# US 12,117,765 B2 · Image forming apparatus including toner cartridge that is detachable from housing with drum cartridge kept attached to housing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,117,765 B2 - Document ID: US12117765B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/333,087 - Filed: 2023-06-12 - Published: 2023-12-28 - Granted: 2024-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2022-06-27 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Shougo Sato; Kazuna Taguchi; Soichiro Mase - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12117765B2 ## CPC - G03G 21/1814: {Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing (G03G21/1835 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/0867: {cylindrical developer cartridges, e.g. toner bottles for the developer replenishing opening} - G03G 15/0886: {by mechanical means, e.g. shutter, plug} - G03G 2215/0692: using a slidable sealing member, e.g. shutter - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image forming apparatus includes: a housing having an opening providing a first region and a second region; first and second covers for opening and closing the first and second regions, respectively; a drum cartridge detachably attachable to the housing in a first direction through the first region; and a toner cartridge. A part of the toner cartridge attached to the drum cartridge is movable between a first position and a second position. The toner cartridge is detachable from the drum cartridge attached to the housing through the second region in a second direction crossing the first direction when the first cover is closed, the second cover is opened, and the part of the toner cartridge is at the second position. The part of the toner cartridge is movable from the first position to the second position in a third direction crossing the first and second directions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: a housing having an opening providing a first region and a second region; a first cover movable between a first closed position closing the first region and a first open position opening the first region; a second cover movable between a second closed position closing the second region and a second open position opening the second region; a drum cartridge comprising a photosensitive drum, the drum cartridge being attachable to and detachable from the housing in a first direction through the first region in a state where the first cover is at the first open position; and a toner cartridge configured to accommodate toner therein and detachably attachable relative to the drum cartridge, the toner cartridge comprising a part movable between a first position and a second position in a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge, the toner cartridge being unable to be detached from the drum cartridge when the part of the toner cartridge is at the first position and the toner cartridge being detachable from the drum cartridge when the part of the toner cartridge is at the second position, the toner cartridge being attachable to and detachable from the drum cartridge attached to the housing through the second region in a second direction crossing the first direction in a state where: the first cover is at the first closed position; the second cover is at the second open position; and the part of the toner cartridge is at the second position, wherein the part of the toner cartridge is movable in a third direction from the first position to the second position, the third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second region is smaller than the first region, and the second region has such a size that the drum cartridge cannot pass through the second region. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second cover is attached to the first cover, and wherein the opening of the housing is configured to be closed by: the first cover at the first closed position; and the second cover at the second closed position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the part of the toner cartridge is pivotally movable between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the part of the toner cartridge is a handle, and wherein, when the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge that is attached to the housing, the handle does not protrude out from the second region in a state where the handle is at the first position, but protrudes out from the second region in a state where the handle is at the second position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the handle has an end portion, and wherein the end portion of the handle protrudes out through a gap between the first cover and the second cover in a state where the handle is at the first position and the second cover is at the second closed position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second cover is configured to be pushed by the handle to move from the second closed position to the second open position in response to movement of the handle from the first position to the second position in the state where the handle is at the first position and the second cover is at the second closed position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a stopper configured to restrict the drum cartridge from moving while the part of the toner cartridge moves from the first position to the second position in a state where the drum cartridge is attached to the housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the stopper is a groove, and wherein the drum cartridge has a protrusion, the protrusion being configured to be fitted with the groove in the state where the drum cartridge is attached to the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a guide extending in the first direction, the guide being configured to guide attachment of the drum cartridge relative to the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drum cartridge comprises a developing unit movable relative to the photosensitive drum, the developing unit comprising: a developing housing configured to accommodate the toner therein, the developing housing having an inlet opening through which the toner from the toner cartridge is configured to pass; and a developing roller configured to supply the toner accommodated in the developing housing to the photosensitive drum. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the drum cartridge further comprises a drum frame supporting the photosensitive drum, and wherein the toner cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the drum frame. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the toner cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the developing unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the drum cartridge further comprises a developing shutter configured to open and close the inlet opening, wherein the toner cartridge further comprises: a toner casing configured to accommodate the toner therein, the toner casing having a discharge opening through which the toner is configured to be discharged; and a toner shutter configured to open and close the discharge opening, and wherein in a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge and the part of the toner cartridge is at the first position, the developing shutter opens the inlet opening and the toner shutter opens the discharge opening, and in a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge and the part of the toner cartridge is at the second position, the developing shutter closes the inlet opening and the toner shutter closes the discharge opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge comprises a toner casing configured to accommodate the toner therein, and wherein the part of the toner cartridge is a protrusion protruding from the toner casing.