Patent attributes
A process cartridge in which before use, the separation of a predetermined distance between a charging roller and a photosensitive drum can be maintained, and in use, the separation state of the charging roller can be released without increasing the burden on a user. The process cartridge includes a charging roller separation member moveable between the first position to hold the separation of the charging roller from the photosensitive drum and the second position to abut the charging roller on the photosensitive drum. One of a photosensitive member unit and a developing unit includes a hook portion holding the separation member in the first position, and the other includes a hook portion that releases the separation member from the hook portion to move the separation member to the second position when the developing unit is pivoted.