Patent ID: 7599644

Claim:
A process cartridge which can be detachably mounted in an image forming apparatus main body, said process cartridge comprising: a movable electrophotographic photosensitive member; a cleaning member which contacts the surface of said electrophotographic photosensitive member and removes a development agent from the surface of said electrophotographic photosensitive member; a housing portion that houses the development agent removed by said cleaning member; a sealing member which contacts with the surface of said electrophotographic photosensitive member upstream of said cleaning member in the direction of the movement of said electrophotographic photosensitive member and allows the development agent on said electrophotographic photosensitive member to pass therethrough in the direction of the movement of said electrophotographic photosensitive member, while preventing the removed development agent from leaking out; a frame which includes said electrophotographic photosensitive member, said cleaning member, said housing portion and said sealing member; and a light passing portion provided in said frame for passing, therethrough, charge elimination light for eliminating charge from the surface of said electrophotographic photosensitive member, at a position downstream of a transfer position but upstream of a portion where said electrophotographic photosensitive member contacts said sealing member, in the direction of the movement of said electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the difference between a work function of said electrophotographic photosensitive member and a work function of said sealing member is equal to or greater than 0.25 [eV].