US 11,733,638 B2
Image forming apparatus having cartridge and waste developer accommodating portion
Shougo Sato, Seto (JP); Hirotaka Mori, Nagoya (JP); and Makoto Souda, Nagoya (JP)
Assigned to Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Jan. 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/572,301.
Application 14/524,519 is a division of application No. 13/626,175, filed on Sep. 25, 2012, granted, now 8,873,999, issued on Oct. 28, 2014.
Application 17/572,301 is a continuation of application No. 16/992,552, filed on Aug. 13, 2020, granted, now 11,226,581.
Application 16/992,552 is a continuation of application No. 16/594,157, filed on Oct. 7, 2019, granted, now 10,747,164, issued on Aug. 18, 2020.
Application 16/594,157 is a continuation of application No. 15/841,396, filed on Dec. 14, 2017, granted, now 10,437,194, issued on Oct. 8, 2019.
Application 15/841,396 is a continuation of application No. 15/042,619, filed on Feb. 12, 2016, granted, now 9,846,406, issued on Dec. 19, 2017.
Application 15/042,619 is a continuation of application No. 14/524,519, filed on Oct. 27, 2014, granted, now 9,280,124, issued on Mar. 8, 2016.
Claims priority of application No. 2011-284204 (JP), filed on Dec. 26, 2011; and application No. 2012-044039 (JP), filed on Feb. 29, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2022/0128942 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G03G 15/08 (2006.01); G03G 21/16 (2006.01); G03G 21/10 (2006.01); G03G 21/00 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 21/10 (2013.01) [G03G 15/0813 (2013.01); G03G 15/0872 (2013.01); G03G 21/007 (2013.01); G03G 21/169 (2013.01); G03G 21/1676 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a main casing including a guide;
a photosensitive drum provided in the main casing, the photosensitive drum being configured to carry a developer image and rotatable about an axis extending in an axial direction;
an intermediate transfer belt in contact with an upper side of the photosensitive drum and configured to receive the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum;
a secondary transfer roller configured to transfer the developer image on the intermediate transfer belt to an image recording medium; and
a developing cartridge positioned below the intermediate transfer belt and attachable to and detachable from the main casing in the axial direction, the developing cartridge comprising:
a frame including a first front wall; and
a developing device including:
a developing roller;
a developer-accommodating section configured to accommodate therein developer to be supplied to the photosensitive drum via the developing roller;
a second front wall closing a front end of the developing device and facing the first front wall in the axial direction; and
a first rear wall closing a rear end of the developing device,
wherein the developing cartridge is positioned between the guide and the intermediate transfer belt in a vertical direction when the developing cartridge is attached to the main casing,
wherein the guide is configured to guide the frame of the developing cartridge when the developing cartridge is attached to and detached from the main casing, and
wherein the frame is configured to movably support the developing device.