A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming
apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing roller
for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the drum; a first frame
supporting the drum; a second frame supporting the developing roller; a coupling
member for coupling the first frame and the second frame such that developing roller
and the drum contact each other or are spaced from each other; an urging member
for urging the drum and the developing roller toward each other; a spacer member
for maintaining the drum and the developing roller spaced from each other or the
distance between centers of the drum and the developing roller to be larger than
the distance therebetween during an image forming operation. The spacer member
supports the first frame and second frame at least at longitudinally extending
surfaces of the process cartridge, and is detachable from the process cartridge.