# US 2013/0156464 A1 · Process cartridge, main cartridge, sub cartridge, and image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0156464 A1 - Document ID: US20130156464A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/717,148 - Filed: 2012-12-17 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Kensuke Suzuki; Jun Miyamoto; Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko; Takashi Akutsu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130156464A1 ## CPC - G03G 21/1842: {for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks (G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence)} - G03G 21/1821: {means for connecting the different parts of the process cartridge, e.g. attachment, positioning of parts with each other, pressure/distance regulation (G03G21/1825 takes precedence)} - G03G 21/1846: {using a handle for carrying or pulling out of the main machine, legs of casings} - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A process cartridge includes a main cartridge configured to be attachable to an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, and a sub cartridge configured to be attachable to the main cartridge, wherein the main cartridge includes a moving member configured to be capable of moving between a first position for preventing, by the moving member contacting the apparatus body, the main cartridge from entering the inside of the apparatus body and a second position for allowing the main cartridge to enter the inside of the apparatus body, and a regulation member capable of moving between a regulation position for locking the moving member at the first position and an allowable position for allowing the moving member to move to the second position, and wherein the regulation member moves to the allowable position by attaching the sub cartridge to the main cartridge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process cartridge used in an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge comprising: a main cartridge having a process device acting on a photosensitive member and configured to be attachable and detachable to and from an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus; and a sub cartridge having a developer containing portion storing developer to be supplied to the main cartridge and configured to be attachable and detachable to and from the main cartridge, wherein the main cartridge includes: a moving member configured to be capable of moving between a first position for preventing, by the moving member contacting the apparatus body, the main cartridge from entering the inside of the apparatus body and a second position for allowing the main cartridge to enter the inside of the apparatus body; and a regulation member capable of moving between a regulation position for locking the moving member at the first position and an allowable position for allowing the moving member to move from the first position to the second position, and wherein the regulation member moves from the regulation position to the allowable position by attaching the sub cartridge to the main cartridge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the regulation member includes a regulation portion configured to contact the sub cartridge, in a case where the moving member is at the second position, and to regulate the removal of the sub cartridge from the main cartridge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the moving member is at the second position, a stopping portion provided to the moving member regulates the movement of the regulation member from the allowable position to the regulation position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the moving member is a grip portion to be held in the attachment and detachment of the main cartridge to and from the apparatus body, and wherein the tip of the grip portion is far from the outer surface of the main cartridge in a state where the grip portion is at the second position as compared to the position where the grip portion is at the first position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sub cartridge includes a pressing portion capable of contacting the regulation member, and the pressing portion presses the regulation member in the process of attaching the sub cartridge to the main cartridge and thereby the regulation member is moved from the regulation position to the allowable position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process device is a cleaning device configured to remove developer adhered to the photosensitive member, a charging device configured to charge the photosensitive member, or a development device configured to develop a latent image formed on the photosensitive member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the main cartridge includes the photosensitive member. ### Claim 8 A main cartridge attachable and detachable to and from an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, the main cartridge comprising: a process device configured to act on a photosensitive member; an attachment and detachment portion capable of attaching and detaching a sub cartridge containing developer; a moving member configured to be capable of moving between a first position for preventing, by the moving member contacting the apparatus body, the main cartridge from entering the inside of the apparatus body and a second position for allowing the main cartridge to enter the inside of the apparatus body; and a regulation member capable of moving between a regulation position for locking the moving member at the first position and an allowable position for allowing the moving member to move from the first position to the second position, and wherein the regulation member moves from the regulation position to the allowable position by attaching the sub cartridge to the attachment and detachment portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The main cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the regulation member includes a regulation portion configured to contact the sub cartridge, in a case where the moving member is at the second position, and to regulate the removal of the sub cartridge from the attachment and detachment portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The main cartridge according to claim 8, wherein, in a case where the moving member is at the second position, a stopping portion provided to the moving member regulates the movement of the regulation member from the allowable position to the regulation position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The main cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the moving member is a grip portion to be held in the attachment and detachment of the main cartridge to and from the apparatus body, and the tip of the grip portion is far from the outer surface of the main cartridge in a state where the grip portion is at the second position as compared to the position the grip portion is at the first position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The main cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the regulation member includes a pressed portion capable of contacting the sub cartridge, and the pressed portion is pressed by the sub cartridge in the process of attaching the sub cartridge to the attachment and detachment portion and thereby the regulation member is moved from the regulation position to the allowable position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The main cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the process device is a cleaning device configured to remove the developer adhered to the photosensitive member, a charging device configured to charge the photosensitive member, or a development device configured to develop a latent image formed on the photosensitive member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The main cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the main cartridge includes the photosensitive member. ### Claim 15 A sub cartridge attachable and detachable to and from a main cartridge attachable and detachable to and from an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus, the sub cartridge comprising: a developer containing portion configured to store developer to be supplied to the main cartridge; and a pressing portion capable of contacting a regulation member provided to the main cartridge, wherein the main cartridge includes a moving member configured to be capable of moving between a first position for preventing, by the moving member contacting the apparatus body, the main cartridge from entering the inside of the apparatus body and a second position for allowing the main cartridge to enter the inside of the apparatus body, and the regulation member is capable of moving between a regulation position for locking the moving member at the first position and an allowable position for allowing the moving member to move from the first position to the second position, and wherein the pressing portion presses the regulation member in the process of attaching the sub cartridge to the main cartridge and thereby the regulation member is moved from the regulation position to the allowable position. ### Claim 16 An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus comprising: a main cartridge having a process device configured to act on a photosensitive member; a sub cartridge attachable and detachable to and from the main cartridge, and having a developer containing portion storing developer to be supplied to the main cartridge; and an apparatus body which the main cartridge can be attached to and detached from in a state where the sub cartridge is attached to the main cartridge, wherein the apparatus body includes, a stopping portion configured to prevent the main cartridge from being attached to the apparatus body in a state where the sub cartridge is removed, and wherein the main cartridge includes, a moving member configured to be capable of moving between a first position for preventing, by the moving member contacting the apparatus body, the main cartridge from entering the inside of the apparatus body and a second position for allowing the main cartridge to enter the inside of the apparatus body; and a regulation member capable of moving between a regulation position for locking the moving member at the first position and an allowable position for allowing the moving member to move from the first position to the second position, and wherein the sub cartridge is attached to the main cartridge and thereby the regulation member moves from the regulation position to the allowable position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the regulation member includes a regulation portion configured to contact the sub cartridge in a case where the moving member is at the second position, and to regulate the removal of the sub cartridge from the main cartridge. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, in a case where the moving member is at the second position, a stopping portion provided to the moving member regulates the movement of the regulation member from the allowable position to the regulation position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the moving member is a grip portion to be held in the attachment and detachment of the main cartridge to and from the apparatus body, and wherein the tip of the grip portion is far from the outer surface of the main cartridge in a state where the grip portion is at the second position as compared to the position the grip portion is at the first position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the sub cartridge includes a pressing portion capable of contacting the regulation member, and configured to press the regulation member in the process of attaching the sub cartridge to the main cartridge and thereby the regulation member is moved from the regulation position to the allowable position.