# US 2021/0080902 A1 · 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 2021/0080902 A1 - Document ID: US20210080902A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/104,204 - Filed: 2020-11-25 - Published: 2021-03-18 - Earliest claimed: 2015-11-30 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Shougo SATO; Yasuo FUKAMACHI; Motoaki MUSHIKA; Kazuna TAGUCHI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210080902A1 ## CPC - G03G 21/1842: {for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks (G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence)} - G03G 15/0896: {Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894} - G03G 21/1814: {Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing (G03G21/1835 takes 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: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image forming apparatus, including a process cartridge and a main body with an opening and a cartridge supporter is provided. The process cartridge includes a drum cartridge; a toner cartridge attachable to the drum cartridge; and a switching member switchable states in the process cartridge between a first state, wherein detachment of the toner cartridge is restricted, and a second state, wherein the toner cartridge is released from the restriction. The cartridge supporter is movable between a first position, wherein the cartridge supporter supports the process cartridge to be placed entirely in an inner space in the main body on an inner side of the opening, and a second position, wherein the cartridge supporter supports the process cartridge to be at least partly placed outside the inner space. When the cartridge supporter is in the second position, the switching member is at least partly placed outside the inner space. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus, comprising: a sheet tray; a process cartridge including a photosensitive drum, the photosensitive drum having an axis extending in a first direction; a main body having an opening and a cartridge accommodating portion, the main body including: a first wall; a second wall opposite to the first wall in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second wall having an opening, through which the process cartridge is attachable, the first wall including an outer surface, the outer surface of the first wall facing outward in the second direction; a cartridge supporter for supporting the process cartridge thereon; a side wall including a cartridge guide configured to guide the process cartridge in the second direction; and a sheet guide configured to guide a sheet fed from the sheet tray toward the photosensitive drum; a cartridge supporter guide configured to guide the cartridge supporter from the second wall toward the first wall in the second direction, wherein the cartridge supporter guide is disposed between the sheet guide and the cartridge guide in a vertical direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge supporter is capable of carrying the process cartridge between a first position, in which the process cartridge is disposed entirely inside the main body; and a second position, in which the process cartridge is disposed at least partially outside the main body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side wall is disposed on an end of the main body in the first direction, and wherein the cartridge supporter guide is located on an inner surface of the side wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge supporter includes a protrusive part protruding along the first direction, and wherein the cartridge supporter guide is configured to guide the protrusive part of the cartridge supporter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge supporter guide is a groove. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side wall is disposed on an end of the main body in the first direction, and wherein the cartridge guide is located on an inner surface of the side wall. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge includes a shaft protruding along the first direction, and wherein the cartridge guide is configured to guide the shaft of the process cartridge. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cartridge guide is a groove. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge guide is disposed above the cartridge supporter guide. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the process cartridge includes a handle, and wherein the cartridge supporter being in the second position supports the process cartridge to be in an arrangement such that the photosensitive drum is disposed in an inner space formed inside the main body and the handle is disposed outside the main body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the main body includes a cover movable between an opening position, in which the opening is exposed, and a closed position, in which the cover closes the opening, wherein the cover includes a supportive part, wherein the cartridge supporter is supported by the supportive part of the cover as the cover is in the opening position and the cartridge supporter is in the second position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge supporter is a plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge includes a drum cartridge comprising the photosensitive drum and a developer cartridge being detachably attachable to the drum cartridge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cartridge supporter includes a handle, and wherein the cartridge supporter being in the second position supports the process cartridge to be in an arrangement such that the photosensitive drum is disposed in an inner space formed inside the main body and the handle is disposed outside the main body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is guided by the cartridge guide at a part extended from the axis of the photosensitive drum in the first direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the cover has the sheet tray, and wherein the sheet tray is a manual feeder tray. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the manual feeder tray is supported by the cover swingably about a lower end thereof.