movable to the retraction position.