JP5339822B2 - Developing cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a rotary electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a developing cartridge that is detachably mounted on such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, further miniaturization of color electrophotographic image forming apparatuses has been required. Therefore, a so-called rotary color electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a rotary capable of mounting a plurality of developing cartridges has been proposed.

  In a color image forming apparatus in which four color developer cartridges are detachably housed in a rotatable rotary, the developer cartridge can be attached and detached by opening the cover on the upper surface of the apparatus main body as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, from above. A configuration for attaching and detaching is known. In addition, a part of the surface of the developing roller at this time has no protective member and is exposed to the appearance of the developing cartridge.

Japanese Patent No. 3203242 (FIG. 3) Japanese Patent No. 3809612 (FIG. 22)

  However, in the above conventional example, there is a possibility that the user touches the exposed developing roller and the developer gets on the user's hand. Contamination of the user's hand or consciousness not to touch the developing roller may also cause operability to deteriorate.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve the operability when the developing cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and to prevent the user from touching the developing roller as much as possible when the developing cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

In order to achieve the above object, a representative configuration of the present invention includes a rotatable rotary holding a plurality of developing cartridges in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a developing cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium. An opening for attaching and detaching the developing cartridge in the radial direction of the rotary is provided above the center of the rotary, and the developing cartridge is a developer carrying member for developing at least a latent image formed on the image carrying member. And a grip portion for gripping the developer cartridge, and the center of the developer carrying member is more than the center of the rotary at the attach / detach position where the developer cartridge can be attached to and detached from the rotary in the apparatus. disposed on the lower side, the grip portion, the disposed above the center of the roundabout, and before the developing cartridge A developer carrying member, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized that you located between a vertical line passing through the centers of the developer supply roller for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member.

  With the above configuration, the operability when the developing cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body can be improved, and the user can be prevented from touching the developing roller as much as possible when the developing cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

  The electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present embodiment forms an image on a recording medium such as a transfer material or a sheet using an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (such as an LED printer or a laser beam printer), an electrophotographic facsimile apparatus, and an electrophotographic word processor are included.

  The developing cartridge is a cartridge in which a developer carrying member (for example, a developing roller) and a toner storage unit for storing toner are integrated into a cartridge, which is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The developer carrier is for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier such as an electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  Embodiments of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Overall configuration of color electrophotographic image forming apparatus)
First, an image forming operation of the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described.

  A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention is a four-color full-color laser beam printer. FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration during the developing operation of the yellow developing cartridge 5a. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration during the developing operation of the black developing cartridge 5d.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a photosensitive drum 2a. Around the photosensitive drum 2a, a charging means 2b for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 2a (in this embodiment, a charging roller is employed), and laser light is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 2a. Exposure means 15 for forming a latent image.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a plurality of developing cartridges 5 that develop the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2a with a corresponding color toner to visualize the latent image. Specifically, the plurality of developing cartridges 5 include a yellow developing cartridge 5a, a magenta developing cartridge 5b, a cyan developing cartridge 5c, and a black developing cartridge 5d. Further, a cleaning means 2c for removing residual toner on the photosensitive drum 2a is disposed.

  In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 2 a, the charging unit 2 b, and the cleaning unit 2 c are integrally configured, and the drum cartridge 2 that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100 is employed. The photosensitive drum 2a, the charging unit 2b, and the cleaning unit 2c may be configured independently or may be integrated.

  The rotary 1 is configured to be rotatable by a drum-shaped holding member, and holds the yellow developing cartridge 5a, the magenta developing cartridge 5b, the cyan developing cartridge 5c, and the black developing cartridge 5d at equal intervals. The configuration in which the rotary 1 holds the developing cartridges 5a to 5d is the same. Therefore, the description of the configuration in which the rotary 1 holds the developing cartridge in the present embodiment is made by exemplifying the yellow developing cartridge 5a.

  The yellow developing cartridge 5 a is mounted on the rotary 1, and a locked portion 61 ca provided on the yellow developing cartridge 5 a is engaged with a developing cartridge locking member 19 a provided on the rotary 1. Thereby, popping out from the rotary 1 is suppressed.

  The developing cartridge locking member 19a is urged by a spring (not shown) in a direction (arrow D direction) to be engaged with the yellow developing cartridge 5a. The magenta developing cartridge 5b, the cyan developing cartridge 5c, and the black developing cartridge 5d are provided with locked portions 61cb, 61cc, and 61cd, respectively. By engaging the developing cartridge locking members 19b, 19c, 19d provided on the rotary 1, respectively, the pop-out from the rotary 1 is suppressed.

  The rotary 1 is rotatably attached to the main body frame while holding the developing cartridges 5a to 5d. In the present embodiment, the developing cartridges 5 a to 5 d can be attached to and detached from the rotary 1 in the radial direction of the rotary 1.

  First, the photosensitive drum 2a is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 in synchronization with the direction of arrow C in FIG. The surface of the photosensitive drum 2a is uniformly charged by the charging unit 2b, and the exposure unit 15 irradiates the yellow image with light to form a yellow electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2a.

  Simultaneously with the formation of the electrostatic latent image, the rotary 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1 by a drive transmission mechanism provided in the image forming apparatus 100 about the rotary rotation shaft 1a. As a result, the rotary 1 rotates to place the yellow developing cartridge 5a at the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 2a (FIG. 1A).

  Then, a voltage having the same polarity as the charging polarity of the photosensitive drum 2a is applied to the developing roller 51a so that the yellow developer adheres to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2a. Thus, development is performed by attaching a yellow developer to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2a. That is, a yellow developer image is formed on the photosensitive drum 2a.

  Thereafter, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the primary transfer roller 4 disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 3 to primarily transfer the yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 2 a onto the intermediate transfer belt 3.

  As described above, when the primary transfer of the yellow toner image is completed, the rotary 1 receives the drive from the drive transmission mechanism of the image forming apparatus 100 and rotates in the direction of arrow B in FIG. Then, the magenta developing cartridge 5b, the cyan developing cartridge 5c, and the black developing cartridge 5d are sequentially positioned at the developing position facing the photosensitive drum 2a. Similarly to the case of yellow, formation, development, and primary transfer of electrostatic latent images are sequentially performed for magenta, cyan, and black, and four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 3.

  During this time, the secondary transfer roller 6 is not in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 3 as shown in FIG. At this time, the cleaning unit 10 for the intermediate transfer belt 3 is also in a non-contact state with the intermediate transfer belt 3.

  On the other hand, sheets S on which toner images are transferred are stacked and stored in a feeding cassette 7 provided at the lower part of the image forming apparatus 100, and separated and fed one by one from the feeding cassette 7 by a feeding roller 8. Then, the sheet is fed to the registration roller pair 9. The registration roller pair 9 sends out the fed sheet S between the intermediate transfer belt 3 and the secondary transfer roller 6. Here, the secondary transfer roller 6 is brought into pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 3 as shown in FIG.

  Further, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 6, and the four color toner images superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 3 are collectively conveyed on the sheet S conveyed. Secondary transfer to the surface.

  The sheet S on which the toner image is transferred is sent to the fixing device 11. In the fixing device 11, the sheet S is heated and the toner image is fixed on the sheet S. As a result, an image is formed on the sheet S, and the sheet S is discharged from the fixing device 11 to the discharge portion of the upper cover 12 outside the apparatus.

(Developer cartridge configuration)
The configurations of the yellow developing cartridge 5a, the magenta developing cartridge 5b, the cyan developing cartridge 5c, and the black developing cartridge 5d are all the same. Therefore, the configuration of each of the developing cartridges 5a to 5d in this embodiment will be described as the developing cartridge 5. The developing cartridge 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge 5 in this embodiment before the toner seal is pulled. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge 5 in the present embodiment after the toner seal is pulled. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the developing cartridge 5 in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a handle portion in the developing cartridge.

  The developing frame 55 of the developing cartridge 5 is separated into a toner storage chamber 56 and a developing chamber 57 having a developing roller 51 (developer carrying member) and a toner supply roller 52 (developer supply roller). It is divided up and down by.

  In the unused state until the developing cartridge 5 reaches the user's hand, as shown in FIG. 2A, the toner supply opening 58 has a film shape for separating the toner storage chamber 56 and the developing chamber 57 from each other. The toner seal 70 is fixed. The fixing method depends on a method such as heat welding. By removing the toner seal 70 before use, the toner 80 in the toner storage chamber 56 freely falls into the developing chamber 57 at the developing position facing the photosensitive drum, as shown in FIG.

  The toner in the developing chamber 57 is supplied to the toner supply roller 52. Further, the toner supply roller 52 rotates in the direction of arrow E to supply toner to the developing roller 51. The developing roller 51 is composed of an elastic rubber roller and rotates in the direction of arrow F. The toner on the developing roller 51 is regulated to a certain thickness by the developing blade 53 (developer layer thickness regulating member), and is developed on the photosensitive drum 2a at the development position.

  After development, the toner remaining on the developing roller 51 is removed by the toner supply roller 52. Thereafter, the toner is again supplied to the developing roller 51 by the toner supply roller 52.

  Further, at the development position, the rotary roller 1 is urged in the direction of the photosensitive drum 2a in order to stably bring the developing roller 51 into contact with the photosensitive drum 2a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1A, the developing roller 51a of the yellow developing cartridge 5a comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 2a with a predetermined pressure.

  At this time, the rotary 1 holding the developing cartridge 5 can swing around a rotary drive shaft 20 (see FIG. 1), and is rotated in the direction of the photosensitive drum 2a by a pressurizing unit (not shown). And the developing roller 51a contacts the photosensitive drum 2a.

(Method for attaching / detaching developing cartridge to / from image forming apparatus main body)
Next, an operation of attaching / detaching the yellow developing cartridge 5a to / from the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the image forming apparatus showing the standby state of the developing cartridge when not in the developing operation. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the image forming apparatus showing the attaching / detaching position when attaching / detaching the yellow developing cartridge 5a. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the image forming apparatus showing the attaching / detaching position after the yellow developing cartridge 5a is mounted.

  In explaining the configuration of the yellow developing cartridge 5a, the magenta developing cartridge 5b, the cyan developing cartridge 5c, and the black developing cartridge 5d in this embodiment, the yellow developing cartridge 5a is used.

  The rotary 1 stands by at a position rotated around the rotary shaft 1a until the phase where the developing roller 51a is separated from the photosensitive drum 2a except during the developing operation. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the black developing cartridge 5d is in a standby state at a position 45 ° upstream from the developing position with respect to the rotary rotation direction. The movement to the standby state is automatically performed by the drive transmission mechanism after the job is completed.

  Also, the case of replacing the developing cartridge will be described. When attaching / detaching the developing cartridges 5a to 5d, the user can access the developing cartridges 5a to 5d by opening the attaching / detaching cover 13, as shown in FIG.

  The yellow developing cartridge 5a is attached and detached in the standby state described above. Similarly, the magenta developing cartridge 5b, the cyan developing cartridge 5c, and the black developing cartridge 5d are also detachable at a position 45 ° upstream from the developing position with respect to the rotary rotation direction.

  When the detachable cover 13 is opened, the developing cartridge locking member 19a is retracted in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 6 and moved to a position where it does not engage with the locked portion 61ca of the developing cartridge. As a result, only the yellow developing cartridge 5a in the attaching / detaching position is disengaged from the rotary 1, and the user can attach / detach the yellow developing cartridge 5a. A drive transmission mechanism in the apparatus main body is used as means for moving each developing cartridge to a detachable attachment position. Alternatively, the rotary 1 may be directly moved manually.

  When the user closes the detachable cover 13, as shown in FIG. 7, the developing cartridge locking member 19a moves in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 1A and engages with the locked portion 61ca of the developing cartridge. Move up.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 8, and 9.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view when the yellow developing cartridge is attached and detached. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a rotary holding the developing cartridge.

  First, the developing cartridge handle 54 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3. FIG. The position of the handle portion 54 is located substantially in the center in the longitudinal direction of the developing cartridge. As shown in FIG. 2A, the shape of the handle portion 54 is composed of vertical convex portions 54a and 54b and inclined surface portions 54c and 54d on the front end side of the handle portion. The convex portions 54a and 54b are steps of about 1 to 10 mm, and become a catch when the user grips them. The slope portions 54c and 54d are portions that are actually gripped by the user. The slope portions 54c and 54d have a surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the developing cartridge 5, and the longitudinal width is about 50 to 150 mm. Similarly, the convex portions 54a and 54b are parallel to the longitudinal axis and have a longitudinal width of about 50 to 150 mm.

  Spaces M and N existing above and below the slope portion 54c are spaces for the user to put their fingers. In the present embodiment, it is optimal to hold the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger in the space M and put the thumb in the space N and sandwich the slope portions 54c and 54d.

  Further, when the user grips the slope portions 54c and 54d, the developer cartridge 5 comes close to the attachment / detachment posture. At the time of this attachment / detachment posture, the slope portions 54c and 54d are inclined by 0 ° to 30 ° with respect to the vertical direction as shown in FIG.

  The handle portion 54 is fixed to the developing frame 55 as a separate part. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 4, the bonding surface 54 e is fixed to the recess 55 b of the developing device frame 55. In this embodiment, it is fixed by ultrasonic welding, but it is not necessary to limit to ultrasonic welding, and an adhesive, a solvent, a double-sided tape, or the like may be used.

  Moreover, although it is the color of the handle part 54, in this embodiment, it is colored blue color. This improves the visibility by making the developing frame 55 stand out from the black color. In the present embodiment, a separate member is used to change the color with the developing device frame. However, it is needless to say that the color may not be changed, and it may be formed integrally with the developing device frame 55 instead of a separate member. Absent.

  Next, a description will be given of when the yellow developing cartridge 5a is attached to the image forming apparatus 100. The configuration of the developing cartridges 5a to 5d in this embodiment will be described using the yellow developing cartridge 5a.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the user grips the handle portion 54, the yellow developing cartridge 5 a is in a posture state close to the yellow developing cartridge 5 a at the detachable position in the image forming apparatus 100. This is because the grip portion 54 is positioned substantially vertically upward with respect to the gravity center position G of the yellow developing cartridge 5a at the attachment / detachment position. The gravity center position G in the present embodiment is located in the vicinity of the developing roller 51a, the toner supply roller 52a, and the developing blade 53a. As shown in FIG. 1A, the center of gravity position G of the yellow developing cartridge 5a exists almost directly above the developing roller 51a at the developing position. When the attachment / detachment position or attachment posture is reached, the center of gravity G is located between the vertical line passing through the center of the developing roller 51a and the vertical line passing through the center of the toner supply roller 52a as shown in FIG. It arrange | positions so that it may be located in a direction. In this posture state, the user's hand when gripping the handle portion 54 and the developing roller 51a are separated from each other.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the mounting locus of the developing cartridge 5 moves along the main body guide 17 and is mounted on the rotary 1. The yellow developing cartridge 5a is guided to a predetermined position by a partition plate 1b in which the rotary is divided by 90 °. Further, a positioning portion 1d is provided for positioning the developing cartridge (FIG. 9).

  The positioning portion 1d is positioned by abutting the outer peripheral portions of the shaft portions 60a and 61a of the side members 60 and 61 fixed to both ends of the developing cartridge 5 shown in FIGS. In the present embodiment, the shaft portions 60a and 61a are positioned on the same axis with respect to the developing roller 51, but are not particularly limited.

  Next, a description will be given of removing the yellow developing cartridge 5a from the image forming apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 8, there is a space SP between the space M of the yellow developing cartridge 5a and the magenta developing cartridge 5b upstream of the rotary rotation. The space SP is a notch 55c provided in the developing cartridge. Thus, when the user removes the yellow developing cartridge 5a, the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger can be easily put into the space M, and the yellow developing cartridge 5a is easily grasped.

  Also, the posture of the developing cartridge at the attachment / detachment position in the image forming apparatus will be described. The center Q of the developing roller (center of the developer carrier) is located below the horizontal line P (rotary center) passing through the center of the rotary 1. In this embodiment, more than half of the outer periphery of the developing roller is below the horizontal line P. Since the developing roller 51 at this time is after the development process is used, the developing roller 51 is exposed with the toner attached thereto. At the attachment / detachment position, the grip portion 54 of the yellow developing cartridge 5 a attached to the rotary 1 is above the horizontal line P of the rotary 1 and the center Q of the developing roller is below the horizontal line P of the rotary 1. For this reason, when the yellow developing cartridge 5a is operated from above the image forming apparatus 100, the grip portion 54 is located closest to the opening 30 for attaching and detaching the developing cartridge above the center of the rotary 1 at the developing roller. 51 is at the farthest position. For this reason, the danger of touching the developing roller 51a when the user grips the handle portion 54 is avoided as much as possible.

  Further, the developing blade 53a is positioned between the handle portion 54 and the developing roller 51a at the attaching / detaching position. When the developing cartridge 5a located at the attachment / detachment position is viewed, the front end of the handle portion 54 is connected to the front end of the developing roller 51a from the developing cartridge frame (the front end of the developing roller 51a). When the line is L (FIG. 8), a part of the developing blade 53a protrudes to the near side from the line L. As a result, the developing blade 53a becomes a shielding portion that is separated from the exposed surface of the developing roller 51a, so that the user can easily put the thumb into the space N visually, and the thumb can be prevented from touching the developing roller.

  As described above, the developing cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of this embodiment can obtain the effects described below. First, the developing cartridge and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be reduced in size. Further, when the developing cartridge is held, the posture becomes almost the same as the attaching / detaching posture of the developing cartridge due to the center of gravity, so that the operability is improved. Further, when removing from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the grip of the developing cartridge has good visibility and is easy to replace because it is closest to the opening for replacing the developing cartridge of the apparatus main body. Further, when the toner is removed from the image forming apparatus main body, the developing roller exposed with toner is located farthest from the opening for exchanging the developing cartridge of the apparatus main body. .

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an image forming apparatus main body during development. Sectional drawing which shows a developing cartridge. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a developing cartridge. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a handle portion in the developing cartridge. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus main body in standby other than the developing operation. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus main body in a state where the developing cartridge can be attached and detached. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the image forming apparatus main body after the developing cartridge is mounted. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing attachment / detachment of a developing cartridge. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a rotary holding a developing cartridge.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rotary 2 ... Drum cartridge 5 ... Developing cartridge 1a ... Rotary rotating shaft 20 ... Rotary drive shaft 2a ... Photosensitive drum 30 ... Opening part 51 ... Developing roller 53 ... Developing blade 54 ... Handle part 100 ... Image forming apparatus

Claims (10)

In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a developing cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium.
A rotatable rotary holding a plurality of developing cartridges;
An opening for attaching and detaching the developing cartridge in the radial direction of the rotary is provided above the center of the rotary,
The developing cartridge is
A developer carrier for developing at least a latent image formed on the image carrier;
A grip portion for gripping the developing cartridge;
In the attachment / detachment position where the developing cartridge can be attached / detached to / from the rotary in the apparatus, the center of the developer carrier is disposed below the center of the rotary, and the grip portion is formed of the rotary disposed from the center of the upper side, and the developing agent carrying member of the developing cartridge, Rukoto be located between the vertical line passing through the centers of the developer supply roller for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member An electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a developing cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium.
A rotatable rotary holding a plurality of developing cartridges;
An opening for attaching and detaching the developing cartridge in the radial direction of the rotary is provided above the center of the rotary,
The developing cartridge is
A developer carrier for developing at least a latent image formed on the image carrier;
A developer layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer on the developer carrying member ;
A handle for gripping the developing cartridge ;
Comprising
The grip portion has a surface parallel to the length of the developer layer thickness regulating member and the developer carrier ,
In the attaching / detaching position where the developing cartridge can be attached to and detached from the rotary in the apparatus, the center of the developer carrying member is disposed below the center of the rotary, and the handle portion is disposed on the rotary. When the developer cartridge disposed above the center and positioned at the attachment / detachment position is viewed from the opening, a part of the developer layer thickness regulating member is arranged such that the front end of the handle portion and the developer carrying portion body electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized that you have to project to the front side from the line connecting the front tip of the. 3. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion is located above a center of gravity of the developing cartridge at the attachment / detachment position. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion is fixed to the developing frame as a separate article from the developing frame of the developing cartridge . 5. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a color of the grip portion is a color different from a color of a developing frame of the developing cartridge . A developing cartridge detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A developer carrier for developing at least a latent image formed on the image carrier;
A developer supply roller for supplying a developer to the developer carrier;
And the handle portion for gripping the developing cartridge,
Comprising
In the attachment / detachment position where the developing cartridge can be attached / detached to / from the rotary in the apparatus, the center of the developer carrier is disposed below the center of the rotary, and the grip portion is formed of the rotary of disposed over the center, and the the developer carrying member, a developing cartridge according to the position to said Rukoto between vertical line passing through the centers of the developer supply roller. A developing cartridge detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A developer carrier for developing at least a latent image formed on the image carrier;
A developer layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer on said developer carrying member,
A handle for gripping the developing cartridge ;
Comprising
The grip portion has a surface parallel to the length of the developer layer thickness regulating member and the developer carrier,
In the attaching / detaching position where the developing cartridge can be attached to and detached from the rotary in the apparatus, the center of the developer carrying member is disposed below the center of the rotary, and the handle portion is disposed on the rotary. When the developer cartridge disposed above the center and positioned at the attachment / detachment position is viewed from the opening, a part of the developer layer thickness regulating member is arranged such that the front end of the handle portion and the developer carrying portion developing cartridge, wherein the protruding line or hand from the front side connecting the front side tip of the body. The grip portion, in the detachable position, the developing cartridge according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that above the center of gravity of the developer cartridge. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the grip portion is fixed to the developing frame as a separate article from the developing frame of the developing cartridge. 10. The developing cartridge according to claim 6, wherein a color of the grip portion is a color different from a color of a developing frame of the developing cartridge. 11.

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