JP7168117B2 - image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus having a detachable drum cartridge and developer cartridge.

Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus in which a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge can be attached to and detached from a main housing in the axial direction along the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200014). In this technology, the drum cartridge and the developer cartridge are individually attachable and detachable to and from the main housing. A handle is provided on the side of the axial end of each cartridge that can be grasped by the user. A user can pull out each cartridge by gripping the handle with fingers.

JP 2018-72677 A

By the way, in the case where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are separately attachable/detachable to/from the body housing in the axial direction, the developing cartridge is replaced more frequently than the drum cartridge. Developing cartridges, which are frequently replaced, are required to be easily and easily removed.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an image forming apparatus in which, when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are detachable from the main housing in the axial direction, the developing cartridge can be easily removed from the main housing prior to the drum cartridge. With the goal.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a drum cartridge, a developer cartridge, and a main housing. The drum cartridge has a photoreceptor drum rotatable about an axially extending first axis, a frame rotatably supporting the photoreceptor drum, and a first handle located on the outer surface of the frame in the axial direction. The developer cartridge has a developer roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction, a developer housing capable of accommodating toner, and a second handle located on the outer surface of the developer housing in the axial direction. The body housing has a first end face in the axial direction, a second end face facing the first end face in the axial direction, and a slot. The slot extends from the first end face toward the second end face, allows the drum cartridge to be attached/detached in the axial direction, and allows the developer cartridge to be attached/detached in the axial direction. The first handle and the second handle are exposed from the slots when the drum cartridge and the developer cartridge are attached to the main housing. In a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body housing, the second handle is positioned farther from the second end surface than the first handle in the axial direction.

According to this configuration, it is easier to remove the developing cartridge from the main housing before the drum cartridge. Therefore, the developing cartridge, which is frequently replaced, can be attached and detached simply and easily.

In the image forming apparatus described above, at least a portion of the first handle and at least a portion of the second handle may be arranged axially.

According to this, the user can be urged to take out the developing cartridge before the drum cartridge.

In the image forming apparatus described above, when the second handle is axially pulled out of the body housing in a state in which the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the body housing, only the developing cartridge is removed from the body housing, The first handle may contact the second handle when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the body housing and the first handle is pulled out from the body housing in the axial direction.

According to this, the user can be urged to take out the developing cartridge before the drum cartridge.

In the image forming apparatus described above, when the first handle is axially pulled out of the body housing, the first handle comes into contact with the second handle, and the drum cartridge is axially pulled out of the body housing, The developing cartridge may also be axially pulled out from the main housing.

According to this, by pulling out the first handle, both the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge can be pulled out from the main housing.

In the image forming apparatus described above, a part of the first handle and a part of the second handle may be arranged in the axial direction.

According to this, the user can be urged to take out the developing cartridge before the drum cartridge.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the first handle has a first opening that allows a user's finger to be hooked thereon, and the first opening is at least the first opening in the direction in which the first axis and the second axis are aligned. It is good also as the structure opened to the shaft side.

According to this, even when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main housing, the developing cartridge does not get in the way, and the user can easily catch his or her finger on the first opening.

In the image forming apparatus described above, all of the first handle may be axially aligned with at least part of the second handle.

According to this, the user can be urged to take out the developing cartridge before the drum cartridge.

In the image forming apparatus, the first handle has a first opening for allowing a user's finger to be caught thereon, and the first opening is located on the second shaft side in the direction in which the first shaft and the second shaft are aligned. An open configuration may also be used.

According to this, since the first opening of the first handle opens toward the developer cartridge, the user can easily insert his or her finger into the first opening after taking out the developer cartridge.

In the image forming apparatus described above, an intermediate transfer belt positioned above the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge in a state in which the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted in the main housing, wherein the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main housing. The configuration may further include an intermediate transfer belt with which the surface of the photoreceptor drum is in contact in the mounted state.

The above-described image forming apparatus may be configured to include a discharge section positioned above the intermediate transfer belt for discharging the sheet.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the first handle has a first opening that allows a user's finger to be hooked thereon. It is good also as a structure opened to.

According to this, since the first opening opens upward, it is possible to prevent the drum cartridge from being pushed upward when the user's finger is caught on the first handle. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive drum from contacting the intermediate transfer belt.

In the image forming apparatus described above, the first handle has a first opening that allows a user's finger to be caught thereon, and the first opening extends downward when the drum cartridge is attached to the main housing. It is good also as a structure which is not opened.

According to this, since the first opening does not open downward, it is possible to prevent the user's finger from being caught from below the first handle. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the drum cartridge from being pulled out while being pushed upward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the photosensitive drum from coming into contact with the intermediate transfer belt when removing the drum cartridge.

According to the present disclosure, when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are detachable from the body housing in the axial direction, it is easier to remove the developing cartridge from the body housing than the drum cartridge.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the main housing with the cover opened; 3 is a perspective view showing a developing cartridge and a drum cartridge in the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view of a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge mounted in a main body housing in the first embodiment; It is the figure which looked at the state where the drum cartridge and developing cartridge in 1st Embodiment were mounted in the main body housing|casing from the cover side. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing how the developing cartridge is pulled out, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing how the drum cartridge is pulled out in the first embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the drum cartridge and developing cartridge which were mounted in the main body housing|casing in 2nd Embodiment from the top. It is the figure which looked at the state where the drum cartridge and developing cartridge in 2nd Embodiment were mounted|worn in the main body housing|casing from the cover side. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the developing cartridge is pulled out in the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a drum cartridge according to a third embodiment;

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main housing 2 , a supply section 3 , an image forming section 4 and a discharge roller 9 . The supply section 3 supplies the sheet S to the image forming section 4 . The image forming section 4 forms an image on the sheet S. FIG. The discharge roller 9 discharges the sheet S. FIG.

The body housing 2 has a discharge section 20 at the top. The sheet S is discharged to the discharge section 20 . The discharge section 20 is positioned above an intermediate transfer belt 63, which will be described later.

The supply unit 3 is located in the lower part inside the main body housing 2 . The supply unit 3 includes a supply tray 31 and a supply mechanism 32 . The supply tray 31 is detachable from the main housing 2 . The supply mechanism 32 conveys the sheet S from the supply tray 31 to the image forming section 4 .

The image forming section 4 includes a drum cartridge 40 , a developing cartridge 50 , an exposure device SU, a transfer unit 60 and a fixing unit 70 . A plurality of drum cartridges 40 and developer cartridges 50 are arranged corresponding to the number of toner colors. In this embodiment, four drum cartridges 40 and four developer cartridges 50 are arranged side by side.

Each drum cartridge 40 has a photosensitive drum 41, a frame 42, and a charger (not shown). The photoreceptor drum 41 is rotatable about a first axis X1 extending in the axial direction. The four photoreceptor drums 41 are arranged in an orthogonal direction (simply referred to as "perpendicular direction" in the following description) orthogonal to the axial direction and the vertical direction. The frame 42 rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 41 . Each drum cartridge 40 is independently removable from the main housing 2 in the axial direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the frame 42 has slits 47 . A slit 47 penetrates the frame 42 . A laser beam emitted from the exposure unit SU, which will be described later, passes through the slit 47 and is emitted to the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 .

Returning to FIG. 1, in a state in which the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main housing 2, the drum cartridge 40 is aligned with the developing cartridge 50 in the orthogonal direction.

Each developer cartridge 50 contains toner of a different color. Each developing cartridge 50 has a developing roller 51 and a developing housing 52 . The developing roller 51 is rotatable about a second axis X2 extending in the axial direction. The development housing 52 contains toner. The four developing rollers 51 are arranged in the orthogonal direction. The developing cartridges 50 are independently attachable to and detachable from the body housing 2 in the axial direction.

An exposure unit SU is positioned below each drum cartridge 40 . The exposure unit SU emits a laser beam (not shown) to each photosensitive drum 41 .

The transfer unit 60 is positioned between the four photosensitive drums 41 and the discharge section 20 . The transfer unit 60 includes a drive roller 61 , a driven roller 62 , an intermediate transfer belt 63 , four primary transfer rollers 64 and secondary transfer rollers 65 .

The intermediate transfer belt 63 is an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 63 is positioned above the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main housing 2 . The surface of the photosensitive drum 41 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 63 when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main housing 2 . The intermediate transfer belt 63 is stretched between the driving roller 61 and the driven roller 62 .

The primary transfer roller 64 is positioned inside the intermediate transfer belt 63 . The primary transfer roller 64 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 63 with the photosensitive drum 41 .

The secondary transfer roller 65 is positioned outside the intermediate transfer belt 63 . The secondary transfer roller 65 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 63 with the drive roller 61 .

The fixing unit 70 is positioned above the intermediate transfer belt 63 . The fixing unit 70 has a heating roller 71 and a pressure roller 72 . The pressure roller 72 is pressed against the heating roller 71 .

In the image forming section 4, first, the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is charged by a charger. After that, the exposure unit SU exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 . Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 41 .

Developing roller 51 then supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on photoreceptor drum 41 . Thereby, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 41 . Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 41 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 63 .

The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 63 is transferred onto the sheet S when the sheet S passes between the intermediate transfer belt 63 and the secondary transfer roller 65 . After that, the toner image on the sheet S is fixed by the fixing unit 70 . The sheet S is then discharged to the discharge section 20 by the discharge rollers 9 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the main housing 2 has a first end surface 21, a second end surface 22, a slot 23, and a cover 24. As shown in FIG.

The first end surface 21 is a surface located at one end of the main housing 2 in the axial direction. The second end surface 22 is a surface located at the other end of the main housing 2 in the axial direction. The second end surface 22 is a surface facing the first end surface 21 in the axial direction.

Slot 23 extends from first end face 21 toward second end face 22 . The slot 23 allows the drum cartridge 40 to be attached/detached in the axial direction and allows the developer cartridge 50 to be attached/detached in the axial direction. The slot 23 has an opening 23A for attaching and detaching the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge.

The cover 24 is a member for opening and closing the opening 23A of the slot 23. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drum cartridge 40 has a first handle 43A. The first handle 43A is located on the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction. The first handle 43A has a rectangular plate shape. The first handle 43A is positioned at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction. The drum cartridge 40 further has a first connecting portion 43B. The first connecting portion 43B connects the axial outer surface of the frame 42 and one end of the first handle 43A.

The first handle 43A has a first opening 45. As shown in FIG. The first opening 45 is an opening positioned between the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction and the first handle 43A. The first opening 45 opens at least on the first axis X1 side in the direction D1 (see FIG. 5) in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned. In this embodiment, the first opening 45 opens in three directions. Specifically, the first opening 45 is arranged on the first axis X1 side (first opening 45A) and the second axis X2 side (first opening 45B) in the direction D1 in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned, It opens in three downward directions (first opening 45C).

The first opening 45 allows the finger of the user to be caught. A user can pull out the drum cartridge 40 from the main housing 2 by inserting a finger into the first opening 45 and pulling the first handle 43A.

The developer cartridge 50 has a second handle 53A. The second handle 53A is positioned on the outer surface of the developing housing 52 in the axial direction. The second handle 53A has a rectangular plate shape. The second handle 53A is positioned at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the developing housing 52 in the axial direction. The developer cartridge 50 further has a second connecting portion 53B. The second connecting portion 53B connects the outer surface of the developing housing 52 in the axial direction and one end portion of the second handle 53A.

The second handle 53A has a second opening 55. As shown in FIG. The second opening 55 is an opening positioned between the outer surface of the developer housing 52 in the axial direction and the second handle 53A. In this embodiment, the second opening 55 opens in three directions. Specifically, the second opening 55 is arranged on the first axis X1 side (second opening 55A) and the second axis X2 side (second opening 55B) in the direction D1 in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned, It opens in three directions downward (second opening 55C).

The second opening 55 allows the user's finger to be caught. The user can pull out the developer cartridge 50 from the main body housing 2 by inserting a finger through the second opening 55 and pulling the second handle 53A.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first handle 43A and the second handle 53A are exposed from the slot 23 when the drum cartridge 40 and the developer cartridge 50 are mounted in the main housing 2. As shown in FIG. In addition, when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main housing 2, the second handle 53A is located further from the second end face 22 than the first handle 43A in the axial direction. At least a portion of the first handle 43A and at least a portion of the second handle 53A are axially aligned. As shown in FIG. 5, a portion of the first handle 43A and a portion of the second handle 53A overlap when viewed from the axial direction.

Next, a method for attaching and detaching the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the cover 24 is opened with the drum cartridge 40 and the developer cartridge 50 attached to the main housing 2, the first handle 43A and the second handle 53A are exposed through the slot 23. As shown in FIG.

When removing the developer cartridge 50 from the main housing 2, the user puts his or her finger in the second opening 55 and pulls the second handle 53A of the developer cartridge 50, as shown in FIG. 6(a). Then, the drum cartridge 40 is not removed, and only the developing cartridge 50 is removed from the main housing 2 .
With the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 attached to the main housing 2 in this manner, when the second handle 53A is pulled out of the main housing 2 in the axial direction, only the developing cartridge 50 is attached to the main housing. 2 is extracted.

When removing the drum cartridge 40 from the main housing 2, the user puts his or her finger in the first opening 45 and pulls the first handle 43A of the drum cartridge 40, as shown in FIG. 6(b). Then, the first handle 43A comes into contact with the second handle 53A. After the first handle 43A contacts the second handle 53A, when the user pulls the first handle 43A further, the first handle 43A pushes the second handle 53A. pulled out of the body 2;
With the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 attached to the body housing 2 in this manner, when the first handle 43A is pulled out from the body housing 2 in the axial direction, the first handle 43A is pulled out from the second handle. 53A. When the first handle 43A comes into contact with the second handle 53A, the drum cartridge 40 is pulled out from the body housing 2 in the axial direction, and the developing cartridge 50 is also pulled out from the body housing 2 in the axial direction.

When the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are to be mounted in the main housing 2, it is preferable to insert the drum cartridge 40 into the main housing 2 first.

According to the image forming apparatus 1 described above, in a state in which the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main body housing 2, the second handle 53A is axially positioned further than the first handle 43A. It is located far from the second end surface 22 . Therefore, the developer cartridge 50 can be easily removed from the main housing 2 before the drum cartridge 40 is removed.

At least a portion of the first handle 43A and at least a portion of the second handle 53A are axially aligned. With the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 attached to the main housing 2, when the second handle 53A is pulled out of the main housing 2 in the axial direction, only the developing cartridge 50 is removed from the main housing 2. be Also, when the first handle 43A is pulled out from the main housing 2 in the axial direction, the first handle 43A comes into contact with the second handle 53A. Therefore, the user can be urged to remove the developing cartridge 50 before the drum cartridge 40 is removed.

Further, when the first handle 43A is pulled out from the body housing 2 in the axial direction, the first handle 43A comes into contact with the second handle 53A, and the drum cartridge 40 is pulled out from the body housing 2 in the axial direction. , the developing cartridge 50 is also pulled out from the main housing 2 in the axial direction. Therefore, both the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 can be pulled out from the main housing 2 by pulling out the first handle 43A.

The first handle 43A also has a first opening 45 that opens on the first axis X1 side in the direction D1 in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned. Therefore, even when the drum cartridge 40 and the developing cartridge 50 are attached to the main housing 2 , the developing cartridge 50 does not become an obstacle, and the user can easily catch the first opening 45 with a finger.

Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, members having substantially the same structure as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the drum cartridge 140 in the second embodiment has a first handle 143A. The first handle 143A is positioned at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction. The drum cartridge 140 further has a first connecting portion 143B. The first connecting portion 143B connects the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction and the first handle 143A. The first connecting portion 143B connects one end of the first handle 143A and the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction. The first connecting portion 143B connects the other end portion of the first handle 143A and the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction.

The developer cartridge 150 has a second handle 153A. The second handle 153A is positioned at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the developing housing 52 in the axial direction. The developing cartridge 150 further has a second connecting portion 153B. The second connecting portion 153B connects the outer surface of the developing housing 52 in the axial direction and one end portion of the second handle 153A.

All of the first handles 143A are axially aligned with at least a portion of the second handles 153A. When viewed from the cover 24 side (one end side in the axial direction), the entire first handle 143A overlaps at least a portion of the second handle 153A.

The first handle 143A has a first opening 145. As shown in FIG. The first opening 145 allows the user's finger to be caught. The first opening 145 opens in two directions. Specifically, the first opening 145 opens on the first axis X1 side (first opening 145A) and the second axis X2 side (first opening 145B) in the direction D1 in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned. is doing.

When only the developing cartridge 150 is to be removed from the main housing 2, the user puts his or her finger through the second opening 155 and pulls the second handle 153A of the developing cartridge 150, as shown in FIG. Then, the drum cartridge 140 is not removed, and only the developing cartridge 150 is removed from the main body housing 2 .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, even if the user tries to remove the drum cartridge 140 from the main body housing 2, the user cannot see the first handle 143A. become.

According to the second embodiment described above, it is possible to prompt the user to remove the developer cartridge 150 before the drum cartridge 140 is removed.

The first handle 143A also has a first opening 145 that opens toward the second axis X2 in the direction D1 in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned. That is, since the first opening 145 is open on the development cartridge 150 side, after the development cartridge 150 is taken out, the user can easily insert his or her finger into the first opening 145 .

Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, members having substantially the same structure as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the drum cartridge 240 in the third embodiment has a first handle 243A. The first handle 243A is positioned at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction. The drum cartridge 240 further has a first connecting portion 243B. The first connecting portion 243B connects the outer surface of the frame 42 in the axial direction and one end of the first handle 243A.

The first handle 243A has a first opening 245. As shown in FIG. The first opening 245 is located between the axial outer surface of the frame 42 and the first handle 243A. When the drum cartridge 240 is attached to the main housing 2, the first opening 245 opens at least upward. When the drum cartridge 240 is attached to the main housing 2, the first opening 245 does not open downward. Specifically, the first opening 245 opens in three directions. Specifically, the first opening 245 is arranged on the first axis X1 side (first opening 245A) and the second axis X2 side (first opening 245B) in the direction D1 in which the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are aligned, It opens in three upward directions (first opening 245C).

According to the drum cartridge 240, the first opening 245 opens upward and does not open downward. Therefore, when the user's finger is caught on the first handle 243A, the drum cartridge 40 is pushed upward. It can be suppressed. Therefore, contact between the photoreceptor drum 41 and the intermediate transfer belt 63 can be suppressed.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the gripping portion and the connecting portion that constitute the first handle and the second handle have a rectangular plate shape. It doesn't have to be.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the image forming apparatus 1 is a color printer, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as monochrome printers, copiers, multifunction machines, and the like. You may

Each element described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be combined arbitrarily and implemented.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 2 main housing 20 discharge section 21 first end surface 22 second end surface 23 slot 24 cover 40 drum cartridge 41 photoreceptor drum 42 frame 43A first handle 45 first opening 50 developing cartridge 51 developing roller 52 developing housing 53A Second handle 55 Second opening 63 Intermediate transfer belt X1 First axis X2 Second axis

Claims (7)

A drum cartridge for use with a developer cartridge,
a photoreceptor drum rotatable about a first axially extending axis;
a frame having a first end and a second end spaced apart in the axial direction and rotatably supporting the photoreceptor drum;
a first handle located at the first end of the frame;
The developing cartridge is
a developing roller rotatable about the axially extending second axis;
a developing housing having a first end and a second end spaced apart in the axial direction, rotatably supporting the developing roller, and capable of containing toner;
a second handle located at the first end of the developer housing;
The drum cartridge and the developer cartridge are detachably mountable in slots, and the slot extends from a first end surface of the image forming apparatus in the axial direction to a side of the image forming apparatus opposite to the first end surface in the axial direction. extending toward the second end surface,
In a state in which the drum cartridge and the developer cartridge are mounted in the slots, one end of the second handle farthest from the second end face in the axial direction is the second end face of the first handle in the axial direction. a drum cartridge positioned farther from said second end face in said axial direction than one end farthest from said drum cartridge. the first handle has a first opening;
2. The drum cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first opening opens at least downward when the drum cartridge is mounted in the slot. 3. The drum cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the first opening does not open upward when the drum cartridge is mounted in the slot. The first opening is open on the first shaft side in a direction in which the first shaft and the second shaft are aligned when the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are mounted in the slots. 4. A drum cartridge according to claim 2 or 3. A developer cartridge for use with a drum cartridge,
a developer roller rotatable about a first axially extending axis;
a developing housing having a first end and a second end spaced apart in the axial direction, rotatably supporting the developing roller, and capable of containing toner;
a second handle located at the first end of the developer housing;
The drum cartridge is
a photoreceptor drum rotatable about a second axially extending axis;
a frame having a first end and a second end spaced apart in the axial direction and rotatably supporting the photoreceptor drum;
a first handle located at the first end of the frame;
The drum cartridge and the developer cartridge are detachably mountable in slots, and the slot extends from a first end surface of the image forming apparatus in the axial direction to a side of the image forming apparatus opposite to the first end surface in the axial direction. extending toward the second end surface,
In a state in which the drum cartridge and the developer cartridge are mounted in the slots, one end of the second handle farthest from the second end face in the axial direction is the second end face of the first handle in the axial direction. a developer cartridge positioned farther from the second end face in the axial direction than one end farthest from the . the second handle has a second opening;
6. A developer cartridge according to claim 5, wherein said second opening opens at least downward when said developer cartridge is mounted in said slot. 7. The developer cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the second opening does not open upward when the developer cartridge is mounted in the slot.

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