US 12,007,713 B2
Image forming apparatus permitting user to imagine clear detachment procedure of toner cartridge from process cartridge
Daisuke Maeta, Nagoya (JP); and Shougo Sato, Seto (JP)
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KAUBSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Dec. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/146,492.
Application 18/146,492 is a continuation of application No. 17/652,944, filed on Mar. 1, 2022, granted, now 11,573,522.
Application 17/652,944 is a continuation of application No. 17/094,149, filed on Nov. 10, 2020, granted, now 11,366,422, issued on Jun. 21, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2019-205799 (JP), filed on Nov. 13, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0125715 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. G03G 21/18 (2006.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/01 (2006.01); G01J 5/00 (2022.01); G01J 5/02 (2022.01); G01J 5/10 (2006.01); G06T 7/70 (2017.01); G07C 9/30 (2020.01); G08B 21/02 (2006.01); H04N 5/38 (2006.01); H04N 5/76 (2006.01); H04N 7/18 (2006.01); H04R 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 21/1825 (2013.01) [A61B 5/01 (2013.01); A61B 5/7246 (2013.01); A61B 5/7405 (2013.01); A61B 5/742 (2013.01); A61B 5/746 (2013.01); G01J 5/0025 (2013.01); G01J 5/025 (2013.01); G01J 5/10 (2013.01); G03G 21/1846 (2013.01); G06T 7/70 (2017.01); G07C 9/30 (2020.01); G08B 21/02 (2013.01); H04N 5/38 (2013.01); H04N 5/76 (2013.01); H04N 7/18 (2013.01); H04R 1/028 (2013.01); G06T 2207/30196 (2013.01); G06T 2207/30242 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a first process cartridge attachable to and detachable from the housing; and
a toner cartridge detachably attachable to the first process cartridge,
the first process cartridge comprising:
a first photosensitive drum;
a first developing roller; and
a developing frame supporting the first developing roller and configured to accommodate toner therein,
the toner cartridge comprising:
a toner accommodating portion configured to accommodate toner therein;
a connecting portion which is connectable to the first process cartridge when the toner cartridge is attached to the first process cartridge, the connecting portion protruding from the toner accommodating portion outwardly in a lateral direction, an interior of the connecting portion being in communication with an interior of the toner accommodating portion, the connecting portion having a toner supply opening through which toner passes; and
a toner conveying portion configured to convey toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion from the interior of the toner accommodating portion to the interior of the connecting portion,
the first process cartridge having a toner inlet opening that is in communication with an interior of the developing frame and that receives toner supplied from the toner supply opening,
the connecting portion being positioned above the developing frame such that the toner supply opening and the toner inlet opening face with each other in an upward/downward direction in a state where the first process cartridge to which the toner cartridge is attached is attached to the housing.