Image bearing member and driving mechanism therefor

Claim 2

An image bearing member having an image bearing surface detachably mountable into an image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of a rotational center positioning member of the image forming apparatus when said image bearing member is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said image bearing member is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; and a driving force receiving portion, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion.

Claim 3

An image bearing member according to claim 1, wherein said image bearing member is a photosensitive drum comprising a base drum and an electrophotographic photosensitive layer thereon.

Claim 4

An image bearing member having an image bearing surface detachably mountable into an image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of a rotational center positioning member of the image forming apparatus when said image bearing member is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said image bearing member comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive belt and a drum supporting it; and a driving force receiving portion, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion.

Claim 5

An image bearing member having an image bearing surface detachably mountable into an image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of a rotational center positioning member of the image forming apparatus when said image bearing member is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said image bearing member comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive belt and a drum supporting it; and a driving force receiving portion, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion.

Claim 6

An image bearing member according to claim 1, wherein said positioning portion is a recess substantially concentric with said image bearing member.

Claim 7

An image bearing member according to claim 1, wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing member usable for image formation thereon.

Claim 8

An image bearing member according to claim 1, wherein said image bearing member comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive layer, and said image bearing member constitute a part of a process cartridge containing as a unit said image bearing member and a process means contributable for image formation on said image bearing member.

Claim 9

An image bearing member having an image bearing surface detachably mountable into an image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a a straight portion of a rotational center positioning shaft, of electrically conductive material, of the image forming apparatus when said image bearing member is mounted into the image forming apparatus; a driving force receiving portion, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion; and an electrically conductive member, engageable to the positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said image bearing member is mounted into the image forming apparatus, adjacent an inside part of said positioning portion, wherein said conductive member is electrically contacted to an inside of said image bearing member which is electrically conductive.

Claim 10

An image bearing member having an image bearing surface detachably mountable into an image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a a straight portion of a rotational center positioning shaft, of electrically conductive material, of the image forming apparatus when said image bearing member is mounted into the image forming apparatus; a driving force receiving portion, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion; and an electrically conductive member, engageable to the positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said image bearing member is mounted into the image forming apparatus, adjacent an inside part of said positioning portion, wherein said conductive member is electrically contacted to an inside of said image bearing member which is electrically conductive.

Claim 11

An image bearing member according to claim 7, wherein said image bearing member is a photosensitive drum comprising a base drum and an electrophotographic photosensitive layer thereon.

Claim 12

An image bearing member according to claim 7, wherein said image bearing member comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive belt and a drum supporting it.

Claim 13

An image bearing member according to claim 7, wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing member usable for image formation thereon.

Claim 14

An image bearing member according to claim 8, wherein said image bearing member comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive layer, and said image bearing member constitute a part of a process cartridge containing as a unit said image bearing member and a process means contributable for image formation on said image bearing member.

Claim 15

A process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing member and process means, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said image bearing member is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; a driving force receiving portion, substantially concentric and integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion.

Claim 16

A process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing member and process means, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said image bearing member is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; a driving force receiving portion, substantially concentric and integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion.

Claim 17

A process cartridge according to claim 12, wherein said image bearing member is an electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

Claim 18

A process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing member and process means, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing member usable for image formation thereon; a driving force receiving portion, substantially concentric and integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion.

Claim 19

A process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing member and process means, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing member usable for image formation thereon; a driving force receiving portion, substantially concentric and integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion.

Claim 20

A process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed adjacent and end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said image bearing member is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum; drive transmitting means for transmitting the driving force to the process means contained in said process cartridge; wherein said driving force receiving portion, said positioning portion and said drive transmitting means are radially overlapped, at least in part.

Claim 21

A process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed adjacent and end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said image bearing member is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum; drive transmitting means for transmitting the driving force to the process means contained in said process cartridge; wherein said driving force receiving portion, said positioning portion and said drive transmitting means are radially overlapped, at least in part.

Claim 22

A process cartridge according to claim 15, wherein said drive force receiving portion also functions as said drive transmitting means.

Claim 23

A process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing member usable for image formation thereon; a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum; drive transmitting means for transmitting the driving force to the process means contained in said process cartridge; and wherein said driving force receiving portion, said positioning portion and said drive transmitting means are radially overlapped, at least in part.

Claim 24

A process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing member usable for image formation thereon; a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum; drive transmitting means for transmitting the driving force to the process means contained in said process cartridge; and wherein said driving force receiving portion, said positioning portion and said drive transmitting means are radially overlapped, at least in part.

Claim 25

A process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, comprising: an image bearing drum including an insulative flange at an end of a metal drum member and an electrically conductive member fixed to an inside periphery of said drum member adjacent an inside end of the flange member; a positioning portion, substantially integral with said flange, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus; a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum; wherein said driving force receiving portion is radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion, and wherein when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus, said conductive member of said image bearing drum is contacted to the positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus.

Claim 26

A process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, comprising: an image bearing drum including an insulative flange at an end of a metal drum member and an electrically conductive member fixed to an inside periphery of said drum member adjacent an inside end of the flange member; a positioning portion, substantially integral with said flange, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus; a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum; wherein said driving force receiving portion is radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion, and wherein when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus, said conductive member of said image bearing drum is contacted to the positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus.

Claim 27

A process cartridge according to claim 18, wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing member usable for image formation thereon.

Claim 28

An image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning member; an image bearing member detachable mountable into said image forming apparatus, said image bearing member including a positioning portion, wherein said image bearing member is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of the positioning member of said image forming apparatus, and a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion; and means for driving said image bearing member. positioning portion; and means for driving said image bearing member.

Claim 29

An image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning member; an image bearing member detachable mountable into said image forming apparatus, said image bearing member including a positioning portion, wherein said image bearing member is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of the positioning member of said image forming apparatus, and a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion; and means for driving said image bearing member. positioning portion; and means for driving said image bearing member.

Claim 30

An image bearing member according to claim 20, wherein said image bearing member is a photosensitive drum comprising a base drum, and an electrophotographic photosensitive layer thereon.

Claim 31

An image forming apparatus comprising: a positioning member; an image bearing member detachable mountable into said image forming apparatus, said image bearing member including a positioning portion, wherein said image bearing member comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive belt and a drum supporting it disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of the positioning member of said image forming apparatus, and a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion; and means for driving said image bearing member.

Claim 32

An image forming apparatus comprising: a positioning member; an image bearing member detachable mountable into said image forming apparatus, said image bearing member including a positioning portion, wherein said image bearing member comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive belt and a drum supporting it disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of the positioning member of said image forming apparatus, and a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion; and means for driving said image bearing member.

Claim 33

An image bearing member according to claim 20, wherein said positioning portion is a recess substantially concentric with said image bearing member.

Claim 34

An image forming apparatus comprising: a positioning member; an image bearing member detachable mountable into said image forming apparatus, said image bearing member including a positioning portion, wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said bearing member usable for image formation thereon disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of the positioning member of said image forming apparatus, and a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being overlapped at least in part, with said positioning portion; and means for driving said image bearing member.

Claim 35

An image forming apparatus comprising: a positioning member; an image bearing member detachable mountable into said image forming apparatus, said image bearing member including a positioning portion, wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said bearing member usable for image formation thereon disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of the positioning member of said image forming apparatus, and a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing member, said driving force receiving portion being overlapped at least in part, with said positioning portion; and means for driving said image bearing member.

Claim 36

An image bearing member according to claim 20, wherein said image bearing member comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive layer, and said image bearing member constitute a part of a process cartridge containing as a unit said image bearing member and a process means contributable for image formation on said image bearing member.

Claim 37

An image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, said image bearing drum including a positioning portion, disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of said positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus and a driving force receiving portion, substantially integral with said image bearing drum, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion wherein said image bearing drum is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 38

An image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, said image bearing drum including a positioning portion, disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of said positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus and a driving force receiving portion, substantially integral with said image bearing drum, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion wherein said image bearing drum is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 39

The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein aid driving means is mounted to said positioning shaft.

Claim 40

An image forming apparatus comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, said image bearing drum including a positioning portion, disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of said positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus and a driving force receiving portion, substantially integral with said image bearing drum, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing member usable for image formation thereon; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 41

An image forming apparatus comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, said image bearing drum including a positioning portion, disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of said positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus and a driving force receiving portion, substantially integral with said image bearing drum, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum, said driving force receiving portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing member usable for image formation thereon; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 42

An image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means actable on the image bearing drum, said image bearing drum including a positioning portion, wherein said image bearing drum is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of said positioning shaft of said image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into said image forming apparatus, and a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum, and drive transmitting means for transmitting the driving force to said process means, wherein said driving force receiving portion, said positioning portion and said driving transmitting means are radially overlapped, at least in part; guiding means for guiding said process cartridge when it is mounted into said image forming apparatus; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 43

An image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means actable on the image bearing drum, said image bearing drum including a positioning portion, wherein said image bearing drum is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of said positioning shaft of said image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into said image forming apparatus, and a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum, and drive transmitting means for transmitting the driving force to said process means, wherein said driving force receiving portion, said positioning portion and said driving transmitting means are radially overlapped, at least in part; guiding means for guiding said process cartridge when it is mounted into said image forming apparatus; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 44

An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said driving force receiving portion also functions as said drive transmitting means.

Claim 45

An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said driving means is mounted to said positioning shaft.

Claim 46

An image forming apparatus comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means actable on the image bearing drum, said image bearing drum including a positioning portion, disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of said positioning shaft of said image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into said image forming apparatus, and a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum, and drive transmitting means for transmitting the drive force to said process means, wherein said driving force receiving portion, said positioning portion and said drive transmitting means are radially overlapped, at least in part wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing drum usable for image formation thereon; guiding means for guiding said process cartridge when it is mounted into said image forming apparatus; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 47

An image forming apparatus comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means actable on the image bearing drum, said image bearing drum including a positioning portion, disposed within and adjacent an end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of said positioning shaft of said image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into said image forming apparatus, and a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing member, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum, and drive transmitting means for transmitting the drive force to said process means, wherein said driving force receiving portion, said positioning portion and said drive transmitting means are radially overlapped, at least in part wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing drum usable for image formation thereon; guiding means for guiding said process cartridge when it is mounted into said image forming apparatus; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 48

An image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, said image bearing drum including an insulative flange at an end of metal drum member and an electrically conductive means fixed to an inside periphery of said drum member adjacent an inside end of the flange member; a positioning portion, substantially integral with said flange, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus, wherein said image bearing drum is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing drum, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum; wherein said driving force receiving portion is radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion, and wherein when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus, said conductive member of said image bearing drum is contacted to the positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus; guiding means for guiding said process cartridge when it is mounted into said image forming apparatus; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 49

An image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, said image bearing drum including an insulative flange at an end of metal drum member and an electrically conductive means fixed to an inside periphery of said drum member adjacent an inside end of the flange member; a positioning portion, substantially integral with said flange, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus, wherein said image bearing drum is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing drum, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum; wherein said driving force receiving portion is radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion, and wherein when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus, said conductive member of said image bearing drum is contacted to the positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus; guiding means for guiding said process cartridge when it is mounted into said image forming apparatus; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 50

An image forming apparatus comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, said image bearing drum including an insulative flange at an end of a metal drum ember and an electrically conductive member fixed to an inside periphery of said drum member adjacent an inside end of the flange member; a positioning portion, substantially integral with said flange, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus; a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing drum, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum; wherein said driving force receiving portion is radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion, and wherein when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus, said conductive member of said image bearing drum is contacted to the positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus wherein said driving force receiving means also functions as means for transmitting the driving force to said process means; guiding means for guiding said process cartridge when it is mounted into said image forming apparatus; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 51

An image forming apparatus comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, said image bearing drum including an insulative flange at an end of a metal drum ember and an electrically conductive member fixed to an inside periphery of said drum member adjacent an inside end of the flange member; a positioning portion, substantially integral with said flange, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus; a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing drum, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum; wherein said driving force receiving portion is radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion, and wherein when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus, said conductive member of said image bearing drum is contacted to the positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus wherein said driving force receiving means also functions as means for transmitting the driving force to said process means; guiding means for guiding said process cartridge when it is mounted into said image forming apparatus; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 52

An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said driving means is mounted to said positioning shaft.

Claim 53

An image forming apparatus comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, said image bearing drum including an insulative flange at an end of a metal drum member and an electrically conductive member fixed to an inside periphery of said drum member adjacent an inside end of the flange member; a positioning portion, substantially integral with said flange, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing member usable for image formation thereon; a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing drum, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum; wherein said driving force receiving portion is radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion, and wherein when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus, said conductive member of said image bearing drum is contacted to the positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus; guiding means for guiding said process cartridge when it is mounted into said image forming apparatus; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 54

An image forming apparatus comprising: a positioning shaft; a process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, said image bearing drum including an insulative flange at an end of a metal drum member and an electrically conductive member fixed to an inside periphery of said drum member adjacent an inside end of the flange member; a positioning portion, substantially integral with said flange, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus wherein said positioning portion extends into a region corresponding to a region of said image bearing member usable for image formation thereon; a driving force receiving portion substantially integral with said image bearing drum, for receiving a driving force for rotating said image bearing drum; wherein said driving force receiving portion is radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion, and wherein when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus, said conductive member of said image bearing drum is contacted to the positioning shaft of the image forming apparatus; guiding means for guiding said process cartridge when it is mounted into said image forming apparatus; and driving means for driving said image bearing drum.

Claim 55

An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said process means includes a corona discharger, developing means and cleaning means.

Claim 56

An image bearing member having an image bearing surface detachably mountable into an image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of a rotational center positioning member of the image forming apparatus when said image bearing member is mounted into the image forming apparatus, wherein said image bearing member is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; and a driving force transmitting portion, substantially concentric with said image bearing member, for transmitting a driving force to another means to rotate it, said driving force transmitting portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion.

Claim 57

An image bearing member having an image bearing surface detachably mountable into an image forming apparatus, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing member, for engagement with a straight portion of a rotational center positioning member of the image forming apparatus when said image bearing member is mounted into the image forming apparatus, wherein said image bearing member is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; and a driving force transmitting portion, substantially concentric with said image bearing member, for transmitting a driving force to another means to rotate it, said driving force transmitting portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion.

Claim 58

A process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning member of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus, wherein said image bearing drum is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; a driving force transmitting portion substantially concentric with said image bearing member, for transmitting a driving force to said process to rotate it, said driving force transmitting portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion.

Claim 59

A process cartridge containing as a unit an image bearing drum and process means, comprising: a positioning portion, disposed adjacent an end of said image bearing drum, for engagement with a straight portion of a positioning member of the image forming apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted into the image forming apparatus, wherein said image bearing drum is in the form of a cylinder, and said positioning portion is within the cylinder; a driving force transmitting portion substantially concentric with said image bearing member, for transmitting a driving force to said process to rotate it, said driving force transmitting portion being radially overlapped, at least in part, with said positioning portion.

Claim 60

A process cartridge according to claim 39, wherein said process means is developing means.

Claim 61

A process cartridge according to claim 39, wherein said process means is cleaning means.