Image forming apparatus

A cartridge unit configured to be mounted in an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, the cartridge unit comprising:

• a plurality of cartridges which are aligned in an alignment direction;
• and
• a cartridge holder which is configured to integrally support the plurality of cartridges and is configured to be moved in the alignment direction between an outer position located at an outside of the apparatus main body and an inner position located at an inside of the apparatus main body,
• wherein each of the cartridges includes:
• a casing having an opening which is open upward;
• a developer carrier which is configured to carry developer and is exposed upward through the opening;
• a handle member which is configured to be displaced between a protrusion position where the handle member protrudes upward above the opening and a retreat position where the handle member is below the protrusion position;
• and
• a cover member which is configured to be displaced between a close position of covering an upper part of the developer carrier and an open position of opening the upper part of the developer carrier,
• wherein among the cartridges and the cartridge holder, at least the cartridges are provided with an interlocking mechanism which is configured to displace each of the handle members and the cover members in conjunction with moving of the cartridge holder with respect to the apparatus main body,
• wherein the interlocking mechanism is configured to displace each of the handle members to the retreat position and each of the cover members to the open position in conjunction with the moving of the cartridge holder to the inner position with respect to the apparatus main body, and
• wherein the interlocking mechanism is configured to displace each of the handle members to the protrusion position and each of the cover members to the close position in conjunction with the moving of the cartridge holder to the outer position with respect to the apparatus main body.

A cartridge comprising:

• a casing having an opening which is open upward;
• a developer carrier which is configured to carry developer and is exposed upward through the opening;
• a handle member which is configured to be displaced between a protrusion position where the handle member protrudes upward above the opening and a retreat position where the handle member is below the protrusion position;
• a cover member which is configured to be displaced between a close position of covering an upper part of the developer carrier and an open position of opening the upper part of the developer carrier;
• and
• an interlocking mechanism which is configured to displace the handle member and the cover member while engaging with an external part,
• wherein the interlocking mechanism includes:
• a gear mechanism which is configured to engage with the external part to transfer power to the handle member;
• and
• a link mechanism which is configured to transfer power from the handle member to the cover member,
• wherein the interlocking mechanism is configured to displace the handle member to the retreat position and the cover member to the open position by the gear mechanism engaging with the external part moving in a first direction, and
• wherein the interlocking mechanism is configured to displace the handle member to the protrusion position and the cover member to the close position by the gear mechanism engaging with the external part moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction.