US 11,698,595 B2
Developing unit having guide that stably supports toner cartridge
Masahiko Hayakawa, Ama (JP); Masashi Imai, Kasugai (JP); and Shougo Sato, Seto (JP)
Assigned to Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Dec. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/540,344.
Application 17/540,344 is a continuation of application No. 17/114,929, filed on Dec. 8, 2020, granted, now 11,221,570.
Application 17/114,929 is a continuation of application No. 16/940,971, filed on Jul. 28, 2020, granted, now 10,871,731, issued on Dec. 22, 2020.
Application 16/940,971 is a continuation of application No. 16/803,398, filed on Feb. 27, 2020, granted, now 10,761,457, issued on Sep. 1, 2020.
Application 16/803,398 is a continuation of application No. 16/257,884, filed on Jan. 25, 2019, granted, now 10,599,068, issued on Mar. 24, 2020.
Application 16/257,884 is a continuation of application No. 15/805,719, filed on Nov. 7, 2017, granted, now 10,222,723, issued on Mar. 5, 2019.
Application 15/805,719 is a continuation of application No. 15/485,722, filed on Apr. 12, 2017, granted, now 9,823,602, issued on Nov. 21, 2017.
Application 15/485,722 is a continuation of application No. 15/335,936, filed on Oct. 27, 2016, granted, now 9,658,568, issued on May 23, 2017.
Application 15/335,936 is a continuation of application No. 14/950,890, filed on Nov. 24, 2015, granted, now 9,483,017, issued on Nov. 1, 2016.
Application 14/950,890 is a continuation of application No. 14/286,186, filed on May 23, 2014, granted, now 9,201,340, issued on Dec. 1, 2015.
Application 14/286,186 is a continuation of application No. 13/572,846, filed on Aug. 13, 2012, granted, now 8,737,876, issued on May 27, 2014.
Application 13/572,846 is a continuation of application No. 12/731,443, filed on Mar. 25, 2010, granted, now 8,254,807, issued on Aug. 28, 2012.
Claims priority of application No. 2009-156057 (JP), filed on Jun. 30, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2022/0091540 A1, Mar. 24, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G03G 15/08 (2006.01); G03G 21/16 (2006.01)
CPC G03G 15/0889 (2013.01) [G03G 15/0844 (2013.01); G03G 15/0865 (2013.01); G03G 15/0868 (2013.01); G03G 15/0872 (2013.01); G03G 15/0875 (2013.01); G03G 15/0877 (2013.01); G03G 15/0886 (2013.01); G03G 15/0896 (2013.01); G03G 21/1647 (2013.01); G03G 21/1676 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process cartridge detachably attachable to a main casing of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge comprising:
a photosensitive drum;
a developing roller configured to supply toner to the photosensitive drum;
a cartridge accommodating part; and
a toner cartridge configured to store toner therein and detachably attachable to the cartridge accommodating part, the toner cartridge comprising:
a first casing defining an internal space therein and having a supply hole for allowing the toner to pass therethrough toward the developing roller, the first casing including a shutter movable between an open position where the supply hole is open and a closed position wherein the supply hole is closed,
the toner cartridge being pivotable about the first casing relative to the cartridge accommodating part between a first position where the shutter is in the open position and attachment of the process cartridge to the main casing is allowed and a second position where the shutter is in the closed position and attachment of the process cartridge to the main casing is not allowed.